Impact sockets?

[Sasquatch912]

Looking to buy some 1/2 impact sockets especially since some are on sale right now. I'm just trying to debate whether to get the ones like the Neiko like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MXB85S3/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I dont think anyone sells a kit with deep and shallow with sizes all the way up to 2 inches or 33mm. Ive seen some Sunex shallow sockets from 10mm to like 33mm for $76. Looks like i am going to have to piece together a set? What have yall done?


Found this set but man..$325
https://www.tekton.com/1-2-inch-drive-6-point-impact-socket-set-sid92407

 

[vssjim]

Neiko tools really don't have a warranty past a short time so if you are building a set for awhile I would look in to something better like TEKTON or GearWrench etc, so you can have something to build on and buy once.

 

[Sasquatch912]

Neiko tools really don't have a warranty past a short time so if you are building a set for awhile I would look in to something better like TEKTON or GearWrench etc, so you can have something to build on and buy once.

Thanks for the info. You think that kit for $325 by Tekton is worth it?

 

[brownbagg]

it hard to break an impact socket, so cheapy harbor freight are fine, last a lifetime

 

[Sasquatch912]

it hard to break an impact socket, so cheapy harbor freight are fine, last a lifetime

But they lack complete sets and skip sizes.

 

[GrantCee]

I'm a fan of the Gray Pneumatic sets...they (usually) don't skip sizes, the quality is excellent, and they have a good reputation.

 

[speed bump]

I just pieced them together: Grey Pneumatic, Sunnex, Harbor Freight, Dewalt, Snap on, Proto, Northern Tool. Outside of the extreme ends of the spectrum they are black and with a good impact gun you will beat the corners out eventually. Stamped size markings would be the only thing I consider important.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

Tekton makes a good set of impact sockets. I use my almost every time I’m doing chassis work

 

[Fedwrench]

Thanks for the info. You think that kit for $325 by Tekton is worth it?

it depends if you really need all of those sizes in the set. Do you really need 1/2 drive impact sockets in both deep & shallow 5/16, 3/8, 11/32, or even 7/16?

or metric in 8-12 mm for that matter?

That master 87 piece set works out to $3.73 a piece.

If you buy from Tekton.com, you'll get free shipping to the continental USA and earn $32.50 in rewards that spend like cash on future purchases.

I like most of what Tekton offers. I feel they have excellent customer service but, i would probably skip the master impact socket set and look for a set with the sizes I mostly use.

 

[cstmg8]

I really like the sunex configurations. They seem to be arranged so that you can build up a collection without too much repetition.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Do you really need shallow and deep, and metric and imperial in all those sizes? If you go deep only (makes sense since you're probably not using an impact socket in a tight space) thats only $225. If you can drop Imperial you could get metric in shallow and deep for $250

Its also the big sizes that really add the expense. If you limit yourself to 24mm they have a set for $60.

 

[visionguru]

Looking to buy some 1/2 impact sockets especially since some are on sale right now. I'm just trying to debate whether to get the ones like the Neiko like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MXB85S3/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I dont think anyone sells a kit with deep and shallow with sizes all the way up to 2 inches or 33mm. Ive seen some Sunex shallow sockets from 10mm to like 33mm for $76. Looks like i am going to have to piece together a set? What have yall done?


Found this set but man..$325
https://www.tekton.com/1-2-inch-drive-6-point-impact-socket-set-sid92407

Both Neiko and Tekton sockets are CR-V. I only buy Tekton stuff when it's 50% off, otherwise, too expensive for what they are.
Gearwrench is CR-MO, like all truck brands, and similarly priced.

 

[DeeKay]

The biggest problem I've seen with the cheaper impact sockets are the walls are too thick which makes it hard to get in some places and the sizes used to be laser etched instead of stamped. My Go-to for Impact sockets are Williams or Proto but damn are they proud of them.

 

[Kscardsfan]

The biggest problem I've seen with the cheaper impact sockets are the walls are too thick which makes it hard to get in some places and the sizes used to be laser etched instead of stamped. My Go-to for Impact sockets are Williams or Proto but damn are they proud of them.

Agreed, they’re some chunky sobs, but for cheap *** tools to beat on, 90% of the time the HF ones work great. I think I’m going to upgrade to some Williams USA sets as time and money allow.

 

[bob15]

I have has good luck with my Wright impacts in SAE and metric. How often do you think you will need the deep impacts? I rarely use my deep impacts, 99% of the time it is the shallow sockets that get used.

