jesselyons2002
Well-known member
I was wondering what are some good 1/2 and 3/8 impacts sockets. I barely have any and don't want to use the sockets I use with my ratchets to break. Please help my here. 
Impact sockets ?
- Thread starter jesselyons2002
- Start date
Merkava_4
Banned
I'll start off by mentioning PROTO; they're a real nice socket.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Serious???? I have yet to break any of the impact sockets that I have from Harbor Freight or MIT tools. They are pretty much the same as Sunex.
I bought Craftsman and Snap On impact sockets in my most commonly used sizes... the only difference that I have observed between these and the "cheap" ones is that the Craftsman/Snap On ones will develop surface rust quicker.
Others will chime in about clearance issues with the cheaper impact sockets - true they are sometimes a little thicker, but that has NEVER been a problem for me. Generally you are going to use a chrome socket and hand drive tool in a tight spot anyway....
I bought Craftsman and Snap On impact sockets in my most commonly used sizes... the only difference that I have observed between these and the "cheap" ones is that the Craftsman/Snap On ones will develop surface rust quicker.
Others will chime in about clearance issues with the cheaper impact sockets - true they are sometimes a little thicker, but that has NEVER been a problem for me. Generally you are going to use a chrome socket and hand drive tool in a tight spot anyway....
Merkava_4
Banned
He said he doesn't want to use the sockets he uses with his ratchets for impacts; as in his chrome sockets.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Yeah... Okay... and I was talking about impact sockets for his impact stuff. Not chrome.
My only chrome comment came when talking about using sockets in tight areas. Most people that I know use chrome and hand ratchets in those circumstances.
You sure you had enough sleep?????
olds88
Well-known member
I have Snap-on, my boss has S-K, both are fine.
You can find, I think on Amazon, or eBay, complete S-K sets for $99
I recently got a complete rail of brand new Snap-on 3/8 drive metric shallow sockets on ebay for $51. The deeps cost me more.
Shop around
You can find, I think on Amazon, or eBay, complete S-K sets for $99
I recently got a complete rail of brand new Snap-on 3/8 drive metric shallow sockets on ebay for $51. The deeps cost me more.
Shop around
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I have cheap-ish (Danaher, i think.) impact socket sets and they hold up just fine for me.
I'd go with Craftsman sets.
I'd go with Craftsman sets.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
I know of several pro/dealer mechanics, who use the HF impacts, as they are an older (1950's thicker walled) design. I have some for home, since I don't have an air compressor at home, but they were too cheap, and I wanted some deep six pointers to go with my inherited 12 points.
At the price they were, I have no problem with, and did in one case, modify one into a specialty tool (only have needed it twice).
My personal preference, is for the Chrome Moly impact sockets, as they are thinner walled then Chrome Vanadium sockets.
My experiences have been with Sunex (axle socket set gave $15 for and it has been great, also their flip/lugnut set as a backup). Good, but harder to find locally and never have tried to warranty.
HF, never needed to warranty, and never broke one yet.
Mac (both old and new) Mac is currently the garages flip set.
Snap~on (specialty and the flip socket set that needs replacement at the garage, have wore several of these out over the years and broken a few).
Proto (only have a few from garage/estate sales)
Wright (estate sale, a friend tried to abscond these, as he didn't have a short metric set, I did let him borrow them though, I just don't have air, YET, is what I told him)
Craftsman (have their 3/8" swivel sockets, and would have more if they were carried in the stores more then they are, aka warranty)
I could warranty SK or Craftman here (catalog style), or HF, or Mac off the truck. No Snap-on driver and questionable on the local proto dealer (auto parts store that doesn't stock much). Honestly, other then the tire/flip sets, I haven't seen any of any brand broken locally.
At the price they were, I have no problem with, and did in one case, modify one into a specialty tool (only have needed it twice).
My personal preference, is for the Chrome Moly impact sockets, as they are thinner walled then Chrome Vanadium sockets.
