Should I own impact Swivel Sockets?

[Jacobson]

I have extension bars, wobble extensions, U-joint extensions.
I have flex head wrenches.

How often do you use your impact Swivel Sockets?

Worth 50 ?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BCWZ38/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or $25 ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-swivel-socket-set-67911.html

Or $120?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRB52/?tag=atomicindus08-20



I got the Sunex 3/8 set for $70.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SRAO4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Done. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Skin]

Use them all the time. 3/8 most, 1/4 often enough, 1/2 when I need the torque. You lose more torque through extensions and universal joints than you do using a purpose made socket. Every connection robs some power. Plus purpose made impact swivels are substantially shallower than an adapter+socket combo.

Wouldn't bother with SK unless you want USA and easy read numbers on a budget. They announced a redesign that eliminates the pin and collar but realistically they probably wont see retail release for a year, at least. For now, Matco pinless which are best at being as small as possible. Second to that MAC and Cornwell are fairly compact and don't have collars which keeps them slimmer. Snap-On laser welded is also fine for sizes 15mm and below, after that they get quite tall. On the cheap, buy Sunex.

You couldn't give the HF sockets to me. A crude spring retains the pin and the spring itself just begs to snag on things, including flesh.

 

[Old_Buick]

x2 on the Matco - worth every penny and then some

x2 on stay away from HF - or up your insurance

 

[bigfunwmu]

I usually grab mine before any of my regular sockets when working on equipment. When working on the bench, I usually use non-swivels since I can move the assembly around to reach stuff easier.

Buy good ones. I have the armstrong/craftsman/matco pinless ones, they work great. The higher end brands tend to have more swivel angle and still work, and last longer when used hard.

You should know what your 3-4 most commonly used sizes are. If you don't want to dump the cash all at once for a high end set, buy up your 3-4 most commonly needed sizes to use and see if they are what you really want.

 

[Skin]

The higher end brands tend to have more swivel angle and still work, and last longer when used hard.

True for chrome universals, not so for impact swivels. They all articulate to 30 degrees. That's why compactness is important. I'd also stack a decent Taiwan brand against a truck brand any day in a longevity test. They all wear out or break eventually. Either the collar loosens up, the pin snaps, or in the case of the pinless ones the clip lets go and the joint pops apart.

 

[bigfunwmu]

Compactness is important, my experience is that my nice impact swivels work at tighter angles that my old cheapies did. The cheap ones would work for part of a rotation only when cranked hard over, then lock up where the pinless set I have now works through the whole revolution at max angle.

At less than full angle, the cheap ones did OK though.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I like the Snap On or Matco 3/8 impact swivels. If you are a tech, I would consider them a must have.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Kielbasavw]

Long story short I was given a set of metric 1/2 drive mac swivels for free. Tried using them for the hell of it, if they aren't needed. Not worth using in my opinion. And the sizes are real shallow and hard to read. I'll keep em as I work on metric stuff most, could find a use for it at some point.

 

[coralnut]

I didn't think I needed swivels until I had them, and then I realized how much easier life was once I had the right tool for the job.

If you're trying to do this on a budget, then look at the Sunex #3580 3/8 SAE+metric master socket kit. 80 pieces. Yeah, the swivels have pins, but I paid $230 with a $100 rebate, making my net cost $130 for the 80 piece kit. The sockets definitely don't **** and they have a lifetime warranty.

 

[coralnut]

http://www.sunextools.com/index.cfm?s=detail&subcat=108&item=4049

pardon the oversized picture -- it's a direct link to a web photo, not my photo.

 

[V70R]

Most used impact sockets in my box? Impact swivels. I primarily do VW/Audi work, with most having limited engine bay space. Cam gears and turbocharger bolts are the first examples that come to mind where only an impact swivel fits and does not dramatically reduce a 3/8" cordless impact's torque output. Control Arms, exhaust etc. etc!

