Good 3/8 impact sockets

[Sumboodie]

Picked up that allegedly 550 ft/lbs 3/8 Milwaukee on the Black's Friday sale.

Been using chrome sockets for near 30 years without fuss, but guessing this may be pushing it.

Gear wrench has one for $65

GEARWRENCH 44 Pc. 3/8" Drive 6 Point Standard & Deep Impact SAE/Metric Socket Set - 84916N https://a.co/d/bfiUzqC


Or Trekton. $$$$ though, plus never heard of them.

TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Impact Socket Set with Rails, 68-Piece (1/4-1 in., 6-24 mm) | SID91218 https://a.co/d/1cdz9fO

 

[Rinspeed]

The Harbor Freight sockets are a steal for what they charge.

 

[cgrutt]

OK, I'll be THAT guy... I bought the mid-length Snap-on impact sockets when I bought my 3/8 impact gun. They've been fine no complaints. Bought both SAE and Metric sets even though I hardly ever use SAE anymore.

 

[Sumboodie]

The Harbor Freight sockets are a steal for what they charge.

Shipping is pretty expensive though.

 

[Sumboodie]

OK, I'll be THAT guy... I bought the mid-length Snap-on impact sockets when I bought my 3/8 impact gun. They've been fine no complaints. Bought both SAE and Metric sets even though I hardly ever use SAE anymore.

I have Snap On stuff, it's a pita to buy or warranty anything, so not interested in paying crazy stupid prices.

 

[cgrutt]

I have Snap On stuff, it's a pita to buy or warranty anything, so not interested in paying crazy stupid prices.

No worries do whatever suits you best. I've owned Snap-on sockets since early 1980s and believe I've only needed to warranty two of them during that time so it hasn't been an issue for me.

 

[Wrench97]

I have a set of the Tekton short impact I use at the house, decent set the only complaint is about the skips{11mm, 16mm, 20mm}

 

[Sumboodie]

No worries do whatever suits you best. I've owned Snap-on sockets since early 1980s and believe I've only needed to warranty two of them during that time so it hasn't been an issue for me.

I'm guessing a setol of standard and metric is probably $300+, not spending that kind if money on sockets.

 

[Theronswanson]

I've really had good luck with Sunex, but I've read most are made in China now and the quality has gone downhill. Mine were made in Taiwan. Grey Pneumatic is another great affordable option.

 

[GeoBruin]

How do Grey Pneumatic sockets stack up these days? I only have their duo sockets which are neat but kind of specialty.

 

[Sumboodie]

How do Grey Pneumatic sockets stack up these days? I only have their duo sockets which are neat but kind of specialty.

Never heard of them.

 

[swsman]

If you have HF nearby, get theirs. Exchanges should be relatively simple.

Tekton, Grey Pneumatic, Sunex, Astro are your other choices, Tekton has a great warranty from what I have observed.
Have some of their ratchets, extensions, picks, and a sole 14mm deep chrome socket. No complaints thus far, it has all been put to work

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Grey Pneumatic may be easier for you to get since they are out of Canada and your in Alaska. I have a few and they are decent sockets, though imported like most (USA ones are going to cost you a lot more, if that is what your wanting).

Gearwrench look pretty much identical to the ones the parent company used to make USA for Sears, back when they sold Craftsman. But I have no idea what you have easy access to in Alaska.

 

[HaroRider]

The best? Snap On.
Best Budget? Sunex.

 

[Steve_P]

I have a set of the Tekton short impact I use at the house, decent set the only complaint is about the skips{11mm, 16mm, 20mm}

These must be old as they haven't skipped sized for years.

 

[Steve_P]

I've really had good luck with Sunex, but I've read most are made in China now and the quality has gone downhill.

Because they're now made in China, GJ has decided that they're automatically junk? Or there's actual test data showing they're junk?

I have some older HF impact sockets made in China and they're fine; they seem the same as my USA SK, Taiwan Sunex.....

 

[Sumboodie]

If you have HF nearby, get theirs. Exchanges should be relatively simple.

Tekton, Grey Pneumatic, Sunex, Astro are your other choices, Tekton has a great warranty from what I have observed.
Have some of their ratchets, extensions, picks, and a sole 14mm deep chrome socket. No complaints thus far, it has all been put to work

Nearest one is 2600 miles away

 

[Mecha]

I have an awesome working set from Capri Tools. Love them. Markings all line up nicely and are both laser etched and stamped markings.

3/8" Drive 6-Point Deep Impact Socket Sets, 8 - 22 mm, Metric

The Capri Tools 3/8 in. Drive Deep Impact Socket Set is a collection of most frequently used 3/8 deep impact sockets in metric sizes.

capritools.com

Quality is very good. Price is right. 8-22mm and no skips. Made in Taiwan and $40.

 

[micromind]

Take a look at Wright.

Might be what you're looking for at a price you like, might not........

 

[ohhimark]

I've been using Chicago Pneumatic in 3/8 and 1/2, no issues to date. That GW set u linked looks like a good deal.

 

[impactims]

My experience...

