Dedicated lug nut socket set

[quilty]

What's everybody using for a dedicated lug nut socket set? I'm considering this 5pc. Snappy set

PN#

• 305LSDM

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[mike93lx]

Holy ****.

I use the harbor freight set that had nylon covers.

 

[CGarage]

Why not Astro? The Astro sockets also have a protected sleeve.

 

[ebj]

Tekton set works for me. Used with impact on my F250, 4Runner, and even the golf cart.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Milwaukee.

I have been using that kit for about 8 months with no issues. I have only ran across a few aftermarket wheels where they wouldn't fit.

My biggest issue is swollen lugs on dodge trucks. I typically find myself grabbing a 23mm impact for those.

 

[L.Cheapo]

This is what I use:

1/2" Sq.Dr Wheel Nut Socket Set In Hard Case, 4 Piece - Ko-ken USA

Ko-ken USA's very own Wheel Nut Socket set with color coded sockets for easy identification. This - Ko-ken USA

kokenusa.com

Replacement plastic covers are available from Ko-Ken.

 

[AJHD]

I still have a few of Snap On sockets meant for lug nuts (19mm, 21mm, 22mm) I bought them many years ago, warrantied them each at least once.

I've had various flip sockets and other dedicated sockets over the years. I picked up the Koken set with the protective sleeves awhile back.

I don't think the Snap On are worth the money overall. Plenty of cheaper options.

That said, I know 17mm is Euro, but what the heck uses 18mm?

 

[Jeff]

 

[gizardlizard]

I have the cheap Harbor Freight ones too. Zero issues in 6 plus years.

 

[ecotec]

I have the HF protective sockets and some Grey Pneumatic flip sockets with half sizes

 

[Phang]

 

[Steve_P]

I have a 20? year old three piece set from HF with plastic sleeves- they're fine. I upgraded the 21mm to the Koken shown above with the built in extension, because that's what I use 95% of the time, and I guess I wanted to be fancy; it's also ready for the torque wrench and I don't need an extension. I also have a 21/21.5 CTA? flip socket without the plastic sleeve for those swollen nuts.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have the Hazet 3pc set. Tossed them in the cardboard box of misfit tools immediately, likely never to be used again unless I need a sacrificial tool.

They are broached shallow to the point they damaged the lug nuts on a new vehicle. I suppose that depends on the lugs though.

I replaced them with the Ko-Ken and no longer have issues.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

I use the Snap-On SIMMF sockets.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

EDIT: Surprised they say Blue-Point on the pictures, mine are still stamped Snap-On. Bought them years ago, though.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[bigredcornhead]

Tekton set works for me. Used with impact on my F250, 4Runner, and even the golf cart.

Ive had good luck with this set.

 

[nh_yota]

I have 19mm and 21mm deep Channellock sockets from the hardware store. I keep them in a Klein canvas zipper bag in my truck along with my other "random" or individual sockets or adapters I've purchased to work on the truck over the years. This way I don't lose the 19mm and 21mm from my big set in the garage and they're also in the truck with me if I need them on the road.

 

[Jeepster04]

Craftsman that I bought from Sears back in the day.

I dont much like them. They are so thick that they will sometimes rub on the rim. I'll just use a chrome socket when that happens, but I never use an impact on lug nuts... Only a breaker bar and a torque wrench.

 

[Phang]

there are plastic insert (17, 19mm are flat, 21mm is dish shape) in the sockets to control the engagement depth, I have no idea why Hazet do that to the sockets



for 17mm socket, the depth is 14.20mm, 17mm depth for the 19mm socket



I don't have problem with my car's wheel bolt (pic below) but I can see it doesn't allow full engagement on wheel lug/nut with taller head

 

[JSutter]

Tolsen 15510 17,19,21mm
NPT 3/4 13/16 flip socket

 

[Dave455]

I think the first thing to decide is what you want.

The Snap On are impact sockets, with a deeper broach, which is nice, but that’s an expensive set. Do you need the deeper broach? Do you need an 18mm? I’ve never needed one. Would two or three individual sockets be better?

The KoKen are a lot more tool. They are extended sockets rather than deep, and are very thin walled. Nice if you need them, but you might not.

I also have to mention price. That “set” in it‘s Nanuk case is $320.
A set of three sockets, in the U.K, currently costs the equivalent of $95, and that INCLUDES British sales tax. So you are paying $225 for the 22mm socket and the case. Seems a lot. I know there are tariffs at the mo, but even so...


Personally, I would just go out and buy some generic impact sockets, in the sizes you need, and a short extension. Job done. If you need thin walled, then get thin walled. If you prefer a deep socket, get those.

Either way, any impact sockets are essentially a consumable item, so you want to be able to get spares of the sizes you use most. For me a “set” would comprise 11/16, 3/4, and about three 17mm’s! Everybody’s needs are different though.

 

[Snapped-off]

I've got a flip socket set, but I'm not sure I've ever used it.

I also have a Sunex 17mm and 19mm sleeved sockets for the fancy Euros, and everything else just gets a regular old impact.

 

[willf650]

Holy ****.

I use the harbor freight set that had nylon covers.

Same here. I only change/rotate tires 2-3 times a year at best and only bought them because my regular impact sockets wouldn’t fit in the lug nut opening in wheel.

 

[pbon]

If $200 is burning a hole in your pocket, the Snap-on look nice. I have $200, but it is not burning a hole in my pocket. Don’t have any Snap-on. Don’t need it. If I was a professional mechanic, I might buy it. I have some no name plastic covered lug nut sockets.

 

[Mr.zippy]

I've been very pleased with these!

