decent quality impact sockets for a decent price

[upper_tanker]

Good morning everyone. I just bought a Milwaukee 1/2" Fuel impact and 3/8 Fuel stubby impact a few weeks ago. I'm looking to get my own sets of shallow & deep metric and SAE sockets for both 1/2" and 3/8" drive. Also, a pair of swivel impact sockets in metric and SAE would be nice eventually.

I go to my dads shop a few times a week and work on his trucks and mowers. I usually just use his tools, but since they're "community" tools and nobody knows how to put things back after they use them, I'm usually spending more time searching for the socket I need than actually working on equipment.

Anyways, I won't be using these every day. I'm looking for at least decent quality impact sockets that won't break after a use or two. Another criteria that I have (and would be willing to give up if the sockets were THAT GOOD), is the ability to return them locally for an exchange. At the least, it would be nice to buy online from a company that had great customer service. Also, it would be nice to have a hard plastic case, as I hate running back and fourth to my toolbox.

I have been looking at Harbor Freight and Amazon. Harbor freight has these for regular length: https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-impact-socket-set-37-pc-68011.html

I know that for me at least, Pittsburgh brand has been hit or miss depending what you get and how you use it. I have no experience with their sockets, though.

I have been looking at Sunex's offerings on Amazon, but I haven't ever heard of anybody personally using those. I've also seen a brand called "Casoman," but their prices seem way too cheap for decent quality impacts.

I would like to make the least amount of purchases as possible to obtain what I'm looking for. I really wish I could just get 4 different cases with each containing metric or SAE 1/2" or 3/8" drive sockets, both deep and shallow.




Also, I feel like this question has been beat to death. I have tried the search button multiple times for different things, and each time I don't really ever get any threads that are easy to identify as having content that I need without going through a ton of pages. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or what. However, I did try it with this question as well.

 

[16again]

Sunex will serve you well. I have a set for years use every once in awhile and i have no complaints.

 

[Jason280]

Definitely Sunex, I have a couple sets that have been great.

 

[kctyphoon]

Literally any brand. Hf , husky, Porter Cable, Sunex, Tekton. I have all of those. U can get tekton in the small sets in separate cases . Divided by metric/SAE and shallow/deep.

If I could do it again I would just buy those Grey Pneumatic 'Duo' sockets. So much easier to just use 1 set for impact and ratchet work. Maybe one day.

 

[upper_tanker]

Thank you all for the replies. I am considering these two:

3/8" -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MVB9Y8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

1/2"--https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-2569-Master-Impact-43Piece/dp/B00MPQ88RY/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=sunex+1%2F2%22+impact+socket+set&qid=1574335234&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=8-5


I know there will probably be sizes that I'll need that these won't contain. If that's the case, I'll probably be able to find that size in the community stash after some time looking. If I end up using a size that I don't have regularly, I'll just buy it. I did notice that The warranty on both of these listings says lifetime, which is great. Having only two cases is also great too.

I probably won't be buying these for at least a few days, so any other responses would be welcomed. For now, Sunex looks like they might be the brand for me.

 

[woody6904]

Sunex or Grey Pneumatic

 

[ATC]

I bought a Grey Pneumatic 3/8's set when I got my Milwaukee Fuel impact. I love them. They are still perfect after 5 years of use, and I even love the case. One socket did walk off a couple years ago....

 

[magicrat]

Sunex +1....... even handle misuse and abuse

 

[BrandoJames]

I have been looking at Harbor Freight and Amazon.

If you're considering Harbor Freight, go with the Pittsburgh Pro "Deep Wall" Impact socket set. They're about $10 more than the set you linked to. The Pitt-Pro Deep Wall Impacts are the only HF socket set I 'd recommend.

 

[2000-cvpi]

Sunex, they are tough, fit very well and are complete sets without skipping any sizes. I’ve used my 3/8 set monthly for four years. It’s what originally brought me to GJ, looking for a good impact socket set. I have to thank GJ for making me aware of way more tools than I possibly could need.

 

[Yarpo]

Grey Pneumatic, Sunex, Genius Tools, Pittsburgh pro

I've got a mix of all four of those at work, all great. Even the cheap impacts will rattle away for a long long time for an average DIYer tho.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are trying to save a couple of bucks, I would go with the Pittsburgh. One thing to watch. A few years ago they had 2 different versions. One steel had vanadium, the other had molybdenum. Vanadium is hard, but more brittle. The molybdenum is "tough" and can take the impacts better.

If you want to go a bit nicer, go Sunex. Reasonable prices on Amazon.

 

[upper_tanker]

I've just added both Sunex kits to my cart. I think they will fit the bill the best as far as quality to price, including the warranty. I may go for a different brand though if I ever need individuals. Thank you all for your suggestions. You made it easy!

 

[Farmall450]

Literally any brand. Hf , husky, Porter Cable, Sunex, Tekton. I have all of those. U can get tekton in the small sets in separate cases . Divided by metric/SAE and shallow/deep.

If I could do it again I would just buy those Grey Pneumatic 'Duo' sockets. So much easier to just use 1 set for impact and ratchet work. Maybe one day.

He's not wrong. HF are fine. Craftsman Evolv are fine. my main set is USA NAPA but that's merely personal preference.

 

[Stooge]

aside from a few odd ball ones, all of my impact sockets are Sunex. Never any problems with them and are a good value in my opinion, and they have some pretty inclusive sets. But as mentioned, most any of the known brand ones should be fine for a good price without having to dip into the suspiciously cheap unknown brand ones.

