Shallow or deep, which do you grab first?

[fatfillup]

When I reach for a socket, I almost always grab a deep socket first. Does not matter drive size or air or manual ratchet, I always seem to grab deep. I think its a clearance issue for my knuckles. That and I don't need an extension. On the other hand, the man who works for me usually grabs a shallow socket and a 6 or 8 inch extension.

What's your preference and why?

Oh, almost forgot, mid length.

 

[GT89mustang]

Almost always deep, and usually an extension.

 

[krusty the clown]

same here.......deep first

 

[The Muffin Man]

I ussualy grab the shallow sockets first because they sit in front of the deep sockets.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I almost always grab a shallow with a flexhead ratchet first.

 

[ulev1st]

Deep six points......unless there isn't enough room!

 

[fatfillup]

I almost always grab a shallow with a flexhead ratchet first.

Good point, I always grab a deep and a flex or roto head ratchet

 

[garfunkle24]

I ussualy grab the shallow sockets first because they sit in front of the deep sockets.

Shallow, for just the same reason.

 

[Stephenw]

I grab a mid-depth.

 

[nate379]

Shallow. I hardly even use deep sockets.

 

[skeletonizer]

Shallow and a short extension for 3/8 drive. Standard ratchet. My roto has a long *** handle and is not practical in most situations.

I rarely use a ratchet without an extension, only in tight spots.

My thought on the sockets is that the deeps are specialty (relatively) tools and more expensive to replace. 1/2 and 9/16 shallow sockets are consumables. I am in the process of wearing out an old US made Master Mechanic 1/2" 12 pt. I found in a junker. My snappy is for special projects.

 

[jkeyser14]

I grab shallow 6 points first. You are less likely to slip off the bolt head using a shallow socket and you are less likely to round the edges off a worn bolt using the 6 point.

 

[ImportTuner]

I almost always grab a shallow with a flexhead ratchet first.

+1 same here .. shallow 6 point with a flexhead ..

 

[Thedroid]

Shallow and an extension. Hardly ever go for the flexhead.

 

[Deafautotech]

that weird... i am start to grab Raf80 with super short socket that come in with RAF80 kit...

Just kidding!! I always use shallow sockets because right now i am doing most of oil changes...

 

[Rickster]

Go deep or go home!

 

[Merkava_4]

I grab a mid-depth.

Weirdo!!

 

[caper]

I only use shallows when a deep won't fit.Deeps give more knuckle clearance.Unless it won't fit my first choice is always a bent handle flexhead with a deepwall socket because it can be used like a speeder as well.Bent handle flexhead ratchets don't work particularly well with shallow sockets there's not enough depth to get the handle on a level plane with the nut unless you use an extension.

 

[havi]

I grab shallow 6 points first. You are less likely to slip off the bolt head using a shallow socket and you are less likely to round the edges off a worn bolt using the 6 point.

Same reason for me. Short 6 pt. followed by short 12 pt. followed by deep 6 pt. followed by deep 12 pt. In that order to what will work or not.

There are times where I wish I had a medium depth, and have yet to buy some. Maybe next time, lol.

I should point out that everything I wrench on is rusted and at least 30 years old.

 

[Autoguy]

Shallow six point first.

 

[tw33k2514]

shallow 6pt and a 3" extension

 

[quattrojon]

Shallow 6 point and usually no extension, as i work alot on classic Mini's and there aint much clearance!

 

[rsanter]

3/8 drive snap on mid depth 6 point with snap on fixed head ratchet

or

1/4 drive snap on deep 6 point with snap on flex head ratchet

bob

 

[nissan_crawler]

whichever the job requires

 

[Snappy]

......................

 

[Snappy]

whichever the job requires

.....

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I ussualy grab the shallow sockets first because they sit in front of the deep sockets.

Same here, man

 

[Danglerb]

I feel lucky when I get the size right before the third try, deep 6 pt maybe more often than shallows. I recently bought the shortest extension, like an inch total, and find that real handy with my flex head 3/8 drive ratchet, but I like a 6" to 8" extension with my PS40 and a shallow socket to see what I am doing better.

 

[Fedwrench]

I usually reach for a mid length or semi deep socket in 3/8 or 1/4 inch drive unless I know it won't fit, then it's shallow time.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I usually grab shallow and an extension on 1/4 and 3/8 for 1/2 I usually grab deep.

 

[RRmech]

Shallow 6 point with a 3" extension.

Steve

 

[Keep]

3/8 6 point deep and cm rhft ratchet.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

whichever the job requires

Same here. First i look at the task at hand so i can see what appropriate socket i need.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Deep sockets

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Generally a short socket with a flex handle if it will fit. I also like to use a spinner and as long an extension as is reasonable.

 

[arkangel06]

most fo the time i grab for a deep socket i find you slip off less and its easier to work

 

[Need4racin]

deep, I only have one set of shallow, and they are sae 6 points.

 

[bostonae22]

deep 6 and extension

 

[blue302stang]

Always grab deep first, and i always thought i was just weird for doing so

 

[bb1970]

shallow with an extension for me too