Socket wall thickness comparison.

[plinker]

With all the talk about impact or chrome sockets I decided to measure the wall thickness of some to see how they compare. I used 3/8 drive sockets for this. I dont have enough different brands of 1/2 drive to really compare them, but in general, 1/2 drive impact sockets are noticeably thicker walled just by looking at them.

I was going to use a 1/2 or 9/16 sockets for this but I figured 3/4 & 19mm would give the best sample size. One thing I did note is there is some variance is wall thickness with some other sockets in the same set. For example the Matco 3/4 extra shallow is a bit thicker walled then most of the others in that set. I was not about to measure the O.D. of every single socket I own however.

I measured the outside diameter by the hex with a dail caliper, Results are interesting, but not super surprising as I've not had any issues that I recall where a 3/8 drive impact socket would not fit due to wall thickness, 1/2 drive yes.

Snap-on was the thinnest, followed by some older S-K sockets and a Craftsman VV socket. Thickest wall is a Craftsman "universal spline" socket.

I *think* the OEM for the Matco ADV's is Sunex as they are very similar in style, there arent too many different OE's making sockets in Taiwan anyway. I know Matco used to sell Grey Pneumatic, but got away from that.

I added notes if there was something particular about a socket. Some are older, some newer production. YMMV and all that.


Shallow sockets, all chrome unless noted " IMPACT "

0.990" Snap-on RF241 12pt extra shallow
0.995" S-K 45024 6pt pre Ideal, 70's?
0.990" S-K 2319 12pt pre Ideal, 70's?
1.005" Craftsman 44337 12pt "G2", double detent
1.090" Craftsman 24976 12pt spline (universal socket, Taiwan)
1.053" Craftsman 19409 6pt IMPACT "GK", Danaher, USA production
0.997" Armstrong 38-019 6pt double detent, compares to Craftsman "G2"
0.992" Craftsman 43549 6pt "VV" series, 90's
1.021" Napa 90358 6pt (Gearwrench OEM)
1.042" Matco BPA246 pro non slip IMPACT
1.060" Matco ADV extra shallow 6pt IMPACT
1.021" Matco ADV BP19M2V 12pt IMPACT

Deep sockets, all chrome unless noted " IMPACT "

1.023 Napa Carlyle(Sunex) 61224 6pt IMPACT
1.017" Master Mechanic M1324H 6pt (USA, OEM?)
1.002" Truecraft (USA) 36619 6pt Possibly Stanley OEM, not 100% sure.
0.993" S-K 40424 6pt pre Ideal, 70's? (Not pictured)
1.015 Napa 90401 6pt (Gearwrench OEM) (not pictured)

 

[M_George]

To make tour analysis complete, you will need to measure the metal hardness.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Thanks for taking the time. I'll add a couple that I did real quick. Since I brought up the additional weight and length differences I'll post those too.

Impact:
1 1/4" deep Armstrong. OD 1.750", wall .241", length 3.512", wt 620 grams.
3/8 deep Craftsman. OD .885", wall .140", length 3.248, wt 173 grams.
1 1/4 shallow Matco. OD 1.744", wall .222", length 1.999", wt 351 grams.

Chrome:
1 1/4" deep Armstrong. OD 1.681", wall .201", length 3.294", wt 376 grams.
3/8 deep Armstrong. OD .866", wall .116", length 3.221", wt 144 grams.
1 1/4" shallow Craftsman. OD .1641", wall .169", length 1.744", wt 222 grams.
<a href='https://postimg.cc/image/nva26ctnz/' target='_blank'><img src='https://s19.postimg.cc/bteoc7kfn/image.jpg' border='0' alt='image'/></a>

 

[Fedwrench]

When you did your measurements, did you notice any of your manufacturers sharing the same size impact socket blank between two sizes? like a 14 mm might have thicker walls than say a 15mm but, all other demensions were the same.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

When you did your measurements, did you notice any of your manufacturers sharing the same size impact socket blank between two sizes? like a 14 mm might have thicker walls than say a 15mm but, all other demensions were the same.

My CM 1/2" dr deep wall: 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, and 5/8 share the same OD. The 5/8 is the first size without a taper at the nose/front of the socket. The rest of the sizes are all different and start at 3/8 up to 1 1/4.

My Kobalt 1/2" dr deep wall: 10mm - 16mm share the same OD. 14mm is the first size without a taper at the nose/front of the socket. 18mm and 19mm are the same OD, 20mm and 21mm are the same OD, 23mm and 24mm are the same OD. Sizes go from 10mm to 27mm.

 

[Wamsutta]

If anybody is ever looking for the thinnest wall 1/4 drive chrome sockets, it'll be the MACs with the R at the end of the part number.

 

[plinker]

I only measure the O.D. since it pretty much says whether or not the socket will fit in the recess. The length would be another area to measure between brands, but with extra shallow, shallow, semi deep deep & extra deep socket lengths it's kinda moot.

As far as the sockets sharing the same blank is concerned,

The Napa/Sunex deep set the 15mm seems to be the next size larger looking at it. The ADV 12mm extra shallow seems the same way but the socket is tapered down so it doesnt really match the 13mm. The Sunex 12mm 12pt also seems overly thick walled compare to the others.

The ADV 18mm extra shallow in 1/2 drive looks to be similar to the 19mm. I'll have to measure & see what I can come up with, but it annoys me that some are this way. Either way, with the 3/8 drive sockets I've not had a lot of problems with this, clearance wise.

The Danaher US made Craftsman set I have (1/4 to 3/4) doesnt seem to have this issue, but they are somewhat thicker walled anyway. I dont believe the Snap-on sets I've seen are this way, Neither are the Matco non slip sets I have. Could be a Taiwan thing?

A couple of times I've had to use a 12pt chrome socket simply because everything else would not fit. Examples that I can think of are; Older Mack steering wheel nuts (1-1/4 hex), Cummin's flywheel bolts (12pt 21mm), recessed 12pt bolts on swing gearboxes on log cranes (7/16 & 1/2 12pt).