Need some impacts: Deep and shallow? More questions inside.

[mroneeyedboh]

So I need some impacts for the homefront. I dont know if I should get both shallow and deep? Im going to be working on vehicles at home, my own that is, and here and there. Id like to have them then not need them, then to need them and not have them.

I was looking at the Tekton sets from Amazon. About ~$20 a set in 3/8 and 1/2" obviously give or take a few bucks, but they sets seem complete, right? Any other suggestions?

Tekton seems like a good brand for Harry Homeowner. I was looking at HF but there are some missing in their Pro sets.. although they are Cr-Mo vs Tektons Cr-V. But again, Tekton seems like a good deal and Ive seen some abuse videos and they dont really fail that one would think...

Thanks guys.

 

[stonesfan68]

I'm a home DIYer myself and I bought the deep 3/8 Tekton socket set. They've been great. I've read really good things about their customer service as well. The sockets are made in Taiwan so that's a point in their favor, too.


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[Stooge]

I've mostly gone through and replaced/ acquired all of my impact sockets to be from Sunex, good value in my opinion and haven't given me any problems. 3/8 I have their shallows in both metric and standard, and 1/2 have both shallow and deep for both metric and sae. they are pretty complete sets, but you can still buy the small $20-$30 simple sets from them. I have no experience with the tekton sockets, although I do have a set of the HF 1/2 metric swivels and worked fine, but after a few years of use, im afraid to use them much more incase they decide to finally explode

 

[General Geoff]

I go for deep wall first in 1/2" drive, because clearance isn't as big of an issue particularly when you have room to get a big 1/2" impact wrench into position. With deep walls, you get a little bit more reach without having to use an extension, and in conjunction with the higher mass socket, means you get more working torque on the fastener.

 

[md21722]

If you are just going to run out and buy everything all at once then yes I would get both shallow and deep. If you want to buy over time I would start with 1/2" drive shallow SAE & deep Metric. For 3/8" you might even want to look at the swivel sockets as they can be incredibly handy. Don't forget there is mid length too

 

[T45]

For 3/8" you might even want to look at the swivel sockets as they can be incredibly handy. Don't forget there is mid length too...

 

[TorKe]

I'm a home DIYer myself and I bought the deep 3/8 Tekton socket set. They've been great. I've read really good things about their customer service as well. The sockets are made in Taiwan so that's a point in their favor, too.


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Tekton vs HFT?

 

[stonesfan68]

Tekton vs HFT?

Sorry, but I have no experience with the HF impacts.


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[bert1913]

also consider this: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83965

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I use Sunex and have for years with no issues. I won't use a CR-V impact socket. I've seen them shatter and it isn't pretty.


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[TorKe]

I use Sunex and have for years with no issues. I won't use a CR-V impact socket. I've seen them shatter and it isn't pretty.


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Moly then?

 

[Jeremy77]

I've got Tekton 3/8 deep metric and have been pleased with their durability. I have the Dewalt 3/8 deep SAE and have had no issues with those either. It seems that Tekton had 2 different sets of the metrics when I bought mine and I sprang for the more expensive of the two. Wasn't a huge difference in price though. It seems one was stamped and had easy read markings while the other only had easy read.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

Moly then?

That's what I'd suggest. Some of my Sunex sets are 10 years old and when they do break they crack which is much better. I've only had to replace a few and they've seen some hard use. I won't suggest their driveline swivels though lol, I went through about 6 of them in 6 attempts so I got Snap On for that.



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[Yarpo]

I've used a lot of Harbor Freight Impacts at work and at home with no issues. For the price I've got no complaints, the things are dirt cheap and have lasted me awhile at this point.

The missing sizes in the metric I've filled out with GP and no issues there either. I really think you'll get a good set of impacts from all the companies mentioned, whatever is easier to get or you can get a deal on, I'd say go for it.

I also started deep before shallow, but I think that's personal preference.

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Can I get all the ones that are missing from the sets at HF? If I were to go that route, in the PRO series btw

 

[mlum6969]

Yes, HF has singles too. I hate when sets are missing the ones that you need..

 

[T45]

Yes, HF has singles too. I hate when sets are missing the ones that you need..

I'd say there is no reason to be missing anything from 10-19mm.

 

[md21722]

Keep in mind some brands only laser etch and do not stamp. Once the laser etch wears off how will you know what size it is? Depending on use that may never happen or might happen the first time you use it! Sunex is one that does both but I have seen some of their sockets are made with loose tolerances while others are just fine.

 

[nbpt100]

Since you said you are mostly using these for working on your own cars at home there should be no need for SAE. This Assumes your cars are not older than 1990 and US brands. If you have something like a riding mower or snow blower to work on you may need SAE, but you did not say.

You wont encounter SAE on newer cars.....At least anything you would use an impact wrench on. Actually, the only exception I can think of is an aftermarket muffler/ exhaust clamp. I am sure someone will correct me If there are other exceptions.

Get both deep and shallow and get a few extensions and a swivel joint. I can't advise on brand but I have seen HF, Advance Auto house brand and other Chinese made stuff hold up well for home use. Chrome Molly is a good choice. If you can only afford one for now get the deeps as they work better on wheel lug nuts. That is the most common use for the home gamer.
Good Luck!

 

[Schurkey]

I was looking at the Tekton sets from Amazon. About ~$20 a set in 3/8 and 1/2" obviously give or take a few bucks, but they sets seem complete, right? Any other suggestions?

