Mid Length Sockets?

[JDon99]

Do you guys use mid length sockets quite often? If so, what are you using them on? I'm putting a new socket set together with USA Williams and filling in the holes with Snap On, figured if they are useful enough, I may get some mid lengths. I've never used them in the past, always made due with shallows and deeps. I can see where the 3/8 sets would be nice, not sure about the 1/4 sets.

 

[Askme42]

I don't own any but those I know that do own them use them 90% of the time.

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

I have never really needed any mid length sockets until I had to takeout the trans in my Tahoe. I just went to auto zone and bought a cheapo one and cut it. I couldn't justify the cost of a full set.

 

[idahochevy]

I have a set, and do use them from time to time. They are one of those tools that when you need them, it seems like nothing else will really work.

 

[SASORacing]

deep or shallow, there is no such things as mid length being jack of all trades, its the master of none.

 

[DennisH2014]

I don't find myself needing one often, but like ABS up top, I really needed a mid length 17mm for the transmission on my RX-7, and luckily enough I did in fact have one on hand!

 

[Crackerballer]

I was just reading another thread on here where a guy said the midlengths were worth their weight in gold and easily the ones he uses the most. I am sure there are places they are really worth it, but I wouldn't be the one to answer when that is.

 

[BirdMobile]

I find that I use my mids the least of all my sockets.

 

[CJM8515]

Always use mids. Most versatile.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I have them in 1/4 and 3/8. I rarely really need them, but they've come in handy a time or two. I mostly bought them just to keep on my cart. I have all my normal standard and deep sockets in my toolbox, and I keep my impact swivels on the cart... the impact swivels are super shallow, so I wanted something quick to grab for the times I need to turn a nut, not just a bolt head. I figured it was buy midlengths, or buy a duplicate set of deep sockets.

 

[PureLeaf]

I just bought a set in 3/8ths from gear wrench after doing a job where a 3/8s with my smallest extension stuck out too far, and a regular shallow socket didn't stick out far enough for the ratchet to get clearance. This offered just the right amount. I'm sure it'll find another uses and the whole metric set of amazon only cost me like 34 bucks.

 

[1950mercury]

I use them all the time in 1/4" have a snap on sae and sk metric they go to 9/16 and 15mm. Im surprised i havnt broke my 1/4 snap on comfort handle yet.

 

[92integra]

Yeah buddy mid length are amazing! My most used socket are grey pneumatic 3/8ths and gear wrench 1/4 sets in mid length

 

[rsanter]

I use my kids the most
A lot of the time the shallow is too shallow
The deeps will work but often deeper than needed

Bob

 

[elgato3]

I have them in 1/4 and 3/8 chrome and impact. They are my "go to" sockets.

 

[Adam.C]

If you aren't using or can't use a flex head ratchet, semi deeps give you a bit of extra clearance that allows you to ratchet fast. Deeps move the line of effort too far from the bolt head such that you are almost better off with an extension.

For automotive and precision machinery, I find deep sockets not needed for the intended function, i.e. removing a nut from a long threaded bolt.

 

[JDon99]

I just bought a set in 3/8ths from gear wrench after doing a job where a 3/8s with my smallest extension stuck out too far, and a regular shallow socket didn't stick out far enough for the ratchet to get clearance. This offered just the right amount. I'm sure it'll find another uses and the whole metric set of amazon only cost me like 34 bucks.

I have ran into this same thing in the past, didn't even think about the mid length for this solution. Thanks for the comments so far fellas!

 

[ZRX61]

Can't think of any reason to buy them. Haven't needed one for the past 50 years....

 

[Hammer1963]

I use my 1/4" and 3/8" drive Mid length sockets more than any other I own, both chrome and impact. The are extremely versatile and worth every penny!

 

[SantaAna12]

Snap on BOGO deal.

 

[Fedwrench]

deep or shallow, there is no such things as mid length being jack of all trades, its the master of none.

I disagree. It depends on what you're working and your technique but, I reach for semi deeps first in 1/4 and 3/8 drives. They provide knuckle clearance, threaded stud clearance, and a little obstruction clearance when working with recessed fasteners. I rarely use deep sockets.

 

[joedodge]

Fedwrench is spot on. So many bull **** opinions on here from people who don't even use tools for a living. They come in handy more than many would ever think

 

[greasemonkey44]

I use mid depth 3/8 so often I replaced my sunex with snap on.
Cars have these funny designs where the shallow is too short and the deep is too long.
I would recommend buying a cheap set of gw and sunex and seeing if you use them.

