2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
8mm, 3/8 drive is a bit overkill don't you think? I get it's convenient versus grabbing a 1/4 tool.
Astro Pneumatic Tool Company
- Thread starter Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
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scooby074
Well-known member
Its convience more than anything.. problem is , selection is super limited. Gearwrench offers a 8mm swivel . And of course snappy does, but its like $75.
OP
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
We don't set retail prices or have control over sell pages like Amazon. We offer a warehouse price, retailers and sellers of our tools decide what they'd like to sell them at based on that. Places with competition like an Amazon page will list the lowest price seller as the main one until they run out of stock, more sellers with it or the more aggressive one seller like Amazon themselves wishes to be, the lower the sell price.
Places with less expected competition might start at a higher price or continue at a higher price.
Places with less expected competition might start at a higher price or continue at a higher price.
signcrafter
Well-known member
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You got this wrong. Astro has a master plan, selling all these new socket sets. In secret development is astro's new tool box division! Won't be long till they roll out service carts and triple bays. Of course this is just a rumor I started but you read it on the internet so it has to be true. LOL
6 sets of 78344M sockets in stock now at Amazon for $80. JB Tools is the seller.
Muckin_Slusher
Well-known member
So how does that witchcraft work?
Like an internal pipe wrench---with a cam?
RTM
Well-known member
That's what I saw. assumed the spinner was low to get the best bite.
Steel_Rain
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Chris, is this timeframe still accurate for the 1/2" drive nano sockets with the 22mm hex driven end? Do you plan on making a shorter version of that tool? I can understand if not, it is 1/2" drive after all.
As a huge tool snob, I've recently invested into your 3/8" drive (17mm) set for both metric and standard. I've also got the 10.5" on order with Amazon. I must say I enjoy using this setup more then many of my other much more expensive stuff (S/O, MAC, Koken, KTC) and that's because of the profile.
Thanks for being part of this forum and offering us this product.
OP
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
It's looking like early Dec I'm afraid.
No plans on a shorter 1/2" (22mm)
I keep seeing people about these dual drive sockets but i was wondering how good they work in regular box end or ratcheting wrenches without the lip retainer?
If I got them and used them often I would buy the dedicated wrenches for them. But I was thinking to try them out to see if they help me in certain scenarios could I even put one inside a fixed box end wrench or icon ratcheting wrench and hold forward pressure or wedge a piece of tape in there to hold it.
I think for me and my uses these wouldn’t get a lot of use but might be lifesavers and if it turns out I’m wrong I’d gladly buy the “official” wrench for them!
If I got them and used them often I would buy the dedicated wrenches for them. But I was thinking to try them out to see if they help me in certain scenarios could I even put one inside a fixed box end wrench or icon ratcheting wrench and hold forward pressure or wedge a piece of tape in there to hold it.
I think for me and my uses these wouldn’t get a lot of use but might be lifesavers and if it turns out I’m wrong I’d gladly buy the “official” wrench for them!
Odd-job
Well-known member
I finally got the official wrench thanks to the last BOGO, but also am trying to figure out what the hype is all about. Between ratcheting wrenches and mtn flex ratcheting wrenches I figure I am going to reach for those first. I am guessing this might be the tool of choice where one needs a lower profile than a ratchet, but wants something with a broach.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I get to use 6 point, not spline. I can hammer the sockets on, then put on the wrench, rather than hammering the mountain wrench. The astro wrench is a bit longer and the beam more comfortable.
Odd-job
Well-known member
^ all very good points, especially if one has to deal with Rusty fasteners which I tend to forget.
Muckin_Slusher
Well-known member
the astro wrenches are way, WAY more beefy than the mountain wrenches, and most ratchet wrenches.
Odd-job
Well-known member
probably because they are one way?
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I think the mechanism is just bigger internally. Plus the wider beam is just more confidence inspiring. Frankly I'm not sure how I have not broken the hinge pin in mine yet. It's a bit looser than when I got it, but it hasn't broken.
Odd-job
Well-known member
I think I am starting to see what you are saying. The ring is definitely wider which likely houses a beefier ratcheting system with no reversal switch point of failure. The pin on the Mountains/Kabos seems beefier though.
