Recommend me a 1/4” impact socket set

[ive]

Hi everyone.

Looking for a 1/4” impact socket set. Would like it to be made in the Canada, the US or Europe.

Any recommendations?

Thanks as always.

 

[Fedwrench]

SK or Proto.

However, if you're willing to get a set made in Taiwan then Sunex or Grey Pneumatic would also be great choices.

 

[wxm]

I have a gearwrench set. Works fine.

 

[kctyphoon]

The cheapest set off Amazon would be fine. Pick a brand you like and click add to cart.

 

[JohnDeere1]

I have Snap on paid $75 for like new some are cheaper on ebay they they great also is SK I have the I swivel impact sockets.

 

[hangfirew8]

Forget all I wrote, I missed "impact".

I can explain the why of 1/4" impact sockets. I was tightening a 4" hose clamp around a loose Cat cover ( to keep it from rattling) using a 12V impact driver, chrome extension and socket. It looked like powdered tinsel falling from the socket, and all I was doing was taking up slack.

Sad thing is I have complete set of Craftsman US 1/4" impacts in my toolbox. I can recommend them, but good luck finding reasonably priced NOS US Craftsman anywhere, any more.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Grey Pneumatic Duo Socket Master set
that is all thank you

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00291R2EU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They are 100% deserving of any and all hype. Especially for 1/4" the whole point is they are small. getting bulky 1/4" stuff is foolish.

Edit: These are Taiwanese.

 

[WittHay]

Gray tools of Canada does not make 1/4 drive impact sockets and I don't think the German brands Hazet and Stahlwille do either.

You would have to use those impacts sockets quite often to warrant specially ordering Japanese Koken sockets.instead of cheaper Taiwan sockets or made in the USA

 

[Kenskip1]

Yes head to Walmart. They have Stanley 1/4 drive std and metric deep and shallow, for something like $29. A 58 piece set if memory serves me right.I have one. Even has the wobble extensions.

 

[scissorman]

The big question is WHY would you even want a 1/4" impact socket set? There really isn't a need for impact sockets in the 1/4" size IMHO.

 

[jonesg]

The big question is WHY would you even want a 1/4" impact socket set? There really isn't a need for impact sockets in the 1/4" size IMHO.

Yep, what I was thinking.
Can't put typical impact force to tiny fasteners without sheeting them off. It's safer to use chrome sockets that will crack apart than break bolts off in an engine.
Don't they teach common sense to mechanics?

 

[bdelmar2]

He never said he was a mechanic.


Also there are uses for 1/4" impact sockets - which is why every major tool manufacturer sells 1/4" impacts and sockets.

I will grant you that you don't really 'need' impact sockets for 1/4" drive - but I'm pretty sure the majority of tools discussed and bought on this forum aren't 'needed'.


But perhaps he has one of the millions of battery powered 1/4" impacts out there and needs to drive a lot of small lag bolts and doesn't want to have to replace sockets? Maybe he is concerned about this 'cracking apart' of which you speak.

Though I'm going to have to say I've only had one socket ever 'crack apart' and that was a cheap impact set I bought when I was starting out in the early '80s. It was a 1/2" drive and I hit it with 180psi line pressure on a good Snap On gun removing a crank bolt.

I have on occasion 'split' a socket, but only when doing something I shouldn't have been.

 

[apollo11]

The big question is WHY would you even want a 1/4" impact socket set? There really isn't a need for impact sockets in the 1/4" size IMHO.

I didn't even know they made them

 

[johndeereman]

I have an older set from craftsman industrial they have served me well.

 

[jshillin]

I have an older set of Craftsman. I don't use them often, but no issues so far.

 

[Fly YX]

The big question is WHY would you even want a 1/4" impact socket set? There really isn't a need for impact sockets in the 1/4" size IMHO.

When I was setting up a clean room for a customer that did Electronics assembly I could not use any tools that were Chrome plated.

 

[Fedwrench]

The big question is WHY would you even want a 1/4" impact socket set? There really isn't a need for impact sockets in the 1/4" size IMHO.

