Swivel Sockets, Different Lengths Necessary? Shallow, Semi Deep, Deep

[YoshiMoshi3]

I see that there are swivel or universal sockets of different lengths, just like normal sockets. Shallow swivel, semi-deep swivel and deep swivel sockets.

My question is, is there really a need for 3 different lengths swivel sockets? I'd imagine if you could get a deep swivel socket on something you could get a regular non swivel socket on it as well? I see shallow ones are great, for when it is at an angle and for clearance issues.

If so it seems like a complete socket set for passenger vehicles (not heavy duty) would include

1/4 chrome shallow
1/4 impact shallow
1/4 chrome universal shallow
1/4 impact universal shallow
1/4 chrome semi deep
1/4 impact semi deep
1/4 chrome universal semi deep
1/4 impact universal semi deep
1/4 chrome deep
1/4 impact deep
1/4 chrome universal deep
1/4 impact universal deep

3/8 chrome shallow
3/8 impact shallow
3/8 chrome universal shallow
3/8 impact universal shallow
3/8 chrome semi deep
3/8 impact semi deep
3/8 chrome universal semi deep
3/8 impact universal semi deep
3/8 chrome deep
3/8 impact deep
3/8 chrome universal deep
3/8 impact universal deep

1/2 chrome shallow
1/2 impact shallow
1/2 chrome universal shallow
1/2 impact universal shallow
1/2 chrome semi deep
1/2 impact semi deep
1/2 chrome universal semi deep
1/2 impact universal semi deep
1/2 chrome deep
1/2 impact deep
1/2 chrome universal deep
1/2 impact universal deep

 

[Snapped-off]

For a pro, maybe. As a hack, you can get by with just the shorts, in my experience. Or just a swivel adapter and whatever socket you need.

 

[msharley]

Me? I think the short swivels are most used...

Very rarely a long...usually? If you need a long? You can get there some other way...

The shorts? You are already jammed up....

And there is a difference in swivels......

 

[isb cornbinder]

Go ahead and buy them all. Read my signature. On the off chance you never need them, polishing them will be fun. You absolutely need the SnapOn sockets. SnapOn has a bigger WOW factor.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

That's more or less a "full" set of sockets, theoretically, in the OP.

IMO deep swivel sockets aren't required. Partially because I can't justify buying them. When such a tool is use, a swivel adapter and deep socket can typically fit. "Shallow" or "standard" impact swivels are typically shorter than the adapter/socket combo, and thus offer space advantages. Consider as well for 1/2 drive especially, there are two types of impact swivels. The shorter style of sunex and most imported brands, and the longer almost semi-deep style of snap-on and most USA made brands. These are two different tools IMO and I've justified having both in 1/2 drive on my cart. Usually I'm using the deeper USA made style, but I do use the other as well.


For fun, on my cart:

1/4:

Koken zeal low profile
Koken nut grip/Wera holding function
Snap on FDX shallow
Shallow
Deep
Semi deep
Impact universal, shallow
Chrome universal, shallow

3/8:

Astro stubby sockets, impact
Snap on stubby sockets, chrome
impact universals, shallow
Shallow
Shallow impact
Deep
Deep impact
Semi deep
Semi deep impact
Snap on FDX semi deep

1/2

Deep
Shallow
Import/shorter shallow impact universal
USA/taller shallow impact universal.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

Go ahead and buy them all. Read my signature. On the off chance you never need them, polishing them will be fun. You absolutely need the SnapOn sockets. SnapOn has a bigger WOW factor.

Thanks for the input.

What signature? I can't view it.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Thanks for the input.

What signature? I can't view it.

I would rather have tools I do not need than to need tools I do not have. (signature)

 

[Steve_P]

I have short chrome universal sockets in 1/4 and 3/8. And 3/8 impact short universal sockets thru 19mm. I will probably buy the Astro 1/2 universal joint short sockets in impact at some point, just to have them, even though I've never needed them. I have pinless universal impact swivel adapters for 3/8 and 1/2. I don't think you'd need more than this for home use unless you absolutely want to spend $$$.

