There really is something embarrassing about walking in a harbor freight tool store. I feel it every time I have pulled up to the parking lot. It may be that the people who work there have clearly zero knowledge of tools nor machinery? Or maybe it is that one is going to hf with the expectation of purchasing “tools” kind of like going to the dollar store to buy plates and silverware for your thanksgiving dinner. Maybe it is just because ya know that you are betraying the “buy” America” idea? Anyway, we all go there. Make sure to get the pro line of impact sockets. They are ok. Not quite matco quality, and not quite their price either. Haven’t yet used hf swivels. Too much risk, I assume. I just have used hf pro impacts with my Mac or matco swivels. Minimizes risk exposure. Their swivels have a spring retainer and the socket depth is excessive: you almost need to put the bottom of the socket to the side of a grinding wheel and take it down a good bit. But then, you are manufacturing your own socket, and with that kind of time investment, you may as well purchase better from the start. A Mac swivel has a very shallow socket depth so that you can get up in to those really tight areas and angle your extension back to your gun. That is the only reason we purchase swivel impacts instead of just using a swivel on a socket (which is cheaper and easier) . So, really those swivel impacts spend most of their time sitting in the box, but when you need one it has to be made right and ready to hold up to the job. That means beating on it at a fully angle. Usually you need swivel impacts for getting at transmission bolts and crossmember bolts. I will say that when a swivel does actually fail, it can pose a pretty substantial risk of injury. So, really, why make yourself in to a tool tester? Eventhough I am a big fan of Pittsburg pro impact sets, I would vote “no” on these swivel sets for reasons stated above. And really, as stated above by others, wear a glove on the hand that is holding that socket if you insist on testing their tools to the point of failure.
