Best Torx T60 1/2" Drive Impact Socket?

[JDS968]

I've been thinking that maybe I should invest in a real Torx T60 impact socket in 1/2" that I can put directly on my MG725 (mostly for Jag front suspension work). Right now I'm just putting my 3/8" drive non-impact Ace Pro Series T60 on an adapter. A combination of "be careful" and "hope for the best" has worked great so far, but I do like to actually use the correct tool for the job, when possible. However, impact Torx sockets seem to be quite unusual, 1/2" drive Torx sockets more so, and 1/2" drive impact Torx sockets almost nonexistent. The one exception appears to be the Lisle 26520 one-piece 1/2" drive impact Torx T60, which is widely available and cheap...but GJ is full of references to Lisle bit sockets in general, and one-piece Torx sockets in particular, twisting and generally failing.

Does the socket of my dreams exist in real life?

 

[nexum1919]

HF has a 1/2 dr impact set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-12-drive-internal-impact-star-socket-set-67896.html

I have this set and i'm pretty sure it's made by same taiwanese manufacturer as Grey Pneumatic sockets. I have full line of Grey Pneumatic impact sockets and duo sockets.

 

[Olafur]

Koken has both short and long version for impacts.
I hope the links work, the catalog takes some time to load;
http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/en/#page=197
http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/en/#page=199

 

[clueless]

i got a snapon t-70 torx socket, that holds up to the impact well.

 

[JDS968]

Interesting stuff.

Searched for a distributor for Koken, was not able to find anything for the United States.

Checked out Grey Pneumatic, I think you are correct. Their 2160T 1/2" drive T60 impact socket looks identical to the HF set. HF is $27.99 plus $6.99 shipping. That gets me the whole set, although I'm pretty sure I would never use anything but the T60. I also found the Grey Pneumatic T60 individually for $8.34 plus $10.09 shipping. Seems kind of irritating to pay more for shipping than the actual purchase, but at least it cuts the price in half. And then...I also found that, if I cough up $57.69 and wait 6-8 weeks, I can get a Hazet 995S-T60. Tempting, but I don't think I'll ever use the tool quite often enough to justify that.

 

[Olafur]

This fella can get any koken item you want. Great guy to deal with.
http://www.levelchrome.com/

Another one is;
http://www.frankstools.com/ Also a great guy I am told.

Both members here on G.J.

 

[JDS968]

Thank you, I'll email them for prices and availability. Do you have any of these sockets yourself?

 

[Olafur]

I have sets of 1/2" xzn and torx bit sockets from Koken. Not the impact type but chrome. I have not used them enough to comment on strength but they are well made. Judging by Koken sockets, both impact and chrome, I am not worried about quality. Come to think of it, I think I have never heard or seen negative comment on Koken tools.

 

[JDS968]

Got the Grey Pneumatic socket for $18 through my MAC rep. Same price as the best I found online, considering shipping...except after I ordered it through him, I placed an order on Mechanic's Tool Supply for some SK gear, I could have added the $8.34 for the 2160T and only added an additional dollar or so for shipping. Oh well.

Socket looks and feels great, haven't used it yet. One weird thing is that it seems to lock onto the anvil of my MG725, but not in one exact spot...it slides forward and back a few millimeters, none of my other sockets do that. Not sure whether that could be a problem.

 

[wheats71]

I have destroyed 8-10 of those T60 GP sockets. My Matco dealer kept replacing them until Matco went to the ADV line. The ADV socket has seemed to held up better so far.

 

[wheats71]

I have destroyed 8-10 of those T60 GP sockets. My Matco dealer kept replacing them until Matco went to the ADV line. The ADV socket has seemed to held up better so far. I am using them on a MG725 also.

 

[billymade]

Never heard of the ADV socket line... after watching the propaganda video; they have some neat, thoughtful features...

 

[JDS968]

Regarding the strange engagement on my impact, I put it on again today and push a little harder, and it clicked in and locked in place. I think I just didn't have it on tight enough yesterday.

Regarding durability...we'll see. If I blow up enough of them, maybe I'll go for a Matco ADV or that Hazet socket. None of the "features" they're touting in the videos seem particularly relevant to a Torx socket, but I'll check it out.

 

[JDS968]

Used it today replacing the right front strut on a 2009 XK. Wore the black oxide coating off the drive end a bit where it contacted the bolt, but that's to be expected in an impact Torx.

My MAC guy saw me with it, says, "Oh, you're actually using it?" Apparently thought I was buying it just because it's cool or something, not because I had any particular use for it

 

[OEXL16B]

Wore the black oxide coating off the drive end a bit where it contacted the bolt, but that's to be expected in an impact Torx.

That could also be metal transferring from the fastener onto your Torx tip - that happens a lot with screws and screwdriver tips.

 

[Hawk Thor]

I have a few Torx impact sockets in 1/2 drive that are Hitachi branded, don't know who makes them. They've held up great, I really like that they are one piece sockets.

They look almost identical to this Draper set.

 

[jamesc]

I have a lisle one I have broken twice, I have an allen one I have never broken, it is not an impact one though. I also have a silver eagle one for some reason it has broken once. I can't remember where I bought the allen one but it has held up where the rest shattered.