 

[bcradio]

I have deep swivel impacts, but have not had a need for them yet

 

[goldtang]

I have 3, 2 Snap- on swivel sockets 5/8 and 13/16 3/8 drive for spark plugs only ones I have had for years,
always made do with stand or long series sockets and universal joints or swivel end extensions
the other is a new 9/16 ko-ken 1/4 drive found it in all the stuff I bought home when I retired, bit Confused as I have not been on the tools for 11 years so I will put that one down to a bonus

 

[threewood]

I bought a set of mid length Snap On swivel sockets. Realized that I needed the shallow swivel sockets to get to the tight bolts. So my vote is shallow depth.

 

[richfinn]

Meh, just buy individual swivel sockets as and when required for specific jobs and keep a couple of impact UJs handy.

I bet you don't use more than 15 different variations throughout your entire career (less if you only deal with Metric).

Buying full sets of expensive sockets in every possible variation is just another variation of "prepping" for a doomsday that will never come (and even it it does who wants to survive in a world without Draught Beer or Nandos)

 

[Boogerman]

I don't use swivels a lot, so have only shallow 1/4 and 3/8 drives, with a few 1/2" drive. Even with that restraint, the top drawer of my box has almost 600 unique sockets in it. With all 4 drive sizes, SAE and Metric, 6 and 12 point, regular and deep, square, torx, hex, etorx, they add up fast. Every set is used; although there are infrequently used sizes in the sets. I only have a few swivel impacts, and only spark plug deep swivels.

 

[dchawk81]

I see that there are swivel or universal sockets of different lengths, just like normal sockets. Shallow swivel, semi-deep swivel and deep swivel sockets.

My question is, is there really a need for 3 different lengths swivel sockets? I'd imagine if you could get a deep swivel socket on something you could get a regular non swivel socket on it as well? I see shallow ones are great, for when it is at an angle and for clearance issues.

If so it seems like a complete socket set for passenger vehicles (not heavy duty) would include

1/4 chrome shallow
1/4 impact shallow
1/4 chrome universal shallow
1/4 impact universal shallow
1/4 chrome semi deep
1/4 impact semi deep
1/4 chrome universal semi deep
1/4 impact universal semi deep
1/4 chrome deep
1/4 impact deep
1/4 chrome universal deep
1/4 impact universal deep

3/8 chrome shallow
3/8 impact shallow
3/8 chrome universal shallow
3/8 impact universal shallow
3/8 chrome semi deep
3/8 impact semi deep
3/8 chrome universal semi deep
3/8 impact universal semi deep
3/8 chrome deep
3/8 impact deep
3/8 chrome universal deep
3/8 impact universal deep

1/2 chrome shallow
1/2 impact shallow
1/2 chrome universal shallow
1/2 impact universal shallow
1/2 chrome semi deep
1/2 impact semi deep
1/2 chrome universal semi deep
1/2 impact universal semi deep
1/2 chrome deep
1/2 impact deep
1/2 chrome universal deep
1/2 impact universal deep

When in doubt, get all of the all of thems. Because GarageJournal.

 

[70staged]

I have shallow impact swivels. Was pulling engine in my truck and needed a deeper swivel because they are studs that hold the bellhousing to engine. Made due with what I had but that would have been the only time so far.

 

[ThePostman]

In 1/4" I'm mostly using "shallow" chrome universals. However, there are variations within that class. For example my Mac USA chrome 12mm is by far shallower than Capri, Gear wrench, Cman, and Snap-On. I have full sets of chrome 1/4" and 3/8", and full sets of 3/8" and 1/2" "shallow" impacts. There is a place for semi or deep, in the 3/8" and 1/2" flavor in my world, and I don't have a full set of either because they are usually used for exhaust removal. All of mine are metric. I have a set of SK USA from steals and deals in SAE, I don't recall having ever used them. There is nothing that is SAE on my most used cart except for a 1/4" drive 1/4" chrome socket because of FoMoCo.

