YukonRally
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- Nov 9, 2013
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I'm going Sunex, and I love Tekton. Sunex is CroMo which is better for impact, Tekton is using Cr-V which really should just be for the chrome non-impact sockets.
Affordable 3/8 drive metric impact socket set?
- Thread starter Itsjustdirt
- Start date
Not entirely true, or at least not that simple.
Chromium-Molybdenum or Chromium-Vanadium Steel? | TEKTON
Chromium-molybdenum (also called chrome molybdenum, chrome moly, or Cr-Mo) and chromium-vanadium (also called chrome vanadium or Cr-V) are names for two families of steel alloys used in hand tool manufacturing. Which one is better? When properly manufactured and heat treated, they are chemically...
Also be aware if you go the Sunex route which version you're buying, old style Taiwan or new style China. There are multiple threads and YT videos on the topic.
anndel
Well-known member
MarineScott
Well-known member
I too have tried breaking them, working professionally. I have broke Cornwell, Matco, not my cheap ones. Snap On guy used to ask, what kind of impacts are you using, I would reply, one's that work.
mreisner
Well-known member
Wright are great and if you snag a 20% off Zoro coupon pretty affordable.
shoggoth80
Well-known member
I've had good experiences with several brands of impacts. Pittsburgh. No joke. Incredibly affordable, but skips sizes in 3/8. Kobalt. Not a fan of their ratchets, but you know... The handful of Kobalt impact sockets I've got are still kicking fine. Armstrong... Picked them up years ago on HJE for about $6 a pop. I've had to clean them up multiple times over the years... I've beat on them on top of gun duty. Jobsmart. Grabbed some on clearance pricing from Tractor Supply. Rattled lug nuts off no issue. Haven't used much beyond tire duty... But price was right. Dunno if they can be found in 3/8 though. Just get something that's easy to warranty if you need it, you'll probably be fine.
At work, I've used Snappy, SK, Proto, KAL, Pittsburgh, Grey Pneumatic, some Sunex. I've seen a couple broken Proto, a couple busted SK, and some very worn Snap On.
I've actually had better experiences with impacts holding up than chrome sockets
At work, I've used Snappy, SK, Proto, KAL, Pittsburgh, Grey Pneumatic, some Sunex. I've seen a couple broken Proto, a couple busted SK, and some very worn Snap On.
I've actually had better experiences with impacts holding up than chrome sockets
Chester in Florida
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The Quinn master set at Harbor Freight is pretty nice. Quinn is really just the Pro version of Pittsburgh. No skips, 8-19mm and 5/16 to 3/4. Several extensions and adaptors also.
Lifetime warranty, and they will replace 1 piece, not the whole set. They should open up a set and get what you need If you need something replaced.
Lifetime warranty, and they will replace 1 piece, not the whole set. They should open up a set and get what you need If you need something replaced.
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LexusLover
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- Sep 9, 2022
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I think half inch is the better size to go with impact sockets, unless you already have half inch and are getting 3/8 for size restraints, j for a set of 1/2” metric from Amazon branded meiwaltee and it’s great $78 8-22mm no skip and then 24,27,30&32mm with a wobble adapter 3 extensions and a 3/8 to 1/2” adapter. Cr/mo thin wall taper design. Great quality and price
G1GRANDEUR
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- Aug 22, 2009
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I own snap-on, tekton, sunex (Taiwan ) impact sockets.
Never had an issue with any of them with heavy use.
Never had an issue with any of them with heavy use.
Agreed. I've been using the Quinn set (had some coupons and they were on sale) at my garage condo for the last year or so. Haven't ruined any of them yet.
BTW: Watch the clearance section. At most stores they will put the set they took your socket out of there at a reduced price. Great way to pickup extras for cheap!
BIGTOY44
Member
Thats not true.
shoggoth80
Well-known member
I've run Pittsburgh stuff that's Cr-V for some time. No failures. There's even a few old Pittsburgh impact sockets in the shop kicking around... People like to dog on the brand, but they're not broken yet.
I thought the same about Cr-Mo vs. Cr-V for a long time... But none of the Vanadium impacts have failed yet that I've witnessed.
I thought the same about Cr-Mo vs. Cr-V for a long time... But none of the Vanadium impacts have failed yet that I've witnessed.
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stevobeavo
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I use a cheap Amazon set of impacts (voche) they are cr-v impacts. I've used them for 6 years now and only the 13mm cracked due to me putting it on a milwaukee high torque.
Steel_Rain
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- Apr 23, 2024
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+1 on the Quinn set. I'm a mega tool snob and have impact sockets from SO, MAC, Koken, others in 3/8" drive(and 1/2", a few 3/4"). The Quinn's haven't ever let me down, appear to be good quality and have held up for 2+ years with zero issue. I have an extra set of these because they had a sale and they are in the go-kit for off-site repairs. I also love the case and they aren't worth more then the vehicle they ride in.
My complaint with the Quinn set is they don't give you a choice between SAE or Metric, you have to buy the set with both.
I hate because I don't use SAE. I would rather see 2 smaller cheaper sets and save some money, and only buy only what I will actually use.
But yeah, throw in a $20 Quinn ratchet and you're good to go. Probably less than $100 out the door with a coupon.
I'd consider picking a set on sale or with a coupon as something to leave in the car.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
They seem slightly more, but I keep seeing " Sunex went to China" mentioned.
What do you like better? The sets I was checking out were near identical and close in price,
I buy whatever I find at estate/garage sales, so I have some of both. The Gray Pneumatic just feel and look nicer to me. I have a lot of them. When it came to buying sets that I could not find on the secondary market, I went with GP. I feel this way about the sockets and the universals.
milkovich
Well-known member
I have a few older Sunex sets in 3/8, but I really agree with this review on the new stuff:
seber
Well-known member
For the Harbor Freight promoters, the last time I walked into one all the sockets and wrenches had been switched to "made in India". I wouldn't even consider it.
goldtang
Well-known member
Not 3/8 but 1/2 inch drive metric and imperial, I bought them about 40+ years ago they got a hammering (fixed plant maintenance) and still get used occasionally now I am. Retired there is no brand name on them only the size i Can’t remember were I got them from, I would just pick a brand I could afford just my thought
That's simply not the truth.
Almost every brand HF sells is made in either Taiwan or China. Even under their "non-pro" rock bottom price Pittsburgh brand, you'll find very little India beyond the wrench and socket sets they give away for free or cost like $8. But at that price, I'm not sure what you're expecting. Move up to Pittsburgh Pro or Quinn or Icon and there will be no India to be found.
However, a lot of products that were Taiwan have moved to China. For example, the Pittsburgh Pro CR-MO impact sockets used to be Taiwan and been moved to China, or at least every set I've looked at in the past 2-ish years. But I think they're being phased out again and replaced with something else, or simply replaced with another version with a different SKU# from a different manufacture.
seber
Well-known member
I can only say what I saw on that one stop.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
allinon72
Well-known member
I don’t like saying it but it’d be ICON for me. High quality, no skips, good price, readily available.
The super-cool thing about that, if you've got one of those stores nearby, is that you can go buy it when you actually need it.
God knows how much preemptively bought stuff is sitting in peoples' garages. I feel bad enough that most of the sizes of sets I own have never been used.
allinon72
Well-known member
This is a tool forum, it’s ok to hoard tools just because. I’ve been doing it for 15+ years and just now getting around to “using” certain tools I bought many years ago due to certain projects.