looking for deep well sockets

[alan camby]

I would like to replace my 3/8 craftsman deep well sockets with a design that prevents the nut or bolt from being inserted all the way to the base of the socket. I have a few Snap on sockets and I know that they keep the nut/bolt close to the end of the socket.
Is there a list somewhere on this site that lists manufacturers that have this feature? I would like to buy US made. Snap on is a little to expensive for me.
thanks

 

[archirelic]

let me clarify: that's me scratching my head b/c I don't know of anyone b/c I've never seen it as much of an issue, but good luck!

 

[cglasgow]

I would like to replace my 3/8 craftsman deep well sockets with a design that prevents the nut or bolt from being inserted all the way to the base of the socket. I have a few Snap on sockets and I know that they keep the nut/bolt close to the end of the socket.
Is there a list somewhere on this site that lists manufacturers that have this feature? I would like to buy US made. Snap on is a little to expensive for me.
thanks

I'm exactly the opposite. Most of my deepwells are old CM and have the full-depth broaching. I have a few random-brand sockets that have shallow broaching that you describe and they drive me nuts (pun intended ;-). I much prefer the full-depth broaching. Maybe we could get parallel lists -- those with, and those without.

 

[royesses]

unable to find usa made reasonable price, but gearwrench has shallow broach deep well sockets:
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/ratchets_and_sockets/sockets/deep/

 

[alan camby]

I have Allen brand at work and I know they are deep broach.
Why do I like the shallow Broach?
Just last week I had to install large machine panels and was having trouble starting the bolts in the threaded holes. Sometimes I like to put the bolt in the socket and push while i turn the ratchet in order to start the threads. I had to fill the socket with nuts so that I could do this with my deep broach Allens. I have never found a advantage to deep broach.

 

[Dale B]

Well , suppose you need a deep socket on a nut with an obstruction behind your ratchet. As you unscrew the nut , it just rises in the deep broached socket. But if use a shallow broached deep socket , it gradually pushes back until your ratchet is jammed tite. So you really need BOTH types ! Been there dozens of times with an air ratchet........

 

[jptbay]

Gearwrench deep sockets have this feature. I find it very useful.

 

[Outlawmws]

Most of mine have the short wells. (My sockets are mostly Heinz 57...)

Only the Craftsman in the -VV- series had the deep wells in 6 pt and 3/8 drive, and older Proto professionals as well (Also 6 pt, 3/8 drive).

No clue as to current offerings, but take a look at the 12 pt, sockets, I think they are more likely to have the short wells.

 

[mtkst19]

cornwell uses a short broach in 3/8 deep.

 

[Jawn]

As I mentioned in another thread, SK deep sockets are shallow broach.

 

[GoBlue]

I love the deep broach...its a huge plus imho.

 

[Hammer1963]

I'm a shallow fan myself. It all depends on what type of work you do I suppose.

 

[Lomotil]

How about some redneck ingenuity?

Cut some rubber hose and stuff it into the sockets you already have?

 

[alan camby]

Well , suppose you need a deep socket on a nut with an obstruction behind your ratchet. As you unscrew the nut , it just rises in the deep broached socket. But if use a shallow broached deep socket , it gradually pushes back until your ratchet is jammed tite. So you really need BOTH types ! Been there dozens of times with an air ratchet........

Ok, I see your point. Just been using the deep broach for so long that I never thought of the advantages, only the disadvantages. So guess I will keep my deep broach and add the shallow to the box, soon as i find some.

 

[iroc409]

I have Allen brand at work and I know they are deep broach.
Why do I like the shallow Broach?
Just last week I had to install large machine panels and was having trouble starting the bolts in the threaded holes. Sometimes I like to put the bolt in the socket and push while i turn the ratchet in order to start the threads. I had to fill the socket with nuts so that I could do this with my deep broach Allens. I have never found a advantage to deep broach.

If you're working with a bolt head and not a nut, why not use a short socket and extension instead of a deep socket?

 

[alan camby]

If you're working with a bolt head and not a nut, why not use a short socket and extension instead of a deep socket?

My tools are bought by my employer. I only have a small box and a even smaller budget. So, all my 3/8 drive are deep. My 1/2 drive are all shallow, but i prefer using my 3/8 sizes most of the time. Now at home I like to have one of everything

I know this is stupid and a totally different problem, but at home i always grab deep sockets. Mainly because I hate getting the shallows off of my socket rails. Almost impossible with greasy hands. They are just so short and hard to get a hold of. Maybe I will look into a different rail system. Something like the Hansons

 

[Greatbear]

My 30+ year old Cornwell 3/8" set is shallow broached, it does come in handy for things like exhaust clamps and such when used inverted and still have to clear a long stud or bolt. Not sure what the new stuff is like, though.

 

[Agent1320]

If I ever need a shallow broach with my deep broach deep sockets I just put a nut in the vise, drill out the threads, jam it down in the socket. Viola!

 

[pipsters]

SK deepwells have a shallow broach

 

[byoungblood]

Wright deep sockets are shallow broach up to about 5/8", larger sizes are full length broach.

 

[Steevo]

I have been in similar situations to the OP. Needing the "reach" of the deep socket to get the bolt/nut where you want it, but needing it to not slip up into the socket.
I've used various solutions, some as simple as foam rubber stuffed in the socket, and one as complicated as shimming a nut in the mouth of a socket with pieces of feeler gauge.
I once saw a special tool socket at a manufacturing plant that had a spring strip built into one of the flats of the 6-pt that held things in place so you could reach deep into an assembly to put a bolt into a hole without dropping it into the bowels of the machinery. I think it came with a service tool kit supplied by the equipment maker.

 

[otis66]

S-K sockets are what you are looking for. Also see Snap On and Cornwell.

 

[sberry]

I wouldnt mind a 9/16 mid length, 3/8 drive, only need it occasionally, wouldnt need to be great.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have never found a advantage to deep broach.

7/8 Craftsman Deep full broach makes a great General Aviation spark plug socket. Cannot get over the plugs with any other type.

Smaller Craftsman, and I forget what size, makes a great socket for removing the fuel injection nozzles from a large Continental motor on a General Aviation aircraft. Same deal, nothing else will go over it.

Charles

 

[mayhemman]

don't replace them, keep them and maybe buy a extra set of used others. ive bought used snap on and really alot of times id rather have deep broach, but im glad to have both styles.

if your careful you can get a good deal just have to be patient or willing to pay a touch more then what new craftsman set costs.

what ive done in times when i needed a short broach is stuff a piece of paper down the socket to hold it or somehow use my fingers even if i couldn't really reach it the way i wanted.

 

[Keep]

Look at Williams US line. The ones I have are the shallow sockets.

Here is a comparison I did a couple of years ago.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84586