 

[Nutria]

If so it seems like a complete socket set for passenger vehicles (not heavy duty) would include

1/4 chrome shallow
1/4 impact shallow
1/4 chrome universal shallow
1/4 impact universal shallow
1/4 chrome semi deep
1/4 impact semi deep
1/4 chrome universal semi deep
1/4 impact universal semi deep
1/4 chrome deep
1/4 impact deep
1/4 chrome universal deep
1/4 impact universal deep

3/8 chrome shallow
3/8 impact shallow
3/8 chrome universal shallow
3/8 impact universal shallow
3/8 chrome semi deep
3/8 impact semi deep
3/8 chrome universal semi deep
3/8 impact universal semi deep
3/8 chrome deep
3/8 impact deep
3/8 chrome universal deep
3/8 impact universal deep

1/2 chrome shallow
1/2 impact shallow
1/2 chrome universal shallow
1/2 impact universal shallow
1/2 chrome semi deep
1/2 impact semi deep
1/2 chrome universal semi deep
1/2 impact universal semi deep
1/2 chrome deep
1/2 impact deep
1/2 chrome universal deep
1/2 impact universal deep

I think that you might need one of these if you went that way:


And since your initial question was:
"is there really a need for 3 different lengths swivel sockets?" it seems like you probably agree that the list is excessive.

 

[AEAdam]

I see that there are swivel or universal sockets of different lengths, just like normal sockets. Shallow swivel, semi-deep swivel and deep swivel sockets.

My question is, is there really a need for 3 different lengths swivel sockets? I'd imagine if you could get a deep swivel socket on something you could get a regular non swivel socket on it as well? I see shallow ones are great, for when it is at an angle and for clearance issues.

If so it seems like a complete socket set for passenger vehicles (not heavy duty) would include

1/4 chrome shallow
1/4 impact shallow
1/4 chrome universal shallow
1/4 impact universal shallow
1/4 chrome semi deep
1/4 impact semi deep
1/4 chrome universal semi deep
1/4 impact universal semi deep
1/4 chrome deep
1/4 impact deep
1/4 chrome universal deep
1/4 impact universal deep

3/8 chrome shallow
3/8 impact shallow
3/8 chrome universal shallow
3/8 impact universal shallow
3/8 chrome semi deep
3/8 impact semi deep
3/8 chrome universal semi deep
3/8 impact universal semi deep
3/8 chrome deep
3/8 impact deep
3/8 chrome universal deep
3/8 impact universal deep

1/2 chrome shallow
1/2 impact shallow
1/2 chrome universal shallow
1/2 impact universal shallow
1/2 chrome semi deep
1/2 impact semi deep
1/2 chrome universal semi deep
1/2 impact universal semi deep
1/2 chrome deep
1/2 impact deep
1/2 chrome universal deep
1/2 impact universal deep

Aren't you the guy who wanted to buy only impacts in 3/8" and 1/2"? How praytell did you get from there to this insane and ill-informed list?

Are you reading our posts or just trolling us? I wrote a detailed response in one of your threads and provided pictures of what a basic automotive socket set looks like and this (above) ain’t it.

Here it is, one last time:

Socket Length Database - Please Contribute Data

I am trying to create a database, that will allow people to sort information on the various sockets from different manufacturers, to determine which sockets are best for their application. As of right now I'm just starting with length. So far I've added about 120 rows. This is an example of...

www.garagejournal.com

As I wrote, there’s a story behind how I got here. So no socket set is ever 100% complete and there will always be some dead wood, depending on what you work on. But my kit is a solid starting place. You simply do not 100% need every drive size, every variation of chrome sockets. You absolutely need a good set of basics and that includes more than a few sets of bit sockets.

Edit:
My advice is that you will get better answers on GJ if you are more specific about what you want to do. If you are 14 and trying to figure it all out, that's fine. Just say so and we will help.