My experiences have been with Sunex (axle socket set gave $15 for and it has been great, also their flip/lugnut set as a backup). Good, but harder to find locally and never have tried to warranty.
HF, never needed to warranty, and never broke one yet.
Mac (both old and new) Mac is currently the garages flip set.
Snap~on (specialty and the flip socket set that needs replacement at the garage, have wore several of these out over the years and broken a few).
Proto (only have a few from garage/estate sales)
Wright (estate sale, a friend tried to abscond these, as he didn't have a short metric set, I did let him borrow them though, I just don't have air, YET, is what I told him)
Craftsman (have their 3/8" swivel sockets, and would have more if they were carried in the stores more then they are, aka warranty)
I could warranty SK or Craftman here (catalog style), or HF, or Mac off the truck. No Snap-on driver and questionable on the local proto dealer (auto parts store that doesn't stock much). Honestly, other then the tire/flip sets, I haven't seen any of any brand broken locally.
I have Craftsman, Grey Pneumatic, and Ingersoll Rand impacts; haven't been able to break them yet ... 
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Proto, Craftsman, Cornwell.
CAT_serviceman927
Well-known member
If you don't care where they are made, I would suggest the Grey Pneumatic impact sockets. They have a lifetime warranty, seem to be readily available, and well, that is what the company specializes in so I can't see them being that bad. If USA is a must, I would go with Proto. I just got a set of Proto 3/4" drive impacts from J&L industrial supply. Very nice sockets and reasonably priced. I also have SO, MAC, and MATCO, but I think in the future I will stick with Proto, SO if I can find them used, and Grey Pneumatic when I finally decide to get some 1" drive stuff.
bushhawg73
Well-known member
I have Snap on for the 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive sizes and they are used a lot and work well. I also have some 3/4 inch by Sunnex and they have preformed well. I do not use the 3/4 enough to pay Snap on prices and did not want to shop for one at a time on ebay. To start with I would get a 3/8 Snap on set off ebay and maybe Sunnex or Grey Pneumatic for the 1/2 inch drive. You will use the 3/8 set the most for general repairs.
OP
jesselyons2002
Well-known member
Thanks everyone. Wow this forums are really helpful.
daveblank
Well-known member
Grey Pnrumatic are good & cheap
I've actually had pretty good luck with Craftsman impact sockets. I love my old Bonney impact sockets. I have some Mac and Matco as well, and they work every time. I haven't broken any of those yet. I have broken a few imports, but never a US made one.The cheapies lasted pretty well, but they were much thicker than the US made ones. E is right about the rust issue. It seems like the cheaper the more rust resistant. I have wore a few domestic impact sockets out, but not broken them.
GDA
Well-known member
I have Snap On that I all bought used except for my set of deep axle sockets and a 46mm used for front hub nuts. I got them all for about 35 to 40% of new retail. Several sets were acquired new in the box/wrapping.
If I had to do it all over again based on the information from this board, I'd simply order complete sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive from Grey Pneumatic. Excellent price and I dont think I've ever seen a bad word written about them and since you get them new, they will last you a very, very long time.
If I had to do it all over again based on the information from this board, I'd simply order complete sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive from Grey Pneumatic. Excellent price and I dont think I've ever seen a bad word written about them and since you get them new, they will last you a very, very long time.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
billymade
Well-known member
Old Proto impact sockets tend to be a inexpensive used socket and seems to be a "sleeper" brand that people don't know much about; I have gotten 1/2" drive proto sockets for a $1 to .50 apiece!
I was trying to decide on some new impact sockets recently as well. I have 1/2" deep C-man impacts and they have worked well and I like them.
I wanted to try something a little different for the 3/8" so I picked up some Proto impacts at a VERY resonable price on ebay. (30 pieces in short and deep for $60 to my door) When I got them I was kind of disappointed - they were not nearly as nice as I expected. VERY thick walls (walls on the 3/8" Proto are thicker than my c-man 1/2" drive in the same size) Rough finishing, etc. I can't complain becaue of the price I paid though...Put it this way, the c-man finishing and overall design I thought were MUCH better.
