Homeowner light duty 3/8 impact sockets
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FuzzyTiger
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
Impact wrench or impact sockets?
Impact wrench or impact sockets?
FuzzyTiger
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
I say get whichever is a better deal. I think Sunex has a reputation for making really good impact sockets but both brands are probably more than good enough.
I say get whichever is a better deal. I think Sunex has a reputation for making really good impact sockets but both brands are probably more than good enough.
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
3/8 impact wrenches are weak. Any sockets would work. The first came to mind is harbor freight
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3/8 impact wrenches are weak. Any sockets would work. The first came to mind is harbor freight
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bobemmerich
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
I have the Campbell Hausfeld set. Held up good so far after 30+ years. Granted, I haven't pro-wrenched since '97, so they haven't seen much use in awhile, but when i need them, they work fine.
I have the Campbell Hausfeld set. Held up good so far after 30+ years. Granted, I haven't pro-wrenched since '97, so they haven't seen much use in awhile, but when i need them, they work fine.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
Harbor Freight, Tekton, Sunex, Capri, Neiko, Gray Pneumatic. Pretty much all impacts are good those are just some of the many brands out there.
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Harbor Freight, Tekton, Sunex, Capri, Neiko, Gray Pneumatic. Pretty much all impacts are good those are just some of the many brands out there.
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2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
Sunex is used professionally by many, top notch product. I have some Neiko XZN bits I use mostly for VW brake caliper brackets, and they work well.
As others said, with the output levels of most 3/8 impacts, especially with what I'd call "homeowner" levels of air power, most anything should work. I always focus on complete sizes with no skips over and above all. Yes, your asian car may not have factory 18mm bolts. But the aftermarket balljoint or tie-rod nut you install may.
Sunex is used professionally by many, top notch product. I have some Neiko XZN bits I use mostly for VW brake caliper brackets, and they work well.
As others said, with the output levels of most 3/8 impacts, especially with what I'd call "homeowner" levels of air power, most anything should work. I always focus on complete sizes with no skips over and above all. Yes, your asian car may not have factory 18mm bolts. But the aftermarket balljoint or tie-rod nut you install may.
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
I just picked up the Grey Pneumatic 3/8" 59-piece Duo socket set. By nature of being "Duo" sockets, they are probably lighter duty than conventional impacts sockets but it also makes the access great. You get a ratchet you probably don't need but you basically get it for free. The set is pretty complete: short and long, metric and standard, 5/16" - 1", 7mm - 22mm. The case is super low profile and if you take the lid off, it fits in a very shallow drawer. Mine rides in my truck and plays the role of hand sockets/impacts sockets so I wanted light/low profile.
I just picked up the Grey Pneumatic 3/8" 59-piece Duo socket set. By nature of being "Duo" sockets, they are probably lighter duty than conventional impacts sockets but it also makes the access great. You get a ratchet you probably don't need but you basically get it for free. The set is pretty complete: short and long, metric and standard, 5/16" - 1", 7mm - 22mm. The case is super low profile and if you take the lid off, it fits in a very shallow drawer. Mine rides in my truck and plays the role of hand sockets/impacts sockets so I wanted light/low profile.
dodge610
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
I have had the HF sets for 20 years havent broken one yet. Have used them with cordless impact and my air drive impact.
I have had the HF sets for 20 years havent broken one yet. Have used them with cordless impact and my air drive impact.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
IMHO, 3/8 impact sockets are a waste of money, in the context of "light duty". The exception is the swivel sockets.
IMHO, 3/8 impact sockets are a waste of money, in the context of "light duty". The exception is the swivel sockets.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
^ Plan on just impacting on your chrome stuff then?
If you're running an impact tool, you probably want impact rated tooling. The only exception I can see is using 1/4 impact drivers with adapters to 1/4 drive square. The marketing torque output is like 10ft/lbs, so it takes a decade+ of regular use to add up to any real wear.
^ Plan on just impacting on your chrome stuff then?
If you're running an impact tool, you probably want impact rated tooling. The only exception I can see is using 1/4 impact drivers with adapters to 1/4 drive square. The marketing torque output is like 10ft/lbs, so it takes a decade+ of regular use to add up to any real wear.
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
for 3/8 impact sockets... I saw the Milwaukee set on HomeDepot that is really nice..
Don't think HF sell a 3/8 one.
I have the Sears one that they were on sale... I got 2 set, and they have been good. I think I like the Milwakee ones better...
Most of the times, I just use a regular socket from the 3/8 tray... too lazy to dig. I can cry COO when they failed
.'''
for 3/8 impact sockets... I saw the Milwaukee set on HomeDepot that is really nice..
Don't think HF sell a 3/8 one.
I have the Sears one that they were on sale... I got 2 set, and they have been good. I think I like the Milwakee ones better...
Most of the times, I just use a regular socket from the 3/8 tray... too lazy to dig. I can cry COO when they failed
.'''Wrench97
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
What are light duty impact sockets?
Impact sockets by nature need to beefer since they are softer.
What are light duty impact sockets?
Impact sockets by nature need to beefer since they are softer.
