Pinless universal impacts

[Bartleby]

I'm in the market for some universal impact sockets. I've searched the forum and the consensus seems to be that the Matco pinless are the way to go. However, most of their stuff is now made overseas and it seems like their stuff is the same as Gearwrench with a Matco logo stamped on them now that Armstrong no longer exists.


Are the Matco pinless universal impacts still made in the USA? Are they really the same sockets as the Gearwrench?

 

[plinker]

The pinless impact swivels and sockets were first a Matco thing then Armstrong and Craftsman got them as well. Gearwrench also ended up offering them. Beings as they were all owned by Danaher/Apex, some product sharing occurred between lines.

Fast forward to 2017, Apex drops Armstrong (closes the US mfg plant) from the line up, Matco no longer being affiliated with Apex has to source their stuff elsewhere.

Matco has someone else making ratchets and the swivel sockets now, Cant think of the name off hand. As far as I know the Matco's are still USA made, Not sure on Gearwrench, likely import now.

Cripe's has some old stock that was USA made branded for Gearwrench.
http://stores.ebay.com/Cripe-Distributing/_i.html?_nkw=pinless&submit=Search&_sop=10&_sid=23016926

 

[Bartleby]

Thanks for the info.

I didn't see COO on their website and figured I'd ask here. I can't figure why they don't state they are made in the US. I am also looking at their ratcheting wrenches because they seem to have a bigger selection.

 

[mrvm]

I'm in the market for some universal impact sockets

Husky has a decent one for the $$

 

[plinker]

The Husky appears to be an Apex rebrand, Most of the Husky sockets/wrenches are FWIW.

 

[xin]

Husky has a decent one for the $$

Does the Husky ones come in metric?

 

[Wamsutta]

The pinless impact swivels and sockets were first a Matco thing then Armstrong and Craftsman got them as well. Gearwrench also ended up offering them. Beings as they were all owned by Danaher/Apex, some product sharing occurred between lines.

Fast forward to 2017, Apex drops Armstrong (closes the US mfg plant) from the line up, Matco no longer being affiliated with Apex has to source their stuff elsewhere.

Matco has someone else making ratchets and the swivel sockets now, Cant think of the name off hand. As far as I know the Matco's are still USA made, Not sure on Gearwrench, likely import now.

Cripe's has some old stock that was USA made branded for Gearwrench.
http://stores.ebay.com/Cripe-Distributing/_i.html?_nkw=pinless&submit=Search&_sop=10&_sid=23016926

http://www.ajmanufacturing.com/

 

[Tonyuk]

Gearwrench makes a metric set im sure that goes up to around 19mm in 3/8", cant remember the size for 1/2"

My sets are from Mac and Genuis, neither are pinless but both work well, i have up to 24mm and they get used often especially for brake work on rear calipers etc..

It can work out a bit cheaper to get a good universal joint and a set of low profile impact sockets. In fact i would also pick up a decent set of low profile impacts since they come in very handy pretty often;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0183SYWV8/?tag=atomicindustr-21

Mine are by Laser, but they're rebrands of something else i'm sure you'll be able to get over there, i also have their spline, and hex impacts which are good.

 

[wvrailroader]

Last time I was in Sears, I noticed that the Craftsman Pinless universals are now made in China.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I have a set of the Matco pinless impacts, problem is they are powdered metal, not machined so they do wear out. I get 3-4 years out of them before I need to 'warranty' them.

 

[Snakebyt]

Does the Husky ones come in metric?

1/2 is the drive size.

i have one that looks identical to that one, came from one of the parts stores. Had it a couple years so i dont remember which one,

 

[powertrip]

Does the Husky ones come in metric?

The Husky Pictured is not a socket. It is a pinless design, 1/2" universal adapter to use with a regular impact socket. It is available in the 1/2" size only and is about $15. The fit, finish and quality is very good. It is made in china. Gearwrench offers the same thing but in all the sizes(1/4, 3/8 & 1/2) both individually and in a set in their pinless X-core design. They are essentially the same as the Husky. Husky at the present time does not make pinless impact sockets. Gearwrench does make a pinless socket and a pinless universal adapter.

 

[xin]

The Husky Pictured is not a socket. It is a pinless design, 1/2" universal adapter to use with a regular impact socket. It is available in the 1/2" size only and is about $15. The fit, finish and quality is very good. It is made in china. Gearwrench offers the same thing but in all the sizes(1/4, 3/8 & 1/2) both individually and in a set in their pinless X-core design. They are essentially the same as the Husky. Husky at the present time does not make pinless impact sockets. Gearwrench does make a pinless socket and a pinless universal adapter.

Do you got any of the Gearwrench pinless impacts, I would want Metric (just wondering how they hold up/last ect).

 

[Skin]

Matco has cut ties with Apex and it appears any IP that was related to brand recognition they've retained. I suspect either AJ or National Machine has taken over impact production but if you want to be 100% sure just give them a call. They'll give you COO on any product in about 5 seconds.

I have a set of the Matco pinless impacts, problem is they are powdered metal, not machined so they do wear out. I get 3-4 years out of them before I need to 'warranty' them.

They're actually broached and machined, not cast or sintered. All good impacts wear out. If they were too hard you'd have exploding sockets and impact damage from the hammer blows being transferred back into the anvil.

 

[Schurkey]

Looked at "pinless" impacts ~ten years ago out of curiosity. I didn't buy any because I already had all the impact sockets I wanted.

Am I wrong? Seems like they'd be much-higher friction than the pin-type when in-use/under load.

Do you guys lube the "splines" at all?