 

[308guru]

I don't have them, but I like the longer length of the Koken's. Eliminates the need for a short extension, which I often find myself using on wheels with my current Milwaukee lug sockets.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I also have to mention price. That “set” in it‘s Nanuk case is $320.
A set of three sockets, in the U.K, currently costs the equivalent of $95, and that INCLUDES British sales tax. So you are paying $225 for the 22mm socket and the case. Seems a lot. I know there are tariffs at the mo, but even so...

Looks like the price has gone up a lot. It can be had today for $250 or so. Much less if you don't want the case. I think it was ~$20 more for the case when I bought it so why not?

Here's the invoice:




Honestly, I like them enough that I'd buy them again as a 3 piece set plus the 22mm from Zoro with a 20% off coupon for $110 if I needed them. I'm a Snappy kinda guy, but I prefer my Ko-Ken lug sockets to my lone Snappy 19mm lug socket. No wheel finish damage if you "miss" with the Ko-Kens.

 

[rust in the eye]

A lot of do-re-mi for 5 impact sockets.
Do you use an impact on lug nuts?
Snappy is saying the deeper broach will lessen the likelyhood of damaging lug nut covers. NOT impacting them lessens the likelyhood even more.
Speaking of deeper broach my cheap impact sockets from across the Pacific are also deep broached.

 

[Vercingetorix]

For those that like to keep their money in their pocket:

Amazon.com

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I believe it was two sets of the impact flip sockets (some of them are still in the move stuff, before the cancer diagnosis). I don't remember what brand as I had bought three, Astro, Craftsman, and Snap on. (one was a backup for the shop, as at the time someone wondered off with the shops in pocket)

Then I bought the Astro sleeved set, decades ago at a damaged freight store for $10. I left them with the shop as I didn't have expensive rims, occasionally the shop did.
Monday, I bought the red HF set, because I wanted them again for the future (hope to beat, plan on not). Gives me something to look forward to.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I don't have dedicated lug sockets, just use the 1/2" Tektons I have I think 8-24 + 27mm deep and shallow.

I do have a set of 17.5 18.5 19.5 21.5 22.5mm sockets for swollen lugs or lugs with missing caps.

 

[Wrench97]

What's everybody using for a dedicated lug nut socket set? I'm considering this 5pc. Snappy set

PN#

• 305LSDM

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Snap On impact sockets are soft and wear, easier on the anvils but if you don't see a tool truck all the time warranty should taken into condersidation. Tekton, Astro, Grey Pneumatic, HF may be better choices.

 

[AJHD]

there are plastic insert (17, 19mm are flat, 21mm is dish shape) in the sockets to control the engagement depth, I have no idea why Hazet do that to the sockets

That is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. I don't understand what purpose that is supposed to serve besides increasing the price. The plastic looks to be removable at least.

I was actually looking at these Hazet sockets, but that design decision removes it from any future consideration. Glad I bought the Koken set instead.

 

[Phang]

That is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. I don't understand what purpose that is supposed to serve besides increasing the price. The plastic looks to be removable at least.

I was actually looking at these Hazet sockets, but that design decision removes it from any future consideration. Glad I bought the Koken set instead.

yes, those plastic insert seems removable

my other set is KTC, it has a hard rubber pad inside to prevent scratching those shiny dome head

but they don't have the plastic sleeve to prevent scratching the wheels

looks like ko-ken is the better set





3mm more than the Hazet

 

[Chipm]

I don't understand what purpose that is supposed to serve...

Some lug nuts can sit so far down in the socket that you cannot start them on the wheel stud because the stud is not long enough to reach the lug nut that is recessed way down in the socket. The plastic insert prevents this problem by pushing the nut out to the socket face.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Some lug nuts can sit so far down in the socket that you cannot start them on the wheel stud because the stud is not long enough to reach the lug nut that is recessed way down in the socket. The plastic insert prevents this problem by pushing the nut out to the socket face.

Conversely, some lug studs stick out; and these sockets won’t reach the nut.

 

[Fedwrench]

For nice wheels I use the colored coded Ko-Ken set with the built in extension pictured above. For steel wheels/older wheels, old SK USA 19/21/22 mm.

for those nasty *** Ford multipiece **** lug nuts that get malformed/swollen, the Astro half sized impact sockets make life easier:

1/2" Drive 1/2 Size Thin Wall Lug Nut Socket Set - 17.5 - 22.5mm | Astro Pneumatic Tools

• ½ size thin wall impact rated sockets for damaged, swollen and stuck lug nuts • In ½ mm size, 17.5, 19.5, 21.5 and 22.5mm • Finally available in thin wall ...

www.astrotools.com

 

[CGarage]

Astro Pneumatic Tool 78818 8-Piece Torque Limiting Extension And Protective Impact Socket Combo Set - Amazon.com

Astro Pneumatic Tool 78818 8-Piece Torque Limiting Extension And Protective Impact Socket Combo Set - Amazon.com

a.co

 

[xjfish]

I've never had a dedicated set that I only use. Mainly a mixed bag of Matco ADV (Sunex), MAC, and Snap-On regular deep impact sockets if room around lug nut. Otherwise, have low-profile Matco flip sockets, they get used a lot, and do crack occasionally. Also have the half-sized set for pregnant lug nuts...

 

[Ilikeike]

At home I really only use one for my wheel locks.
So I made my own custom tool

I welded a socket to the socket key, and dipped it in that rubber stuff you use for tool handles.

It's just the right length so I don't need extension.

I have some cheap ones too , but the sleeve cracked and chipped off the one that I used.
Get what you pay for I guess.

 

[moemc]

I've been very pleased with these!

I like these and almost ordered them but I can tell they won’t be deep enough for race cars with extended wheel studs unless they also have extended deep lug nuts. These would be perfect for OEM style lugs though. I have deeper Koken lug sockets without the built in extension that are deep enough for my extended studs.