Astro Pneumatic pinless swivel impact sockets, anyone using?

[Djosbun]

I'm shopping for a set of 3/8" impact universal (swivel) sockets and am quite surprised that Astro offers a pinless metric set that's extremely low priced. There are some iffy Amazon reviews where a few people had bad 17mm sizes (recent purchases). I was curious if anyone has used these and cares to give their opinion?

--Dave

 

[CobraRed]

AP did a giveaway on here when you buy one set and they would ship you the other set free. So I have both sets.
Been using them for a few months, some of them with a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter because I don't have a 1/2" set yet (I know not a good idea). And they have held up great.

They are quite stiff when new, i shot some lube in them and after several uses they move just fine. Not quite as smooth as Mac, but they also are not getting floppy which i guess was their aim so that's good.

 

[Fedwrench]

I haven't had any issues with the 3/8 astro metric impact swivel set I got when they first came out. They are a little taller than the Matco pinless version, and they are a little stiff when new but, i think the Astro version is a top performer at a great price

 

[Benito]

I have a Matco SAE set and the Astro Metric set because I could not justify spending about 10X the price for another Matco set and i actually use SAE more then Metric anyways.

Some of the matco sizes are 1-4mm shorter than their equivalent astro set sizes, but the astro ones are also around that much deeper in the socket end so I think that's where it evens out.

My astro's set did have a 17 that was actually a 16 or something which was kind of lame, but I pm'd Astro and they sent a replacement which i got within 2 day so I'm happy.

I plan on buying their new 1/2" (can we get another giveway???)

 

[Djosbun]

Thank you for the replies, gentlemen!

--Dave

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Stiffness: We're actually using a different tension spring now that's a little less (like 10%) tension because of this feedback because we understand it effects quality perception - but our priority has been anti-floppy.

Incorrect size markings: Yup this one was just our bad. We had bins of these sockets all sorted before lasering and when they got to the lasering department a couple of the pallets included a bin of the wrong socket size and thus were mis-printed. When it came to packing, they were packed according to their markings.
This was a small % of the shipment not counting the ones we later caught. But we are certainly happy to send free replacements to those who got any incorrectly - you even get to keep the super special off-print socket too!

We've been surprised to see how aggressive sellers are on the price for these, so we're happy there's an option in this cost range that there really has never been before now.

 

[signcrafter]

I have them and use them and really like them. Especially for the price.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I haven't had any issues with mine, and the customer service is top notch. I just got a nice package from Chris with a replacement screw and nut for my bearing press kit

 

[The Critic]

Just ordered a set since I was in the market for a less expensive option for my home garage. Glad to hear that the feedback has been positive.

 

[Djosbun]

Thank you, Chris, for giving us some great 'inside' information!

I have been 100% satisfied with my Astro tools (I own 5 or 6 different ones), so I am sure I will be very satisfied with these.

Do you feel that current retailers (ie- Amazon) have the latest editions of this set, with the new spring? It wouldn't affect my purchase decision, I'm just curious.

--Dave

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I've had mine since the promo Astro had on here. The metric 3/8 live on my cart and are used daily. Very happy with them.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Thank you, Chris, for giving us some great 'inside' information!

I have been 100% satisfied with my Astro tools (I own 5 or 6 different ones), so I am sure I will be very satisfied with these.

Do you feel that current retailers (ie- Amazon) have the latest editions of this set, with the new spring? It wouldn't affect my purchase decision, I'm just curious.

--Dave

Depends on who is feeding Amazon, but usually they have the latest stock yeah.

 

[The Critic]

Depends on who is feeding Amazon, but usually they have the latest stock yeah.

I ordered mine from an online vendor that tends to drop ship directly from ISN. I assume ISN will have the freshest inventory?


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[demarpaint]

I own a set, and they've been fine the few times I used them.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I’d love to see a BOGO on the 1/2” swivel sets.

 

[Djosbun]

I ordered mine from an online vendor that tends to drop ship directly from ISN. I assume ISN will have the freshest inventory?


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May I inquire as to who you purchased from? Or maybe Chris would like to give a few names of their quality dealers?

I tend to avoid Amazon whenever possible and don't mind spending a few more dollars to support somebody else's quality business.

EDIT: I see that JB Tools sells them. I've had good transactions with them. I'll gladly take recommendations on other vendors.

--Dave

 

[The Critic]

May I inquire as to who you purchased from? Or maybe Chris would like to give a few names of their quality dealers?

I tend to avoid Amazon whenever possible and don't mind spending a few more dollars to support somebody else's quality business.

EDIT: I see that JB Tools sells them. I've had good transactions with them. I'll gladly take recommendations on other vendors.

--Dave

Yes, it was JB Tools. If my order does not get shipped out of their HQ, it tends to arrive directly from an ISN warehouse.

 

[Djosbun]

Thank you, sir.

-- Dave

 

[vssjim]

I have had a metric 3/8 set for awhile I use at work and they work very well and are not too stiff and the price and warranty are great.