Decent impact sockets

[seber]

I know this has come up before but things change. My cheap set of 1/2" impacts is getting to the point where they are pretty worthless. How cheap can I go without getting junk?

 

[liliysdad]

I have always found a far better question in this scenario is "How much can I spend without hurting?"

Pick a budget, and buy the very best you can within that budget.

 

[Fedwrench]

I guess the question is, what's your definition of cheap?

I think Sunex and Grey Pneumatic impact socket sets are reasonably priced and provide years of service.

Many peeps here sing the praises of Harbor Freight impact sockets.

shop around for the best deal.

 

[JeepYJ]

Quinn sets at HF are 25% off with coupon through today. Good range of sizes and available in 3/8 and 1/2 drive. They seem to be a good bang for the buck. Or the Pittsburgh Pro sets that are $20-30 aren’t too bad.

 

[Steve_P]

I would think that it would be hard to buy a truly bad set of impact sockets today. The HF of 10+ years ago were fine, but the old metric sets I have skipped sizes. If I was buying a metric set today I'd go with any of the "brand name" import sets like Tekton, Sunex, Capri....

 

[Gebirgekind]

Grey Pneumatic is the best bang for your buck I think for overall quality to price, and check out Astro Pneumatic’s great pinless swivels.

The next step up would be Wright for US made - I’ve found buying their sockets as runs in singles is weirdly much cheaper than buying sets.

 

[BrooklynBravest]

Nieko

 

[M635_Guy]

I guess the question is, what's your definition of cheap?

I think Sunex and Grey Pneumatic impact socket sets are reasonably priced and provide years of service.

Many peeps here sing the praises of Harbor Freight impact sockets.

shop around for the best deal.

Pretty much this - I have the Sunex set and they've been perfect for me. The MiT Pittsburgh impacts have a great rep too.

 

[sz0k30]

How the heck do you destroy impact sockets?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Tekton, Capri, Pittsburgh, Sunex and Grey Pnuematic are who I’d look at buying. My Tekton and Capri and Pittsburgh hold up great in a professional setting.

 

[danho]

I have the HF sets in both SAE and Metric and they work totally fine for me in the home shop setting.

 

[JeepYJ]

How the heck do you destroy impact sockets?

If you use them every day they’ll wear out. They’re softer steel than chrome sockets.

 

[PlanB]

As a somewhat cheap home gamer, I filter on made in Taiwan and compare price/features etc.

 

[micromind]

Wright.

One of the toughest anywhere and not too spendy.

Plus, made in USA using steel mined in USA.

 

[Fedwrench]

How the heck do you destroy impact sockets?

With high powered impact wrenches in pneumatic and cordless versions and sustained heavy use

 

[micromind]

How the heck do you destroy impact sockets?

There are people who could demolish an anvil in a sandbox with a rubber hammer...........

But yes, as noted above, daily use with high power impacts will eventually wreck even the best of them.