Impact sockets: what kind do you have?
- Thread starter Wolverine
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Deafautotech
Well-known member
are you work on shifts? i am work from 7:30 or so until 5 pm unless have customers waiting then stay on clock...
kartracer55
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Since this thread started, I have expanded my collection. I have MATCO 3/8 metric deeps, craftsman metric shallows in 3/8. Snap on SAE shallows in 3/8, Snap on Metric swivels and SK 1/2 deep and shallow metric and SAE impacts.
So far, the only impacts I have ever broken either at home or at work are swivels from SK and Snap On, as well as an OLD herbrand 1/2 impact socket and I have cracked a few no name ones. Other than that, the only reason I have had to warranty a socket is because it was actually worn out, which may or may not be "officially" covered under snap on's warranty.
Matco chrome's have held up incredibly well to 3/8 impacts at work, I have never had one break in over a year. Can not say the same from snap on's, however snap on's tend to be a thinner socket.
Jim
So far, the only impacts I have ever broken either at home or at work are swivels from SK and Snap On, as well as an OLD herbrand 1/2 impact socket and I have cracked a few no name ones. Other than that, the only reason I have had to warranty a socket is because it was actually worn out, which may or may not be "officially" covered under snap on's warranty.
Matco chrome's have held up incredibly well to 3/8 impacts at work, I have never had one break in over a year. Can not say the same from snap on's, however snap on's tend to be a thinner socket.
Jim
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have mostly MAC 1/2 inch drive stuff, Matco 3/8 drive stuff, with some Cornwell swivels, and a small assortment of Grey Pneumatic and Sunex stuff for beating. I've only broken a couple of swivel sockets over the years. They were an older Matco and Cornwell. I snapped the swivel pins. The dealers at the time took good care of me. I am amazed at the abuse the Sunex and Grey pneumatics take without failing. I'm not too sure if I would get swivel impacts from Grey Pneumatic or Sunex though (i think the same plant makes both brands). Their prices are great but, the ring around the socket is pretty thick. I like the lower profile current Matco swivels without the pin.
Yeah .. I'm one of the lowest in the chain of people there. Lube tech. 1 to 7 everyday. Which *****. I don't make much money.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
oh, it seem not good for you but it is start for bottom then work for go up and up as it take time as someone can't get job as nascar crew chief without expericnece or even no one will hire you if you try to be crew chief.... that what i did learn in college (Intro to motorsport) and many of technicians work at nascer was start from bottom then go up and up when they want to and show them...
i was started at crossroads chrysler and jeep as lube tech but few months later my work need heavy line jobs so i took it... i got it run good and quick. even next door (Mercury and Lincoln have one tech who did a lot of cylinder heads replacement was refused and will walk out if they force him to do one more cylinder head replacement because tech already did one in two day and need to do again next day on different vehicle with same engine. he already hurt his knee... so that tech told service manager to get me to do it because i did lot of repairs and replacements with him while i was learning and being tech support. so i did took it and i got it fixed but i did asked for help which he did help but not at all... that is fine with me which it help me learn a lot...
Deafautotech
Well-known member
most of techs rumors that matco's sockets tend to slip or round off the bolts... but i own many chrome sockets sets from craftsman which it is work fine (i dont use them most as i do with my impact sockets... )
Lyaec350
Well-known member
I got the Craftsman deep 1/2" impacts in metric and standard when they went on sale for the Craftsman Club... happened to be able to use the $5 coupon as well 
kartracer55
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I havent seen this with the matco's, they seem to be just fine for me, but to each his own ya know?
Deafautotech
Well-known member
I've got a little variety..
1/2" deep & shallow metrics in Matco
3/8" metric swivels in Snap-On
3/8" metric shallows in Cornwell
1/2" sae in GRIP (Grand Rapids Industrial Products IIRC?) I don't reach for SAE stuff much but the quality is good and considering I've used two sockets in the 4 years I've had them...they were a worthwhile investment!
I actually have some 3/8" deep metrics from Mac that I was debating keeping or just selling.... hmmm I don't reach for my 3/8" gun that much.
1/2" deep & shallow metrics in Matco
3/8" metric swivels in Snap-On
3/8" metric shallows in Cornwell
1/2" sae in GRIP (Grand Rapids Industrial Products IIRC?) I don't reach for SAE stuff much but the quality is good and considering I've used two sockets in the 4 years I've had them...they were a worthwhile investment!
I actually have some 3/8" deep metrics from Mac that I was debating keeping or just selling.... hmmm I don't reach for my 3/8" gun that much.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Craftsman 1/2 shallow standard & metric, (1)set Sunnex 1/2 metric shallow, (1)set Husky USA metric deep 1/2, (2) sets SO standard deep 3/8, (1) set Sunnex 3/8 deep metric, (1) set 3/8 Craftsman standard shallow (1)set HF standard 1/2 shallow (1) set 3/8 SO shallow flex (1) set SO 1/2 standard deep. Also a few 3/4 that I use by hand, I do not own a 3/4 impact. I think that is about it.
