Need some impact sockets

[signcrafter]

I have a nice air compressor and a 1/2" and 3/8" impact and also a 1/4 air ratchet. But I don't use them all that often, most of the time just grab a ratchet and socket. Not sure why but just happens that way, maybe I'm just too lazy to get an air hose out or something. So right now I only have a 1/2" drive deep metric impact set from HF that has worked good for me for the last 10 or so years. Also have the bigger axle nut sockets and a set of wheel lug sockets and a honda crank bolt power socket. But other then that if I do get the impacts out and need a different socket I will just throw a chrome socket on, but that isn't often.

But I picked up a milwaukee M18 fuel 1/2" impact and going to get a M12 fuel 3/8" impact and 1/4" M12 ratchet. I think I will use these a lot more since they are more convenient. So want to start adding to my impact socket collection. So what are the most useful impact socket sets for working on cars? Ideally I would get 1/2" drive short and deep metric. 3/8" drive short and deep metric. And swivel or wobble metric sockets in both drive sizes. But can't afford all that. I don't use much sae stuff so will skip those for now unless there is a good deal on a set that comes with metric and sae in it. So what sets should I get first? Was thinking about getting the swivel or impact sets first since they are pretty useful. But also thought about just getting the short and deep sets and a impact swivel adapter to use for now. What sets do you find you use the most often?

Also any recommendations on brands or sets that are a good deal? This will be just for home use so they won't see too much abuse.

 

[JJThrasher]

1/2" Deep and 3/8" swivel. I normally use regular chromes on my 3/8 impact. They just don't hit hard enough to cause me issues.

 

[zkling]

1/2" deep
3/8" short
3/8" swivel adapter

Honestly HF on the cheap, sk, others...

 

[jeepinerdeep]

There are gonna be a million opinions on this but.....take a look at some of the sets Sunex puts together. They are not too thick and I seriously doubt you would ever break one with home use. I used some of the 1/2 metrics in a truck shop , and no issues.

IMO this a really nice 3/8 setup for the money...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JO1BO1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Finky198]

3/8 metric swivels and 3/8 shallow and deep are what I seem to use the most. that's what I would put your money towards first

+1 on the Sunex they are nice I have 4 sets now

I find I rarely have a use for shallow 1/2 drive impact sockets. I find 1/2 shallow chrome works fine in most instances when it gets tight as an impact won't fit any way

 

[The Toolest Guy]

Ko-Ken make the best impact sockets.
I'd recommend their semi deep 3/8 impact sockets to get you started. Try p/n RS13301X

 

[Skin]

Depends on the job and what you're doing most of the time. Suspension/exhaust is mostly 1/2". 3/8 will cover most everything else except for things like crank bolts. You can save 1/4 for last or just buy common sizes like 8mm and 10mm.

I use deeps primarily for the stand-off distance to make it easier to use the tools but shallows deliver more torque. Most vehicle fasteners anymore are bolts with built in washer heads, very few studs necessitating any real need for deeps other than convenience.

 

[Greg85mcss]

There are gonna be a million opinions on this but.....take a look at some of the sets Sunex puts together. They are not too thick and I seriously doubt you would ever break one with home use. I used some of the 1/2 metrics in a truck shop , and no issues.



IMO this a really nice 3/8 setup for the money...



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JO1BO1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm planning to get this set too. I tend to over research things & have found nothing but good reviews on these. If you don't need the different types or as many sizes tekton seems good for the price. I like my hf 3/8 impacts but they skip sizes & by the time you fill in the blanks you might as well just buy a complete set.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kenskip1]

I have been using my 6 point deep 3/8 drive sockets from HF with out any problems. This includes 1/2 drive.For a 1/4 drive I went to Walmart and purchased a Stanley 50 something piece set in black with lazier etching with a lifetime warranted.All this in a blow molded case.These tools are not the major brands but they suit my requirements, Ken

 

[Finky198]

http://www.amazon.com/Sunex-3351-8-Inch-Metric-51-Piece/dp/B00JO1BO1K/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1455335113&sr=8-12&keywords=sunex+metric+set

I'm planning to get this set too. I tend to over research things & have found nothing but good reviews on these. If you don't need the different types or as many sizes tekton seems good for the price. I like my hf 3/8 impacts but they skip sizes & by the time you fill in the blanks you might as well just buy a complete set.

