Best-value impact sockets ... your recommendations?

[Dud]

I originally posted this thread seeking advice on a good, best-value impact wrench:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8594866#post8594866


I ended up buying the IR based upon recommendations from users. At this point, I am looking for a good, best-value set of impact sockets (metric, thin wall) for a budding mechanic. Typical uses will be for tire rotations, etc.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[sponfit]

Can't go wrong with sunex

 

[CJM8515]

sunex, grey pneumatic, tekton, even harbor freight is decent stuff for an impact socket.



if you want think wall you want the grey pneumatic duo sockets.

 

[cstmg8]

I've had good luck with Sunex on eBay. I even have sets for work and home.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[wafrederick]

Sunex and Grey Pnuematic are worth every penny.Never broken or worn a Grey Pnuematic and Sunex impact socket yet I have holding up well

 

[vssjim]

Astro for stubby/short length set, TEKTON for deep set.

 

[nadogail]

The best bang for my buck was at Harbor Freight.

 

[Alienbaby17]

When I started professionally wrenching almost 25 years ago I needed some tools. I went to Walmart and bought a set of deep metric impact sockets for around $20. I think they were a Campbell Hausfield brand. I bet I used at least one of those every day. Never broke or had a problem with a single one so I’ve never needed to upgrade.

 

[sreeb]

For 1/2" metric: https://www.ebay.com/itm/373088978038?hash=item56ddd60476

 

[lardy1]

I ordered an individual 1/2" drive, 22mm, standard, 6 point impact socket from Tekton. I have a lot of their older version and they serve me well in my home shop setting fitted to my Bosch 1/2" drive impact driver. For cost and convenience, I'm OK with them. They don't get much notoriety in here like Sunex, Astro and Grey do from the pro's. My Bosch doesn't beat them up too bad but harder hitting drivers may be harder on them.

The one I use the most is 22mm on Chevy lug nuts so I bought the new style to see if I like it.

They get criticised because they are vanadium rather than moly. But from others reports, what I've read about the matter and my own experience have put that to rest in my own mind.

 

[Mr_B]

Yeh tekton new style not too bad .
You really don't need spend silly money on impact sockets
Plenty choices, sunex gets mentioned a lot but beside range they do they nothing special, cr-v alloy perfect for impacts so don't worry about that too much .
Most of the better design effort taiwan are as good as anything .
You can get basics covered for 50 to 100bucks and it be fine for good few years or buy more complete coverage better known brands for 150 to 250 range .
Impacts get beat to **** and abused so no point wasting too much money in this area when can get equal to better design and quality for sensible costing .
Don't worry about warranty too much either as these basic hand tools such low value per piece it really never cost effective paying silly money for a warranty that may not be usable in the future .
Make sure you get him dedicated set of lug nut sockets.

 

[lardy1]

Make sure you get him dedicated set of lug nut sockets.

Can you give a basic explanation on lug nut sockets, please? I see the flip type in sets and because I'm not exposed to a pro setting, I don't know if there is a benefit to them that regular or deep well impact sockets lack.

I don't want to hijack the thread with this. Just trying to expand my own knowledge.

 

[PelicanPines]

Astro for stubby/short length set, TEKTON for deep set.

Liked this post so much... I voted twice.

 

[Mr_B]

^^
Not much difference besides little thinner and sleeved to help prevent marking alloys .
Normal deep impacts do fine besides the half sizes for capped nuts .
For home use it not a big deal but if doing a lot of wheels daily they become invaluable .

 

[nicks78camaro]

Sunex, I have a set based on a recommendation from a 30 year master tech that has used his daily his entire career.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Can you give a basic explanation on lug nut sockets, please? I see the flip type in sets and because I'm not exposed to a pro setting, I don't know if there is a benefit to them that regular or deep well impact sockets lack.

I don't want to hijack the thread with this. Just trying to expand my own knowledge.

If you have fancy alloy wheels, you want the special thin-wall, plasticky coated sockets for lug nuts. Otherwise, you can maker a mess out of the wheels real quick.

