Impact Universal Joints

[SoDoodoo]

On the off chance that I would need impact swivels doing work, I think I would just like to buy the universal joint that I can use any socket on it. So, what do you guys think about these two joints?

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BUP2BB/3-8-DRIVE-IMPACT-UNIVERSAL-JOINT/

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CUP2BC/1-2-DRIVE-IMPACT-UNIVERSAL-JOINT/

The 1/2" one says "ball" for the locking mechanism, so what is it suppose to mean? And I'm not sure what the 3/8" one is.

 

[dc5itr329]

Top link locks in and needs like a little pin to detach socket.

 

[DSLTRK]

I'll be the first to say it... The Matco pin-less design blows the other brands out of the water. Don't bother with the Matco pinned design.
"ball" means that the swivel uses a ball detent to hold sockets on the swivel. Ball detents allow easier removal, and any sockets will work. Pinned detents require a special socket with an external button to remove.

With that said, Craftsman has the same exact pin-less swivel in both 3/8 & 1/2 dr for much cheaper, somebody should post the part #s.

 

[thightower]

Matco makes a good quality product. The "ball" it is refering to is the ball that holds the socket on the square. They also make a pinned style, holds the socket with a pin instead of the ball. Where the ball slips on and off, the pin has to acually be pressed in to get the socket off. A little safer but a pain to get off.

 

[shoturtle]

You will save like 20 bucks getting the craftsman 1/2 and 3/8

 

[SoDoodoo]

Are both of these the pin design, not the pin-less?

 

[SoDoodoo]

You will save like 20 bucks getting the craftsman 1/2 and 3/8

I have the Tech Ed discount, and both of these are about $20 for me.

 

[DSLTRK]

Are both of these the pin design, not the pin-less?

I can't really tell for the 3/8, but the picture looks like it's a pin-less. The 1/2 is pinned.

Here is the 1/4 pin-less. http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/AUP2BB/1-4-DRIVE-UNIVERSAL-IMPACT-JOINT/?source=igodigital
I can't find the 1/2 Matco pin-less.

 

[shoturtle]

Are both of these the pin design, not the pin-less?

The pinless has BB in the part number with matco. The 1/2 BC is pinned.

 

[shoturtle]

I have the Tech Ed discount, and both of these are about $20 for me.

Get the pinless matco with your discount. They are great impact swivels.

 

[SoDoodoo]

Can I get the part number for the pinless Craftsman one. On the Craftsman website it says there's two pinless 1/2" but one is around $17 and the other is $45.

 

[braol]

pinned type does not require a special socket. You just have to push the pin in to get sockets on and off. Impact sockets have a hole on one side that the pin will lock into to keep the socket from flying off when the impact freewheels when the nut/bolt comes off faster than you expected or the socket slips of the nut/bolt/. If you put the socket on without the pin going thru the hole you can just pull the socket off.

 

[DSLTRK]

Can I get the part number for the pinless Craftsman one. On the Craftsman website it says there's two pinless 1/2" but one is around $17 and the other is $45.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-impact-swivel-universal-joint-socket-adapter-1-2-in/p-00923765000P

If you use impacts regularly, it's worth the price, haven't had any issues with mine. Seem to last a lot longer too.

 

[SoDoodoo]

Get the pinless matco with your discount. They are great impact swivels.

As in the whole set? Or just the adapters?

 

[bcradio]

get the Matco if they are only $20

 

[shoturtle]

just the adapters have BB, the swivel socket sets have PM in the part number.

 

[shoturtle]

get the Matco if they are only $20

+1 without a second thought

 

[Skin]

As in the whole set? Or just the adapters?

Adapters will cover much of what you'll need an angle for. The impact universal sets in shallow will help you cheat occasionally though and can be very handy. If you can afford it, get both.

To me the biggest advantage that sets the pinless apart isn't the fact that their pinless, but the fact that they don't scale up as the sockets get larger. That is to say, the actual drive portion, sometimes also called the collar, are the same size between a 10mm and 19mm and as a result they keep the same height as well across the entire size range. Every other brand has a fatter and taller collar and it does make a difference. For example Snap-On shallow 19mm in 3/8" drive is 65mm, same size in pinless Matco is 52.4mm. That's nearly half an inch shorter which means that it will work with that much less clearance near an obstruction. Its not an advantage to overlook.

 

[braol]

All snapon swivels, adapters and swivel sockets, are about 1/4" taller than they used to be.

 

[firebox40dash5]

As in the whole set? Or just the adapters?

Well, look at how much the impact swivels will be when you no longer have that discount. Those things are reeeeeeee-diculously expensive.

I'd say if you could swing it now, and have any idea you might need them, buy the pinless swivel sockets. I'd definitely buy the swivel adapters too, especially the 1/4" one. I love my 1/4" pinless swivel, lets me use my impact driver in all sorts of stupid applications.

 

[SoDoodoo]

Hmm, well I'll probably buy the set of swivels when I get the money. I still have about 6+ months left to use the discount.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

if you can purchase with discount, why not buy actual swivel socket set?

 

[SoDoodoo]

if you can purchase with discount, why not buy actual swivel socket set?

Because I'm not sure if I would need the actual set when I can just buy the adapter and use a bunch of sockets on it. And according to some people there are only a few times where the clearance requires the actual swivel socket.

 

[shoturtle]

Also factor in a full set of swivel impact in 1/2 and 3/8 in SAE and Metric would still be a pretty penny with the student discount. Considering they are about 800 for the 4 sets without discount.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Because I'm not sure if I would need the actual set when I can just buy the adapter and use a bunch of sockets on it. And according to some people there are only a few times where the clearance requires the actual swivel socket.

I personally hate adapters.

socket will come loose when you are working on tight spaces.

socket can fly off from the adapter (if you have ball detente).

pin detente is pain the ****.

but if you don't use it often, I guess it will be fine.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Also factor in a full set of swivel impact in 1/2 and 3/8 in SAE and Metric would still be a pretty penny with the student discount. Considering they are about 800 for the 4 sets without discount.

You looking at chromes?

The 3/8" pinless 10-19mm impact set retails for over $400 alone. About $700 for both 3/8" drive sets. I dunno if I'd bother with the 1/2" drive sets, I can't think of a time I could have done better if I had them.

 

[dsmnickk90]

If your getting them at a discount get the whole set in all 3 drive sizes. I wish armstrong had 1/4" drive

 

[Seanbev24]

Because I'm not sure if I would need the actual set when I can just buy the adapter and use a bunch of sockets on it. And according to some people there are only a few times where the clearance requires the actual swivel socket.

A good 3/8" drive impact swivel set will save you so much time and effort it's ridiculous. Trust me, buy the metric set while you have the discount and use a u-joint for shallow SAE and deep metric/SAE sockets.

I also have 1/4" and 1/2" sets, but 3/8" is by far the most useful.

 

[CWP1616L]

If you're going to get a whole set, get them in 3/8 drive.

Get the swivel impact adapter in 1/2 drive.