3/8 impact sockets?

[Hal]

I need to buy a set of 3/8 drive metric sockets. Truck brands are pretty much out of my price range, and although most of my other stuff is Craftsman, I have been kind of disappointed in their recent tools. Neither do I just want to pick up a set of whatever O'Reilly's is offering.

I have been looking at Sunex, Gearwrench, and Tekton. They all seem to be in about the same price range. Can anyone offer an opinion about any of these, or suggest another brand.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Buy cheap. Take your impact into the store and pop one onto the anvil if you can. In 3/8", you're gonna have hog ring anvil, so there's really not any big determination to be made. For cars, you will need 8, 10, 11 through 15, maybe 16, 17 for Asian, 18 for some others, and 19 for a ton of models.

By the time you know what features or specific fitment you're missing / need, you'll have gotten your money's worth, and you'll have figured out exactly what you need.

My impacts are harbor freight, some random straggler sizes I picked up, and Snap-On for specialty thin-wall or flip sockets.

 

[Jeepster04]

Check out astro sockets. Ive got a set of SAE/Metric swivel impact sockets and Im happy with them.

 

[OldNeons]

I have been very happy with my USA made S-K impact sockets

 

[pizza]

koken zeal 3/8" 12-pc 6-point metric socket set: RS3400MZ/12

right now, $70 shipped to the US: https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B005I7HWM4/
these are better and cheaper than most truck brands. in fact, they're my first choice in metric sockets. truly, they're awesome.

see also: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459396

edit: sorry, i'm an idiot. i somehow missed that you wanted impact sockets. i'd probably go with tekton.

 

[bassbone52]

I have Sunex and Gray Pneumatic. Both are excellent. I also own Pittsburgh Pro impacts from Harbor Freight. Those work well and are an excellent value.

 

[pattenp]

I've been using Harbor Freight impact sockets for years and never have had an issue with them. Now I'll wait for the flames.

 

[CraigStu]

Do you need a set right now? Maybe just buy the individual sizes you need would make it easier to get better ones.

 

[Metallitubby]

I have Sunex

I bought a Sunex set when I was just getting started as an apprentice. I still have the set, and the most common sizes are a little worn, but have held up over the 24yrs they've been used.

*Most of my Sunex stuff is now my backup stuff.

 

[denis4x4]

I've had good luck with the Home Depot and NAPA private label brands

 

[BillK]

Dont know how much you want to spend but I have a set in the classifieds. Make me an offer

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435737

 

[colt24]

I second the Astro brand. I have the nano sockets and they come on a nice rail as well. Purchased from Amazon.

 

[setfocus]

I've got matco mid-well 8-19mm and snap-on swallow swivel set (that skip sizes). Already have snap-on chrome deep and shallow sets.

I didn't want to buy both deep and shallow impacts. Mid-well does 75% of deep and shallow use and occasionally is the perfect length and only socket that fits. I'll stick a chrome socket on an impact if I have to

 

[Hal]

Dont know how much you want to spend but I have a set in the classifieds. Make me an offer

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435737

A little above my price range, thinking under $75 for shallow and deep.

 

[matlok]

If you’re trying to keep the price down, Tekton has 3/8” sets 7-19mm, $25 for regular length and $30 for deep, either 6 or 12 point.


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[OHMS LAW]

HF are fine sockets. But since my wife buys high dollar purses and such I’m allowed high dollar tools. The cornwell blue power stuff is nice. I look for it when it’s on sell. Last year I got chrome short and deep and impact short and deep on sale for 150 for all 4 sets sold the chromes for 80.

 

[PavelK313]

TEKTON

Been using my tectonic impacts pretty much daily for past 5 year and haven't had a single issue! Worth mentioning that 99% of the time i use impact sockets unless I must use chrome thin wall cause of luck of space. Also their warranty is absolutely amazing, send them a picture of broken socket or missing socket (yes, missing socket, they'll give you new one no questions asked) and they'll ship you replacement the next business day. I just ordered replacement for my 3/*" deep case cause latches on the case are starting to brake off from so much use and a replacement for shallow 16mm socket that i lost.

 

[The Fall]

I have Wright (deep) and SK (shallow) impacts in this drive size. I feel like I made a great choice. USA made and they didn't break the bank.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have various impact sockets I have Craftsman both USA and China both have been great I have Kobalt also great and I have a couple Snap-on impacts amazing and a few no name ones pretty good I would say and have lots of Harbor Freight ones too they are good. When I was in school we used Gearwrench impact sockets and they were amazing also and their sets don’t skip sizes too so that’s a plus.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[turbodave]

I bought the GearWrench set 3 or 4 years ago when it was on sale for under $60. I've been happy with it so far for my uses (hobby, not every day). I like being able to throw the case with all the sockets in the truck along with my 3/8" cordless Dewalt and know that I'm good to go.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UM688Z6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BrandoJames]

Matco ADV (Taiwan). I picked up a new 13 pc metric set for $69 on eBay last year. Those are 6 pt Deep, nice DIY set.

