1/2 inch sockets for weekend warriors.

[boom_bap]

For that kind of money (or maybe a little more), i think you can buy Ko-Ken Impact sockets.

Where would you find that deal? Looking at Koken usa they are at or more then 3 times the cost for a smaller set.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Where would you find that deal? Looking at Koken usa they are at or more then 3 times the cost for a smaller set.

There are some members here who care more about various factors of their tools than just pure funtionality or price. I don't know why Vicks likes Ko-Ken but we have many members that like a particular brand and think that their choices are right for everyone.

The Sunex you are looking at will do just fine. My personal preference would be for the deeps over the shallows. I don't often run into a situation where you need a 1/2" impact and the difference in length between a deep and a shallow makes the difference in fitting the tool. On the other hand I frequently see nuts that are on longer bolts or studs and a shallow won't reach.

 

[MarlynOC]

I wonder what the psi output of a 1/2" cordless impact gun is compared to an 1/2"air impact gun like Ingersol Rand? That would seem like the time to require impact sockets.

 

[m6z]

I play around with old cars. Once I discovered impact guns, I wondered how I lived without them. Totally worth the money. Impact sockets are pretty inexpensive. Don’t worry about buying every size made. Just get the common sizes and it will cover 95% of what you do.

I use a 3/8 most of the time.

This. Huge timesaver.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I wonder what the psi output of a 1/2" cordless impact gun is compared to an 1/2"air impact gun like Ingersol Rand? That would seem like the time to require impact sockets.

Are you familiar with the Torque Test Channel on YouTube? They answer exactly this question quite thoroughly.

 

[MarlynOC]

No I am not thanks for response

 

[Sneezer]

I am strictly a home gamer cheap *******, but having an impact has always been a huge help. Most of the time I am working solo in the driveway, and impacts save me time and aggravation. They get used in some fashion on almost every repair, although not always on every bolt. I have air and cordless impacts, and a variety of impact sockets I have picked up over the years - HF, stuff, Craftsman, Husky, Astro. I have used regular and deep sockets, and a couple years ago I picked up the Astro nano sockets and they have become my favorites. Super handy in tight quarters.

I personally still prefer air tools, and my 26 gal compressor has so far been able to spin everything I have asked of it. However, I do have a couple cordless ones as well. I got the Husky 12v ratchet for and it has come in super handy already.

 

[Vicks]

Where would you find that deal? Looking at Koken usa they are at or more then 3 times the cost for a smaller set.

I buy my Koken tools locally and I think Palmac in the US has a good collection - check link below.

Impact Socket Sets

Palmac Tools offers a wide range of premium-quality tools for professionals and DIYers alike. From power tools to hand tools, we provide reliable products at competitive prices—designed to get the job done right. Shop online at Palmac.net for fast shipping and expert support.

palmac.net

Looking at the 14208 1/2” deep impact socket set I can see that their prices are much higher than what I pay locally here (equivalent of 190$). I wasn’t aware the prices were so much more in the US for Koken tools.

 

[Vicks]

There are some members here who care more about various factors of their tools than just pure funtionality or price. I don't know why Vicks likes Ko-Ken but we have many members that like a particular brand and think that their choices are right for everyone.

The Sunex you are looking at will do just fine. My personal preference would be for the deeps over the shallows. I don't often run into a situation where you need a 1/2" impact and the difference in length between a deep and a shallow makes the difference in fitting the tool. On the other hand I frequently see nuts that are on longer bolts or studs and a shallow won't reach.

I buy Koken tools not just for the quality and finish but also because they’re made In Japan. And I’m willing to pay a premium over other tool brands. I “suggested” to OP that for slightly higher prices he might also be able to buy Koken impact socket set, I never said my choice is right or that it’s for everyone.

+1 on deep impact sockets, at least in automotive work where the impact sockets are used most.

 

[Badgerstate]

Hey folks,

I have a handful of questions.

Topic #1: Are impact sockets even nessesary for weekend warriors.

After digging around it seems that most folks recommend going impact for their 1/2 inch sockets. I wanted to discuss the need for cordless tools for a shade tree weekend warrior. As someone who has a whole weekend to work on their own cars, is there actually even a need for impact coordless tools? The professional environment is all about getting the job done fast so impact tools are the industry standard for good reason. In theory could someone just use 1/2 breakers and ratchets for the same job and only use chrome. This would eliminate the expense of 1/2 impact tools (coordless etc). I recently was gifted an 1/2 DeWalt DCF889B brushed impact and I have no impact sockets. Should I keep the wrench and just buy impact sockets or sell it and buy chromes. I also have a Milwaukee hex impact that I was also considering 3/8 impacts for but again is it really necessary. I do like building my collection, however this question is mostly a discussion of is it really even worth it for the weekend warrior. Should we even invest in big cordless impacts for occational use (ignoring the gifted tool).

