Impact sockets for homeowner

[Kjmorris214]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on an impact socket set that would work best for my needs. I dont need snap on or anything as i am not a professional. Thinking gear wrench or sunex because theyre complete sets. any other suggestions on good quality for the price?
thanks

 

[idriveahonda]

I assume for auto mechanic work?

I grabbed some 1/2" Harbor Freight ones over a year ago and they are great for the money, especially if you aren't using them all day every day.

I'm replacing most of mine with Tekton (you can get online at HD, from Amazon, etc) and they are doing great as well. Come in a nice case for OCD organization. Happy with the quality/price for a home mechanic.

 

[Briancapecoral]

I've had the regular and deep set from HF for over 2 years with no problems. I just use at home working on my personal vehicles. I've used them to remove some badly rusted bolts from cars 30+ years old. I do occasionally have the urge to "upgrade," but probably would have that anyway.

 

[kd3pc]

I bought the sunex set last year with an awesome visa card promotion and they have held up very well at school and then with home projects and shop work on my own.

For the price, they are hard to beat. Mid line/grade but well done. No failures with daily, 40 hours a week use.

 

[Locker537]

I'd recommend Tekton over Harbor Freight. Easy to purchase on Amazon. Easy warranty process.

 

[jumbojak]

I have some Tekton's as well. They work and fit.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I have heard a lot of good things about the HF impacts.

I got a cheap set of CH deep impacts, and beat on them pretty hard in my DIY garage, no issues so far.

 

[Forever Fixin]

I have the HF Deeps in both metric and SAE......Metrics get used a LOT. For the money I don't think they can be beat. If they broke today, they wouldn't owe me anything.

 

[bcradio]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on an impact socket set that would work best for my needs. I dont need snap on or anything as i am not a professional. Thinking gear wrench or sunex because theyre complete sets. any other suggestions on good quality for the price?
thanks

The only thing you gain from buying SO impacts is a lighter wallet. The other brands are just as good if not better for much much less.

I would go Sunex personally.

 

[bcradio]

I bought the sunex set last year with an awesome visa card promotion and they have held up very well at school and then with home projects and shop work on my own.

For the price, they are hard to beat. Mid line/grade but well done. No failures with daily, 40 hours a week use.

The awesome visa card promo was 2 years ago. They had a mediocre one last year as well I think.

 

[bwringer]

If you go Harbor Freight, make sure you get the Pittsburgh Pro sockets made in Taiwan.

The ones made in China work fine, but they're thicker and not as nice in the details.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably buy the Tekton sockets -- they have much nicer markings, and they come in a nice case.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have Tekton 1/2in drive deep and shallow 10-32mm and Sunex swivels. I think the Sunex are a little better than Tekton but not as easy to warranty. They are also a little more expensive. If you can afford the whole Sunex set go for it. HF Pittsburgh Pro are ok too if you have one close by. My problem with them is they skip sizes to make the set cheaper. I'd rather have all sizes in case I run into something weird or have to go up a size for rust/damage. I do skip sizes above 32mm because it just starts getting too expensive.

 

[DFB]

Ya watch the sizing you get with some. That could be important HF often has a lot of skips in metric.

I also think Tekton has some pretty decent impact set options.

Then I guess it all comes down to Cro Mo or CrV

And what size drive are you looking for!

 

[VintageOkieDriver]

I have a set of sunex bought at auction and as a retiree they do fine for as infrequently as I use them.

 

[speed bump]

I have Proto, sunnex, harbor Fraught, Gray, Snap-On and probably a half dozen other brands. The only advice I have is buy ones with stamped markings and if you buy a set make sure it includes the sizes you need (ie if you own a GM product you probably want a 16 and an 18). Buy good swivels, cheapies occasionally crack and blow up, not to mention the better ones typically work at higher angles.

 

[SMKS]

I have the higher-end HF sockets. They're made in Taiwan and use CR-mo, not CR-v. They've worked great for me and were a real bargain.

The cheaper HF sockets use CR-v.

Yes, yes, I know. CR-v vs CR-mo doesn't tell the whole story.

 

[stonesfan68]

I have Tekton and SK for home use.


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[Kjmorris214]

The awesome visa card promo was 2 years ago. They had a mediocre one last year as well I think.

Where did you get this visa deal and what did it entail?

 

[deberly12]

I have a set of harbor freight ones that I have had since they came in a metal case....I miss that case...they are great for 19.99 (on sale right now)

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[deberly12]

Just doing some research. Tektons are CR-V. The HF 19.99s are CR-V also. The Pittsburgh pro as stated at cr-mo but are over 2 times the money. I personally need a set of metric. At this point I will get the cheap set... Is sae ones lasted so well that I think they will be fine for my use.

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[JohnDeere1]

I'm wanting to go sunex myself as all my impacts are 3/8 and are a mix of Cornwell for shorts and deeps are a mix of Mac and others. Also have some other shorts in Snap on,mac,proto but I'm tired of using adapters with my 1/2 MG725 I don't even have a 3/8 impact. I'm going sunex or GP for the price and quality you get as well as completeness of the set of sizes.

