Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matter?

[dragonle87]

I'm curious if brand matters when it comes to 1/2" impact sockets.

I was looking at Sunnex Tools on ToolTopia, NAPA impact & Pepboy impact.....

Also for Imperial (SAE) units....do I really need up to 1 1/2"?
I was looking at a set, hoping it would be cheaper but average price would be 140-180

any suggestions?

 

[larryq]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Great question. I'm no expert and would like to hear from others, but my understanding is that brand matters to a point. The more important fact is what the sockets are made of, CrMo being much better than vanadium, which some cheaper sets try to use.

Heard good things about Sunex and Grey Pneumatic, two of the less expensive groups out there but with good quality. Also, HF's Pittsburgh Pro line has its supporters too.

My question to the forum is this: is it my eyes or are most impact sets sold in SAE form and not metric? Has to be at least a 2-1 ratio everywhere I've looked. Is there a reason SAE seems to be more popular for impacts? Can you get away with using SAE on a metric bolt owing to CrMo's softer metal?

 

[pipsters]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

My question to the forum is this: is it my eyes or are most impact sets sold in SAE form and not metric? Has to be at least a 2-1 ratio everywhere I've looked. Is there a reason SAE seems to be more popular for impacts? Can you get away with using SAE on a metric bolt owing to CrMo's softer metal?

Probably just that everyone buys Metric, leaving the SAE on the shelves to see.

 

[canuckian]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

maybe the metric sets sell out dfaster due to being more popular? I've seen pretty much a 50/50 split on teh shelves between SAE and metric.

As for brand name, for the average DIY'er, as long as the impact sockets are chrome moly and do what you need them to do, you're fine IMHO no matter what the brand is. I would imagine that in a pro setting, the brand matters in that higher end brands have more options (thin wall, shallow, semi deep and deep, swivel, long swivel, larger sizes, etc etc. ) plus, the truck brands offer ease of warranty replacement and the tech doesn't have to leave work and take a trip to the local HF store to warranty a socket. That, and i'm sure the truck brand impacts are generally of a higher quality and more durable than the ones sold at big box and discount stores.

i'm a DIY'er and all I have is a set from princess auto (same as HF) and a small set of IR deeps and have had no issues to date but then again, I don't use mine all day every day.

 

[kartracer55]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I think where high $ impact sockets earn their keep is wear (or lack of) well down the line. I think the higher end ones simply hold up better. That being said, Im going to say that "name brand", even imported will probably be better than generic stuff in this regard. I have primarily SK in 1/2, and Mostly Matco in 3/8. Snap on thrown in here and there

 

[back2class]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I think it matters very little on this item. HUGE difference from the cheapest chrome sockets to top shelf stuff. However on impacts with no finish and THICK walls....many pros use import impacts everyday for decades. Now ehen you get into thinwall and some specialty like bit sockets, then the subtle differneces shine. I have some sunex chromo and HF Chrome van...I find no difference, but I do not use them every day. I think for basic impacts though....alot like ball peen hammers. Sure, the $50 one is a tiny bit better, but as long as the handle stays on, the $5 one will do the same job for just about everyone unless they use it all day every day. Most $5 ball peen hammers will last a mechanic or machinist a lifetime.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Depends on where and how you use your sockets.

If using daily or in mfg. settings, it's makes a huge difference. I've seen and been in situations where assembling military vehicles day in and day out with craftsman impacts where the socket will crack or split at around 30 days of use. Sometimes with catastrophic failure. The same socket in Snap-On or Mac will go 90 days to 6 months and often more.

Every tool has it's limit. Every tool has a point of failure.
I just happen to see that limit a lot more than most.

In most cases, if you want a "good" tool, you get what you pay for.

 

[diesel research]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I don't consider myself a pro, but I do use mine everyday AT WORK to repair trucks.

What I will say will cause a lot of argument and fuss and muss.

*Napa is rebranded, cannot tell if it is GP or sunex, thinking it might be sunex. No real proof. It's more expensive.

*Get the 1-1/2" sunex kit. A few american RWD vehicles need these larger sizes. For example, saginaw steering boxes (used on many GM, chrysler, AMC vehicles) use I believe a 1-5/16 nut on the steering box/pitman arm. My memory is a bit fuzzy. A few pinion nuts are larger in size, along with a few SAE hub nuts.

