Need an opinion on impact sockets...

[crewchief888]

the few impact sockets i have are matco and SO.
CM impacts are much thicker walled, and sometimes dont fit in tight spaces.

ive used SO 6pt chrome sockets on my impacts for 20 years, and maybe replaced 3 or 4 that were cracked/split.
the last 2 13mm deep i had warrantied were from beating the snot out of them with a hammer to drive them onto damamged bolt heads.

 

[garfunkle24]

I think Sunex impact sockets are awesome for the money. Strong, thin walled and available in large, cheap sets.

 

[Rnz520]

Grey Pneumatics, for the price you cant beat them, and the case they come in is handy.
Only company Ive seen that offers an 8 inch 2.5 inch drive socket

 

[JayL]

The Craftsman impact sockets are still US made and each socket has USA stamped on it. They are actually clones of the currrent Armstrong impact sockets. Craftsman has also sold SK supplied impact sockets in the past. There are many branches to the Danaher tool brand tree and most of them are US made. The IR impact socket set you speak is actually made by Sunex in Taiwan not a Danaher company.

Do you think Sunex manufactures these sockets for IR?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HGIP7M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[chewy7]

i heard alot about the grey pneumatic brand but i never actually bought a set because i don't know where to warranty them

around by me there is a huge farm implement dealer who carries their line of impact sockets and accs.

 

[chewy7]

it is verry hard to get these words out of me but...the pittsburgh sets that harbor freight sell are actually decent. i guess you could say they are even good once you consider the cost. i bought the SAE and metric sets years ago when i first got into the equipment repair field and have found no reason to justify spending money on a "good" replacement for these. i beat the hell out of these poor bastards and have yet to have one fail! in my opinion they are a valid option.

We have used those impacts, the ones that came with the steel cases for like the past 10 years and haven't had one break yet at work. We had a 1/2'" drive 3/4" deep socket round out but not break. Keep in mind though they are used in a farm shop so we don't use them everyday. They held up to our IR2135ti just fine.

 

[chewy7]

As I recall thats where I got those junky ones.

the harbor freight ones must be better than those sold at nhnorthern tool

 

[plinker]

I have Napa impact sockets (rebranded Sunex) in 1/2 drive, inch & metric, No trouble so far and warranty is easy if needed.

 

[Toolhorder]

If you're using the tools for a living then I'd skip anything you can't warranty out fast when it breaks. Eventually it will break and when it does you won't want to email someone or call someone and mail it away and wait for a replacement.
I would get Snap-on or if you don't want to spend that much get Craftsman. The only problem with C-man is the lack of loose sockets if you need one warrantied. Most stores don't have loose sockets just sets.

Personally I have a collection of Matco, Mac and Snap-on in my box but I'm slowly making a Snap-on set and selling off the rest.