Cheap vs Expensive Impact Sockets

[Robbie UK]

I've been around long enough not to skimp on tools - you get what you pay for. This is certainly true with chrome sockets and I avoid the cheap ones like the plague.

However, on reflection my experience with cheap(er) impact sockets is more favourable. In fact, I cannot recall a failure and asking around nobody seems to recall one either.

So have we all been lucky, or are impact sockets the one area where you can trade down a little and still get a reliable tool?

 

[plinker]

I think with any impact socket your more likely to wear it out then break one. I think if one broke it would more then likely be a problem with the socket itself having a flaw in it.

For the most part all my impact socket's are Sunes (Taiwan) and are really good socket's for the money. I've seen a 1" drive 33mm socket worn pretty good and still working . There was not much of a hex shape left to it.

 

[franzdom]

Unless you are a professional and really get use of the truck service, stick with USA craftsman or Taiwan Sunex or Grey Pneumatic, those are all awesome options for mid price. In fact a lot of people are very happy with Harbor Freight for impacts, but I prefer the 3 mentioned.

 

[m_hatcher]

+1 for Grey Pneumatic. Good impacts that are nicely priced.

 

[Rico.]

Hello me old mate,

I have to say I have had the same experience as you. Most of my chrome sockets are Facom
and they are a massive amount better than the cheap stuff I used years ago. My impact
sockets however, are Sealey Premier and although far from the cheapest they are a bit less
than half the price of the top brands. They fit perfectly, I have never broken one, and they
work as well as anything else I've tried.

Maybe if you used them professionaly every day, every day, every day.... you might notice
some difference, perhaps the cheaper brands may just wear out a bit quicker rather than
break. But for me, even though I seem to have developed a Facom fetish, I have no desire
to upgrade my impact sockets which actually says allot about them.

Maybe don't go for the cheapest you can find, but a good quality mid range impact set
I would think will be more than most people will need.

 

[transittech]

My work impact socket sets are Snap On, Craftsman, Grey Pneumatic, Harbor Freight, Gearwrench in 1/4dr, and a few Cornwell individual sockets. (lets just say I have a few socket sets) I beat on the HF everyday, and they have held up well, no complaints, they resist initial deforming/mushrooming around the socket chamfer better than SO and are just fine for me. (This is an entirely different sub-topic in Cro-moly vs. cro-vanadium.) In the long run, I would (have) put my money on SO for longevity and warranty over HF. Harbor Freight adapters are also pretty decent.

However, If you are also going to buy impact wobblies, universals and extensions, I would recommend getting the good stuff. SO impact extensions are thicker than either my HF or Craftsman extensions and they loose less power as well. SO impact wobbly sockets are the bees knees for my money, they hold up well enough that if i'm in a tight spot, I don't worry about running a strong 1/2 gun on a 3/8 universal socket. You have a better chance of stripping/breaking the bolt (in my experience) than breaking the socket.

Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

 

[Ken81590]

Shoot, at home I have a full set of HF Metric 1/2" drive Impact sockets, used regularly, haven't failed me yet. Also at home I have TONS of PROTO 1/2" drive SAE impact sockets, and they are still going strong after many many many years of abuse.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

I use my set professionally from walmart which is some tawian sockets re-branded as CP and not a lick of a problem.

 

[5lima30]

I've got a 1/2" set of Campbell Hausfield deep impact sockets that came in a metal case. I have used them for 12+ years and they are still in great shape! I don't know their COO (it is not marked). I don't know if the current CH are of the same quality.

 

[Hal]

Re: Cheap vs Expensive Impact Sockets, and a Sears rant

Just went through this movie last week.

Brief history, my first impact sockets were a set of Powr-Kraft that came with a Powr-Kraft electric impact wrench that I got at Montgomery Ward. I split a couple of them, they were warrantied, but not available singly, so the manager gave me a whole new set, of Proto.

Fast forward a few years, got a local Sears store, broke or lost a couple of the Protos, and replaced with Craftsman.

Bought a set of IR badged deep sockets, probably Taiwan. Split the 15/16 years ago, replaced it with something from NAPA.

