Deep sockets vs. regular? If you only bought one set?

[GoodEnough]

If you're only going to buy one, should you just buy the deep socket?

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902-7909.html?hftref=cj

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67904.html

 

[FlatBlackBlaze]

Depending on what it is that you work on, that would be the deciding factor. For myself I would buy the deep sockets.

 

[Nanashi]

I see an HF link. As cheap as they are why not just buy both sets. I use my shallow sockets the most but honestly I couldn't do without my deep because studs with nuts exists thus creating a need.

After clicking the link I see your talking about 1/2" drive. In that case deeps will cover probably 95% of the jobs you do assuming your doing small truck and car work. Also that set needs a 32, 34 and 36mm socket for axles.

 

[Kracin]

I see an HF link. As cheap as they are why not just buy both sets. I use my shallow sockets the most but honestly I couldn't do without my deep because studs with nuts exists thus creating a need.

cheap to one man is expensive to another. personally i wouldn't spend 100 bucks on 4 socket sets to get all metric and standard in deep and shallow and then add in some more money for the 12mm that doesnt come in it.

i would do what OP wants, and buy the one set i would use the most and go from there.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Buy shallows plus deep impacts. You'll have good coverage.

 

[Gary S]

For years I had only regular sockets, and almost never needed the deep ones. Now I have both and seldom use the deep ones. If I had only one set, it would definitely be the regular sockets.

 

[scaron]

me personally i can get by with mostly standards but i require a few deeps for particular applications. really for 1/4" and 3/8" drive it doesn't cost too much to get both at the same time and that's what i did there, but for 1/2" drive where it is pricier and i had to break up my buys into chunks, this is what i did: first, i got a socket set with ratchet, BB, extension and like 14 SAE standards right off the bat. second, added a T-handle and 14 metric standards and this gave me a good base 1/2" set that i've been using so far (anything that needs a deep in what i routinely do, can be done in 1/4" or 3/8" drive). now that i've got that base, i'm adding 1/2" deeps as i can find them inexpensively; i'm starting with SAE deeps just because that's what i found a good deal on and later on i will fill in metrics. this worked for me, i never at any point was like, "man, i should have got deeps first".

in a way this question comes up more on the higher end of the socket market where sets of deeps will often cost 50-100% more than standards once you get into larger drive sizes 1/2" and above. these HF sets cost the same so price falls out, i guess it all depends on your application; if you work on a lot of stuff where it is confined clearance maybe you want to get standards because you will have a lot of places where you put a deep on and then the ratchet doesn't fit. if you are working on stuff where you have lots of room to work and stack up stuff on a ratchet, sure, deeps will do everything a standard socket can do and more.

 

[Stooge]

Im not a professional auto tech but am still constantly working on cars and regular/ shallow depth sockets get the majority of my needs done.Suspension stuff is usually where i would need to pull the deep sockets out if needed

 

[FriendOfYours]

I never use my shallows unless there are space constraints

A lot less likely to bang your knuckles using the deeps and when you are pulling ancillaries off a motor, everything might be 13mm but a couple of those will be studs or recessed

 

[ez-duzit]

If you're only going to buy one...

...you should rethink your priorities.

You will find many more instances where a deep socket won't fit, than where a standard won't work. And standard sockets are cheaper--start with them. But not HF. Buy quality. Even if that means buying used.

 

[crewchief888]

i grab a deepwell socket 99% of the time...

 

[larry_g]

Since you linked to impact sockets if your primary use is on a impact gun I would suggest the deep set. If you plan on using these for both gun and hand use then I would suggest the shallow.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[DieselSaves]

I never use my shallows unless there are space constraints

A lot less likely to bang your knuckles using the deeps and when you are pulling ancillaries off a motor, everything might be 13mm but a couple of those will be studs or recessed

For everything on farm equipment and heavy and light trucks where I'm using half inch drive I grab a deep six point socket hands down.

 

[zkling]

i grab a deepwell socket 99% of the time...

For me, 99% of the time, if the deep is "too long" the little bit saved by the shallow doesn't matter because the impact gun itself is pretty long. Granted I'm not a pro.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Why would you only buy one set? Get both.

 

[sberry]

I got to second this. Its part of the incentive to buy cheap tools, if you need it get it.

 

[Nanashi]

I paid more for one 30mm socket than both those sets cost combined. In not bragging heck most of you would laugh in my face so bragging would be stupid. Price shouldn't be a subject in this thread. I think the op is just wondering what to get because he is probably not turning wrenches for a living and wants something universal for half inch.

When I reach for half inch I reach for the impact gun and 9 times out of ten in grabbing a deep socket. If clearance is an issue and your not using a impact just grab a 3/8". There is a good chance that if clearance is an issue your not getting the large half inch ratchet in there anyway.

 

[kc-steve]

Both links in the OP are for impact sockets, and they are Pittsburgh Pro to boot. So he doesn't seem to be too concerned about price. At least the Pittsburgh Pros are chro-moly material.

CORRECTION: The deep impacts are NOT Pros, chrome vanadium material. Not recommended.

Either one are sufficient for the home user in my opinion. It really depends upon YOUR needs but I started out with deep impacts rather than shallow impacts, beyond a full set of chrome sockets.

Steve

 

[byoungblood]

cheap to one man is expensive to another. personally i wouldn't spend 100 bucks on 4 socket sets to get all metric and standard in deep and shallow and then add in some more money for the 12mm that doesnt come in it.

i would do what OP wants, and buy the one set i would use the most and go from there.

Good grief, I think that's the first time I've ever heard someone imply that HF is expensive. No wonder nobody makes DIY grade tools in the US anymore.

To answer the question, you will need both. While I find myself reaching for my deep sockets over my standard length ones many times to keep from banging my knuckles into things, deep sockets often won't fit into tight locations, or you may not be able to get the socket/ratchet out after loosening the fastener.

 

[shockwave]

If only one set I would get the deep I use them a majority of the time anyway where the short sets get used on certain applications but if u are linking to hf impacts why not look at used sets of a more premium set. With sae and metric sizes

 

[nanofrog]

Deep most of the time. Shallow only if there is a clearance issue, or I need a 12pt.

 

[blackhawkdriver]

Buy shallows plus deep impacts. You'll have good coverage.

+1 Thats what I did for my 1/2 in drive stuff. everything else I have shallow and deep for though

 

[Farmall450]

...you should rethink your priorities.

You will find many more instances where a deep socket won't fit, than where a standard won't work. And standard sockets are cheaper--start with them. But not HF. Buy quality. Even if that means buying used.

I too would reccomend not going with HF

 

[bonneyman]

If I were starting over, I'd get a set of deep SAE sockets and a set of shallow metrics. With all the tight work on foreign cars (and alot of domestic ones!) shallow metrics are a must. Since SAE work is getting less common, a set of deeps will most often take care of your needs.

But, that's still two sets, so, forget I said anything....