Larger size 3/8" impact sockets?

[md21722]

For 3/8" impacts, I see sets that go up to 1" and 24 mm.

I wonder how many of you use the larger sizes? To me that's usually suspension and I'm reaching for my 1/2" gun by default.

I would think up to 19mm, and up to 3/4" would be fine for 3/8" impact sets.

What does the collective wisdom of GJ think?

 

[scissorman]

My impacts go up to 1" in SAE and 20mm in metric for 3/8" drive. My 1/2" impacts go to 1 1/4" in SAE and 27mm in Metric.

 

[md21722]

To put it in perspective, my 1/2" impacts go up to 1-9/16" & 36mm. I use the large SAE sizes for tools and machinery & the larger metric sizes for axle nut sockets.

 

[shockwave]

For 3/8 most of the fasteners above say 19mm can be tricky and too tight for 3/8 drive
Usually above 19/3/4 I go for 1/2 drive usually suspension

 

[az45]

Why not use a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter?

 

[wolf_from_wv]

3/8 - 1/2 adapter for hard to access areas?

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL makes impact sockets in 3/8" drive that go up to 22mm. Modern air impacts of that drive size can put out 400 ft-lb of torque (Aircat) and the Milwaukee fuel 3/8" drive cordless puts out 210 ft-lb of torque. That's typically more than enough for most suspension work if you don't live in the rust belt.

 

[md21722]

Well, the same argument could be made for lug nuts. But I still use my 1/2" for those as it just spins them off, the 3/8" will do it but take slightly longer. Suspension bolts are typically more stuck than lug nuts. So I guess it comes down to clearance where a 3/8" just fits better or the tech doesn't mind holding the trigger longer. My Matco guy says these high power 3/8" impacts are socket busters, but he will warranty them. In other words, 1/2" drive is proper tool for the the job in his opinion.

Not looking to start a ******* contest, I'm just looking for cases where these larger 3/8" impacts were helpful. If I see that they are, I will expand my current sets to include the larger sizes. Right now I have 10-19mm / 5-16" - 3/4" but am stuck on axle work so I haven't had much experimentation time with the larger sizes. The biggest I need now is a 3/4" for carrier bearing caps & 1-1/8" for pinion nuts. I'm using a 1/2" gun for the pinion nuts.

 

[fasteddie313]

These sure go big and are pretty cheap imo, up to 36mm..

They are for oil filters but by the look of em they look like they could handle about whatever a 3/8 ratchet will throw down unless they are total cheese..

 

[crackit]

I have 3/8" sockets up to 22mm, but I never use above 19mm. I always reach for 1/2" drive for the larger sizes. I once "exploded" a 3/8" extension bar doing something that I should have used 1/2" for, and since then I've been more cautious.

 

[nczo6]

Impact guns with a 3/8 drive anvil are getting stronger and stronger so it is more common for myself to grab my 3/8 drive gun and socket set and get to work, and having a higher range of sizes in my set comes in handy quite often. But the 1/2 inch gun does come out on real rusty or seized bolts.

 

[Duster346]

Have snap on 3/8" impacts 10mm-24mm and use all of them on my cordless impact. I'm in a medium duty shop, fwiw.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Why not use a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter?

I got an M12 Fuel 3/8" impact recently. I made sure I had one of these in my arsenal.

I also bought a 21mm impact socket to see if it would do lug nuts. NO GO !

 

[Adam.C]

For 3/8" impacts, I see sets that go up to 1" and 24 mm.

I wonder how many of you use the larger sizes? To me that's usually suspension and I'm reaching for my 1/2" gun by default.

I would think up to 19mm, and up to 3/4" would be fine for 3/8" impact sets.

What does the collective wisdom of GJ think?

You are correct. There isn't much utility in these larger sizes. I think manufacturers do that to get us to pay more for perceived value where there is none. Ditto for 10mm 1/2" drive.

I suspect pros out there use their guns just to speed things up, not for heavy removals. So for them, it can be helpful to have big sockets in a small drive.

 

[Fedwrench]

My 3/8 drive impact sockets go up to 24mm in shallow & deep (Proto, Williams) so, I really haven't had a need for anything bigger in 3/8 drive.

If I needed larger 1/2 drive sizes, I could use my 1/2 drive compact impact wrench to improve access.