Lost the 9/16 standard and the 13/16 deep this spring.

Went to Sears last week, no individual short impacts in stock, 13/16 deep, one of two sockets on the rack. Craftsman 13/16 deep, made in China, $11.99, full set of Evolv deep, made it Taiwan, $29.99. Set of Evolv short, 19.99 Made in Taiwan. Bought the sets, put the needed sockets in my tool box, stored the rest of them for a rainy day, and I hope I don't wind up needing the same sizes.

OT- while I was at sears I attempted to replace the 7/16 flex head Gearwrench that came up missing last fall. WTF $16.99, when the whole set of seven was on sale right above it for $59.99. That wrench is the second smallest in the set, and if they were all priced the same that is still nearly $120 for the set and you don't get the nifty little plastic rack. I didn't even look at the prices of the larger wrenches. I realize that you get a break on whole sets, and even more when they are on sale, but that is more like rubbing your face in it. Couldn't stand the thought of spending that much on a single wrench, and didn't really want another whole set, so I left it there.

 

[Brian_B_]

I have broken several "cheap" impact sockets. Unfortunately, that is all i have right now.

Someday...maybe I can afford some decent ones.

 

[Big Johnson]

I've been around long enough not to skimp on tools - you get what you pay for. This is certainly true with chrome sockets and I avoid the cheap ones like the plague.

However, on reflection my experience with cheap(er) impact sockets is more favourable. In fact, I cannot recall a failure and asking around nobody seems to recall one either.

So have we all been lucky, or are impact sockets the one area where you can trade down a little and still get a reliable tool?

The only time your gonna need the expensive tool brands impacts are when you need the bigger sizes, other than that not much of difference. My Cornwell large impacts are ridiculously overbuilt(good thing), but the cheaper ones I have do the job just the same for 1/10 the price including lifetime warranty.

 

[DHCrocks]

My metric impacts are from Ingersoll Rand (I think there made in Taiwan) and my standard are from Snapon. I really can't see why one is better then the other, I use the metric more and they still are going strong with no damaged or broken ones. The price of the entire set if IR sockets was less then the price of a single Snapon one but they work the same for me. IMO you don't need to spend the big bucks here, the cheap ones work just as well.

 

[Murphy4570]

I have HF, Snappy, and Husky branded 1/2" impact sockets. The Snappy stuff is the best, of course. The Husky stuff is surprisingly good, though I don't use it much (standard set). It is an older set from about 2005-6 or so.

The HF stuff is my biggest surprise. I bought two different sets of metric sockets, and I have beat on them mercilessly for years now. I have broken a 17mm and two 19mm sockets so far, they have cracked at the socket end, longitudinally along the socket. For the abuse I put them through, they have held up damn well for $10 a set sockets! I'll be replacing them with a set of Snappy stuff eventually.

 

[xurusaibobx]

for some reason all my chrome sockets are truck brands but when it comes to impact sockets there mosty GP or craftsman stuff. why? because i tend to use my impact sockets for other things that it wasnt designed for such as Spacers and seal installer on my press. so they get beaten up pretty badly.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

i have some mit short impact sockets and no problems so far. dad got me some pitbull brand deep impact sockets and i stripped the 15mm the first time i used it, i think they were made from lead. anyways i replaced most of them with the cambell housfields from walmart and i have no problems with those. i usually use my 1/2in drive cambel housfield impact but ocasonally use my dads 3/4in chicago pnumatic with a 1/2in adapter and those sockets and no problems yet

 

[Fedwrench]

The one thing that Grey Pneumatic and Sunex offer over lesser brands, is the ability to buy individual sockets in a wide range of sizes (SAE & MM). Often with a cheaper brand, you are limited to a set only of common sizes.
Sunex and GP are quite inexpensive compared to a truck brand and they will serve you well for many years of hard use.

 

[kc-steve]

I was having a discussion with one of the owners at Epstein's yesterday concerning Wright socket sets. Apparently, many more people are buying individual sockets rather than entire sets. Maybe they are buying the cheaper imported sets and filling them out with the higher quality Wright sockets.

