3/8 drive chrome swivel sockets

[lr_thinman]

How useful will a set of 3/8 drive chrome swivel shallow sockets be? Especially since I already have a set of 3/8 drive chrome sockets and a universal joint?

 

[rsieracki]

depends on what you work on i like them for tight spots, since i got them i rarely use my reg universal joints

 

[rayzor32]

I find them especially useful but I wrench for a living, so you might not need them if you don't use them alot. The shallow + ujoint will get you by unless your in a tight spot its not going to fit.

 

[haloghalog]

You gotta have one to replace the driver side engine mount on Lexus LS400, that's the only time i've needed one. I now have the whole set just in case, because there is nothing more I hate then stopping work to go buy a tool!!

 

[ryan_289]

I have an older set of SK swivel sockets. I find myself using my snap on universal more often. It has a tighter joint than the sk's. It was my first ever snap on tool. When I was a teenager my mom bought an old hand held toolbox full of tools at a garage sale. I went through it and pulled all of the name brand stuff out of it before Dad got ahold of it. (he is the typical weeend farmer, There is no telling how many pairs of pliers or screwdrivers are laying around our farm in the last place they were used!) I ended up with various craftsman tools, a snap on universal, and a set of snap on ignition wrenches. I still have the ignition wrenches and the universal.

 

[wafrederick]

I do not like the chrome swivel sockets,bind up and I use the impact swivels on a hand extension with a hand ratchet.Impact swivels don't bind up

 

[treasureseeker]

They are on my list as in certain situations they are a life saver. I would suggest getting ones that are tighter than the SK’s. If you can’t get your hand on the bolt and the swivel socket is flopping around they have no advantage over the universal and socket. I have a collection of impact 1/2 drive ones but with no compressor to run my air tools I would like to get a set of the chrome swivel sockets in 3/8 drive.

 

[Art From De Leon]

I do not like the chrome swivel sockets,bind up and I use the impact swivels on a hand extension with a hand ratchet.Impact swivels don't bind up

This is very true. The ONLY non-impact swivel sockets I have are my 1/4" drive shallow, although I do have an Snap on impact type swivel in 1/4" drive, so I can make up deep Flex sockets if needed, and two 3/8" shallow spine drive sockets in 1/2" and 9/16" sizes.

I do not own a non-impact universal or universal socket in 1/2" drive or 3/4" drive.

 

[Bran Diezel]

chrome will fit where impacts wont fit. you obviously don't know how to use the tool if you complain of it binding up. they will bind yes but only on un-useable angles that are probably double of what an impact swivel could reach. i have both and can hardly ever use my impact swivels for my line of work. the impact swivels make great freeze plug installers though with a long ext.

 

[FoMoCoPower]

swivels are VERY useful if you work on cars alot

 

[lr_thinman]

Thanks a lot, fellows.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

I bought mine to remove the bell housing bolts on my dodge ram. In conjunction with a really long extension it was the easiest and best way.


universal was too big.

 

[mrholeshot]

I own a few sets in 3/8 drive that have hardly seen any use in 20 years of auto repair. I use the Impact universals all the time. In 1/4 I use chrome universals quite a bit (SK). In 1/2 drive I have maybe 3-4 chrome swivels I bought because my impacts wouldn't fit. My advice would be get a really good 3/8 universal and use a socket on it when you need it. The only Chrome universal sockets I have that see regular use are spark plug sockets

 

[dkroth]

Universal sockets are expensive to buy, but great to have.

I just used mine this past weekend to tightend up the valve cover on the side of my Toyota diesel. The flex sockets are the ONLY way to get to the two rear and two front bolts without removing the exhaust manifold and alternator, respectively. Hell, not having to touch those parts probably paid for the set right there. (Not really. I have a Snap-On set and they are spendy!)

 

[trackwelder]

I use my 3/8" chrome because they are smaller and fit into tighter spots. Also use them with a 1/2" to 3/8" ext and an impact wrench. I have never needed a 3/8" swivel impact set.

 

[mrholeshot]

I use my 3/8" chrome because they are smaller and fit into tighter spots. Also use them with a 1/2" to 3/8" ext and an impact wrench. I have never needed a 3/8" swivel impact set.

Even I won't use an impact with a Chrome universal.

 

[rsanter]

they are handy but you may not need a full set unless you wrench professionally and perhaps not even then
figure out what sizes you think you may use the most and buy those.
some people here sometimes sell one or two at a time so look at the clasifieds. I actually have a few spares that I could seel depepding on what size you need

bob

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Even I won't use an impact with a Chrome universal.

You do what you gotta do sometimes, although he obviously could use some swivel impacts. But to each their own.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I bought a cheap set (Draper) just to have them in case. Turned out to be tough as nails. Put a 24" breaker bar on the 17mm one and snapped the bolt clean off while really yanking on the bar.

I used the 18mm a couple weeks ago with a 24" ratchet, pulled on it hard enough that my back clicked and didn't even leave a mark on the socket.

I don't use them often but they're great when you need them. Nothing else will work.

 

[mrholeshot]

You do what you gotta do sometimes, although he obviously could use some swivel impacts. But to each their own.

Yeah, One of my favorite terms "you do what you have to sometimes" I've made that mistake twice. Both times earned me a few stitches. You would think I would learned the first time. Here is a photo of my shoulder and neck area where a Snap-On 9/16 chrome universal cut me open. This wound is 30 years old. It took 15 stitches and they had to pick a 1/4X1/2 inch peice of jagged metal out of my neck. No more

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Yeah, One of my favorite terms "you do what you have to sometimes" I've made that mistake twice. Both times earned me a few stitches. You would think I would learned the first time. Here is a photo of my shoulder and neck area where a Snap-On 9/16 chrome universal cut me open. This wound is 30 years old. It took 15 stitches and they had to pick a 1/4X1/2 inch peice of jagged metal out of my neck. No more

So how did you do that exactly? the obvious is the socket broke, but how did that happen?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Yeah, One of my favorite terms "you do what you have to sometimes" I've made that mistake twice. Both times earned me a few stitches. You would think I would learned the first time. Here is a photo of my shoulder and neck area where a Snap-On 9/16 chrome universal cut me open. This wound is 30 years old. It took 15 stitches and they had to pick a 1/4X1/2 inch peice of jagged metal out of my neck. No more

My friend has a scar like that (About 1.5" long) on his cheek just under his right eye where a big chrome socket exploded while he was using it on an impact gun. Really rattling on a rusty hub nut and i just heard *rattle*.. *ping!* "F**K!"

Glad it wasn't me. I'm with holeshot on this one.