3/4" Drive opinion

[TheDukeofDeere]

Hey guys, I'm new to the board as a member, but I have been "playing guest" for a while now.

My father and I farm in the Midwest (mainly Deere and Case equipment), so my need for large tools becomes quite the dilemma as things can get expensive pretty quick.

My question is, I am looking to buy some 3/4" drive sockets, and my thought is, just buy a large set of impact sockets and be done with it. Then, I can use them with the impact or on the end of a breaker bar, ratchet, etc.

Am I crazy for thinking this will be the best way to get my 3/4" tools until I can get a set of regular 3/4" sockets?

Also, any ideas on what sockets (regular or impact) I should be eying up? I want something American, as opposed to overseas, but I am open to anything.

Same deal for the larger wrenches, any good solid polished offering that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks in advance. Really enjoy the board, especially the toolbox thread as I am a organization nerd.

 

[rsanter]

sounds reasonable to me

bob

 

[Zrexxer]

There are tons of 3/4" Proto out there, and it can often be had fairly cheaply if you keep your eyes open. And you'd be hard pressed to find tougher tools than Proto in 3/4 dr.

 

[Paullew]

You could figure out which sockets you will need the most and buy those first. Then grow your socket set as $$ allows. I've seen many guys build there 3/4" drive sets four or five sockets at a time. Although best option would be to find a lightly used set at a good deal.

 

[sk farmer]

impact sometimes will not fit were a chrome socket will. not often but it does happen. buying quality 3/4 drive stuff can be spendy. new rats, chrome sockets, impact wrench and sockets, extensions. that bill can get over 1000.00 real fast and continue on up real fast. i may suggest buying quality impact equipment and then buying some cheaper chrome stuff to use by hand or finding used. although some guys think that you can cruise ebay, craigslist or the local want ads and find piles of good tools and boxes on the cheap in a short time. i know out here in the heartland those oppurtunities are slim to none and new is the only option if you really need it.

 

[Michael]

I started my set by buying the cheapest set I could find at Harbor Freight. I then replaced the few that I broke with a quality tool. Still have over half the set including ratchet and t-handle.

 

[bindernut]

Watch Sears for sales on their 3/4" drive stuff. All my sockets are craftsman, but I have the snap on ratchet & breake bar heads & handles. Extensions are a mix of Snap ON & proto. Sockets I got new, some of the snap on was new & some used. Got a good deal on some SO stuff here over the weekend.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

When I lived on the farm with my parents, my father and I did the exact thing you are contemplating. We used our 3/4 impact sockets with our 3/4 Ratchets.

I don't remember problems arising from tight space and the use of impact sockets, as just about all of the equipment we worked on was wide open and tight spaces with 3/4 fasteners was quite rare. Even on combines and tractors.

 

[TheDukeofDeere]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I have been running every scenario through my head. I am leaning towards picking up a set of 3/4" SAE Grey Pneumatic Impact Sockets new, then piece together the ratchet, breaker bar, and extensions through eBay. As far as Metric Impact Sockets, I am going to only get the individual sockets I need since we only use a few metrics in the 3/4" family. All of my impact sockets will be deep as I agree with Brandon in most of my 3/4" work will be out in the open. Not all, but most.

As far as the chrome sockets go, I will keep my eyes bouncing between new/gently used Craftsman and Proto sets. What is the major difference between the Stanley Proto set and the Blackhawk Proto set? I've also looked at the Duracraft Pro set available at Farm and Fleet.

3/4" is really the only sockets left I really need to purchase. I wouldn't mind some universals in 3/8" and 1/2" but that is put on hold until I get a new set of 1/2" Deep Impacts in both Metric and SAE, as well as the 3/4" stuff and a 3/4" Impact.

