1/4 in drive swivel sockets

[coonhunter]

1/4 in drive universal sockets

I am looking for a metric set of 1/4 in drive universal sockets. I haven't decided on brand yet, just a home use set, so doesn't have to be high end. I am thinking gearwrench, or maybe Carlyle. What would you suggest? Also, should I get 6 or 12 point?

edit** I did not know the difference between universal and swivel. Universal is what I am needing. I have recently twice run into the need for them and I am tired of making do. I have made due with a crows foot wrench both times, each time the correct tool would have been much better.

 

[ken w.]

I would check out the SK Tools line as well and I would choose the 12 points. I see these on Ebay quite often.

 

[pi_guy]

Swivel or Universal?
If swivel you want 6 point used for impact and nut runners.
If universal I would go with Snap On,which are the only ones that really work.
If you need it for a critical job then the supplier matters, if you want them because you want to just have them then it makes no difference.
If I have used my 10mm 12 point universal maybe 2x in 40 years that I needed a 12 point socket.

 

[1950mercury]

If you compare the cheaper sockets to the high end sockets you will notice the high end sockets will flex a full 90 degrees. Some cheap ones only go to about 45 degrees. SK has redesigned theirs to flex a lot more than the previous version's.

 

[K-Dog]

I would emphatically encourage you to get the impact type as opposed to the full swivel type.
I have had both and I eventually got rid of the chrome full swivel type. The difference is more than a little bit.

 

[ZRX61]

I've had a set of Craftsman metric 1/4drive for about 25 years. Never had any issues with them.

 

[MarkWilliams60]

I am looking for a metric set of 1/4 in drive swivel sockets. I haven't decided on brand yet, just a home use set, so doesn't have to be high end. I am thinking gearwrench, or maybe Carlyle. What would you suggest? Also, should I get 6 or 12 point?

The Gearwrench are just fine. I use some of mine a couple of times a week for well over a year with no problems.
The folks here will have you in a $500 set if you let them.
Spend a little time looking around on the web. Gearwrench stuff is often offered with a free addition like SAE or something else that makes it an extra good deal.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm not sure what you'll work on but, I see no reason to get 12 point swivel sockets. The Gearwrench sets are reasonably priced if you shop around and will probably exceed your needs. The only thing I don't care for with the Gearwrench chrome swivel or universal sockets is that if you grasp the socket portion with your left hand and grasp the base of the socket with your right hand, you can move the halves in & out slightly. I wouldn't recommend using them with an air ratchet or cordless tools but, they'll serve you well for hand use.
Gearwrench also offers 1/4 drive impact swivel sockets that are durable and affordable that are great with power tools.

 

[619DioFan]

I've had a set of Craftsman metric 1/4drive for about 25 years. Never had any issues with them.

My 1/4 inch drive swivels are also craftsman ( met and sae ) work very well. have been problem solvers more than a few times.

 

[shockwave]

I have both a gearwrench set and snap on set on chrome 6 point universals
The snap on ones are my go to and the gearwrench ones are good but as mentioned they do not handle the force of power tools like the snap ons do

And for these in 1/4 drive go for 6 point it will be very rare you will need a 12 point in 1/4 drive

The gearwrench will be fine for your needs they go on special all the time I got my set from my Matco dealer for 50 bucks about 2 years ago

 

[600SL]

I've had a set of Craftsman metric 1/4drive for about 25 years. Never had any issues with them.

Well I have a difference of opinion. Maybe they have changed but I have a 30 year old set of Craftsmans and it is the most disappointing set of tools I ever bought. I have replaced all the common ones I use with Snap. I hated them 30 years ago and I still hate the ones I have left now.

Biggest problem is that they will not hold to a set angle with a bolt in them. This is more of a problem for the larger flex sockets like 19mm than it is for the smaller 10mm due to the bolt weight. It may not be an issue for 1/4" drive.

The ones I have left all have electrical tape around them to stabilize them.

 

[crazylunker]

I bought Astro in both metric and standard for my home set and hate to say it but they are really really good and make me feel like I spent way too much on my snapons at work. I'm sure if I really leaned on them they would break but for light duty I'm very impressed.

