GLode
New member
Hello I need to buy 1/2 impact sockets so I'm considering toptul and sunex. they looks like thin and made of chrome molybdenum. Any recommendation?
I'm looking for thinnest 1/2 impact sockets
- Thread starter GLode
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kctyphoon
Banned
You can't go wrong with almost any brand of impacts. Some of the cheapest brands like harbor freight are the most popular for that reason.
matt_i
Well-known member
I think they are all made of something around 4130. Put them on the lathe and turn them to the diameter you want, its a wonderful turning material. From my experience it just shortens the lifespan somewhat. Its a pretty cheap experiment.
Some of thinnest are probably GP duo sockets, you'll find proper stepped shouldered sockets overall less bulky and not many do good length shouldering these days .
I like idea of turning a set down if intended usage needs it .
I like idea of turning a set down if intended usage needs it .
That's the first thing I thought of.
I don't know for sure, but I think KoKen make some thinwall impact sockets in 1/2" drive.
^
Yes Koken do and they sweet japan style full stepped shouldering, deep broached and have o-ring groove (nice not because can use pins but just because easier get grip on the socket because of the groove)
I don't rate sunex, they overated and nothing more than usual average design/spec.
Yes Koken do and they sweet japan style full stepped shouldering, deep broached and have o-ring groove (nice not because can use pins but just because easier get grip on the socket because of the groove)
I don't rate sunex, they overated and nothing more than usual average design/spec.
gtsgarage
Well-known member
Only on GJ do we suggest turning down sockets on a lathe as the easy solution.
Love this place.
Love this place.
I have a shallow set of 1/2" drive from Tekton. They are 12 point but thinner than the HF ones I have. I only bought the set because the bolts on my Jeep's wheel bearing is 12 point. I have yet to round any bolts off and they do work fine when used with a ratchet. I don't have many large metric sockets (above 24mm) and the Tekton set help fill in some gaps.
javyLSU
Well-known member
Ha! I didn't even think that that wasn't a "normal" or "easy" solution for most people until you pointed it out...
That really is hilarious. The casual assumption that anybody with an impact socket set would of course also own a lathe and carbide inserts.
kelpaso1
MEMBER EMERITUS
Actually the true GJ solution would be to buy a lathe to turn down the sockets
ftb
Well-known member
SO are pretty thin. Generally, all sockets are made to DIN standards so apart from a few odd manufacturers there are all the same more or less.
I just use chrome sockets if space is an issue. They are just as good and just as safe as much of what is sold today as thin wall "impact" sockets.
Both Sunex and Grey Pneumatic regular impacts seem to be just fine. I am absolutely sure they are not as "safe" as more expensive brands. "Safe" impact sockets are soft - and don't last very long.
Both Sunex and Grey Pneumatic regular impacts seem to be just fine. I am absolutely sure they are not as "safe" as more expensive brands. "Safe" impact sockets are soft - and don't last very long.
ex-x-fire
Well-known member
And the second part is that they need to stand up to 1500ft-lbs.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Proto makes thin wall sockets that are called "thin wall" sockets. But I'm probably wasting my breath because nobody buys USA made impact sockets anymore.
Voi
Well-known member
I needed a thin 17 mm impact socket for my new UTV wheels and the only thing I could find was a sleeved lug socket and I even had to remove the sleeve for it to fit.
Not practical if you need multiple sizes but thought I'd mention it in case you really only need a few sizes to be thin walled.
I read in some YouTube comments about using the GP Duo sockets for a similar problem but I wasn't able to find a set much less a 17 mm in stock in town.
Not practical if you need multiple sizes but thought I'd mention it in case you really only need a few sizes to be thin walled.
I read in some YouTube comments about using the GP Duo sockets for a similar problem but I wasn't able to find a set much less a 17 mm in stock in town.
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Voi
Well-known member
If anyone can measure the outside diameter of a 17 mm Duo or other thin walled impact I'd appreciate it.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
No complaints from me. I own one Proto 19mm impact and one Proto 21mm impact.
I dug this thread up just for fun.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306919
Honestly if I needed thin wall impact socket my first choice would be regular Koken chrome socket. (actually satin finish) They hold up for very long time with impacts and are very strong. But then my situation is I can't warrant anything so there is that.
I say Koken because they have been at it for so long time and their sockets are consistent. And I know the material, and how they eventually crack up after many years of impact use. Much safer than cheap impacts you take to the lathe...
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306919
Honestly if I needed thin wall impact socket my first choice would be regular Koken chrome socket. (actually satin finish) They hold up for very long time with impacts and are very strong. But then my situation is I can't warrant anything so there is that.
I say Koken because they have been at it for so long time and their sockets are consistent. And I know the material, and how they eventually crack up after many years of impact use. Much safer than cheap impacts you take to the lathe...
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Yeh I got no real hangup using chromed when need on impacts, I seen no major issues in my time (3decades+) even in commercial repair .
personally would prefer crv impacts and turn them a bit purely as chrome peel from heavy impact use is a PITA .