Best? Snap on and Cornwell (USA made Hardline)

Bang for Buck? Proto

 

[Jeeper99]

Tekton is my go to. Free shipping to Alaska, e-mail a picture of a broken tool and one ships to the mine while I'm on my days off not worrying about dealing with warranty. We have a great snapon rep down here so warranty is pretty easy. There's pretty decent deals on snapon on e-bay.

Harbor freight is a pain in the *** living in Alaska for warranty.

I haven't had great luck with gearwrench sockets.

 

[GTO]

I bought the Sunex 3580 (Taiwan) Master 3/8" Kit, and it has performed very well for me.

 

[mikey03]

Sunex made mid length impacts in Taiwan but moved to china last year. id love Tekton but they don’t make mid length impacts. Maybe if enough people to bother them

 

[visionguru]

Picked up that allegedly 550 ft/lbs 3/8 Milwaukee on the Black's Friday sale.

Been using chrome sockets for near 30 years without fuss, but guessing this may be pushing it.

Gear wrench has one for $65

GEARWRENCH 44 Pc. 3/8" Drive 6 Point Standard & Deep Impact SAE/Metric Socket Set - 84916N https://a.co/d/bfiUzqC


Or Trekton. $$$$ though, plus never heard of them.

TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Impact Socket Set with Rails, 68-Piece (1/4-1 in., 6-24 mm) | SID91218 https://a.co/d/1cdz9fO

I have the Gearwrench set, great quality. For superior visibility that puts everything mentioned above to shame, check out this Milwaukee set:

Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE 3/8 in. Drive SAE and Metric 6 Point Impact Socket Set (43-Piece) 49-66-7009 - The Home Depot

Accomplish all your difficult drilling tasks effortlessly with the choice of this amazing Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE Drive SAE and Metric Impact Socket Set

www.homedepot.com

Tekton is for suckers, grocery store brand going upscale.

 

[cad70]

I have tekton 6 point, 3/8 SAE, deep impact sockets that came in a case from several years ago.
It was about $35 at that time..... prices have certainly gone up.

 

[ChevyEFI]

My first instinct would be to go nano for shallow. And a set of cheap deeps. Your local availability and use of SAE may necessitate other needs though. What range are you covering? Fully online ordering?

 

[Sumboodie]

My first instinct would be to go nano for shallow. And a set of cheap deeps. Your local availability and use of SAE may necessitate other needs though. What range are you covering? Fully online ordering?

3/8" to 1" deep and shallow and same in whatever that is in Cambodian sizes.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Tekton but order direct from them for 10% back in rewards

 

[Fusion13]

I think you 3/8 most known brands would work... I use craftsman and master **** from crappy tire

 

[Sumboodie]

Tekton but order direct from them for 10% back in rewards

5% off on Amazon, which I use.

Tekton is USA made?

 

[nicks78camaro]

5% off on Amazon, which I use.

Tekton is USA made?

These and most of their stuff is made in Taiwan. But some of their stuff is USA made.

 

[Sumboodie]

I think you 3/8 most known brands would work... I use craftsman and master **** from crappy tire

I'm not finding many that have all the sizes. Many stop at only 3/4"

Most lugs I deal with are 7/8" or 13/16"

If the tiny gun actually does 550 ft lbs, should be able to even do semi lug nuts.

 

[Wrench97]

I'm not finding many that have all the sizes. Many stop at only 3/4"

Most lugs I deal with are 7/8" or 13/16"

If the tiny gun actually does 550 ft lbs, should be able to even do semi lug nuts.

It'll struggle even on 21mm lug nuts.

 

[Sumboodie]

I have an awesome working set from Capri Tools. Love them. Markings all line up nicely and are both laser etched and stamped markings.

3/8" Drive 6-Point Deep Impact Socket Sets, 8 - 22 mm, Metric

The Capri Tools 3/8 in. Drive Deep Impact Socket Set is a collection of most frequently used 3/8 deep impact sockets in metric sizes.

capritools.com

Quality is very good. Price is right. 8-22mm and no skips. Made in Taiwan and $40.

Not bad but they want $68 shipping for the std and metric set.

 

[Sumboodie]

It'll struggle even on 21mm lug nuts.

So the usual marketing lies.

I know the "high torque" gun with 1600 lb ft bust a nut torque has failed at stuff my IR 2135 unbolts, which is rated at 1k lb ft I think.

 

[Wrench97]

I think lug nuts are just beyond what it can handle, you can probably put them on and hit the torque spec but removal after they've been on for a while or were last installed at the tire shop is another story.

 

[Skellyii]

I only have the 4xc battery at the moment, so I'm not getting the full 550 ft/lbs.

However, I've been using it for removal of lug nuts on mid size trucks, i.e Suburban, F150.

Semi lug nuts...no clue. Try it and let us know.

 

[tiredoldironworker]

I've had good results with my Cornwell's bought 15 years ago.

 

[Mecha]

Not bad but they want $68 shipping for the std and metric set.

Really, was that because you are in Alaska? It shows free shipping over $50.

Amazon link:

Amazon.com

I think the Tekton stuff some of these people are saying is pretty comparable too. Either of them would be a good answer for you, both have had very good customer service experiences commented on from the garage journal forums.