*The sunex 39pc SAE set is relatively affordable if you need SAE. They have a similar metric set for even less.

*CR-V tends to develop some nasty cracks or splits. Oddly enough, it often happens later when using slow smooth hand power. It's the same thing with chrome sockets.

*For the most part, I AVOID most USA brands. This is highly controversial, but for 3 reasons. They are coated with something different. What ever it is wears off much quicker and rusts much easier. My snappy swivels/single cman/single kobalt are all like this. I think I read somewhere this may be a difference between phosphate and oxide coatings, but I am not sure. To verify I was not just seeing things, I subjected them to the wire wheel. Flash rusting is a much more obvious trait after coming back from a long weekend.

Next problem is they seem a bit "soft". It almost seems like the snappies have some kind of differential heat treatment where the drive end is soft and the hex end is a bit harder??? The drive ends get boogered up a bit easier. The cman/kobalt are just plain soft inside/outside and everywhere in between. While I only have 1 of each, a quick peek in others boxes confirms this. Finally, I don't pay extra if the product doesn't perform ATLEAST as well.

*I still need the snappies (or another USA equivalent) in a thinner profile. The taiwan's are fatter and on a few occasions do not fit. A couple have battle scars or minor stripes running around them where they rub against another part. Thus I keep the snappies, they serve a specialty purpose.

*The sunex have treated me very well over the past 7 years. GP is atleast equal. GP also has some innovative things like low profile adapters and duo-sockets. My GP low profile adapters are a huge hit around the shop. Shop provides 3/4" and #5 spline GPs and CP sockets. Work excellent. The CPs are a bit worn, but that is to be expected. They are "permanently" attached to a #5 spline tire gun that bangs on several hundred lugnuts per day. Those lugs are torqued north of 550ft-lbs. If you have never saw a #5 spline tire gun, google IR285B-S6

 

[crewchief888]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

from my observations, the truck brand impact sockets i have are generally a little thinner wall than a comparable size CM. same seems to be true in most other imported impacts from what i've seen.

 

[diesel research]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

from my observations, the truck brand impact sockets i have are generally a little thinner wall than a comparable size CM. same seems to be true in most other imported impacts from what i've seen.

Absolutely, and unfortunately, this is sometimes required.

 

[Vinny]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Check out the HF pass or fail thread. A few people post about how their HF sockets out live other brands. I'll let you know my mileage, I just picked up a set of metrics.
By the way, do they make allen head style impact sockets? I love using the 12.9 metric bolts, and they don't have the hex head but the opening for an allen.

 

[franzdom]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Check out the HF pass or fail thread. A few people post about how their HF sockets out live other brands. I'll let you know my mileage, I just picked up a set of metrics.
By the way, do they make allen head style impact sockets? I love using the 12.9 metric bolts, and they don't have the hex head but the opening for an allen.

Oddly enough those are called socket head cap screws. I think 12.9 is a class of strength not a head style but I get what you are saying. I love allen head fasteners. This should almost be it's own topic, I am also considering getting into impact allen drivers.

 

[boosteddsm92]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I'm curious if brand matters when it comes to 1/2" impact sockets.

I was looking at Sunnex Tools on ToolTopia, NAPA impact & Pepboy impact.....

Also for Imperial (SAE) units....do I really need up to 1 1/2"?
I was looking at a set, hoping it would be cheaper but average price would be 140-180

any suggestions?

Take a look at Grey Pneumatic. A lot seem to like them. I just picked this up and like it a lot so far. Can't beat it for the money.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Oddly enough those are called socket head cap screws. I think 12.9 is a class of strength not a head style but I get what you are saying. I love allen head fasteners. This should almost be it's own topic, I am also considering getting into impact allen drivers.

From what I remember, metric 12.9 is the equivalent of SAE grade 8 stuff. I've got quite a bit of metric suspension hardware on my car that's all 12.9, and they're all the standard hex-head bolts, nothing Allen.

 

[G_P]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I have a full set of metric/SAE in shallow/deep Husky's I got at HD.

