1/4" impact sockets

[guitarbutt]

I read a couple threads from years ago about 1/4" impact sockets, but that's a while back and I don't want to resurrect an old thread.

Do any mechanics specifically use 1/4" impact sockets? I got some metric SK's really cheap, but I don't have an impact gun they would fit. I'm not sure if a particular use for 1/4" impact sockets though

 

[619DioFan]

I have 1/4 inch drive impact sockets in deep , shallow and swivel. I use them with my hex impact driver and an impact rated adaptor as well as with my 1/4 drive air ratchet. I try to avoid using chrome sockets on impact tools although sometimes you have to. and yes , this is GJ so you are required to have all sockets in all drive sizes , all depths in chrome and impact lest you be shamed LOL.

 

[M6erfan]

I use 1/4" metric impacts all the time. I work mainly on restoring motorcycles.

I bought an SK (deep) set for a very good price too. I like them, but their detent holes won't hold on to anvils very well, which is kind of a bummer

 

[Fedwrench]

I use the hell out of mine. Metric shallow, deep, semi deep, swivel, and a few magnetic ones. if it's upper engine work or interior work, they get used on either an M12 ratchet or the M12 Fuel stubby impact. I also use 1/4 drive locking impact extensions too.

 

[GrantCee]

I'm a convert to using 1/4 impacts on a hex impact driver. It's amazing how many automotive tasks can be accomplished with the combination. I also use those sockets on a regular 1/4 ratchet for tight areas.

 

[anndel]

Milwaukee 2552-20 1/4" Impact wrench, Milwaukee 2566-20 1/4" ratchet and Snap-on 1/4" chrome sockets is what I use.

 

[jsaw]

I use 1/4" impact sockets all the time . the only chrome sockets that I own are 1/4", but I never use them.

 

[charbar]

I'm against the grain here, but in all my years as a mechanic I've never seen the use for them. I guess any 1/4 inch impact or electric ratchet I've seen is usually the same size as the 3/8 version, so if the tool is no smaller, what's the point in an ever so slightly smaller socket?

Not to mention, are you really going to be impacting on that fastener that has a 5.5mm head?

 

[Kscardsfan]

Who makes 1/4 impact sockets for us shade tree guys and tool accumulaters? Been kicking around getting a basic set to do small jobs with rather than an adapter and my chrome sockets.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I have never felt the need for 1/4" impacts. If it is small enough for a 1/4" socket then I just do it by hand. If it needs an impact then I have plenty of 3/8" stuff. I do use a 1/4" impact driver on occasion, but that is just to run a nut on/off, not to actually tighten or loosen and for that I just use the chrome sockets.

 

[GrantCee]

Who makes 1/4 impact sockets for us shade tree guys and tool accumulaters? Been kicking around getting a basic set to do small jobs with rather than an adapter and my chrome sockets.

Sunex makes a nice set with SAE/metric standard and deep. $64 at Amazon.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I'm against the grain here, but in all my years as a mechanic I've never seen the use for them. I guess any 1/4 inch impact or electric ratchet I've seen is usually the same size as the 3/8 version, so if the tool is no smaller, what's the point in an ever so slightly smaller socket?

Not to mention, are you really going to be impacting on that fastener that has a 5.5mm head?

I would guess that most, like me, have a 1/4" impact driver. All you do is put a square drive on it and you have a very useful tool for small fastener work. Saves time spinning a ratchet undoing 10 clutch cover bolts, or differential cover bolts, or transmission pan bolts...plus way more jobs than I can list. Slap a 3/8" adapter on it and it'll do that work too up to a torque ramge it can't acheive of course.

It's very handy.
I won't ever not have a 1/4" driver. You don't know what you're missing until you try it.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Sunex makes a nice set with SAE/metric standard and deep. $64 at Amazon.

I think I paid less than that for the set you describe. And I use a Milwaukee cordless ratchet with them. Can’t believe how much use I get out of them.

 

[johninct]

I'm against the grain here, but in all my years as a mechanic I've never seen the use for them. I guess any 1/4 inch impact or electric ratchet I've seen is usually the same size as the 3/8 version, so if the tool is no smaller, what's the point in an ever so slightly smaller socket?

Not to mention, are you really going to be impacting on that fastener that has a 5.5mm head?

I have a Snap-on CT761 (3/8") and a (1/4") CT ???? . The CT761 is a lot more powerful. The 1/4" one is good to put the bolts on snug and final hand tighten later

 

[guitarbutt]

I have an impact drive, I may need to start using it more now

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I used my M18 Hex "impact" driver with sockets last night while disassembling my snowblower last night. I used a non-impact hex to 3/8" adapter and regular Sears chrome sockets from 1982. I like the concept . . .

I'm not sure I will do it enough to warrant and entire set of impact sockets - though I do own a full set on 1/2" impacts with nothing to drive them. . .

Another GJ influenced purchase . . .

Jim

 

[Al Borland]

I can't imagine needing an impact driver on anything small enough to warrant 1/4" drive.
I'm confident I can break the heads off those bolts by hand.

 

[jcbarry]

Grey Pneumatic makes a set that includes Metric and Fractional sizes in shallow, deep and universal. Its $200ish online I think.

 

[RoundedNut]

Selecting 1/4" and 1/2" drives while skipping 3/8" is an option.

Aside from that, impact nut driving bits are popular and a 1/4" socket with hex to square adapter is a reasonable option with an impact driver.

 

[M6erfan]

Selecting 1/4" and 1/2" drives while skipping 3/8" is an option. /QUOTE]

^^^This is what I do.

For those that don't understand the need or think 1/4" chrome sockets/ratchet wrench is fine, come over to my shop and break down a crusty 40-50 y.o. (or hell, even a brand new one) motorcycle with your ratchet. I'll race ya. . .

