HF Impact Sockets?

[lwram]

I have seen many people praise the harbor freight impact sockets and i was at my local one looking to buy some of them. My question is which ones to get? some are cheaper than others in all sizes 3/8 and 1/2 so i got confused. any help?

thanks in advance,
lawrence

 

[t100]

ones made in Taiwan

 

[wrenchr]

I have some of the regular that are just fine and I have the earthquake brand and they are very nice with laser etching and all. If you can get past the COO they are a good bargain.

 

[mikevango]

I can not tell a lie. I am in the market for some 1/2 deeps in standard and metric to go with my cordless impact coming this week. I was looking at them today At hf but could not get myself to buy them.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have some that are the same as some Genius branded ones and they're really good. Held up great for the last two years and showing almost wear. Can't beat 'em for the money.

Can't comment on HF, don't have it here.

 

[msmith]

Amazon has good deals on Ingersoll-Rand Taiwan-made impact sockets... I bought a few and they're very nice. $30.00 for a 13 pc. SAE 1/2-inch drive set

 

[wrenchr]

The earthquake ones I have are the same OEM as GP's.

 

[lipadj46]

This is the 1/2" shallow metric set to get:

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...er-etched-metric-impact-socket-set-94221.html

 

[lwram]

thanks for all of the quick responses. i frickin love this place

 

[gabeancounter]

Got a set in a cheap metal case from HF about 10 years ago. Used them today to rotate the tires. Have held up great. The cheap oil they are packed in was a mess but the best $10 spent.

1/2 for a regular impact gun?

 

[mrholeshot]

As as you use a HF impact you'll be fine, lol. The ones I've seen are junk.

 

[fr0mastaj]

Amazon has good deals on Ingersoll-Rand Taiwan-made impact sockets... I bought a few and they're very nice. $30.00 for a 13 pc. SAE 1/2-inch drive set

I also use the IR (taiwan made) sockets. Havent had a problem yet... they are pretty affordable too - from amazon.
________
VAPIR OXYGEN REVIEWS

 

[wrenchr]

Craftsman impact sockets are nice but are a good bit more $$$ the HF.

 

[lipadj46]

As as you use a HF impact you'll be fine, lol. The ones I've seen are junk.

Well the ones I've used are great for the money. I also have lots of SK, Proto Professional and challenger, Facom, snap on and williams USA and while you can definitely tell the difference I have not had a HF impact socket fail, have you? Have you ever used a HF impact socket?

 

[Handyman163]

I've got the 11 piece SAE and METRIC sets in deep-well that are Taiwan made from HF, and I've been using them to rotate tires on my vehicles for almost 10 years.

The Earthquake 1/2" impact gun is a really good gun to have. It's on the heavy side, but for the money, it does what it says. My uncle uses them professionally at an agricultural equipment shop repairing everything from combines to lawn tractors, and says they can't be beat for the money. Their $20-$40 impacts are ****-o-la.

 

[wrenchr]

I've got the 11 piece SAE and METRIC sets in deep-well that are Taiwan made from HF, and I've been using them to rotate tires on my vehicles for almost 10 years.

The Earthquake 1/2" impact gun is a really good gun to have. It's on the heavy side, but for the money, it does what it says. My uncle uses them professionally at an agricultural equipment shop repairing everything from combines to lawn tractors, and says they can't be beat for the money. Their $20-$40 impacts are ****-o-la.

Yup the earthquake is very good stuff.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

The HF sockets will serve you just fine. If you want great impact sockets for a little more money, look into the Grey Pneumatic line. ToolTopia has great prices on GP stuff. As far as sizes, I feel complete sets of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" sizes are a must have, but that's just me...

 

[Mickey O]

I can not tell a lie. I am in the market for some 1/2 deeps in standard and metric to go with my cordless impact coming this week. I was looking at them today At hf but could not get myself to buy them.

You made the right choice, best to just stay out of the store unless you're getting EvaporRust, SuperLube or those USA made wrench and socket holders.

 

[mrholeshot]

Have you ever used a HF impact socket?

Not personally but one of the guys in my shop bought a set of the deep well 1/2 inch Pittsburg in SAE. He used my IR2125 and busted a 13/16 in seconds. I'm not a HF hater by a long shot but there are just some thing that fail with me. Lots of stuff passes as well

 

[t100]

You made the right choice, best to just stay out of the store unless you're getting EvaporRust, SuperLube or those USA made wrench and socket holders.

don't forget Sta-Lube grease/ oil, Wrench tray are made in U.S.A., too.

 

[mcdtommy23]

I have almost the entire line of HF impact sockets. The only one I had fail was an older (painted?) 3/4" - split right up the side. I cannot recommend the semi-glossy (painted?) ones. The dull finished ones rock! I've beat the hell out of them, loaned them out to get beat on, and abused them in every way and have had 0 failures!

