Low profile 1/4" hex drive impact sockets or adaper?

TXBDan · Jan 2, 2016

Hey all,

I'm hoping to use my DeWalt 20V 1/4" impact driver more while working on my car. The biggest issue is that by the time i put a hex to square adapter and an impact socket on it, it's twice as long and won't fit anywhere.

Ideally, i'd like a set of low profile 1/4" hex drive impact sockets, but i can't find such a thing.

Second best would be a low profile/short 1/4" hex drive to 3/8" or 1/2" square adapter.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

ChevyEFI · Jan 2, 2016

If that's your primary use of the impact, perhaps Dewalt offers a square replacement drive.

KnurledNut · Jan 2, 2016

Ive bought one of these and filed little nicks on the corners like 1" insert bits have. You can find generic ones cheaper. The impact will hold the 1" bits as well as the longer 2" power bits. It makes for a close low profile.

https://store.snapon.com/Hex-To-Square-Adaptors-Adaptor-1-4-Hex-To-1-4-Square-1-long-P648133.aspx

dede2897234 · Jan 2, 2016

TXBDan,

Titan Tools makes a metric (6-19mm) impact hex bit socket set that is partially 1/4" drive and the rest 3/8" drive. The bit sockets that are 1/4" drive are 6, 7, 8, and 10mm. Amazon sells them: LINK.

Update: TXBDan, please disregard my post. KnurledNut was right that misread your original post. After doing some Google searching, I too could not find any 1/4" drive low profile or stubby impact sockets.

Dave

Hammer1963 · Jan 2, 2016

I happened to run across a Kobalt kit a Lowes this evening that contained a very low profile 1/4" hex to 1/4" square adapter as well as a 3/8" adapter and other accesories. These were packaged for Christmas and are on clearance for $6.00 or so.

KnurledNut · Jan 2, 2016

dede2897234, he isnt asking about hex bit sockets. He was saying 1/4 hex DRIVE sockets would be ideal.

blarf · Jan 2, 2016

What adapters are you using now? I'm using the Milwaukee Shockwave adapters and they add about 1/2" or less to the overall length.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/fastening/48-32-5031

1badbird · Jan 3, 2016

Gpsockets.com has what appears to be some stubby adaptors, but I can't say for sure since I have never used them myself. I have a a tool shop "power nut driver set" unfortunately it only goes to half but is really short.

1badbird · Jan 3, 2016

Realized I should have posted photos

Voi · Jan 3, 2016

The Black and Decker socket adapters available at Walmart and the adapters from Apex are said to be pretty short.

1badbird said:
I have a tool shop "power nut driver set" unfortunately it only goes to half but is really short.

Those look like they'd be useful. Are they impact rated?

itsvegas · Jan 3, 2016

Voi said:
The Black and Decker socket adapters available at Walmart and the adapters from Apex are said to be pretty short.

Those look like they'd be useful. Are they impact rated?

not impact rates but they are the shortest ive found as well and held up fine for the lite use mine have seen.

bob15 · Jan 3, 2016

Impact rated Apex:

http://apexbits.com/apex-1-4-hex-power-drive-sae-nutsetters-6-point-and-6-point-magnetic.aspx

Or get them from Zoro when they have another 10-20% discount......

http://www.zoro.com/apex-bit-holders-and-nutsetters/g/00061717/

smoking stroker · Jan 3, 2016

Milwaukee shockwave is the shortest adapter i found. They seem to break (snap) the most for some reason though. Another i use alot is the makita due to the fact that it has a swivel type end gets the sockets into more places..

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

barrybeefburger · Jan 3, 2016

Here in Canada we have Princess Auto which is the equivalent to your HF so they may have these http://http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/pro-point-53-pc-1-4-in-dr-sae-and-metric-impact-socket-set/A-p8475923e

djdaredevil · Jan 3, 2016

barrybeefburger said:
Here in Canada we have Princess Auto which is the equivalent to your HF so they may have these http://http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/pro-point-53-pc-1-4-in-dr-sae-and-metric-impact-socket-set/A-p8475923e

Welcome to the forum. I fixed your link for you. You had www.http.com in front of the link.
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/pro-point-53-pc-1-4-in-dr-sae-and-metric-impact-socket-set/A-p8475923e

stage20 · Jan 3, 2016

i dont think he is looking for an impact socket kit....just an adapter to use sockets.
not a bad price on that kit, though.

pepgj · Jan 3, 2016

Something like this?

http://sigma.octopart.com/45580188/image/Utica-44-71-B.jpg

TXBDan · Jan 3, 2016

blarf said:
What adapters are you using now? I'm using the Milwaukee Shockwave adapters and they add about 1/2" or less to the overall length.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/fastening/48-32-5031

Right now i'm using these in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2"
http://www.dewalt.com/tool-parts/impact-ready-accessories-socket-adapters-dw2542ir.aspx

Look fairly similar.

TXBDan · Jan 3, 2016

1badbird said:
Realized I should have posted photos

Thanks for the pics, this is exactly what i'm looking for except i need it in Metric (German car). I searched around gpsocket but aren't finding what i need. It's a good lead though using "nut driver" in searching.

The biggest problem here is there's no easy way to search for these because the key words are all used in other more common ways.