Is the IR2141 worth the extra coin when compared against the 261? I've seen the 2141 as low as $429.99 but I've also seen the Chicago Pneumatic 7763 paired with a 3/8" ratchet for $379.95 here:

http://www.citrustools.com/cp-7763-3-4-drive-impact-wrench-with-free-cp-7830q-3-8-air-ratchet.aspx

This is also the website I plan on buying my 1/2" and 3/4" GP Impacts through.

 

[petty4243]

buy good drive tools and go from there

I have a proto and a billings 3/4 drive ratchet i wouls be willing to sell, both very good tools
as for the sockets, buy a cheap set as already stated, also keep eyes out for pawn shop buys.... i got a very good deal on good stuff there...

 

[crewchief888]

all my 3/4 drive sockets are 12pt chrome, and have all seen impact use
only one broken over the years, a no name flea market find that split with 6ft of pipe

the only exceptions were a deep 15/16 6pt for torquing 6619 head bolts,
3/4 & 15/16 shallow 6pt impacts for track bolts.

 

[Racecarl]

I used to wrench full time on Deeres. I bought a set of Sunex 3/4" drive standard depth impact sockets. I also special ordered a 1 3/16" socket because 1 3/16 = 30 mm, which is pretty common for wheel bolts. Since I work at a Deere dealer, I was able to get a pretty good deal on a full set of Deere 3/4" drive chrome sockets, with extensions, breakover bar, and rachet. This setup works well for me. Both Sunex and Deere offer lifetime warrantees.

 

[TheDukeofDeere]

I really appreciate all the thoughts and ideas. Any thoughts on IR vs. CP 3/4" impacts?

RC, did you end up getting a full set of metric impacts, or just the various ones you need?
You still working at the Deere Dealership?

 

[hammergodthor]

I have a co-worker who has this set:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MHK7ZO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Its Asian, and not really guaranteed; but its cheap, and decent quality. Lots of tool for the money. Personally, I have Proto, but it can get pricey.

 

[HankMurphy]

If you are looking for specific sizes, Harry Epstein might be a good place to start.

I have a Wright 6400, no complaints.

Good luck!

 

[Chadro]

I hate to be the one to say it but I'd be heading down to Harbor Freight. The Pittsburgh stuff is all made in China but it's cheap as hell. I just can't afford to buy all the good 3/4 and 1 inch American made drive stuff right now. If your worrying about breaking stuff, just buy 3 of everything lol. You'll still come out ahead.

 

[lawfarm]

While I ordinarily wouldn't condone this, I have to say that the vast majority of our 3/4" drive sockets on the farm are 'standard' chrome sockets, and not impacts. We do use them with impacts, regularly, without issue. Certainly not a perfect idea, but it works pretty darn well. If you're running newer JD equipment, you should maybe reconsider your idea of buying SAE first; there's a lot of metric in them thar tractors.

 

[Underdog]

Craig's list is another option if you have time to wait. Just have to check it all the time a be ready to pounce on the good deals.

 

[vssjim]

Proto, Wright SK are all good choices just can't go down the chinee road, Over all the prices of these items are not bad, not worth the buy cheap now and repurchase better later just buy goodstuff once and be done with it.

 

[TheDukeofDeere]

While I ordinarily wouldn't condone this, I have to say that the vast majority of our 3/4" drive sockets on the farm are 'standard' chrome sockets, and not impacts. We do use them with impacts, regularly, without issue. Certainly not a perfect idea, but it works pretty darn well. If you're running newer JD equipment, you should maybe reconsider your idea of buying SAE first; there's a lot of metric in them thar tractors.

Yeah, that is the downfall of working on farm equipment or heavy equipment in general.

You might as well be buying SAE and Metric. All the old stuff is SAE, most of the new stuff is going Metric.

And the other downfall is, the wide range of fasteners on these machines. From large to small, you need them all. A set of wrenches topping out at 18mm or 3/4 doesn't cut it. Many belt tensioners on combines are large nut (i.e. 27mm) which means finding a ratcheting wrench that big all the more helpful.

Well, I'm definitely more confused about what to get, but plenty of good advice.