 

[Kscardsfan]

Selecting 1/4" and 1/2" drives while skipping 3/8" is an option. /QUOTE]

^^^This is what I do.

For those that don't understand the need or think 1/4" chrome sockets/ratchet wrench is fine, come over to my shop and break down a crusty 40-50 y.o. (or hell, even a brand new one) motorcycle with your ratchet. I'll race ya. . .

For me it’s old farm trucks that have mud and dirt dauber nests in places you had no idea that they would fit into. Under the dash is some of the most challenging work you’ll find yourself getting into and frequently need more strength than you can muster by hand.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Sunex makes a nice set with SAE/metric standard and deep. $64 at Amazon.

Thanks. I need to start looking into Sunex more. They get too many good mentions on here to ignore.

 

[guitarbutt]

Using the impact driver and a 1/4 impact socket makes perfect sense on transmission pans for the simple reason of speed. Lots of bolts take lots of time with a ratchet, no matter how good of a brand it is. I'll be using the driver from now on

 

[mopar66]

I do lots of automotive work at home. I bought the above mentioned Sunex set. Caught it on sale. I wasn't sure how much I would us it. But I use it a ton with my M12 1/4 impact. I went a little different though. Since I have a M18 1/4 impact. I bought the M12 (stubby) with the 1/4 drive on it. Then got a Wera adaptor for it if I need to use a bit. Which I never have had to do yet. But I also have the M12 screwdriver which I use strictly with bits.

 

[dmccjr201]

So I use both chrome and Impact 1/4” Drive, but I am looking for Impact size sockets in 1/4” drive - 1/8 & 5/32 in both shallow and deep, anyone know who would carry this?

 

[lardy1]

I am happy with the Sunex. I use a Bosch impact or cordless driver and they are very handy for my home shop. I had my doubts but bought them after reading you guys. I'm very happy I did.

 

[m6z]

I've got some stubby 3/8" Astro sockets. Those should cover my needs. I still haven't bought a compact impact though.

 

[Mr_B]

I use old chrome 1/4 set . never cracked one in decades and never had major issue with chrome flake.
If you ain't got old chromes to dedicate to 1/4 impact and are buying then buying impacts makes sense purely from chrome plating perspective and fact they cheap these days .

 

[zmotorsports]

I use my Snap-on semi-deep 1/4" drive impact sockets in both SAE and Metric quite a lot. Either on my Blue Point 1/4" impact gun, Snap-on 1/4" air ratchet or my Snap-on 1/4" cordless ratchet. They work great for interior work, some smaller under hood components and especially on small engines.

 

[Fly YX]

So I use both chrome and Impact 1/4” Drive, but I am looking for Impact size sockets in 1/4” drive - 1/8 & 5/32 in both shallow and deep, anyone know who would carry this?

I have the same problem

 

[Neggy]

I can't say I have ever had the need, I don't consider my M12 ratchet or driver "impact" to the point it is going to crack the chrome

If I need to hit it with an impact for some reason my 3/8" sets go down low enough to cover most of what I work on

In my experience small fasteners that are rusted in place will snap before they will come out willingly by beating on them, easier to use a penetrating oil and or induction heater and time honored extraction techniques than having to try to drill and tap a hole you barely have access to

 

[Ton ton]

I guess I have to look to see who sells a 1/4" impact socket set locally.

 

[M635_Guy]

I got the Sunex metric impact set to go with my M12 Surge, and it's been handy here and there for automotive stuff. I tend to use chrome sockets for easier/general jobs as they are a bit slimmer.

 

[AJHD]

I read a couple threads from years ago about 1/4" impact sockets, but that's a while back and I don't want to resurrect an old thread.

Do any mechanics specifically use 1/4" impact sockets? I got some metric SK's really cheap, but I don't have an impact gun they would fit. I'm not sure if a particular use for 1/4" impact sockets though

To be honest, I don't have a 1/4" impact. I just use my Snap On 1/4" electric ratchet or my Milwaukee 1/4" hex driver, which I guess is kind of an impact.

But I use 1/4" impact sockets because I use 3/8" and 1/2" impact sockets.

 

[msbytes]

I bought a set of Gearwrench 1/4 impact sockets to use with 1/4 impact. Found indents in chrome sockets would would get caught on the impact hog ring. Use chrome on hand and electric ratchet.

 

[dmccjr201]

I have the same problem

Yeah, I have that same socket tray, thought of doing the same thing, except my OCD won’t let it happen, I already have complete set of chrome sockets, now just short 2 impact sockets in both shallow/deep

 

[Fly YX]

I just use the chrome ones as a place holder it’s my work box and already have 6p and 12 1/4 in. If nothing is there I keep thinking I’m missing tools. To much time working on aircraft back in the day I guess.

 

[ToolmanGary]

I have a metric and standard set of 1/4 Snap on impact swivel sockets, the metric set is one of my go to sets for working on engines and fastnerers 8mm and down.

 

[liliysdad]

Why not just use regular chrome sockets? It's not like you're gonna blow them up...

And yes, I know all the reasons to use impact sockets, but it's 1/4” drive...come on.

 

[M635_Guy]

Why not just use regular chrome sockets? It's not like you're gonna blow them up...

And yes, I know all the reasons to use impact sockets, but it's 1/4” drive...come on.

Agree you won't blow them up, but depending on what you're doing you can kinda wallow the drive socket out a bit over time. My Sunex 1/4" set was relatively inexpensive (the cost of three or four dead chrome sockets), so I didn't mind adding it to my set when I started using my impact driver a fair bit.

If it was only rarely and especially if it was really light-duty stuff, I wouldn't worry much about using chrome, and I do put chrome sockets on my impact driver if my impact sockets aren't handy.