Long Hex Sockets

[imike929]

Hey Guys.....

Looking for recommendations for long hex sockets. I’m an electrician and regularly use them to install and torque breakers. I've used a few different brands and find that eventually the hex bit separates from the socket.

My needs:

Must be SAE 3/8 Drive
Long in length
Preferable one piece (had worse luck with the set screw type)
NO BALL ENDS
Prefer the thinner ones to be thin the length of the shaft, no just tapered.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'd look to see what VIM offers. I have a Cornwell set which I'm 99% sure VIM makes. I find them to be the toughest Allen sockets around. I use Allen sockets a lot and the closest I have come to breaking own is twisting my 5mm. I stopped before breaking it and have been using it that way for years, keep forgetting to get replaced.

 

[MJD1]

The Carlyle from napa are pretty decent . Most of the Taiwan imports are similar one piece design.

 

[MJO]

Proto, Wright, USA MAC, Armstrong (gone but still might find NOS sets) and Snap-On are all great choices. I worked on machines that all the fasteners were hex so I used a lot of hex sockets and those IMO are the best (no particular order). I do prefer the ones with set screws over roll pins, ring or glue, because if they break or twist it's east to replace the "bit".


Nice set of Wright's: https://www.royalsupply.com/store/p...ece-Long-Length-Hex-Bit-Socket-Set-p50922.htm

 

[Formerjeeper]

I agree on Carlyle, I have those and they fit your description perfectly.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have Snap-on and Mac for long bit sockets and haven’t broken one yet unless I’ve been abusing it. I have stripped some Matco ones I have way too easily. Wouldn’t recommend Matco.

 

[DFB]

I just recently got some nice one piece SAE hex "impact grade" 3/8" drive sockets (import brand) off an Amazon vendor. Price was right nice stamping good storage box.

actually got the metrics also for my toolbox as the offered a better deal for both at once

 

[bob15]

Never had any issues with Bondhus bits and sockets. They make non-ball end hex tools as well.

http://bondhus.com/pages/hex-end3

 

[zktk01]

if you could get away with 1/4" drive vim has a deal now for $18
https://cloud1.shopsite.com/donofish/s7asxl-details.html

 

[DerekV]

I have a set of the Tekton 1/4 drive metric hex sockets and the quality and (most importantly) fit is outstanding. I wouldn’t hesitate to give their 3/8 long SAE set a whirl, especially for $30 shipped. Meets your criteria well, too.

https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-long-hex-bit-socket-sets?set-range=1-8-3-8-in

 

[matt_i]

I'm not a big Snapon cheerleader but gotta give credit where credit is due. Their hex bits have outlasted all of the others. And I havent tried all brands mentioned so take that with a grain of salt but I feel like they are always reliable.

 

[Wamsutta]

I hate any hex socket where the bit wiggles inside the socket; that's why I like Snap-on; they don't wiggle; they're a press fit.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Anything with S2 steel for the bit is my preference. Strong and long wearing. My extra long bits are SK, but they use S2 bits.

 

[ovilla]

Snap-on. Pricey but you can find great deals on eBay.





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[bob15]

I hate any hex socket where the bit wiggles inside the socket; that's why I like Snap-on; they don't wiggle; they're a press fit.

And when they do wiggle and fall out, a little epoxy works great for keeping them in place.

 

[Jason280]

Bondhus.

 

[sparky 1971]

Tekton has a set, but I have no experience with them. I have Allen brand and when mine started coming out of the socket, I just JB welded them in place, tightened the set screw, then smeared more JB over the screw. Not the prettiest things in the world, but they ain't coming out of the socket anymore.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I've got some Proto at work, affordable, fit nice, high quality and have survived some torture.

 

[Firebrick43]

I'm not a big Snapon cheerleader but gotta give credit where credit is due. Their hex bits have outlasted all of the others. And I havent tried all brands mentioned so take that with a grain of salt but I feel like they are always reliable.

Have you tried proto. I have snap ons (standard, long, and long w/ball both sae and metric) but I was always twisting 4 and 5 mm which I use a ton of and some times rounding the corners off. Mainly standard length.

The proto’s last me 2-3 years in those sizes (snap on bit won’t make it 3 months). After a year or two I might grind it back a 1/4” or so (dipping in water to keep the heat down) to compensated for some wear on the edges but I have never twisted one or broken one. We are putting much more torque than a breaker will ever see(very large industrial machine tools).

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Snap On. It's not even close. Once you use their hex bits, it's hard to go back to anything else.

 

[Tallpilot]

Proto with a 25% Zoro coupon is probably your best bet. Otherwise I would go with VIM.

 

[bwringer]

Grey Pneumatic 1267H

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV9VXS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[zktk01]

I second the Bondhus
These won't wiggle in the socket

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YNQSCA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ecotec]

I just ordered the 4 sets of 1/4” Matco branded Vim long sockets off the Vim red hot deals page. Thank you ZTK01, for making me aware of this. I will be watching that site periodically.

 

[ecotec]

I got my extra long Matco sockets in today (SAE hex, metric hex, Torx plus, and XZN). They look really nice. One of the trays was cracked, so I glued it in case I keep the trays.

Thanks again, ZTK01.