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low profile 1/2" drive sockets?

Greg5OH

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Jun 24, 2014
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I see snap on has these 3/4" tall sockets but they only come in 3/8 drve.
Anyone else make chrome (or thin wall impact) 1/2" drive sockets in metric? High quality non chinas preffered.

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mixerfixer

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Astro Pneumatic Nano sockets are very good. Short and thin with a hex on the drive side so you can use them with a wrench also. I work for a Caterpillar dealer and use them every day with no issues.

 

qqzj

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While we are at it, any recommendation for low profile 1/2 ratchets?
 

qqzj

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Greg5OH

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Nice that the complete capri kit is available on zorro. I like capris phosphate finish, is it similar to what snap on uses?
Dont like black oxide, always rust in my toolbox.
Dont care for wrench drive as at that point..may as well just use a wrench (xl flexhead gear wrench)
@B_Bimmer these are ideal for any big head bolts on suspension or bigger truck stuff for grabbing the bolt head. Keeps the ratchet nice and close and avoids you having to keep the center head pressed into the bolt to prevent it from camming out.

these plus some deep broach deep sockets are ideal for my situation
 
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Greg5OH

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Koken Z-series
I read on this forum that the Z series sockets are very tough to put on and remove off non Z series ratchets? I have an sl80 snappy 1/2 for this task.

they do look exactly like what I want though..
 

jmf535

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Nov 16, 2021
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I read on this forum that the Z series sockets are very tough to put on and remove off non Z series ratchets? I have an sl80 snappy 1/2 for this task.

they do look exactly like what I want though..
I use my 1/2 ones on a Williams USA ratchet and an Icon breaker bar, and don't find them to be any harder to put on/remove than my other sockets. My 1/4 ones are a different story though.

But if you are worried about fit, their regular line is about 5mm taller but still lower profile than most brands.
 
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Greg5OH

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Makes sense with the 1/4..little meat to grab onto. Realistically im not grabbing a 1/2 drive for anything under a 14mm head, would have enough meat to grab onto and pull off even if it is tougher.
I assume they are thinner wall than even a thin wall impact?
Whats the total socket height of your Z series 1/2 drive?
 
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jmf535

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Nov 16, 2021
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My smallest size in 1/2 is 22mm. I only use 1/2 on the axle/steerer nuts on motorcycles and for lockring removal on bicycle cassettes/rotors.
I don't have any thin wall impacts to compare them to, but they are very compact design and image that the impacts would be thicker.

The height of the sockets that I have range from 29-32mm. The socket sizes are between 22-32mm (not a continuous set)
 

dstblj52

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have you looked at the nano sockets sold by astro, sunex, husky and a few others their pretty good
 
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Greg5OH

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Yes they are quite low pro but look to be std thick wall. The large 20mm+ Look to be shorter height than the kokens though as the kokens grow in height the larger the diameter
 
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dstblj52

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ihateminimumwage

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I know.......but I bet someone can come up with a situation where it was the best or only tool they had for the task.
Custom cut as you need them is the way to go. Cut one down to do the overhead on a Deutz diesel in a Bobcat with no room between the crank bolt and radiator. Works great.
 

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Sneezer

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Aug 14, 2019
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Astro Pneumatic Nano sockets are very good. Short and thin with a hex on the drive side so you can use them with a wrench also. I work for a Caterpillar dealer and use them every day with no issues.

I bought a set of the Astro Nanos as well, and have been very happy with them. I have the 3/8" and 1/2" drive, both metric. Have saved my bacon a couple times in the year I have had them.
 
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