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
Sunex carries a lifetime warranty and Neiko only has a 1yr warranty(unless they've changed that in recent times), so that's something to consider. With the price difference for the 40 something piece set being $2-3 apart at most times, it only makes sense to choose the sunex even though you're not that likely to have to warranty them with light use.
Sunex carries a lifetime warranty and Neiko only has a 1yr warranty(unless they've changed that in recent times), so that's something to consider. With the price difference for the 40 something piece set being $2-3 apart at most times, it only makes sense to choose the sunex even though you're not that likely to have to warranty them with light use.
jrbpit1
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
I like my SK impacts. Can be had for 30% off from SK now.
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I like my SK impacts. Can be had for 30% off from SK now.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
Sunex
Sunex
bob15
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
I've had my Wright's 3/8 impacts for almost 25 years. Not used all the time, but have no complaints about them.
I've had my Wright's 3/8 impacts for almost 25 years. Not used all the time, but have no complaints about them.
Out of the two, I'd get Sunex as I've heard more about them than the other.
Mine are Cman and bought years ago.
Changed the thread title too.
Mine are Cman and bought years ago.
Changed the thread title too.
bsaint
Well-known member
Grey or Sunex.
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I say go get the Harbor freight set first. I have used mine and no issues at all. I mainly use them on a 1/4 hex impact with the 3/8 adaptor thing. I don't have a 3/8 impact yet. I like the HF ones for the price and what you get. I have used the 8mm 3/8 really hard putting up the plastic over the outside of my houses windows. Very little deformation. Plus if it fails take it in and walk out with a new one same day.
emitchell1337
New member
Recently got the Capri set. Very complete, no skips. I like that there is etching and engraving for the sizes. Also came with the Westling aluminium socket tray that is very nice.
Looked into getting Sunex when I purchased mine, but ultimately went with Grey Pneumatic due to the lower price and seemingly equal quality. That was a couple years ago now, the plan was to upgrade the most used to Snap-on as they wear out, but haven't killed a single one yet! For homeowner use you really can't go wrong when it comes to impact sockets, you likely won't ever wear out even the cheapest ones available.
n8n
Well-known member
Late to the party, but I "inherited" a set of Sunex 3/8" impact sockets (I would have never bought 3/8" impacts for myself, but the price was right) from a friend's retired mechanic father. A couple were missing, but the ones remaining have plenty of life left in them. If he didn't wear them out, I never will.
fang123
Well-known member
Sunex. get the mid-lenght.
Yeah they not too bad
do no skip sets 8 to 22mm or just to 19mm
got sae as well buy just short just deeps or both or master sets .
In sets you only looking at like 2 bucks a socket and that all you going need for requirement of homeowner and light duty.
If you don't need full sets (no skips) then HF Pitts pro could do you fine .
I've found better effort taiwan impacts as good as big brands at 5 times the cost and in some instances better durability and certainly better design features in some cases .
Al Borland
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
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Husky (older US-made) have held up for 25+ years used with air ratchets and "Butterfly" impact as well as a "smack-it-with-a-hammer" impact thing.
Thank you sir, it's tough when the brain is faster than the fingers.
Not a problem and glad to help.
next time, just shoot me a PM with a link to the thread. It's easy to change.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Re: Homeowner light duty 3/8 impacts
I bought a single SK impact socket to replace a worn out one I had. I love their size markings every 120*, makes it very nice. I bought USA Williams to replace my worn out sunex/tool-truck set, and it's taking longer than expected to "wear in" the common sizes so I can see them at a glance. The size markings are stupid small on the williams.
In retrospect, I should have just replaced my singles with SK. Not sure what prompted the pick of USA williams. Wanted to try something other than sunex just to have a data point.
I bought a single SK impact socket to replace a worn out one I had. I love their size markings every 120*, makes it very nice. I bought USA Williams to replace my worn out sunex/tool-truck set, and it's taking longer than expected to "wear in" the common sizes so I can see them at a glance. The size markings are stupid small on the williams.
In retrospect, I should have just replaced my singles with SK. Not sure what prompted the pick of USA williams. Wanted to try something other than sunex just to have a data point.
Stuey
Well-known member
Husky or Tekton
For light duty, I think I'd probably buy whichever was cheaper - I don't think there are big mistakes to be made other than sets that skip sizes you'd want to use. HF impacts are fine too.
I chose Sunex (have master metric kits for 1/2" and 1/4") and they've been fine, but I'd very possibly just do HF/Pittsburgh if I was doing it again.
I chose Sunex (have master metric kits for 1/2" and 1/4") and they've been fine, but I'd very possibly just do HF/Pittsburgh if I was doing it again.
javyLSU
Well-known member
Might want to until January when Tekton releases their new 3/8” impact sockets. I picked up some singles in 1/2” drive to expand my SK set, and they compare very favorably:
Ordered a few of the new 1/2” Tekton impact sockets to round out my SK set. I like them so far - fully necked, sizes etched AND stamped... My only wish is that the chamfering on the fastener end was shallow like my SK set, but I’m pretty happy with these.
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jgromada
Well-known member
good luck with the Neiko, i always found Neiko to be a bit of hit or miss in terms of quality