Would be interesting to see these torqued to failure along with the M12 ratchets which we are currently debating. Hopefully Torque Test Channel sees this if he's running out of ideas.
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Odd-job
Well-known member
Definitely heavier built in some ways. I need to actually use it more and see if it deserves a spot in my tool cart.
Would have been extra cool to use in conjunction with their new 4110 extra deep socket set. Seems like the extra deep sockets have enough real estate for a 17mm end... Maybe for the v2 version in impact + glow in the dark.
Would have been extra cool to use in conjunction with their new 4110 extra deep socket set. Seems like the extra deep sockets have enough real estate for a 17mm end... Maybe for the v2 version in impact + glow in the dark.
OP
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
Unlike a ratcheting wrench made to be used by itself, with the nano socket wrench we have the outside diameter of many of the sockets such as 17mm that go into it, their OD to work with. So making it much smaller than some of the sockets that go in it was not an aim we found worth the drawbacks.
Also unlike a single size of ratcheting wrench, the tool has to work on sizes all the way up to 24mm. If that pictured left 17mm had to exceed ASME standards for 24mm it might look a bit different proportionally.
I don't think we ever specifically targeted any ratcheting wrench design to take on and steal their lunch money, a lot of people bought our sockets or designs like them, so we started offering more and more solutions that work with the detents we put on them. And people liked those too. You wont see any of our marketing saying "go get rid of your current wrench sets and make room for this guy!"
No plans to make extra deeps work with the nano outside hex line of tools. Other brands have tried making deep sockets designed to work with low profile tools and quickly discontinued them due to the contradictory nature of that paring.
Also unlike a single size of ratcheting wrench, the tool has to work on sizes all the way up to 24mm. If that pictured left 17mm had to exceed ASME standards for 24mm it might look a bit different proportionally.
I don't think we ever specifically targeted any ratcheting wrench design to take on and steal their lunch money, a lot of people bought our sockets or designs like them, so we started offering more and more solutions that work with the detents we put on them. And people liked those too. You wont see any of our marketing saying "go get rid of your current wrench sets and make room for this guy!"
No plans to make extra deeps work with the nano outside hex line of tools. Other brands have tried making deep sockets designed to work with low profile tools and quickly discontinued them due to the contradictory nature of that paring.
Odd-job
Well-known member
^ Why Astro is pretty good at filling up my tool box.
Outside hex can sometimes be nice for hand spinning with greasy hands (thanks for the knurling!) or using a stronger 1/2 breaker bar with a 17mm socket vs a 3/8 breaker bar, but don't let this distract you from rolling out a 1/4 extra deep set.
Outside hex can sometimes be nice for hand spinning with greasy hands (thanks for the knurling!) or using a stronger 1/2 breaker bar with a 17mm socket vs a 3/8 breaker bar, but don't let this distract you from rolling out a 1/4 extra deep set.
I probably missed it but any word on when we can get the metric 1/4" drive Nano sockets? Out of stock everywhere I looked today. And I was in a mood to blow some money 
Dropped $1k on the Tekton site and went to Astro to grab some stuff but I might wait till everything I'm wanting is in stock now.
BTW, the extra deep socket set I got during the BOGO has been holding up nice even though I have been abusing them on my Milwaukee M12 impact
Dropped $1k on the Tekton site and went to Astro to grab some stuff but I might wait till everything I'm wanting is in stock now.BTW, the extra deep socket set I got during the BOGO has been holding up nice even though I have been abusing them on my Milwaukee M12 impact
I lost my Astro 52SL last September. I think I remember using it while working on the combine. Yesterday my dad found it. It still turned on after 11 months and charges. I used to today and was impressed how tough it is to last 11 months in the elements.
General Geoff
Well-known member
Finally got around to testing the nano socket wrench, works great. Didn't need the low profile clearance in this case but just wanted to get a feel for it under load.
Steel_Rain
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- Apr 23, 2024
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Has anyone from ordered the Astro combo kits from Jersey Discount Tool Co? Are the backorder wait times of 2-3 week fairly accurate?
