1/4 drive Semi-deep sockets & low profile sockets - chrome

[m6z]

I'm going to put a 1/4" socket set together for inside the house. To avoid buying duplicates (std and deep Craftsman) of what I've already got in the garage I was looking at semi-deep and low profile sockets.

Gearwrench looks to be the best deal for the semi-deep at around $25 a set.

Any input on low pro 1/4" sockets, or do they even exist?

I know I'd be money ahead just buying a complete Tekton or GW set for $50-60..

 

[lardy1]

https://www.tekton.com/1-4-in-dr-skt-and-r-sets-5-32-9-16-in-4-14-mm?quantity=1&set-range=combined

Pretty hard to beat for fifty bucks.

 

[Air21]

MAC makes the shortest swivel sockets

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Koken Zeal makes low profile 1/4. Very nice to have. My 1/4 semi deeps are gearwrench, they've held up for at least 5 years; and I use them every day.

 

[Odd-job]

1/4 drive Semi-deep sockets & low profile sockets - chrome

The poor man’s low profile and semi deep setup.

$35 all in. Semi deep Gearwrench from Amazon and power torque low profiles from Oreillys Auto.

Next to their Craftsman USA 10mm friends.

 

[Iowafox]

Power torque 1/4 low profiles from Oreillys Auto. Low price but good quality. They are the smallest out there i've found. They have a good warranty if it breaks they will replace it right there right now. Best part is you can use them on a ratchet wrench as well. The sets are something like $15-$20 a great value and would be perfect for a around the house toolkit.

 

[M6erfan]

+1 for Ko-ken Zeal, in shallow and semi deep.

 

[Handyandy23]

You guys have any leads on where to buy Koken right now? Amazon.jp doesn't seem to even list the Zeal 1/4" set right now (from what I can find fumbling around at least). And a lot of the Koken they do list says it won't ship to me.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Try franks tools; small business so perhaps he will be willing to ship across the border.


FWIW with covid international shipping has slowed, so domestic supplies of koken may be drying up. He could probably give you an ETA if they're not in stock currently. I've been waiting on some stuff from him, stuck in japan currently.

 

[qqzj]

It's nice to have a big box to store everything. So a Tekton or GearWrench is a no-brainer for me. Then you can add GearWrench mid, power torque low profile. Finally, you can get DeWalt shallow and deep. I measured. DeWalt shallow is taller than GW shallow. DeWalt deep is shorter than GW deep. So you got 6 sets of various lengths! And the best part is that all of them will be shinny brand new, because you will never really need them. Hahaha.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Odd-job]

It's nice to have a big box to store everything. So a Tekton or GearWrench is a no-brainer for me. Then you can add GearWrench mid, power torque low profile. Finally, you can get DeWalt shallow and deep. I measured. DeWalt shallow is taller than GW shallow. DeWalt deep is shorter than GW deep. So you got 6 sets of various lengths! And the best part is that all of them will be shinny brand new, because you will never really need them. Hahaha.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

Uh oh. Now looking into the Dewalt sets. Thinking about how pretty a nice smooth socket wave would look in my tool cart.

 

[bwringer]

Power torque 1/4 low profiles from Oreillys Auto. Low price but good quality. They are the smallest out there i've found. They have a good warranty if it breaks they will replace it right there right now. Best part is you can use them on a ratchet wrench as well. The sets are something like $15-$20 a great value and would be perfect for a around the house toolkit.

Agreed. There are some really nice, unusual Power Torque brand tools at ORA. Made in Taiwan, too.

I have that set, and I also grabbed a handy set of low profile hex sockets. Add an 11mm or 7/16" ratcheting wrench, and you can get into some very small spaces.

They also have some nifty Titan tools around, too -- I have a couple of teensy little 1/4" drive Titan ratchets that have been very handy.

ORA also has a nice set of several different 10mm socket variations. I mainly bought mine for that extra-extra-extra-extra-deep socket: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...dard-6-point-metric-socket-set/gm8465/6039493

 

[Mgdoug3]

The SK SAE 1/4" drive semi deep are on sale right now for $62.99.

https://sktools.com/shop/10-piece-1-4-drive-6-pt-fractional-semi-deep-chrome-socket-set.html

 

[m6z]

Thanks for the suggestions and that comparison picture. Makes sense on the semi-deep becoming the first thing you'd reach for. Just long enough for a proper stud/nut situation, but short enough for most everything else.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Vicks]

+1 on Ko-Ken Zeal line of socketry. Their knurled extensions are a joy to use with the ratchet and low profile socket combo too.

