Harbor Freight Impact Universal Joint

[Farmall450]

What do you guys think of these, especially the half inch one? I see mixed reviews online and in the pass/fail thread.

Cman seems a bit pricey but US made is nice.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-pc-universal-impact-joint-socket-adapter-set-67920.html

 

[Skin]

Impact pin held in place with some springs? What could possibly go wrong.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

It's extremely unscientific research, but I found that impact universals with the crimped on ring lasted twice as long as those designs without. ( SO and SK out lasted the Mac I had easily 2 to 1)

So when I went to buy one for home, I went Sunex. Same style ring design, seems OK so far. I dropped some oil down in the ball socket and went to town.

No personal experience with the HF one, but whatever brand you buy, plan on breaking it, some more often than not. I'd go with whatever you can have replaced easier.

 

[Farmall450]

Impact pin held in place with some springs? What could possibly go wrong.

I saw a review on the HF site that said weld it in and you're golden

It's extremely unscientific research, but I found that impact universals with the crimped on ring lasted twice as long as those designs without. ( SO and SK out lasted the Mac I had easily 2 to 1)

So when I went to buy one for home, I went Sunex. Same style ring design, seems OK so far. I dropped some oil down in the ball socket and went to town.

No personal experience with the HF one, but whatever brand you buy, plan on breaking it, some more often than not. I'd go with whatever you can have replaced easier.

I'll look into them. I assume Sunex has a decent warranty? I'd imagine it's like Tekton/Astro's: Send it in, get a new one.

 

[Silentt]

I broke all of the ones I've owned, The pin kept snapping out and everything went flying. I got sick of getting them warrantied and purchased the pinless matco(craftsman) versions. I tried to secure the spring/pin numerous ways and was never successful. This was in a professional environment being used all day.

 

[Ruger_556]

I'll look into them. I assume Sunex has a decent warranty? I'd imagine it's like Tekton/Astro's: Send it in, get a new one.

If you want warranty buy the Sunex from NAPA in their brand. They're good swivels and will bend the pin (I deserved it, 3/4 impact on a 3/8 swivel... Long story) instead of exploding and tearing up your hand.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

If you want warranty buy the Sunex from NAPA in their brand. They're good swivels and will bend the pin (I deserved it, 3/4 impact on a 3/8 swivel... Long story) instead of exploding and tearing up your hand.

That's a good suggestion....I bought mine from an Indy Tool Truck, so no other experience to add.

 

[Farmall450]

If you want warranty buy the Sunex from NAPA in their brand. They're good swivels and will bend the pin (I deserved it, 3/4 impact on a 3/8 swivel... Long story) instead of exploding and tearing up your hand.

I cannot find a Carlyle one. I'm assuming that's what you meant by Napa brand.
Thanks!

 

[Ruger_556]

I cannot find a Carlyle one. I'm assuming that's what you meant by Napa brand.
Thanks!

Their impacts are NAPA Pro branded, search the Napa website and you should find them.

 

[Ruger_556]

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...3-8-Phosphate-Impact/_/R-NPT613501_0331541005

 

[Farmall450]

Their impacts are NAPA Pro branded, search the Napa website and you should find them.

Found it. Incidentally I can get a US made Cman for $0.49 more so I'm going to go with that unless anyone has any other suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Jwych]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=645137&group_ID=674944

Since no one listed this

 

[Farmall450]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=645137&group_ID=674944

Since no one listed this

For the price of a set of US impact sockets? I'm good!

 

[sbyrne92]

I would wonder if Cman still has USA swivels. They've imported everything else. Why wouldn't they have imported swivel. Most of their "pictures" aren't up to date yet. If I had swivels they would be SK. Just need money first.


With Cman it's kinda a USA lottery.

 

[Farmall450]

I would wonder if Cman still has USA swivels. They've imported everything else. Why wouldn't they have imported swivel. Most of their "pictures" aren't up to date yet. If I had swivels they would be SK. Just need money first.


With Cman it's kinda a USA lottery.

I was planning on getting USA ones on eBay. Actually cheaper in store but I don't plan on driving to Crystal Lake any time soon.

 

[619DioFan]

I have the 1/2 and 3/8 sizes in craftsman ( well over ten years old ) they have held up fine to the impact guns. recently bought the impact swivel and adapter set from sunex. since the sunex impact sockets have a very good reputation I feel these will be a good tool investment.

