Impact sockets, need for shallow?

[csmitty]

Upgrading some impact sockets since I get a pretty good deal from Grainger so going with some protos. I was wondering if there was a need to have a full set of deep and standard. My thinking is the deep will cover most anything as using a impact is a pretty space consuming operation.

I don't get real technical with impact use, as in extensions and swivels. Sometimes one or the other.

But, with cost being a limiting factor. Would you say deep or shallow for just one set?

I also noticed the 3/8dr set I got the hex profile doesn't extend all the way down like on some other impact sockets I have. Which, for say a lugnut or ball joint press is kind of annoying as it doesn't grip as much as it could. Is that the norm now?

 

[smalltruck]

It depends. For me I have both because I use the impact about 80% of the time. Otherwise I use the air ratchet. My last tool I reach for is the hand ratchet because of time. I do use the deep sockets way more than the shallow but they each have limits and benefits.

 

[csmitty]

I agree I do tend to use my 3/8 electric more than a ratchet now. Depending on what I'm doing. Even though I do love my ratchets. For 1/2 dr its usually big stuff. Lug nuts, diff parts. So most of those usually don't have a space constraint. I hardly ever use an air ratchet, mainly for noise and its not much faster than just using a normal ratchet. Granted if it was all day long the physical aspects would prob. warrant the use of an air ratchet. But i'm just farting around the garage.

 

[crewchief888]

my vote is for a set of shallow, and add on most your most used deepwell sizes.


jmho

 

[muskaman67]

Deep for sure.

 

[pipsters]

It's weird I prefer shallow chrome sockets and deep impact sockets. No idea why.

Maybe best bang for buck is deep 1/2" and shallow 3/8".

 

[muddyjoe15]

I buy harbor frieght impacts, so i can afford to have both sets. LOL

 

[BigAl62]

Shallow sockets are great for tight areas and they also reduce the "torsion bar" effect that deep sockets sometimes have.

 

[Scout Driver]

Most of the time that I'm using an impact, I reach for the deep sockets. I'm generally out in the open and space and clearance are not an issue.

Scott

 

[GoBlue]

Ive never seen a pro with shallow impacts. They always have had deep in sae and metric and wobbles in sae and metric...as do it. Where would you need an impact where having a shallow was esential?

 

[iajonesy]

Remember, you can't use a shallow socket for a deep well problem,but you can usually use a deep well any time.

Mike

 

[davesnothere]

I always go for the deep, unless it won't fit. Impact or otherwise.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i like shallows, but impacts deep and short are my go to sockets, i only break out the chrome if its a tight fit

 

[shampoop]

I think you really do use deep and shallow impact sockets pretty evenly. Deeps for when the nut is threaded really far onto the bolt, and shallows for when you have low clearance or need max power.

 

[back2class]

I have both deep and shallow. What I don't have is 1/2dr deep chrome sockets. For the odd occasion I need something bigger than 1" or 21mm (I have those in 3/8 chrome) The impacts work fine. I suppose one day I will need a 24mm deep socket with a thin wall but in my 36 years of life such a situation has not come up.
I use the shallow and deep impacts about the same amount though I reach for the shallow first if I am sure it will work. If I had just one length then definately DEEP. I would say spend your money on some deep impacts first. Proto is great, but to me impacts are one area where I have had great luck with cheap imports. They are about the only non USA item in my boxes. But if you want a top notch set then get the Protos. Then get some import shallow impacts later. Shallow impacts are one tool I can find nothing better about the $30 snap-on socket and the $1 import.
P.S. I think the Stanley impacts sold (at least they used to sell them though CH seems to be the brand stocked now) at walmart may be the same as the Proto badged ones. Are the Proto USA?

No matter what, you will find you need swivel impacts, though Matco makes a nice short swivel adapter (shorter than SO) that combined with a shallow socket will get you by much of the time. Seriously, pick up the Protos, then get some dirt cheap shallows that you only have to use when you NEED them.

