Intermediate depth sockets, Armstrong 12-996 Indexible strength?

[Ctkelly]

Two questions here.

1) Who are the better quality brand manufacturers of intermediate depth sockets (3/8 drive SAE)? I know Snap-on and Mac, maybe SK? (know they have 1/4"). If I have to pay to play, I'm ok with that but thought I'd check here first.

2) The armstrong 12-996 indexible ratchet.....how strong are these? I work on an incline can press during the overhauls and the inner ram die bolts which are supposed to be torqued to ~200ft/lbs are impossible to reach with most ratchets, let alone an actual torque wrench. For years we have used a cheater pipe welded to another at a 45 degree angle over a standard length ratchet and leaned on it with all we could. Now, I can see where an indexible head would give us and advantage for positioning and all but eliminate the need for the angled pipe we use, but is it strong enough to sustain this type of abuse?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Snap-on and Gearwrench are the two that come up the most often here. I have a Snap-on metric set I picked up on eBay. Probably should have just gone with the GW, but wanted to splurge and have a USA set. The SK 1/4" set is extremely nice if you ever go that route.

 

[bsaint]

I would not use a pipe on those ratchets. I have one from mac. They aren't made to take anymore than what your arm and give it

 

[T45]

Maybe an indexed breaker bar with 45 deg offset?. This doesn't eliminate the need for the indexed ratchet altogether, but lets you use it as intended.

1/2" Drive 24" 45° Offset Square Breaker Bar
Item: SN25A
1/2" Torque Adaptor
Item: STA35

 

[Ctkelly]

Maybe an indexed breaker bar with 45 deg offset?. This doesn't eliminate the need for the indexed ratchet altogether, but lets you use it as intended.

1/2" Drive 24" 45° Offset Square Breaker Bar
Item: SN25A
1/2" Torque Adaptor
Item: STA35

That might very well work. I'll have to look into that a little more. Thanks!

The sk 1/4" is indeed a nice set. I've owned mine for some time now. Looking to get a set in 3/8 drive 12pt preferably (tooling has 12pt heads). I'm probably just going to get the Mac set during the next sale if nothing pops up before then.

 

[Loscaldazar]

SK has a 3/8 drive Mid Length set, but they call them deep (stupidest labeling I've ever seen, but their 3/8 (and only 3/8) deep sockets are the same length as other brand's midlength sockets). They sell "extra deep" 3/8 drive sockets, which are the same as other's deep sockets.