 

[uglyjacko]

On the HF one, take the spring collar off and throw it away and put a good tack weld on the pin holes and you'll be good to go

 

[bdelmar2]

Depends on what you are doing I suppose.

If you are just working on your own stuff you probably don't need them, but they would still be handy.

If you are working on vehicles for a living I would say you need them.

They are fast and handy to grab because they will generally work whether or not you need a swivel, but a straight socket won't work if you need a swivel.

Also saves the time of piecing together a swivel and a socket when you need one, and usually is smaller making it easier to get into tight spots. Especially true with the smaller 1/4" sockets.

The three racks of sockets I use the most are the 3/8" shallow impact swivels, 3/8" deep impact swivels, and the 1/4" shallow impact swivels. (or universal if you prefer) I keep the shallow 3/8" on a rack I can grab and take with me

I also have a set of the medium impact swivels from gray pneumatic I don't use a lot and keep in their case in a drawer, but are very handy when you need them. I know another mechanic who uses his mediums the most, not sure which way is better.

I do mostly engine work so I don't really need the 1/2 impact swivels, but do wish I had them from time to time when I do suspension/trans work.

I really wish I could find a set of 1/4" deep impact swivels.

The 3/8" deep and 1/4" sets are sunex and are holding up well with daily use for several years.

Only issue is I really wish the 3/8" deep set had an 8mm, but they only seem to offer that in a 12pt.

I prefer 6pt for impact sockets, and all of mine are 6pt, except for the special ones - like the driveshaft universal sockets.

The shallow 3/8" set is genius, has an 8mm. It was cheap and is really old and all the sockets are still functioning fine. Will say I like the sunex feel better.

Only real annoyance I have had with the universal impacts is when I end up trying to use a swivel head (especially roto) ratchet with them. Good way to pinch yourself I've discovered.

Edit: I bought a set of the harborfreight universal impacts because they were really cheap - I later discovered their was no 15mm. A socket I need a lot, so it was basically a waste of money.

 

[sberry]

I use swivels as problem solvers, pretty rare when I cant get a basic set up on it. There is a lot of mastery to the common socket and extension, a lot of guys never really get it.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you have to ask then the answer is NO.

It depends on what you work on and what you're doing.

I wouldn't want to be without my 3/8 or 1/4 drive sets. I don't use my 1/2 drive sizes that often.

A decent priced set from Grey Pneumatic or Sunex will meet your needs. The only real difference between those brands and the more expensive types is the fat collar around the base.

 

[bsaint]

Yes I have the sunex versions and I love them. I would recommend deep before shallow. Get shallows only if you find yourself in the situations that need it.

Also make sure your impact gun has a feather trigger. You will send hardware flying if the nut or bolt comes out and your impact is still spinning fast.

 

[bcradio]

I use mine a whole heck of a lot and I'm just a home guy. I mainly use 3/8" dr shallows followed by 1/4" dr. shallows and occasionally my 1/2" dr. are needed for stubborn fasteners. I actually decided to go with the HF set for my 1/2" dr. swivels since I knew they wouldn't be used a ton. Then I just put a thick piece of shrink wrap over the spring. This has worked out well for me.

Also, thanks to this thread I just ordered the Sunex 3/8" deep set. They would have been handy the other night so I decided to get 'em.

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

I love my snap on's. I bought them bogo metric and standard a few years ago. I hate the few matco ones that I have. The swivel on them ***** all the torque out and have a ton of play. One time the snap ring popped out at the most inopportune time and since then really try not to use my matco ones.

I used sk's for a while and they were great. That was a few years ago and not sure if they've been redesigned or not. Either way, once you get impact swivels you'll wonder how you ever did without them.

 

[Zeroek]

I recently got a set of Sunex for work. I plan to get a set of Matco or craftsman eventually. I think Gearwrench are the same. The Mac 3/8" swivel sockets are good but I have no Mac Dealer to warranty.

