impact socket dillema

[simonb]

k, heres the situation:

i am looking to buy a set 10-19mm deep impact and shallow impact 1/2 in

price is not a main concern, but if lower, i dont mind

should i go for craftsman ($100 for 10-24 shallow/dp) b/c the easy return policy
should i go snap on ($170 for 10-19 dp/shallow) for quality even though pain in the neck for warranty
should i go sk ($165 for 8-24 shallow/10-24 dp)?- price seems reasonable and from what i understood good quality and i heard i can exchange in sears like craftsman
matco is about same price as snap on, so no point?

i have little experience with impact; if i get craftsman will it break everytime i use it? will it break to the point where i can hurt myself? etc...

i also need a universal swivel impact- i am debating between the sk set that has 15 pcs for 200 or a snap on one that has 8 pcs for 200
i only need those 8 sizes specifically, but to have the other sizes from sk i dont mind

please help, i am going crazy here- i hate tools

 

[Merkava_4]

I've got a few PROTO brand impact sockets and I think the quality is first rate; something for you to consider.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Craftsman impact sockets are fine.

 

[autoace]

The Crafsman ones are the same as MATCO,never had a problem with them. Then again I also bought cheap Harbor Freight ones many years ago, and they were fine also,believe it or not. Anyhow the Crafsman ones will be fine and worth the money. I'm gonna get some flak for this, but my SO impacts are the softest, and wear the worst of all my impact sockets. Cornwell seem to be the best,most durable impact sockets I ever bought.

 

[chammyman]

I have never broke any impact sockets ever actually. Even most normal chrome sockets will take a lot of pounding in an impact gun.

I used Bergen impact sockets everyday and never had an issue with them.

 

[krusty the clown]

is this for home use? if so the craftsman will do you fine.

 

[MAD]

+1 for Craftsman.

The only impact sockets that I have broken have been Harbor Freight. Even the Stanley made Master Mechanic ones I got from True Value hardware have taken a beating with no problems.

For home use, buy any trusted brand that you find a good deal on and don't worry about breaking them. The Craftsman sets go on sale often.

 

[billymade]

http://www.gpsocket.com/
I don't have any experience with them; but people here seem to bring up Grey Pnuematic Impact Sockets quite a bit, as a good quality and reasonably priced brand to considor:
Look at sets for sale here: http://www.google.com/products?clie...ct sockets&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wf

 

[krusty the clown]

AFAIK the grey's are good but the CMAN are still us made.

now on to giving autoace some flak i have broken both MAC and CORNWELL impact sockets but never MATCO or SO. i have a set of snap on deep impact sockets i bought in 1980 some are well worn but still useable. i think they ARE softer than some brands for a reason......so they don't break in use.

 

[Fedwrench]

I use Craftsman deep impacts daily at work on lugnuts without any problems. I would pick those up when there on sale for half off. The only downside to the Craftsman impacts is that their walls can be thicker than other brands of impact sockets. It's like they make 3 sizes out of the same size socket blank. It may also depend on the supplier since Sears is famous for using multiple sources. You can't really beat the warranty and price when on sale. They are not Matco clones though. My Matco versions are lighter, thinner, and seem to last forever.
Other economical choices include Grey Pneumatic and Sunex. Both are imported, can be had cheaply if you shop around and both offer a very wide selection of sizes and depths. The Grey Pneumatics have a better darker finish, while the Sunex have both the gold size marking and the size stamped into the socket. Shop around as there's a big price spread. Your results may vary.

 

[vjquan]

Craftsman. The deep impact sets seem to go on sale quite often esp. during club days. Don't be misled about replacing SK at Sears. I don't think I've seen any SK at any of my local Sears.

 

[paramudduck]

I have had good luck with the Wright and Cornwell impacts.

 

[billymade]

The SK are availible on sears.com but very little in my store; a couple of flex head 1/4" ratchets showd up the other day but aside from that... thats all the SK tools we have.
I think the Craftsman 3/8" deep well impact sockets will be 50% off for the black friday sale after thanksgiving... there is a link around here somewhere to the ad...

 

[daveblank]

http://www.gpsocket.com/
I don't have any experience with them; but people here seem to bring up Grey Pnuematic Impact Sockets quite a bit, as a good quality and reasonably priced brand to considor:

They are great sockets. I think I've warrantied 2 this year.

