impact sockets, deep or shallow first?
- Thread starter reptilezs
- Start date
c66miller87
Member
depends on what you work on. For what i work on i found that i only used my deep sockets. The way i see it if you have the room to use an impact then you usually have the room for a deep socket. I have used the HF impact sockets on my snap on MG725 for about two years of heavy daily use with no problems from the sockets.
diesel research
Well-known member
A little more than $100 will cover pretty much your entire basic 3/8 drive needs. For approx $100 I was able to get
No "holes" or missing sizes in between. Each of the above were smaller individual sets, not a "master" set. No torx, hex, spark plug, oil/fuel filter sockets, swivel socket, super deep, mid deep, thin wall, extensions, special engine sockets, adapters, or swivels. Just your basic sockets. At prices like that, I say just get them all.
Use them daily at work with my 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 impact(with adapters) or 3/8 air ratchet along with using them with normal 3/8 or 1/2 hand tools (breakers or ratchets)
- 10-19mm shallow 12pt
- 7-19mm deep 6pt
- 7-19mm shallow 6pt
- 5/16-1" shallow 6pt
- 5/16-1" deep 6pt
No "holes" or missing sizes in between. Each of the above were smaller individual sets, not a "master" set. No torx, hex, spark plug, oil/fuel filter sockets, swivel socket, super deep, mid deep, thin wall, extensions, special engine sockets, adapters, or swivels. Just your basic sockets. At prices like that, I say just get them all.
Use them daily at work with my 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 impact(with adapters) or 3/8 air ratchet along with using them with normal 3/8 or 1/2 hand tools (breakers or ratchets)
littletoes
Well-known member
With my SAE 1/2" drive, I purchased the deeps, and seem to need shallows the most, with my metric stuff, I've purchased the shallows, and have been completely satisfied.
Haven't needed a metric deep impact socket yet.....
Haven't needed a metric deep impact socket yet.....
rockchucker
Well-known member
Definitely Deep. The Shallow are really nice for solely Lugs though. Especially for Starting the Lugs by hand when going back on. You can always put a light duty spring in the Deep for Starting Lugs. Or just shove a piece of Rag in there so they stay at the tip of the Socket and don't get eaten by the Deep. =)
littletoes
Well-known member
Sometimes you don't have the room for deeps, that's the problem I have run into.
diesel research
Well-known member
Been there! Hell, plenty of times there is no room for an impact (not even a hammerhead) in the first place. Yet I still enjoy the strength benefit (when the sockets fit) from impact sockets even on ratchets and breakers.
If you see me with a chrome socket in my hand, it is either 1/4" drive or it is some super-special tight access area where my impact socket wouldn't fit. Either that, or in a size where I have lost an impact socket and haven't got around to purchasing replacement yet.
This is one of the reasons why I like sunex/GP. Easy to replace singles and "complete" sets w/o missing sizes like 16mm or some other size they think you don't need. Even ran into situations where you KNOW the size needed due to previous experience, head markings, or thread count, yet the proper socket doesn't fit because the fastener manufacturer has sloppy tolerances or damaged fastener. Even though it is supposed to be metric, only an SAE socket fits properly, or vice versa.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
These are nice 3/8" deeps, but they are SAE
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390331489849?ssPageName=STRK:null:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1429.l2649
they are the old Kolbalt made by Williams
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390331489849?ssPageName=STRK:null:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1429.l2649
they are the old Kolbalt made by Williams
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,094
Semi deep 
davesnothere
Well-known member
I have both, but rarely use the shallow ones.
I say go deep.
I say go deep.
TheFarmer
Well-known member
GoBlue
Well-known member
Deep...i work with my tools every day and dont even own shallows. Im not beyond using a chrome on my impact gun if i need to in a pinch or i even... gasp...use a ratchet! Deep is what you want. Get deep in metric and sae and then get wobbles in sae and metric...this covers the vast majority of your needs.
greasemonkey44
Well-known member
i bought a set of GP 3/8 standard and deep
i use the deep so much the hex sides are all silver and the shallows are still jet black from unuse
i use the deep so much the hex sides are all silver and the shallows are still jet black from unuse
littletoes
Well-known member
diesel research
Well-known member
It seems they have so many different names. "Swivel", "universal", "wigglers", "wobbles"....lol
When I think of wobble, I think of extensions
TOOL MASTER
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
- Messages
- 458
deep
adamsredlines
Well-known member
Get the Sunex master kit that has both...really nice sockets and a huge assortment for a very reasonable price.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
this was over in the hot deals thread.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNYR2K/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNYR2K/?tag=atomicindus08-20
diesel research
Well-known member
There have been several times for me where this simply was not true. Areas where I could only fit a shallow and only partially loosen or break bolt free with impact and then have to remove impact and remove bolt the rest of the way with a box end wrench.
Shallows are not mandatory maybe, but you may find yourself fighting a rusted fastener in a tight place necessarily by hand w/o them....
Just get all of them, they are quite affordable.
osborn.ozzy
Banned
that picture shows 12 point sockets, wtf?
diesel research
Well-known member
that picture shows 12 point sockets, wtf?
They also show shallow but list deep. Cripes has some of the worst pictures in the tool sales business. Flat out. Good deals, horrible photography.
Personally, I only run into 1 size of SAE 12pt (quite often needs impacting) Seems to be much more in the metric arena, enough to justify it for me.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
that picture shows 12 point sockets, wtf?
From the AD
Kobalt 12pc 6pt 5/16" To 1" Deep SAE Impact Sockets With Cliprail #97669
Went and looked at mine to be sure.
They are 6 point.
