is it worth buying sae universal impacts?

[cammok5]

do you see much sae fasteners any more and if you do is it worth buying unversal impacts for them or just use an adapter? i have both sae and mm in all my other sockets but im thinking it will be a waist of money buying the sae. what are your opinions.

 

[Snapped-off]

If you're an auto tech it would probably be fine to just use a swivel adapter. Seems there is hardly any SAE anymore, so what would justify the cost of a set of swivels that wouldn't be used much?

I deal with mostly SAE, but I don't work on vehicles.

 

[2oolhound]

I encounter more sae than mm so I have a set.

 

[shampoop]

For regualr passenger vehicles I wouldn't. Only older cars use sae which have more space and are easier to work on.

 

[bgott]

I use an impact universal and impact sockets for 1/2" drive applications. They work OK but I do have to chase sockets frequently doing it this way.

 

[bcradio]

I am in the same boat. I plan on getting metric swivels and using sae with a universal. I got a craftsman pinless 3/8 universal for free tonight

 

[Burtonrider10022]

What is the benefit of a set of swivels vs. a swivel adapter?

 

[Snapped-off]

What is the benefit of a set of swivels vs. a swivel adapter?

You don't have to worry about the socket flying off, you don't have to put the socket onto the adapter (time). Although they do make adapters with a locking pin.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

You don't have to worry about the socket flying off, you don't have to put the socket onto the adapter (time). Although they do make adapters with a locking pin.

Also, they are shorter by themselves vs socket+adapter. I am going to buy SAE 1/4" drive impact swivels because a lot of access to the intake area/parts on the motors I work on will be much easier.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I use SAE swivels only - I dumped my metrics off on my neighbor, but I don't do much of any work on metric containing cars.

 

[braol]

I use an impact universal and impact sockets for 1/2" drive applications. They work OK but I do have to chase sockets frequently doing it this way.

Got to be careful there. I saw a guy get hit in the face with a socket doing that. I've had sockets fly off to, but after seeing that I use a swivel adapter with a locking pin when going on the impact.

 

[bcradio]

Also, they are shorter by themselves vs socket+adapter. I am going to buy SAE 1/4" drive impact swivels because a lot of access to the intake area/parts on the motors I work on will be much easier.

This is the main benefit for me... makes for a good bit tighter access.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i have a set from harbor fright
there is still a good bit of sae rolling down the highways; but not enough to make it a snapon

 

[Damian]

One rule of thumb I've always lived by as a mechanic is - Always have "more" than you need...

I have a set of everything in SAE....1/4 short, 1/4 deep, 3/8 short, 3/8 deep...etc. You get the picture. I probably have 4-5 sets of SAE sockets that have literally never been put on a fastener, but I like knowing they're there just in case I need them.

If you work on newer vehicles, the chances are very slim on running into many SAE fasteners anymore. If you work on old stuff, it's absolutely necessary to have SAE everything.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

do you see much sae fasteners any more and if you do is it worth buying unversal impacts for them or just use an adapter? i have both sae and mm in all my other sockets but im thinking it will be a waist of money buying the sae. what are your opinions.

Buy good impact swivel adapters for your 1/2" and 3/8" drive impact sockets..

If you find yourself using the adapters allot on ANY socket, then think about getting the impact swivel sockets. If there is only a need for one; just buy one.

There is a mix of metric and sae in use,, but only you know what you are working on, and how often you would use certain tools to perform that work.... Lets not forget that it is your pocketbook,,,

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Don't ask that in this crowd; they'd have you buy three of every kind and flavor

Adam

 

[JKady]

I've considered buying them when they come up for sale in the monthly fliers on the tool trucks as I do my fair share of classic car work, haven't been able to get myself to pull the trigger though.

 

[shampoop]

Got to be careful there. I saw a guy get hit in the face with a socket doing that. I've had sockets fly off to, but after seeing that I use a swivel adapter with a locking pin when going on the impact.

I did that once. Except it just smacked my fingernail really hard. Made it turn black. But really it was my fault. I was just careless and held on the trigger of my impact gun for too long. Had I just held it down for a brief moment, then maybe a little longer if it didn't break free, nothing would have happened. But because I just mashed it down and spun it even after the nut was removed, that caused the socket to fly off and smack my hand. Just a simple quick lapse of judgement.

 

[transittech]

I work on buses, and use them every day, same for truck mechanics.

X2 on the 1/4 impact swivel sockets. They can really save your ****!

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

even I have regular impacts sockets, I pick swivel sockets first.

 

[JASTECH]

I have Snappy, Mac and Continental in 3/8" SAE & MM chrome, then 1/4" impact's are greys.

 

[RCStocker]

OH Hell, Just buy them and be happy. Having an extra set of unused tools is like knowing you can go to a cat house anytime you want and find a virgin. LOL