Small Impact Sockets

[DarryT]

Looking for impact driver sockets for my basic dewalt driver. I am tempted to go 1/4 drive over 3/8 but still on the fence. Neiko & Swanlake are the typical Amazon specials in 1/4 & 3/8.

These small impacts are to complement my DCF899 Impact wrench with 1/2 impact sockets for big stuff + my 3/8 & 1/4 chromes.

Which smaller impact sockets should I buy? 1/4 or 3/8? What is a solid budget brand in smaller impact sockets?

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Astro Pneumatic Nano sockets are great.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBNHLNK?tag=atomicindus08-20

There is also a 19 price set that goes to 24mm.

 

[charbar]

3/8 all day long for me. I use a 3/8 impact and sockets from 1/4" to 1" and 7mm to 24mm. About the only time I use a socket smaller than that is a 5.5mm and I just use a 3/8 to 1/4" adapter.

If you go with a 1/4" impact you are usually limiting yourself on socket size to about a 15mm or a 5/8". Leaving a lot on the table in my opinion considering the physical size of a 1/4" drive gun is usually the same as a 3/8 gun.

 

[Nutria]

I went with 3/8 first, but I did eventually get 1/4" as well. All have been fine: a set of 3/8 Craftsman, then later 3/8 Williams and 1/4 Sunex. Both the Sunex and Williams sockets seemed like good value for me.

I did paint-and-wipe the Williams sockets with some white metal marker to make the small stamping show up better. But, hey, they are actually still stamped.

 

[GeoBruin]

I've got the Astro nano's in 3/8 for low clearance and of course for use with the ratcheting handle, but I've also got a set of Grey Pneumatic "duo" sockets. They have a really slim profile, even slimmer than my chromes in some cases and that just seems to make them fit better where I'm working sometimes.

 

[DarryT]

Thanks, I will look at the Astro Nano's. Are these better than the Harbor freight low profile 3/8 impact sockets?

 

[GeoBruin]

Thanks, I will look at the Astro Nano's. Are these better than the Harbor freight low profile 3/8 impact sockets?

The low profile impact sockets Harbor Freight sells under the Quinn label are very likely made in the same factory as the Astros. That said, I don't believe they have brought out a 3/8 drive set yet.

If it matters to you at all, Astro developed those sockets initially and they now offer them in different size sets and offer various accessories for them including the ratcheting wrench I mentioned above. All that said, if it's 3/8 drive you need, I don't believe Harbor Freight will be an option for you anyway. I do think that they're sold under other names now including Husky however.

 

[bcradio]

Thanks, I will look at the Astro Nano's. Are these better than the Harbor freight low profile 3/8 impact sockets?

they are the same

 

[M635_Guy]

I have a set of 1/4" Sunex impact sockets, but I rarely use them.

 

[dnschmidt]

Depends on how many impact wrenches you've got. I have a Milwaukee 1/4" impact wrench that I use for anything under 14mm and a Milwaukee Stubby or Mid-Torque for 3/8" drive above that. I also have what appears to be an endless supply of air 3/8" impacting air ratchets and air impact wrenches which I seldom use.

 

[Wamsutta]

The OP said impact driver. That means a quick release 1/4 inch hex drive female chuck.

So to me, that means this :

 

[DarryT]

The OP said impact driver. That means a quick release 1/4 inch female chuck.

So to me, that means this :

Yes, the driver that I am shopping for sockets for is similar to the one you Pictured-even smaller & lighter duty though. An older dewalt model, came in a kit with a drill.

My 1/2 " complementary wrench is the heavy duty model for lug nuts & bigger bolts. Pictured below.

 

[dnschmidt]

My view is that impact drivers are used for screws and impact wrenches are used for nuts and bolts. My 1/4" impact is used for nuts and bolts as it has a 1/4" square drive.

 

[JeepYJ]

My view is that impact drivers are used for screws and impact wrenches are used for nuts and bolts. My 1/4" impact is used for nuts and bolts as it has a 1/4" square drive.

