Good Cheap 1/2" Impact Socket Set

[~UB~]

Looking for a good set of 1/2" impact sockets that don't cost a arm and a leg.
Was looking at SUNEX sets.

Anymore I should take a look at???
What do you suggest???

Thanks!!!

 

[lipadj46]

I've had great luck with this set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-1-2-half-inch-laser-etched-metric-impact-socket-set-94221.html

If you want better then try grey pneumatic

 

[pipsters]

I have the Sunex 2646 set on the way (Metric deep 10-36mm) and own the Harbor Freight set linked above. The HF set is Chrome Moly and the fit/finish is good for a cheapie set. They have held up on the limited work I've used them for so far. I did notice Lowes has a few sets Made in USA with I think 10 sockets for around $35 or so.

 

[padronanniversary]

gray tools

 

[mrholeshot]

Sunnex, Gray, and if you want USA buy the Craftsman Impacts.

 

[mikebramel]

for the metrics call mike wren - toptul - wrenhandtools.com
hes got a lot of them and is dealing

 

[billymade]

Try williams or old kobalt on ebay; affordable usa made quality sockets!

 

[fr0mastaj]

Re: Good Cheap 1/2" Impact Socket Set

I have a set of Ingersoll-Rands and Grey Pneumatics. Both made in Taiwan though - but still loving them so far.
________
********* CHINESE

 

[shotgunfatcat]

http://www.thefind.com/crafts/browse-cummins-industrial-tools-15-piece

 

[HandyManny]

See if Duralast offers a set of impacts.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i have a cheap set of stanley that i've used for years. i think they were like $19 bucks/set at wal mart.

 

[back2class]

i have a cheap set of stanley that i've used for years. i think they were like $19 bucks/set at wal mart.

I have to agree, if they still stock them, the Stanley ones at Walmart are good. My guess is with this kind of socket, since they are not hardened or chrome plated any brand will be as good as another.

 

[Chadro]

The HF set is Chrome Moly and the fit/finish is good for a cheapie set. They have held up on the limited work I've used them for so far.

The fit is good and they do hold up but the finish is awful. If you see the set in the metal case, buy them. If you see the set in the plastic case I wouldn't get them. Mine are just a spare set but I hate them, feel like they're made of sandpaper.

 

[lipadj46]

The fit is good and they do hold up but the finish is awful. If you see the set in the metal case, buy them. If you see the set in the plastic case I wouldn't get them. Mine are just a spare set but I hate them, feel like they're made of sandpaper.

Not all HF impact sockets are made equal. I am speaking of a specific HF set. They have a pretty good finish actually, no worse than my proto or williams USA impacts. Unless they have changed suppliers since I bought them.

 

[rayzor32]

I've been using craftsman impacts professionally and they have held up awesome, not as good as snap on but for the money can't be beaten.

 

[Sterff]

I also like the Grey Pneumatic sockets. The finish is really nice and they are nice and tight on bolts. I am planning on ordering two more sets. For the price you can't beat them. If you want to check them out click here: http://www.tooltopia.com/

 

[billymade]

I have a large set of the grey pneumatic 1/4 sockets; I keep having a problem with them staying on my ratchet and impact wrench.... anyone else having this problem? Maybe has something to do with the internal indentation or machining to make it easier to attach to a drive.... any thoughts?

 

[pipsters]

I also like the Grey Pneumatic sockets. The finish is really nice and they are nice and tight on bolts. I am planning on ordering two more sets. For the price you can't beat them. If you want to check them out click here: http://www.tooltopia.com/

Just be advised that the warranty is invalid if you buy anywhere online outside of I believe toolsource.com. They are the only authorized online retailer.

Not that you'd ever use the warranty, with the cost to send the socket back you might as well buy an individual socket from sears or something.

 

[pipsters]

The fit is good and they do hold up but the finish is awful. If you see the set in the metal case, buy them. If you see the set in the plastic case I wouldn't get them. Mine are just a spare set but I hate them, feel like they're made of sandpaper.

Yeah I'm not sure why I wrote fit/finish, the finish is crappy. It does feel like sand paper.

I think I know the ones in the metal box you are talking about. I looked at those but they didn't have as many sockets and it was Chrome Vanadium vs. Chrome Moly. At least I think that was the difference, there was a reason I didn't buy those.

 

[pipsters]

I have a large set of the grey pneumatic 1/4 sockets; I keep having a problem with them staying on my ratchet and impact wrench.... anyone else having this problem? Maybe has something to do with the internal indentation or machining to make it easier to attach to a drive.... any thoughts?