 

[BenHilton]

Sunex. 3351 is the Metric master set. 7-22mm in deep, shallow, and swivel. $125USD

Dunno if you can really beat that, Sunex makes great stuff too, I have this particular set.

 

[Mr_B]

I would go tekton from your list.
Mainly as new range of impacts they do decent design with shouldering and less bulk that be beneficial on 3/8 sockets .
matco adv and sunex same taiwan forging/oem/odm on lot of the impact range buy visual match . sunex beside range coverage and availability is nothing special .

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I have a combo of mit, Campbell housefield, and hf in 1/2in and no issues in reliability. Im not fond of the finish on the hf sockets

 

[Rattle]

Sunex. 3351 is the Metric master set. 7-22mm in deep, shallow, and swivel. $125USD

Dunno if you can really beat that, Sunex makes great stuff too, I have this particular set.

I got the same set. It seemed substantially cheaper to buy the set with the swivels rather than sockets and swivels separately.

 

[WinMod21]

I need to buy a set of 3/8 drive metric sockets. Truck brands are pretty much out of my price range, and although most of my other stuff is Craftsman, I have been kind of disappointed in their recent tools. Neither do I just want to pick up a set of whatever O'Reilly's is offering.

I have been looking at Sunex, Gearwrench, and Tekton. They all seem to be in about the same price range. Can anyone offer an opinion about any of these, or suggest another brand.

I found a couple NOS sets of 'Made in USA' Craftsman 3/8" drive metric & SAE impact sockets at an Ace hardware recently. If you have them in your area, you might check some of them out; typically the Ace's farther out in the countryside in smaller towns have the best USA stock still remaining, if at all.

 

[Jtels85]

Everyone loves Sunex impacts, which is hard to argue with. I have some old NAPA 1/2” deep metric impact sockets that are rebranded Sunex and they’re fantastic!

My 3/8” impact sockets are Gearwrench and I have been more than pleased with the set. They’ve seen everything from indoor work to automotive and still look and function beautifully!

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have SUNEX and MAC. They look identical. I have had both sets for over 25 years. They were worked hard. Sunex is very affordable.

 

[redragoon]

I bought a set of Gearwrench 3/8" impacts for my M12 Stubby impact. Ended up also getting their flex impacts in 3/8" and 1/2". They have worked great for everything I need.
Standard 3/8" set pulled rusted lug nuts off an old boat trailer and an abandoned 70's truck.
Did brakes and a timing belt job so far with the flex ones.

 

[lethal-6]

You can get expert at a good price from mac and they will work well. I've found most of my truck brand sockets at the pawn shops for 1/2 price or less. matco ADV are very reasonable also.

 

[anndel]

On the cheap side, I have Tekton, Sunex and Astro Pneumatic. Then at the other end of the spectrum I have Snap-on and SK. All good and works. The Tekton and Sunex are in the tool kit in my truck. The Astro, SO and SK stays at home in my tool box.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have Williams USA and Proto in 3/8" just because I wanted USA made stuff. For a more budget friendly import option I would go Tekton due to their selection, quality, price.

 

[livinloud11]

I have Tekton 3/8 deep and shallow impact sockets in metric and sae. I also have the Sunex 1/4 impact socket set with both metric and sae as well. I like them both, probably like the Sunex ones a little more but not by much. Both work for me around the house and whatever I use them for.

 

[chris142]

The Taiwan made impact sockets seem to be a great buy, HF, Azone,Napa etc are all good. My set I have at home are "OEM" from Autozone. No skips either. 8mm-19mm.

 

[DugT]

I just read through this whole thread and I don't think anyone mentioned any impact sockets that they don't like. Since they all seem good and durable, I'd buy budget sockets with easy to read sizes.

 

[Al Borland]

Just make sure the sizes are stamped on the sockets.

 

[Noworries]

HF are fine sockets. But since my wife buys high dollar purses and such I’m allowed high dollar tools. The cornwell blue power stuff is nice. I look for it when it’s on sell. Last year I got chrome short and deep and impact short and deep on sale for 150 for all 4 sets sold the chromes for 80.

That is most excellent!!! Fair is fair right?

 

[wolverinehusky]

+1 for Gray Pneumatic.

Can buy on Amazon (though could have warranty issues) or of course find an authorized dealer.

 

[Hal]

Decided, what the hell, and just pushed the button on the Sunex 3351. I can surely use the swivel sockets, and as someone else said, it will cost more to buy them separately.

$116 and change from Summit Racing, with free shipping. Too bad I didn't need or want anything else from them, because buying that set triggers free shipping on the rest of your order if you want other things.

 

[BenHilton]

Decided, what the hell, and just pushed the button on the Sunex 3351. I can surely use the swivel sockets, and as someone else said, it will cost more to buy them separately.

$116 and change from Summit Racing, with free shipping. Too bad I didn't need or want anything else from them, because buying that set triggers free shipping on the rest of your order if you want other things.

Great choice, you will be pleased!