Steel_Rain
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- Apr 23, 2024
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Nevermind...I got mine after about a month. Whew, Astro is backordered everywhere, so the word is out. I thought these came out 4-5 years ago?!
OP
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
Depends on the set. 1/2" and 3/8" Nano impact sockets yes.
3/8 6-24mm we developed ourselves later and that compounded things.
78318 long ratchet that works with these sockets compounded things further and they both sort of blew up.
Then the release of 1/4" drive, and additional lengths and sizes of the ratchet now out or on the horizon, it's all moving quickly from specialty to mainstream usage.
We've split the sockets and ratcheting/supporting tools into two separate production facilities and both are at capacity pushing these out the best we can. We're also expanding our capability to hopefully be able to deliver larger batches shortly.
Apologies to everyone on the waiting bus, it's not the type of relationship we like to form with especially new customers of ours, but we are trying to make good on those orders ASAP, Taiwan is a small country with a small few forging houses - and we're not planning on following the trend of moving sockets, ratchets and stuff like this to China or developing countries, which would admittedly solve a lot of the quantity issue.
Steel_Rain
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Thanks for the reply. I hope my post didn’t come over as a complaint, your products are worth waiting for.
I do think your products are finally hitting the mainstream shops and friends of mine are also now placing orders after seeing mine in action.
Taiwan is certainly a hub for quality manufacturing. There is good China and bad China. The problem with good China is that it’s almost the same price as the Taiwanese produced stuff, while supporting a hostile regime (but let’s not talk politics).
I do think your products are finally hitting the mainstream shops and friends of mine are also now placing orders after seeing mine in action.
Taiwan is certainly a hub for quality manufacturing. There is good China and bad China. The problem with good China is that it’s almost the same price as the Taiwanese produced stuff, while supporting a hostile regime (but let’s not talk politics).
oldwino
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Love my new Nanos, but sure wish they also came in 12 point. Not so much for the impact as I know that would weaken them, but would love to use on ARP fasteners
I believe they've only ever done BOGO's on items that just debuted, why they would do a BOGO on an item with like 1-2 thousand amazon reviews I dunnoAny thoughts on another bogo and what it would be?
I’d love a set of 78344 pinless 3/8” swivel metric impact sockets and….
OP
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
Afraid I can't speak on SEMA stuffs until SEMA
Steel_Rain
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Hopefully the December '24 timeframe is still a go for this.
Maybe some new releases? I guess time will tell.
OP
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
Absolutely
Hi Chris,
I was looking at the pinless universal impact sets; 78344 for 3/8” drive, 78244 for ½” drive. I can go either way as I’ve got the same impact in 3/8” (DCF-923) and ½” (DCF-921) but I’m only buying one. I'm leaning towards the 3/8" set as I assume they sockets are smaller/shorter which is important, and the 3/8” set contains the sizes I anticipate using. Could you please confirm that the 3/8” drive size sockets are shorter than the ½” overall, and by how much?
Thank you.
www.astrotools.com
www.astrotools.com
I was looking at the pinless universal impact sets; 78344 for 3/8” drive, 78244 for ½” drive. I can go either way as I’ve got the same impact in 3/8” (DCF-923) and ½” (DCF-921) but I’m only buying one. I'm leaning towards the 3/8" set as I assume they sockets are smaller/shorter which is important, and the 3/8” set contains the sizes I anticipate using. Could you please confirm that the 3/8” drive size sockets are shorter than the ½” overall, and by how much?
Thank you.
10-Piece 3/8" Drive Nano Pinless Universal Impact Sockets - Metric | Astro Pneumatic Tools
Pinless design allows a full 360° of freedom for the universal head to angle and rotate Astro’s Nano form factor, up to 11% shorter than standard low-profil ...
www.astrotools.com
11-Piece 1/2" Drive Nano Pinless Universal Impact Sockets - Metric | Astro Pneumatic Tools
Pinless design allows a full 360° of freedom for the universal head to angle and rotate Swivel hex design transfers impact forces more efficiently with grea ...
www.astrotools.com
OP
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
If memory serves the 3/8" stand about 2" tall while the 1/2" drive 2-5/8"