It's possible the ball indent only exists on one side of the socket. I noticed on the cheap HF sockets that is the case, where as my Craftsman sockets have detents on all four sides.

 

[Sterff]

Just be advised that the warranty is invalid if you buy anywhere online outside of I believe toolsource.com. They are the only authorized online retailer.

Not that you'd ever use the warranty, with the cost to send the socket back you might as well buy an individual socket from sears or something.

Im not sure about that but, the local Matco guy warranties GP sockets. Also I haven't had any problems with GP sockets coming off of my impact yet.

 

[JeepinJ]

I have beat on these things for 11 years. They have yet to fail me. I do have more expensive ones, but they don't work any better.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

I have beat on these things for 11 years. They have yet to fail me. I do have more expensive ones, but they don't work any better.

those are the ones i have. cheap and i've yet to break one.

 

[pipsters]

Im not sure about that but, the local Matco guy warranties GP sockets. Also I haven't had any problems with GP sockets coming off of my impact yet.

He's doing you a favor, if you didn't buy from him.

http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentPieceID=807

IMPORTANT NOTE: We do ask that you purchase any Grey Pneumatic product from an authorized dealer. Any Grey Pneumatic Product purchased from an UNAUTHORIZED dealer is NOT covered under our warranty.

Please Note: All Sockets for Warranty Consideration must be returned to the place of purchase for replacement. In cases where there is a question regarding warranty, the distributor has the right to return the socket to us for determination before a replacement is issued.

Only authorized distributors are allowed to handle warranty replacements. For a listing of Authorized Distributors in your area, please contact us.

SOCKETS RETURNED DIRECTLY TO US FROM NON-DISTRIBUTORS WILL BE REFUSED.

Just a friendly PSA.

 

[JASTECH]

I have some impact socket sets by PUMA, 3/4, 1/2 and 3/8 deep. Are they any good?
They will go in the next yard sale I think.

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[mooman]

I just bought a shallow, metric, 1/2" drive set from NAPA for $34.99 last night. It's in their "Professional Line" with a lifetime warranty.
I haven't used them yet. They did not come with a case or rail.

For about $5.50 more, I could have the same set from Grey Pneumatic with a case.
I'm only a weekend wrencher, so they don't get used all the time.
Which set should I get?

 

[wafrederick]

I have the HF deepwell sets at home and so far they have held up great.I have looked at the Stanley sets and passed on them: no 18mm in the metric set.My rule is if it does not have a 15mm including 18mm in it,I pass on it.

 

[DonkDonk]

I have to agree, if they still stock them, the Stanley ones at Walmart are good. My guess is with this kind of socket, since they are not hardened or chrome plated any brand will be as good as another.

I have had these in metric and standard for 4 years or so... got them at Wal Mart and have been beating on them for years. At the time I wanted to get the Craftsman sets but they are $100 each so I thought I would buy these till I had the money for the C-man's. Never had a reason to upgrade. About 6 months ago they went on clearance for $8 and I picked up 3 sets. All have been used around the shop almost daily by people who could give a damn if they broke them or not... have yet to see a broken one yet. I don't know how there could be a better value in an impact socket set. I see them on Ebay all the time.

They were replaced by Campbell Hausfeld sockets. The Stanleys had a 11 piece standard and 11 piece metric... the CH is a single mixed set that skips some... I have not used them so I have no idea the quality of them. They are $19.

 

[cageek]

Those Stanley ones look very similar to these Porter Cables at amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000256S5Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000256S22/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have the metric from a couple of years ago. They are (were) made in Taiwan. Chrome-Vandium (not Chrome-Moly). Not problems for me, but I'm not a big impact user. They occasionally get down to the low 20's.

Amazon also has the Stanley's...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIKA4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIGON6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Given the Stanley's better warranty and cheaper price, I think I might go with them. Porter-cable counts the case as piece!

 

[kythri]

I have beat on these things for 11 years. They have yet to fail me. I do have more expensive ones, but they don't work any better.

FANTASTIC sockets, great price.

 

[NOTABLAZER]

FWIW,I bought a set of them at pep boys (I think they were made by Performance Tool) a few years ago,I doubt they were more than $20 for the SAE set. I put them through hell and haven't broken one as of yet.

 

[Bo Heck]

those metric sets are a waste to me, they skip needed sizes. The SAE sets on the other hand are great values.