1/2 drive chrome sockets

[GoFaster2]

I have complete sets of 6pt and 12pt, 1/4' and 3/8' chrome sockets. But I don't have any 1/2" drive chrome sockets, only impact. Seems I use my Snap on long handle ratchet and 3/8 drive sockets for everything and when that wont get a big bolt loose, then the impact comes out. Any reason to buy a complete set of 1/2drive sockets?

 

[Seanbev24]

I use them quite a bit but it isn't too often where they'd be required. I have 1/2" 12 point short chrome sockets from 10-36mm. In impact I have full sets of deep and shallow 6 point, but almost never use the shallow impacts since I go to the swivel sockets if space is tight with the gun.

I'm sure I could get by without the chrome sockets 95% of the time if I had to.

 

[lauver]

I have chrome sockets, shallow and deep, in 1/4 drive and 3/8 drive and shallow only in 1/2 drive. I bought 1/2 drive deep thinwall impact sockets.

If I had it to do over, I would have bought thinwall impacts in all three drive sizes.

I should mention that I'm not a big fan of chrome tools. I prefer industrial finish tools. Unfortunately, I discovered them too late.

 

[BigAl62]

When I reach for a 1/2" drive socket I'm also reaching for my impact gun. I have some chrome sockets, but I don't use them much. You can always use impact sockets with a ratchet, but you shouldn't use chrome on a impact gun.

 

[knocker]

I have a full set of so 1/2" chrome shallow and deep's and they look brand new, they rarely leave my box. If i could do it again I would have spent the money on something more useful

 

[tw33k2514]

1/2" chrome is a waste of box space. Don't bother

 

[Borrego]

Because you can.

 

[Olafur]

It probably depends on what your are doing and what you get used to.

Over here 1/2" is the standard for automotive work. Partly tradition and also because we have plenty of 4x4. If I crawl under Toyota LC, Nissan Patrol - let alone anything larger - my 3/8 sits in the drawer.

My personal criteria is, any head over 19mm ->1/2". Added bonus is taiwan pumps out dirt cheap 1/2" "flank drive" satin finish sockets who hold up quite well with 1/2" impacts. Sometimes I wonder if I should buy impact sockets at all. Another bonus with 1/2" drive is stiffer extensions -> better transfer of blows from impacts/mallets to brake loose stuck bolts and nuts. I hardly ever test the ultimate strength of my tools if I got other options. So I got small selection of 3/4" as well. Perhaps zero warranty has something to do with it too.

$.02

 

[wafrederick]

There applications which an impact socket will not fit into.Lot of the aftermarket rims are this way,I used to use chrome sockets until I bought a set of thinwall flip sockets for the aftermarket rims.

 

[Benji]

I am a mechanic by trade and I have a full set of standard and metric 1/2" chrome that have hardly been used and most look brand new but their are times when you need one but I can't remember when I did last.

 

[Chrislols]

As a DIY'er I've been wondering this for weeks, I have some empty 1/2" Hansen trays and just can't see the point in filling them with chrome if I could get flexible, heavy composite, etc 3/8's and 1/4's but I'm still undecided

Even my auto mechanic dad of 30 years had full 1/4, & 3/8 impact, chrome, deep, and shallow SO sets had not one 1/2" socket they he kept after retiring, he just skipped them and went right up to complete 3/4"

My .02

 

[Olafur]

Even my auto mechanic dad of 30 years had full 1/4, & 3/8 impact, chrome, deep, and shallow SO sets had not one 1/2" socket they he kept after retiring, he just skipped them and went right up to complete 3/4"

My .02

That's one way to do it

 

[amolaver]

i basically don't buy chrome sockets. i have yet to encounter a scenario that required a socket that one of my 1/4 3/8 or 1/2 impact sets wouldn't fit. i do have some thin wall 1/2 sockets but those are really just for wheels. chrome is pretty, but frankly, not that useful. i would like to get some of the 'universal' jointed sockets as occasionally impact swivels can't deflect enough.

if you don't have swivels yet, THAT is where i would drop some coin. most damn useful thing in my box. so useful in fact that i might actually pony up for some of the high $ matco/craftsman (believe it or not) 'pinless' version as it makes the swivel joint much narrower. i believe SO's are a 'pinned' design, but somehow about the same width as the matco/craftsmans.

ahm

 

[Skin]

Any reason to buy a complete set of 1/2drive sockets?