 

[Sychotix57]

I recommend Grey Pneumatic. They might be a little pricey for the DIY guy but well worth it. They're CR-MO and they're thin-wall. I'll grab them over the chrome sockets any day. Home or shop work.

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[bcradio]

Where did you get this visa deal and what did it entail?

It was a rebate program on Sunex master sets bought through authorized dealers back in 2015 with $50 or $100 visa rebate card on the sets. I ended up getting the 1/2" dr. SAE master set for only $31. This was because CPO also had a 15% off sale at the same time.

 

[dogdog]

I have a set or metric/sae deep and shallow sockets from great neck... autozone brand I think... it's been great.... not sure who makes them.... I also have the same set deep sockets from Sears USA ones...... don't use it often... cause the great netck ones have been good...

 

[6PTsocket]

I'd recommend Tekton over Harbor Freight. Easy to purchase on Amazon. Easy warranty process.

Cheapest deal is direct from Tekton. They often have factory sales and inexpensive
or free shipping. I find Amazon, lately has the "free shipping" padded onto the price. They are often not the best deal any more. Compare for yourself.

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[-Brent-]

I purchased HF (I'd never heard of Tekton or their reputation) and they've suited me well over the years. They are pretty heavy, though. For the amount I use them, an inexpensive set made sense.

 

[dogdog]

THe HF ones wall is too thick for some stuff working on the car.... that is why I bought the great neck and craftsman sets.... walls are thinner and haven't split on me yet or round any nuts using impact like the other Walmart $12.99 set I also bought.... don't ask. BTW don't get that crappy Performance Tools Brand... POS. Also.


I think the HD Husky one is also very nice.... not too sure about the recent new stock..

 

[anndel]

Tektons 1st but if you need it absolutely right now then Harbor Freight.

 

[trekgod3]

I have the harbor freight deep metric set. My only gripe is pulling the sockets out of their holder is a pain in the ****

 

[SMKS]

THe HF ones wall is too thick for some stuff working on the car....

The more expensive HF sockets are thinner, if memory serves.

 

[Tonyuk]

Just get a cheap set off ebay, i found a set not long ago for £20 delivered, made from chrome molly.

A lot of my impacts are CR-V and are absolutely fine.

 

[jdlong]

Just doing some research. Tektons are CR-V. The HF 19.99s are CR-V also. The Pittsburgh pro as stated at cr-mo but are over 2 times the money. I personally need a set of metric. At this point I will get the cheap set... Is sae ones lasted so well that I think they will be fine for my use.

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You should be fine. They skip a few small sizes but how often do you bust a 11 mm head with a 1/2" impact? The thick walls might give you issues on occasion such as recessed lugnuts. At 20 bucks, it's not worth overthinking. They'll pay for themselves after a project or two. You can uggrade and not be out anything. The cheap ones are weldable. Keep them around for the day you need to make a custom wrench.

 

[JohnnyK8]

I have a whole chest full of HF stuff. Very satisfied and still saved money. We have a HF down the road a little ways so it's convenient and the warranty has been a no nonsense experience. No sockets have broken.

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[Fedwrench]

Probably need to know what drive size and which tasks you plan on performing with your desired impact sockets.
However, at the lower price point but, still providing quality, durability, and fit, I would recommend Tekton, SUNEX, Grey Pneumatic, and NAPA's Carlyle.
The key here is to shop around for the best price and perhaps purchase when on sale or with a rebate to stretch your dollar further.

 

[theoldwizard1]

HF are likely fine for your use, BUT make sure they are chrome-moly NOT chrome-vanadium.

 

[turnthewrench]

The more expensive HF sockets are thinner, if memory serves.

I only have the 19 mm to compare, and there isn't much difference in diameter. I get 27.84 mm outer diameter in the CR-V and 27.94 mm in the CR-MO Pro.

Disclaimer: I used a very blue collar caliper to measure - Frankford Arsenal

 

[TNBurban]

Gearwrench. I have these sets:

https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-84916N-Metric-Impact-Socket/dp/B00UM688Z6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500599176&sr=8-1&keywords=gearwrench+impact+socket+set


https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-84935N-Metric-Impact-Socket/dp/B00UM68OVY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500599191&sr=8-2&keywords=gearwrench+impact+socket+set

And the Harbor Freight SAE Pitts Pro 1/2 set, as those are used as much.

For the homeowner, tough to beat Gearwrench.

 

[Kjmorris214]

It was a rebate program on Sunex master sets bought through authorized dealers back in 2015 with $50 or $100 visa rebate card on the sets. I ended up getting the 1/2" dr. SAE master set for only $31. This was because CPO also had a 15% off sale at the same time.

Do you know how i can find a dealer for sunex tools, so i can possibly get a good deal?

 

[LB-1911]

Do you know how i can find a dealer for sunex tools, so i can possibly get a good deal?

Contact
http://sunextools.com/about/contact/

REBATES
http://sunextools.com/support/rebates/

 

[Farmall450]

Craftsman Evolv, believe it or not. Tiawan, have had them for 4-5 years now.