Inexpensive lug nut sockets?

[n8n]

Helped a coworker with a flat tire the other day. Discovered that the 19mm Snap-On impact socket that I had in my Jeep had gone completely missing; I found only a bare breaker bar but fortunately there was a backup 4-way lug wrench (note to self: get it back; I think it may have been my grandfather's) in the cargo area as well. There aren't any S-O loosies on the 'bay for less than retail prices now.

The next day I went to Harbor Freight thinking I'd see if they had anything suitable but the prices there are eye watering! The four piece lug nut socket set that was $20 or thereabouts 10 years ago is now $55. They didn't have any of the "Pittsburgh Pro" impacts at all and the chrome sockets were priced higher than I remember Craftsman being last time I looked at tools (admittedly a long time ago, but still.)

So, question - is there an affordable deep socket set that is good for occasional emergency use? Would like engraved/stamped size markings not printed like most less expensive impact sockets, although I don't really care impact or chrome. Also want the hex broached at least "semi deep" not nut depth like my old Craftsman sockets because those tend to tear up stainless capped lug nuts, if I have to help someone with same (the Heep had all its lug nuts replaced with McGard for this reason.) Bonus would be if it is available at Lowe's or an auto parts store, but I'm not averse to ordering online either. Not averse to buying a set of "flip sockets" as well so I would have multiple common sizes, I'd just have to get a cheap 1/2" drive extension, but as I said, HF's prices are insane these days.

The reason I'm posting is it does appear that most of the budget/Taiwan impacts have printed sizes and also it is hard to tell from online listings how deep the broach is.

any advice appreciated...

 

[ex-x-fire]

HF does sell single sockets sometimes, like 19 & 21 mm, 3/4 & 13/16. Menards sell single ones too.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I would suggest Kobalt but they are usually only a dollar cheaper than the Craftsman so not much of a price change. I’ve got a complete set of the old old style Harbor Freight lug nut sockets I got at the pawn shop as part of a bundle paid $50 for everything that time couldn’t imagine paying $55 for a whole set. Husky sockets maybe something to look at too they are cheap not the best quality but good for emergencies. Or something like TEQ Pro from Advance Auto it’s rebranded Gearwrench and doesn’t cost too much not sure how far the broaching goes down on them.

 

[n8n]

Follow up: the socket set I was thinking of is actually a 5 piece set and is available branded otherwise on eBay for about $25. It's the one with the colored sockets with the little plastic sleeves. Thinking of picking that up, otherwise, I have to pick up some moving boxes later, I will see if they have anything at the Orange Colored Store.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

sunex, tekton or Gp sockets, long as you don't thin walls.

 

[Bert_]

I like to carry a 4 way. Simple, no pieces to get lost, tucks behind the seat or lays flat in a trunk.

 

[JeepYJ]

1/2 Inch Drive Deep Thin Wall Impact Flip Socket Set, 6-Piece | TEKTON

6-piece set includes 3/4 - 1-1/16 inch (SAE) and 17 - 22 mm (metric) drive deep thin wall impact flip sockets with case. Ideal for lug nuts. SIF92400.

www.tekton.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00944N154/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The Amazon kit says NLA on the Tekton site.

 

[fuggle]

1/2 Inch Drive Deep Thin Wall Impact Flip Socket Set, 6-Piece | TEKTON

6-piece set includes 3/4 - 1-1/16 inch (SAE) and 17 - 22 mm (metric) drive deep thin wall impact flip sockets with case. Ideal for lug nuts. SIF92400.

www.tekton.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00944N154/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The Amazon kit says NLA on the Tekton site.

That's a really cool idea for a set of sockets.

 

[n8n]

1/2 Inch Drive Deep Thin Wall Impact Flip Socket Set, 6-Piece | TEKTON

6-piece set includes 3/4 - 1-1/16 inch (SAE) and 17 - 22 mm (metric) drive deep thin wall impact flip sockets with case. Ideal for lug nuts. SIF92400.

www.tekton.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00944N154/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The Amazon kit says NLA on the Tekton site.