Where do hex head lag screws fall in your view?

I bought a cheap set of 1/4” drive impact sockets from Amazon for use with my impact driver. It covers Sae/Metric and shallow/deep.
3/8” drive sockets can get heavy for an impact driver but I’ll use them if necessary.
They’re 1/4” drive sockets on a low torque impact so I’m not really concerned with failure. They seem to work fine for my uses which includes DIY carpentry, auto repair, etc.

 

[lardy1]

I drive lags with my Bosch impact driver and Sunex 1/4" drive impact sockets. I also use 1/2" impact sockets on it. I'm pretty amazed at the power for a driver. I don't really need bigger.

 

[Fedwrench]

1-3/4 in. Impact-Rated Magnetic Metric Nut Setters, 9-Piece

Amazing deals on this 9Pc Impact Rated Metric Magnetic Nut Setter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I think you want a set of nut setters. They're basically magnetic or non magnetic sockets with a 1/4 hex shaft for use in impact drivers. You can get SAE or Metric versions in all levels of quality and sizes. They also make them with longer shafts if you need reach.

 

[DarryT]

1-3/4 in. Impact-Rated Magnetic Metric Nut Setters, 9-Piece

Amazing deals on this 9Pc Impact Rated Metric Magnetic Nut Setter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I think you want a set of nut setters. They're basically magnetic or non magnetic sockets with a 1/4 hex shaft for use in impact drivers. You can get SAE or Metric versions in all levels of quality and sizes. They also make them with longer shafts if you need reach.

Another tool I "need". GJ is awesome, but not great for my wallet.

 

[ChevyEFI]

To disassemble industrial raingauges? What are you doing?

Go cheap. Go chrome. Go 1/4.
You'll know soon enough if you care about size range, or impact. And by that time, HF may have the nano sockets in 3/8.

If you have good coverage in 1/4" and 1/2", you'll have overlap and forget about 3/8" drive.

 

[KnurledNut]

1-3/4 in. Impact-Rated Magnetic Metric Nut Setters, 9-Piece

Amazing deals on this 9Pc Impact Rated Metric Magnetic Nut Setter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I think you want a set of nut setters. They're basically magnetic or non magnetic sockets with a 1/4 hex shaft for use in impact drivers. You can get SAE or Metric versions in all levels of quality and sizes. They also make them with longer shafts if you need reach.

Im just glad they include a 15/16 in the SAE set:

 

[BombShelter]

I bought Grey Pneumatic 1/4" a few years ago with recommedations from this forum. I recently did the dreaded BMW leaky oil thermostat job where you can't see the bolts (or anything) and there's no room for anything larger; they worked like a charm.

3/8" is a great size but I feel like I'm either using 1/2" or 1/4" for tight bolts and most jobs.

 

[KnurledNut]

Grey Pneumatic 1/4"

GP does 1/4 drive very well.

 

[jimbothecricket]

The Makita 1/4 impact socket sets are great. Link here is for the SAE set:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...dard-Socket-Adapter-8-Piece-E-01703/311241223

 

[DarryT]

The Makita 1/4 impact socket sets are great. Link here is for the SAE set:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...dard-Socket-Adapter-8-Piece-E-01703/311241223

Thanks, those look perfect for working on Japanese cars.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Im just glad they include a 15/16 in the SAE set:

That's supposed to be a 15/32"

15/16" is not smaller than 1/2". I checked the specifications, and it does show it as 15/32" in spite of the engraving showing 15/16

So you might be wondering why they included 15/32" and it's because it's basically the same as 12mm. It is 11.91mm. So they probably are just using the same tooling as the 12mm and stamping it 15/16" even though it's really 15/32. #JustHarborFreightThings.

 

[3baygarage]

Swanlake? That's a new one.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Im just glad they include a 15/16 in the SAE set:

I have a smaller set similar to that and those are the only 1)4" dr impact sockets I have.


Honestly, I don't recall ever seeing regular 1/4" dr impact sockets.


Now, I'll probably have to buy a set.