 

[Seanbev24]

For 1/2" impacts, I find that I use my deep and swivel sockets pretty equally. I honestly don't remember the last time I used a 1/2" shallow impact socket.

For 3/8" impacts I use shallows quite a bit, but still use the deeps and swivels much more.

 

[csmitty]

Remember, you can't use a shallow socket for a deep well problem,but you can usually use a deep well any time.

Mike

Thats pretty much always been my line of thinking when it comes to impacts. So I was just posing the question to see how much of a NEED there really is for shallow. Sure I want them. But there's probably other things I need first.

I have both deep and shallow. What I don't have is 1/2dr deep chrome sockets. For the odd occasion I need something bigger than 1" or 21mm (I have those in 3/8 chrome) The impacts work fine. I suppose one day I will need a 24mm deep socket with a thin wall but in my 36 years of life such a situation has not come up.
I use the shallow and deep impacts about the same amount though I reach for the shallow first if I am sure it will work. If I had just one length then definately DEEP. I would say spend your money on some deep impacts first. Proto is great, but to me impacts are one area where I have had great luck with cheap imports. They are about the only non USA item in my boxes. But if you want a top notch set then get the Protos. Then get some import shallow impacts later. Shallow impacts are one tool I can find nothing better about the $30 snap-on socket and the $1 import.
P.S. I think the Stanley impacts sold (at least they used to sell them though CH seems to be the brand stocked now) at walmart may be the same as the Proto badged ones. Are the Proto USA?

No matter what, you will find you need swivel impacts, though Matco makes a nice short swivel adapter (shorter than SO) that combined with a shallow socket will get you by much of the time. Seriously, pick up the Protos, then get some dirt cheap shallows that you only have to use when you NEED them.

I agree on the imports. I have a 1/2 Cummins tools SAE set that I've used for 8 years probably and haven't had a problem. I got a dewalt 3/8s electric impact and a shallow SAE set from cripe of CMan for $9, found I really liked it so got the Proto 72116 of Amazon for a good price and was really impressed with them. They are USA made and still say Proto Professional on them. And since I get a deal from Grainer was going to expand my 3/8s so got this set.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PROTO-Impact-Socket-Set-4JX05

My plan would then to move to the 1/2s with this set.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PROTO-Impact-Socket-Set-4JX22

Only thing that tore at me was how much it would overlap with the 3/8s set. But I'm sure a month later I'd get over it and then they should easily last a lifetime and more. Then I would get the larger SAE set and just keep my existing Cummins in the Jeep for trail repairs. (Got an engine driven compressor on it)

And if I fell like I haven't completely lost my mind by then I'll go back for the shallows.

I got a Proto 3/8s swivel that seems decent. Its a pinned type. I haven't seen a Matco one but have heard good things about the swivel impact sockets. I've got an older CMan 1/2 swivel thats pinned as well that does ok.

Whats the consensus on impact swivels? I would think shallow would be the best option there. I'd imagine the Proto's are a pinned while the Matco's and I think CMan have the ball/socket type design.

The Proto's

Thanks for all the insight/opinions!

 

[jvitez]

I just recently completed my chrome socket set: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive in metric and SAE, deep and shallow. Thanks GJ! But for impacts, I too use mostly Asian sourced deep sockets. I got a set of NOS shallow impact SK sockets in 3/8 drive recently. Not sure how often I'll use them but the price was right, and made in USA.

I agree, it would be pretty rare for me to need an air impact, and only be able to get a shallow impact socket on the nut. Deep for me.

 

[csmitty]

The SKs are nice impacts as well. i've got a scattered couple I got in a large lot.

Any idea if these are impact rated or just industrial?
http://www.stanleyproto.com/default...iteName=Blackhawk&strDefaultCatalog=Blackhawk

Obviously some of those would never last on an impact but if it was that stuck your probably screwed anyways.