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russlaferrera
Well-known member
I have 3/8 shallow and deep Snap-On, 1/2 shallow Craftsman, 1/2 deep Snap-On !/2 deep metric Harbor Freight.
I prefer Snap-On.
I prefer Snap-On.
Why are the Craftsman not "serious" ?
PAToyota
Well-known member
Set of Craftsman 1/2" drive 6 pt. regular and deep SAE and metric sockets - no complaints.
blue302stang
Well-known member
i have full 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sets from Grey Pneumatic. I abuse the hell out of them and have not had a single problem. Plan on picking up their universal 3/8 soon
eschoendorff
Well-known member
I do too.. most of the time. Except here:
I bought a Snap On 19mm deep impact socket ~ $20. I have a whole set from HF for significantly less than $20. My Snap On is covered in surface rust but my HF set turns nuts and bolts just as well and has zero rust.... something to think about.
SCguy
Well-known member
Just got mine today. I don't use impacts much, so I didn't feel the need to fork out real big bucks for a huge set. I got a smaller IR set that has pretty much my basics covered.
RD
RD
I broke an impact torx socket the first time I used it. Barely tapped the trigger on the impact gun and the tip shattered. Will be calling tomorrow about warranty.
I have found Snap-on impact sockets to be lame. Cornwell impact sockets, are some real tough mothers. I still have my HF ones from many years ago, I have never broken either. Even though Harbor Freight impacts are pretty good, Cornwell is worth the money, for a later upgrade. If I was not a professional, I may not have sprung for the Cornwells though, since the other ones work just fine. For axle sockets, below is a good set.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96342
seth_man
Well-known member
1/2" Snap-On SAE & Metric Shallow & Deep 6 point , 10-36mm, 3/8-1 9/16"
3/8" Cornwell SAE & Metric Shallow & Deep 6 point , 6-19mm, 5/16 -1"
3/8" Swivle MAC SAE & Metric Shallow 6 point , 8-19mm, 3/8-3/4"
and a few other specialty impacts
3/8" Cornwell SAE & Metric Shallow & Deep 6 point , 6-19mm, 5/16 -1"
3/8" Swivle MAC SAE & Metric Shallow 6 point , 8-19mm, 3/8-3/4"
and a few other specialty impacts
Homoudont
Well-known member
I use a set called Master Mechanic which I bought in a huge tool set from a discount store called Ollies. It seems to work well but I can't say I've used them more then a dozen times in the three years I owned the set. I think next time I am at HF I am going to pick up some of the ones I am missing. Or get around to placing a toptul. I can't justify even spending craftsman type money for something I rarely use.
Master Mechanic is the True Value store brand.
Master Mechanic is the True Value store brand.
Frank Elson
Well-known member
A local professional I spend a lot of time with (runs his own Land Rover shop) told me to buy cheap as he's had everything from cheap to Snap On and they ALL break eventually.
Gregster
Well-known member
I have an SO 1/2 short and long impacts in metric (no need for SAE these days). They all have light surface rust on them because they are unfinished, also during the winter it gets very salty around here.. My el cheap taiwan ones have a finish to them.
3 at 8
Well-known member
Has anyone gotten the chance to use any Toptul impacts. I didnt see any mentioned.
kartracer55
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krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
yes the impact will deform the square drive hole.
i have snap on 1/2 dr deep (meteric and sae) mac 1/2 drive shallow (metric and sae). never broken any of them.
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
I have Matco, Snap-on, and Wright impact sockets, none of them have let me down let.
Anybody use the Northern Tool 1/2" impact socket listed below?
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200334241_200334241
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200334249_200334249
What is with the swirl in the bottom of the socket? Are these standard impact sockets?
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200334241_200334241
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200334249_200334249
What is with the swirl in the bottom of the socket? Are these standard impact sockets?
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gatewaysysop
Well-known member
Are you talking about the crappy photoshop job on the deep ones?
No idea what's up with that, but it really looks sloppy.
speed bump
Well-known member
I have both of those sets as well as some Napa, some Craftsman, Some HF, and some Wright. If I have a camera at the house (it might have left without my knowledge again) tomorrow when i'm out in the garage i'll take some pictures.
Also they are standard impact sockets and they are made in china, I bought mine because I got both sets for about $45 shipped which was cheaper than HF and I thought I would need them. Thus far they have sat in the box because everything I have worked on since then has been SAE.
Full Size 66
Well-known member
HARBOR FREIGHT 4.5 yrs & counting. They were less than 20.00$
I have the Toptul 1/2" Deep SAE set, but they're the chrome jobs, not impacts. So far so good, they have held up as well as anything else, including the rare use on an impact gun. My impacts are Armstrongs. They're thick as hell, but I don't think I could break one if I wanted to. My metric impacts are Ingersoll-Rand. MUCH thinner walls than the Armstrongs.