-Ryan

 

[Lahti35]

I read in the Harbor fright reviews that their sockets don't engage the retaining ring on impacts and are for the ball detent type retainer. Has anyone purchased a set from the other brands recently that works with the older style clip and O ring retainer?

 

[upper_tanker]

Last year, I decided I wanted all of Sunex's "master impact sets." My dad bought me the last set, the 1/4" set, for my birthday this past February. I now have the 1/2" in both metric and standard, 3/8", and 1/4" set. I very rarely use chrome sockets for anything anymore unless I need really thin wall. I have all of these sets in my rolling cart along with my ratchets/Milwaukee ratchets/impacts. I LOVE not having to keep making trips back to my main box because I grabbed the wrong socket. Also makes it nice that each of the sets come with extensions/wobble. I am very happy with Sunex and don't regret buying them (besides the 1/4" that my dad got me).

 

[TuxThePenguin]

I read in the Harbor fright reviews that their sockets don't engage the retaining ring on impacts and are for the ball detent type retainer. Has anyone purchased a set from the other brands recently that works with the older style clip and O ring retainer?

I don't have a Blue Point impact but I have a Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" w./ the hog ring and my Grey Pneumatic, Proto and Williams impact sockets all fit snugly. I don't have any HF sockets to try.

I like my GPs, my Protos and others. Williams I like except for the deep sockets which are only partially broached (which is fine in some situations and inconvenient in some situations). Of course for value, GP is the best of them.

 

[lardy1]

I appreciate you guys sharing your knowledge. I see what dedicated lug nut sockets are now. Thank you.

 

[bwringer]

If I were a pro, I'd absolutely get a set of those half sizes for those idiotic swollen nuts.

Also a set of lock removers, but then again maybe the shop should provide those.


As far as everyday impact sockets, the Harbor Freight sockets made in Taiwan are excellent bang for the buck, although they skip some larger sizes (nothing that would actually ever come up on lug nuts, though.)

Overall, I'd look at Sunex, Tekton, or Gray.

However, this set of color-coded HF lug nut sockets with protective sleeves is a screaming bargain and would be very handy for a pro:
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in...ockets-7-pc-69781.html?_br_psugg_q=lug+socket

 

[DFB]

Budget impacts Klutch...a nixed 60 pc set metric/standard/shallow/deep and 3/8", 1/2" drives. Been beating on them for years with no problems. Smaller sizes are CrV larger ones Cro Mo.


HF Pittsburgh... honestly even the non pro 1/2" sets cant really be beat for the price. As long as you have all the sizes you want your good.

Tekton sets

The less expensive are usually CrV impacts socket but still nobody really breaks them much.

Sunex has some pretty good priced CrMo sets

 

[Rinspeed]

I've been trying to break one of the HF impacts for four or five years, so far no luck.

 

[bsaint]

Time tested is Sunex and Grey

 

[Woody1320]

Anyone have any feedback on the Capri Tools impact sockets? They're Cr-Mo and seem to be good for the money from what I've read. Also, the Klutch set with both shallow and deep 3/8 and 1/2 Metric and SAE has always seemed like a killer set, to me.

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631739_200631739

I've also considered Sunex and Grey Pneumatic, as they're both great brands for impacts versus cost.

 

[mwalsh9152]

I have an old set of IR impact sockets that I used daily doing road service for four years. I kicked the **** out of them, and they are still in very good condition. My only gripe is that the numbers wore off the heavily used ones.

 

[Mr_B]

Capri don't look that good a design effort, same as sunex with short shouldering .
Tekton has made best effort in manufacture design for middle range cost .
You can find many Good taiwan impact sockets if hunt around .
As said before, HF pitts pro taiwan set (check packaging) and the lug socket set do him for a while or if got little more money a more complete set (GP or Tekton out of ones mentioned as better manufacture effort/design) and the lug nut sockets .

 

[Mark_17]

I have a set of Sunex, I really like them, I plan on getting a full set whenever they go on sale