Favorite Lug sockets

[scott37300]

What do you use for lug sockets, deep impact, flip sockets, plastic lug sockets? Right now I just use an impact socket. I used to have a set of flip sockets but they got stolen a couple years ago and I never replaced them. I was thinking about getting another set but was thinking maybe the plastic lug nut sockets might be better so they don't scratch the wheels. So which do you use, the flip or plastic coated or just an impact socket?

 

[cf2004]

I just use impact sockets

 

[bart1]

Regular 6 pO

 

[bart1]

Regular 6 point deep well with painters tape on the outside. I need it to be thin. Also, I don't use an impact - breaker bar and torque wrench.

 

[wafrederick]

The flip socket and I even have a Matco thinwall set for aftermarket wheels.I do have one for those POS chrome cap lugnuts the factory put on which Mushroom over time.

 

[bmwohio]

6 point impact

 

[mkirkpatrick]

I got some wheel sockets, just so I don't scratch the wife's alloy wheels on her car. I use just regular impacts on everything else.

 

[trainwreck]

6pt regular impact with or without painter's tape.

What's the attraction to flip sockets? I get that it's sort of a two in one, so you carry half as many sockets, but they're also twice as long, so you're still carrying the same volume/weight. I get that they're also sort of like a built in extension, but couldn't you just carry an extra extension around? What am I missing? I can't see where the number of items you carry would be substantially more important than the volume/weight you're carrying. Unless you're changing tires on the express line at your supermarket checkout. (And given some of the carts at the local supermarket, I wouldn't put that out of the question.)

 

[ElasDray]

6pt regular impact sockets for me.

 

[briggsguy17]

Flip sockets come in handy when you do a lot of tires in a day. The lugs are either one size or the other and you don't have to go back to the box to get the other size if you have a flip. I recently bought this set on sale for $65. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1652&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
They aren't any longer than a standard deep well socket and may even be shorter. They work really well. Just leave them in the tray and you grab and go!

 

[saturdaymechanic]

Question: Is the painter's tape to protect the chrome from scratches?

 

[mossyboy6]

to protect the wheels.

 

[Aklass]

at our shop, all the techs use flip sockets since they are really convenient flipping from 19mm to 21mm depending on the car. If they don't fit those sizes then we just use regular impacts

 

[bart1]

Question: Is the painter's tape to protect the chrome from scratches?

No chrome in my case. Factory paint/powdercoat. but yes, to protect it. Mine are deeply recessed in a tight hole.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

No chrome in my case. Factory paint/powdercoat. but yes, to protect it. Mine are deeply recessed in a tight hole.

No chrome either, but our two Nissans have deep recesses as well.

Thanks mossyboy6 and bart1.

 

[whatsitsname]

This one. But I remember I bought it for $15 a few years ago. Man they went up in price now.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-metric-and-sae-1-2-half-inch-lug-nut-impact-sockets-40035.html

 

[trainwreck]

Flip sockets come in handy when you do a lot of tires in a day. The lugs are either one size or the other and you don't have to go back to the box to get the other size if you have a flip.

Ah, thank you for clearing that up. I still can't get it into my head that there are some people/jobs where seconds add up to an appreciable difference. For me, walking over to the box is a welcome break to stretch my legs. I guess for others, it's literally dollars ticking away.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

just a good ole' 6pt. impact socket. if i'm in the shop i use air. if the tractor has a flat i use a breaker bar.

 

[egdede]

Flip sockets come in handy when you do a lot of tires in a day. The lugs are either one size or the other...

Can someone explain because I clearly don't understand? Seems like the lugs are 1 of 6 sizes, as opposed to 'one or the others'. My household has 3 cars w/ 3 different sizes.

 

[whatsitsname]

Most current lug nut sizes are 19mm or 21mm. The other sizes are not that common (European 17mm or SAE sizes).

 

[Fedwrench]

My favorite flavor right now are three Proto 1/2 drive deep impact sockets in 19, 21, and 22mm. They're thin and strong.
If you are unlucky to work on Chrysler, I mean Fiat cars with the two piece acorn style lug nut, spraying a little WD40 into your sockets prevents binding somewhat.

 

[Even 11]

I have quite a few options but my most often grabbed kit is a HF special plastic coated, Flip, impact set.

-Dane

 

[Even 11]

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-1-2-half-inch-drive-lugnut-socket-set-93149.html

They look like these but have plastic sleeves over the socket wall to not damage nice rims. I'm not sure if HF still sells them, I can't find them on the website. They are a bit fat and I have a Sunex thin wall set that I use when these wont fit.

-Dane

 

[scott37300]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm not sure what the big deal is about the flip sockets but I did like them when I had them. Think it was the fact that I could just grab it and go and not really have to look. I know I can grab a 19mm and fit most of what I do, and I don't work on cars for a living so don't "need" to hurry to find a lug socket. But just something about being able to grab a flip socket that is different than an impact so I don't have to check sizes is just convenient to me, maybe it's all in my head! But then I saw the plastic covered lug sockets and they would be handy on nicer rims, and they are color coded so easy to grab a 19mm.

Sunex or ingersoll flip socket kits are only about 20 bucks, or sunex is 6-7 bucks a peice from tooltopia so they aren't to expensive. I also came across this one while searching, plastic covered flip sockets-the best of both. It's made by Astro and is 20 bucks.