Looking to buy impact sockets need some input

[eddie1278]

What would be the cheapest price and best quality impact sockets for a DIYer mechanic. I don't work on cars every day but at least a couple times a month I do.

Also I don't have air tools I just want to buy impact sockets because they are stronger right? I will be using a breaker bar all the time with them.

Looking at this set http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MW2CGO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Chris_L]

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-55-pc-1-2-in-drive-dual-mark/p-00983127000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

This set should still be USA. The bulk sets that come in plastic bags are. Though that will be changing since they are shutting down the plant here and the ones in store already are mixed China/USA.

I got the set that had 3/8 & 1/2 but that shows as out of stock.

 

[Leadberry]

The Taiwanese Kobalt impacts will do the job and they're cheap as hell. Plus, if you ever break one you can just run over to the store and swap it out--same for the Craftsman. Of course, being that you don't have air tools I doubt you'll ever break one. Even at my work the guys abuse the hell out of our China-made impact sockets and the only ones that ever fail are the thin-walled flip sockets.

I would've opted for the US-made Craftsman when I made my purchase if I could've afforded the price premium.

 

[eddie1278]

The Taiwanese Kobalt impacts will do the job and they're cheap as hell. Plus, if you ever break one you can just run over to the store and swap it out--same for the Craftsman. Of course, being that you don't have air tools I doubt you'll ever break one. Even at my work the guys abuse the hell out of our China-made impact sockets and the only ones that ever fail are the thin-walled flip sockets.

I would've opted for the US-made Craftsman when I made my purchase if I could've afforded the price premium.

The problem with the cheap sets they skip sizes and only go up to like 24mm. I was looking at the cheap Stanleys they skip 18, 20, 23 and stop at 24mm

 

[zkling]

I have the craftsman USA made sets. Got them on sale for $30.00 each per set, thanks to this forum. They are the deep 12pc sets.

A friend of mine has the harborfreight sets. I have used them numerous times on a good ingersoll gun and have had not had any issues with them.

 

[Bikes&Bowties]

Pittsburg pro..

 

[Leadberry]

The problem with the cheap sets they skip sizes and only go up to like 24mm. I was looking at the cheap Stanleys they skip 18, 20, 23 and stop at 24mm

Yeah strangely enough I didn't have that problem with the Kobalt...for $50 I got 10mm, 25mm and everything in between. I can't speak for the SAE or combo sets though. And yeah, this set did stop at 25mm, but I rarely see anything larger than 22mm at home in the occasional automotive work I do (axle nuts being the exception). YMMV

 

[eddie1278]

Wow this looks like a nice set and pro quality made in the USA

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRB5W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Haveblue]

ive got a similar set of C-man like that is older, maybe 8 years or so. They are USA,and VERY durable..I use them as impact only..mostly... I really like em! But fot the DIY guy they may get in the way, meaning, they are heavier/bulkier than chrome sockets, and are thicker, so you wont have as much clearance in tight spots. Plus the weight on a long extention with a u-joint.. (bell housing bolts) can be a pain! If you dont need impact sockets yet, dont buy them..theres really no point if you dont have an impact wrench.

 

[deter]

i got my cheapies from northern tool. I beat the **** out of them, and they just take it

 

[Chris_L]

FWIW worth I ordered that big craftsman impact set as well as several of the bulk chrome sets last month and I got ALL USA made sockets. They come in plastic bags straight from apex tool group im thinking. The only downside is they dont come with an organizer, price im willing to pay for the last of the USA made c-man stuff.

 

[eddie1278]

ive got a similar set of C-man like that is older, maybe 8 years or so. They are USA,and VERY durable..I use them as impact only..mostly... I really like em! But as a DIY guy they may get in the way, meaning, they are heavier/bulkier than chrome sockets, and are thicker, so you wont have as much clearance in tight spots. Plus the weight on a long extention with a u-joint.. (bell housing bolts) can be a pain! If you dont need impact sockets yet, dont buy them.

I was in the junk yard today getting struts for my car and the bolts were 13/16 which I didn't have in 1/2" drive. I asked a guy in the yard and he had a deep impact 13/16" that I borrowed hooked my 1/2" breaker bar on it and those bolts broke loose like nothing.

I have lots of chrome sockets but hardly any in 1/2" drive. So I figure my 1/2" drive sockets will be in impact.

 

[dirtmister16]

i bought my set from tooltopia. i bought a set of SK deepwells. mine goes from i think 3/8" to 1 1/4" if i remember correctly it was under $150. but for a casual user id say the HF or a set of campbell hausfield would work really well. i plan on getting the metric set next time i make a order from tooltopia.

i don't know how much wright impacts are but my dad has a set of those and they are also excellent, as well as sunex, ive used them both and never seen a issue.

hope this info helps.

 

[blackz26]

Walmart. 10 piece. 5/5. Should cover all you need for dyi.$20

 

[Haveblue]

If you get 6pt impact sockets for breaker bar use, trust me, after a while you WILL be looking for chrome 12 point sockets. ..more excuses to buy tools!! This is actually a complicated, and great question..you will experiment with what works for you, as you find things that work, your toolbox will grow into a comfortable companion!