 

[Flash and Flare]

2020 is clearly messed with all of us, GJ members are advocating owning less tools.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Rinspeed]

I've been trying to break a HF impact socket for four years with no luck.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I've been trying to break a HF impact socket for four years with no luck.

Make sure you post it when it happens. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one let go myself. I’ve seen plenty of chrome sockets impacted on lol.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I have some hf and Campbell housefield and mit sets and filled in the missing ones from menards when I needed them. If people are having good luck with the neiko ones you could go with them and if they won’t warranty any broken ones then replace them with single sockets.

 

[xOccupantx]

I like Gray Pneumatic. No skips and stamped in addition to lasered which was important to me.

If I didn’t have those I would take a hard look at Capri.

 

[Sasquatch912]

Do you really need shallow and deep, and metric and imperial in all those sizes? If you go deep only (makes sense since you're probably not using an impact socket in a tight space) thats only $225. If you can drop Imperial you could get metric in shallow and deep for $250

Its also the big sizes that really add the expense. If you limit yourself to 24mm they have a set for $60.

I'm working on vehicles and farm equipment mostly. So I figured I rather have it than not need it than to need it and not have it

 

[vanapplebomb]

For what it is worth, I avoid all impact sets in which the smaller sizes carry the diameter of the square drive end up to the nose where it tapers at the hex opening. Go for ones where the smaller sizes neck down right after the square drive and have a constant wall thickness right up to the end.

 

[toddmorr]

i would probably skip the master impact socket set and look for a set with the sizes I mostly use.

totally agree. A few years ago I bought a 1/2 set that went 8 to 36, what a waste. For passenger car/SUV work, could have gotten by with 19-23,30,32 just fine.

 

[Rinspeed]

Make sure you post it when it happens. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one let go myself. I’ve seen plenty of chrome sockets impacted on lol.

First time I changed the rear brakes on my F-150 the damn lug nuts were on so tight my IR impact wouldn't even budge them. Had to use a five foot piece of pipe, very impressed the HF socket didn't break and was even impressed my SK breaker didn't come apart.

 

[MarineScott]

I have Popular Mechanics brand, never broke any in 20 yrs, HF haven't broken, Cornwell, broken, Matco and Snap On, haven't broken any.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I have Popular Mechanics brand, never broke any in 20 yrs, HF haven't broken, Cornwell, broken, Matco and Snap On, haven't broken any.

Worked at Sears in high school circa 2001-2003 and never saw any craftsman impacts traded in on warranty. Saw plenty of people bring in the rounded out holes and shrapnel from chrome sockets they had impacted. Nobody ever said a word for some reason. Probably didn’t help Sears bottom line at all.

 

[king nero]

Even tough I'm a tool afficionado, I have some aliexpress impact sockets (just to complete the sets I've got). If I suspect it'll be of regular use, I buy a "decent" brand. But 3/4" impacts run quite some money, especially for single time use.
To be honest, they look the same (perhaps a but duller), perform the same and cost 1/10 the price. so even when you break 2 of 'em, you're still ahead. and I haven't broke a single one, not a facom/stahlwille/... nor a chinese one.

 

[DeeKay]

Make sure you post it when it happens. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one let go myself. I’ve seen plenty of chrome sockets impacted on lol.

Honestly I don't think you'd have to worry about breaking any impact socket no matter how cheap it is. They're generally made out of more ductile steel compared to regular chrome sockets so they don't really break, they just get a little wallered out. I have noticed the hex and square drive last a lot longer on expensive "name brand" impact sockets, but that's in every day industrial use too.

 

[anndel]

Tekton's warranty is impeccable. I email them and a replacement is in the mail, no questions asked. A couple of years ago they just requested a photo from my phone of the item but this time nothing was requested except my shipping address.

 

[plinker]

Sunex are very good, If you have a local Napa, the Carlyle impact stuff is rebranded Sunex, either is fairly straight forward to warranty (if ever needed on 1/2 impact stuff, shot of wobble extensions).

A 10 to 24 set, deep & shallow, plus 12pt axle nut socket set would cover most things you'd need a 1/2 impact for. Add others such as 27,30,32,36 at some point or as needed. 23,25,26,28,29 and other "odd" sizes can be handy, especially if rust is a factor.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Make sure you post it when it happens. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one let go myself. I’ve seen plenty of chrome sockets impacted on lol.