I like that, and I like that it's a "brand name" (I know Tekton isn't exactly a big name in tools, but they've been around a while and don't have a bad rep) Looks like you found a product that meets all my requirements (the one on the Tekton site that is). I'll let this thread ride a few days but will probably purchase that. $42 hurts a little but for what it is it's not bad. Now, what else do I need for $8 so I can get free shipping?

 

[TruckRed]

I have the Husky 3 piece flip socket set with extension, been using for about a year with no problems. $15 @ Homedepot. Sockets are about 1” to 1 1/4” deep.

 

[Kenstone1]

I like to carry a 4 way. Simple, no pieces to get lost, tucks behind the seat or lays flat in a trunk.

This^
And wrap a piece of electrical tape around the shaft of the end that fits the lugs on the car the wrench is stored in.
You can get this type wrench for around $15 and a folding one for $20, and are sold in 14", 15", 19", up to 24".
It's what I do...
.

 

[ChevyEFI]

The Tekton set above is a nice no-skips option.

OP, since you're seldom using them outside their storage, just put together whatever works.

I have a 7/8" deep impact I got free from the asphalt earth. And I have the Sunex 19 and 21 thinwall protective sleeve standard length (deep but not extended) anodized sockets. That covers my household vehicles and many others for < $20 paid total. They all work with my breaker bar and my Bosch Beast.

Sunex makes 15 and 17 but not 22 (a 7/8 works) in the thinwall protective edge style. For a breaker bar, a cheap chrome deep works fine.

 

[four.cycle]

my lousy two cents worth:
I fought with a lug nut with a 4-way lug wrench for half an hour before I could break it loose. Some kid at a tire shop cranked it down with an air gun.
I ordered a chrome 19mm 6-point deep-well Tekton from "yourpartsplace" on ebay and bought a big 1/2" breaker from another seller. Works dandy.
Wasn't paying attention when a buddy popped the socket onto a 1/2" drive electric impact gun to remove the lug nuts from his truck, and it somehow magically survived.

YMMV

 

[theoldwizard1]

I fought with a lug nut with a 4-way lug wrench for half an hour before I could break it loose. Some kid at a tire shop cranked it down with an air gun.

When I was about 16 I worked in a old fashion corner service/gas station. My job was to pump gas (2 islands each with 4 pump handles). When it was slow the showed my a few things in repair area. How to use a jack, how to set a car on the hoist, change tire including mont/demount and patch on the inside.

We had 1 air wrench but it got stolen. That is when I learned a 4 way could tighten lug nuts tighter than any pneumatic impact (customer came back because the tire store could not loosen the nuts after I had repaired the tire).

 

[DAustin]

When I was about 16 I worked in a old fashion corner service/gas station. My job was to pump gas (2 islands each with 4 pump handles). When it was slow the showed my a few things in repair area. How to use a jack, how to set a car on the hoist, change tire including mont/demount and patch on the inside.

We had 1 air wrench but it got stolen. That is when I learned a 4 way could tighten lug nuts tighter than any pneumatic impact (customer came back because the tire store could not loosen the nuts after I had repaired the tire).

I did the same kind of job. First job for a kid back then. Pump the gas, clean the windshield, check the oil ,put air in their tires, and then give them their Green Stamps. Most of the time all they wanted was gas ,unless it was raining, or 10 below zero. Also back then it was find where they put the gas cap.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I did the same kind of job. First job for a kid back then. Pump the gas, clean the windshield, check the oil ,put air in their tires, and then give them their Green Stamps. Most of the time all they wanted was gas ,unless it was raining, or 10 below zero. Also back then it was find where they put the gas cap.

Detroit had "gas wars" in the late 60s. We would change the price 2 or 3 times in one day. I saw $0.149 more than once !

