Impact Sockets: All the same?

[biscuit141]

I want to start picking up a few sets of impact sockets to expand my tool selection. I have been looking around and it seems that most stores (Lowes, Craftsman, HF, etc.) now have imported sockets and tools. My questions is, why would/should I buy Craftsman impact sockets (or Kobalt or etc.) for $50+ dollars when they are probably made right next to the HF socket sets in the same factory and sold at HF for much less? I guess my true question is if I am not spending the $$ on truck brand or made in the USA sockets is there really a difference in spending $50 on Kobalt sockets of $20 on HF sockets?

*As a side note, I do try to buy American made tools, however sometimes for tools I will not use on a regular basis I just cannot justify spending 2 or 3 times the price. Even going from HF to S&K is a decent price jump let alone to SO.

 

[otis66]

I would try to buy Snap On or at the very least SK impact sockets. SK is a good price and they are made in the USA. I've had my Snap On impacts for 24 years now. I also have various SK impact sockets that are at least 2o years old. I have never had to warranty an impact socket.

 

[crewchief888]

i have impact sockets from just about everyone, from no-name chiwanese, HF to truck brands.

the biggest difference i've seen with a lot of the cheaper sockets, is that they have thicker walls, ( the outside dia is larger), making some of them too big for tight places.

i've beat some HF impact sockets pretty bad, and havent broke one yet.

 

[pipsters]

I bought my 52 pc Craftsman set last year. They are US. Had I not been able to buy them, I would have bought Sunex. Excellent quality and even less $$. They are import from Taiwan.

No reason in my book to EVER spend the kind of money Snap-On wants for their impacts.

Snap-On $806
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682298&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

vs.

Sunex $150
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-2646.aspx

 

[biscuit141]

I bought my 52 pc Craftsman set last year. They are US. Had I not been able to buy them, I would have bought Sunex. Excellent quality and even less $$. They are import from Taiwan.
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-2646.aspx

If Sunex are made in Taiwan, why spend the $150? Can't I just buy the sets in need from HF and save $100? Aren't HF impact sockets made in Taiwan?

 

[jhelrey]

Grey Pneumatic are nice impacts and will not break the bank... Tool Topia is where I found it to be the cheapest about 2 years ago.

 

[DiyType]

I bought my 52 pc Craftsman set last year. They are US. Had I not been able to buy them, I would have bought Sunex. http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-2646.aspx

I got Craftsman last year also and they were made in USA. Now, they are made in China in my local Sears.

I would next get SK (USA).

If I was to get a Red Chinese set I would just get the HF ones.

 

[USMCdodge]

I have had good luck with all of my craftsman impacts. black friday @ $40 a set made in USA I really couldn't pass it up.

 

[splitfinger09]

Some of the sets at my sears are still USA. You may have to dig a little as I found a USA set behind a china set. If you check a few different sears you might get lucky.

 

[pipsters]

If Sunex are made in Taiwan, why spend the $150? Can't I just buy the sets in need from HF and save $100? Aren't HF impact sockets made in Taiwan?

Some of the HF ones are Taiwan, the cheapies are CR-V vs. CR-MO.

You can buy whatever you wish. I just said I was going to buy the Sunex (even after buying and returning the HF).

The major point of the post was comparing the price difference.

 

[Boiler]

Yes they are all identical because they're made in the same factory. Buy the cheapest

 

[tonym]

i have impact sockets from just about everyone, from no-name chiwanese, HF to truck brands.

the biggest difference i've seen with a lot of the cheaper sockets, is that they have thicker walls, ( the outside dia is larger), making some of them too big for tight places.

you just described my best china set there

I have some tires at work with mini mag wheels on them that the china set wont work on but snap-on has lots of room still to get on the same lugnut

china set is holding up great...its just really fat walled

 

[freeskier]

grey pneumatic are the best for the money. i have several sets i use daily and they are thin enough for clearance but as strong as any truck brand socket

 

[GSteg]

Yes they are all identical because they're made in the same factory. Buy the cheapest

I cant tell if this is sarcasm.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Yes they are all identical because they're made in the same factory. Buy the cheapest

You're a funny guy! My father used to say that the VW bug and Mercades were made in the same factory, thus they were the same quality!

