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Good 3/8 impact sockets

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speed bump

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Butte Montana
I've got sunnex, grey pneumatic, DeWalt, proto, snap on, HF, northern tool, Astro, Capri, craftsman, and probably 5 other brands. Buy whatever is cheap and available. The guys at work typically lose impact sockets about 100x more often than they break them so we started buying DeWalt stuff instead of proto/wright, haven't seen one broken yet. The crusher service guys all have Tekton/grey/sunnex impacts and they beat on sockets.
 
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livinloud11

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cad70 said:
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.
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you aint kidding, I just looked at my purchase history and almost 5 years ago on the dot, I paid $26 for a tekton 3/8 deep 13 piece impact socket set. They have gone way up lol
 
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AJHD

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Wrench97 said:
It'll struggle even on 21mm lug nuts.
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I disagree, sort of... Different torque specs and other conditions will determine how much force is needed to remove a lug nut.

But, for example, I have the older version of the 3/8" stubby and it can remove 21mm lug nuts on my Nissan (torqued to 80ftlbs).

Manufactures marketing aside, the newer 3/8" stubby 550-ftlb version should be able to remove most lug nuts.
 
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AJHD

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livinloud11 said:
you aint kidding, I just looked at my purchase history and almost 5 years ago on the dot, I paid $26 for a tekton 3/8 deep 13 piece impact socket set. They have gone way up lol
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They have also changed manufactures. The older Tekton impacts in the red plastic blow molded case were different than what is offered these days.
 
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livinloud11

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AJHD said:
They have also changed manufactures. The older Tekton impacts in the red plastic blow molded case were different than what is offered these days.
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Are they better now or then? My only dislike is its hard to read the sizes on them, wish they were engraved so I could fill them in with color.
 
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AJHD

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livinloud11 said:
Are they better now or then? My only dislike is its hard to read the sizes on them, wish they were engraved so I could fill them in with color.
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The newer design are laser etched and roll stamped. I also prefer the profile of the newer design, they neck down instead of being tapered.

As for "better", I guess that's subjective.
 
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AJHD

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Steve_P said:
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?
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The reality is "the tool community" has come to expect certain things. When a brand manufactures a certain tool in a certain way for more than 10+ years, it's huge when that brand suddenly changes that tool.

The problem with Sunex is that their move to China just recently happened. The sockets are visually completely different, but there are not enough sockets on the market and they haven't been around long enough to really judge quality.

There is also a possibility you may receive Taiwan as the old stock sells out, or you might receive China. I personally don't like not knowing what I'm paying for even if I can return them.

This is one thing that happens with Gearwrench tools as more of their production also moves/moved to China.

That said, given other examples of tools/brands moving to China their quality generally takes a hit. Only time will tell if Sunex joins that club. There is no reason to spend money on questionable tools when other known proven options exist.
 
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Jtels85

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Jobsmart, and if you have a Tractor Supply near buy, the warranty process will be easy.
 
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WhataTool

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They didn't introduce new made in China sockets let's remember.
Under everyone's noses they switched out the exact set model numbers, down to each and every part number to a new country and new factory. When you warranty your Sunex socket you're getting something else in return. It's literally a bait and switch.

These guys looked at the 2000's Craftsman business model and said "yeah, let's try that"
In a day and age where we have many good options for tools and sockets, it's not just good tools here bad there - we have the luxury of considering other things as well - like the type of business model you want to support.
 
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loganb

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I have the same 3/8 stubby impact now and picked up the Milwaukee metric set at HD as it has a nice rail and covered the sizes most likely needed for lugnuts. So far so good
 
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Steve_P

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mikey03 said:
never heard of a tool company moving to china for the reason to make higher quality tools than before
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Sure. But labor cost in China is about half that of Taiwan; and China, Vietnam, India.... can make just as good a widget as anyone, with the right machinery and materials. China has been making impact sockets for decades; my Chinese HF sockets look the same as any impact socket and seem to be as durable as my Taiwan Sunex or USA SK. As I said. We're talking about impact sockets and not rocket science. Yes, China makes plenty of ****. But they can also make "first world" quality if the brand that contracts the product demands it.

I'm old enough to remember that 40-50 years ago, made in Japan was a joke; 30 years ago, made in Taiwan was a joke. Now we worship both as quality manufacturers.

Milwaukee makes cordless tools in Vietnam. Why doesn't anyone freak out about that? It's Vietnam- they're decades behind China as far as industrialization. Which is more difficult to make: a socket, which have been made for 100 years, or a cordless tool?

Yes, I'd rather buy Taiwan made, but my point is that just because it's MiC doesn't mean it's junk.

Edit: Oh, and China makes some/most of our smart phones. Just slightly more complex than a socket.
 
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username2

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Looking at the OP, those Gearwrench sockets seem pretty cheap.

One thing I'd watch is whether they're that sort of Hecho en China impact socket that's shiny (which doesn't matter) and has a bigger diameter (which just might).

Milwaukee are 100 bucks.

If you don't need short and deep and metric and freedom units, you could check out the Chicago Pneumatic sets on Amazon.

example:

Naturally, if you're planning on breaking them, Tekton seems to be cool warranty-wise.

