how often do you use flex or swivel sockets ?

[cvcman]

I never had any but im thinking of buying a set or maybe Id be better off just getting the 3/8", 1/2" , 1/4" universal swivel ???

 

[bhalv]

For most stuff, plain swivel joints will work. The only reason I have swivel sockets is for aircraft work where noting else works. Also, most spots where you would need swivel sockets they will have to be thin walled, which means they need to be from a truck brand.

 

[RCStocker]

They come in handy working on old tractors. On small cars with no room around the engine they are very handy. I only drive Ford F250 or Town Cars. I have so much room under the hood I have not used on in years.

Go to a good swap meet and you can find all 3 for less than $5 in US brands. I pay $1 each for them. They cost more to ship than they are worth on the used market. I have a plastic dish pan in my second hand store. I have them price form $1 to $5 My grandsons do all the selling in the shop. They sell very well for $2 each. I got craftsman swivel socket Sunday for 50 cents each. I can't buy a cup of coffee for what I can get them used for so it is a no brainer. Pick some up and don't worry about candy money.

 

[pipsters]

I use the individual swivel sockets on an air ratchet to give me more leeway in terms of positioning. They're pretty much all I use on an air ratchet, for hand use I pretty much stick to the universal joints unless the swivels are needed.

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

Flex sockets are nicer to use because they feel less sloppy than a socket + joint. They're also much more compact and that can be the difference whether or not you're going to move that bolt.
Uni's are more versatile because you can use the at the socket, between extensions or at the drive tool.
If i had to choose one or the other, i'd get the uni's first.

 

[Provincial]

I rarely need a swivel socket, but when I do, they are a lifesaver.

I have 3/8 drive USA chrome versions that I picked up one by one used. I have 3/8 and 1/2 drive Harbor Freight impact versions (both standard and deep) that come in handy on the impact wrenches. I sometimes use the 1/2 drive impacts on a ratchet or breaker bar. As cheap as the HF sockets are, it is worth having them around.

The USA chrome sockets show up often at garage sales and flea markets. The last one I bought was a Craftsman 3/8 drive 3/4 standard for $.50 a month ago. I don't see many metric versions.

 

[Requin6]

Like mentioned before, I rarely use my flex sockets when I do they are a lifesaver. When replacing the COP's on my Ford F150 only a 7mm flex socket will get under the fuel rail. A universal joint with a shallow 7mm socket is just too deep to get in there.

 

[silviaboy89]

alot buy them will save your life

 

[77thor]

I never have used them.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I use my 1/4" SO's mostly... Especially when working under the dashboard....

 

[sberry]

I got them, rarely use though. Its an item I could get by,,, and do with cheaper, my Cman are fine for the rare occasion. You need a set of universals also, again, try not to use that stuff but when you need it you need it. I don't have every one they ever invented but a set in metric and sae in 3/8, bought 18 impact and finally bought a set of met imp at hf, 28$ and actually used them a couple of times. Simple extension and socket combinations 99% of the time if humanly possible though.

 

[redwrench60]

They are constant everyday use tools for me. All three common drive sizes, deep and shallow (except 1/4") Mostly in impact but I regularly use chrome if the angle is too tight for impact.

 

[cvcman]

They come in handy working on old tractors. On small cars with no room around the engine they are very handy. I only drive Ford F250 or Town Cars. I have so much room under the hood I have not used on in years.

Go to a good swap meet and you can find all 3 for less than $5 in US brands. I pay $1 each for them. They cost more to ship than they are worth on the used market. I have a plastic dish pan in my second hand store. I have them price form $1 to $5 My grandsons do all the selling in the shop. They sell very well for $2 each. I got craftsman swivel socket Sunday for 50 cents each. I can't buy a cup of coffee for what I can get them used for so it is a no brainer. Pick some up and don't worry about candy money.

I already have the universal swivels I was talking about the actual flex sockets

 

[smothers33]

i use them more than my regular impact sockets. i do use them alot when a regular socket would work or when a socket and uni would work but i just reach for the swivels first most of the time

 

[warmpancakes]

Every single time I need to pull the upper intake off a Syclone or Typhoon saves alot of time

 

[bobemmerich]

I used to use them all the time when I was wrenching. We did a lot of German cars and they came in handy. Since i stopped wrenching for a paycheck, I haven't used them. I have 2 sets of Kobalts (SAE/Metric) still in the package never opened or used.

 

[cvcman]

so..if I was to get a set of metric and sae would 3/8" drive be the way to go ???

Also what brand would be decent quality ?? I called Sears and they dont have sets in the store...online they are 100.00 for a set with sae and metric but I dont know if they are US or China

 

[bcradio]

I'd say go 3/8 set on this first. I almost never use my 1/4 set. Get a 1/4 set down the road though.

PS I have never used a universal in my life, but I use these quite a lot.