I will post some pics up later, maybe tomorrow
With all of the good things I've heard about Proto, I'm starting to think that maybe the second hand 'new' Proto stuff on ebay isn't up to snuff.
The other thing to consider in the small sizes is I have heard in some instances that the 'cone' design is not great in tight spots for the deeps. I can see this being important for 3/8" drive...look at the difference in a smaller size C-man vs. a Snap-On and you will see what I mean.
I did pick-up some 2nd hand Cornwell 3/8" drive impact swivels and they are VERY nice. I like them very much and I got them for a bargain!
I wanted to try something a little different for the 3/8" so I picked up some Proto impacts at a VERY resonable price on ebay. (30 pieces in short and deep for $60 to my door) When I got them I was kind of disappointed - they were not nearly as nice as I expected. VERY thick walls (walls on the 3/8" Proto are thicker than my c-man 1/2" drive in the same size) Rough finishing, etc. I can't complain becaue of the price I paid though...Put it this way, the c-man finishing and overall design I thought were MUCH better.
I will post some pics up later, maybe tomorrow
With all of the good things I've heard about Proto, I'm starting to think that maybe the second hand 'new' Proto stuff on ebay isn't up to snuff.
The other thing to consider in the small sizes is I have heard in some instances that the 'cone' design is not great in tight spots for the deeps. I can see this being important for 3/8" drive...look at the difference in a smaller size C-man vs. a Snap-On and you will see what I mean.
I did pick-up some 2nd hand Cornwell 3/8" drive impact swivels and they are VERY nice. I like them very much and I got them for a bargain!
OP
jesselyons2002
Well-known member
I myself can't buy used tools. I just save up to get brand new stuff.
JayL
Well-known member
Don't forget to check the Ingersoll Rand impact sockets too. Not so thick & nice balanced weight etc... I bought mine at amazon.com.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
You must have WAY more money than the rest of us...
Grey Pneumatic is what all of the Discount Tire stores use around here.... and they beat on them with (IIRC) IR 2135s. Seem to hold up pretty well...
OP
jesselyons2002
Well-known member
Ingersoll rand SK34C86
Hmm this kit does look nice. Would go really nice with my Ir 2135Qtimax and 2115Qtimax.
Can anyone rattle off a listing of major brands and their material? I'm guessing Proto was Chrome Vanadium because they were way thicker in 3/8" than my Cman 1/2".
Let's get SO, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, Cman, HF, etc. if we can.
I'll start...
GP - Chrome-Molybdenum
billymade
Well-known member
daveblank, can you tell us who makes the Matco impact sockets? I was under the impression in the past the USA made hard line stuff was made by Wright tools and now who makes the "silver eagle" asian low line sockets?
peterbilr98
Well-known member
dont go with hf or imports they brake have plent of spit ones laying around i maimly have ir impacts now 1/4 to 1" sets never broke one of them
i maimly have ir impacts now 1/4 to 1" sets never broke one of themI have a lot of used sockets,Armstrong,Williams,Cornwell,Mac,Matco,Wright,
Snap-on,Proto I fill in with new ones that I can't find used. I also have some SK.
A lot of companies such as Mac are going foreign. SK is about the best priced domestic manufacturer.
I buy a lot from ebay.
Snap-on,Proto I fill in with new ones that I can't find used. I also have some SK.
A lot of companies such as Mac are going foreign. SK is about the best priced domestic manufacturer.
I buy a lot from ebay.
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Alot of times Craftsman inpact sockets go on sale for almost 50% off and they are very good US made sockets and fairly priced
I have the 1/4", 3/8", & 1/2" master sets along with the 3/8" swivels and none of mine are stamped, just the white numbering for the size. These are holding up really well where the MIT set I have shows wear after a couple of uses.
Are Cman impacts CR-V or CR-M?