I have beaten on them pretty bad including snapping a MAC breaker bar by putting a 6foot cheater pipe on it and the sockets have held up fine. By the way nothing could get that cross threaded lug off. Not even a 1inch drive ratchet with the cheater pipe. Had to burn it out with the flame wrench.

They are a little fat though.....sometimes they wont fit on lug nuts on some alloy rims.

 

[woody 73]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Sometimes I wonder when people say the socket split if maybe they needed to go up in drive size. I don't use them on a daily basis,but the chrome-moly sockets have never let me down; I have snap on,matco,craftsman,grey,HF,kobalt,Mac and a few others. I would like to try the sunnex as I have heard good things about their sockets.

I think most people will find a brand they like and then they tend to stick with that brand.

 

[ekeller]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

How about the rebranded snapon/blue point impact sockets that the Case/New Holland dealer sells? Anyone own them?

 

[Danglerb]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I'm curious if brand matters when it comes to 1/2" impact sockets.

Brand makes a huge difference in price, and some difference in quality. I bought HF for my own use, but tend to recommend Grey Pneumatic to friends where price is less of a factor. HF has worked fine for me, but it has some "cheese" factor to it, not a very nice finish, thick walls, not a very nice box, etc.

 

[chris fresh]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Brand makes a huge difference in price, and some difference in quality. I bought HF for my own use, but tend to recommend Grey Pneumatic to friends where price is less of a factor. HF has worked fine for me, but it has some "cheese" factor to it, not a very nice finish, thick walls, not a very nice box, etc.

x2 on the H.F,i've used a set for 5 years now and have never broken one or rounded one out.case is ****,but all mine are in a rack,so i don't care about the case,i care that i have beatin the piss out of mine and they are as good as the day i bought them,a fine finish,doesn't get the nut off.

 

[richfinn]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I consider them a consumable, I replace the ones I wear out with Snap-On if I dont use them much I dont bother, I dont care about matched sets. I think they are very soft and deform gradually with use and need to be replaced when they wear out.

 

[Lkdelta]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Before I buy a set, I'm going to try buying just one 10mm or half-inch socket on monday...wire wheel it or what-ever...and then try to exchange it on Tuesday or Wednesday

** double check the guarantee and what it will take to get service***

 

[BJ42LX]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I have Snap On impacts for my mechanical work. But I recently bought a 32mm Harbor Freight impact to use as a special tool. I cut and filed it into the shape I needed then attached it to my IR2131 and cranked up the line pressure. That socket took a ton of abuse and worked like a champ. Color me impressed.

 

[treasureseeker]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

My impact sockets are Snap-on that I purchased in the early nineties and used for about four years. They are different than today’s Snap on. The drive end is much thicker. Both ends are quite worn and I am wondering if the current ones hold up any better.

 

[itsvegas]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

harbor freight returns/exchanges have always been hassle free for me.

 

[rlitman]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

My impact sockets are Snap-on that I purchased in the early nineties and used for about four years. They are different than today’s Snap on. The drive end is much thicker. Both ends are quite worn and I am wondering if the current ones hold up any better.

I've got a large set of SO impacts from the same era. The smaller ones have a bevel near the tip. The new sets have a much thinner wall up the sides, but open up around the base (where it's most likely to be damaged by the gun's anvil) on the same smaller ones. I keep hoping I'll ruin one to upgrade, but no luck so far.

I MUCH prefer thinner wall sockets. It is a sign of a better product.
My CMan 19mm impact scratches the lug recesses in my car's rims. My Husky, HF and SO impacts are thin enough to not touch.

 

[franzdom]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I've got a large set of SO impacts from the same era. The smaller ones have a bevel near the tip. The new sets have a much thinner wall up the sides, but open up around the base (where it's most likely to be damaged by the gun's anvil) on the same smaller ones. I keep hoping I'll ruin one to upgrade, but no luck so far.

I MUCH prefer thinner wall sockets. It is a sign of a better product.
My CMan 19mm impact scratches the lug recesses in my car's rims. My Husky, HF and SO impacts are thin enough to not touch.