Topic #2: 1/2 socket set size. (metric)

Whether it be chrome or impacts what sizes to folks go for? I seem to see 10mm-24mm, 10-32mm and 10-38mm sets. I'd personally use 3/8 tools up to 15mm, so not sure why they normally even include 10-15 to be real. Would it be better to get the 10-24mm to save some money and buy the bigger ones individually for a specific job or just get the whole shebang and be done with it.

I think they are. All that I have for sockets are impact sockets, although most of mine are 3/8. I use my sockets with my impact driver sometimes, so it just made more sense to buy impact sockets instead of having both. For 1/2, I just use them for rotating tires on my cars and I just have 2 Ko-ken extended reach sockets in 19mm and 21mm.
For socket sizes, Id go 10mm-21mm. Any bigger than that and you should probably be looking at 3/4 drive anways.
As for the question about why Ko-ken: theyre expensive but theyre worth it and they will last me a lifetime as someone who only uses them a handful of times a year. I work in auto manufacturing and all of the sockets that we use are Ko-ken. Ive been working there for 10 years, use impact drivers every day and Ive never seen a Ko-ken socket shatter. If theyre good enough to use for 16 hours a day hammering bolts into cars with an impact driver, theyre good enough for me. To be fair though, most of my sockets are Makita, which are also great sockets.

 

[iagsxr]

Swivels impacts are better (at least for me)
And use a impact universal with a locking pin for the socket, it prevents the socket becoming a helicopter flying in the air and possibly causing injury to you or people around you .
And yes they can get a lot of air time and you won't know where it lands

I have a fake front tooth because of a flying impact socket.

 

[boom_bap]

I buy Koken tools not just for the quality and finish but also because they’re made In Japan. And I’m willing to pay a premium over other tool brands. I “suggested” to OP that for slightly higher prices he might also be able to buy Koken impact socket set, I never said my choice is right or that it’s for everyone.

+1 on deep impact sockets, at least in automotive work where the impact sockets are used most.

I agree with this methodology and I will pay for quality. I think when buying tools, there is a place for paying a premium. However, I ended up going with the Sunex 2669 metric set. I have seen enough professional approval of sunex and other taiwaneese brands that for a non-professional they seem to be a reasonable choice that will likely last me a lifetime. Ko-ken from what I've read are quality. I'll keep them in mind for future purchases. I read they only make socket products too which is impressive to keep a business going purely on sockets alone.

 

[General Geoff]

As for the question about why Ko-ken: theyre expensive but theyre worth it and they will last me a lifetime as someone who only uses them a handful of times a year. I work in auto manufacturing and all of the sockets that we use are Ko-ken. Ive been working there for 10 years, use impact drivers every day and Ive never seen a Ko-ken socket shatter. If theyre good enough to use for 16 hours a day hammering bolts into cars with an impact driver, theyre good enough for me.

I've never seen a Pittsburgh Pro, Tekton, or Sunex impact socket shatter either. They're all tough as nails, a fraction of the price of Koken, and are far easier to warranty (here in the US anyway) in the unlikely event that they do crack or shatter.

I'm as big a fan of Koken as anyone, I have a lot of their chrome sockets and extensions. And if country of origin is important, by all means buy their impact sockets. But I would not begrudge anyone for buying cheaper Chinese or Taiwanese impacts, because they by & large simply work.

 

[sparky 1971]

For socket sizes, Id go 10mm-21mm. Any bigger than that and you should probably be looking at 3/4 drive anways.

For real? 21mm is just barely into where 1/2" drive is worth having. My 3/8" drive sockets go to 22mm, although I don't recall ever using anything larger than 19mm, I also don't think I've ever used a 1/2" drive socket smaller than 19 even though they go down to 10mm.. 1/2" drive goes to 38mm, I have used all of the big sockets. I don't even think about 3/4" drive until into the 30mm territory and then it's usually only a thought, the heavy artillery can stay in the box unless the fastener is really stuck or rusted.

 

[VolvoRyan]

A lot of the mid-torque cordless impact guns seem to have the same angry bits inside, whether they're 3/8" or 1/2". That makes what drive size you choose more of a "lifestyle" choice than anything worth arguing over.

-Ryan

 

[Handyandy23]

The harbor freight 1/2 impact set is about $20-25 and it’s guaranteed for life. A good impact gun is a night and day difference in your life and work. They’re worth every penny, and I’m a long ways from being a professional.

