pugglewuggle
Well-known member
Do you like Shallow, Deep, or Semi Deep, or something else? Reasons?
POLL: Which Snap On Impacts do you prefer?
- Thread starter pugglewuggle
- Start date
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Shallow and deep are basically requirements. Swivels can be cobbled together with adapters, personally I think swivels are required too. Semi-deep is very nice to have when need; generally you can work around it.
I'm in favor of all 4, why snap on though? Snap on makes very nice tools, but impact sockets are not something I feel they are head and shoulders above their competition on. Impact swivels maybe, they're more like semi-deep length anyways, still need another brand for what most consider "standard" height swivels. Williams USA, Sunex, GP, SK, Astro, and of course the tool truck brands, which I have some from all 4. They all work and wear pretty similarly.
I'm in favor of all 4, why snap on though? Snap on makes very nice tools, but impact sockets are not something I feel they are head and shoulders above their competition on. Impact swivels maybe, they're more like semi-deep length anyways, still need another brand for what most consider "standard" height swivels. Williams USA, Sunex, GP, SK, Astro, and of course the tool truck brands, which I have some from all 4. They all work and wear pretty similarly.
OP
pugglewuggle
Well-known member
What kind of stuff are semi-deeps good for that shallow/deep can't do?
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Nut with exposed thread coming through. Shallow bottoms out, deep doesn't fit due to space. Semi deep chrome in 1/2 can be hard to come by, some semi deep impacts fill that requirement. Also controlling ratchet offset from the work.
Elsinore13
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2017
- Messages
- 504
1/4 inch semi deep 6 point metric flank drive Snap On's are my most used sockets for disassembling body panels, trim and bumpers in the shop. I keep an 8mm and 10mm deep on the same rail with some short #2 phillips bits. The go to rail for most of what I do.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Deep 1/2 inch drive would be my first choice if I didn't have any impacts. After that, swivels in 3/8 inch drive. Snap-on impacts are very nice, but Proto is to impact sockets what Bosch is to jigsaws. I say this because you can save a few bucks while staying with USA made sockets.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I don't care for Snap on Impact sockets. My reach for first 3/8 impact sockets would be sunex semi deeps. Sunex's metric semi deep set runs 8-22mm which covers the bulk of what i work on and their walls aren't real thick. Second reach for first set would be Matco pinless impact swivel sockets in 3/8 & 1/4 drive.
I will also recommend Proto shallow & Deep impact sockets for their wide range of sizes and durability. However, their 3/8 shallow impact sockets are pretty short.
I will also recommend Proto shallow & Deep impact sockets for their wide range of sizes and durability. However, their 3/8 shallow impact sockets are pretty short.
I don't care for Snap on Impact sockets. My reach for first 3/8 impact sockets would be sunex semi deeps. Sunex's metric semi deep set runs 8-22mm which covers the bulk of what i work on and their walls aren't real thick. Second reach for first set would be Matco pinless impact swivel sockets in 3/8 & 1/4 drive.
I will also recommend Proto shallow & Deep impact sockets for their wide range of sizes and durability. However, their 3/8 shallow impact sockets are pretty short.
Are the Sunex pretty solid? I assume they are.
I don’t bash snap on pricing but the impact sockets are like 10x Sunex—it’s lole $50 vs $700. I see less return with a straight 1/2” impact than I do ratchets or even chrome sockets.
Fluelikesymptoms
Well-known member
I'm going to have to say deep impacts get the most use. I only use impacts when necessary, lugs, some suspension bolts, pulley bolts etc. Second most used I'm going to say is shallow swivels.
Which is all unfortunate because I actually prefer to use plain old shallow impacts. I will use shallows whenever possible, but sometimes (seems like most times) you just cant avoid a deep.
I'm real big on buying once and keeping for a long time, but keep in mind that impact sockets are consumables and will wear out and need replaced. Warranties dont typically apply. This is wear I think paying premium Snap-on prices cross the line and I'm a fan of their stuff.