 

[ssdave]

I have Craftsman, Proto and Snap-on Flex Sockets. The Snap-on are excellent. So are the Proto. The Craftsman are okay. The older ones I have flop all over the place. My 1968 Snap-on that have seen hard use do not. My similar vintage Proto do not. See a pattern here? I recently bought a set of 1/4" Craftsman using Shop Your Way points, to compare. (There was a thread on this and got me curious). The Craftsman made today in Taiwan are worse for fit and finish than the 1980's US Craftsman that flop around for quality. They are tight enough to work as they come new, but I have no idea how they will hold up. For $7 to $8 each, they're probably not bad. Would probably work for a homeowner for a few jobs before they got loose and had to be o-ringed or taped to work well. At 1/5 of the cost of Snap-on, they're not bad. But, if you want quality, they're also not good. Good or Cheap? Your choice, based on your needs.

 

[Schurkey]

Re: 1/4 in drive universal sockets

edit** I did not know the difference between universal and swivel. Universal is what I am needing.

Please explain the difference, as I can't figure it out.





I am aware that Sears has screwed the pooch by claiming they sell "universal" sockets, by which they mean they're selling Spline-drive knock-offs that fit 12-point, 6-point, 4-point, etc.

 

[Jure]

I'm not sure what you'll work on but, I see no reason to get 12 point swivel sockets.

i would never choose 6 pt chrome universal sockets...since they are used in tight places,id go with 12 pt.

 

[hautpot]

Universal by Snap-On lingo equates to a non-impact, chrome double joint articulating action. This has a larger range of motion than swivel.

Swivel is always impact and its motion is like a ball joint. This has restricted motion but better for transfering torque.

 

[Contract_Pilot]

I have 6 & 12 Point Snappy's. The 6 point are the only tool to use on Continental Aircraft Exhaust Bolts (FYI for Aircraft Guys) I Rarely use the 12 Point. But the socket wall's are thin and they are ultra strong. Have not broken one yet my set is over 10-12years old. 6 Point & 12 Point Once bolt or nut is broken loose I Switch to a Flexible Extension and a socket for speed.

 

[Wamsutta]

Swivel sockets need to lean over without binding up during use, which defeats the whole purpose of having a swivel socket in the first place. Your cheaper swivel sockets won't do any better than a wobble extension.

 

[camd64]

I have both Snap on and Carlyle 1/4", SO in the most used sizes and Carlyle for the rest. The SO ones are shorter, stronger (Carlyle uses a small screw vs. SO larger solid pin), no play in the joints, and work at more extreme angles. With that said though I think the Carlyles would be a good solid choice for DIY/home use. You may also look into the Astro set as I believe they are made by the same manufacturer. The only Gearwrench ones I own are 3/8 and they are very good quality. They have solid pins with very little play, even in the ones that have seen quite a bit of use. Any way you go I would get 6pt.

 

[bdelmar2]

I have these, they work well and have held up to shop use for around 3 years give or take and are still in good shape.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRAQ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The 15mm has come in really handy more than once, and I've even used the really small ones a couple of times.

They have a magnetic set I've been eyeing also. Only have it in 12pt though, not really a deal breaker for 1/4" but wish it was 6pt like the regular set.

 

[Antique Engine]

If universal I would go with Snap On,which are the only ones that really work.

I wish I had known that earlier. I've been using my SK set with great results for two and a half decades now.

 

[bob15]

Swivel or Universal?
If universal I would go with Snap On,which are the only ones that really work.
If you need it for a critical job then the supplier matters, if you want them because you want to just have them then it makes no difference.
If I have used my 10mm 12 point universal maybe 2x in 40 years that I needed a 12 point socket.

Funny, the SK's seem to work better than my Snap On set. They are also tighter than the Snappy's and don't need electrical tape to keep them from flopping over.

Personally, I would buy the SK Universal set and never look back. I also find the impacts (at least on my 3/8 drive set) too bulky for close/tight work.