Impact Swivel Sockets... what to buy? Differences?

[pac man]

So i want to buy a set of 3/8 Impact swivel sockets in inch and metric. I know there are alot of brands, but I want the best bang for the buck. No HF either... besides their set skips 15mm and 18mm... wtf?

Craftsman: (I thought matco had a patent on pinless?)
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915360000P

Napa:
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?R=NHT6151M_0006400812

SK:
http://www.amazon.com/SK-Hand-33350-15-Piece-Visibility/dp/B0002SRBF2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1292390949&sr=8-6

Is a tool truck brand worth getting? I'd have to order direct online or search ebay.

They wont be used in a professional setting, But I do want something that's good quality and will last. I will be getting an IR 2115 3/8 impact soon. All the 1/2" stuff is getting bulky and I always have issues trying to fit them into tight spots.

 

[tonydanzah]

matco or cman 3/8 pinless danaher makes for both. i have the matco set and the ir impact that you are getting. Its pretty amazing how much stuff you can take apart.

 

[Hiball]

Out of the 3 options I'd pick Craftsman.

 

[Stick]

Grey Pneumatic.

They aren't as fancy as the pinless Matco or Craftsman, and they aren't quite as nice as the Snap-on or Mac ones, but they are 1/3 the price of any of the truck brands. I've got them in 1/2 drive Standard and Metric, and they've held up well both on Automotive and Heavy Equipment.

 

[Toolhorder]

I would by the Matco one's myself. Sign up for a class at the local college and get a student discount. The way Sears is going I wouldn't be surprised if the replacement down the road would be taiwan or china.

 

[gnx547]

I'd get the SK sockets

 

[Danglerb]

I have a set of SK, seem fine to me.

 

[whatsitsname]

Have you thought about impact wobble extensions (they have really short ones now). If they are not to be used professionally then I doubt that you would use it enough to justify their cost. I have them but personally I used them maybe but once or twice since I got them a few years ago.

 

[Fedwrench]

The main differences between the two types is that on most of the pinned types there's a collar around the base. Sometimes this collar is fat and affects access into tight areas, and they always seem to work their way loose with age and use. Then there's the pin itself. The pin takes the brunt of the stress as the socket is used. Whereas on the pinless type, the joint is more like a CV joint that distributes the stress better, makes for a lower profile, and rotates better at tighter angles. I've used everybody's and personally prefer the Danaher Matco branded versions over the Armstrong and Craftsman variations simply because they offer more sizes and lengths than than Craftsman and Armstrong. I would recommend a used set on Ebay but, shop carefully. New off the truck they are insanely expensive.
There are two lower priced options that will serve you well but, have the fat collars, Sunex and Grey pneumatic. They are both made in Taiwan but, they are very well made, and will provide you years of service. You can easily find a 10-19mm set new for around $85.

 

[wafrederick]

I agree on the pinless Matco,Armstrong and Craftsman impact swivals.I have a Matco set so far and never will go back.The Matco set I have,a Metric set in 1/2 drive was just over $500.00 and Matco never gives them away.I have seen one Marina repair shop owner's hand,healed up injuries from the pin breaking from impact swivels with the pin design.It almost happened to me too,pin broke and it was a Snap On 15mm impact swivel socket.Pin flew apart.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

going with matco on this one.

 

[wafrederick]

A few of the Matco impact swivels have flew apart due to manufacturing defects and replaced under warranty.So far none of Matco's impact swivels have not been broken and held up.Matco put a patent on their design which has been out since 2004.Snap On copied the design once and got in big trouble for it.Matco took them to court over this and won.

 

[Sterff]

Another vote for Grey Pneumatic here. I think for the price they can't be beat.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

A few of the Matco impact swivels have flew apart due to manufacturing defects and replaced under warranty.So far none of Matco's impact swivels have not been broken and held up.

So let's see if I have this right, if they "fly apart" it's a defect and they get replaced but since none of them have broken apart they have "held up"???

 

[cheap bastard]

Proto pinless are in my box. So far they have been indestructible. I know of a Mac set that have been used daily since the early 90s. I used one of them at my friends shop the other day and it worked great.

 

[SS5150]

Those Craftsman sockets look really, really, really similar to the Matco ones I have.

I've broken two of the pinless design Matcos but impact swivels really take a beating.



The set I have was originally all pins and I think all of them have been replaced due to breakage. The pinless design is much more durable.

 

[spencejm]

.So far none of Matco's impact swivels have not been broken and held up..

Working this sentence out using Boolean Algebra gives me the conclusion that ALL of Matco's impact swivels have broken and none have held up.

Joe

 

[marcusicp]

I love my Matco's!

 

[turrican]

I have a few of the Matco pinless ones (in 3/8" and 1/4" drive) and the 3/8" drive ones tend to come apart - the ring that holds the socket side to the drive side comes out over time. When this happens, they do kinda "blow up" because the socket side, ring, spring, and flat washer thing all come apart, of course while under stress. So, the 3/8" drive ones have been relegated to spares. The only real upside is that they flex further than the pinned style; that's why I use them in 1/4" drive, actually. A downside is that the pinless design is noisier when in use - by far.

That being said - I think the Matco "Silver Eagle" line of impact swivels (pinned), which look to be a lot like the Grey Pneumatic or possibly Sunex lines (I don't know, perhaps someone else here can clarify) look to be a good compromise. A guy in the shop has them and they appear to be pretty good under daily use. Also, I believe Silver Eagle stuff, while not made in USA, has the same lifetime warranty as regular Matco tools.

 

[jay50]

Get the Cman pinless. Use them every day with no problem.

 

[wafrederick]

I ment no failures yet with Matco's pinless design.

 

[pac man]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ive found some used matco sets on ebay... I'm just leery of the warranty procedures. So far no cman ones have shown up