Affordable 3/8 drive metric impact socket set?

[Itsjustdirt]

Any decent 3/8 drive metric impact socket sets you guys like? This is just a hobby for me. I don’t need snap on or “the best”. Is there a reasonably priced set that doesn’t totally ****?

Gearwrench?
Tekton?
Craftsman?

 

[Steve_P]

Tekton, Capri, Sunex. Find the best deal.

 

[chris142]

The taiwan made ones seem to be of very high quality in my opinion.

 

[darkzero]

Heck, at home I've got a set of Sears Craftsman China impact sockets that work perfectly fine for me. I've also got a generic brand set older than those which have also never gave me an issue. The only time I have ever broke an impact socket under normal use was a Matco USA "thin wall" impact socket meant for lugnuts.

Can't go wrong with any of the brands already mentioned, no need for Snap-on IMO. When I worked at a shop I just used Craftsman USA impact sockets (just the individula sizes I used the most). At my current job I use HF Pittsburg 3/8 chrome sockets with a Milwaukee impact driver daily. Still have not cracked one of the sockets yet, the hex adapters yes. But again it's an impact driver, not an actual 3/8 anvil impact & we only work on brand new vehicles.

 

[ForrestT]

Harbor freight

 

[308guru]

I really like the Sunex impact sets I recently purchased. They seem really nice and the prices are reasonable. Amazon is your friend.

One detail that is nice; Laser marked size on one side, roll marked on the other.

 

[mopar66]

Another vote for Sunex. I bought the SAE/Metric Deep/Shallow set on amazon.

 

[Fedwrench]

Grey Pneumatic or Sunex. Do you like blue or red cases?

Look for a sale, shop around as there's a wide price gap at different vendors.

 

[Wamsutta]

How about Williams Taiwan? That way the charitable proceeds benefit an American corporation.

Williams JHWMS-12-13H

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How about Williams Taiwan? That way the charitable proceeds benefit an American corporation.

Williams JHWMS-12-13H

Those are Williams USA, for what it's worth.

 

[Wamsutta]

Those are Williams USA, for what it's worth.

Dang it! I was trying to slide one under the radar.

 

[Wamsutta]

OK here's Williams Taiwan for sure this time.

Williams JHW36924

 

[finn]

3/8 impacts look like one area you can shop by price. I have a set of who knows what brand deeps, some Sears (not Craftsman) shallows, and some Allen ( Menards closeout and probably actually similar to Gearwrench)

Never an issue with any of them. I use the cheap Sears set the most, and they have to be thirty years old.

i picked up a set from the hot deals thread a couple of weeks ago, but haven’t opened them, as they are 2000 miles away.

 

[Pasha]

When it comes to impact socket tools, I don't think anyone really beats Sunex in quality per dollar.

 

[KnurledNut]

Astro Tools 78314 14-pc Nano set. 6-19. 3/8 drive.
Currently $33.94 on AMZ.

These are low profile and have a hex base that can be used with a socket or wrench.
If you already have regular chrome sockets, these will give you additional access to cramped fasteners, while still functioning as normal impact sockets.

 

[wafrederick]

Grey Pnuematic.With Grey Pnuematic,you do not purchase them on Amazon and Ebay,both are unauthorized dealers is the reason why.They void the warranty if they find out

 

[liliysdad]

Grey Pnuematic.With Grey Pnuematic,you do not purchase them on Amazon and Ebay,both are unauthorized dealers is the reason why.They void the warranty if they find out

Reason enough not to buy them.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I really like the Sunex semi-deep, very versatile. Use them for most things, but still have a shallow and deep set too.

 

[Jtels85]

Sunex, hands down.

I recently picked up a set of the thin wall deep 3/8 metric impact sockets from Duralast at Auto Zone. Rebranded GearWrench. I really like them.

 

[RPH]

Tekton for the win. Good tools at reasonable prices. Customer service beyond reproach.

 

[Hohn]

Any decent 3/8 drive metric impact socket sets you guys like? This is just a hobby for me. I don’t need snap on or “the best”. Is there a reasonably priced set that doesn’t totally ****?