 

[nicksnothereman]

What do you guys think of these, especially the half inch one? I see mixed reviews online and in the pass/fail thread.

Cman seems a bit pricey but US made is nice.

None of my swivels are this design.

I got a crazy aircraft one with a welded in pin that looks like hot garbage but is legit and actually torque rated which is always nice.

8 bucks though, can't buy a single nice taiwan swivel for that much let alone 2 (but is what you should buy). Just the 1/2" of course.

 

[rixtrix1]

Pin retainer spring kept coming off on mine so I welded the pin in place. no problems now but it was only $4 for the set so it doesn't really matter

 

[rixtrix1]

I use Matco swivels at work. there a pinless design but they are about 60 dollars a piece

 

[RunninOnEmpty]

I would trust HF impact sockets and extensions with most jobs, but never the u-joints. Hell no. I'd pay 2-3x as much for a Williams USA one no problem. The things wear out and break even from the good brands, and the HF ones are definitely worse than the better brands.

However I suppose I should ask - are you asking about these for actual impact usage or hand tool only? Personally I wouldn't use them with either, but they might be relatively safer options if you use hand tools...

 

[markw365]

I've got the Sunex ones, really good deal for the money spent. Haven't had any issues yet.

 

[classic70]

They are no good, I broke 3 1/2 ones and 2 3/8 even tried tig welding the pin in.... broke the pin. I was so frustrated with them I bought usa craftsman pinless and have not looked back. My warrantied ones are at home now that see the occasional use with the less powerful cordless impacts.

 

[skulldrinker]

Mine held up. The tech that was next to me always borrowed it to use on the alignment rack and he had the big Snap on gun. He would stall out the gun and the joint held up every time. I'm sold.

 

[herfalerf]

the guy that works next to me has those universal joints. he uses them all the time and as far as I know has never broken one. that said in person they look like junk.

 

[jfcasey]

What ever brand you get beware of the flying socket of death scenario when you slip off something or hit the trigger at the wrong time! I've chipped a few floors in my time using swivel adapters. I'm always waiting for the sonic boom when I send one flying lol

 

[arz71]

J u n k

 

[arz71]

Metal spring comes undone, breaks and first thing is ones hand and/or what they are working on is damaged. Looks like either stitches and/or shrapnel waiting to happen.

 

[skulldrinker]

So based on replies it looks just like every other "what about this" thread on the whole web site. Get it if you want if you don't then get something else.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have the HF swivel in 3/8 and 1/2.

I have not broken either one of them but I don't trust them very much. I really ought to throw them away. The "retaining spring" for the pin is extremely cheesy.

Swivels are NOT the place to go cheap when it comes to impact usage. A failure can easily injure you, and if you wind up at the hospital, then the money you saved just got flushed down the toilet. One of my coworkers has a set of no-name swivels with no collar or spring, those things make me shudder.

Furthermore, using a swivel in conjuntion with a socket adds so much bulk as to be fairly useless in tight places IMHO. I advise going with a set of universal sockets to get into tighter spaces.

At the least, pony up the money for Gearwrench, Sunex or Grey Pnuematic (or the Napa Pro line) for swivels, or the US made Craftsman as you discovered, Farmall. A lot better than the HF spring ****.

 

[chris142]

I welded mine. Seem fine now.

 

[arz71]

I have the HF swivel in 3/8 and 1/2.

I have not broken either one of them but I don't trust them very much. I really ought to throw them away. The "retaining spring" for the pin is extremely cheesy.

Swivels are NOT the place to go cheap when it comes to impact usage. A failure can easily injure you, and if you wind up at the hospital, then the money you saved just got flushed down the toilet. One of my coworkers has a set of no-name swivels with no collar or spring, those things make me shudder.

Furthermore, using a swivel in conjuntion with a socket adds so much bulk as to be fairly useless in tight places IMHO. I advise going with a set of universal sockets to get into tighter spaces.

At the least, pony up the money for Gearwrench, Sunex or Grey Pnuematic (or the Napa Pro line) for swivels, or the US made Craftsman as you discovered, Farmall. A lot better than the HF spring ****.

I don't think that computes today, one looks at the price and says it is great it is from 'HARLET FREIGHT'. (copy of something made in USA)

Spinning high rpm's CHINA made = failure/injury/shrapnel

Quality over Quantity the USA is awash in China made garbage. If quantity was #1 in the market then all of the new jobs would not be 'temp jobs'.