Sunex wheel protecting socket $7:

Snap-on thin wall deep 19mm impact ($26)
SIMMF19A

 

[wafrederick]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Do have to watch out on the cheap sets,missing 15mm and 18mm most of the time in the metric sets.This does burn me,I use these sizes a lot including 10mm and 13mm.Look under the hood of any GM,Chrysler and GM product most of the time are 8mm,10mm,13mm,15mm and 18mm used most of the time.Korean and Japanese vehicles use 8mm,10mm,12mm,14mm,17mm and 19mm.I have a 12 point shallow impact socket set in 1/2 drive that does come in handy and is a Matco set.There are bolts which have a 12 point head.Also have one in a SAE size,1/2 and I use this one on wheelbearing retaining bolts on Jeeps.

 

[kartracer55]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Next problem is they seem a bit "soft". It almost seems like the snappies have some kind of differential heat treatment where the drive end is soft and the hex end is a bit harder??? The drive ends get boogered up a bit easier. The cman/kobalt are just plain soft inside/outside and everywhere in between. While I only have 1 of each, a quick peek in others boxes confirms this. Finally, I don't pay extra if the product doesn't perform ATLEAST as well.
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Definitely not the case. Say we have a perfectly square drive shank on the impact and female square. We also have a perfect hex head on the bolt and a perfect hex inside the socket (ignore flank drive etc etc).

The same torque being applied on the female drive end is reacted by the hex head of the bolt. Difference being, two more additional contact points. The result? Lower contact stresses and less yielding.

In the real world, with things like "flank drive" the contact area is increased slightly, especially after a few uses when some initial yielding takes place. After some usage things kind of settle out and the rate of "wear" of an impact socket all but ceases. This is why people complain about sockets "wearing out" quickly. The truth is, they are wearing IN! Some strain hardening at the contact points takes place. After this initial "break in" period, I'd venture to guess that anything else is nothing more than material actually wearing away.

Now, take two identical sockets and two guns. A 1/2 POS gun at like 200 ft*lb, then blast at another with 750-800+ ft*lb from a nice IR, Aircat, Snap on etc etc. There is going to be quite a bit more "breaking in" being done to the socket being used on the higher end gun.

 

[dragonle87]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

What about MATCO new ADV impact sockets?
any body heard of them?
Happen to saw it on their website.

 

[Brentocool]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

The 3 major tool guys Mac, Snap-On , Matco... Mac and Matco aint worth a hoot anymore!! They where out quick! Snap on is still selling good stuff!!

 

[Fedwrench]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Quality is more important than the brand. Having said that, the best tools don't always come from a tool truck.
I have said for years that there's just one company in Taiwan cranking all of the impact sockets out. They just alternate the names on the sockets and the storage box color
I think Grey Pneumatic, Sunnex, Napa, and others come from the same place.
How much money do you want to spend is another factor. I'm happiest with proto for regular shallow and deep sockets. I think Matco sells the best impact swivel sockets (the opinless versions).They seem to wear longer than my snap on versions lately.
Impact sockets wear out through normal sustained use. They will need to be replaced periodically.
Also consider Gearwrench Impact sockets. I feel they are the same as the new lower cost impact sockets offered by Matco and there are some decently priced sets on Ebay.

 

[JWink]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I love my grey pneumatic impact sockets. I bought the deep kit I think its 10 thru 36 or something like that. I had a guy that didnt own a 19mm socket and he always grabbed mine to take tires off with and I have yet to have any problems. Our shop buys us GP 19/21 flip sockets and I have never seen one break. I have seen a thinwall break but never the normal ones.

 

[quattrojon]

Have a look at Genius impact sockets. They are excellent value, and to date i've yet to warranty one. If you want thin walled... may i suggest Koken.

 

[wafrederick]

Go look in my father's toolbox at work,his snap on impact sockets are worn out and wore right out every 6 monthes.The Mac and Matco impact sockets he has not have worn out yet.I have Mac and Matco impact socket,none worn out so far except a couple.I only had two worn out Matcos,an 8mm and 10mm deepwell in 3/8 drive and got them replaced with no problem.

 

[diesel research]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

Definitely not the case. Say we have a perfectly square drive shank on the impact and female square. We also have a perfect hex head on the bolt and a perfect hex inside the socket (ignore flank drive etc etc).

The same torque being applied on the female drive end is reacted by the hex head of the bolt. Difference being, two more additional contact points. The result? Lower contact stresses and less yielding.