 

[DiyType]

I have had good luck with all of my craftsman impacts. black friday @ $40 a set made in USA I really couldn't pass it up.

I agree the black friday Craftsman @ $40 a set made in USA was great. That is where I got mine also two years ago.

 

[iroc409]

I have US-made Craftsman sockets, and a couple of the newer Kobalt Taiwan-made impact sockets.

The Craftsman sockets are thicker and well machined. So far I'm impressed with the Kobalts. I've only used them on a 24" breaker bar, but they are very well machined and overall look pretty nice.

IMHO, the Kobalts look better than any of the Harbor Freight stuff. I think they're probably in a good price point, especially when you can use a HF coupon. They're more expensive than HF, but probably nicer. I can't say anything about Craftsman China-made stuff, as I don't think I've even looked at them.

 

[iroc409]

i have impact sockets from just about everyone, from no-name chiwanese, HF to truck brands.

the biggest difference i've seen with a lot of the cheaper sockets, is that they have thicker walls, ( the outside dia is larger), making some of them too big for tight places.

i've beat some HF impact sockets pretty bad, and havent broke one yet.

The newer Kobalt impact sockets I have are thinner than my US-made Craftsmans, almost as thin as chrome sockets (but not quite).

 

[mofo62]

No reason in my book to EVER spend the kind of money Snap-On wants for their impacts.

Snap-On $806
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682298&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

vs.

Sunex $150
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-2646.aspx

Waooo 806$ oh my god .need aspirina .


V!

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Grey Pneumatic makes some very clean looking sockets; the only thing I can't figure out though is why they don't chamfer the square drive end.

 

[freeskier]

Grey Pneumatic makes some very clean looking sockets; the only thing I can't figure out though is why they don't chamfer the square drive end.

nver had an issue with it, love their cases as well if you dont plan on throwing them in trays

 

[Murphy4570]

I have some Husky and HF impacts. The HF ones break at the hex end, they crack longitudinally along the length of the socket, right where the hex flats meet each other at the points. I broke a few after about 2 years of beating on them daily in a shop. Not bad for $20! Huskies have held up very well.

Snap-On impacts are the cat's meow, seriously. I have a couple, they are awesome.

 

[Al Bundy]

These are probably a better comparison rather than picking the most expensive set Snap on offers.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=632104&group_ID=674936&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[darkk]

I've had a couple of (made in japan, taiwan and? no name) impact sockets so long I can't remember when or where they came from. I kept them for those times you know you're going to trash you tools. I hammer on them for removing/inserting bearings, seals, or just need a spacer to hammer on. I also used them as sockets when necessary, never broke one yet. They may be a little thicker but they have always performed... I just recently bought a complete HF set. They will do all I'll ever need them for. The price for a complete set from HF is cheaper than a single socket from Snap On. For you Snap On guys, I'm not dissing SO, I just don't need SO tools....

 

[cotjocky]

I believe Chadster1 (a Snap-on dealer) sells Genius brand to some of his customers and says they are a quality brand. They are not USA made.

Problem I've found with a lot of makers of Impact sockets are that they don't sell complete sets. Skips drive me nuts!

Genius sells a 3/8 drive set that is complete. 8-22mm short and deep well.

Grey Pneumatic sells a 1/2 set that is complete. 10-36mm short and deep well.

Gearwrench sells a 1/4 set that is complete. 4-15mm short and deep well.

Ultimately you'll have to decide what is best for you. If you can live with skips or hodge podge put together sets, you can go with just about any brand and it work fine for occasional use.

 

[concealer404]

There's good deals to be had on big IR kits on Amazon right now.

 

[bg819]

I've seen some that say Chrome vanadium and others say chrome moly. Is there a big difference? Is one preferable over the other?

 

[Murphy4570]

These are probably a better comparison rather than picking the most expensive set Snap on offers.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=632104&group_ID=674936&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Nah, hardly anyone buys shallow impact sockets.

This set is more representative of what you'd want to have for 1/2" impact sockets:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682298&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[pipsters]

These are probably a better comparison rather than picking the most expensive set Snap on offers.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=632104&group_ID=674936&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

If you clicked the links I posted, you'll find that both sets contain the same sockets.

