Hog ring anvil VS pin anvil?

[Moosefire]

After yesterday's flat tire I've been looking at a tool to remove lugs and make it easy in case the better 3/4 has a flat when I'm not around. I'm a Dewalt guy, so naturally that's what I'm looking at, but theres 2 main styles that pop up, hog ring and pin. Which one is better, and why?

Second question I suppose I'll throw in here as well, anyone have a dedicated dewalt impact just for the car? I'm leaning towards a 3/8 over 1/2 impact, I can't justify 700 ft/lbs for something that's going to sit in the trunk, and she doesnt need that much power. Any preferences?

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[L.Cheapo]

Hog ring is easy on/off. Useful if you have to change sockets often.
Pin locks the socket on, requires a tool to remove the socket. Useful for not flinging swivel sockets into orbit or preventing your socket from becoming a falling object at heights.

As a DIY'r, I have no use for a pin type.

 

[jumbojak]

When I was shopping a few years ago the pin style were a bit cheaper too. If you can live with pushing the pin in for limited use, that might be something to consider. A 24" breaker bar is a lot cheaper though, and doesn't lose its charge over time.

A 12v impact might be a good option too, if it's just for changing flats.

 

[mike93lx]

I have their high torque in pin. It *****. Nearly impossible to get a socket off.

Get the hog ring

 

[Moosefire]

When I was shopping a few years ago the pin style were a bit cheaper too. If you can live with pushing the pin in for limited use, that might be something to consider. A 24" breaker bar is a lot cheaper though, and doesn't lose its charge over time.

A 12v impact might be a good option too, if it's just for changing flats.

Will the 12V be powerful enough for lugnuts? I live in Michigan, where cars typically come from the factory with rusted rockers...

I've debated the breaker bar too. I assume if it's not super simple then she won't use it. So I'm going battery for ease

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[4xdog]

I have their high torque in pin. It *****. Nearly impossible to get a socket off.

Get the hog ring

I have the hog ring 1/2" DCF899HB 20v MAX XR. It ain't a whole lot easier to get off a socket!

 

[Voi]

As far as 1/2" vs 3/8", you'll have more options for thin walled lug sockets if you get the compact 1/2" although I'm not sure how reliable that will be for a 3/4 ton in Michigan. I assume you meant 3/4 ton in your original post?

On the other hand, I have a Makita compact cordless impact in 1/2" & while it has handled all of my lug needs I do wish it were 3/8". I feel it would be more versatile & I'd just get some GP Duo 3/8" sockets for lugs.

 

[DHCrocks]

I used to hate the pin but my Dewalt DCF894 has the pin anvil and I have gotten used to it. I just keep an old short allen key next to it to remove sockets. Once you get accustomed to it, it's actually easier to remove sockets. With oily hands trying to pull a socket off a hog ring is next to impossible, I usually end up prying it off with a screw driver. But it's so easy to remove by pressing the pin with the allen key.

I have had sockets fly off a hog ring before but so far the pin has never let one fly for me.

 

[Moosefire]

As far as 1/2" vs 3/8", you'll have more options for thin walled lug sockets if you get the compact 1/2" although I'm not sure how reliable that will be for a 3/4 ton in Michigan. I assume you meant 3/4 ton in your original post?



On the other hand, I have a Makita compact cordless impact in 1/2" & while it has handled all of my lug needs I do wish it were 3/8". I feel it would be more versatile & I'd just get some GP Duo 3/8" sockets for lugs.

Ha! Sorry for the confusion. The better 3/4 is my old lady. It's the same as saying "my better half" only shes way better than just half, so shes the better three quarters!

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[Lucid Moments]

I have the hog ring 1/2" DCF899HB 20v MAX XR. It ain't a whole lot easier to get off a socket!

I have a 3/8 drive with the hog ring and it can be problematic getting sockets off sometimes too. I've got a 1/2" with the pin and have no problems with it at all.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Have the hog ring on the 899 and the the detent pin on the 894 - I prefer the pin, keeps the socket in place. Yes, makes changing sockets a little harder but without use of my left hand, I don't have a support hand to keep on the socket so it doesn't wonder off when I grab/use the tool. I'll probably switch out the ring to pin w the kit.