In the real world, with things like "flank drive" the contact area is increased slightly, especially after a few uses when some initial yielding takes place. After some usage things kind of settle out and the rate of "wear" of an impact socket all but ceases. This is why people complain about sockets "wearing out" quickly. The truth is, they are wearing IN! Some strain hardening at the contact points takes place. After this initial "break in" period, I'd venture to guess that anything else is nothing more than material actually wearing away.

Now, take two identical sockets and two guns. A 1/2 POS gun at like 200 ft*lb, then blast at another with 750-800+ ft*lb from a nice IR, Aircat, Snap on etc etc. There is going to be quite a bit more "breaking in" being done to the socket being used on the higher end gun.

I was NOT talking about the hex or fastener end on snap on sockets. They seem to wear pretty fine there. On the other end (attached to impact) is where I see the most deformation and wear.

My impact sockets are Snap-on that I purchased in the early nineties and used for about four years. They are different than today’s Snap on. The drive end is much thicker. Both ends are quite worn and I am wondering if the current ones hold up any better.

My own experiences are mostly with pieces made somewhere around 2007/2008.

I don't use them on a daily basis,but the chrome-moly sockets have never let me down; I have snap on,matco,craftsman,grey,HF,kobalt,Mac and a few others. I would like to try the sunnex as I have heard good things about their sockets.

I think most people will find a brand they like and then they tend to stick with that brand.

The problem ends up when you get the super cheap "impact sockets" that are actually Cr-V and not Cr-Mo. Lot of people don't pay attention to the fact HF sells both types. I have not saw any USA manufacturers who list/advertise their alloys (on the tool). They may be proprietary, or it may just be deemed not a concern in this country. My older 1/2" sunex is actually stamped with the specific alloy, "4140". I don't recall seeing this on my newer 3/8 set.

 

[kartracer55]

Re: Impact Sockets....Does Brand Matters?

I was NOT talking about the hex or fastener end on snap on sockets. They seem to wear pretty fine there. On the other end (attached to impact) is where I see the most deformation and wear.

I explained why that happens

 

[4x4gearhead]

I have sunex deeps and have had them for 5 years or so and have never broken one, even with heavy use. Some of them are getting kind of egged out in the corners but I see that with all impact sockets when you give it some time. I will find snap on sets used eventually but for now these sunex have suited me well.

 

[darkk]

I would say that if you are a home user and they get used every so often....no. But if you use them with any real frequency like at work on a regular basis, yes brand does matter. Name brand impacts are most likely of much better quality metals and will most likely outlast cheapies by a considerable amount of time.

 

[route246]

The basic manufacturing engineering required for impacts, given the fact that weight and size is not a huge factor, is easier to optimize. That said, brand does not matter as much as it would with non-impact sockets. Assess your duty cycle and budget and decide accordingly.

 

[kosmo tools]

Impact sockets matter a much when it comes to safety. impact sockets are not only used to assemble or service vehicles by hand operations but they are also used in areas
& applications where a monster torque is required say 50000 Nm to 100000 Nm during
hydraulic bolting operations on larger size bolts.
The hydraulic or pneumatic wrenches run on heavy pressure & on high RPM respectively.

It is exteremly important that an impact socket whether 1/2" Sq.dr or 1.1/2"Sq.dr one is using should withstand & transmit required torque. It is very important that it should not break due to brittleness on account of wrong heat treatment, substandard raw material nor it should slip due to wrong workmenship.
Because all this may lead to a terrible accident & cause head & eye injury.
Therefore the make & brand of the socket is exteremly important to identify its producers. If possible one should insist on material test cetificates, Heat treatment certificate or ultrasonic mangnaflux test certificates from the sellers or manufacturers
along with warranty cards to ensure you are buying the best stuff from the market.
Always buy impact sockets or any other tools that conform to DIN or BIS standards
and are with complience to all national & international safety standards.

Secondly impact sockets are maufactured both in SAE & Matric series.
No wonder you may find impact sockets in SAE series more often in stores in the USA.
As SAE series Fastners are more common in the states unlike widthhworth in UK &
Matric in Asian continents including India.
So it is not neccessary to buy both SAE and Matric unless you really need both of them.
Do not Pile up your inventories & block you hard earned money simply for no reasons.