 

[drtyler]

Capri set is ok:

Impact Flip Socket Set

The Capri Tools Impact Flip Socket Set includes three sockets that cover six most commonly used sizes – two sizes for each flip socket.

capritools.com

 

[DAustin]

Detroit had "gas wars" in the late 60s. We would change the price 2 or 3 times in one day. I was $0.149 more than once !

18.9 per gal. was the best I remember. I would buy gas for my VW Bug using change, and most of the time it was around $2 to fill it up.

 

[Wakefield]

That broach depth thing is weird,I think the same brands can be different depending on when they were made.
I want my lug to go all the way into the socket. Notice that not all the sockets do,even the deeps, "Nutstop"?
Old Bonney 17 mm. impact socket will swallow a BMW or VW 17 mm. BOLT hex,think a current Wright one will too,those are not "deep".
Pickups with very tall lug hex? Chrome cap/cover?
There might have been an earlier thread around here that someone looked at various brands,Impact or Chrome? for broach depth whether full length or not
Koken wheel protector lug socket is very pretty but I would be afraid to put my strength at the end of my SK breaker bar onto that one.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I like that, and I like that it's a "brand name" (I know Tekton isn't exactly a big name in tools, but they've been around a while and don't have a bad rep) Looks like you found a product that meets all my requirements (the one on the Tekton site that is). I'll let this thread ride a few days but will probably purchase that. $42 hurts a little but for what it is it's not bad. Now, what else do I need for $8 so I can get free shipping?

They have a 6" extension for $9 that might be handy to go along with the sockets.

 

[Ronson25]

I bought grey pmeumatics set from pawnshop for 20bucks and it has 10sockets color coded with protective sleeves

 

[mopar4u]

my lousy two cents worth:
I fought with a lug nut with a 4-way lug wrench for half an hour before I could break it loose. Some kid at a tire shop cranked it down with an air gun.
I ordered a chrome 19mm 6-point deep-well Tekton from "yourpartsplace" on ebay and bought a big 1/2" breaker from another seller. Works dandy.
Wasn't paying attention when a buddy popped the socket onto a 1/2" drive electric impact gun to remove the lug nuts from his truck, and it somehow magically survived.

YMMV

for whatever reason i also struggled with the only 4 way i tried years and years ago. Really became a problem on my snowmobile trailer which has practically no weight, the tires just spun.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Buy a few tekton singles from their site, free shipping and 10% back in rewards

 

[KnurledNut]

The flip sockets are only as good as the extension.
If the extension breaks, the option to use a breaker bar, ratchet, or impact goes out the window.
This isnt a problem in the shop where you can grab another extension.
But in the field, its good to have an extra. Or at least carry a quality one.
Ask me how i know...


.jpg

 

[VolvoRyan]

The plastic-sleeved thin walls are nice if you're messing around with fancy alloy wheels.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H8A57LW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

-Ryan

 

[Kenstone1]

for whatever reason i also struggled with the only 4 way i tried years and years ago. Really became a problem on my snowmobile trailer which has practically no weight, the tires just spun.

Just hook a tiedown thru a hole in the rim, like this:

The wheel will not spin...
At 6 o'clock for tightening (pictured), at 12 o'clock for loosening lugs.

 

[n8n]

I have the Husky 3 piece flip socket set with extension, been using for about a year with no problems. $15 @ Homedepot. Sockets are about 1” to 1 1/4” deep.

Your HD must be way better than mine. I stopped by Sunday because I needed some stuff and their selection was limited. No flip sockets, very few impact socket sets, no loosies of "Husky" 1/2" drive chrome sockets in either 17 or 19mm, and even if they had them they apparently only come in 12 point. Basically there was nothing suitable there. I haven't had a chance to get to Lowe's yet.