 

[m6z]

I like that Sunex has 1/2 kits that don't have any skips and go all the way to 1 1/2"/36mm.

Sunex offers several smaller sets as well, so you should be able to get exactly what you're after.

Amazon and Summit racing had the lowest prices on the full sets, so compare prices at both before you purchase.

 

[parks31]

I have gearwrench in all 3 sizes 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 complete sets. I bought them on special on Amazon. I would not be afraid to buy sunex. Sunex makes an excellent impact socket.

 

[Fulcrumz]

Sunex +1....... even handle misuse and abuse

Sunex, they are tough, fit very well and are complete sets without skipping any sizes. I’ve used my 3/8 set monthly for four years. It’s what originally brought me to GJ, looking for a good impact socket set. I have to thank GJ for making me aware of way more tools than I possibly could need.

Sunex or Grey Pneumatic

Definitely Sunex, I have a couple sets that have been great.

I would recommend the Sunex as well for an inexpensive set. They seem fairly soft, and any hammering starts to round out the drive end pretty quick. On some of the larger sockets I have to hit the bottom with a file every use so it doesn't tear my drawer liners. They are very tight fitting though, and their customer service is excellent.

 

[stonesfan68]

Tekton makes a good product and has excellent customer service.

 

[bubinga]

I have gearwrench in all 3 sizes 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 complete sets. I bought them on special on Amazon. I would not be afraid to buy sunex. Sunex makes an excellent impact socket.

Sunex has been good to me as well.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My default for any impact recommendation is Sunex. Known good product at competitive prices.


If you're playing the buy-local-for-warranty game, you're mostly stuck. Unless you can find an industrial supply place that stocks impact sockets. I'm not sure I've ever seen a proper no-skips 1/2 impact socket set at a local store. If you do happen to find a local industrial supply place that carries them, expect to pay a premium. Many also refuse to do "swap it" warranty, meaning they wait for a rep to come out or they mail it out; then when it shows up you get your replacement. IMO local places warranty isn't very good. And unless you have an defect right out of the box, you'll get several years out of basic sunex sockets using them every day to make a living. The number one failure I usually see is the 19mm, for lug nuts. Order a replacement on Amazon, weld the cracked one back together, keep working.

 

[81turbota]

Another vote for Sunex. I’m very happy with mine.

 

[Professional Tool User]

For impact sockets, which brand you buy doesn't really matter. I've beaten on my cheap set of made in China impact sockets at work and it took two years to break one while fighting a seized bolt. Harbor Freight impact sockets should work fine and the only really annoying part about them is size skips. This is where Tekton and Sunex come in if you want to avoid size skips.

 

[mikester]

I bought an 86 piece set of Ingersoll Rand impact sockets about 10 years ago and theyve held up very well. SAE and metric, shallow and deep. I think the sets around $250 now.

 

[M6erfan]

I own and use Sunex 1/2" impacts. They're fine, but one thing I noticed is they don't chamfer the female drive end. I never really thought about it much until I used some that have the chamfered square drive (SK). Not a deal killer but a small detail that Sunex leaves out.

 

[bigtiger]

I have 1/2 inch HF Pittsburgh pro, a walmart stanley set. Find myself using stanley because it easy carry tray and hasn't let me down.
Got $12-14 makita 3/8" ones for impact drills kits. Its in either blue or red vinyl case, use it all the time, so easy to carry around, light weight. Its strong too.
MakitaImpact GOLD 3/8 in. 6-Point Metric Impact Socket Set with 15° Tilt Socket Adapter (9-Piece)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...Tilt-Socket-Adapter-9-Piece-B-49862/206284603





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[Gurp]

I'm going to say Tekton or HF.
I've always beem happy with my Tekton purchases, although I've never used their impacts.
I've had my HF impacts (1/2 drive) for going on 3 years now. They gets used for any and all things. taken apart many seized bolts.

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

...

 

[zmotorsports]

Most of my impacts are tool truck brands but I do have a set of Sunex that I bought on a Black Friday sale a few years back and they are nice for the money. I also have a set of the Carlyle that I bought from my local NAPA and have been quite pleased with them as far as fit & finish.

 

[brooktre]

Do any of these sets have etched markings?

 

[Yarpo]

Do any of these sets have etched markings?

Sunex, GP, Genius tools.

Tekton and HF pittsburgh pro do not.

 

[Batscat]

I vote for Gearwrench no skips and they use laser and etched markings.

 

[Yarpo]

I vote for Gearwrench no skips and they use laser and etched markings.

I've got a few Gearwrench impacts I bought to fill in missing sizes and I really like them too, shiny finish as opposed to most dull finishes and they are indeed laser marked and etched. Made in China, unfortunately. Still good sockets tho so take that as you will

 

[BK13]

Sunex, GP, Carlyle/NAPA, Gearwrench.

 

[Wamsutta]

I own and use Sunex 1/2" impacts. They're fine, but one thing I noticed is they don't chamfer the female drive end. I never really thought about it much until I used some that have the chamfered square drive (SK). Not a deal killer but a small detail that Sunex leaves out.

GP sockets are the same way. That's what leads me to suspect that GP and Sunex are made in the same factory. I'd rather have the chamfer for easier and quicker engagement.

 

[Chromdome35]

In my home gamer box, I have a set of Tekton 1/2" shallow SAE impacts, Nieko 1/2" deep SAE impacts, Gearwrench 1/2" shallow and deep metric impacts, and Sunex shallow and deep impacts in both 3/8" and 1/4".

I haven't had any issues with any of them. I do like the finish on the Gearwrench impact sockets the best.