Looking for a wheel lug nut socket

[katit]

Up until now I was using just regular 1/2 Craftsman black sockets. Now I got new car (BMW) and don't want to scratch wheels. So, I'm looking for this thin-wall with plastic socket for 17mm.

What is the best out there? I did some search and found that there is no definite answer now with all of the overseas manufacturing.. Seems like HF sells same stuff.

Question is: Can I buy something better than HF? And if yes, what brand should I look for? Snap-On(can't find on website)? Something else?

 

[fastbike02]

I've had the hf set for almost a year now and they have held up fine I'm sure you can get a Snap on set but you're gonna pay a lot more

 

[T45]

pick up a hazet, in the size you need for 15 euro.

 

[619DioFan]

I have a set of plastic covered impacts ( can't remember the brand but I know they are not usa made ) and I have some thin wall lug sockets for tight clearance wheels. have never seen a thin wall lug socket with the plastic cover ( the plastic coating if on a thin wall would defeat the purpose of a thin wall ) you will be fine with the hf plastic covered lug sockets. for thin wall sockets look at sunex. fyi - most companies will not warranty thin wall impact sockets ( truck brand thin walls may be warrantied but mine are not truck brand and are labeled no warranty ) have in the past wrapped a thin wall in electrical tape for wheel protection purposes.

 

[619DioFan]

Just wanted to respond to my above post- appearentley sunex does in fact make a thin wall plastic covered impact lug nut socket set and they say it is life time warranty. it is a three piece metric set and has the 17mm. looks like I will be getting this set for myself .

 

[katit]

pick up a hazet, in the size you need for 15 euro.

Cool. I got it ordered. Not 15 euro, but it's OK. Will be first Hazet tool in my box

 

[K-Dog]

I have the Astro-Pneumatic set. Works fine for me.

 

[kctyphoon]

If you're using it on your own car - save your money and get the HF set.. you might even be able to just buy a single in the size you need off eBay..

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I have had good luck with the Sunex. $21.99 for a set of three:

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-2842-2-Inch-Protector-3-Piece/dp/B003XIJ7ZU/

 

[geartow]

I have the Astro-Pneumatic set. Works fine for me

 

[az45]

I've used the Sunex for a long time and they work fine.

One thing that I've learned from growing up in the tire business is that the tool never scratches the wheel, the guy using the tool does...this goes for tire machines as well. You shouldn't need a plastic coated socket, especially if it your own car and you're likely not to beat the **** out of it when you work on it.

If you use hand tools and not an impact, just use a standard 6 point 17mm and call it a day.

 

[karl1672]

I have the Astro-Pneumatic set. Works fine for me

Same here

 

[woody 73]

I've used the Sunex for a long time and they work fine.

One thing that I've learned from growing up in the tire business is that the tool never scratches the wheel, the guy using the tool does...this goes for tire machines as well. You shouldn't need a plastic coated socket, especially if it your own car and you're likely not to beat the **** out of it when you work on it.

If you use hand tools and not an impact, just use a standard 6 point 17mm and call it a day.

Funny thing it never ceases to amaze me when guys do everything in this world to protect their car and the moment they start driving every rock in the road acts like a magnet, every food shopper and their cart acts like a magnet, everyone slams their door into your car and hail storms are just over the next hill, while you are dodging flying rocks from passing trucks.

I gave up long ago trying...

 

[MemphisR32]

GP tool has a set also with the protection ring and a insert in the hole to prevent scratching the lugbolt

 

[doubleot]

HF set has worked perfectly fine for me.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I have the Astro-Pneumatic set. Works fine for me.

I have the Astro-Pneumatic set. Works fine for me

 

[pi_guy]

Funny thing it never ceases to amaze me when guys do everything in this world to protect their car and the moment they start driving every rock in the road acts like a magnet, every food shopper and their cart acts like a magnet, everyone slams their door into your car and hail storms are just over the next hill, while you are dodging flying rocks from passing trucks.

I gave up long ago trying...

I do it for clients in vintage or historic stuff in racing stuff is done for speed not for pretty.
Always found it was more satisfying to dent or scratch my truck myself than watching somebody else do it.
I will always remember the look on a owners face when I showed him how I ran the roll cage into his vents on his new 1984 944 turbo that we were racing in ****** series.
Off course I felt better in a few months when I got a call from a driver who had rolled that car at high speed that the only thing that was straight was the roll cage.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

GP tool has a set also with the protection ring and a insert in the hole to prevent scratching the lugbolt

Looks like a nice set. I like the lug nut protection, not just for the wheel. Any idea how these hold up?

 

[MemphisR32]

Looks like a nice set. I like the lug nut protection, not just for the wheel. Any idea how these hold up?

Fairly well just make sure the plastic is clean when you use them or they might scratch. I don't do a lot of heavy usage though since I'm not a pro.

 

[mcmtech]

I've got the Astro set at work. Works and holds up great