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New SK Impact observations.

SK-Mike

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Nov 5, 2014
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237
Location
Elkhorn City, Ky
Just received my new SK 1/2" impact set today, SK 4053. Very nice well built looking sockets, fit and finish are excellent.

However when noticed they seem to be a tad shallow on the inside. Meaning, When I took the 19MM shallow socket and placed it on the lug of my Ford Ranger pickup lug nut it would not go down far enough on the nut to grip the sides of the nut. But when I took my 19MM Carlyle shallow socket it fit just fine. Both sockets are the same external length, but the Carlyle was probably about 30% deeper on the inside where the nut fits into the inside of the socket walls allowing it to fit farther down onto the nut.

I'm a big SK fan, but I think I will be returning this set and getting a Carlyle set from NAPA (NPT-610304).

I am however bothered by the fact that the Carlyle is made in Taiwan, that irks me a bit. As I try my best to buy made in USA tools. But I just feel the Carlyle is a bit more versatile in their design.
 
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bob15

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Dec 8, 2011
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Northeasten, CT
Keep the SK set and buy a deep impact socket for the lug nuts. There are times were a shallow broach might be better........
 
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SK-Mike

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Nov 5, 2014
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Location
Elkhorn City, Ky
The deep fit perfect, and I do agree it is the more correct tool for the job.

For some odd reason, I prefer using shallow sockets whenever possible. It was just odd that the interior recess was so shallow, even on the deep sockets there is a noticeable difference between the SK and the Carlyle.
 
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SK-Mike

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Nov 5, 2014
Messages
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Location
Elkhorn City, Ky
Keep the SK set and buy a deep impact socket for the lug nuts. There are times were a shallow broach might be better........

Now you have my attention. (This particular set came with both shallow and deep from 8-24MM).

I'm not a mechanic just a DIY weekend type guy who does light mechanic work on my own vehicles and atvs, equipment.

This SK set is built like a tank, and I really want to keep them, what types of situations might I benefit from a shallow broach?

Thanks .
 

Cummins_Tech

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Jul 5, 2017
Messages
152
I know what you mean; using a socket deeper than necessary is a waste of socket space.



Sometimes that extra inch is the difference in breaking loose a fastener, and just wasting time.


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SK-Mike

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Nov 5, 2014
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Location
Elkhorn City, Ky
Sometimes that extra inch is the difference in breaking loose a fastener, and just wasting time.


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Are you saying that the extra inch (as in the deep socket) is more helpful in breaking loose a fastner

OR

that the extra inch of the deep socket detrimental in breaking loose a fastner.

Sorry for the dumb question. I'm still green to Impact tools. I own a Dewalt 1/2" impact driver and purchased a set of Impacts to use with this tool. Please overlook my ignorance, feel silly but just trying to educate myself from others who know a lot more than I ever will.
 

LXCam

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Apr 23, 2013
Messages
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Location
AZ
The shallow broach has always been SKs down fall. The only time a shallow broach has benefitted me is when I needed to use the socket to start a nut or bolt. Other then that I sure can't think of any good reasons to do it except for strength.
 

turnthewrench

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Jan 19, 2017
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Location
Winter Park, FL
The shallow broach has always been SKs down fall.

I take your word for it, never had any SK impacts myself. But, a lug nut is not a good example of the SK down fall,... some, or most, use deep well sockets for that job (lug nuts come in all shapes and sizes). The OP was trying to make a decision based on that.
 
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davethorik

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Sep 14, 2013
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Norka, Ohio
I have a set of Wright metric shallow 6pt impacts in 1/2. They seem to have deeper broaching, as the 19 fits the lug nuts on my Accord just fine.
 

LXCam

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I take your word for it, never had any SK impacts myself. But, a lug nut is not a good example of the SK down fall,... some, or most, use deep well sockets for that job (lug nuts come in all shapes and sizes). The OP was trying to make a decision based on that.

Ya, personally I wouldn't ever consider using a shallow socket on a lug nut. But everyone has their preferences.
 

Cummins_Tech

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Jul 5, 2017
Messages
152
Detrimental. Definitely not all the time, no, but if you are dealing with a fastener that puts your impact to the test, you want the gun as close to the fastener as you can get it.


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Cummins_Tech

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Jul 5, 2017
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Keep in mind, I deal with engines that have main cap bolts that require a 3/4 drive 1 1/2" socket to remove and head bolts that are torqued down to 300+ ft lbs. So I come across big stubborn bolts pretty often.


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Wamsutta

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Jan 8, 2014
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10,879
Location
Amarillo, Texas
I wonder what the price difference is between SK and PROTO.

One of PROTO's strong points is they make superb impact sockets.
 

General Geoff

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Jan 12, 2013
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Allentown, Pennsylvania
Detrimental. Definitely not all the time, no, but if you are dealing with a fastener that puts your impact to the test, you want the gun as close to the fastener as you can get it.


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A socket of greater mass will apply more torque to the fastener than one of lesser mass (with an impact), all else being equal. A deep wall socket that has nearly twice the mass of a shallow socket of the same hex size will deliver more torque from an impact wrench to a lug nut, if both sockets are attached directly to the wrench's square drive (no extensions, adapters or universal joints).
 
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T45

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Nov 20, 2014
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all other things equal...

are not equal, and the longer socket will generally flex more torisionally
 

WittHay

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Jan 6, 2016
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2,157
Location
Surrey, BC Canada
On 1/2" drive impacts, even on wheel bolts I use the deep socket so the gun has more clearance around the wheel or hub.

On 3/4" drive impacts, I agree with Cummins Tech that you seem to get more torque from the gun with shallow sockets. I only use deep for special stuff like U-bolts
 

67King

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Nov 14, 2014
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Location
Friendsville, TN (Knoxville area)
I don't own any shallow impacts. I'm in the camp where if I have clearance for gun, I can use a deep one. But I'm also jsut a DIY-er, so I don't see the breadth of requirements the pros here do.

I hate deeply broached sockets. One of the things I loved when I went from Craftsman to SK is that the nut doesn't fall all the way down in the socket anymore, and when I use a socket to start a fastener, I don't have to wad up a piece of paper to shove down in there to keep it from falling down.

If a shallow won't grip a fastener, and you have an aversion to deep, go with the mid? But yes, lug nuts are generally in the "deep is the correct tool" category.
 

bob15

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Dec 8, 2011
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Northeasten, CT
Now you have my attention. (This particular set came with both shallow and deep from 8-24MM).

I'm not a mechanic just a DIY weekend type guy who does light mechanic work on my own vehicles and atvs, equipment.

This SK set is built like a tank, and I really want to keep them, what types of situations might I benefit from a shallow broach?

Thanks .

If you need to start the nuts or even bolts with the socket, I prefer the shallow broaching. Not really sure you will notice the broaching difference for 99% of what you might use the sockets for.
 
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