Dont get me wrong SO makes good impacts, they actually make a true impact socket, with a true black oxide coating and softness (impact). This actually translate into less tool wear (anvil/friction ring) but also means that their coating wears off easier exposing the socket to the environment (rust) and the drive end will wear quicker meaning it will get a sloppy fit on your impact wrench.
It doesnt happen over night but quicker than others. Take that as you will I dont think that's necessarily a bad thing, its actually a good thing. But that could also make your tool bill substantially higher, especially if you use them frequently or dont give them a good coating before storing them.
If you insist on SO impacts, I would save some cash and look into William's USA (SO industrial.) That's what I'll be doing when that time rolls around, it's one good thing I've learned here from GJ
Which is all unfortunate because I actually prefer to use plain old shallow impacts. I will use shallows whenever possible, but sometimes (seems like most times) you just cant avoid a deep.
I'm real big on buying once and keeping for a long time, but keep in mind that impact sockets are consumables and will wear out and need replaced. Warranties dont typically apply. This is wear I think paying premium Snap-on prices cross the line and I'm a fan of their stuff.
Dont get me wrong SO makes good impacts, they actually make a true impact socket, with a true black oxide coating and softness (impact). This actually translate into less tool wear (anvil/friction ring) but also means that their coating wears off easier exposing the socket to the environment (rust) and the drive end will wear quicker meaning it will get a sloppy fit on your impact wrench.
It doesnt happen over night but quicker than others. Take that as you will I dont think that's necessarily a bad thing, its actually a good thing. But that could also make your tool bill substantially higher, especially if you use them frequently or dont give them a good coating before storing them.
If you insist on SO impacts, I would save some cash and look into William's USA (SO industrial.) That's what I'll be doing when that time rolls around, it's one good thing I've learned here from GJ
Last edited:
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I think Sunex or Grey pnuematic are better choices for most impact sockets unless you just really want Snap On. I’m a professional heavy equipment mechanic and the Snap On impacts that I own are limited to 1/2 drive swivel sockets in Metric at this time. You just get so much more for your money with GP or Sunex. I can have full sets covering 3/8 and 1/2 for the price of one set of Snap On and a good variety of impact sockets is important to coverage for situations, especially when you are on the clock and need to get jobs done fast
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Sunex makes a good impact socket. They wear out like everything else, but I haven't found any reason to upgrade.
OP
pugglewuggle
Well-known member
Is anything about your Snap On ones better than the others?
Is there any particular style of Snap On that are head and shoulders over the other brands in that style?
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
I prefer the taiwan japan style impacts in crv when possible as hold up well and nice in use design .
I warrantied and sold my truck brand set as was over priced soft junk .
Most of the taiwan sockets around 2 to 4 bucks a piece when by as a set and no real need pay more, plus at that price easy self warranty or even buy a second set and keep on shelf .
Sunex don't make there sockets, they use a taiwan oem .
Deeps probably see most use but as I use my stubby air impact in lot of tighter spots shallow and stubby sockets also used a lot, the sockets are so cheap you can get all 3 depth taiwan coo for 1/4 of snapon price
I warrantied and sold my truck brand set as was over priced soft junk .
Most of the taiwan sockets around 2 to 4 bucks a piece when by as a set and no real need pay more, plus at that price easy self warranty or even buy a second set and keep on shelf .
Sunex don't make there sockets, they use a taiwan oem .
Deeps probably see most use but as I use my stubby air impact in lot of tighter spots shallow and stubby sockets also used a lot, the sockets are so cheap you can get all 3 depth taiwan coo for 1/4 of snapon price
I only use impacts in 1/2" Drive.
When I need an impact I use a shallow (IMM320).
If I'm too close I use a locking impact extension (IMXL52).
If if I can't get on it straight I have a impact swivel universal (IP800) that can be used with an extension.
Have never needed separate wobble sockets.
I have a full set of Snap-on deeps to 24mm I rarely, if ever, use. They only cost me $40, so I don't really care.
If you're smart about how you use your tools, you need less of them. I see these toolbox tours with 12 sets of impacts sockets and just shake my head.