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I bought 2 similar master sets and seperate sets of swivels but you get the point you'll be very happy with your purchase they are very nice sockets

As below I'm a big fan of wobble / other extensions and adapters every little bit helps under the right circumstances

 

[BFHtime]

Wobble sockets in 3/8, then extensions, then 1/2 deeps. Then wobble/ without socket built in.

I recommend locking extensions to keep sockets fromflying off I to oblivion and to keep you safe.

The wobble sockets can take tighter turns than a regular socket with a universal wobble attached. Plus if you are using them often they will save you a great deal of time. Often you cannot get at a perpendicular enough angle to get good engagement on a fastener. The wobble saves times, because you do not need to so close to 90 to get the socket on. Although some times when there is plenty of room, I prefer non-wobble sockets, but I go to my wobbles first 80 percent of the time.

 

[BFHtime]

The extensions and wobbles will allow impact use in most situations especially adding extra wobbles in.

I have some Williams that I got from Williams on e-bay that were tagged snap-on industrial. I do not like as the finish chipped off the second time I used them, which makes it hard to read the socket size, although they were cheap. You get what you pay for. I regret getting them.

They do not get as much angle on the wobble as Snap-On, which I ended up getting anyway. I tried to save a few bucks, but ended up getting the snap-on anyway. I got a deal some how on it, I do not remember, but I do not usually pay retail prices on Snap-On, I can count on one hand the number of times I paid retail Snap-On.

Some people on here rave about pinless wobbles and some hate them. A good used not abused set could be good for you too.

 

[amolaver]

my experience, working mostly on cars and light duty trucks is get these sets:

1/2 deep (HF's are fine, sunex / gearwrench / craftsman better, wright / koken best) the wrights and kokens are certainly finished a hell of a lot nicer than any of the others but you pay for it. i haven't broken any of my US craftsman but when they wear out, i'll replace with wright or koken.

3/8 pinless swivels. pinless costs more up front, but will last much longer. the gearwrench http://www.coastaltoolsupply.com/product/KDT-84921.html is, IMO, the best deal available. pinless are available from craftsman/matco (their sets are the same product although the matco includes the 19mm, craftsman doesn't...but the matco is twice or three times the price) gearwrench, and i assume SO. the gearwrench set is ~$200 and worth every penny. mine get used on a hard hitting nitrocat pneumatic and m12 and have held up perfectly, zero failures. i've broken a couple of the cheaper pinned style in the nitrocat. the swivels in 3/8 give you access in tight quarters that let you use the power tools where otherwise you'd have to use a ratchet and wobble extensions or sometimes a flex wrench. i'd love the better size markings of the matcos, but not for the price difference.

3/8 semi-deep - i have a couple sets of sk (sk4080 i believe) - metric, semi-deep impacts. probably my most used sockets, neck and neck with the 3/8 swivels. i think the other sk product i like not many choices for semi-deep. geawrench and sunex i think both make them. i tried the gearwrench and returned them - too long. the sunex i believe had the same problem. i wish i had measured them, but didn't - sorry. i find they're the right length 90% of the time. occasionally need to use deeps but its rare.

1/2 swivels - my pinned SK have held up surprisingly well, although my 1/2 gun is not the biggest baddest on the block. they are mostly used on an m18 and have held up really well in tough conditions. one of the only sk products i actually like.