Your link posted doesn't show a price because it's not available, but the individual sockets run about $25-$28.

For about the same price of one Snap-On 1" socket ($28) you can get an entire set including larger sizes from Sunex:

http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-2650.aspx

 

[rmsg0040]

I've seen some that say Chrome vanadium and others say chrome moly. Is there a big difference? Is one preferable over the other?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83965

I have both and have yet to break either.

 

[SMKS]

My HF impact sockets are made in Taiwan and have worked great for me.

Mine are the higher-end Earthquake line that is now discontinued. They have walls that are pretty thin.

The earthquake series was replaced with the Pittsburgh Pro line. I haven't really looked to compare them to see if they're similar or identical.

 

[powertrip]

As far as I know, all of the HF impact sockets are made in taiwan.

 

[JMcFly]

Nah, hardly anyone buys shallow impact sockets.

This set is more representative of what you'd want to have for 1/2" impact sockets:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682298&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Yeah, kind of wish I didn't buy the 37 piece kit from hf. All shorties.

 

[907arcticcat]

Problem I've found with a lot of makers of Impact sockets are that they don't sell complete sets. Skips drive me nuts!

Grey Pneumatic sells a 1/2 set that is complete. 10-36mm short and deep well.



Ultimately you'll have to decide what is best for you. If you can live with skips or hodge podge put together sets, you can go with just about any brand and it work fine for occasional use.

Well Grey gets very close....just missing the 31mm, but I think that's a pretty standard skip. I just wish they offered the Duo sets w/o ratchets and extensions. If you buy all 4 sets of 1/2" you end up with 4 ratchets and 8 extensions. The sets would probably be about $40 cheaper too!

 

[Dave.R]

I've been working on our Impacts for the last couple weeks trying to find faults, and our CR-V Impacts are hard to beat, Even before I worked for Tekton, a buddy of mine has had these a while with good luck. Not trying to advertise, just drop input. Also the broach on ours is great compared to others I have tested.

shoot me an email if you have any questions

[email protected]

http://www.tektontools.com/products...Drive_Deep_Impact_Socket_Set_(1132mm)_CrV.htm

http://www.tektontools.com/products...rive_Deep_Impact_Socket_Set_(3_811_4)_CrV.htm

 

[biscuit141]

went to sears tonight and looked at a few of their impact sockets. Not on sale so price was steep. There were a few USA made sets left behind the new China sets. It's just sad to see.

The Craftsman Evolve impacts were made in Taiwan, probably with every other Taiwanese-made set for any other brand. They looked pretty nice and were on sale for $20, half off original price. Probably HF quality.

Anyone ever use shallow impact sockets?

 

[cotjocky]

Anyone ever use shallow impact sockets?

Shallow impact sockets have there place. Such as with crank bolts and confined spaces.

 

[beerdog]

I think it depends on how much you use them. I have HF ones and they have held up to my 600ft-lb impact. They seem thicker than the nice 40year old old-school Pro grade ones my dad gave me. Probably due to lower grade steel. He was a mechanic and those suckers probably took a million impact bangs. They are still as good as new. I doubt my cheapo chineese ones will last that long. If you are a pro and will be using them all the time then you must buy the good stuff. If you a DIY weekender then the cheapo stuff will hold up. If you have the budget, then buy the good stuff. At least you will always have a smile on your face when you pick them up. I don't know what it is about great tools. I have a mixture of cheap stuff and top of the line. Every time I grab the nice ones I can't help but think..."man, this is one sweet *** tool!". The cheap stuff always illicits thoughts of..."what ****!"

 

[mendoza0032]

I'm about 80% sure matco and Mac tools rebadge their impact sockets with either grey pnuematic or Armstrong. Both can be bought tooltopia.com for best pricing

 

[6-Speed]

I have some Ingersoll Rand impact sockets that are pretty nice. The sockets are made in Taiwan of Chrome-moly. They have a very nice finish to them but I'm thinking will be prone to scuffing. The plastic case is very nice and sturdy, but a waste IMO.