Chrome or impact swivel sockets

[Ohmthis]

Ok, here's my delima. I am getting ready to do a repair and I know I will need to have a universal socket to get to a couple of bolts. I am worried that just using a socket on a universal won't fit, so I'm looking at getting a universal socket. All of the chrome ones seem to be a universal joint not a swivel (keep in mind I'm still fresh into my research). I believe I want swivel, right????? I know a universal will bind at certain angles, will a swivel? I may spring for a set if I feel froggy, but want to make sure these will be useful. My worry with impact sockets is them fitting into some spaces. What say GJ? My budget is in the proto-SK range, but will listen.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

How often you plan on using them? You going to give them pro use? If so, I doubt you'll run into any issues with SK, PROTO, WRIGHT... However, if you're just going to do repairs here and there, I don't think you'd need to go that heavy duty!

I've been using these for two years and have used them in a bunch of applications (exhaust, motor mounts, etc.) and they've held up. Don't know how I would've gotten these jobs done without them.
GearWrench (KDT80565) 10 Pc. Metric 6 Pt. Flex Socket Set - 3/8" Drive

I think I found this set on eBay for $45 shipped.

And I've also put together a Gearwrench 1/2 impact universal set (10mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, and 17mm) individually, from Cripe on eBay. Just ordered an 18mm and a 12mm and altogether, for both sets I've spent under a 100 bucks. It's not a great or exhaustive set by any stretch of the imagination. But it'll service most of what I'll end up doing...

 

[Skin]

Chrome are more useful as they go to much more extreme angles. Impact swivels all top out at 30* by design where a quality chrome will easily double that and still work smooth which is far more useful. The thickness of the impact can also be a hindrance in the engine bay. Needless to say for the home mechanic i'd suggest chrome first.

I'd pass on SK. The few I purchased were floppy as can be right out of the package. You want them fairly tight, and to stay that way for a good amount of use, so you aren't fighting the socket onto fasteners. I don't own Proto but I do own MAC which are essentially identical save stamping font. They're very nice quality especially for the cash. The GW suggested above are also an excellent buy for someone on a budget, and you can also abuse (impact) them and not feel bad, but aren't quite in the same league as Proto/MAC or Snap-On.

 

[md21722]

If you can use an impact swivel it may be a lot faster, but if it doesn't fit then you need to use the chrome universal socket. You can basically fold a universal into a 90 degree so of course then it will bind. I would say you probably don't want to use either at more than 30 degrees if you can help it, but a universal will operate at a higher angle before binding.

 

[Ohmthis]

Thanks guys! I wasn't saying so much as SK or Proto were the only ones I was looking at, just that was my high end. I did look at the gear wrench and those are really nice. Yes my job is in a tight engine bay and no impact will be used. I'm going to check out those GW at a local store.

 

[Avplayer]

I have sk chrome swivels and love them...both 3/8 and 1/4. for impact u can get a good set of Armstrong for about $100 on ebay. I bought em and love them

 

[Philbert]

I bought the whole set craftsman merrick and SAE 1/4 & 3/8" I like them enough some are floppy. But that is OK I'll deal. But my thoughts now are just buy the sizes you need to do the job. Get the best quality you can. Maximum usability no cluster of unused sockets. Later when you find you need another buy it then.

 

[Finky198]

I own full sets of the 3/8 impact swivels and only common sizes of chromes that I use often. I use the impacts 75% of the time. They are sunex and Cman same as gearwrench.

If your do engine comp work then I'd go chrome, but if I was doing front end work, brakes, drive train I'd get the impacts... And sometimes you'll just have to get creative. Things like wobble impact extensions with a universal socket...

 

[crewchief888]

i have a few chrome universals in a select sizes i picked up at lowes.

impact universals would fit where i needed them to fit.

havent mangled one yet.

 

[Schurkey]

If I had purchased impact swivels first, I might never have bought the chrome ones.

 

[VinceG]

if you need to get in a tight spot with a impact swivel socket use the size smaller drive then you typically would Example if you were using 3/8 drive us a 1/4 drive impact swivel socket.

 

[bcradio]

Chrome are more useful as they go to much more extreme angles. Impact swivels all top out at 30* by design where a quality chrome will easily double that and still work smooth which is far more useful. The thickness of the impact can also be a hindrance in the engine bay. Needless to say for the home mechanic i'd suggest chrome first.

I'd pass on SK. The few I purchased were floppy as can be right out of the package. You want them fairly tight, and to stay that way for a good amount of use, so you aren't fighting the socket onto fasteners. I don't own Proto but I do own MAC which are essentially identical save stamping font. They're very nice quality especially for the cash. The GW suggested above are also an excellent buy for someone on a budget, and you can also abuse (impact) them and not feel bad, but aren't quite in the same league as Proto/MAC or Snap-On.

This here is what I'd say is best as well.

I do use impact swivels much much more though overall.

 

[ssdave]

I have pretty much all the chrome flex sockets you can get, and they get used first. I have some impact swivels, but only use them on the impact. They are much bulkier and have limited angle capability.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Chrome swivels should articulate more and be shorter overall... honestly they both come in handy, but sometimes you NEED a chrome swivel for access.

I keep 3/8" chrome swivels and 1/2" impact swivels.

 

[Ohmthis]

I ended picking up the gear wrench set that was posted above. I typically do a lot of mechanics work (boats, PWC, motorcycles, quads, mowers, larger tractors) and these wil work great. One of our brothers from down under PM'd last night about a Proto SAE set and rachet on eBay. I picked those up too. I think I'm set for awhile.

 

[6MocoA]

Listen, I'm not a big fan of the GW chrome ones - had em and didn't like them. Sunex makes a 3/8 impact set for $70. I've been very happy with mine.

 

[bob15]

Chrome SK or even used Snap On.

 

[bdelmar2]

Well, if its a job on a car or passenger truck I can say an impact universal will almost certainly do it, providing you have the correct one.

I have a set of chrome universals, but they haven't been out of my home tool box in many years, probably 30 or so. They are snap on, and have been sitting so long I couldn't get them to move the last time I tried, I dropped them in a can with some penetrating oil, and I don't recall were I put the can....

They also make wobble extensions if you need a little more angle, though I've only done that a couple of times over the years.

 

[Hammell]

And, I might add. Don't be afraid to customize (grind)a socket to fit. Ive cut up and welded many funky looking wrenches and turned down many a socket on a bench grinder to fit. If a company doesn't make it, make it yourself.

 

[Bobioz1]

If you have an impact wrench get impact swivels. If you don't have an impact wrench, get one and then get impact swivels. Chrome universal sockets are almost a specialty tool. If you really need one just get the one you need. It would help to know what size bolt heads your working on. Big difference in 8mm clearance issue vs. 1-1/4" front end parts.

 

[Skin]

Impact swivels, for me, see a lot more use due to convenience. Chrome swivels, well, when you need them nothing else works or you're removing obstructing components.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

Chrome swivels should articulate more and be shorter overall... honestly they both come in handy, but sometimes you NEED a chrome swivel for access.

I keep 3/8" chrome swivels and 1/2" impact swivels.

I concur. Good, useful, and economical way to go.