I don't buy main brand crmo impacts as they too soft for the price tag .
Yeh I got no real hangup using chromed when need on impacts, I seen no major issues in my time (3decades+) even in commercial repair .
personally would prefer crv impacts and turn them a bit purely as chrome peel from heavy impact use is a PITA .
I don't buy main brand crmo impacts as they too soft for the price tag .
3baygarage
Well-known member
Hah! Love when everyone says weld a nut on it, or hit it with the ol’ gas axe too.
Probably a cooking forum where a guy wants some thin sliced cheese and everyone says bust out your Hobart slicer!
ptgarcia
Well-known member
Well, if you turn chrome sockets you get rid of the chrome. But I agree hard polished chrome isn't pleasant on impact guns, satin finish is somehow less likely to flake off.
In my opinion the only thing GP or Sunex for example have over regular decent chrome sockets on impact guns is the wall thickness. This is a good thing in most situations and results in considerably more torque so to speak - they can remove more stuck fasteners than thin (chrome) sockets. The difference has surprised many who have actually seen it first hand.
Using regular impact sockets also removes most of the wear and tear from the chrome gear and this is fantastic because it's frustrating wrenching by hand with worn out chrome sockets falling off extensions etc.
Since I am not worried about safety from impact guns I am perfectly happy with GP and Sunex. But for thin wall - I just reach into the bucket with old chrome sockets and hammer away.
The advantage of turning crv impacts is you only need go as far as clearance thus keep as much socket mass as possible plus the tempering better suited to impact use and no chrome plate inside or out deal with (indeed satin way better generally, not a fan of polished)
I find crv impacts hit better than some crmo probably due to mainland crmo being soft and absorbing the blows, seems lot of big brands gone soft due to liability concerns .
I find crv impacts hit better than some crmo probably due to mainland crmo being soft and absorbing the blows, seems lot of big brands gone soft due to liability concerns .
JBradley500
Well-known member
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- Jul 19, 2013
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If I need thin I can take the sleeve off of these.
Two Door
Well-known member
If I need thin I can take the sleeve off of these.
What kit is that?
Snap-on flip socket thin wall is larger in diameter than blueprint thin wall flip socket. If one can get the same brand with a different name on it, maybe it can be bad at a better price.
I have some snap-on impact sockets and there regular stuff is not the thinnest or thickest, and they will wear like they are supposed to.
Having said that, astropneumatic nano sockets are almost the diameter of my chrome snap-on sockets. At least in 3/8 drive, the only size I have so far. Got them recently have not put them into service yet. They are still in the box in my cart, ecause I have not gotten a holder for them yet. I have to have my stuff organized, waisting time looking for stuff drives me nuts.
I have some snap-on impact sockets and there regular stuff is not the thinnest or thickest, and they will wear like they are supposed to.
Having said that, astropneumatic nano sockets are almost the diameter of my chrome snap-on sockets. At least in 3/8 drive, the only size I have so far. Got them recently have not put them into service yet. They are still in the box in my cart, ecause I have not gotten a holder for them yet. I have to have my stuff organized, waisting time looking for stuff drives me nuts.
plinker
Well-known member
I've got mostly Sunex in all drive sizes. The 1/4 & 3/8 drive are very close to chrome socket thickness. I've got a couple Toptul impact sockets in 1/2 drive, no issues, not real common here though.
Sunex does have thinwall sockets available, 12pt I think. The wheel protector sockets have a removable sleeve and are quite thin. I'd browse their website to see what they offer.
As mentioned pretty much any brand impact socket is pretty good these days.
Sunex does have thinwall sockets available, 12pt I think. The wheel protector sockets have a removable sleeve and are quite thin. I'd browse their website to see what they offer.
As mentioned pretty much any brand impact socket is pretty good these days.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I like my thin-wall SUNEX impact sockets. MAC impact sockets are another thin-wall option.
JBradley500
Well-known member
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It’s from harbor freight.
hangfirew8
Well-known member
Mass really makes a difference. Honda 3.5 V6 crank bolts are infamously hard to remove, so Lisle made this special 19mm air impact socket. It's a normal socket, just thicker and heavier. Two benefits, less impact force lost to spring action of a long thin twisting tube, and being heavier it is just a bigger hammer.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RGNCV1U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Another alternative is just use a bigger impact gun, like an Aircat 1150.
Back to the original topic, here is the Sunex Wheel Protector Extra Thin socket set 2849:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007XVCS4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RGNCV1U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Another alternative is just use a bigger impact gun, like an Aircat 1150.
Back to the original topic, here is the Sunex Wheel Protector Extra Thin socket set 2849:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007XVCS4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Looks like the Carlyle set, currently on sale for 35 dollars, fwiw
hangfirew8
Well-known member
It does look the same, only the hinge position is reversed. The Carlyle 61-0331 is CrMo as well:
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NPT610331
plinker
Well-known member
It looks like the Carlyle set because it is. Sunex makes the Napa impact socket line and has for years.
The 35$ wheel protector set from Napa is a very good buy as tooltopia wants 65$ for the same Sunex set.