Impact Sockets

[jlaber383]

Would you say that when it comes to impact sockets, you get what you pay for? I'm looking to get a full set of metric and sae, deep and shallow and even swivel sockets. For swivel impact sockets I'm definitely getting the pinless sets by Matco, but for the others I'm debating between SK, Proto, and Matco. I don't want to spend a little less money right now for a set of sockets that will end up just cracking or round bolts easier than when I could've spent a bit more to get a set of sockets that will last almost a lifetime.

 

[crewchief888]

i dont think ive ever broken a non swivel impact in the past 25+ years.
altho, i've worn a couple out in that time, both MAC 3/4" dr
ive snapped the crosspins on a few swivel impacts, both 3/8" & 1/2" dr.


i've beat on a couple of HF and stanley impact swockets, and they've held up fine.

 

[pipsters]

Get Sunex. IMO the Taiwanese impacts (possibly other tools as well) are actually better than the US stuff.

Sears sells the same swivel sockets that Matco does, same sockets, might be less money, might want to look into it.

 

[GoBlue]

With impact sockets you definitly DONT get what you pay for. Impacts...both swivel and regular are one place you can go cheap with no ill effect.

 

[archirelic]

Sunex and/or Grey Pneumatic. They offer comprehensive sets in both SAE and Metric. A 19 piece 1/2" SAE set and a 26 piece 1/2" Metric set. No skipped sizes in shallow or deep.

 

[Tunger]

Haven't had good luck with cheap impact swivels, caught a pin in the forearm from a cheapo. That said, I have had excellent luck with the cheap impact deep sockets had the same set for 12+ years and have only broken one in all that time.

 

[hammergodthor]

Harbor Freight is actually ok for impact sockets, just make sure the set you get has the sizes you want/need.

For swivels, sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[85camaro]

I bought a cheap set of Stanley impacts several years ago and they have taken everything i've dished out.

 

[Fedwrench]

With impact sockets you definitly DONT get what you pay for. Impacts...both swivel and regular are one place you can go cheap with no ill effect.

I look at it differently. With impact sockets there some excellent lower cost choices such as Grey Pneumatic and Sunex that will provide you years of hard service. These brands will give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to impact sockets.

If you only want US made impact sockets, I'd go with Proto.
As for the impact swivels, my favorites are the pinless branded Matco. Yes they are the same whether they have Craftsman, Armstrong, or Matco stamped on them but, only matco offers shallow, semi deep, and deep in a wide variety of sizes. Craftsman and Armstrong have limited offerings.

 

[diesel research]

I have broke the cheap bottom of the barrel type. It happens. (HF, HD, MIT, etc)

They don't necessarily break during the hard use job. May just have internal stress cracks. Then some time when you aren't expecting it or not stressing it hard, it just suddenly cracks down the side and spins on the fastener. Or in the case of adapters/extensions/torx, they just sheer off and fly across the shop. (impact rated)

Great luck with sunex/GP. Not as great of luck with US variants. Didn't break (except for proto adapter that sheered off right out of the box) but seem to wear and wallow out faster, not to mention rust a lot easier than the others while stored in the same exact environment.

My bench grinder test showed taiwan typically has a better coating. I have not tracked down the coating used by the mid range taiwan sockets, but believe it is manganese phosphate, while USA is often black oxide. Quickly worn to a dull gunmetal or grey color.

 

[adamsredlines]

I acquired some Campbell Hausfeld ones...not sure who makes them for them...but after some use I looked and several were cracked at the corners. Tossed those and have Harbor Freight (1/2" deep), Craftsman (1/2" shallow) and Sunex (3/8 shallow and deep).

I think if I had to do it over again, I'd go all Sunex. Very affordable and appear to be very well made, although I've not really used them much.

 

[kartracer55]

I've split cheap impacts before.

Go for the big SK sets. Great value, US made, and the coating is the cats ***!! During the hurricane a few months back my entire tool collection ended up under water. I literally hosed the SK sockets off and they have ZERO rust on the outsides. My Snap On and Matco's from various years developed a funky surface rust after a few days.

 

[slomatt]

I split several of the HF impact sockets after a small amount of use. The all failed at the thinnest part of the metal right at the edge. HF replaced the without question, but I've since upgraded to a higher quality set.

- Matt

 

[MattPersman]

+ another for Sunex or GP, no skipped sizes like the ultra cheapies and hold up well to pro use. if you have a matco guy they can get you and warranty GP but might try to sell you on the Matco ADV line, which is another reasonable option with a good warranty

 

[fm2176]

Another vote for Sunex. Some of the first tools I bought were a set a Snap-On SAE impact sockets. A while later I needed metric sockets as well but decided to save some cash this time. The Sunex metrics haven't seen as much use as the Snap-On SAE set, but they have held up to everything I've thrown at them over the years.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

To the OP....From the 3 you listed, SK will do a very good job for a lot less money. I have a full set in 3/8" and they have been just as tough as my Snap-on impacts.

 

[HandyManny]

.

My bench grinder test showed taiwan typically has a better coating. I have not tracked down the coating used by the mid range taiwan sockets, but believe it is manganese phosphate, while USA is often black oxide. Quickly worn to a dull gunmetal or grey color.

It's likely a baked-on or bonded matte lacqure of some type on those mid range Taiwan impacts. Typically manganese phosphate (parkerizing) will eventually smooth and thin out taking on a similar but slightly different appearance (dull gunmetal grey) to black-oxide or gun blueing that has worn down as well. Big difference is that phosphate finishes are slightly more durable and offer much better resistance to rust and corrosion, even after years of being worn down thin with use and handling. Phosphate on impacts makes the most sense since it's not really a coating but rather a surface conversion, as are oxide finishes too. With either there is nothing to flake or chip off of the surface, those finishes simply wear down with usage..