BTW, not to beat a dead horse, but Grey Pneumatic has a problem warranty-ing impact sockets purchased from an unauthorized dealer. So I haven't been selling any.

Steve

 

[chris142]

I broke a name brand socket at picapart about 20 years ago. I went to The tool truck in The parking lot And bought a taiwan set for $5. I still have them today. they have been great

 

[Dave.R]

Truthfully, Impacts are hard to mess up. stick with a mid priced brand and you'll be fine.

 

[rmsg0040]

I got both princess auto sockets (branded taiwan) > havent broken 1 yet - 5 years goin
Just recently picked up some HF ones while I was in buffalo - time will tell

 

[Goobzilla]

I'm still using my No name impact sockets from the Homier traveling tool sale I bought close to 25 years ago. I'm pretty sure I've gotten my $10 worth.

 

[biscuit141]

Need advise: I am in need of both shallow and deep metric impact sets. I see Cman has their sets on sale for $39.99 this week. My local Sears only has China sets on the shelf. It looks like the set has most all the sizes, is the set still GJ recommended? I heard a lot of people also choose the Pittsburgh Pro set, but that is $30 + 20% off so roughly $26.50 with tax. Don't particularly care for the HF finish on their sockets. Are the Pros better than the standard HF? I was planning on picking up a shallow set of Blackhawks of ebay for $35 shipped. i guess what I am really looking for is if I should buy the Cman imports. It looks like it only skips 20mm, but also doesn't have 10 or 11mm, not sure how often those are used on an impact.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-12-pc-impact-socket-set/p-00915887000P

Kobalt also has a nice complete set, I just wish they would ever go on sale.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=338635-22328-85208&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3364176&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I don't have the chinese crafty sockets. Mine are usa. I also have a set of the hf. I haven't noticed any performance difference between the two nor have I broke one of either

 

[transittech]

Need advise: I am in need of both shallow and deep metric impact sets. I see Cman has their sets on sale for $39.99 this week. My local Sears only has China sets on the shelf. It looks like the set has most all the sizes, is the set still GJ recommended? I heard a lot of people also choose the Pittsburgh Pro set, but that is $30 + 20% off so roughly $26.50 with tax. Don't particularly care for the HF finish on their sockets. Are the Pros better than the standard HF? I was planning on picking up a shallow set of Blackhawks of ebay for $35 shipped. i guess what I am really looking for is if I should buy the Cman imports. It looks like it only skips 20mm, but also doesn't have 10 or 11mm, not sure how often those are used on an impact.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-12-pc-impact-socket-set/p-00915887000P

Kobalt also has a nice complete set, I just wish they would ever go on sale.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=338635-22328-85208&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3364176&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

-JUST MY OPINION-
For $40 from Cman, that is a huge ripoff. Its basically the same thing as HF but substitutes some sizes for 3-4x the price. If you need those sizes, the Cman might be worth it, but otherwise I would recommend HF + a 20% off coupon, and get them for less than half of sears' sale price. Then I would get the Blackhawk set. Those can be warrantied on a Mac truck, so they are decent.

 

[Bullitt427]

I have SK deepwell and Harbor Freight deepwell 1/2" impact sockets. The SK are fantastic, but I actually use the HF more...

The HF SAE set is superb, no cracks of any kind and have held up to daily use on heavy equipment. The HF metric set is a different story. The 19mm and 21mm sizes especially do not hold up for anything. They split rather easily and that is on 3 different sets.

And it figures that as soon as I start using my SK set more often I somehow lose the 19mm...

Josh

 

[biscuit141]

Are the HF sets you guys are buying the standard Pittsburgh or the Pittsburgh Pro? It seems their pro set skips a few sizes. Plus I don't love the finish on their impact tools.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Are the HF sets you guys are buying the standard Pittsburgh or the Pittsburgh Pro? It seems their pro set skips a few sizes. Plus I don't love the finish on their impact tools.

Mine are the Pittsburgh, so they have the weird finish that you are talking about. I wouldn't mind having the nicer shiny black ones, but for the price I paid for these, I can't complain at all. They work without issue, and get the job done just as well.

