1/4" impact sockets...

[firebox40dash5]

OK, how many are using 1/4" drive impact sockets, and how often does it come up that they're too thick to fit where a chrome one would?

I've been upgrading my metric impact sockets lately, and decided since I have roughly 0 tools at home and my Craftsmans aren't worth a whole bunch, I'd just take them home. This leaves me, however, with no 1/4" sockets at home. I've got a decent enough set of USA Craftsmans at work. Option A is to just pick up the Gearwrench set from Advance and decide which set stays where. Option B, I've been eyeballing 1/4" impact sockets for a while. I have a set of Matco shallow swivels, but they're super shallow (which is great usually) so I often end up throwing my chrome sockets on my impact driver... which is probably what I use for 1/4" stuff at least half the time.

I don't really have a whole bunch of interest in adding another set of chrome sockets, but I'm also not going to buy a set of impact sockets and keep them at home. My only curiosity is, how often are impacts too fat to fit where a normal socket would?

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I didn't know they made them that small..lol...I only use half inch. When the 3/8 gun is needed I use an adapter. I can't see the value of a 1/4 impact socket let alone a 1/4 impact gun. Maybe bikes, but not cars or trucks.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Have you ever used an impact driver?

My boss used to laugh at me for using mine. I go to college 2 days a week, and when I stop by the shop on my way home, he's usually using it. My 3/8 guns and sockets are probably my most used tools overall. I've even gone out of my way to buy larger sockets than usual sets include in 3/8 drive for specific things.

Dammit... I was really liking the Armstrongs, but they don't seem to make deeps. My newly acquired 3/8" and 1/2" sockets are Matco, but they only do shallow and midlength in 1/4" and I really don't feel like paying their prices for these. On the bright side, the GW SAE/Metric set is only $90.

 

[ken w.]

I bought a few sets of Grey's off Craigslist a while back. I use them on small engine work. I can't say their is any advantage over standard sockets,but the price was right. I also bought a Matco 1/4" impact swivel. I use that quite a bit.

 

[Tripp2012]

I have this set from Grey and I use it more than my chromies even with a ratchet it just seems to be the first set I go to for most stuff that I use 1/4 for.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRBFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[quattroJoe]

If you're ok with deep sockets, go get this Gearwrench set from Cripe for $22:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gearwrench-...46659240?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item4d19e105a8

I've got this set and use it daily, mainly for interior disassembly in cars. They are not much thicker than chrome, in fact I can't remember the last time I couldn't fit one somewhere. I use them on my M12 1/4" drill/driver and my M12 3/8" impact with an adapter (my chrome 1/4s rarely get used anymore.) The finish on them is nice, has easy to read markings on two sides, and they're stamped too. Every size from 4-15mm, including the elusive 5.5mm and the 4.5mm that I don't think I've ever used. Haven't broken any yet, and I've used all the way up to the 15mm on my 3/8 impact (though on the really chunky bolts like on seat rails or seat belt anchors I do reach for my 3/8 sockets.)

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with them, and at $22 they are one of the best purchases I've made.

 

[GTA Matt]

I got the sunex set of deep and shallow sae and metric. Not too much thicker then chrome sockets. Didn't want to wear out my chromes with my impact driver and they were cheap enough and good quality.

 

[MLB0611]

I own the Matco ADV 1/4 impact swivels, and love them I have not had any issues getting them to fit over a bolt or nut, the rest of my 1/4 stuff is chrome, I own 1 1/4 impact socket I have no idea how I got it but it never gets used. I have snap on shallow, Matco Deep and GW mid length. I would not hesitate to buy more GW sockets.

Having said all that I am a huge advocate of buying Impact sockets over chrome. they are cheaper than Chrome from Snap On or Matco, and I have never had an issue with clearance of the wall thickness, but I just do not see a reason to upgrade to Impact sockets for those low torque tools like my electric impact driver or Cordless 1/4 ratchet.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I was looking for shallow and deep, so the 48-piece mm/SAE/shallow/deep set works out for me. Looks like a good value at $90. Plus I can take my SAEs home too, since I didn't replace my larger SAE impacts... and I'm more likely to need SAE at home than working on cars.

Thanks for the input on the size of the GWs. Sounds like they probably win. Pardon my ignorance, where are the Greys made? The price is about even with GW on the 48-piece sets, but the markings look weird to me.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

I also have the Gearwrench sets. The SAE set came from Woot and included deep and shallow. The Metric set came from Trident and also included deep and shallow. Both are ~20 something piece sets.

Wall thickness isn't much thicker and really doesn't need to be. Fasteners falling in the 1/4" drive tool range are mostly on the lower torque end of the spectrum.

 

[Tripp2012]

I was looking for shallow and deep, so the 48-piece mm/SAE/shallow/deep set works out for me. Looks like a good value at $90. Plus I can take my SAEs home too, since I didn't replace my larger SAE impacts... and I'm more likely to need SAE at home than working on cars.