 

[billymade]

Why do you sell them on your truck; along with the Matco stuff? Just curios! Are you allowed to sell whatever tool brands you want to; even if they aren't Matco?

 

[Flash21]

I went through the same process, I chose Craftsman Impacts in 1/2" and SK in 3/8". I chose SK in 3/8" because they are USA made, have the laser markings and stampings, and they don't have the 'cone' design for greater access. this isn't so much of a concern on the 1/2" drive (why I picked cman) but in 3/8" it is more important.

I seriously considered Grey Pnuematic as I have heard GREAT things and the price is right. Two things made me pick SK: The sizes are stamped (not just laser etched) and they are made in the USA.

YMMV: I haven't received the SKs yet. (on the Christmas list!)

 

[chevy302dz]

The GPs are great especially for the money, the biggest reason I went with was the range of sizes in the set. However a stamped set would be easier to read so if that's a major consideration Craftsman would be a good bet.

 

[billymade]

So the GPs are not stamped but "laser etched"?

 

[Fedwrench]

Why do you sell them on your truck; along with the Matco stuff? Just curios! Are you allowed to sell whatever tool brands you want to; even if they aren't Matco?

My Matco dealer told me that Matco bought Grey Pneumatic and that they sell it as a lower cost alternative to the Matco branded impact sockets. I don't know if that's true or not. I do know the Grey Pneumatic sockets on a Matco truck aren't that cheap compared with ebay and online tool vendors.

 

[Fedwrench]

So the GPs are not stamped but "laser etched"?

True, the ones that I have have small gold size and brand markings but, no stamped size or brand markings.

 

[daveblank]

Why do you sell them on your truck; along with the Matco stuff? Just curios! Are you allowed to sell whatever tool brands you want to; even if they aren't Matco?

We're authorized distributors, we sell many things that aren't Matco brand. A perfect example is Oakley sunglasses. I sell the GP as a low priced alternative.

 

[simonb]

interesting;

i am a tech for bmw
i need these sockets for everyday use
the thing that i am considering, is i will be in NYC
rust is a pretty big problem in the north east
i know i will prob be using the impact whenever i could especially on flat rate;

i am pretty sure i will end up getting the snap on 10-19 dp set and the craftsman 10-24 dp/shallow when on sale

now the question is about the swivels
i have pretty much never used them, but was told they will come in handy
do those break often? the design makes me think they do;

 

[daveblank]

I do know the Grey Pneumatic sockets on a Matco truck aren't that cheap compared with ebay and online tool vendors.

If you look around ANYTHING can be bought online cheaper than in a retail store. A perfect example is Bass Pro Shops. Whenever I need a new fishing reel I check their online price, print it, & bring it to the store with me. They always match their own price.

Now, when you're talking about online tool stores they have cut out a middle man in the process. They buy straight from the manufacturer & then sell to you. Matco buys from the manufacturer & then we buy from them. That's how all retail works.

 

[snorky18]

i am going crazy here- i hate tools

You may be in the wrong place and talking to the wrong people then.

I would go with the craftsman. I have harbor freight and I've never broken one despite putting about 1100 LB*Ft of torque on a crankshaft pulley bolt. (I only work on my own cars, so not used that often). IIRC they were about $15-$20 per set for 13 pieces, ~10mm-~32mm.

 

[nightrain00]

I have Sunex for both 1/2 inch and 3/8 swivel impacts. have used both everyday for 12years and have never broken one. I have had a few wear out but never even cracked one. Besides it's been my experience that if whatever your doing would break a Craftsman or Harbor frieght.. etc it will break a Snap-on etc... just as easily if you break an impact socket your doing something wrong.

 

[Spookrider]

Craftsman Impact is what putting food on my table. I use them at work, they are holding jist fine.

 

[1320stang]

Didn't Wrenhandtools have some smoking deal on metric impact sockets recently?

 

[Crawlin]

I was on the MAC truck last week, and I was surprised that he had a set of GP impact sockets on there.

