All different dual drive sockets that exist and sneaky tricks you use on them

[mikey03]

I think dual drive sockets are kinda new. The real interesting thing is you can use them with all sorts of other tools. Drop them into a box end wrench. Use an open end wrench on the base.

These are the ones I come across by the size of there base

22 mm
1/2 Drive Impact Sockets
Quinn, Astro, Olsa

19 mm
3/8 Pass Thru Chrome Sockets
Snap On / Williams

17 mm
3/8 Impact Sockets
Astro, Capri, Olsa

14 mm
Milwaukee Insider Sockets
Up to 15 mm is Pass Thru

11 mm
1/4 Chrome Sockets
Snap On, Vim
1/4 Impact Sockets
Astro

My questions are does any more exist other than the ones I listed and I’ll edit the list. Also wondering what kind of tricks or fancy stuff have you done other than using them as designed in a special ratcheting wrench. Doing anything sneaky like stacking a dual drive socket into a regular socket for a custom length?

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

I work a lot with unistrut and it's always 3/8 hardware. I used to cut up a spark plug socket to a custom length and weld on a 9/16 or 14 mm short socket to the end, creating a pass through socket that could be slid down a length of all-thread and would fit inside the strut to be turned by my "miner's" adjustable wrench. Around here, everyone carries Rastall "miner's" wrench on their belt.

Now I buy Sunex 9/16 spark plug socket and just drill out the middle to pass over the all-thread.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Forgive my ignorance, what is a dual drive socket?

I found some things with that label but they didn't explain what it was.

My best guess. It is a socket that I can use a standard ratchet on or I can use a regular wrench to turn it because it's hexagonal shaped kind of like screwdrivers that either have a bolster like that or a square shape

 

[mikey03]

Forgive my ignorance, what is a dual drive socket?

the bottom of socket got the usual square hole for the ratchet. But instead of being fully round shape the base of the socket is a hexagon shape. And all the sockets of the same set got the same hexagon shape size so you can plug them directly into a special ratcheting wrench of that size that got a retainer clip and makes more low profile since instead of the socket sitting on the end of your ratchet, you got half the socket fits inside your “ratchet” which is a ratcheting wrench. And you could put this in a box end fixed wrench if you wanted to

 

[andys]

These are the sort of tool that you may use if you have it, probably won't use often enough to warrant spending money on it, and won't ever miss if you don't buy 'em.

 

[mreisner]

These are the sort of tool that you may use if you have it, probably won't use often enough to warrant spending money on it, and won't ever miss if you don't buy 'em.

I have hundreds of sockets, and the Astros get grabbed for the vast majority of jobs I do anymore. A lot of stuff I do with a 3/8 impact and they hold up very well and they also have great clearance even on a regular ratchet, the Astro wrench makes it even better although I wish it was reversible.

 

[Zewnten]

Do you have a specific need for some of these or are you just worrying about specialty tools again?

 

[nicks78camaro]

Mayhew Philips, torx, triple square, SAE and metric hex

Dual Drives & Bits - Mayhew Steel Products

Mayhew Dual Drives & Bits are made from the highest quality materials and are available in numerous sizes and styles to accommodate any job at hand.

mayhew.com

 

[Joeldhammers]

O'Reilly's has Power Torque 1/4 drive low profile chrome sockets with an 11mm hex. They sell a ratchet for them too that makes for a very skinny setup.

Also Husky sells, or at least sold, 1/2 and 3/8 drive low profile impact sockets that are like the Asto ones.

 

[Ohio Andy]

How about these

https://www.suncoasttools.com/crm/ItemPage.aspx?ItemNumber=JHWS4RWA++++++++++JH&VendorNumber=WILLIAMS

Did not even know these existed, but will allow a wrench on any socket

 

[mikey03]

Do you have a specific need for some of these or are you just worrying about specialty tools again?

I got a few of them already and was wondering what exists and thought people might have tips to share. Never seen it discussed in one thread of the different types esp insider sockets and pass thru.

i got insider ratchet and sockets and the Quinn low profile 1/2 drive. I didn’t get either because there dual drive, I got them because low profile. The 1/2 quinn pairs good with deep impact sockets.

since I already got them I’m keeping in mind I might use them with wrenches for some rare case

 

[WhataTool]

These are the sort of tool that you may use if you have it, probably won't use often enough to warrant spending money on it, and won't ever miss if you don't buy 'em.

This sounds like someone who doesn't own them.
Worst case scenario they shorten every impact wrench you own, so use them enough just with that.
Then there's the hand tool/side access use for them.

Included in this thread should be all the wrenches that hold onto them, I believe mainly Astro

 

[Fedwrench]

K Tool International has this compact spline set:

MULTI PLUS CLOSE QTR SPLINE SOC 1/4" SET 12PC

MULTI PLUS CLOSE QTR SPLINE SOC 1/4" SET 12PC

www.ktoolinternational.com

 

[mikey03]

Included in this thread should be all the wrenches that hold onto them, I believe mainly Astro

good idea

I think Astro has 3, one for each drive size. And I think they used to have one with two different sizes on the ends but was d/c

vim tools has one or maybe more idk there site isn’t easy to search

snapon got one for 1/4” drive 11 mm head ratcheting wrench

if anyone got part numbers I’ll update the first thread

 

[drmarkr]

Damn ya'll....

 

[KnurledNut]

Olsa.

 

[lardy1]

I bought the VIM versions in SAE and metric a couple years ago when National Tool Warehouse was having a sale on them. Although I was excited by them, I rarely use them (homeowner/hobbyist/woodworker). I can see where they may be beneficial in a cramped engine bay or under a dashboard. I never bothered with any of the various impact versions because I don't think I would use those much either.

 

[richfinn]

I've used spark plugs sockets with an external hex on motorcycles/scooters when there isn't enough room to get a ratchet or extension in position (just used a wrench on the hex)

I have the Gearwrench Serpentine belt kit which serves much the same purpose, but they could be handy for working on transverse mounted engines belt tensioners etc.

They might be useful on McPherson struts when you have to hold the shock rod with a hex key and turn the locking nut at the same time

 

[mreisner]

I believe the Vim ones are called Double Drive and they Will work with the Astros sockets period the Snap-on set is different as each socket has a retaining ring on it instead of the wrench tself.

 

[Joeldhammers]

Dual drive chrome sockets at Advance Auto

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance