3/8th Impact Socket Recommendation

[BajaBound]

Evening guys,

I am going to be taking delivery of a Milwaukee 2654 3/8th impact and going to being using it a lot more as it is more powerful than my trusty C3 and it is time for some impact sockets.

I currently use a HF shallow MM set as MM is primarily what I work on but I would like to expand and get a good complete set.

I am looking a Williams Taiwan and USA but I would like to hear what you guys out there think and what you like.

 

[kctyphoon]

I bought the Tekton shallow and deep 3/8" metric/sae sets off amazon. They have worked fine for me the few times I have used them.. The selling points for me were the cheap price, good reviews, and they all come in their own folding case. Cases for things are a big plus in my book.. Especially since I'm not a pro mechanic and these things don't live in a service cart ready to use everyday..

Don't know which ones you have, but HF has newer impact sockets. Thinner walls, nicer finish.. I've even seen 12 point impacts in one store.. I think the tektons are nicer though..

Also - just to add.. That guy EricTheCarGuy has a video review on a set of really nice looking sockets that are both standard AND impact sockets.. Thin wall, nice finish, nice case.. Forget the brand but they were not very expensive at all.. He had good things to say about them, and the idea of being able to use one set of sockets for both uses sounds nice to me.. Maybe give youtube a try.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Evening guys,

I am going to be taking delivery of a Milwaukee 2654 3/8th impact and going to being using it a lot more as it is more powerful than my trusty C3 and it is time for some impact sockets.

I currently use a HF shallow MM set as MM is primarily what I work on but I would like to expand and get a good complete set.

I am looking a Williams Taiwan and USA but I would like to hear what you guys out there think and what you like.

I think they sell the old stock kobalt impact sets pretty cheap (NEW) (at least the sae kits). I think those are williams could be wrong. Depends on how high you're going torque wise but cr-v would probably be okay. Just make sure the construction is thicker than regular cr-v sockets.

You can also get cornwell impact on ebay pretty cheap. In my opinion those look like they have the best construction but I haven't dug into the brand. Don't know about sets on the cheap though. Don't know what's available in 3/8 in the above.

Taiwan makes good impact sockets (even the crv impact) so that's nothing to worry about...just don't pay US prices for import.

 

[xela456]

I have a fuel 3/8 impact (get the tool boot) i really like my proto 3/8 impact sockets, i only have the deepwells but i have had no problems with them. the only thing i've had problems with is swivels. I bought an impact swivel with the detent pin made by SK and i'm on my 3rd one (warrentied of course) but the pin keeps falling out!

 

[kctyphoon]

Here's the link to the dual use set I was talking about - grey pneumatic $116


http://www.jbtoolsales.com/grey-pne...tric-std-deep-duo-socket-set-6-pt/#oid=1002_1

The YouTube video is featured on the bottom of the page.

 

[BK13]

I have Sunex SAE, their 'master' set that has shallows and deeps, plus a universal, plus the semi deep set. I can't complain about a thing about them. If I were to do it again, I might go the same way, or I might try some Wright shallows and deeps... I do need to pick up some metrics...

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The Sunex set is a great value, especially since it's CrMo

http://www.sunextools.com/index.cfm?s=detail&subcat=108&item=1969

 

[flying eyeball]

I've got these...they are great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SK-Tools-40...1248810521&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

 

[SuburbanRuss]

Grey Pneumatic... I love them

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

My favorite sockets are MAC but I'm assuming you don't want to pay tool truck prices. Sunex makes very nice impact sockets, I would also look into Craftsman, Proto, or Armstrong. I've been wanting to try SK but I'm in the air about it since seeing their quality control issues.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I've got these...they are great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SK-Tools-40...1248810521&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

I've seen that set for ~$160, so it's probably the best bet in USA made if that's a requirement.

 

[woodstockva]

TEKTON has the best warranty....and they offer "complete" (aka no missing sizes) of deep and shallow impact socket sets. I did a review on some of the 1/2" impact sockets, and I really like them. I also have some 3/8" ones & they are the same quality.

If you want a "complete master set", you can look at Sunex. I have a 3/8" SAE/Metric with deep & shallow sockets from them....all in one case.

