Impact sockets for the DIYer

aroncornell · Apr 2, 2011

Hey guys, I am in need of a set of impact sockets, now that i finally got permission from the wife to get an impact, which i chose the thunder gun. Budget is a big deciding factor and I am considering the Genius impact set. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CCS7JW/?tag=atomicindus08-20 is the set im looking at. I know some people say i dont need all those sockets but i feel that it would be better to have and not need, than need and not have. Just wondering if anyone has these sockets, about the quality? Also whats the warranty process? any info is greatly appreciated

murph64 · Apr 2, 2011

I picked up SAE/metric shallow and deep impacts from HF about 15 years ago and they're still fine.

Andy

Jeff · Apr 2, 2011

Budget was a concern for me as well, so I went with the Porter Cable set. For home use they work great with no issues. I got a mixed SAE/Metric set.

Porter-Cable PTA18 12 Piece 1/2-Inch S.A.E. / Metric Deep Combination Sockets

PT Doc · Apr 2, 2011

My vote of for the hf impacts.

HandyManny · Apr 2, 2011

For the DIYer just about any impacts from any of the big-box stores, Advance Auto Parts, Autozone, Harbor Freight, etc will do just fine. This is pretty much a no brainer. Though I know someone is going to suggest all the professional trade brands or truck brands. :headscrat

pipsters · Apr 2, 2011

I'm gonna save you some coin.

Harbor Freight makes an excellent IR Thundergun copy called the Earthquake for the low low price of $71.99+tax after 20% discount.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-impact-wrench-2623.html

It is the real deal, it'll rip pretty much anything off a car. Search on here, every review for the most part is a BIG positive.

For impact sockets HF makes a great set of "most used" ones if you are budget minded. If you want to step it up a little bit, not sure how much the Genius set is, but check out Sunex.

http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-2646.aspx
These actually just went up in price, they used to be $135.

Also if you want SAE and Metric, wait, and you can get the Craftsman 52 piece set for $155 which includes SAE up to 1-1/4" I believe and 27mm. It's good, I have it.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915820000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Also wal-mart sells a SAE/Metric set that will do most automotive work up to 19mm I believe. Really impacts get expensive when you start talking about the bigger sizes. They are a wear/consumable item (eventually) so no need to spend a ton on them.

wafrederick · Apr 2, 2011

Most of the cheap sets,you buy 18mm and 15mm seperately and there is a reason.These two are left out for some reason.The biggest 1/2 drive deepwell set HF sells has 18mm and 15mm in the metric sets.The Porter Cable sets have no 18mm in them

aroncornell · Apr 2, 2011

The 25 piece genius set is $81. so i think it would be better than the sunnex as far as budget goes. I would go with HF but I really want a bigger set like the 25 piece.

SMKS · Apr 2, 2011

Most of the HF impact sockets are made in Taiwan and seem pretty decent. I have a set, but I've only used them once or twice. But, the fit and finish seems good for the price.

Buxfan · Apr 2, 2011

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200334233_200334233

pipsters · Apr 2, 2011

aroncornell said:
The 25 piece genius set is $81. so i think it would be better than the sunnex as far as budget goes. I would go with HF but I really want a bigger set like the 25 piece.

Looks like with shipping it's ~$100, but still a good deal. I'd go for it! :3gears:

For me though I'd have to buy a 34mm, as it doesn't include that, and my car's axle nuts are 34mm.

canuckian · Apr 2, 2011

I have a Princess Auto (Power Fist brand) set which is from what I've been told the same as Harbor Freight's offering. I've beat the **** out of these things for the last 4 years and haven't had an issue. I told myself that I'll use them till they start failing on me before i step up to a higher end set but these things just won't die!

I've heard the Sunex ones are one of the best bangs for the buck. I'm thinking about picking up a set of their swivel impact sockets.

nate379 · Apr 2, 2011

I don't even own any impact sockets. I use my reg chrome sockets.

5lima30 · Apr 2, 2011

I've got a cheap Campbell Hausfield set my wife bought for me years ago. Haven't wore out one yet. YMMV.

kornjulio · Apr 2, 2011

Let me get this straight: You're going to buy the IR Thunder Gun with 625ftlbs max of torque & are looking at skimpy sockets for it?

aroncornell · Apr 2, 2011

Yes kornjulio, you are correct. I just cannot spend 500 dollars on a socket set, and i got a great deal on the thunder gun. Im just not so sure the genius sockets are "skimpy"

pmohr · Apr 2, 2011

I don't have any of the 1/2" Genius, but I do have a full (7-22mm inclusive, short and deep) sets in 3/8" and I've had absolutely no problems with them in daily use for the last year or so. Incredibly cheap pricing, too.

vette-kid · Apr 2, 2011

I have been picking up the HF sets. Pretty cheap, and they work great for me.

aroncornell · Apr 2, 2011

PMOHR, the set u have is it impact?

tw33k2514 · Apr 2, 2011

In my mind the best value for a DIY'r is gray pneumatic. They are cheap, and they hold up extremely well.

http://www.gpsocket.com/

pmohr · Apr 2, 2011

aroncornell said:
PMOHR, the set u have is it impact?