There is always a reason, the question is will you actually encounter one. The best reason i can think for getting a 1/2" set is the ratchets and breakers are substantially larger. Similarly its a common size for torque wrenches in the 100+Ft/Lb range. You could probably get away with just impacts but then again i could say the same about 3/8".

In Europe they dont really even use 3/8", just 1/4" and 1/2".

Also if you keep your eyes peeled truck brand 1/2" sockets can actually often be found for the same or less money than 3/8.

 

[afazz]

Most chrome sockets have the detents for the ball on the drive stud in all 4 sides, where most impact sockets only have a hole on one side. If you use 1/2" hand tools (ratchets, breaker bars) with impact sockets, you either have to align the hole with the ratchet ball or deal with sockets falling off.

Somebody needs to make a 1/2" drive ratchet with circlip retention like impact guns.

 

[Chrislols]

i basically don't buy chrome sockets. i have yet to encounter a scenario that required a socket that one of my 1/4 3/8 or 1/2 impact sets wouldn't fit. i do have some thin wall 1/2 sockets but those are really just for wheels. chrome is pretty, but frankly, not that useful. i would like to get some of the 'universal' jointed sockets as occasionally impact swivels can't deflect enough.

This has gotten me thinking, how good could I get by, by not buying anymore chromes but just impacts as a DIY'er? I have a SO 1/2 impact and SO 3/8 air ratchet, instead of buying more sets to fill in my trays with chrome, could I just go for impacts and get some nice ratchets to use them on?

Thanks -Chrislols

 

[Ritter4.0]

I try not to buy them new, because I hardly ever need them. But it they're on sale for 50% OFF or more, or I see them at the pawn shop I'll get them. Most of mine are MAC or Craftsman from the pawnshop and Kobalt from the Lowe's sell out.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have 12pt 1/2 chrome from when I worked at Deere, they use 12pt bolts. Ohter then that I have impact. In fact, a good chuch of my 3/8 is impact. 6pt are impact, chrome are 12pt. In my service truck, other then 1/4, I only have sunnex impacts, all I need.

 

[pipsters]

I have Craftsman chrome and SK impacts. I recently compared the two, and they are very similar in width until you get up into the higher MM sizes. A 36mm impact is thicker than the 36mm chrome, but in the 20's and under they are similar size.

 

[Chrislols]

Bump! I'd like to hear more imput on this

 

[sawatch]

I live on/have a farm. Always need 1/2 std & deep & impact std & deep & big combos & dbe.

 

[csmitty]

I've got some 1/2 chrome CMan 12pt from an old set I got, not real complete. My plan is 1/2 shallow chrome and 1/2 deep as impact. Granted I did get the 1/2 shallow metric set from SO when they were 99.99. 12-24. So those may be the shallows. Got a 6pt 13pc SO SAE shallow set off here for 1/2 off basically brand new. I wouldn't pay retail for them, maybe for some CMan though if I had to have them. But since not I can shop around and wait for a deal.

The same with 3/8s and only deep in impact. shallow i'm fine with chrome. though i also have deep chrome as well.

 

[pdxgearhead]

As a d'yer, I think it depends on what you are working on. I did buy a 1/2" dr SK chrome shallow socket set (10-28mm) when I was in highschool (early 1990's). It sat unused in my tool box for 15 years, as I drove cars and Jeeps then; 3/8" handled pretty much anything.

I drive a Dodge 2500 Cummins now, and the 1/2" drive sockets (chrome and impact) are my go to set.

 

[GoFaster2]

I did see that Grey has a set of Duo sockets that are for ratchet,impact or electric use. Maybe this is the best compromise? My 1/2 impacts are Sunex and they are a little thick.

 

[amolaver]

i think one of the few legit reasons to own chrome sockets is what bobcatdan was talking about; actual 12 point fasteners. of course, they do also sell 12pt impact sockets (and i've got some), but avoid using them on anything other than 12pt fasteners. there are very few 12pt fasteners with what i work on, so they rarely get touched. i find it much too easy to round off fasteners with 12pt sockets (when attached to an impact gun).

for me, bottom line is there is no advantage to short/deep sockets in chrome. true universals have a much larger range of articulation than swivel impacts (at least that i know of), and i'm sure are useful/necessary for some jobs. other than that, i've never had an issue using my impact sockets. not as pretty, but way more efficient use of $.

ahm

 

[May Pop]

Ive got chrome in my traveling box and junk yard bag to help keep the weight down. As a kid all my first sets were chrome. Also not all guys have an inpact yet so chrome is good enough. Lately the price has gotten better on the impacts like Sunnex ect.