For the money, look at TEKTON, Sunex, or Grey Pneumatic.

For Made in USA, look at SK, Proto, or Wright.

The 2 main things to keep in mind (as far as I am concerned) is the broach depth & "complete sets" (aka random missing socket sizes). MANY of the companies out there make deep sockets with the broach only 1/3rd of the way down....to me this is extremely irritating & prevents using deep sockets (in tight areas) to install bolts in many cases.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Mh4KZxhpX7E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[BajaBound]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the opinions and responses. I went with the Tekton deep 3/8MM 28.92 with free shipping from Amazon. I do like that it's a complete socket set but I wish I could get a 21mm but oh well.

 

[jc5205]

Tekton for average home owner is a good deal
I like the easy read sockets and the case keeps them organized in your tool box

 

[BajaBound]

I have a fuel 3/8 impact (get the tool boot) i really like my proto 3/8 impact sockets, i only have the deepwells but i have had no problems with them. the only thing i've had problems with is swivels. I bought an impact swivel with the detent pin made by SK and i'm on my 3rd one (warrentied of course) but the pin keeps falling out!

The boot for the 3/8th was ordered with it and the boot for my current 1/2 aswell! Thanks for the recommendation though.

 

[Adam.C]

I use Snap-On swivels 207IPFM. Bought them on ebay brand new for less than $100. They probably came free with something else. I think swivels are nice with impact guns because you can't always feel when you are seated properly. On the other hand, they are a little more fiddly to get the socket in place.

 

[Monte]

Gedore

 

[Cheechmaster]

i would go with the NPT (napa professional) Impact sockets they are just relabeled sunex impact sockets. No receipt lifetime warranty.

 

[johndeereman]

I have a 3/8'' set from gearwrench both sae and mm and they have been great so far. I also have 1/2'' sunex and grey pnumatic which are also great take your pick i guess.

 

[Banjorear]

US made craftsman can still be purchased at some stores.

 

[rtole]

I have Grey pneumatic impact sockets that I have used for about 7 years. I also use them with ratchets. Chrome only comes out when clearance is tight. So they get used hard. Some say the size printing wears off, but my mine have not yet. 3/8 metric goes from 6-22 deep and shallow. Or maybe its 7-22, can't remember. None have broke, some go one the 1/2 impact and hold up well. I use an adapter.......I think they are very nice for the money. That said most impact sockets are. Matco is the only brand that I have seen anyone break regularly. They were USA matco too. Not the imports. One guy I worked with bought tons of matco, and had poor results. He broke a lot of it, then we didn't have a dealer for a few years. He was pretty upset.

 

[Rogue1987]

Wright is great for domestic
Gray pneumatic for imported

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[May Pop]

I use Sunex. Full sets no missing sizes. Very affordable too.

 

[619DioFan]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the opinions and responses. I went with the Tekton deep 3/8MM 28.92 with free shipping from Amazon. I do like that it's a complete socket set but I wish I could get a 21mm but oh well.

You will be happy with the Tekton sockets. I have several sets and feel they are a very good quality product.

 

[92integra]

hell yeah i'll vote for grey pnuematic ! i have been beating on the duo sockets 3/8th's and 1/4" master sets for a year and a half with no issue's ( disclamer i broke a deep 3/8ths 10mm socket doing something stupid.... like 3 ft cheeter both hands and legs stupid.) i will vote for tekton as well tho as i am looking to grab a set or 5 from them for home use. if you only need metric, shelling out like 50 or 60 bucks beats GP's price by a way's. also those of us on garage journal are comming to find out they can out warrenty anyone in the game!

 

[79loserbluebu]

I've had a set of Craftsman deep impacts for a while now. To be honest though, the first socket I grab in my toolbox is a standard chrome MAC socket rail. And I'll use my 3/8 air impact just about every other day

 

[BajaBound]

Yeah I have been awful about grabbing my chrome stuff aswell and that is why I am going to try and stay on top of not being lazy. I have some really beat up 1/2 sockets that did not need to be and now they are a bit of eye sore because the drive end gets messed up. Looking forward to the Tekton impacts aswell as my new impact.