Yep. The ones I've been using daily show almost zero wear in the drive square or in the hex, just the finish has been worn.

ibedayank · Apr 2, 2011

the amozon genius like says...

Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.

I also have have the HF impacts the 13 piece sets and work just fine for me.
If it doesn't want to come apart just soak it with PB blaster let it sit a bit and hit it again. 400+ ft of torque gun

rapyoke · Apr 2, 2011

For the weekend DIY'er my Harbor Freight impact sockets are just dandy. Granted I have an electric impact which only puts out ~325 lbs, but I cannot imagine that the sockets won't be able to handle it.

PT Doc · Apr 2, 2011

Get this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-sae-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67903.html

And this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-pie...deep-wall-metric-impact-socket-set-67904.html

And you will have 26 deeps for $64 + tax. (20% of each set)

Just a thought.

pipsters · Apr 2, 2011

ibedayank said:
the amozon genius like says...

Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.

I also have have the HF impacts the 13 piece sets and work just fine for me.
If it doesn't want to come apart just soak it with PB blaster let it sit a bit and hit it again. 400+ ft of torque gun

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HKWXC6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

dwright406 · Apr 2, 2011

I have a set of Performance Tool SAE and another PT set of metrics, both deep, 1/2" drive. I think I got them both at Tractor Supply for $10 a set on sale. They served me well at the dealership on a daily basis and now at my home shop several times a week and I haven't broken one yet, and that's on a big IR Impact. So I'm into both sets for $20, that's 24 sockets in all.

fatboyf150 · Apr 2, 2011

If you decide to get the Harbor Freight sockets and air gun, the sockets have a lifetime warranty and the air gun has a one year warranty. You can buy two additional years of coverage for the air gun, but you will need to copy the receipt for the sockets. The thermal ink what we use will fade in about 3 to 4 months. Start you a folder with the origionals and the copies together, just incase you have a problem. As of 01APR11, Harbor Freight Corp has issued stores as "No Reciept, No Exchange" policy. The store manager does have a little movement, but will likely say no. So, keep your receipts, all of them.

EDIT: If you do have the receipt, you will get that exchange with no problems.

vette-kid · Apr 2, 2011

PT Doc said:
Get this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-sae-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67903.html

And this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-pie...deep-wall-metric-impact-socket-set-67904.html

And you will have 26 deeps for $64 + tax. (20% of each set)

Just a thought.

19.99/ea, x 2 + $64 :headscrat

scott37300 · Apr 2, 2011

fatboyf150 said:
If you decide to get the Harbor Freight sockets and air gun, the sockets have a lifetime warranty and the air gun has a one year warranty. You can buy two additional years of coverage for the air gun, but you will need to copy the receipt for the sockets. The thermal ink what we use will fade in about 3 to 4 months. Start you a folder with the origionals and the copies together, just incase you have a problem. As of 01APR11, Harbor Freight Corp has issued stores as "No Reciept, No Exchange" policy. The store manager does have a little movement, but will likely say no. So, keep your receipts, all of them.

EDIT: If you do have the receipt, you will get that exchange with no problems.

So any tools I've already bought will no longer be warrantied if I don't have a receipt? What is the point of this? If difference does the receipt make when the have a lifetime warranty, guess I don't understand why they would change the policy.

pipsters · Apr 2, 2011

scott37300 said:
So any tools I've already bought will no longer be warrantied if I don't have a receipt? What is the point of this? If difference does the receipt make when the have a lifetime warranty, guess I don't understand why they would change the policy.

They didn't change their policy, they are just enforcing the one they had in place. On all HF hand tools, the back of the item said "proof of purchase required" when getting the warranty. In fact it even said you had to mail it back into corporate IIRC.

Oh and it looks like Craftsman still has their full unlimited warranty no receipt required, hopefully they don't change that. I will be pissed if that is the case!!

fatboyf150 · Apr 2, 2011

Re: Impact sockets for the Dyer

scott37300 said:
So any tools I've already bought will no longer be warrantied if I don't have a receipt? What is the point of this? If difference does the receipt make when the have a lifetime warranty, guess I don't understand why they would change the policy.