 

[cludwin]

I have 1/4 + 3/8 metric Snap On mid lengths and man they are great!
I keep each on a short metal rail and it's really easy to just grab a single rail + ratchet + extension and go off and fix something in the garage.

When I get into a larger job inevitably I'll need a short or deep but for most of what I do the mids just work fine.

Before I had them I always thought "what's the point just use the correct socket for the job" but after I got a set I discovered how easy it was to just grab a rail and go.

 

[bcradio]

They are definitely on my short list to get. I have run into a good number of situations where they would have been very useful to have.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I use them so offer I replaced my sunex with snap on.
Cars have these funny designs where the shallow is too short and the deep is too long.
I would recommend buying a cheap set of gw and sunex and seeing if you use them.

Yup, buy cheaper sets first, to prove you'll use them, then upgrade.


I live and die by my mid-lengths. I have snap-on chrome and sunex impact. Great for manifold studs, exhaust clamps, really any nut on a car that has thread sticking through. As mentioned, they shine for jobs where a shallow/extension is too short or can't reach, but the deep is too long. Radiators, accessory drives and pumps, evap/vaccum parts hung on studs are where I find them to be required the most.

Personally, I like that they push the ratchet out from the work, leaving knuckle space. They're a little more stable on exhaust clamps than deeps, and if you have so much thread sticking out, that you need a full deep-well socket, you need a smaller clamp!

 

[jml93]

I have the 1/4" Snappys. Use them from time to time, but definitely not my go to socket. I could replace my shallows with them I guess, but I typically need the clearance of the shallow. When using a deep, it's normally out of necessity.

 

[titsmcgee]

use them all the time, work faster, not switching sockets all the time, and who doesn't need another socket set? more sockets more gooder

 

[davesnothere]

I used to think they were silly. Until I got some. And then I got all the rest I could, and use them almost exclusively now.

 

[Rakoprtr]

I got gear wrench 3/8 and 1/4 set besides my 1/4 painless wobblers there my goto use em 98 percent of the time

 

[aaronrkelly]

Never needed them.....in fact despite having a full set of shallow and deep.....I hardly ever use the shallow - always reach for the deep (unless I dont have the extra space).

The get my knuckles up away from the surface and are more comfortable for me to use.....and its easier to use then a short extension and a shallow socket.

 

[BK13]

I probably use mine 80% of the time, enough so that I want to get 6 point to match my 12 point Snap Ons...

I have 3/8" SAE and mm
1/4" mm
3/8" SAE impact (Sunex)

I really want to get the 1/2 drive Snappys...

 

[internetdude]

I just had this same discussion recently. My verdict now that I have Snap-on semi-deeps? I go to them first, but saved my cheapo short and deep sockets for when I need 'em. The semi's are my go-to sockets.

 

[ATC]

I have been looking at them for a while now. They would be nice...but I have never "needed" them.

 

[wild cowboy]

I use my 1/4" and 3/8" drive Mid length sockets more than any other I own, both chrome and impact. The are extremely versatile and worth every penny!

same here, use the mid lengths as my go to socket, first thing I grab, especially in 3/8" and 1/4"

 

[NewEdgePerf]

I grab the mid-lengths as they "fit" more situations than the standard or deep lengths. I recently bought a set of 3/8 mid-length impact sockets. They work on my cordless impact in places where the deep wells (on the impact) do not have enough clearance to fit.

One size doesn't fit all and direct fit rarely does!

Tony D

 

[BK13]

Snap on BOGO deal.

Yeah? Which sets?

It's times like this that make me wish I had a Snap On driver...

 

[Thegratenate]

Is there any company with a set of 1/2" drive mid length sockets? I know that there is no real reason that mid length is better than others, but I just like to use them for nearly everything.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I'm in the "they are better then sliced bread" camp. I love mine...got them last year when they were a BOGO promo on the SO Truck.

I think it all boils down to "ergonomics" or feel...I am one of those guys who reaches for deeps as the go-to length and will only bust out a shallow socket when clearance issues arise. Since getting my 3/8" Mids...they are my goto sockets, for ME personally they are the goldilocks of sockets...not too shallow, not too deep/long, They feel just right and are perfect 99% of the time.

 

[lugnut71]

I have had semi deep chrome sockets in 1/4 and 3/8 drive now for over 15 years. I use them everyday at work. I prefer mine so much that 5 years ago sold my snap on shallow and deep sockets and just bought them in a much cheaper brand because they never hardly get used.