Thanks for the input on the size of the GWs. Sounds like they probably win. Pardon my ignorance, where are the Greys made? The price is about even with GW on the 48-piece sets, but the markings look weird to me.

Grey are Tiawan I've had my set for about 8 years and have yet to brake one. The swivels are nice to have in the set I gave a link to.

 

[sberry]

I don't even have 3/8 in impact. We use 3/8 and 1/4 in ratchet drive but unless we developed a special production need am not buying another layer of tools.

We use a heavy battery drill driver too but,,, our screw work is limited and drilling common, one tool does it all. Torque needed to remove small fasteners is not beyond a comfort level for ratchets and instead of trying in between we jump to 1/2, one size drive and works the first time with any impact socket in the shop.

 

[CSaley]

I use 1/4 impact sockets.. After cracking 4 SnapOn chrome 1/4 sockets on the end of a 8" breaker bar I bought the impacts and have had no trouble.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Grey are Tiawan I've had my set for about 8 years and have yet to brake one. The swivels are nice to have in the set I gave a link to.

The Matco pinless swivels are the shiz. I only have the shallow metrics, needing the rest hasn't come up yet.

Being they're both likely Taiwan, I'd have to give GW the nod... pretty much my whole socket drawer is Danaher, and I like the markings better.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I bought this set:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IQHWLC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I never could think of any reason why someone would need 1/4" impacts until I actually used some, now I'm hooked. I reach for them (especially the swivels) anytime I can, as they are much thinner and more compact than my 3/8" impacts. Makes smaller jobs a breeze.

The GW sockets are thin enough to use in place of chrome most times.

 

[bobcatdan]

Never saw a reason for 1/4" impacts sockets.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Never saw a reason for 1/4" impacts sockets.

Perhaps a 1/4" impact?

 

[firebox40dash5]

Anyone got input on GW vs. Sunex for these? They're both within a few bucks, but I don't know if GW would be China or Taiwan, pretty sure Sunrx is all Taiwanese? The Sunex stuff (1/2") I've got experience with hasn't given me any problems... not that breaking impact sockets is easy or common.

 

[espyking83]

I just got a set of Proto 1/4" deep wells, and they're nifty as hell.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Anyone got input on GW vs. Sunex for these? They're both within a few bucks, but I don't know if GW would be China or Taiwan, pretty sure Sunrx is all Taiwanese? The Sunex stuff (1/2") I've got experience with hasn't given me any problems... not that breaking impact sockets is easy or common.

The SAE set I got from Woot was probably old stock and it was Taiwan. The Metric set I got from Trident was new stock (I think he had to order it for me) and it was also Taiwan.

 

[stonesfan68]

SK Hand Tools makes a set, as does Proto.


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[colin39]

I use them on a glow plug gun, very handy peice of kit

 

[firebox40dash5]

Well, I can get a 9.25mm socket from SK, but not anything over 10mm, or even a 5.5mm... ohhhhkay then.

Proto is better, but seems to be missing a few in mm deeps, and the mm shallow set alone is almost as much as the full GW set and more than the Sunex set. Eek.

 

[wafrederick]

I have the GP 9748 set at work and no complaints yet.Have not wore out a socket yet and rarely use my Cornwell chrome set.GP is great with thier warranty,I only broke 3 of their impact grade torx bits and got replacements the next day replaced under warranty.I only had one brand new defective GP product so far,a brand new locking 1/4 impact grade extension bar.Would not hold a socket and it was replaced under warranty.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have Matco 1/4 metric impact swivels from my days at a dealership when my air ratchet would wear out chrome swivel sockets very quickly. They're the older style with a pin but don't have a collar. My complaint with many 1/4 drive swivel sockets is that the collar can be soo large it affects access.
Then along came my Milwaukee fuel 1/4 square drive cordless impact wrench which I use on everything from battery hold downs and the brackets over them, to window regulators. I bought an SK set of shallow and deeps 5-15mm with 5.5 and use them daily. I haven't found any issues with access and the sockets fit well, are well marked, and seem pretty tough so far.
I hear Grey Pneumatic is coming out with 1/4 drive semi deep impact sockets this spring. I'm wanting a set of those.
To me, with car engines and the fasteners on them becoming smaller, it's a no brainer that 1/4 drive impact sockets would grow in popularity.

 

[bodyguy16]

I own the genius set, great quality for the price it carrys sae/ metric with the extensions. I use it daily (collision repair) on my ir impact/air ratchet or makita. We are 4/5 at work who own this set never heard a complaint,Heres a pic.