 

[n8n]

That broach depth thing is weird,I think the same brands can be different depending on when they were made.
I want my lug to go all the way into the socket. Notice that not all the sockets do,even the deeps, "Nutstop"?
Old Bonney 17 mm. impact socket will swallow a BMW or VW 17 mm. BOLT hex,think a current Wright one will too,those are not "deep".
Pickups with very tall lug hex? Chrome cap/cover?
There might have been an earlier thread around here that someone looked at various brands,Impact or Chrome? for broach depth whether full length or not
Koken wheel protector lug socket is very pretty but I would be afraid to put my strength at the end of my SK breaker bar onto that one.

I discovered this myself years ago. Most of my Craftsman sockets have a shallow broach but that is nice when you're starting a nut overhead for example. There's arguments for doing it both ways.

My reasoning behind insisting on a deep broach for a lug nut socket is that even my Snap-On sockets aren't broached deep enough to fully engage an acorn style lug nut which is what I have on the Heep (actually has the desirable "Icon" 16" wheels, those wheels and the nearly new Cooper AT tires are likely worth more than the rest of the vehicle LOL even though it still runs great) and if I need to use them on a vehicle that still has the original lug nuts with the stainless caps, you need all the engagement you can get. I'm talking about these miserable things:

Swollen Lug Nuts Are Costing Ford Drivers Time and Money, Lawsuit Claims

The suit alleges Ford designed lug nuts that swell and delaminate after changes in temperature and exposure to moisture. Read the news at Car and Driver.

www.caranddriver.com

MoPar used the **** out of these as well, and they're no better there. I have learned how to peel the caps off them and use a one size smaller socket, but you don't always have a hammer, screwdriver, and 18mm socket with you if you get a flat tire...

 

[Mirage]

Follow up: the socket set I was thinking of is actually a 5 piece set and is available branded otherwise on eBay for about $25. It's the one with the colored sockets with the little plastic sleeves. Thinking of picking that up, otherwise, I have to pick up some moving boxes later, I will see if they have anything at the Orange Colored Store.

I pieced together this set individually when I was building out a case for my cordless impact. They have engraved sizes and a ~1 1/4deep broach once you remove the hard plastic insert in them. Not exactly cheaper than what you were looking at already but may be similar to the one you found on ebay.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/power-torque-tools/power-torque-5-piece-1-2-inch-drive-6-point-sae-metric-impact-socket-set/ptt0/gm5372/v/a/5522/automotive-truck-2003-ford-ranger?q=Wheel+socket&pos=7

 

[n8n]

I pieced together this set individually when I was building out a case for my cordless impact. They have engraved sizes and a ~1 1/4deep broach once you remove the hard plastic insert in them. Not exactly cheaper than what you were looking at already but may be similar to the one you found on ebay.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/power-torque-tools/power-torque-5-piece-1-2-inch-drive-6-point-sae-metric-impact-socket-set/ptt0/gm5372/v/a/5522/automotive-truck-2003-ford-ranger?q=Wheel+socket&pos=7

yes, that looks similar to the HF set and the one sold on eBay. Don't have an O'Reilly anywhere near close to me though. Think I'm just going to buy the Tekton set; I'm finding when looking that the Tekton chrome sockets also appear to be deep broached so those are also an option, although I do like the idea of having a full set handy. I'm becoming more impressed with Tekton, they appear to be very thoughtfully designed and they also publish full specs on their web site which is nice (e.g. if I were looking for a shallow broach for general use, I would know NOT to go with theirs, and would thank them for the info.)

 

[Kscardsfan]

Swollen Lug Nuts Are Costing Ford Drivers Time and Money, Lawsuit Claims

The suit alleges Ford designed lug nuts that swell and delaminate after changes in temperature and exposure to moisture. Read the news at Car and Driver.

www.caranddriver.com

MoPar used the **** out of these as well, and they're no better there. I have learned how to peel the caps off them and use a one size smaller socket, but you don't always have a hammer, screwdriver, and 18mm socket with you if you get a flat tire...

I just started keeping a full rack of impact sockets in the truck with my M18 impact gun because of that. Those stupid pot metal lugnuts on my truck drove me nuts.