 

[Qualitytools]

Defenately look at KOKEN

 

[visionguru]

Just get Gearwrench semi-deep, cheaper and easier to buy, great chrome, big markings, and with knurling. It's a step up from store brands and Tekton. Sockets are one of those things that decent brands (even Craftsman) are just as good as truck brands, in terms of functionality.

Gearwrench semi-deep is the first I'd grab with 1/4". Instead of "low profile", for which I use box wrenches or racheting wrenches, magnetic sockets are super helpful in the cramped engine bay.

People like to recommend random stuff (such as Koken). Seriously, I'd rather have Snap On or Nepros if I want to spend money.

 

[clientgraphics]

For Koken items I usually get them at Palmac.net They are located in the same city and state as Koken USA if that helps.

Link to the 1/4 metric shallow Koken Z sockets:

Koken Z-Series RS2400MZ/12 | 1/4" Sq. Dr. Socket Set, (12 Pcs) on Magnetic Rail

We Specialize in Torque, Assembly and Production Tools for Aerospace, Medical, Defense, and General Manufacturing.

palmac.net

1/4” Metric Deep

Koken Z-Series RS2300MZ/12 | 1/4" Sq. Drive Socket Set on Rail

Palmac Tool Company offers the Koken Z-Series RS2300MZ/12 | 1/4" Sq. Drive Socket Set on Rail to order online with a best Price Guarantee. Fast Shipping Available.

palmac.net

While the above sets are both 12pc the Koken Z 1/4” semi deep metric set is 9pc

Ko-ken Z-series RS2300XZ/9 | 1/4" Sq. Dr. 6-Point Socket, Semi-Deep on Magnetic Rail

Ko-ken USA offers the Ko-ken Z-series RS2300XZ/9 | 1/4" Sq. Dr. 6-Point Socket, Semi-Deep on Magnetic Rail at a best Price Guarantee. Fast Shipping Available.

kokenusa.com

 

[Rickster]

I bought the Gearwrench semi-deep 1/4dr set in metric, nice set, very happy with them. Comes on a socket rail, easy to read sizes.

 

[M6erfan]

Just get Gearwrench semi-deep, cheaper and easier to buy, great chrome, big markings, and with knurling. It's a step up from store brands and Tekton. Sockets are one of those things that decent brands (even Craftsman) are just as good as truck brands, in terms of functionality.

Gearwrench semi-deep is the first I'd grab with 1/4". Instead of "low profile", for which I use box wrenches or racheting wrenches, magnetic sockets are super helpful in the cramped engine bay.



People like to recommend random stuff (such as Koken). Seriously, I'd rather have Snap On or Nepros if I want to spend money.

"Random"? Ko-ken is one of the largest manufacturers of socketry in the world and has been around since the mid '40s. And they have a USA distributor, Palmac, out of Massachusetts.

The OP is asking about "Low Profile" sockets. Please show me a Nepros or Snap-on 1/4" low profile socket set as inexpensive as the Zeal and doesn't require a proprietary ratchet wrench. AFAIK Nepros doesn't offer Lo-Pro sockets and the S-o lo-pro 1/4" railed set is $180.

I agree, Gearwrench sockets are a decent value. Those GP impacts look nice. Semi-deep are also the first ones I grab. Lo-pro socket is definitely a "specialty" tool IMHO.

 

[jsmeece]

I bought the Gearwrench semi-deep 1/4dr set in metric, nice set, very happy with them. Comes on a socket rail, easy to read sizes.

I second that thought, have both the 1/4 and 3/8 semi-deep GW in metric, and they are the ones I usually grab first.

 

[guitarbutt]

I have been looking for affordable 1/4 low profile sockets and gave up. I just bought the suggested Power Torque ones. Thanks

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Talk about an old thread. But here you go, they have the metric set for the same price too ... https://www.mechanixgear.com/produc...00-ratchet-wrench?_pos=5&_sid=f560216bd&_ss=r