Gearwrench?
Tekton?
Craftsman?

Very happy with my Astro Nanos.
For standard depth, the Sunex I have a excellent (but the marking is meh).
For deep I'm using Pittsburgh Pro from HF.

I'm also on the page of looking for Taiwanese first.

 

[wafrederick]

Reason enough not to buy them.

Buy from an authorized dealer

 

[bpwoodworking]

I think KoKen is pretty reasonable and they make an excellent product.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Tekton or Sunex

 

[nh_yota]

I prefer Tekton but I've been buying more Taiwan-made stuff at Harbor Freight since I have a few of them nearby.

Warranty is also important - I think Tekton will replace individual sockets whereas Harbor Freight usually replaces the set.

 

[liliysdad]

Buy from an authorized dealer

Or buy tools from folks who don't require a proof of purchase for warranty.

 

[Rinspeed]

I've been trying to break a HF Pittsburgh Pro Impact socket for at least five years with no luck. They are as good as anything costing even three times as much.

 

[SweetD]

I have a set of the Sunex shallow impacts metric/SAE combo with 3/8" ratchet. I really like it for the money.

Also have had the HF 1/2" metric impact set for years now and it has served me well. Just a DIY'er, not pro use...

 

[kody1234]

Harbor freightmp

I got Tekton 3/8 and harbor freight 1/2

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i have a set of neiko 3/8 impacts, shallow and deep, i think they were like $29 on amazon, holding up fine

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

Harbor Freight, Sunex & Tekton will outlast your hobby.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have Astro Nano up to 24mm and then Icon deep well up to 19mm I think. I went with the Icon because I could get them locally and no skips. I wish it went up to 22 at least though.

 

[Etchase]

Craftsman, Husky, Kobolt, HF and dewalt are inexpensive, have good warranties and generally keep more of the profits in this country if you care. I really haven’t seen a horrible, can’t be used impact set. Even the direct from China like casoman, swan lake, and others work ok. Prices seem very cheap.

 

[Theronswanson]

Sunex. I have a couple Tekton sockets and have not been happy with them. They tend to grab towards the edges and start to round fastners. I haven't noticed that in my Sunex sockets.

 

[assassin10000]

I have had HF (1/2") now sunex. Also had 3/8" HF, grey pnuematic, astro (nano) and now sunex.

I gave my HF away, they worked ok. I sold my grey pneumatic standard and deep set for sunex. The sunex are a thinner wall that gets in places the HF/grey didn't. The sunex mid length/depth are probably my most used.

The astro's I have multiple sets of.

 

[turbodave]

I've been happy with my GearWrench short and deep set and Capri tools mid length.

Some of the cheaper sets on amazon have a thicker socket that tapers down at the end for the smaller sizes, I don't care for that style and chose sets that neck down and offer a little more clearance. More of a personal preference, but something to consider.

 

[micromind]

Not really low cost but if you get Wright, you'll never need the warranty.

 

[Tiny Jackson]

Or buy tools from folks who don't require a proof of purchase for warranty.

Why would the manufacturer warranty purchases from ebay and Amazon third party when they don't even know if the stuff is genuine? Many warranty claims require you take a pic of damaged product and send it to them but they can not necessarily tell if genuine.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Why would the manufacturer warranty purchases from ebay and Amazon third party when they don't even know if the stuff is genuine? Many warranty claims require you take a pic of damaged product and send it to them but they can not necessarily tell if genuine.

Somehow numerous brands survive doing just that. I'll continue to ignore "official channel required" brands that aren't radically different from their competition.

 

[username2]

Any decent 3/8 drive metric impact socket sets you guys like? This is just a hobby for me. I don’t need snap on or “the best”. Is there a reasonably priced set that doesn’t totally ****?

Gearwrench?
Tekton?
Craftsman?

I'm super late to the party (6 months?), but you might consider this.

https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Pneumatic-SS309G-Square-Magnetic/dp/B003L77XRM?tag=atomicindus08-20

"Chicago Pneumatic SS3113-3/8 Inch Square Drive, Standard, Metric, 6 Point, Impact Socket Set (13 PCS)"

$23.19