 

[n8n]

Went ahead and ordered the Tekton set. I paid for the newer 6 piece set even though I will likely never use the 1" or 1-11/16" but OCD. Ordered a 21mm loose socket to get me to $51, I'll give it to my coworker to throw in his trunk, hopefully I have an extra breaker bar laying around that I don't mind letting go.

 

[n8n]

I just started keeping a full rack of impact sockets in the truck with my M18 impact gun because of that. Those stupid pot metal lugnuts on my truck drove me nuts.

Getting off topic, I am unimpressed with my M18. It hasn't ever done anything for me that wasn't easier with a 24" breaker bar.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Getting off topic, I am unimpressed with my M18. It hasn't ever done anything for me that wasn't easier with a 24" breaker bar.

Really? I don’t even use my air guns anymore. Is yours the first generation? I heard it had issues. Mine is the brushless high torque and it’ll break out anything I put it against up to 1.5 ton trucks.

 

[KnurledNut]

I discovered this myself years ago. Most of my Craftsman sockets have a shallow broach but that is nice when you're starting a nut overhead for example. There's arguments for doing it both ways.

My reasoning behind insisting on a deep broach for a lug nut socket is that even my Snap-On sockets aren't broached deep enough to fully engage an acorn style lug nut which is what I have on the Heep (actually has the desirable "Icon" 16" wheels, those wheels and the nearly new Cooper AT tires are likely worth more than the rest of the vehicle LOL even though it still runs great) and if I need to use them on a vehicle that still has the original lug nuts with the stainless caps, you need all the engagement you can get. I'm talking about these miserable things:

Swollen Lug Nuts Are Costing Ford Drivers Time and Money, Lawsuit Claims

The suit alleges Ford designed lug nuts that swell and delaminate after changes in temperature and exposure to moisture. Read the news at Car and Driver.

www.caranddriver.com

MoPar used the **** out of these as well, and they're no better there. I have learned how to peel the caps off them and use a one size smaller socket, but you don't always have a hammer, screwdriver, and 18mm socket with you if you get a flat tire...

Thats what these are for:

 

[n8n]

Really? I don’t even use my air guns anymore. Is yours the first generation? I heard it had issues. Mine is the brushless high torque and it’ll break out anything I put it against up to 1.5 ton trucks.

I bought it last December in the middle of a suspension job on my 335i. Thought I'd worked myself into a corner and needed to undo the outer TREs to get my new Koni struts under the fender, and I already had the car apart. Abject failure, no can do. I ended up buying a new set of spring compressors and compressing the springs and then releasing them once I had the struts in place. Not fun. Didn't have air available sadly as I have three good air guns.

 

[89MustangGX]

Went ahead and ordered the Tekton set. I paid for the newer 6 piece set even though I will likely never use the 1" or 1-11/16" but OCD. Ordered a 21mm loose socket to get me to $51, I'll give it to my coworker to throw in his trunk, hopefully I have an extra breaker bar laying around that I don't mind letting go.

Too late now, but I believe if you sign up for an account on Tekton's site you get free shipping regardless of order size, and 10% back for future orders.

 

[Citation]

I have a Stanley set from Walmart. A cheap set from wallyworld is likely sufficient for the need here. At least you can inspect them and return them if they aren't sufficient.

Robot or human?

These have good Amazon reviews and are similarly priced

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JG4BNN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[autobon7]

The flip sockets are only as good as the extension.
If the extension breaks, the option to use a breaker bar, ratchet, or impact goes out the window.
This isnt a problem in the shop where you can grab another extension.
But in the field, its good to have an extra. Or at least carry a quality one.
Ask me how i know...


View attachment 1540199

What brand is this?

 

[mobiledynamics]

All lug sockets from any brand needs to be thinwall.

I don't get the whole sleeve thing. I've had wheels north of 8K..and just have my thinwalls wrapped once in red electrical tape. But it's all moot cause it's not like I'm running the side of the socket on the damm wheel. Hence, I never got the concept of the plastic -marketing- for lugs