impact sockets

[mikeselky85]

need some opinions here. ive been needing impact sockets for work, would like to go with snap-on cause its easier to get something replaced. ive been looking on ebay and craigslist for a used set. thing is does anybody know anything i should look out for when looking for used snap-on impacts? would just rather buy most used and get others i need off the truck. sound like a good idea...or just save for new impacts?

 

[Deafautotech]

what kind of work you do a lot?? indy shop, dealership, or ?????

 

[Fedwrench]

To be honest, I would save my cash and buy a set of Craftsman impact sockets when they're on sale at 50% off. They'll serve you well at a fraction of the cost of a used Snap on set.
My favorite regular impact sockets are Proto. Grey Pneumatic and Sunex are also excellent impact sockets that won't break the bank.

 

[johnsdeere850j]

Proto is good stuff. I use a lot of craftsman, they are stout

 

[DrkMtnDew]

+1 for the Cman impacts. and as far as buying used SO impacts, the only thing that i do when buying them used is to look at the drive end to see how much they've been used.

 

[ToddyB]

As a guy with Snap-on, Old Craftsman made in Taiwan, Pittsburg ,and some other no brand sets , for the money I really like my Pittsburg's. In 25 years I have never broken or blamed any of them for stripping a bolt or nut.

 

[pipsters]

FWIW the Craftsman US made 52 pc 1/2" SAE and Metric set is $160+ tax tonight including coupons and 15% off online orders, free shipping if you sign up (then cancel later). Shallow and deep plus extensions and a swivel.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915820000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I have them, just bought last month, they fit nice and tight.

 

[Ford12508]

I also went with the cman sockets on sale. I am not a mechanic, but I have used them a number of times without any mishaps.

 

[Aklass]

The HF Pittsburgh Pro CR-MO (chrome moly) sockets are great if you're looking for a quality socket at a great price. If not then I say try Sunex, and see if any of the tool trucks will warranty them, I know where I work MAC will warranty Gearwrench and Sunex

 

[Chadro]

I also went with the cman sockets on sale. I am not a mechanic, but I have used them a number of times without any mishaps.

I've never had any mishaps with a Craftsman socket, I even have some HF ones that are just fine as well.

I think some of the guys on here try to break Craftsman sockets just so they can say they broke. If your breaking sockets (esp impact sockets) left and right, then your the problem, not the socket.

 

[mikeselky85]

I work at firesone as a tech, I'm trying to build up my tool box, I have some snap-on which is growing almost every week. I have a basic craftsman socket set, I was just saying snap-on cause it's easier if I need something replaced. I was looking at the craftsman impacts but I wasn't sure of the quality as I haunt worked much with alot of impacts unless I was in school a while back and that was all snap-on tools. I mostly want my box to have snap-on and some craftsman since I already have sockets.

 

[mikeselky85]

I also do car restoration as my hobby so I need an impact to get rusted bolts off without tearing them up too much

 

[84bimmer]

I can't help you with SO. But, like everyone else, I am also very impressed with my CMAN impacts. For $45 a set, they're real hard to beat. They are stout man, never came close to breaking one. I've broken several HF Pittsburgs, but I am still a fan. The older sets were pretty thin for impacts, which can be real helpful. I keep these on reserve only for when I need them.

 

[moparmuscle88]

I think some of the guys on here try to break Craftsman sockets just so they can say they broke. If your breaking sockets (esp impact sockets) left and right, then your the problem, not the socket.

it all depends on the work your doing, i work on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks alot that have seen alot of winters plowing

ive broken and worn out god knows how many 3/4 and 19mm impact sockets from seeing so many stubborn suspension bolts

my IR2135timax tears em up, if ur using a regular impact gun, thats wa\eaker, you may never experience breaking a socket

 

[Ford12508]

my IR2135timax tears em up

I use the same impact wrench with my cman sockets, and i promise you that it stays well above the 90PSI it is rated for. As you just said, you work on bigger vehicles. The OP works at firestone, I dont think firestone sees too many large vehicles, but that is just me.

 

[Chadro]

it all depends on the work your doing, i work on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks alot that have seen alot of winters plowing

ive broken and worn out god knows how many 3/4 and 19mm impact sockets from seeing so many stubborn suspension bolts

my IR2135timax tears em up, if ur using a regular impact gun, thats wa\eaker, you may never experience breaking a socket

I haven't broke one yet working on tractors and trailers but I also very rarely run into rust unless I'm doing a lot of trailer work.

 

[moparmuscle88]

the impacting with no effect for a minute or so is what wears the sockets out, if everything came off easy peesy i may never break a socket

 

[Mike F]

To be honest, I would save my cash and buy a set of Craftsman impact sockets when they're on sale at 50% off.

When does that ever come up? I have been looking at this set for a while and it never seems to have such a large discount.

 

[johnsdeere850j]

id order right now before 5 am if you are thinkin about it, they got 15% off and you can use a 35 dollar off 300 if you buy the 96 piece impact set from sears that is 349.

 

[TireTracks]

The HF Pittsburgh Pro CR-MO (chrome moly) sockets are great if you're looking for a quality socket at a great price. If not then I say try Sunex, and see if any of the tool trucks will warranty them, I know where I work MAC will warranty Gearwrench and Sunex

What ***** is HF Cro-moly impacts are in store only.

I'm hopeing the cheaper ones will for fine. Got them for $17 on sale with a coupon on the web.

My dad has some Genius Brand cromoly's he bought a long time ago at HF and they work great.

 

[mofo62]

.


I recomendeted Wright ,best sockets ,great quality.Made in Usa!!!

V!

 

[mikeselky85]

well, i just ordered the 52 peice craftsman socket set since everybody likes them. thanks guys! i will pick them up tomorrow at the store.

 

[84bimmer]

Mike, that really looks like a great choice man. I'm sure they will provide you years of dependable service. IMO craftsman tools are usually easier to have warrantied than truck tools. Someone on another thread recently suggested to oil these sockets when you get them, because their anti-rust coating isn't very good. This is good advice the outsides can rust real easily, but you can help prevent that.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

What are you going to be using them for???? Home use (occasional) or shop use (everyday)???? We need all the fatcs...

 

[str8axle55]

I`ve had my S/O`s for 20yrs, and I think I`ve broken 1 or 2. Rust and stubborn fasteners get you sometimes.

 

[mikeselky85]

I will use a good amount of inpact sockets pretty much every day. I will see how the craftsman set goes. I do not like the workers at sears, so this may be the last thing I buy from them unless needed. SO guy is always willing to work with me on anything I want.

Also I hear craftsman sets have crappy plastic trays... What socket holders do you guys recommend? I was looking at Hansen trays for them, but not sure

 

[Ford12508]

Up until a month ago, I just laid the deep sockets down, small to large, sae and metric separate/ then I put the shallow sockets on the end standing up. The shallow sockets have a low center of gravity and hold the deep sockets in place. I was able to fit my impact sockets and wrenches and hex keys in 1 drawer. then I freed up some room and now just my impacts take up the drawer. I say just lay them down if you are tight on space at all.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I do not like the workers at sears

Most of us don't.... I'm at the point where if someone at sears asks to help me, I'm thinking, "Get your no-tool knowledege *** away from me." I've have had alot of very negativ experiences at sears.