I disagree. I think it depends on what you work on and with. I can tell you that i use mine daily on the end of a Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/4 square drive impact wrench. I was wearing out truck brand 1/4 drive chrome sockets on both ends before picking up some SK metric 1/4 drive impact sockets.
Additionally, when i used a 1/4 drive air ratchet, i was wearing out 1/4 drive chrome swivel sockets to the point where they would just flop around. Again switching to 1/4 drive impact swivels fixed those issues.
With today's smaller engine compartments, coupled with smaller fasteners, and the use of more powerful cordless tools, i think there is a need for 1/4 drive impact sockets and accessories but, that's just my opinion.

 

[bcradio]

1/4" impact sockets are VERY useful... Especially the swivel impact sockets.


EDIT: Listen to this guy, he knows what he is talking about

I disagree. I think it depends on what you work on and with. I can tell you that i use mine daily on the end of a Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/4 square drive impact wrench. I was wearing out truck brand 1/4 drive chrome sockets on both ends before picking up some SK metric 1/4 drive impact sockets.
Additionally, when i used a 1/4 drive air ratchet, i was wearing out 1/4 drive chrome swivel sockets to the point where they would just flop around. Again switching to 1/4 drive impact swivels fixed those issues.
With today's smaller engine compartments, coupled with smaller fasteners, and the use of more powerful cordless tools, i think there is a need for 1/4 drive impact sockets and accessories but, that's just my opinion.

 

[R4151NC41N]

I disagree. I think it depends on what you work on and with. I can tell you that i use mine daily on the end of a Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/4 square drive impact wrench. I was wearing out truck brand 1/4 drive chrome sockets on both ends before picking up some SK metric 1/4 drive impact sockets.
Additionally, when i used a 1/4 drive air ratchet, i was wearing out 1/4 drive chrome swivel sockets to the point where they would just flop around. Again switching to 1/4 drive impact swivels fixed those issues.
With today's smaller engine compartments, coupled with smaller fasteners, and the use of more powerful cordless tools, i think there is a need for 1/4 drive impact sockets and accessories but, that's just my opinion.

Use my ADV Matco metric every day on 12v Bosch. I don't know that i could get through a day in the shop without it. Most of the guys in the shop are the same way. We all bought the same ADV set on a killer deal. Shallow and deep 4-15mm.(Part No. SAPM146V)(Part No. SADPM146V) less than $100 with tax

 

[plinker]

I would say S-K for US made.

I use my 1/4 milw. impact often. Matco ADV's here as well. Think of it this way, you'll break off stuff easier with a 3/8 impact then a 1/4 impact.

And though not everyone has it, common sense applies with any impact tool so as not to break stuff. Even with hand tools, some people can break off & round over fasteners just by looking at them.

 

[WittHay]

The 1/4 drive impact socket use is mainly automotive thats why industrial tool companies like Wright and Gray don't make them. Proto makes them but thats because of the Mac connection. The German tool companies don't make them either

Years ago used chrome 1/4" and 5/16" sockets on drills for the screws on metal roofing and siding. The Craftsman didn't last at all. The Snap-on actually worked.

My take is that if you are using Snap-on or Hazet 1/4" drive chrome you probably don't need impact sockets. If you are using any other brand get a set of Taiwan made impact sockets

.

 

[nitrowrench79]

I disagree. I think it depends on what you work on and with. I can tell you that i use mine daily on the end of a Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/4 square drive impact wrench. I was wearing out truck brand 1/4 drive chrome sockets on both ends before picking up some SK metric 1/4 drive impact sockets.
Additionally, when i used a 1/4 drive air ratchet, i was wearing out 1/4 drive chrome swivel sockets to the point where they would just flop around. Again switching to 1/4 drive impact swivels fixed those issues.
With today's smaller engine compartments, coupled with smaller fasteners, and the use of more powerful cordless tools, i think there is a need for 1/4 drive impact sockets and accessories but, that's just my opinion. [emoji481]

I second this. I use my cordless impact every day with SO 1/4" impact sockets. They hold up better to regular abuse and are much cheaper than chrome ones. Just have to remember to use the low torque settings.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Snap on junkie here. Listened to Fedwrench and the other guys last year and picked up an impact set. I got Gearwrench for my 1/4 impact sets because I found them on sale at the time. I have zero complaints and use them heavily with M12 square impact and ratchets.