 

[Vigo]

My Matco 3/8 impact swivel sockets (i call them wobbles) are THE best tools i own. Bar none.

 

[sberry]

Since there is no huge advantage of pricing for some of the top truck brand might scoop a piece at a time as needed and all this would make a difference if I was under the hood of a car as a primary occupation. Another addition I might include is a handful of mid length and a set of wobble extensions especially in 3/8 for plug and manifold work.
The real work underneath a car can be all 1/2, again if it was a primary and I spent my day holding up under a hoist might consider hi perf 3/8 None of mne is constant so trade a bit of weight for a lot of power and really use impact in 1/2 and the same sockets get used for cordless.
I thought about 3/8 but it wouldn't save us anything, just add another layer of sockets.

 

[sberry]

All ths would be somewhat contingent on whether I needed it. In my case ding more features would only occasionally make it a little easier for the lazier and add more pieces to the puzzle.
I am not a fan of Ujoints spinning in an air gun either. There are a few Ford crossmembers in the world that there is no other good way to do but I found if I look careful about 99% of the time a guy can get a straight socket of the right length on it.

 

[jrobb316]

I have snap-on swivels at work (3/8) and a select few 1/2 (Matcos) that I use. 1/4 chrome swivels. I have a GP set of 3/8 at home and they are good for the DIY. With the low cost and superb quality of both GP and Sunnex (you could use them professionally), harbor freight should be out of the socket business, yet apparently people still shop there Once you have a decent set of swivels you will wonder what you ever did without them. Its almost like not having a cordless 3/8 impact.

 

[wafrederick]

HF,they have two lines of Pittsburgh impact sockets.Non Pittsburgh Pro and Pittsburgh Pro.The Pittsburgh Pro line is made out of chrome moly steel which is the best steel for impact sockets.The non Pittsburgh Pro impact sockets are made out of chrome vanadium steel which is fine for making out hand tools out of.

 

[Skin]

That's a blanket statement that isn't correct. Chrome Vanadium and Chrome Molybdenum are actually fairly generic types of steel and say nothing about their specific make-up. You can make very decent impacts or hand tools out of either.

Yes I have the sunex versions and I love them. I would recommend deep before shallow. Get shallows only if you find yourself in the situations that need it.

Very few would agree with that advice. Shallows are definitely the way to go for maximum working angle against the surface. Not many applications of a stud necessitating the need for a deep anyway and pretty much all bolts are flanged anymore to boot.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Or $120?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRB52/?tag=atomicindus08-20

nuff said

 

[92integra]

Yes.

That 1/4" set you posted would most likely be fine I mean they really aren't going to see a bunch of torque. I'm going to pick up the set you posted and give a reply after some use.

I have matco pinless in 3/8ths and I have the 1/2" set from harbo freight rarely used but have held up well for 2 years full time tech use.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Swivel impact sockets have pulled me out of a situation a time or two

The HF ones are junk, pin walks out way too easily and then, if you are lucky, it binds up the socket. If not it comes apart and can cause injury.

I'd go with 3/8 and maybe 1/4 first then later 1/2 if you need them. Usually for me I'm going with 3/8.

 

[SledgeFix]

I see most people saying they use the smaller drives often but I've used my 1/2" impact swivels the most. Recent memory is mostly starter bolts on Japanese cars, which thankfully don't need to be gotten to often, but especially on the older stuff, like ten years and older, they can be hard to get to. On my own Toyota I remember needing a swivel socket on an extension on a universal on another extension on the impact wrench to reach them, because the manifold was curled around the starter. Turns out you're supposed to just take the manifold off to get it out from above, but I did it the cheaper way. Would not have been able to do the job with hand power, either, and I tried. Luckily the 1/2 impact had more than enough muscle even through all the power loss of that run.

