OEM Low profile socket sets

[BarryWells]

anyone have these ? Are they a decent product ?
I had to go to the HW and buy a stanley to butcher yesterday for clearance in an Isuzu
I suppose at $15 I should just go for it but how much shorter are they than my Proto or GW short I already have ?
https://www.autozone.com/ratchets-s...oem-9-pcs-sae-low-profile-socket-set/802226_0

 

[Rabid Badger]

I'm a big fan of these. Very low profile, impact rated.

https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-78310-Profile/dp/B01JBLDNDO

 

[BarryWells]

THanks ! I like that outside hex feature. I think I'll grab those instead.

 

[Handyandy23]

+1 for the Astro Nanos. Impact rated and have a 17mm hex on the outside so you can use a ratcheting wrench instead of a ratchet for even lower-profile use.

I use them on the Nano impact gun rated at 500 ft-lbs and the Nano sockets have held up fine.

 

[AGuinn]

I have the metric OEM set, and for $15 it's a no brainer. They come on a nice extruded aluminum rail and the matte finish and knurling are much nicer than the price would indicate. I use them if I need a 12-point socket or tight space to work in. I don't have them in front of me (I can check tonight), but iirc they are 1/4 - 3/8 inch shorter than the short GW equivalent. The Astro's look nice as well, and cover more sizes, but I have run into some instances where the external hex would interfere with the surroundings.

 

[Old-Soul]

I have them in both red and blue and I really like them (for the twice I've been able to use them).
Aluminum rails are a nice touch and like AGuinn says, for the price can't go wrong.

 

[Mr_B]

oem sockets are a hidden gem considering prices and decent design.
you can find that stubby set for 11.99 if look .

 

[2ndGearRubber]

oem sockets are a hidden gem considering prices and decent design.
you can find that stubby set for 11.99 if look .

That's why I have them. My main use set is snap on low profile, but these are quite similar and 12 point. In super tight spots in can be easier to get a 12 point socket onto a fastener than a 6.

 

[AGuinn]

Measured the OEM set vs a short GW set, a 10, 13, and 19mm as representative sizes (common and largest) for comparison. Don't take the numbers as absolute, as the calipers I was using aren't my good set and have been dropped a few times - the repeatability is + or - a few thou.

GearWrench 10mm 1.005", 13mm 0.980", 19mm 0.990"
OEM Low Pro. 10mm 0.788", 13mm 0.795", 19mm 0.871"

 

[bonneyman]

+1 for the Astro Nanos. Impact rated and have a 17mm hex on the outside so you can use a ratcheting wrench instead of a ratchet for even lower-profile use.

I use them on the Nano impact gun rated at 500 ft-lbs and the Nano sockets have held up fine.

That's what I was wondering. Geez, using them that way is even more compact than a SALTUS wrench!

 

[JBradley500]

I was going to recommend the Mastergrip 35 piece kit that is the same as the chrome set in the first post but with a lot more pieces but I can't find it for sale anywhere right now. I'd keep an eye out for that.

 

[nmantas]

Side note, I have read many times by users and even the Astro rep that although the Sunnex and Astro set appear identical....each individual Astro socket is considerably heavier because they dictate a different alloy (assuming to be stronger).

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Side note, I have read many times by users and even the Astro rep that although the Sunnex and Astro set appear identical....each individual Astro socket is considerably heavier because they dictate a different alloy (assuming to be stronger).

Same alloy, and if they were a different alloy they would probably end up still weighing the same as well if the designs were the same. The reason for the weight increase (and it's not a significant weight difference) is the amount/thickness of inner material between the square and hex broach ends on our sockets.

We test our 3/8" sockets with 1/2" impacts, and torch heat the fasteners during tests as well to get the sockets hot and thermal cycled. We found this inner thickness was cheap insurance.

 

[BarryWells]

Same alloy, and if they were a different alloy they would probably end up still weighing the same as well if the designs were the same. The reason for the weight increase (and it's not a significant weight difference) is the amount/thickness of inner material between the square and hex broach ends on our sockets.

We test our 3/8" sockets with 1/2" impacts, and torch heat the fasteners during tests as well to get the sockets hot and thermal cycled. We found this inner thickness was cheap insurance.

COOL. You guys should do a few videos. Long time mechanix know you have good product but newbs are usually clueless.

 

[nmantas]

Thanks for clarifying....they are on my list to buy.

Same alloy, and if they were a different alloy they would probably end up still weighing the same as well if the designs were the same. The reason for the weight increase (and it's not a significant weight difference) is the amount/thickness of inner material between the square and hex broach ends on our sockets.

We test our 3/8" sockets with 1/2" impacts, and torch heat the fasteners during tests as well to get the sockets hot and thermal cycled. We found this inner thickness was cheap insurance.