As far as choosing 1/2 or 3/8, I chose to keep a 1/2" drive platform and the 894 allows that being a compact mid torque 1/2". It fills the torque range the 3/8 would as well as the smaller (than the 899) size. So I have a master set of 1/2" impact sockets. For the smaller zippy stuff I use the 1/4" 885.

I've got a 3/4T diesel to maintain and both have kept up with the tasks. You being up there in MI you're dealing with way more rust/corrosion issues than I do down here. The 899 is a monster. I haven't stretched the 894 to its limits yet to judge it. But it would be enough to do a roadside job on a 3/4T pickup. Unless you've got to change out a hub assembly on the side of the road, that's where you want the 899.

 

[GypsyR]

I don't like pin types much, but if the impact is to be used only for the lug nuts on a single car it would make perfect sense to put the correct socket on one and leave it. No worries about trying to find it or it rolling away.

I like both 3/8 ans 1/2 impacts but for the proposed situation, I would think an impact not strong enough to do the job would be worse than worthless. I'd go for the 1/2" version. Bigger and not as easy to use maybe but that wheel WILL come off when you need it to.

I like your thinking. I was driving with the wife in her SUV and we lost a tire. No biggie, the spare and jack were all in order. But the lugnuts were excessively tight for some reason. I recall thinking at the time it was a good thing I was there. Though she is capable of a tire change, her 110 pound self would never have broken those lug nuts loose.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I don't like pin types much, but if the impact is to be used only for the lug nuts on a single car it would make perfect sense to put the correct socket on one and leave it. No worries about trying to find it or it rolling away.

I like both 3/8 ans 1/2 impacts but for the proposed situation, I would think an impact not strong enough to do the job would be worse than worthless. I'd go for the 1/2" version. Bigger and not as easy to use maybe but that wheel WILL come off when you need it to.

I like your thinking. I was driving with the wife in her SUV and we lost a tire. No biggie, the spare and jack were all in order. But the lugnuts were excessively tight for some reason. I recall thinking at the time it was a good thing I was there. Though she is capable of a tire change, her 110 pound self would never have broken those lug nuts loose.

Being the same specs, I keep a 27" long 1/2"drive breaker bar under the back seat for the 140ftlbs lug nuts on the truck. Consider throwing one in her veh just in case. I got mine from auto zone or tractor supply, so it's not an expensive unit but it'll get the job done.

 

[clinebarger]

Keep new Hog Rings & O-rings on your impacts & you'll be fine. My 1/2 Impact swivel adaptor is the locking pin style.....As I keep a pocket flat blade in my pocket protector, I always have the tool to release the socket on me.

 

[mikehaugen]

I wish I had the problem some of you guys have with the hog ring. I have a 3/8 makita at work and a shallow socket will fall off from it's own weight.

As far a "enough" for luguts, I have a Milwaukee m12 3/8" that when I got it I just had to try to take off a lugut. It did it on my Impala, but those are only 90 ft/lbs, and it struggled a bit... not something I would rely on to do the job on the side of the road. As mentioned, if you carried around a breaker bar as well the 12v 3/8 would be useful.

Personally I would give the mid-torque 1/2" a try. The high torque is awfully heavy and bulky and I would be willing to bet the mid torque has plenty of power for lugnuts.

Off topic, but was it here that someone mentioned a 900 lb gorilla tightening a bolt on something? Not sure why but that has always stuck in my head. [emoji23]

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[WittHay]

I have the DeWalt 894H 1/2 mid torque and with the small 2.0 battery is the perfect size for most passenger vehicles. The Dewalt 890B 3/8 brushless is compact and quite a bit lighter but at 150 ft. lbs would have to be used on a well maintained smaller vehicle with properly torqued wheels

The Dewalt tapered pin anvil is not too bad to get sockets off and on. Probably the right choice for a single socket use impact. We use the DeWalts with the pin anvil for construction and demolition work

 

[Mr_B]

I'd go with a telescopic 1/2" ratchet.
If got mechanical screw jack that could have a wheel nut welded to it then a impact could be used on that too making 2 tasks of a wheel change super easy for your better 3/4

 

[.mike.]