I could've shown off a few. Usually 19 and 21 mm from lug nuts. The HF ones lasted between 12-24 months of daily use before they cracked. I'd put them in the vise to reshape them, grind a "V" around the crack, and MIG weld them together until a replacement showed up. Still worked fine for many weeks just welded together. Nobody really ran them longer than that to see if they would crack elsewhere or the weld would split.




Most of the time my go-to for impacts in sunex. I will echo the lack of necessity for 1/2 drive sockets below 13mm. Yes, I have changed a battery with a very judicious finger and a 1/2 impact with a 10mm on it. But really it's not the right tool for the job, nor do you ever really have reason to use it.

For swivel impacts, I do recommend replacing heavily used sizes with snap on if you use them daily. They seem to hold up the best before failing.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Even tough I'm a tool afficionado, I have some aliexpress impact sockets (just to complete the sets I've got). If I suspect it'll be of regular use, I buy a "decent" brand. But 3/4" impacts run quite some money, especially for single time use.
To be honest, they look the same (perhaps a but duller), perform the same and cost 1/10 the price. so even when you break 2 of 'em, you're still ahead. and I haven't broke a single one, not a facom/stahlwille/... nor a chinese one.

Big point to make for pros and DIY. Buy reasonably good cheaper stuff. If you wear it out, then buy the best.

 

[livinloud11]

I've been using HF, Craftsman and Tekton impact sockets. I like the tekton because they come in a blow molded case which I move around with my cordless tools but I like my HF ones too because they were cheap and work fine for home use. I'm no professional.

 

[sberry]

I use what ever I can find. Got Sears some Napa, a bunch of those Duro or what the jobber had across the counter as the house brand. They work, I have busted 3 or 4. A 3/4 or 2, 15/16 and a 1 1/8 where we really beat them bad.

 

[speed bump]

Make sure you post it when it happens. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one let go myself. I’ve seen plenty of chrome sockets impacted on lol.

We had one break at work and injure someone a few months ago. I didn't save the picture but we generally beat on tools as hard as the job requires and the harbor freight stuff is only good for a little while in that environment. For home use or less commonly used auto shop stuff they seem to hold up perfectly fine though.

 

[Al Borland]

$325...
Mingia Foch...
Go to friggin' Horrid Freight, Pittsburg or Pittsburg Pro Metric and SAE in Deep and Shallow. Out the door for about a hundred. Need a skipped size? Home Despot has singles. Pick up some rails and you spent maybe $125-$150 when you're all done. That leaves you $175-$200 for other tools, maybe a pizza, some beers, whatever...
Yeah, some of your new sockets may not match EXACTLY, but who's gonna notice? They're all black.
If they do notice, remember, you got beer and they dont.
They spent all their beer money on Tekton.

 

[ssdave]

.....

 

[hahmed]

totally agree. A few years ago I bought a 1/2 set that went 8 to 36, what a waste. For passenger car/SUV work, could have gotten by with 19-23,30,32 just fine.

Depends on what price you are paying. I had some ****** impacts that have too much play in fit for my comfort. I now am trying out Sunex as the value is huge on those and people love them.

How can I not get a master set if it is priced at ~$130 with both deep and shallow sizes 9mm-30mm, skipping only 25mm, 28mm and 29mm: Sunex 2569

Oh and it includes extensions to sweeten the deal. This sounds too good to be true.

I really hope I don't have to eat my own words.

 

[lardy1]

Before Tekton introduced their newer line of 1/2" drive impact sockets they offered a combination fractional/metric-shallow/deep set designed for handyman/homeowner types on a budget. It doesn't have every size in every configuration but it covered a whole lot of bases for a little over fifty bucks. It got me into the impact socket game and I've been adding needed individuals as I go along.

They aren't top flite sockets by any means. But they do exactly what I bought them for. And I only use a Bosch cordless impact with a 1/2" anvil which isn't the most powerful of impact drivers.

Home game perspective here. I certainly don't think it's a professional setup.

 

[Mr_B]

tekton set after discount is like 3.36 a piece which not bad for decent designed and a currently usable warranty if important to you.
taiwan crv proved better than most crmo for me and good grade base alloy and the heat treating important aspects.
would of liked seen tekton set go to 36mm.
You can find a few good design crv taiwan impacts for around 2.50-3 bucks a piece if hunt around . Taiwan crv doing better than some truck brands for me in daily use (I returned my mac set as overpriced cheese) and for prices self warranty works out cheaper and quick/easy for me .