I have nothing but good to say about HF sockets (pittsburgh impacts, and pittsburgh pro regulars)

 

[Den69rs96]

I bought my IR impacts from HF years ago. I also have some HF pittsburgh impacts. No problems with either set.

FYI I found that lowes carries some individual impact sockets. I lost a 13mm standard impact and found a single 13mm kobalt at lowes.

 

[Dave.R]

I don't know if lowes does it on the impact socket sets, but on the other sets, they have a card inside. You register the set and if you lose one they mail it to you. Thought that was pretty cool.

 

[RedFordTruck]

I don't know if lowes does it on the impact socket sets, but on the other sets, they have a card inside. You register the set and if you lose one they mail it to you. Thought that was pretty cool.

Yeah but its actually a ripoff. You'd be better off just going to the store and getting a new one. I was looking at it and theres a $4.95 shipping charge PER socket, even if you have 2 in an order. Meanwhile many of the sockets are cheaper than that at lowes, where you can drive and have the socket that day as opposed to waiting for snail mail...

 

[crewchief888]

i cant ever recall breaking an impact socket, but ive worn out a few over the years.
i have broken a few pinned impact swivels, from repeated daily use, on severe angles.

the biggest thing i've noticed in "cheap" vs top of the line truck brands is the heavier wall thickness of the cheaper brands.

most of the time it makes no difference, but ive run into clearance problems before.

 

[Bullitt427]

The finish blows on the HF sets,,, nothing a wire wheel in a bench grinder doesn't take care of!

Josh

 

[biscuit141]

Which set are you guys buying?

Pittsburgh Pro in Cro-Moly $29.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-12-drive-metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67915.html

Pittsburgh in Cr-V $21.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-high-visibility-12-drive-metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67904.html

Both sets skip sizes. Will I need a 18 or 20mm often? Seem like commonly skipped sizes.

 

[Bullitt427]

Which set are you guys buying?

Pittsburgh Pro in Cro-Moly $29.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-12-drive-metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67915.html

Pittsburgh in Cr-V $21.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-high-visibility-12-drive-metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67904.html

Both sets skip sizes. Will I need a 18 or 20mm often? Seem like commonly skipped sizes.

My old school HF Metric set (circa 2006) is 10-24 and skips 15, 18, 20, 22 and 23.

15 and 18 are fairly common IMHO. My SK set is 10-24 with no skips.

Josh

 

[shoturtle]

18 is common, do not know why they would skip that, 16 would be a wiser size to skip.

I would spend a tad more and get a set that covers 10-19 and add some larger sizes

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003L77XT0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What are you working on, if you are not working on large items, I would get a 3/8 set of impact instead.

 

[KinzeMech]

18 is a horrible size to skip. It's a commonly used size, and there's no SAE size close enough to use (e.g. 3/4 for 19mm, 7/8 for 22mm, etc).

Pittsburgh from HF ar CR-V, have a horrible finish, and just an all-around cheap feel to them, but I have not broken one yet.

Pittburgh Pro, from HF, should not be mistaken for the non-pro set. They are CR-MO, have an outstanding finish, and are just fantastic sockets. I have the 1/2 Pro SAE set, and have beat on it, very, very abusively for almost two years wrenching on ag equipment, and have no complaints. I got NAPA sockets for my service truck, as I like my mobile tools to have blow-molded cases when possible. I actually prefer the HF sockets over the NAPA ones.

It ***** that the Pittsburgh Pro set in 1/2" metric skips sizes like it does. The SAE set is every size by 1/16" from 7/16 all the way to 1-1/4 (except 1-3/16, which I don't think I've ever seen a bolt in that size).

 

[dsmnickk90]

Im looking at finniahing out my 1/2" impact set. I have deep craftsman usa made but im under sure if i wanna go with some grey sets or stay usa made with some armstrongs

 

[dclassical]

I use metric 99.9% of the time, so I bought SK for 1/2" impacts (normal, deep and swivel). Then I got HF for SAE just in case I need one one day.

 

[Toolhorder]

I just use my fingers