I guess the main thing is not to rush into it, just try and score on the deals when they become available.

 

[crewchief888]

take a look and see what sizes you'll need, and buy them 1st. i've been wrenching on constuction/heavy eq for 25 years, and never bought a complete set of 3/4 dr. i figured out what i needed over the years and only bought those sockets. mostly chrome, couple of deepwells, and a couple impacts for specific jobs.

 

[bushhawg73]

I have a sunnex 3/4 impact socket set. No complaints and they are pretty reasonable in the price department.

 

[rsanter]

I have a 1 3/4 and a 1 7/16 I could part with

bob

 

[nolatoolguy]

Me and my family run a farm for a living. Its a tough job but well worth it. Tools are soemthing we need as you know. I would suggest sk and ir sets. Sk tools are some of the best and so are snap on but i prefer sk. sometimes you got to pay a little more but get a ausome quality tool set. I highly suggest farm auctions if you have time and can find one. Farm auctions can have some great buys.

if in the mean time you need a cheaper set ide check the one out below, we got that for the back of my sisters truck and stays in her truck and shes needed to use it a few times not many but so far no complaints. The case for it ***** but the tools themselves are bad. They should do fine for temporay use.

http://www.gemplers.com/product/15149/Crescent-3-4-Drive-Socket-Set-21-piece

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[Joe69]

I started my set by buying the cheapest set I could find at Harbor Freight. I then replaced the few that I broke with a quality tool. Still have over half the set including ratchet and t-handle.

That's what I did. Nearly 20 years later, I still have the whole set from 2 1/16 through 2 1/2. The smaller ones have all been replaced with impact sockets (2" and below).

Joe

 

[Fubar]

Impact sockets are thicker for more reasons than just breakage. A thicker socket transfers more torque to the fastener than a regular socket. So if you need the maximum hit, go with impact sockets.

 

[flashpuppy]

Yeah, that is the downfall of working on farm equipment or heavy equipment in general.

You might as well be buying SAE and Metric. All the old stuff is SAE, most of the new stuff is going Metric.

And the other downfall is, the wide range of fasteners on these machines. From large to small, you need them all. A set of wrenches topping out at 18mm or 3/4 doesn't cut it. Many belt tensioners on combines are large nut (i.e. 27mm) which means finding a ratcheting wrench that big all the more helpful.

The plus side is the amount of money you make off of it. Car mechs can't make what large mechs do, just the way it is. Over time your larger investment in 3/4" and 1" drive tools becomes profitable.

Why don't you check out Wright tools? Tools that will last a lifetime at a very reasonable price. Look at my sig for the link.

 

[TheDukeofDeere]

That Crescent set looks halfway decent and to think, I have looked through the Gempler's catalog a few times that I could have passed it up.....so many good suggestions on this thread.

Thanks for the time and replies. Another member has also contacted me about a used set he would sell me! That is exactly why I enjoy forums, whether it be the bowhunting one I frequent or this one, bunch of good guys.

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So what do you like better, the Cat or the Deere? I've never drove a track Deere model, but I definitely enjoy running the Cat (85E) we have and the Quadtrac we are currently renting. We also have two Case wheeled machines, a STX425 and a STX485 that is chipped, probably putting out 550 hp now. Traction becomes a bigger problem than power at that point.

 

[TheDukeofDeere]

The plus side is the amount of money you make off of it. Car mechs can't make what large mechs do, just the way it is. Over time your larger investment in 3/4" and 1" drive tools becomes profitable.

Why don't you check out Wright tools? Tools that will last a lifetime at a very reasonable price. Look at my sig for the link.

Wright, Proto, Craftsman, they are all good possibilities and could be what I end up getting for a good chrome sockets. I also had another member contact me about a used set he has for sale. I might start out with that, then move that to my truck as I work out in the fields on our equipment a lot when it breaks down. So, it is beneficial to have a set of 3/4" both at the shop and in my truck.