I prefer the pin, but keep a super short extension handy when swapping sockets often.

 

[Voi]

It sounds like Dewalt has at least some models with tapered pins. If they function like the tapered pin on my Makita I think that's a good choice.

I'm still inclined to recommend the 1/2" over the 3/8" for a mostly lug nut tool.

Since you're in Michigan & you want this to work for your wife I wouldn't choose the model that meets or slightly exceeds the torque recommendation of her vehicle. I would go one bigger, although I'm not that familiar with the Dewalt & Mac offerings.

 

[jumbojak]

Will the 12V be powerful enough for lugnuts? I live in Michigan, where cars typically come from the factory with rusted rockers...

I've debated the breaker bar too. I assume if it's not super simple then she won't use it. So I'm going battery for ease

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My brother had one yeas ago that worked well on his S-10. They are designed for lug nuts. I think his was a Hitachi. Maybe, it was green. With the hammers in the nose you really don't need that much power to break lugs free.

 

[jmcf1949]

Hello Moosefire. I bought the Dewalt 1/2" pin-mid range impact some time ago. I have no trouble just pulling off my Tekton impact sockets. Some have said they are hard to remove, but not mine. Maybe the luck of the draw. The mid range impact is pretty strong. I think it's rated for 333Ft. lbs. And it's pretty light too. It easily removed a friends F-150 lugs that were torqued to 150ft.lbs. Very happy with my purchase.

 

[Lisamelting]

I have the Milwaukee mid-torque with pin. 90 percent of the time I keep a 1/2" extension on the anvil to facilitate swapping sockets without needing to depress the pin.

When working in areas where I need positive socket retention I remove the small extension.

 

[mike93lx]

I hit the pin on mine with a file, which helped. Still a PIA to pull off sockets

 

[rick carpenter]

Here is my Ryobi 3/8" anvil on the left and my 1/2" anvil on the right. They were bought to be used for construction (I've not used them on lug nuts as of yet). The hog ring is looser than I want but not loose. I prefer the conical spring pin detent on the 1/2" anyday, but I find myself using the 3/8" more.

 

[Nineeightyone]

My buddy has the pin anvil style Dewalt, and it typically requires sticking a pick or screwdriver in the hole to remove impact sockets. His sees pretty frequent use, so I would imagine that by now the spring would've worn in if it was going to -- if you're going to get one (it's a decent price difference), I would pick up a cheap set of picks to accompany it, and make socket changes easier.

 

[mike93lx]

My buddy has the pin anvil style Dewalt, and it typically requires sticking a pick or screwdriver in the hole to remove impact sockets. His sees pretty frequent use, so I would imagine that by now the spring would've worn in if it was going to -- if you're going to get one (it's a decent price difference), I would pick up a cheap set of picks to accompany it, and make socket changes easier.

A file helps. Still a PIA though.

Based on the responses here, neither is great

 

[snickers muncher]

If it's just for lug nuts shouldn't it only be used with one socket normally? Pin for the win---put the intended socket on it and it'll never get separated.

If you don't think she'll use a breaker bar, do you really expect her to use a jack?

 

[decableguy2000]

I have the 899 and 894 with the pin anvils. Never had an issue removing sockets. The 894 should be enough to remove most lug nuts.

 

[Moosefire]

If you don't think she'll use a breaker bar, do you really expect her to use a jack?

Worth the shot. Better than waiting in a crappy neighborhood for 2 hours for AAA to show up. I'm trying to give her the best possible outcome, especially if she has our baby with her

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[gearhead1]

I have the DeWalt with a pin and don’t like the pin. I’d much prefer the hog ring as I don’t like getting something to push the pin in every time I want to change a socket.

To get around it, I put a short impact extension on it and it stays on it. Then I can put sockets off and on with ease.

So, get whichever one you can get for a bargain, and just add a short extension if you get the pin.