Patrick Boyle
Well-known member
Like the title says, I'm looking for a good set of swivels, but can't swing $200-500.
Do Grey Pneumatic or Sunex make a quality pinless set?
Do Grey Pneumatic or Sunex make a quality pinless set?
Pinless Impact Swivels - Alternatives to Matco/Craftsman?
- Thread starter Patrick Boyle
- Start date
anydzzdae38
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2010
- Messages
- 107
I just buy what sizes I need. I have 3 Matco swivels in 10mm, 13, 15mm. Get the common sizes for $40-50 and save some green.
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,094
Those are pretty decent sockets. Many GJ members have them, and they seem to like them.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Armstrong maxx universal impact sockets? I think they are pinless and they look like like a carbon copy of the Matco ones.
diesel research
Well-known member
Doesn't work all the time. The stacked height can exceed available clearance.
The additional "joint" (connection between socket and swivel) also reduces hammering impact torque due to additional clearance/slop. Same as stacking extensions.
The pinless design seems to be a danaher exclusive. That is cman/matco/armstrong.
chriswin3
Member
sometimes there is not ample room to use a socket with a universal adapter, is these cases a swivel socket is needed.
coalminer
Well-known member
I use the grey swivels pretty often in my work and love them.I have only sheared one pin on a 1 1/8 half inch drive .. it was repalced no questions asked... For the money I highly reccommend the grey sets ..!!
wafrederick
Well-known member
Grey Pneumatic and Sunex still use a pin design.I paid $48.81 a piece for the shallow 15mm and 18mm shallow Matco impact swivel sockets in 3/8 drive.I have the Matco SAE and Metric sets in 1/2 drive,no regrets and no broken sockets yet.
yogitech
Well-known member
My Sunex have been going strong for the past six years daily, havent broken one yet... Whole heck of alot cheaper too!
I've been looking for a swivel set myself, and I've been seriously eyeballing this set from Genius Tools.
http://www.geniustools.net/Products/readset.aspx?item=TG-312M&back=searchproducts.aspx
I had never heard of this brand but after searching a bit, even finding many positive results from GJ, I'm not worried about buying from them.
The only thing is they're not specific about what type of swivels they are, pin or pinless, as I'm also wanting pinless sockets. I tried calling them up to ask but they're on holiday break, but I'm still searching.
http://www.geniustools.net/Products/readset.aspx?item=TG-312M&back=searchproducts.aspx
I had never heard of this brand but after searching a bit, even finding many positive results from GJ, I'm not worried about buying from them.
The only thing is they're not specific about what type of swivels they are, pin or pinless, as I'm also wanting pinless sockets. I tried calling them up to ask but they're on holiday break, but I'm still searching.
GoBlue
Well-known member
I actually have the set from HF and they have been going strong for a while and used daily!
Ed_EOD
Well-known member
I have a Genius universal and it has a pin.
shampoop
Well-known member
+1
To the average hobbyist I understand how the difference wouldn't seem worth it, but that seemingly small difference in clearance and power transferred makes a huge difference on how often you can use an impact gun.
Craftsman/Matco/Armstrong are the only brands offering pinless swivels.
On a budget the Gearwrench/Sunex/GP swivels are great. The pinless design is a nice improvement over the rest but not earth shattering.
Newer production MAC/Cornwell/Snap-On make a slightly better impact swivel than the above budget brands because they dont have the fat neck at the swivel joint so you may want to check the used prices on those sets as well.
diesel research
Well-known member
As mentioned, this seems to be an armstrong "exclusive" (along with it's resellers) I am not sure if it is "patented" but they sure do seem to have a lock on this type design.
Here is a genius
You can't tell in the picture, but it does not have those 4 grooves. You can tell it has a fat "collar" around the middle, which likely helps secure or support the pin.
One problem I have had with proto pin-types, was not breaking, but ball-groove wear. The pin goes through a slot that allows the ball to pivot. Over time the slot grew so sloppy that it could no longer deliver the hammer blows of the impact.
