Low Profile Socket

[JereWhite]

Is there potential to replace regular depth sockets with low profile sockets?
I prefer not to have tools in my box that just set and collect rust. There are clearly tasks that a low profile set will accomplish that a regular socket will not, but I was wondering if there were any tasks that a low profile could not do, which a regular socket could.

 

[Fedwrench]

yes. depending on what you work on, you could have too many threads sticking past a nut to use a low profile socket on the nut for example.
Low profile sockets were never meant to be a replacement for standard depth sockets. Low profiles are for when a regular socket won't fit, kind of a specialty tool.

 

[ChrisLS8]

They are a small investment for a what if situation where they will save the day. It's sort of like flex head ratchets you may not need em everyday but when you do you'll be glad you do.

OEMtools makes a nice satin set for around 20 bucks and Astro makes a nice impact set that has 17mm hec on the outside for about 40

 

[sk farmer]

my experience with low pro sockets is like fedwrench said. they work well on bolt heads but not always on the nut or burr if the thread protrudes very far beyond.

 

[lugnut71]

in the last year or two i have bought the snap on low profile metric sockets in 1/4 and 3/8 drive. although i have gotten by without them for the last 25 years, they do come it handy couple times a month on these newer vehicles. So much so i wouldnt want to be without them .

 

[plinker]

I bought the 3/8 drive low profile impact sockets from Matco a couple years ago (Carlyle has them now I see), and I use them all the time. But, I still use the normal shallow sockets as well. Just not as much as I did before.

I've got extra shallow, shallow, semi deep & deep sockets in 3/8 drive, all get used eventually, some just more then others since there are times only one length will work the best or save time.

 

[C.L S2000]

my experience with low pro sockets is like fedwrench said. they work well on bolt heads but not always on the nut or burr if the thread protrudes very far beyond.

But you aren't really reaching for a stubby socket for a nut on a long threaded fastener? I have the metric stubbys from astro and they have a 17MM hex on the outside so if you can fit the threads in through the center broach, then you can work them with a open/box end wrench.

 

[sk farmer]

But you aren't really reaching for a stubby socket for a nut on a long threaded fastener? I have the metric stubbys from astro and they have a 17MM hex on the outside so if you can fit the threads in through the center broach, then you can work them with a open/box end wrench.

as usual, someone gives an answer but doesn't read the question. back to that later........

well that works if your low pro sockets have a hex broach on the outside but not all do. i have a set of truecraft chrome sockets and they do not have that feature.

it also does not work if the threads do not fit through the hole in the drive end. i have metric and sae low pro impact sets in 1/2 drive. the smaller sizes? yes, they will fit through the hole. the larger sizes? i don't think so.

if you go back to the op's question. he asked if he could replace standard depth sockets with low pro sockets. we can't answer that question for him with 100% certainty but i can tell him this. there are many applications i run into that tell me no.

a prime example would be lug nuts on a vehicle. i know i could get most off with a standard depth socket and impact wrench or breaker.

tell me how much fun that would be with a low pro socket and am open end wrench or 0 degree box end

 

[Mr Ratchet]

yes. depending on what you work on, you could have too many threads sticking past a nut to use a low profile socket on the nut for example.
Low profile sockets were never meant to be a replacement for standard depth sockets. Low profiles are for when a regular socket won't fit, kind of a specialty tool.

This and if you are working in a tight spot a extra shallow may not reach and a min length may be too long for clearance. The normal shallow may be just the right length. Kind of like having the right length extension built into the socket.

I have pass through sets that I use for extra shallow sockets.

 

[C.L S2000]

as usual, someone gives an answer but doesn't read the question. back to that later........

well that works if your low pro sockets have a hex broach on the outside but not all do. i have a set of truecraft chrome sockets and they do not have that feature.

it also does not work if the threads do not fit through the hole in the drive end. i have metric and sae low pro impact sets in 1/2 drive. the smaller sizes? yes, they will fit through the hole. the larger sizes? i don't think so.

if you go back to the op's question. he asked if he could replace standard depth sockets with low pro sockets. we can't answer that question for him with 100% certainty but i can tell him this. there are many applications i run into that tell me no.

a prime example would be lug nuts on a vehicle. i know i could get most off with a standard depth socket and impact wrench or breaker.

tell me how much fun that would be with a low pro socket and am open end wrench or 0 degree box end

I actually DID read the op's question but that already got addressed by Fedwrench in the same post that you were agreeing with him. He already stated...

"depending on what you work on, you could have too many threads sticking past a nut to use a low profile socket on the nut for example.
Low profile sockets were never meant to be a replacement for standard depth sockets. Low profiles are for when a regular socket won't fit, kind of a specialty tool."

I was simply trying to add on in agreement with you guys and bring up that 17MM hex feature on my sockets for the op's knowledge.

 

[eschoendorff]

I do like that 17mm hex on the outside of those sockets. Cool feature

 

[gtlaw]

If had to have just two sets it would be the sunex low profile and a mid depth set. Couldn't get by with only the low profile.

 

[anndel]

Sometimes they work and sometimes not. When working on cars, I bring with me deep chromes, standard and Astro low profiles.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I've got a set of the Astro nano metric impact sockets - they're handy for really tight spots, but I believe there's lots of flex in them compared to other sockets.

Was removing some 17mm lug nuts and tried 3 out of 5 with this socket and none of them came loose with my cordless impact after ~15 seconds of letting them hammer. Went and got my 17mm Snap On deep well socket and all 5 came off without even having to let the impact hammer on them.

My assumption is that the Snap On deep well socket, although longer, is much more rigid than the Astro nano.

 

[BFHtime]

I've got a set of the Astro nano metric impact sockets - they're handy for really tight spots, but I believe there's lots of flex in them compared to other sockets.

Was removing some 17mm lug nuts and tried 3 out of 5 with this socket and none of them came loose with my cordless impact after ~15 seconds of letting them hammer. Went and got my 17mm Snap On deep well socket and all 5 came off without even having to let the impact hammer on them.

My assumption is that the Snap On deep well socket, although longer, is much more rigid than the Astro nano.

Thanks for sharing this. Very interesting. I will be checking to make this comparison.

 

[BFHtime]

Astropneumatic nano sockets are very handy and can be used with an impact.

Everything has advantages and disadvantages for example Snap-on makes very nice tools that tend to be durable and very compact but are also expensive. Kind of like fast cheap and quality, Pick two.

Harbor freight tools are cheap, decent and have a good value (which is subjective).

I like a lot of different tools for different reasons. It is good to have different tools and often different brands, because sometimes another set of dimensions of the tool is more appropriate for the current need.

 

[gtlaw]

I've got a set of the Astro nano metric impact sockets - they're handy for really tight spots, but I believe there's lots of flex in them compared to other sockets.

Was removing some 17mm lug nuts and tried 3 out of 5 with this socket and none of them came loose with my cordless impact after ~15 seconds of letting them hammer. Went and got my 17mm Snap On deep well socket and all 5 came off without even having to let the impact hammer on them.

My assumption is that the Snap On deep well socket, although longer, is much more rigid than the Astro nano.

It's probably their lighter weight.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

Can you explain why a lighter weight socket does this?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

My assumption is that the Snap On deep well socket, although longer, is much more rigid than the Astro nano.

It has to do with mass. That's about it.
Small impact sockets don't have much mass by description.

That's why you see monster thick impact sockets for Honda crank bolts. Use the same impact on both, and the large socket will remove the crank bolt and a standard wont. It works the same way in reverse when using a socket with less mass than a standard impact socket. It's all about the transfer of impact forces.