 

[eddie1278]

If you get 6pt impact sockets for breaker bar use, trust me, after a while you WILL be looking for chrome 12 point sockets. ..more excuses to buy tools!!

They will be used with air tools too eventually. Why would I be looking for 12 points?

 

[blackz26]

They will be used with air tools too eventually. Why would I be looking for 12 points?

Oh no.. now you've done it...

 

[Haveblue]

For a DIY probably not essential, depending on the application, but for a tech, 12 point is a must. No big advantage over 6 point, maybe a bit of clearance, but you cant use 6 point sockets on 12 point fasteners..but you can use 12 pt sockets on 6pt fasteners.

 

[Nanashi]

Head bolts on a toyota truck i did where 14mm 12 pnt lol 90 lbs going down on my weak little none impact 12pnt.

Just a heads up op, none impact sockets are more precisely measured as opposdd to impact, they are also thinner and lighter. With that said all my 6 point sockets are impact except my 1/4" drive sets and i never had any issues rounding off bolts or anything. I have mostly all snap on sockets though meaning they are built to a higher tolerance. For the weekend warrior id be using craftsman hands down. There pro wrenches are awesome too. I have a set of gearwrench flex head ratchet wrenxhes as well that i love to death. There thin strong and only wratchet one way making them more reliable. Sears would be a one stop shop and an easy place to go back to, to have your warrenty taken care of.

 

[biscuit141]

I am really impressed with the quality and completeness of the Lowes Kobalts sets. If I was in the market now I would give them a serious look. The nice part is ease of warranty and they stock the individual sockets if you ever need to exchange. Even sears doesn't carry individual impact sockets any longer.

 

[CWP1616L]

Wow this looks like a nice set and pro quality made in the USA

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRB5W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Grey Pneumatic is Taiwan.

 

[ATC]

Pittsburg pro..

Yup. I've been beating on mine for years and they still ask for more

 

[Etz]

I have used a set of Harbor Freight sockets for years with no complaints. Held up to my four foot cheater bar. Great guarantee. Even their regular sockets have held up better than Craftsman, which seem to crack on me.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Cman is the way to go...this is what I picked up and I am a Diesel Tech by trade and wrench on cars for extra cash.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140911589656

 

[cgv69]

I am really impressed with the quality and completeness of the Lowes Kobalts sets.

I don't have any of their impact sockets but but I have some of their 1/4 and 3/8" chrome sockets and they are very well made. In the chrome line they do skip sizes which kind of ***** but I bought them last summer at ridiculously low clearance prices so I can't *****.

 

[crewchief888]

i have SO, mac, matco, stanley, CM, kobalt, HF and some no name brands.

they all work the same.

for a DIY/garage warrior, HF or stanley would be my choice

 

[jptbay]

What would be the cheapest price and best quality impact sockets for a DIYer mechanic. I don't work on cars every day but at least a couple times a month I do.

Also I don't have air tools I just want to buy impact sockets because they are stronger right? I will be using a breaker bar all the time with them.

Looking at this set http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MW2CGO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For $125 shipped I got this Sunex kit with the same sizes in standard & deep. Sunex impact sockets are great.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-6723-sunex-international-2668.aspx
Use coupon code welcome for 10% of your first order.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

My ingersoll sockets were cheap. Amazon. Used them in the shop and they hold up fine

 

[HMCFab9]

Sunex.
I've had mine for a long time with no complaints.

 

[Conductor562]

I have various brands of impacts. in all honesty impact sockets are one place I always go cheap. I've got Proto's, Stanley's, HF, and others and haven't found a to of difference between them. I recently reviewed some Tekton branded impacts and I was very happy with them. They offer a 15 piece set that runs from 11-32mm with skips at uncommon sizes that can be found for under $50. A lot of Tekton stuff is similar or same as HF stuff. The difference is that their Customer Service is awesome. One of their testing/development guys is a member here and always assist with issues/questions. Tekton has become my go to for cheaper tools. They carry a lifetime warranty as well and there are no hassles in utilizing it. Their deep metric set is model # 4885 and the shallows are 4817.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I do agree on tekton, customer service is awesome and the tools aren't too bad. I get less used tools from them, but impact sockets I wouldn't cheap on. Not saying tekton or other cheaper brands won't last, but shattering impact sockets aren't on my list of things to own. I do have to say the impact grade tekton reducer adapters do hold up just fine. I've used the half inch to three eighths on my IR ti Max with no problems.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I've been using cheap harbor freight impact sockets for decades. They will hold up fine with my impact gun.

I really wonder if you need impact sockets for a breaker bar. The big thing about impact sockets is that they are a bit softer than regular tool steel sockets so they don't explode when you rattle on them with an impact gun, they will bend instead.

A quality tool steel socket should hold up to a breaker bar. If you are only going to get one set of 1/2" sockets get the impacts since they are cheap enough. If you already have a good set of 1/2" drive sockets, and don't have an impact, you are probably fine.

Chris