 

[isr2kba]

OP, I’m not sure if you’re asking for advice or permission, so I am happy to cover both:

Advice: Buy what you need when you need it, you’ll spend less money in the long run.

Permission: Granted.. buy it all. Post a pic of it all laid out; that would look cool.

 

[M6erfan]

I see that there are swivel or universal sockets of different lengths, just like normal sockets. Shallow swivel, semi-deep swivel and deep swivel sockets.

My question is, is there really a need for 3 different lengths swivel sockets? I'd imagine if you could get a deep swivel socket on something you could get a regular non swivel socket on it as well? I see shallow ones are great, for when it is at an angle and for clearance issues.

If so it seems like a complete socket set for passenger vehicles (not heavy duty) would include

1/4 chrome shallow
1/4 impact shallow
1/4 chrome universal shallow
1/4 impact universal shallow
1/4 chrome semi deep
1/4 impact semi deep
1/4 chrome universal semi deep
1/4 impact universal semi deep
1/4 chrome deep
1/4 impact deep
1/4 chrome universal deep
1/4 impact universal deep

3/8 chrome shallow
3/8 impact shallow
3/8 chrome universal shallow
3/8 impact universal shallow
3/8 chrome semi deep
3/8 impact semi deep
3/8 chrome universal semi deep
3/8 impact universal semi deep
3/8 chrome deep
3/8 impact deep
3/8 chrome universal deep
3/8 impact universal deep

1/2 chrome shallow
1/2 impact shallow
1/2 chrome universal shallow
1/2 impact universal shallow
1/2 chrome semi deep
1/2 impact semi deep
1/2 chrome universal semi deep
1/2 impact universal semi deep
1/2 chrome deep
1/2 impact deep
1/2 chrome universal deep
1/2 impact universal deep

First off, your socket length descriptions are wrong.

Here is the proper list . . .

Low profile
Shallow
Mid-length
Semi-deep
Long
Deep

 

[AEAdam]

First off, your socket descriptions are wrong.

Here is the proper list . . .

Low profile
Shallow
Mid-length
Semi-deep
Long
Deep

Making sure you cover all the types: Chrome, satin chrome, black chrome, black oxide?

 

[threewood]

Meh, just buy individual swivel sockets as and when required for specific jobs and keep a couple of impact UJs handy.

I bet you don't use more than 15 different variations throughout your entire career (less if you only deal with Metric).

Buying full sets of expensive sockets in every possible variation is just another variation of "prepping" for a doomsday that will never come (and even it it does who wants to survive in a world without Draught Beer or Nandos)

Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

 

[Wamsutta]

I would recommend a full set of 1/4 drive (shallow chrome swivels) in both standard and metric. That'll be about $800.

 

[charbar]

Ive wrenched as a profession my entire life and I have never had the NEED for anything other than shallow swivel sockets. Always been able to make something else work otherwise if I needed to. I usually forget I even have swivels until after I already have the fastener off. My 3/8" impact swivels get used fairly regularly but other than that I rarely reach for a swivel socket. And most the time I use my impact swivels is just because they are 'tighter' than using a universal with a regular socket that flops around all willy nilly. Plenty of times the driven end of the impact swivel socket is too big and I need to use a chrome universal and regular socket too.

Unless you are a doing a specific job quite often that would be easier with a certain swivel socket I wouldn't even worry too much about getting any.

 

[M6erfan]

Making sure you cover all the types: Chrome, satin chrome, black chrome, black oxide?

I was speaking to length only.

 

[richfinn]

Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

No it isn't, build your own specific set with stuff you actually need and utilize, your tool kit will be lighter/smaller and more efficient.

Get the best from your tool budget, spend less and do more.

Let's say the OP spends $10k on swivel sockets to complete his rather obsessive list and I spend $300 on just the useful individual swivel sockets, that gives me $9700 I can put into other tools that will fix more cars and earn me more money which helps my pension fund.

It's always better to hang on to money for your retirement than have thousands of dollars of tools you never used.