 

[FoMoCoPower]

My buddy is a technician and swears that they are good,I work on my own cars only. I bought a set a while back and half of them cracked within 6-months of at-home use. They are junk.

 

[kythri]

My impacts are as follows:

3/8" shallow SAE - Craftsman (part of an auction lot I got a couple years ago)
3/8" deep SAE - Central Forge (HF brand, apparently not sold under that name anymore)
3/8" deep Metric - Pittsburgh
1/2" shallow SAE - Central Pneumatic "Earthquake"
1/2" deep SAE - Stanley (purchased at Walmart)
1/2" shallow Metric - Central Pneumatic "Earthquake"
1/2" deep SAE - Stanley (purchased at Walmart)

Not sure where the Stanley stuff is produced, as they're not marked. Walmart's website says USA, I didn't keep the plastic package/case. Everything else is Taiwan. I've used various pieces of each set quite a bit, absolutely no issues.

It seems that the only 3/8" impact sockets that HF carries is under the "Pittsburgh" name these days. Would have preferred the "Earthquake" stuff, but these are working out quite well.

I can't seem to find an HF-sold set of 3/8" shallow Metric impacts - has anyone seen them at their store?

 

[LincolnCont.]

Some of the cheapo brands label Black Chrome Vandium sockets as Impact when Chrome Moly is what impact tools are made for. I'll bet the glossy ones mentioned are Cr-V

 

[woody 73]

I like the ones that are marked chrome moly,I have never had one fail me yet from HF. I understand some people like the usa impacts,but if you do not have the money the next best deal is HF.

 

[lwram]

I like the ones that are marked chrome moly,I have never had one fail me yet from HF. I understand some people like the usa impacts,but if you do not have the money the next best deal is HF.

Exactly!

 

[bmrisko]

don't forget Sta-Lube grease/ oil, Wrench tray are made in U.S.A., too.

...and the Goodyear air hoses!

 

[Coach James]

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-1-2-half-inch-sae-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-1676.html

I have this set for occassional use i.e. lug nuts, strut bolts etc and they've been fine.

Coach

 

[Indy_500]

my neighbor has a 13 pc. earthquake metric set and loves it. Just can't afford snap-on i guess no more like the rest of his impact sockets which are all SAE

 

[lwram]

thanks for all the info guys. So I guess it is the earthquake or Taiwan made sets. Made my life easier

 

[oldtools]

I have the deep metric HF set. So far work well, but I don't use it everyday.

 

[MAD]

I have not been so lucky with HF impact sockets. I split three in short order, in relatively low torque situations and stopped using the rest of the set. They are Taiwan made sockets.

 

[kythri]

MAD: What drive size? I have to be perfectly honest, I wasn't too sure about the Pittsburgh 3/8" Metrics that I bought, but so far, so good. The 1/2" Earthquakes kick quite a bit of rear...

 

[MAD]

MAD: What drive size? ...

1/2" Drive, Metric, Deep.

 

[lipadj46]

One thing about the HF impact sockets is that they are much thinner and smaller than other USA sockets. So my HF 1/2" sockets are equivalent to say Proto professional 3/8" sockets. I would not buy the deep sockets just by looking at them and feeling their weight compared to USA deep impacts. So keep that in mind. That being said I've had good luck with the metric shallow 1/2" set (laser printed ones).

 

[caper]

I'm not sure about HF but up here at Princess Auto they have two versions of the impact sockets.One is relly good and the other is just junk.The good ones come in a metal box and the **** comes in a plastic case.I've also had great luck with Coleman branded impact sockets from Walmart a few years back.I used them for professional use for a few years with no issues.

 

[mrholeshot]

The very first Stanley professional Wrenches (fully polished) were about 30-35 dollars when they came out in the early 90's. Not only are they excellant wrenches but it's hard to tell them from Snap-On by feel and weight. They were 15 peice sets 5/16-1 inch and 7mm-21mm. I bought a set for home with low expectations. I use them constantly. Havent seen them on shelves for years

 

[amt]

Are the only Cr-Mo sockets from Harbor Freight the "Earthquake" sockets? It looks like the Earthquake only come in shallow. Too bad they don't have a full line up for Earthquake.

 

[PistolWhip]

I have quite a few HF impact sockets (among many other brands) and I have never had a problem with any of them. For those that say they only live with cheap impacts, I call BS on that too. I have an IR 2135TiMAX and use it with the HF impact sockets all the time. I also have some of the 3/8" impact sockets and they have survived very well with my Mac 3/8 impact as well.

 

[Stephenw]

All of my impact sockets are Snap-on. I bought a set of HF impact sockets for my son after reading many recommendations on this forum. My experience with them was not good.

http://www.shopngarage.com/forum/index.php?topic=191.0