I have the snap on ones which are pinned. They have not worn out yet, but I believe I would have likely been just as well, if not better, off with the armstrong/matco/cman pinless.
shampoop
Well-known member
This is a good example of the low profile neck that increases clearance.
i've got Snap On, Matco, IR, Cman, and Grey swivel impacts. they all work about the same.
BUT...
the pinless design is nicer because it doesn't have a collar holding the pin in like some of the pinned designs do. that is the one thing i dislike most about my IR set. the collar makes the socket diameter bigger and therefore reduces the sockets ability to fit into the really small spots that i have come across.
BUT...
the pinless design is nicer because it doesn't have a collar holding the pin in like some of the pinned designs do. that is the one thing i dislike most about my IR set. the collar makes the socket diameter bigger and therefore reduces the sockets ability to fit into the really small spots that i have come across.
GoBlue
Well-known member
I use the H.F's in a professional environment. When i got them i told myself i would replace them individually with Matco when they broke. They never did. Now if i were to break one i would get another H.F under waranty...i like them that much. I cant begin to say how often i use the 21mm doing brakes.
OP
Patrick Boyle
Well-known member
I should have said I'm looking at a 3/8" set that I'll most likely be using with an air ratchet or by hand to get into tight areas.
Clearance being the main reason for wanting them, I was thinking pinless was the way to go. I didn't realize that Danaher had a patent on them. Maybe I'll search around for a used set.
Clearance being the main reason for wanting them, I was thinking pinless was the way to go. I didn't realize that Danaher had a patent on them. Maybe I'll search around for a used set.
This is a good example of the low profile neck that increases clearance.
Ok, now I'm confused. Is this pinned or pinless?
From the pictures, I can't tell a difference between the Snap-On and Craftsman.
shampoop
Well-known member
It's a pinned style. The picture was to show how the base of the socket is quite narrow where many brands need to make it very fat in order to have enough strength.
diesel research
Well-known member
Pinned with a shaft running through that visible channel. Snap on "laser welded" the pin to the lower body so they can get away being a little slimmer.
This has worked for me for over 25 years.
trboxman
Well-known member
Sometimes it's a clearance issue where a socket stacked on a swivel is just too long whereas a wobble or all in one swivel will fit just fine.
MattPersman
Well-known member
the HF set in 3/8 is strange because it's missing common sizes 15, 18, 19, would be nice if they offered those sizes in there set for more $
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It's not that strange really. Harbor Freight and other asian tool makers often overlook 15 and 18mm because most asian made cars don't use those sizes. However, GM must get a special discount on those fastener sizes because, most GM cars use the hell out of those sizes along with 8, 10, and 13mm.
bsaint
Well-known member
Armstrong set is wicked expensive.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Armstro..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item45fefd8a23
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Armstro..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item45fefd8a23
greasemonkey44
Well-known member
im using grey pneumatic deep and short wobbles
they are pinned which is kind of annoying; the joint isnt stiff enough to hold up the socket end somtimes
ive used matco wobbles which didnt have this problem
they are tough as nails though; i may just replace my most used ones(15 and 18)
the reason for deep well wobbles is you eliminate an extra connection when you are going over a bellhousing to get at the bolts; with and impact the univerals tend to go flying and the wobble sockets dont
they are pinned which is kind of annoying; the joint isnt stiff enough to hold up the socket end somtimes
ive used matco wobbles which didnt have this problem
they are tough as nails though; i may just replace my most used ones(15 and 18)
the reason for deep well wobbles is you eliminate an extra connection when you are going over a bellhousing to get at the bolts; with and impact the univerals tend to go flying and the wobble sockets dont
mtkst19
Well-known member
this is one tool where craftsman design is tops. the 1/2 universals are comparable in size to 3/8 of other brands. thats how compact they are. Im saving my pennies for a set myself in 3/8 and 1/2. I am sold on this design after a tool box i bought out had an older c-man 1/2 impact swivel that needed warranty. they gave me the pinless design in exchange. It is night and day difference.