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[MattPersman]

I have the expert set http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i...ric-Combination-Impact-Socket-Set---6-Point-/ no complaints yet, the rail is nice as well it's either an ernst or a copy of an ernst, it uses the twist lock style. I end up wearing the 8 and 10 mm in chrome sockets after a few months of cordless ratchet and impact driver use so impact is a nice change to see how they last. The expert line is available and warrantable on a Mac truck and some of the line is available at random online retailers.

I have snap on universal sockets in several sizes that I use daily and have for years they are great and rarely use a chrome universal

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Anyone got input on GW vs. Sunex for these? They're both within a few bucks, but I don't know if GW would be China or Taiwan, pretty sure Sunrx is all Taiwanese? The Sunex stuff (1/2") I've got experience with hasn't given me any problems... not that breaking impact sockets is easy or common.

The GW sets are Taiwan (everything china that GW has been selling is at Sears) and are the same sockets that Matco sells under the ADV name. Well worth the money, and GW warranty service is excellent (I've broken one wobble extension out of all the tools I've beat the **** out of).

 

[bcradio]

1/4" impacts are great for anything 15mm and under... do the people that cant see the need not work with fasteners 15mm and below?

Most the bolts i see are

 

[stonesfan68]

Well, I can get a 9.25mm socket from SK, but not anything over 10mm, or even a 5.5mm... ohhhhkay then.

Proto is better, but seems to be missing a few in mm deeps, and the mm shallow set alone is almost as much as the full GW set and more than the Sunex set. Eek.

SK and Proto are Made in the USA. I thought about getting the GW set, but I ponied up for the home team.


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[firebox40dash5]

The GW sets are Taiwan (everything china that GW has been selling is at Sears) and are the same sockets that Matco sells under the ADV name. Well worth the money, and GW warranty service is excellent (I've broken one wobble extension out of all the tools I've beat the **** out of).

Cool, I think GW gets the nod. Bonus points because the Matco guy will warranty them. Probably helps we're about 5 miles from Apex HQ.

1/4" impacts are great for anything 15mm and under... do the people that cant see the need not work with fasteners 15mm and below?

Most the bolts i see are

Exactly. I've used my chrome 1/4" sockets on my impact driver since I got one without trouble, but I'm not sure that makes it right. I figure if I'm in the market for more, and they'll work fine, why not buy impacts? I hardly use my 3/8" chromes, and the 1/2" chromes that came with my Craftsman set just collect dust... I've probably used them twice in 2+ years.

SK and Proto are Made in the USA. I thought about getting the GW set, but I ponied up for the home team.


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I'd consider it, if they made what I wanted. But they don't. SK only has a few sizes. Proto has a better selection, still not all I want, and a single set of shallow sockets costs as much as metric & standard, shallow and deep from Taiwan. I can't justify spending 4-5x as much for less. Can't go Matco because they only make shallow and semi-deep, and Snap On is of course ri-damn-diculously expensive.

 

[rtole]

I have them, they are my first grab, but unlike 3/8 and 1/2 I find myself still using my chrome 1/4 stuff. I find a few thing the impacts dont fit. 1/4 is the only size I would say to buy chrome first.

 

[Gert]

Gedore impact sockets with 1/4 inch square:

Size 5.5 - 17 mm metric.

http://www.gedoretools.co.uk/273-impact-sockets-1-4

 

[stage20]

id only need them for the garage. not a professional. i did some seaching, but never used this brand.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATD-2271-71..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item43bdc95758&vxp=mtr

 

[Aztecaloco707]

id only need them for the garage. not a professional. i did some seaching, but never used this brand.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATD-2271-71..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item43bdc95758&vxp=mtr

I have the ATD branded set at home and it has worked well for all my needs, made in Taiwan and made of cr-mo steel. I purchased it here http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/ATD-2271
The price is a little cheaper than the one on eBay and it's the same seller. Free shipping as well.

 

[stage20]

did you put them on rails to save space or is the case that bad?

thanks for the link

 

[Hammer1963]

I use them daily. My go to set is the Matco USA made mid length. I also use their USA swivel set. My shallow and deep set are Cornwell. I have had NO issues from these two brands. I use Grey Pneumatic at home and been impressed with the quality. I previously used Snap-on 1/4" impact socket I , but had to warrant them several times as they were too soft and would wear extremely fast on both ends.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

did you put them on rails to save space or is the case that bad?

thanks for the link

I use the rails to save space in my cart; I did keep them in the case for awhile and it's actually a decent case, feels sturdy and it's pretty slim. I liked the sliding locks that it uses to keep it closed

 

[stage20]

Wonder how the thickness. Is of the atd vs the gw and sunex, or is it a general tiawanese factory building them all? If im going to spend the money I need the most thin brand or I can stick to cheap chrome sockets. A 150 bucks or 200 for the other brands buys a lot of chrome stock

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I got some pics of my 3/8" drive Snap-On swivels next to the 1/4" drive GW equivalents so folks can see how much more compact the 1/4" sockets are.

9/16", 1/2", 7/16"