How important is is to get advise and consent on a $20 set of sockets? The budget REALLY that tight?

 

[md21722]

Since you said you are mostly using these for working on your own cars at home there should be no need for SAE. This Assumes your cars are not older than 1990 and US brands. If you have something like a riding mower or snow blower to work on you may need SAE, but you did not say.

You wont encounter SAE on newer cars.....At least anything you would use an impact wrench on. Actually, the only exception I can think of is an aftermarket muffler/ exhaust clamp. I am sure someone will correct me If there are other exceptions.

Get both deep and shallow and get a few extensions and a swivel joint. I can't advise on brand but I have seen HF, Advance Auto house brand and other Chinese made stuff hold up well for home use. Chrome Molly is a good choice. If you can only afford one for now get the deeps as they work better on wheel lug nuts. That is the most common use for the home gamer.
Good Luck!

SAE is common on tools. Ball joint presses, tie rod removers, harmonic balancer pullers, and stuff like that. That's one reason why I suggest the shallow in SAE.

 

[bixxjs]

Why not just buy the sizes you need,I work in heavy industry and have 1/4,3/8,1/2,3/4 and even 1 inch drive impacts,but I don't think I've ever used a 12mm,16mm or 21mm socket.

 

[T45]

I don't think I've ever used a 12mm,16mm or 21mm socket.

12mm is all over jap cars, 16mm is perfect overlap with 5/8 in a pinch, and 21mm is on some lug nuts...its a judgement call for sure...but not crazy to keep all of those around.

A DIY is kind of akin to being an indy shop because so many conflicting standards may come your way based on workflows.

 

[md21722]

Jeeps are loaded with 15, 18, and 21 mm in the suspension.

If you ever saw a guy who works on German cars chances are he has 5 and 6 mm in various lengths plus ball ends.

So it really depends on what you work on, or may work on.

 

[visionguru]

So I need some impacts for the homefront. I dont know if I should get both shallow and deep? Im going to be working on vehicles at home, my own that is, and here and there. Id like to have them then not need them, then to need them and not have them.

I was looking at the Tekton sets from Amazon. About ~$20 a set in 3/8 and 1/2" obviously give or take a few bucks, but they sets seem complete, right? Any other suggestions?

Tekton seems like a good brand for Harry Homeowner. I was looking at HF but there are some missing in their Pro sets.. although they are Cr-Mo vs Tektons Cr-V. But again, Tekton seems like a good deal and Ive seen some abuse videos and they dont really fail that one would think...

Thanks guys.

For working on vehicles, if you want to keep a minimal set of sockets, you need to do further research of your vehicles.

I bought impacts for servicing my Honda Accord. The most used sockets are 10mm (no need for impact), 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm. It seems to me that any socket set would include those sizes.

Yes, you'll need deep, standard, extensions, and swivel, because the access will be a problem. I found that deep sockets get used more than standard, the swivel set is quite handy as well.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have Snap On, Proto, Craftsman USA, Wright, and Sunex impact sockets. They all do the same thing, but the Sunex were by far the best bang for the buck. The Sunex master sets are pretty hard to beat. Here, this will get you started. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ROE4FQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kctyphoon]

I don't think there really is any bad choice for impacts to use at home. Just find whatever set you want, decided how much you wanna spend, if you want them to have their own case or not..

I have Tekton, husky, Porter cable, HF,.. they are all fine, they all work. If I could go back in time, I think I'd honestly just buy those grey pneumatic duo sockets - and just have the one set to use on both impacts and a ratchet.. woulda saved so much room and just made things easier.

 

[nbpt100]

SAE is common on tools. Ball joint presses, tie rod removers, harmonic balancer pullers, and stuff like that. That's one reason why I suggest the shallow in SAE.

Good point. Although for occasional home work you can get away with turning the tool screws by hand. But, still a very valid point.

The OP did not say if this is a need for him but I use my SAE impacts mostly on removing lawn mower blades. Big time saver.

 

[mroneeyedboh]

I don't think there really is any bad choice for impacts to use at home. Just find whatever set you want, decided how much you wanna spend, if you want them to have their own case or not..

I have Tekton, husky, Porter cable, HF,.. they are all fine, they all work. If I could go back in time, I think I'd honestly just buy those grey pneumatic duo sockets - and just have the one set to use on both impacts and a ratchet.. woulda saved so much room and just made things easier.

I was going to do that but Ive heard both sides, some love em and some say they are splitting on them/breaking and its a PITA to get warrantied.

no?

 

[Stuart96]

I have Sunex and snap on. For home use Sunex will work great, for professional use it will also work great. At a very reasonable price.. Around 80 for a master 3/8 set


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[sberry]

I got to agree about the budget here and even so in regards to sae, these are not that expensive. Get sets of each in a drive size you can make do with. I work on equipment and some cars, all my impact is 1/2 and use air ratchets some for smaller stuff.
I could do a lot of work 3/8 but it would mean another layer of sockets, I have compact 1/2 gun and can make it work, I don't find myself wanting.

 

[sberry]

This is where the cheap tools are revolutionary. Even at very modest wages a guy can buy a set for an hour or 2 pay and it works nearly as well as one cost a weeks pay. A guy isn't sitting on big money with some pieces he rarely uses, still has the luxury of a complete set.
Same for business to some extent,,, a lot of incentive to invest for simple convenience when a socket or a wrench cost a dollar. Duplication is a huge deal