dare I ask? HF swivel sockets?

[Piper]

Very periodically I need an impact swivel socket for those hard to get to places. I've looked at all the "real" tools but can't justify dropping $300 for some matco pinless sockets when I only need them once in a while.

So, I foolishly wandered over to the HF site and saw these...

www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-12-drive-metric-impact-swivel-socket-set-67911.html

(for some reason the link won't paste properly so I've added it here but it isn't active)


The reviews look positive ... go figure.. but I'm wondering if anyone has used them..

let the flames begin

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I couldn't get the link to work so I couldn't see which set you're asking about

I have a set of sae 1/2 drivel swivels from HF. I don't use them a whole lot but they work. How they perform day in and day out all day long I dunno.

 

[Muffduster]

I am also curious about HF impact swivels in 1/2" size.

 

[Hiball]

IRC... I've read that the older style was better than the New stuff. I have no first hand knowledge though..

 

[concealer404]

I've used them. I don't have a need often for this style of socket, so it's not like i beat on them day in and day out, but they've held up just fine.

 

[SMKS]

I haven't used the swivel sockets, but overall impact sockets seem to be something HF does well. I was looking at them last week. All the ones I saw were made in Taiwan, not China. Other well regarded brands, like Grey Pneumatic, are also made in Taiwan.

I have a set of the Earthquake impact sockets and they've worked well for me.

IRC... I've read that the older style was better than the New stuff. I have no first hand knowledge though..

HF does now have multiple levels of impacts. They have a higher-end line with easy-read markings and a lower-end line with plain stamping and a cruder finish.

I wonder if people who said that were comparing the older high-end line with the newer low-end line?

 

[Hiball]

HF does now have multiple levels of impacts. They have a higher-end line with easy-read markings and a lower-end line with plain stamping and a cruder finish.

I wonder if people who said that were comparing the older high-end line with the newer low-end line?

I know ive seen the regular impacts in 2 different styles, For some reason i only Recall 1 style of swivel impacts though. Im not a HF experty by any means though...

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

A tech I work with has that the HF old set, he broke the 18mm socket... he said they have lasted a few years but the how the swivel is put together is weak

 

[oldtools]

I have the HF swivel impact socket. Only use it a few time. So far no problem.

 

[SMKS]

I know ive seen the regular impacts in 2 different styles, For some reason i only Recall 1 style of swivel impacts though. Im not a HF experty by any means though...

I think you're correct that there is only one style of swivel. I was referring to non-swivel sockets when I said there are several levels.

 

[powertrip]

The package says made in taiwan, buy then again I'm no HF expert and I have no first hand knowledge of these things

 

[MR_T]

I have the impact swivel extensions, no complaints here, I believe they are also made in Taiwan.

 

[bluechevy94]

The older impact swivel sockets were better than the newer ones.The new ones have a tendency to bind if you get them at a high angle.I broke a 9/16 trying to get the bellhousing bolts out in my truck.

Now their regular impact socket are a different story.I have been using those for well over a year and.they have held up great.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

I got the standard 1/2" swivel set a couple months ago, the same pic was on their website but they didn't look exactly like that they have no collar and there are springs wrapped around the outside. While they have been working fine i prefer collared ones.

Maybe they went without the collars to stop the binding problem??

 

[zach kinney]

I had a set of the older ones when I first started as a tech and they broke very easy but it looks like they have redesigned them so they may work better now

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Mine survive my TiMax without any concerns. I do wish they'd expand the size range on them though.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

I had a set of the older ones when I first started as a tech and they broke very easy but it looks like they have redesigned them so they may work better now

did the old ones have collars?

 

[Seanbev24]

I got a good deal on the 1/2" Matco impact swivel sockets from a GJ member, but still needed a 3/8" set. I tried the HF sockets since I heard positive reviews and wanted to save some cash. The very first use on my MG325 caused the 16mm to explode into the 3 or 4 main pieces that make up a swivel socket. I ordered the Snap-on set the next time I saw my dealer.

 

[bobbar]

I have have some hf swivels and that work fine for me. I dont use them everyday thou

 

[Piper]

thanks for the replies guys. I think for occasional use it sounds like they'd be ok. I was just in the situation 2 days ago where I had to remove a brake part on the back of my honda pilot (metric) where the shallow socket was too shallow and the head of the ratchet hit, the smallest extension was too long, the deep socket interfered also, I needed a swivel and of course a swivel extension caused the same problems ... Without taking a buncha stuff off, the swivel socket was a must have. So, I think I'll pull the trigger on these HF sockets..

 

[Kevin54]

Very periodically I need an impact swivel socket for those hard to get to places. I've looked at all the "real" tools but can't justify dropping $300 for some matco pinless sockets when I only need them once in a while.

So, I foolishly wandered over to the HF site and saw these...

www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-12-drive-metric-impact-swivel-socket-set-67911.html

(for some reason the link won't paste properly so I've added it here but it isn't active)


The reviews look positive ... go figure.. but I'm wondering if anyone has used them..

let the flames begin

 

[radgto]

I use the **** out of them at work and the worst that's happened is they got a little loose in the joint. One of the better HF deals IMHO.

 

[zach kinney]

did the old ones have collars?

No they didn't they had what looked like a snap ring to hold the pin in and the snap ring always broke and the socket fell apart

 

[t100]

I don't know about the 1/2", but I have Snap On and HF 3/8" swivels. I used the HF when I go to junk yard with Snap On CT4850HO 18v impact (with 1/2-3/8 adapter).

I have not broken one yet.