 

[knocker]

Every single day, all day. As a flat rate tech time is money and its easier going around things in ur way than trying to remove them.

 

[joedodge]

Every day 3/8 impact and 1/4 chrome

 

[cvcman]

I'd say go 3/8 set on this first. I almost never use my 1/4 set. Get a 1/4 set down the road though.

PS I have never used a universal in my life, but I use these quite a lot.

brand ?

 

[rhandwor]

I use them frequently they are a big time saver.

 

[jfcasey]

Daily, the Grey Pneumatic variety.

 

[Challenger_2MBT]

I use my 1/4" drive swivels, both SAE and metric daily. 3/8" drive impact swivels less often, but VERY handy to have when needed.

 

[Givl Reggin]

brand ?

Snap-On is the way to go - they are thinner and have more usable angle.

 

[celticbhoy]

I've only used universal joint sockets a few times, but I really needed them. Getting to the #5 cylinder spark plug on a 1998 3.9L Dodge Dakota was a breeze with it.

 

[bobcatdan]

I use impact swivels more then normal sockets.

 

[86k10]

i use them more than my regular impact sockets. i do use them alot when a regular socket would work or when a socket and uni would work but i just reach for the swivels first most of the time

This pretty much sums it up for me.

 

[shockwave]

Get a 1/4 drive and 3/8 set u will use them quite often with any engine repair like valve cover gaskets manifolds or even starters on certain cases and if u have ever done a timing belt on any import the 1/4 drive can be a big time saver and even on tune up on any ford 4.6l or 5.4l gets alot of use of my 7mm swivel socket

 

[pilotman81]

I use my GP impact swivels almost daily. My SO chrome swivels get used atleast monthly. You'd be surprised how often they'll save your bacon, even on the rather large engines that I work on.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I plunked down for the Matco pinless sets in 1/4" and 3/8" metric recently. **** me they're expensive, but now that I have them, I wish I would have got them sooner. There's not a ton of times when I "need" them, but there are a few, and there's already been many, many times they've made things much easier. I wouldn't buy them in anything but shallow metric, I don't get the point of the midlength or deep ones when you have a swivel and regular socket, and most places you see SAE come with enough room to work. I got hooked on their regular pinless impact swivels, so buying regular 2-joint chromes or even regular pinned impacts wasn't even in my mind.

FWIW, you can get the 3/8" cheaper as Craftsman or Armstrong. There doesn't seem to be a CM-branded 19mm, and I'd be worried about warranty support in the future, especially since they're not a stocked item in stores.

 

[928'er]

Picked up a 3/8" metric 7 piece set of the Kobalts (Taiwan) a couple of months ago on sale for $19.95 (which I think was 1/2 price). Shallow 12 point socket, decent quality.

Don't use them often, but they can save your **** when you can't get a straight shot at something.

James

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Picked up a 3/8" metric 7 piece set of the Kobalts (Taiwan) a couple of months ago on sale for $19.95 (which I think was 1/2 price). Shallow 12 point socket, decent quality.

Don't use them often, but they can save your **** when you can't get a straight shot at something.

James

I got both of those sets, and was surprised by the quality, and how damn much I use them.

Also have 1/4" impact swivels that I use all the time. Soon going to be investing in 3/8" impact swivels. Not sure what brand yet...

 

[ajchien]

Flex sockets are murphys law with me. When I have them with me, I never need them. When i don't have them around, I could have used them.

 

[CWP1616L]

1/4'' Drive Flex Sockets = Necessity

 

[ken w.]

I use my 3/8 S/O metric impact swivel's all the time.Once you have a set you find out how handy they really are.

 

[marc graves]

Every day. alignments would realy **** with out them . and when it comes to dealing with the tens on any transverse engine timing cover ,palm air ratchet n a wobble.also if you use air tools alot the less moving joints flying at you. i use on ocasion H F TOOLS,however i dont recomend there wobbles.they use a kind of spring wire contraption to retain the pin n it looses tension after a few uses. matcos your best bet. couldnt do with out my metric 3/8 n 1/2 sets.

 

[Garage5.9]

I hate regular universal swivels , ever have a socket fly off and hit you in the head ? Dont ask me how i know. Only universal sockets for me.

 

[redline380]

i try not to use them. however, the impact variety came in handy taking out bellhousing bolts on my chevy truck. a universal 14mm came in very handy taking out the distributor bolt on the same truck. its got a big block vortec, and there just isnt very much room between the engine and firewall. impact and universals joints do come in handy, but if your going to buy them, at least u joints, get quality. the junk ones spread the first time you put more than 20 ft/lbs you put on them

 

[ATC]

I have a set of USA Craftsman's I bought off a friend for $5. 1/4" drive Metric 4mm-15mm. They are new, as he bought them 5-6 years ago and never used them. I haven't used them yet either...