I wouldn't agonize over this.
 
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Gebirgekind

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wantedabiggergarage said:
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).
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You might be confusing them with Gray Tools Canada (https://www.graytools.com/), two different companies. They make high quality tools akin to Wright, Proto, etc. but priced a little higher. I really like their chrome sockets but they don't ship outside of Canada.

Grey Pneumatic (https://www.gpsocket.com/) does only impacts out of Taiwan, and they're quite good and affordable. I've had their semi-deeps along with Wright shallow and deep, all excellent.
 
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Bob Tiley

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Look for a set of Matco ADV sockets. It is their cheaper Taiwan made line but very good quality for the price. You can find sets on Ebay.
 
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SwissMetric

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Interesting discussion. I haven't used any single 3/8" impact tool since decades and don't even have access to any.

For low-torque work up to around metric M8 I can use regular sockets and for higher torques I need 1/2" anyway if impact is required.
I wouldn't consider myself as totally assembly-tool-ignorant but obviously mileages widely vary.

3/8" sets are by very far the ones I use the least. The most used sets are a comprehensive 1/4" set with some additional parts followed by a quite basic 1/2" set which includes INHEX (for Allen/INBUS), not the extreme one I posted some pic.
 
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username2

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SwissMetric said:
Interesting discussion. I haven't used any single 3/8" impact tool since decades and don't even have access to any
Click to expand...

As a home player, you know the big difference for me was the introduction of Milwaukee M12 ratchets and impact wrenches/drivers.

Those things are downright cool.
 
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PoorUB

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I know it doesn't help the OP, but for the HF haters,

I bought a set of HF 3/8 deep impacts about 30 years ago. I had a Snap-On set, but a couple of them disappeared in a move and I use them a lot. I didn't have the money to buy the replacement Snap-On sockets that would have been $10-$15 each at the time. I got a stopped at HF and bought SAE and metric sets on sale for $5 a set and am still using them today. I used to use them a couple times a week, now granted I am more of a weekend warrior, but 30 years of use and they have held up well.

I would buy them again.
 
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DarryT

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My Astro Nano shallow impact sockets just arrived., very handy for $28. Supplement with a deep set & you are good to go.
 
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ohhimark

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detroit
PoorUB said:
I know it doesn't help the OP, but for the HF haters,

I bought a set of HF 3/8 deep impacts about 30 years ago. I had a Snap-On set, but a couple of them disappeared in a move and I use them a lot. I didn't have the money to buy the replacement Snap-On sockets that would have been $10-$15 each at the time. I got a stopped at HF and bought SAE and metric sets on sale for $5 a set and am still using them today. I used to use them a couple times a week, now granted I am more of a weekend warrior, but 30 years of use and they have held up well.

I would buy them again.
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Not a HF hater, but.....back when HF only had on line of impact sockets, my father bought the 1/2" drive deep well impact sockets in SAE, they were, and still are, completely usable. I liked them enough that I bought the same set in metric, and they sucked, they splintered when impacted, just loosening/tightening lug nuts. The metric case sucked too lol. Different factories? The quinn nano sockets are holding up fine though.
 
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Rinspeed

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ohhimark said:
I liked them enough that I bought the same set in metric, and they sucked, they splintered when impacted, just loosening/tightening lug nuts. The metric case sucked too lol. Different factories? The quinn nano sockets are holding up fine though.
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I can assure that is not the norm, you must have just gotten into a bad batch. I've used the hell out of mine, both SAE and metric and they have held up very well for years.
 
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Sumboodie

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DarryT said:
$45 now
Amazon pricing model.
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Ordered.

Will return the other set.

Punishment for doing that plus sending me USED products.

Bought a knockout punch set and it had plastic still in 1 punch from someone using it and returning it.

And a $200 roll of mig wire. Had been packed in a 2nd box, inside was the orginal box with shipping label and the actual return slip.
And it's junk!

20250131_112223.jpg20250131_112216.jpg


Worst one they did was send me a returned broken electric winch when I bought a NEW hydraulic one. Paid around $1500.

I returned it for replacement.

A month later I get the replacement, only they shipped MY return back to me claiming it was a new hydraulic winch.

I had to start a claim with American Express over that as Amazon tried to claim I was doing some theft or something.
 
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ohhimark

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Rinspeed said:
I can assure that is not the norm, you must have just gotten into a bad batch. I've used the hell out of mine, both SAE and metric and they have held up very well for years.
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Probably. I've heard people say avoid the shiny ones, maybe there was truth to that...

That spool of wire....yikes!
 
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Sumboodie

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Any Amazon irder I return that's junk.I tape a note in the box just in case they try to pass it on so hopefully the next guys has the info.

Chain grinder yesterday. Shaft is bent and has about 0.020" runout. Which is well over 0.125" with the 6" wheel on.

My other grinder has maybe 0.03" at the edge of the 6" wheel to compare.. both directions. 0.125" shakes so bad it's 100% unusable.

They refuse to replace, want me to return and buy another.
Well, I paid $95 on a "lightning deal" and they're $125 now.

Why is it on me to pay extra when I was sent junk? Wasn't shipping damage either, box was mint.
 
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