I just looked at my 10mm and 13mm and they still look great.

I use that on machine rehabs, ford trucks, Honda ATC, and everything in between.

Im glad I didn't spend Snap on money in this case....

 

[R4151NC41N]

The 1/4 drive impact socket use is mainly automotive thats why industrial tool companies like Wright and Gray don't make them. Proto makes them but thats because of the Mac connection. The German tool companies don't make them either

.

Just an FYI my matco guy waranties GP with ADV because of the Apex Connection. And GP makes tons of 1/4 stuff
http://www.gpsocket.com/products/category.phtml/impact_socket_sets/1_4/

 

[laser3kw]

Just saying 1/4" drive and impact wrench in the same sentence makes me envision a quick way to twist bolts off.

 

[thatguysb]

heard great things about the genius brand

 

[kctyphoon]

I didn't even know they made them

One on the big benefits of 1/4" impact sockets is for people that use them with adapters. 1/4" chrome sockets (or any chrome that I know of) don't come with a hole to use with a locking pin detent on the sockets. So you can use say a 1/4" hex to 1/4" square adapter from Apex that uses a pin lock, and then use an impact driver instead of an impact wrench. This guarantees sockets can't fall off, which might not be a big deal for a mechanic, but it can be for someone working at heights. How many times have you pulled a ratchet off a bolt, and the socket stays behind on the bolt but the extension comes off attached to ratchet?

Adapters are cheap, you can buy enough to fit a hole set of deep sae impact sockets for not a lot of money, and you can use them in impact drivers or screwdrivers without ever loosing a socket.

This is the set I bought - $24. I tried using an impact driver but went back to just using a ratchet instead.. it just saved room without needing to use a power tool where it wasn't necessary for me. They worked fine for the few months I used em, and sometimes the power tool made things easier removing 50 year old hardware that's been out in the weather, but most times the tool just took up too much space and got annoying. Real estate is at a premium inside a bucket truck.

Chicago Pneumatic SS2010D 1/4"Drive 10 Piece SAE Deep Impact Socket Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003N2QGXC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's a good option for industry doing assembly where you don't need a heavy duty impact wrench and can use an impact driver instead - and use the same socket over and over. I believe I saw Tesla using Dewalt impact drivers to attach doors in show that ran a while back about their plant.

 

[CJM8515]

Ive had my eye on the GP duo sockets both 1/4 and 3/8. I already have the sunex 3/8 master set but the GP design is a thinner socket and does have detents for a regular ratchet which is very attractive.

Sigh..just need to keep spending cash lol. I swear I have too many tools now. I filled a dang HF 44 and the add on drawer box FULL. I think Im gonna have to buy another add on drawer box. Now I sorta wish I bought the 56"

 

[CNGsaves]

No one has mentioned Sunex impact sockets yet . . . . last couple years they have had awesome rebates on impact socket sets so watch for another. Some rebates were up to $100 a set while others were $50 or $25.

Here's example of 48 piece 1/4" drive impact Sunex socket set #1848 that is $68 . . . that's hard to beat, and would be homerun if you could get rebate to knock price down further.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemD...MIk-ScpePd1wIVTmV-Ch0q2wROEAQYAyABEgLxXvD_BwE

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Ive had my eye on the GP duo sockets both 1/4 and 3/8. I already have the sunex 3/8 master set but the GP design is a thinner socket and does have detents for a regular ratchet which is very attractive.

Sigh..just need to keep spending cash lol. I swear I have too many tools now. I filled a dang HF 44 and the add on drawer box FULL. I think Im gonna have to buy another add on drawer box. Now I sorta wish I bought the 56"

I bought a set of GP magnetic 1/4" Duo sockets, loved them so much I bought a set of magnetic deep sockets and flex sockets in 1/4" drive. I use them on the 4 M12 impact drivers and the 1/4" M12 ratchet. I use locking adaptors on the 1/4" hex to socket adaptor and on my extensions.

Love them for doing dash and door work.

 

[geartow]

duralast from autozone on special right now like under $20 for metric,sae deeps and shallows ratchet till Christmas