 

[Tenex]

My 3/8 impacts go up to 1" and 22mm. I don't have 1/2" impacts yet so it's important that I have the largest sizes available in 3/8" drive. The lugs on my Grand Marquis are 21mm so I'm glad I had what I needed to do the brakes.

I'm using an M18 3/8" impact wrench and it struggles on stuff > 19mm, but I keep a 1/2" breaker bar with 1/2" x 3/8" adapter close by for the stubborn stuff.

 

[EchoOfGecko]

I find I use the larger 3/8" sockets for things like banjo fittings or plugs like on the side of an air tank. It's probably nothing a box end wrench couldn't handle, but sometimes I just have the ratchet handy.

 

[DFB]

I got an M12 Fuel 3/8" impact recently. I made sure I had one of these in my arsenal.

I also bought a 21mm impact socket to see if it would do lug nuts. NO GO !

Wiz I'm disappointed to hear that. Did you use any extensions or was the 3/8 drive socket mounted direct on the wrench?

 

[bcradio]

21mm and 22mm 3/8" drive impact sockets are my most used by far. Up to 24mm is a good range for 3/8" drive. I use my 3/8 gun for everything I can since it is way lighter.

On the flip side, I never use under 14mm in 1/2" drive. I don't know why they include such small sockets for impacts.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Couple of reasons

3/8 drive impacts are smaller and can get more places. Useful in tight locations.

3/8 drive impacts are lighter. I'd rather use a lighter impact all day long and only pull out a heavier one when it's needed. If I don't have the socket for 3/8 drive, then I have to pull out a 1/2 drive!

Having more sizes in one drive means less switching tools.

3/8 drive impacts are getting stronger and able to remove a 22 or 24MM bolt now.

It's not something I need, or everybody needs, but there obviously is a demand for it if they are making it.

 

[dnschmidt]

Wiz I can see the M12 Fuel impact in 1/4" drive but why in 3/8" when the M18 has so much more power and is little bigger. Can't understand your choice on this one. Let me tell you the M18 3/8" Fuel will DEFINITELY take off lug nuts. I've done it several times on my Hyundai Sonata (which uses 21mm wheel lugnuts) without any hiccup whatsoever.

 

[md21722]

Couple of reasons

3/8 drive impacts are smaller and can get more places. Useful in tight locations.

3/8 drive impacts are lighter. I'd rather use a lighter impact all day long and only pull out a heavier one when it's needed. If I don't have the socket for 3/8 drive, then I have to pull out a 1/2 drive!

Having more sizes in one drive means less switching tools.

3/8 drive impacts are getting stronger and able to remove a 22 or 24MM bolt now.

It's not something I need, or everybody needs, but there obviously is a demand for it if they are making it.

That's certainly one way to think about it. But taking the opposite approach, 1/2" impacts are getting smaller, too. Take the 1/2" stubby impacts for example. They are smaller and lighter than my MG325 3/8" impact.

Have you broken any 3/8" impacts?

My Matco guy calls the 3/8" 475 ft-lb stubby impacts "socket breakers"

 

[Ign]

I actually hate that most "common" sets end at 3/4" or 19mm.

I specifically bought a 22mm for using my 2754 on our Yukon. And I regularly use 15/16" on a 3/8" M12 impact at my mill for anchoring and removing 2-4-6 blocks.

Now I want to get a 21mm for my SuperDuty and still use my 2654 or 2754

I think with the advent of slightly more powerful 3/8" impacts and/or cordless impacts (take your pick - choose your perspective) sets should go up to 1". Beyond that I'll personally pull out the 1/2' gun(s)

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Haven't made the switch to cordless... but I just never found the need for 3/8" impacts. Have a draw with some older Snap-On and IRs.... 1/4" and 3/8" air ratchets and 1/2" impact definitely.

For the 1 M18 impact driver, just use a 3/8" adapter and chromies for mostly engine teardowns, bench work or remote.

 

[DFB]

So I had to look around 13/16 deep is the largest 3/8" drive impact I have with 3/4 or 19mm tops for the rest of them. I could probably find use for 20-22mm and maybe a 7/8",

My 3/8 chromies all go bigger though, 6pt deep to 15/16" I did buy that one size loose and 7/8, 15/16, 20,21,22 all 12 pt shallow


Wiz I just went after 5 lugs on the old Dodge with the 2454 and a 13/16 deep socket...

Only got 4 though failed on one and socket got stuck too

Ain't a perfect world