TXBDan · Jan 3, 2016

bob15 said:
Impact rated Apex:

http://apexbits.com/apex-1-4-hex-power-drive-sae-nutsetters-6-point-and-6-point-magnetic.aspx

Or get them from Zoro when they have another 10-20% discount......

http://www.zoro.com/apex-bit-holders-and-nutsetters/g/00061717/

Thanks, here's a 13mm of what i want, but its $63 :/

TXBDan · Jan 3, 2016

ChevyEFI said:
If that's your primary use of the impact, perhaps Dewalt offers a square replacement drive.

I searched a found a thread where they swapped a hex drive to a 3/8" anvil in an older model Dewalt impact driver. Great info. I'm a little hesistant to go that far since i use this for home stuff as well, but it's tempting. Maybe if i can pick up another cheap off craigslist.

Or maybe it's time for a proper 3/8 drive impact.

dede2897234 · Jan 3, 2016

TXBDan said:
Right now i'm using these in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2"
http://www.dewalt.com/tool-parts/impact-ready-accessories-socket-adapters-dw2542ir.aspx

Look fairly similar.

TXBDan,

Since you're using a Dewalt 1/4" to 3/8" drive socket adapter, King Tony produced in Taiwan (now discontinued) the following 3/8" drive, 26 piece SAE/metric stubby impact socket set: King Tony MA31026 socket set. Both Tyler Tool and CPO Outlet claim on their respective websites that the set is in stock. If interested, I would call either company tomorrow to confirm.

I could not find any other tool company that manufacturers a 3/8" drive, impact, metric stubby socket set.

Dave

demolitionman · Jan 3, 2016

Op, for what it's worth, I've found for low torque fasteners, longer extensions with a flex universal socket adapter will get you in really tight spots by getting the gun out of the way. Also wobble extensions help sometimes too. But we know the longer extensione sure **** the torque away

just my 2 cents

kctyphoon · Jan 4, 2016

If your going to use it a lot, your better off just getting an impact wrench. Dewalt has 3/8 impact wrenches in 12 and 20v platforms I think.. Don't know what size bolts your hoping to remove, but I don't think anyone makes nutdrivers with the hex shank up to more useful sizes. The more adapters you use, the less power the impact is going to have.. Just something to keep in mind.

TXBDan · Jan 4, 2016

Thanks for the input, guys. I think one of the shorter adapters with stubby sockets might work. I'll price out that option.

It maybe be cheaper/better to just a proper 3/8" impact (^like you're saying). I wish DeWalt would release their XR/brushless versions soon. Or maybe i'll give Milwaukee a go with their M12 line. The problem there is that even their M12 3/8" impact is longer than the 20V Dewalt 3/8" impact. So maybe that's my answer... my only hang up is that I'd prefer to "invest" in a brushless tool at this point.

AndrewDouglasBird · Jan 4, 2016

I use my Makita 1/4" drive impact all the time with non-impact rated adapters and sockets. Never had a problem breaking either. Guns this size just don't have the power to break even the adapters.

Voi · Jan 4, 2016

TXBDan said:
Thanks for the input, guys. I think one of the shorter adapters with stubby sockets might work. I'll price out that option.

It maybe be cheaper/better to just a proper 3/8" impact (^like you're saying). I wish DeWalt would release their XR/brushless versions soon. Or maybe i'll give Milwaukee a go with their M12 line. The problem there is that even their M12 3/8" impact is longer than the 20V Dewalt 3/8" impact. So maybe that's my answer... my only hang up is that I'd prefer to "invest" in a brushless tool at this point.

Even if DeWalt releases the brushless 3/8" wrench tomorrow I think you'll still occasionally use these adapters so at least get a cheap set like the Black and Decker. And you'll need stubby impact sockets regardless.

As far as the bold text above, the second generation M18 3/8" wrench is even shorter than the current M12. But I'm not sure it's as short as the brushed DeWalt much less the yet to be released brushless version.

TXBDan · Jan 4, 2016

Voi said:
Even if DeWalt releases the brushless 3/8" wrench tomorrow I think you'll still occasionally use these adapters so at least get a cheap set like the Black and Decker. And you'll need stubby impact sockets regardless.

As far as the bold text above, the second generation M18 3/8" wrench is even shorter than the current M12. But I'm not sure it's as short as the brushed DeWalt much less the yet to be released brushless version.

Wow, you're right. The M18 Fuel 3/8 impact is shorter (5.9") than the M12 Fuel 3/8 impact (6.5"). I don't find the M12 very compelling then.

The current Dewalt 20V (nonXR) 3/8 impact is shorter (5.7") but pretty negligible, but much weaker at 130ftlbs vs the M18's 210ftls.

Hopefully DeWalt steps it up with a new XR 3/8 impact. I don't think I can convince myself to get an M18 product when I have a 20V ecosystem that I'm happy with. I'd be cool with an M12 line though as that seems less redundant.

So I see the answer here is to just use my damn ratchet.

Voi · Jan 4, 2016

TXBDan said:
So I see the answer here is to just use my damn ratchet.

Lol, and a breaker bar. And your adapter when they fit for the time being.

Apparently I overlooked that you said you already had adapters when I replied to this thread. I don't think you'll gain much but getting another set of adapters that are maybe 1/4" shorter than what you already have.

Low profile 1/4" hex drive impact sockets or adaper?

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