 

[diesel research]

I don't have pictures anymore. The imported coating is not the high gloss stuff you see from HF or campbell hausfeld. It shines/smooths up when put to the bench grinder with a slight change of tint, but nothing dramatic and no base metal appearing.

The snap ons on the other hand "flake off" almost instantly down to bare but slightly tinted base metal and the color is much lighter than the surrounding areas.

I know it's crazy to imagine someone taking nearly new tool truck sockets to the wire wheel, but try to imagine the dismay when you come into work and those almost new (some not even used, but still oiled) sockets have a nasty coating of bright orange rust over the weekend ONLY due to humidity, while sockets sitting right next to it (some up to 7 years old) show no effects.

I am pretty sure it wasn't lacquer, as I have washed them with brake clean MANY times before re-oiling.

This also applies to mac/proto/craftsman/kobalt USA, not nearly as durable coating.

Let you decide if it appears to be lacquer.

 

[blacK20]

I have broken some swivels over the years. Straight impact sockets on the other hand don't fail very often. If it does, it's once in a blue moon and by that time you've probably got your money out of it anyways.

 

[tbobbo]

I vote grey pneumatic....love em!

 

[Lkdelta]

I vote grey pneumatic....love em!

You can start doing some comparisons on either tooltopia or toolsource?

half drive metric 26 pc ..part number is 1326m
half drive metric deep 26 pc..part number is 1326md

half drive SAE 19 pc .....part number is 1319
half drive SAE deep 19 pc..part number 1319D

 

[adcrawfo]

I vote for the SK sockets. I've never had an issue with them and they get the same wear and abuse as the snappys.

Sent from my Milestone X2 using Tapatalk

 

[pipsters]

I like my SK's too but I'm finding they are kinda soft, they are wearing a lot quicker than I thought they should.

 

[kartracer55]

I like my SK's too but I'm finding they are kinda soft, they are wearing a lot quicker than I thought they should.

A lot of times you are actually wearing IN the impact sockets initially, then after a while it pretty much ceases and the sockets carry on.

 

[mattygee]

I'll second/third the votes for Grey Pneumatic. Nice stuff, reasonable cost. I also have set of their hybrid duo-sockets in 1/4 drive. Basically thin wall impacts.

"Tools are essential to life. Use them well."

 

[todd2008]

I got a lot of westward impact sockets. They seem pretty good.

 

[HDTRUCKGUY]

I bought a set of sunex 3/4 drive shallow 3/4" to 2 1/2" and they work great all my others are snap on and it seems like the 3/8 drive ones wear out

 

[Graham r ford]

I have have A snap on set,that I have had for 30 years,use every working day, I have broken breaker bars with them and bolts,nuts.never the sockets.

 

[Monte]

Hazet

 

[littletoes]

Love my PROTO's.

8mm to 36mm

I'm a Pipefitter, and use them on an Industrial level, I'd put the PROTO's against all comers.

 

[bgott]

I bought a Sunex 1/2" drive metric set and haven't been able to kill them with an MG725.

 

[kc-steve]

It's good info to hear about the Sunex. I stay away from Grey Pnuematic because their warranty says they aren't covered if bought from an "unauthorized" dealer. So trying to sell them in the after market is a waste of time. In fact, I don't think many people ever buy used impact sockets, I could be wrong though.

Either way, I have been looking carefully at different quality brands to offer and the Sunex sockets seems to often top the list for both pros and home shop people. I have also been stocking some S-K and Proto as well.

Steve

 

[tbobbo]

I have never had a problem with greys warranty. I have broke hex and torx sockets. Never even been questioned on it. I have never broke a socket or a swivel socket. All of the bits
i have broke were 3/8 used on my 1/2 impact with a adapter

 

[ekeller]

How do the Williams stand up?

 

[Flash21]

The Protos are nice and very tough, but especially in 3/8", access is an issue with the cone design...I wish they would come out with a version that was turned down around the drive side like snap-On or at least 1/2 way down like SK or GP.

 

[kc-steve]

I have never had a problem with greys warranty. I have broke hex and torx sockets. Never even been questioned on it. I have never broke a socket or a swivel socket. All of the bits
i have broke were 3/8 used on my 1/2 impact with a adapter

If you have been taking your Grey Pnuematic warranties to "unauthorized" dealers or have purchased them used, then I would say you have been lucky.

Have a look for yourself,
http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentPieceID=807

Steve

 

[tbobbo]

I have been getting them warrantied at parts stores that sell them, and at acme tool crib. I bought alot from a independent tool truck that we had here, he is no longer around so i had to look for other options. Or also rubber inc.......a tire shop suppy store, either they own GP or GP owns them. Rubber inc used to be called grey products. Either way, no one has ever asked for a recipt or where i bought them. Acme tool crib just orders what i need and calls me to bring in the tool when the replacement comes in. I started buying stuff from acme because thier prices are close to internet prices, people there sre helpfull. I prefer to buy local if i can.

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

Are Grey Pneumatic just laser etched with the size or are they also stamped? I havent seen any with ther logo on them....

 

[gtrotter]

I've been using a brand called " Pro-Grade" that I picked up from Rural King. Price was reasonable, and I haven't had any failures with about a years worth of use. Not pro shop use, but I have used them much more than the average person. I have them in 1/2 drive; metric and SAE deepwell, and metric shallow.

 

[dieselmike]

buy something made in north america.