 

[bcradio]

I see most people saying they use the smaller drives often but I've used my 1/2" impact swivels the most. Recent memory is mostly starter bolts on Japanese cars, which thankfully don't need to be gotten to often, but especially on the older stuff, like ten years and older, they can be hard to get to. On my own Toyota I remember needing a swivel socket on an extension on a universal on another extension on the impact wrench to reach them, because the manifold was curled around the starter. Turns out you're supposed to just take the manifold off to get it out from above, but I did it the cheaper way. Would not have been able to do the job with hand power, either, and I tried. Luckily the 1/2 impact had more than enough muscle even through all the power loss of that run.

That's impressive

 

[redwrench60]

Even the cheapest, most frugal Mechanics I've worked with ALL have impact wobble sockets. They are almost required for efficient flat rate work. They speed tear down and building up of all powertrain systems with cramped components. They enable a Mechanic to work around parts and obstructions that normally would have to be removed for access to another. These are daily use tools and so important to me that I have a complete backup set of shallow 3/8 metric on hand should I lose or break one.

Almost as important as having the wobble sockets is having a good set of impact extensions to use them with. What good is having the ability to work in cramped quarters if you have nothing to reach in there with? Long extensions and impact wobble sockets let you bend over and reach high up less and keep your hands out of the danger zone more.

Brand is an entirely different arguement. It really depends on two things: budget and frequency of use. As a general rule the better ones will last longer and be more compact to get in those tight areas better (the entire reason you're buying them.) All of them eventually wear out or break but the higher quality ones take more punishment and let you get away with more abuse.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Since there is no huge advantage of pricing for some of the top truck brand might scoop a piece at a time as needed and all this would make a difference if I was under the hood of a car as a primary occupation. Another addition I might include is a handful of mid length and a set of wobble extensions especially in 3/8 for plug and manifold work.
The real work underneath a car can be all 1/2, again if it was a primary and I spent my day holding up under a hoist might consider hi perf 3/8 None of mne is constant so trade a bit of weight for a lot of power and really use impact in 1/2 and the same sockets get used for cordless.
I thought about 3/8 but it wouldn't save us anything, just add another layer of sockets.

I have 2 1/4 swivel sets and 2 3/8 swivel sets. I have short 1/2 sockets and a swivel adaptor for those. 3/8 gets used more than anything..

 

[90zcar]

As a home garage guy I even have a set of 3/8 snap on swivels. I no longer have a 3/8 gun but I use a 1/2-3/8 adapter on my 1/2 gun

As far as deep swivel sockets. They are pretty much a wasteful expense. If u have the room for a deep swivel....just throw a deep socket on a universal...bam done

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[csargents1546]

The other reason it is good to have purpose built wobble sockets is less joints to come apart when the socket slips off. Got nailed in the mouth by a 13mm deep impact when the socket slipped off the bolt with it at full speed. Hurt like a son of a gun.

 

[Finky198]

Yes first set should probably be 3/8" shallow

+1 for Sunex Great value and High Quailty

 

[Jacobson]

I might get the Sunex 3/8" set for $75
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-3657.aspx

Sounds like the ideal entry level swivels right ?

 

[92integra]

Go for it! You won't be disappointed

 

[burke753]

I have the sunex ones that work great. But for the ones I use the most I bought the Matco pinless design. Obviously they're far superior (I use mine all day every day.) would not be able to make a paycheck without them. But the sunex work just fine too. I used them for a couple years but was breaking 10,13,15 and 18mm all the time.


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk.

 

[coralnut]

As far as deep swivel sockets. They are pretty much a wasteful expense. If u have the room for a deep swivel....just throw a deep socket on a universal...bam done

That's the way that the Sunex 3/8 master SAE/MM set is configured -- short swivels and a UJ for the deep sockets.

 

[Vigo]

I might get the Sunex 3/8" set for $75
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-3657.aspx

Sounds like the ideal entry level swivels right ?

Sort of, but set #3580 (the massive pic on the first page), with the current mail in rebate, gives you about 6x as much stuff (most of it useful!) for only ~$30 more.