First impact set - deep or shallow?

[MechManiac]

I need member advice on purchasing my first impact socket set (Going with Wright Tool, 1/2" set).Should I buy :

1) the more affordable shallow set and purchase the three, maybe four deep ones I might run into.

2) the more costly deep set and purchase the shallow one in the event my gun+socket won't fit.

Shallow set - $131 USD 10MM-27MM
Deep set - $193 USD 10MM-27MM

See the link

http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc...-Socket-Set-10mm-27mm-6-Pt-Std-2812p51409.htm

 

[OEXL16B]

Are you going to be turning bolt heads or nuts? Shallow sockets are sometimes too shallow for turning nuts.

 

[MechManiac]

hmm. Good thinking OEXL16B. A good mix of nuts and bolts. The suspension set ups on my cars have access to nuts, and other times, access is to bolts. So far, I have had very little need for a deep 1/2" socket except for my glow plugs(go figure) I use closed end wrenches when I come across that nut for which a shallow socket won't work.

The shallow set seems to be the way to go. I'll take note of the deep ones as I need them and purchase accordingly. Thanks a lot!

 

[Jeeper]

I vote deep. Tends to get used more. But you will eventually need shallow.

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2

 

[carpenter383]

I vote shallow, most of the time you don't need deep sockets and impacts are already hard to get into tight spaces so the shorter sockets are more useful IMO

 

[Tarheelgarage]

deep swivels.....

 

[blacK20]

For what it's worth, I always grab the deep socket first.

 

[MechManiac]

Deep swivels sound interesting.
I hardly see technicians using shallow impact sockets. They use deep on everything and most of those fasteners would have been fine with a shallow socket.

 

[odelay01]

I have shallow and deep impact sockets, but use the deep ones probably 90% of the time.

 

[e30bradley]

deep.. I barley use shallow impacts.

 

[MechManiac]

Deep it is then.

 

[thesilverone]

Deep

 

[greasemonkey44]

Deep swivels sound interesting.
I hardly see technicians using shallow impact sockets. They use deep on everything and most of those fasteners would have been fine with a shallow socket.

yeah its all about clearance; esp for your knuckles which is why i almost always use deeps
my shallows; esp in 1/2 dont see much use

 

[37ford4dr]

deep is my vote also.....always the first to grab also for me. sounds like a nice set! enjoy bob

 

[EOC_Jason]

My vote is for deep. Those are what I always grab first...

 

[garboui]

+1 for deep,

another common usage for these is engine mounts that always lave long locating studs. subframes often have long locating studs as well. IMO the places that you can fit or use a deep socket will out number the places that you could only get to with a shallow.

 

[CaisedoA]

I would go with deep also, I have both sets and havent used a shallow impact socket yet, if there's not enough room for a deep socket there's usually not enough room for a impact gun so I always use a chrome shallow socket with a ratchet instead

 

[JDS968]

I have a Snap-On deep 1/2" drive impact socket set and a Gearwrench shallow set. I use the Snap-On deep sockets multiple times every day and the Gearwrench shallow sockets once every few months. I think you need both, but probably start with the deep sockets.