3/8 deeps - my wrights are w/o question the most well finished impact sockets i own...but i'm confident the work would get done with cheaper options like sunex or grey pneumatic. i don't think they look as nice, but i've got multiple sets of impact sockets in those brands and haven't broken any. hell, hf would probably hold up fine.

i find i don't use shallow sockets almost at all. i did just get a set of super-shallow koken chrome sockets that i'm sure will get some use (non-impact) but just find shallows more likely to have the impact foul on something so almost never use them. occasionally the 1/2 gets used, 3/8 almost never. the semi-deeps almost always fit.

swivel adapters i find a) almost always don't fit where you need the swivel and b) seem fragile - i've broken at least two 3/8 (they were cheap brands though). i really don't consider them an alternative to swivel sockets. now chrome universal joints..those have use (with ratchets). even those i find better as universal jointed sockets rather than a separate universal joint that goes between a short socket and the ratchet. again, the extra length is almost always a hindrance. koken's universal jointed sockets are pieces of art and have held up well to my inner gorilla. highly recommended.

ahm

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Sunex.

Semi Deep is awesome.

 

[619DioFan]

I have a few sets of tekton impacts. they have held up well. tekton customer service is awesome btw. the pittsburg pro series from HF seems to be good but they also seem to skip some important sizes . the tekton sets do not skip sizes.

 

[oldldh]

Look on Amazon...

Search "Tekton Impact Socket Set"...

The sets are complete, and they're priced right...

Their warranty is "Email us a photo of the broken tool, and we'll FedEx you another one..."

First class customer service, too...

 

[signcrafter]

IMO this a really nice 3/8 setup for the money...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JO1BO1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That is a really nice set at a good price. Thinking I might get that set and a half inch wobble set and call it good. Thanks for the link.

 

[DBendr]

The Taiwanese really grabbed the impact market by the nuts. There's lots of great and affordable stuff coming out of there that is spe'cd by US companies and backed up well.
A real change from 20 years ago, that's for sure.

 

[[email protected]]

I've used sunex professionally for 8 yrs and had zero problems. A few did crack but was able to warrenty them no problem. Have the 1/2 metric master set and the 3/8 master set.

If you want swivel impacts the matco pinless are the best in my opinion but they are very pricey. I was lucky to buy them when I was in school and used my student discount ( 1/2 price ) I have the 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 sets

 

[908Jim]

SK impact sockets are great quality and fairly priced for an US made tool. I have been very satisfied with mine, and would recommend them.

 

[signcrafter]

SK impact sockets are great quality and fairly priced for an US made tool. I have been very satisfied with mine, and would recommend them.

I would love SK but just the 3/8" drive metric swivel set is 20 dollars more then the sunex master set that has deep, shallow, and swivel. And the SK is only 10 piece swivel and the sunex has 16 swivels plus all the other sockets. For home use I think the sunex is going to be the best deal.

 

[anndel]

The Taiwanese really grabbed the impact market by the nuts. There's lots of great and affordable stuff coming out of there that is spe'cd by US companies and backed up well.
A real change from 20 years ago, that's for sure.

Sunex
Tekton
Astro Pneumatic
Grey Pneumatic

to name a few....

 

[drew03cmc]

I have used both GP, Sunex and HF impacts and have no issues with any of them. I only own the HF sockets and cannot gripe.

 

[dclassical]

In 1/2" I have SK regular, deep and swivel in metric and love them. I have HF for SAE which I rarely use (home not pro).

For 3/8" I have Tekton in deep and they work well and I like the price. I think I will get Sunex or Gray Pneumatic for swivel... I like SK but in a home use situation, I now want to put my money into other hobbies. But I may change my mind!

 

[johndeereman]

Sunex and grey pneumatic all the way, ok they are not used in the auto field but commercial construction/maintenance.

 

[Skin]

Used snap on

New Williams are cheaper and they're the same sockets.

 

[Al Borland]

For what you intend to use them for get Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro.
No worse than any other, and a heck of a lot cheaper.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought Cman when they where all USA made. I bought the 1/2" shallow sets first with the impact. Once I bought them, I waited till the deep wells went on sale, like half price. After that, I bought a 3/8" impact and did the same.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have Craftsman, Grey Pneumatic, and Sunex. All are good. I'm considering buying some SK.

 

[Yv.]

I like my williams USA impact sockets.