This is good advice. I've found impact sockets are so beefy that you don't tend to need expensive ones. The ones I have are the "up level" store brand from Canadian Tire (probably similar quality to one of HF's "better" lines) and they're over 10 years old, and I've never broken one yet. And that's using them on a high torque DeWalt cordless, as well as an IR 2235tiMax. Some of the drive ends are getting a little mushroomed, but nothing that affects their usability or durability at this point.

There are certain tools where you really get what you pay for, but I think in the case of impact sockets it's hard to go wrong.

 

[Handyandy23]

As for sizes, I think my set goes up to 24mm. Then I have an axle nut impact socket set that starts at either 26 or 27mm, and goes up to 36mm. Even on suspension bolts on my half ton pickup I don't think I've had to use anything larger than 24mm. The axle nut sizes I've really only run into on (you guessed it) axle nuts.

Axle nuts need to come off for a lot of DIY jobs (CV's, hubs, etc) so I do think it's well worth it to have those larger sizes. You just need to see if it's cheaper to go with a full set from someone like Tekton, or go to HF and buy a set to 24mm and a separate axle nut set.

 

[qqzj]

For a beginner, the harbor freight impact sockets are probably the best bet and maybe the only thing you need. They work well and the best thing about them is that you don't need to care about them. Like an 20+ year old car. If an old car get a ding on the door, you just forget about it. If it happens to your brand new Mercedes, that probably will cause some distress. Same for impact sockets. When you get to work, you might step on them or drive over them, use them as a 'seal installer' to bang on them, press on them etc. Esp for 1/2 drive ones. I have many sets of impact sockets and I almost always use the HF stuff unless I need one with a rare size.

 

[Badgerstate]

For real? 21mm is just barely into where 1/2" drive is worth having. My 3/8" drive sockets go to 22mm, although I don't recall ever using anything larger than 19mm, I also don't think I've ever used a 1/2" drive socket smaller than 19 even though they go down to 10mm.. 1/2" drive goes to 38mm, I have used all of the big sockets. I don't even think about 3/4" drive until into the 30mm territory and then it's usually only a thought, the heavy artillery can stay in the box unless the fastener is really stuck or rusted.

Id say that anything over 19mm and you really need to be looking at 1/2 and anything over 30mm and you really need to be looking at 3/4 drive. Just because they make sockets is that size doesnt mean that its the right tool for the job.

 

[sparky 1971]

Id say that anything over 19mm and you really need to be looking at 1/2 and anything over 30mm and you really need to be looking at 3/4 drive. Just because they make sockets is that size doesnt mean that its the right tool for the job.

I agree, and if you look at my previous posts, you will see that I start using my 1/2" drive at about 19mm and 3/4", but I have been known to use 3/8 drive with those also. My reply was to your statement that anything over 22mm and someone should be looking at 3/4" drive. 22mm isn't very big and I don't know if I have a 3/4" drive socket that is that small. Remember, this thread was for weekend warriors, and the OP probably isn't ever going to see anything as large or larger as a 30mm unless it's an axle nut, and those aren't tight or rusty enough to justify the expense of 3/4" drive. I tinker with just about anything including friends tractors, skid loaders, a big Ditch Witch, and a small dozer and could do without 3/4 drive, (maybe). If it weren't for my dad buying me a 3/4 drive Craftsman set for Christmas 1989, I might not have one, but who knows, maybe I would. I do find the 36" long ratchet handy for light pole bases and some of those seized on, rusty fasteners on the equipment though.

You stated that you only have two 1/2" drive sockets, 19 and 21mm. If you need a 36mm socket for an axle nut, are you going to go to Auto Zone and buy one in 1/2" drive, or are you going to go buy a 3/4" drive socket, ratchet, and probably an extension? That was the whole point of my post.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I have exactly one 3/4" drive tool, and that is a breaker bar that I really would have preferred in 1/2". On the very rare occasion that I use the bigger sockets I have it is almost always with an impact gun. 3/4" IMHO is strictly for heavy equipment and farm implements. I have no need for it.

 

[Gurp]

As a weekend warrior myself I will say Impacts will make the difference between getting a job done in a weekend or not on bigger projects. In general it saves so much time ESP for wheels and suspension work.
3/8s up to 19mm at the least but really 21mm is ideal IMO.
I have a older Rigid Corded Brushed 1/2 impact it lacks for some jobs but is really nice to have around. It was a freebie as well.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I guess I'm the only one that broke half a set of HF impact sockets and traded them in for a chrome set. Sure, I feed one to the gun every so often, but surprisingly few for 1400 ftlb.