 

[Fedwrench]

interesting;
now the question is about the swivels
i have pretty much never used them, but was told they will come in handy
do those break often? the design makes me think they do;

I have broken SK, Cornwell, and older Matco 3/8 drive impact swivel sockets. I probably wore them out to the point of breaking the pin. For that reason, I love the pinless design found on the current Matco versions. The current Matco design is like a CV joint. It's very durable and has great range of motion. They're not cheap but, worth the investment. They also don't have that fat retaining collar found on most other impact swivel sockets which, improves access. Your results may vary.

 

[krusty the clown]

I love the pinless design found on the current Matco versions. The current Matco design is like a CV joint. It's very durable and has great range of motion.

the craftsman's are also the same design and made in the same plant

 

[Merkava_4]

The only downside to the Craftsman impacts is that their walls can be thicker than other brands of impact sockets. It's like they make 3 sizes out of the same size socket blank.

That would cheesy as hell if that's true!!!

 

[SteveU]

Grey Pneumatic are what I have & I like them. I got 10-36mm in both shallow & deep for right around 180 which covers anything I've run into on either car.

 

[Dstosh]

I just bought short, mm and sae Sunex sets for 40 bucks a piece. Imported, yes but a reasonable alternative. I think the mm was 14 piece and the sae was 13.

 

[GDA]

^ Agree with SteveU. Those Gray sets sure seem like a good deal considering price, assortment and build quality.

 

[jay50]

Quit your fretting over what brand to buy; get the Cman set.

 

[simonb]

i spoke to ********, he told me the universal sockets are not longer sod as sets and they are discontinued; if you have on and want it replaced, they will give you the "value" to buy another item;

that *****

i am debating between the sk and craftsman 3/8" impact swivel
i assume sk is beter quality but crafts easier to warranty

 

[billymade]

I've noticed the "thickness" of Craftsman impact sockets; this was particularly obvious with the lug nut "flip socket" they sell, it is essentially useless for any alloy rim, except for easily accessable steel rims.
It looks like Sears is now selling a "new" thin wall impact lug nut socket set; they look similar to my Cornwell sockets I have...

Craftsman 5 pc. Thinwall Flip Socket Set
Sears item# 00934917000 Mfr. model# 34917 You Pay: $39.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934917000P

 

[MAD]

I've noticed the "thickness" of Craftsman impact sockets; this was particularly obvious with the lug nut "flip socket" they sell, it is essentially useless for any alloy rim, except for easily accessable steel rims.
It looks like Sears is now selling a "new" thin wall impact lug nut socket set; they look similar to my Cornwell sockets I have...

Craftsman 5 pc. Thinwall Flip Socket Set
Sears item# 00934917000 Mfr. model# 34917 You Pay: $39.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934917000P

Both the old Craftsman flip sockets and the new thin wall ones are made by AJ.
http://www.ajmanufacturing.com/


I suspect if you look at any of the truck brand double ended "flip" impact sockets you are likely to find them to be AJ made as well. $39.99 is a great deal for that set.

All of the other Craftsman impact sockets are Made by Danaher as far as I know.

 

[gotmud13613]

I have been using el-cheapo impacts for the better part of 14 yrs on a daily basis. My 1/2" deeps are Campbell Hausfeld black boxes to the right and the standards are a no name in the red boxes in the back.

I believe I bought the CH at walmart and the other ones came from a traveling tool sale back when I was in high school. I haven't had a problem with any breaking, only now they are starting to show signs of wearing out. Time to grab some of C-mans when they go on sale.

 

[peter_x]

I've noticed the "thickness" of Craftsman impact sockets; this was particularly obvious with the lug nut "flip socket" they sell, it is essentially useless for any alloy rim, except for easily accessable steel rims.
It looks like Sears is now selling a "new" thin wall impact lug nut socket set; they look similar to my Cornwell sockets I have...

Craftsman 5 pc. Thinwall Flip Socket Set
Sears item# 00934917000 Mfr. model# 34917 You Pay: $39.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934917000P

I wonder how the sizes are arranged in that set. The site says "17 mm., 19 mm., 21 mm. and 22 mm., as well as 3/4 in., 13/16 in., 7/8 in., 15/16 in" but it doesn't say which size on which socket.
If they do it in order, i.e. 17mm and 19mm on one socket, that pretty much defeats the purpose for most US techs because they want the 19mm and 21mm on the same socket.