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swivel sockets, suggestions?

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dirtmister16

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hey guys,

running into a situation where i think i may need swivel sockets and wondering on your opinions. i did search but didn't find exactly what i wanted. i coulda swore there was thread not soo long ago on this.


preferences are USA made tools. need to go up to around 3/4" size or equivalant in metric. not sure how small i would need let me know what you use most. these would be impact rated not chrome.

mostly be used on my 89 f250 and my dads 06 chevy 1500. im assuming metric will be more used but i would like sae as well.

i would be ok with trying a off brand but prefer usa tools. what say you?

ive heard good things about matco,sunnex,harbor frieght. snap on is very pricey and out of my price atm. what about sk, theres look nice?

used is ok as im not afraid of that either. tried looking on ebay and here, nothing jumps out as a ok deal.

$200 is my tops really and that is pushing my limits for a extra tool purchase right now.

let me know guys whats a great deal?
 
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dale500

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Kobalt from Lowes. They have 7pc sets in metric or sae. $35 each and easy to swap if you ever break one. If you not in a big hurry they are usually on sale during the holidays. Got mine for 14.99 each last December.
 
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dirtmister16

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Givl Reggin said:
Craftsman are cheap, you may be able to still get USA made ones.

Snap-On have more swivel range.
Click to expand...

thank you, i will see what i can do there. be nice to have matching with my craftsmans.



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Kobalt from Lowes. They have 7pc sets in metric or sae. $35 each and easy to swap if you ever break one. If you not in a big hurry they are usually on sale during the holidays. Got mine for 14.99 each last December.





i don't have lowes around here at all anywhere. but thanks ill look into that too.
 
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98sierra

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I have the GP's and a lot of snap ons. If I could do it over I would use never bought the GP's.. Never broke one but there is so much slop that it GREATLY decreases torque. All my snap on swivel sockets (impact) produce just about the same torque as a regular impact socket. Nice and tight with no slop!
 
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98sierra

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Also the body is smaller so its easier to get into tighter spaces
 
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foreverfalcon40

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Check Ebay for best deal!

Whatever brand you choose if they are not Impact then do not put them on an impact gun.

Also, to widen your horizon a set of Swivel Adapters can help as well.
 
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Nanashi

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What sizes seen to be the most used for you guys and are you using impact or chrome?

I have neither but I hadn't had a situation where a universal or a wrench didn't get the job done.
 
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98sierra

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All my swivel sockets are impact. Never needed or wanted chrome and never broke one either!

And for sizes I have 4mm all the way to 24mm and use them all. Can never have to many swivel sockets!
 
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Skin

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Givl Reggin said:
Craftsman are cheap, you may be able to still get USA made ones.

Snap-On have more swivel range.
Click to expand...

You're referring to chrome universals. Impact swivels are all limited to 30 degrees regardless of brand.
 
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ihateminimumwage

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In chrome I have the Kobalt 12pt sets (with an SK 5/16 as well). I used them all the time in school (they were worried about stuff being broken with impacts), but almost never in industry.

With the impacts, I'd recommend going with the Gearwrench set (Same sockets Matco sells in their ADV line) or Craftsman pinless (same as Matco) if buying new. I compared prices between everyone, and was going to go with the GW until I stumbled onto a set of Snap-Ons on Ebay that weren't well advertised and got them for cheap. There are deals on ebay, just have to try a lot of different search terms until you find them.
 
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Rhyno

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Salt on the left, Mormons on the right, Yup, "This
Even though this is different than mine, it is similar.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...NIVERSAL-IMPACT-SOCKET-SET/?source=igodigital

sbdupm106v.jpg


SBDUPM106V
3/8" DRIVE 10 PIECE METRIC 6 POINT DEEP UNIVERSAL IMPACT SOCKET SET

I bought the pinned 7pc set 20+ years ago, and it made most of my other sockets "Rest In Peace."

They are listed as "Deep", but they are really "Mid-Length."

Some people ***** about "pinned" versus "Pin-less" and I realistically think that it doesn't matter. I have partially broke one pinned socket during ownership.

It has been one of my better tool purchases.

Let us know what you get......
 
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HighPlainsWrencher

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I went along time with my regular sockets and a Snap On universal adapter. Actually the only reason I have a set of swivel impact sockets now is I ran across a good deal at a garage sale.
 