If one bases everything on price, it is flawed to begin with. The HIGH cost of LOW price is what we have today, where everyone is trampling over each other for CHINESE made trinkets.

 

[Farmall450]

I would trust HF impact sockets and extensions with most jobs, but never the u-joints. Hell no. I'd pay 2-3x as much for a Williams USA one no problem. The things wear out and break even from the good brands, and the HF ones are definitely worse than the better brands.

However I suppose I should ask - are you asking about these for actual impact usage or hand tool only? Personally I wouldn't use them with either, but they might be relatively safer options if you use hand tools...

I will indeed be using them for impact use...I have chrome swivels for hand use.

They are no good, I broke 3 1/2 ones and 2 3/8 even tried tig welding the pin in.... broke the pin. I was so frustrated with them I bought usa craftsman pinless and have not looked back. My warrantied ones are at home now that see the occasional use with the less powerful cordless impacts.

Thanks!

Mine held up. The tech that was next to me always borrowed it to use on the alignment rack and he had the big Snap on gun. He would stall out the gun and the joint held up every time. I'm sold.

You must have gotten a gem from some of the responses here

the guy that works next to me has those universal joints. he uses them all the time and as far as I know has never broken one. that said in person they look like junk.

Looking better for HF, thanks.

I have the HF swivel in 3/8 and 1/2.

I have not broken either one of them but I don't trust them very much. I really ought to throw them away. The "retaining spring" for the pin is extremely cheesy.

Swivels are NOT the place to go cheap when it comes to impact usage. A failure can easily injure you, and if you wind up at the hospital, then the money you saved just got flushed down the toilet. One of my coworkers has a set of no-name swivels with no collar or spring, those things make me shudder.

Furthermore, using a swivel in conjuntion with a socket adds so much bulk as to be fairly useless in tight places IMHO. I advise going with a set of universal sockets to get into tighter spaces.

At the least, pony up the money for Gearwrench, Sunex or Grey Pnuematic (or the Napa Pro line) for swivels, or the US made Craftsman as you discovered, Farmall. A lot better than the HF spring ****.

Craftsman USA it is. Thank you.

 

[Wizzard]

I've had very good luck with the 1/2" USA made CMan, had it for a while now.

 

[arz71]

I've had very good luck with the 1/2" USA made CMan, had it for a while now.

Made in USA (difference in tool steel) and quality

 

[sbyrne92]

The ones on ebay are really cheaper than in sears. Even comes with an extra adapter.

If you search craftsman industrial you can get one with an extra. Pretty sure craftsman industrial is just craftsman made in usa. Since most of there stuff is made in China.

 

[arz71]

The ones on ebay are really cheaper than in sears. Even comes with an extra adapter.

If you search craftsman industrial you can get one with an extra. Pretty sure craftsman industrial is just craftsman made in usa. Since most of there stuff is made in China.

SK would be an option as well, made in USA.

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-46990.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-45690.aspx

SK does make good impact sockets as well.

 

[sbyrne92]

SK would be an option as well, made in USA.

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-46990.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-45690.aspx

SK does make good impact sockets as well.

SK makes really good impact swivels. They're pretty good priced too. I wish they had retail somewhere. I was seriously contemplating this set.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007P57MY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't have a 1/4 impact set. But for the price it looks awesome. I use a impact driver a lot working on cars and don't really like the idea of impacting on my chrome sockets.

 

[arz71]

SK makes really good impact swivels. They're pretty good priced too. I wish they had retail somewhere. I was seriously contemplating this set.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007P57MY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't have a 1/4 impact set. But for the price it looks awesome. I use a impact driver a lot working on cars and don't really like the idea of impacting on my chrome sockets.

I do recall a independent guy who had SK, they are good quality as well. Would be nice if they had more field support.

 

[Farmall450]

SK would be an option as well, made in USA.

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-46990.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-45690.aspx

SK does make good impact sockets as well.

Also well priced. Looks a bit longer than a Craftsman tho and it isn't pinless.

 

[arz71]

Also well priced. Looks a bit longer than a Craftsman tho and it isn't pinless.

I think another tool vendor has a pinless one trying to remember?

Matco?

or Armstrong