The change is that the stores must follow the company policy that has always been in place. Stores over the years have not done their job and have always let it slip. If you have a tool that you do not have a receipt for, just ask for the store manager and talk with him. If he does not allow the exchange, ask again and then ask for the district managers number. I'm sure you will be taken care of. We are trying to get back on track and letting the customers know that you have got to have the receipt. The problem is that customers are buying up tools and reselling them in their stores and on Ebay. Harbor Freights warranty is for the original purchaser only, and they are wanting proof that you did indeed buy it in the store.

pipsters said:
They didn't change their policy, they are just enforcing the one they had in place. On all HF hand tools, the back of the item said "proof of purchase required" when getting the warranty. In fact it even said you had to mail it back into corporate IIRC.

This is correct. The company is trying to fix their mistakes. The packages do say you must have the proof of purchase, but you can return it to the store for replacement.

LawnDart79 · Apr 2, 2011

If price is a concern (which it appears it is) go for Harbor Freight impact sockets. I have a few of them that I bought in a pinch and they have held up okay under moderately heavy use.

If price is NOT a concern, go for impact sockets made by Wright Tool.

http://www.wrighttool.com/

I have some of these sockets which I used daily in a professional setting. They have held up very well. I really like Wright Tools. I'd say the quality of Wright is right up there with Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc.

I also have truck brands (Snap-On, Mac) and they are top notch, but in my opinion overkill for the weekend warrior.

ibedayank · Apr 2, 2011

PT Doc said:
Get this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-sae-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67903.html

And this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-pie...deep-wall-metric-impact-socket-set-67904.html

And you will have 26 deeps for $64 + tax. (20% of each set)

Just a thought.

what the hell.... more like $19.99 per set and here in TN its 9.25% sales tax sure as hell don't add up to $64.00
$43.67 my cost if i goto nashville and get them

rapyoke · Apr 2, 2011

$17 per set for the Harbor Freight impact sockets:

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...tml&single=true&cust=78157390363&keycode=0000

pipsters · Apr 2, 2011

Re: Impact sockets for the Dyer

fatboyf150 said:
The change is that the stores must follow the company policy that has always been in place. Stores over the years have not done their job and have always let it slip. If you have a tool that you do not have a receipt for, just ask for the store manager and talk with him. If he does not allow the exchange, ask again and then ask for the district managers number. I'm sure you will be taken care of. We are trying to get back on track and letting the customers know that you have got to have the receipt. The problem is that customers are buying up tools and reselling them in their stores and on Ebay. Harbor Freights warranty is for the original purchaser only, and they are wanting proof that you did indeed buy it in the store.

This is correct. The company is trying to fix their mistakes. The packages do say you must have the proof of purchase, but you can return it to the store for replacement.

So does a copy of a receipt work as well? Or once the original fades, are you SOL?

fatboyf150 · Apr 2, 2011

Re: Impact sockets for the Dyer

pipsters said:
So does a copy of a receipt work as well? Or once the original fades, are you SOL?

Copies do work. I don't know about others, but I tell every customer that I sell something to that they need to photocopy their receipts and staple the copy the the original. Get a manila file folder and keep all your receipts for your records. If a store doesn't take the faded original and a copy that is stapled to the original, I would show my ***.

pipsters · Apr 2, 2011

Re: Impact sockets for the Dyer

fatboyf150 said:
Copies do work. I don't know about others, but I tell every customer that I sell something to that they need to photocopy their receipts and staple the copy the the original. Get a manila file folder and keep all your receipts for your records. If a store doesn't take the faded original and a copy that is stapled to the original, I would show my ***.

Now, seeing as there is no barcode or sales check number on these receipts, couldn't ebay sellers just pay with cash for one item they sell, then copy that receipt as many times as needed and include it with the item sold?

fatboyf150 · Apr 2, 2011

Re: Impact sockets for the Dyer

pipsters said:
Now, seeing as there is no barcode or sales check number on these receipts, couldn't ebay sellers just pay with cash for one item they sell, then copy that receipt as many times as needed and include it with the item sold?

Each receipt has a transaction number. Returns must have the original along with the copy. The copy is only for us to get the transaction number, original price, and date off of if the original is faded.

pipsters · Apr 2, 2011

Re: Impact sockets for the Dyer

fatboyf150 said:
Each receipt has a transaction number. Returns must have the original along with the copy. The copy is only for us to get the transaction number, original price, and date off of if the original is faded.

Gotcha, I figured as much but couldn't ever find any sort of tracking number on them.

crewchief888 · Apr 2, 2011

most of my (home use) impact sockets are HF, stanley, and some no-name taiwan.
ive beat the snot out of a couple HF swivel impacts, and havent broken one yet.

:beer:

Impact sockets for the DIYer

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