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dirtmister16

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ok, guys now i pose a question to go with, would/do you prefer mid length or short? i can see both being useful.

i would need to try one to be sure of the situation im contemplating but i think either would work ok..


also, i think ive decided on sk sockets.

which drive size is most used for you? 1/2" or 3/8" i think i can use the 3/8" more but would like to hear your suggestions.
 
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#1SomeGuy

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Short first...swivels are for tight spots, therefore the smaller they are the better. Only downside is if there's too much of a stud on a nut, but that's life. Get both :)
 
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jfcasey

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I'd stick with GP or Sunex for impact swivels. They are all pretty much the same including the gearwrench ones just different price points.

I would also start with shorts first. You can get by with a deep socket on a swivel adapter usually, where as if you need a short swivel socket theres no substitute.
 
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ihateminimumwage

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jfcasey said:
I would also start with shorts first. You can get by with a deep socket on a swivel adapter usually, where as if you need a short swivel socket theres no substitute.
Click to expand...

In total agreement with this. There are definitely those situations where you NEED the deep swivel socket because of a tight space.

Go with a 3/8 set first. My 1/2" set doesn't get used often, mostly when pulling transmissions out of OTR trucks. I got tired of sockets launching off of my universal adapter at full speed if I didn't get it on the bolt just right.:lol_hitti
 
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smothers33

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dunno if its just my dealer or all dealers but my S/O guy has a set of swivels right now on his truck(buy metric get SAE free)
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=674887&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=674886&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
so 270 or so for the whole set. i would definetely buy them if i didnt have the matco pinless swivels.
craftsman are the same as the matco and i think the craftsman set is about 350 for the same sizes offered in the snapon promo i showed above.
so you can get the s/o for about 80 cheaper than the craftsman if you can believe that.
like i said though im not sure if this is still on promo or was left over from last months promo but i just saw it on his truck thursday
 
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dirtmister16

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ok guys. been looking around at craigslist and waiting to hear back from some people on some really good deals they have.

also, still debating on ebay saved ones i have. ill keep you updated.
 
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devoncoolman

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Buy shorts first in 3/8 drive. Semi deeps are handy for nuts. Sometimes i use semis if i need the clear something. They all are nice to have. But i use my shallows everyday. My 1/2 drives sit most of the time. Only use for stubborn bolts or large bolts but doesnt occur that often.
 
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Skin

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get shallow first and deeps in the common sizes which will primarily be used for exhaust/manifold studs. I wouldn't even bother with a semi-deep impact swivel that wasn't application specific.
 
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crewchief888

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my std impact swivels are all truck brands.
primarily pin type design, most are 15-20 years old.
only replaced the common used sizes, 1/2" 9/16", 3/4", 13mm & 15/16"

bought a set of HF 1/2" dr metrics and have beat the snot of them, none broken yet.


:beer:
 
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dirtmister16

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sberry said:
You need one, an 18 for the Ford crossmember.
Click to expand...


you mean for the trans? should not be a issue trans is staying in the truck, motor is getting taken out and replaced with a rebuid.

thank you for the advice and heads up. im going to buy standard and metric of standard length. im a buy the set type of guy. though i wish i wasn't at times, it costs me more lol.


the issue i see so far will be a long extension for the bellhousing bolts and the bed bolts the front drivers side is a tight spot looks like so thats what got me thinking about getting these.

ive bid on some on ebay, havn't heard back from craigslist. also have some in my cart on tooltopia if i can't get a deal on ebay or elseware ill just buy new there.

any other spots do you know of that may be of trouble?
 
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dsmnickk90

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Craftsman or Armstrong Pin-less. Matco if you want to spend the extra money and have a truck. The Armstrongs are a little deeper than Cman. I have Cman and filled out the sizes not offered with Armstrong. I hardly even used standard Impact sockets anymore. 90% of the time I have a swivel on my gun.
 
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Skin

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Subyroo651 said:
I may have missed it but whats the recommendation for Chrome 3/8 swivels?

Snap-On? 12pt or 6pt?
Click to expand...

Snap-On makes, arguably, the nicest. The primary benefit is the laser welded pins so the joints are effectively one piece. That said the new Proto/MAC ones look extremely nice as well and under the Proto branding you'd save some serious money compared to the Snap-On truck.

Im of the opinion that unless you need 12pt for 12pt fasteners always get 6pt but that's because I encounter rust and consider myself lucky when fasteners don't disintegrate on me. Someone in a no salt area could probably get away with having just a 12pt set just fine.
 
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dirtmister16

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