 

[dchawk81]

No it isn't, build your own specific set with stuff you actually need and utilize, your tool kit will be lighter/smaller and more efficient.

Get the best from your tool budget, spend less and do more.

Let's say the OP spends $10k on swivel sockets to complete his rather obsessive list and I spend $300 on just the useful individual swivel sockets, that gives me $9700 I can put into other tools that will fix more cars and earn me more money which helps my pension fund.

It's always better to hang on to money for your retirement than have thousands of dollars of tools you never used.

That's a pretty big spread you pulled out of your ***. Or did you actually total up the cost of every swivel socket on the market?

 

[LWB]

Why do I find this thread so hilarious

 

[M6erfan]

Why do I find this thread so hilarious

Because it's ridiculous.

 

[dchawk81]

Threads like these are my hobby.

 

[threewood]

No it isn't, build your own specific set with stuff you actually need and utilize, your tool kit will be lighter/smaller and more efficient.

Get the best from your tool budget, spend less and do more.

Let's say the OP spends $10k on swivel sockets to complete his rather obsessive list and I spend $300 on just the useful individual swivel sockets, that gives me $9700 I can put into other tools that will fix more cars and earn me more money which helps my pension fund.

It's always better to hang on to money for your retirement than have thousands of dollars of tools you never used.

Come on man. I'm talking about a 6 piece swivel socket set. Or two, if you want a metric and sae set. If your retirement hinges on that then I'm sorry.

 

[richfinn]

That's a pretty big spread you pulled out of your ***. Or did you actually total up the cost of every swivel socket on the market?

Nope, I pulled it out my *** after looking at the original posters list

But you get my point??

 

[richfinn]

Come on man. I'm talking about a 6 piece swivel socket set. Or two, if you want a metric and sae set. If your retirement hinges on that then I'm sorry.

Did you look at the OPs list?

I don't have a problem with 1 or even 2 sets, but 36 full sets of swivel sockets is cuckooland

 

[dchawk81]

Nope, I pulled it out my *** after looking at the original posters list

But you get my point??

Lol yeah I get your point. I kind of agree. Although I do tend to buy in sets to cover the sizes.

Unless I have a specific application I'm trying to solve.

 

[Junkman]

If I were to buy every tool that I might have a use for someday, my toolbox would exceed the value of my IRA. I have tools that I bought over 60 years ago that I haven't used in more than 50 years. When I pass away the funeral is at 11 and the auction starts at 1.

 

[dchawk81]

If I were to buy every tool that I might have a use for someday, my toolbox would exceed the value of my IRA. I have tools that I bought over 60 years ago that I haven't used in more than 50 years. When I pass away the funeral is at 11 and the auction starts at 1.

Will there be cake, or quiche?

 

[Formula]

I have so many different swivel sockets in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives. Everything from short, semi deep and deep. Both chrome and impact. Yanking out engines and transmissions all day, sometimes you need to get the perfect angle for bolts and nuts in a bad spot to reach.

 

[Hannahranga]

Meh, just buy individual swivel sockets as and when required for specific jobs and keep a couple of impact UJs handy.

I'm not saying own every variation but if you need a swivel socket odds are you need it then not after going to the tool shop (and I've got 3 in under 10min drive). Plus given the general markup on individuals by the time you've bought a few you might as well have bought the set.

I'd absolutely buy deeps individually if I found I had a frequent task that required one even if a swivel+deep fitted.

 

[Zewnten]

It’s all about balance budget vs some day need but I have 1/4 12 point shallow chromes and 1/4 6 point shallow impact, 3/8 shallow impact, 1/2 shallow impact. Had a set of deep 3/8 metric, never used them. And I cover a large assortment of machinery. If I did automotive I would look at channels like humble mechanic and his tool cart.

Most mechanics use 5-10% of their tools 90% of the time. The rest is for the remaining time.

 

[AEAdam]

I was speaking to length only.

Oh man I thought your recommendation for semi deeps and mid depths was a joke. That’s disappointing.