Swivel sockets

[lightning02]

What are some good swivel sockets that don't skip sizes and dont have a snap on price tag??

Impact rated.

 

[1950mercury]

Sunex or gray pneumatic

 

[Skin]

x2 Sunex or GP. They cover most sizes. SK if you want USA. Proto if you don't want the collars but they only cover the most common size range.

Don't forget Gearwrench also, like Proto they only sell the most common size range but its an affordable way to get USA made pinless impacts.

 

[epmills]

I have a set of 3/8 SK, had them about 2 years now zero issues being used professionally.

 

[gdocktor3]

x100 Sunex.
My local tool dealer stopped selling SK impact sockets because everyone bought sunex. They even sell them on the tool trucks. Plus, they have promo deals and rebates fairly regularly. GP is also good, but never used them. It has been speculated they make some Matco impact sockets I believe? Some big name tool co. is said to use them.

 

[rayh91]

Sunex then GP. I've only broken one of my GP swivels but I replaced it with Matco instead.

 

[Spdfreak91]

Gearwrench/Armstrong/craftsman pinless have worked for me

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have had great luck with my U.S.A. made craftsman, But I am not a pro.

 

[Avplayer]

Love my armstrong 3/8 metric

 

[bcradio]

I prefer pinless myself

 

[lightning02]

12pt or 6pt on swivels?

 

[Fedwrench]

12pt or 6pt on swivels?

They're impact sockets so, you want 6 point. However, having said that you might need a 12 point if you work on ford drivelines.

 

[lightning02]

They're impact sockets so, you want 6 point. However, having said that you might need a 12 point if you work on ford drivelines.

well i ask bc i can only fine Sunex in 12pt with all the sizes. the 6pt come in smaller set.

 

[Fedwrench]

What size range are you looking for?

 

[lightning02]

8mm-19mm at the very least. bigger the range the more id prefer but the min is 8-19mm and equal in SAE.

 

[Fedwrench]

Given your parameters, the Gearwrench 3/8 impact swivel set part number 84918 may meet your metric needs. It's a 15 piece set that runs consecutively from 8mm through 22mm. it even has sizes like 9mm and 20mm that you will most likely never use They're nice impact sockets that resemble the MATCO ADV line.

https://www.toolsource.com/metric-s...al-flex-metric-impact-socket-se-p-111367.html

Now this is not their pinless set. their pinless set only covers 10-19mm and is a lot more money.

Gearwench also offers the 84917 SAE set that runs 5/16 to 3/4.

https://www.toolsource.com/misc-c-318/8-pc-38-drive-6-point-sae-p-224502.html?tsqtid=568813

Good luck in your quest and shop around for the best deal.

 

[Schurkey]

The last batch of impact swivels I bought were SK. Snap-On has quit installing the sheetmetal shield over the pins, but SK still has 'em. It may be that Snappy welds the pins so the covers aren't needed.

The SK are made in USA, high quality, safe, and way less money than Snap-On. So far, so good.

 

[ADSR]

Not sure your location, but princess auto has propoint impacts that are made by the same people that make gray/sunex.

 

[908Jim]

My SK have held up well, but impact swivels seem to eventually fail with enough abuse.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[kblee27]

What's the general opinion of a

Flex or universal joint type of socket like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCF4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

vs a ball-type swivel joint socket like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRB52/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is one stronger than the other, ignoring the impact/non-impact difference ?

 

[lightning02]

Given your parameters, the Gearwrench 3/8 impact swivel set part number 84918 may meet your metric needs. It's a 15 piece set that runs consecutively from 8mm through 22mm. it even has sizes like 9mm and 20mm that you will most likely never use They're nice impact sockets that resemble the MATCO ADV line.

https://www.toolsource.com/metric-s...al-flex-metric-impact-socket-se-p-111367.html

Now this is not their pinless set. their pinless set only covers 10-19mm and is a lot more money.

Gearwench also offers the 84917 SAE set that runs 5/16 to 3/4.

https://www.toolsource.com/misc-c-318/8-pc-38-drive-6-point-sae-p-224502.html?tsqtid=568813

Good luck in your quest and shop around for the best deal.

i wonder how the 84918 would hold up?

Not sure your location, but princess auto has propoint impacts that are made by the same people that make gray/sunex.

im in FL

What's the general opinion of a

Flex or universal joint type of socket like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCF4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

vs a ball-type swivel joint socket like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRB52/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is one stronger than the other, ignoring the impact/non-impact difference ?

anytime i have used a universal joint i have broken it. they just dont agree with me. this was years ago. after braking 2 or 3 of them i never used or bought another one lol

 

[Askme42]

So since we are on the subject of swivel impacts.



Anyone heard anything recently about the SK pinless?

 

[u118224]

I've abused my 3/8 SK swivels with no problems. I highly recommend them.

 

[bcradio]

My SK have held up well, but impact swivels seem to eventually fail with enough abuse.

All tools will fail with enough abuse.

 

[T45]

All tools will fail with enough abuse.

There's a difference between wear items like bit sockets and thinwall impacts and standard tools in this regard. I think he was lumping impact universals into the former category as basically wear items vs lifetime investment tools.

 

[wafrederick]

So since we are on the subject of swivel impacts.



Anyone heard anything recently about the SK pinless?

I asked an engineer from SK at an Auto Value tech expo in Grand Rapids,Mi which was in in Febuary.He said they had to go back to the drawing board.Broke during testing.He was in their booth.

 

[Askme42]

I asked an engineer from SK at an Auto Value tech expo in Grand Rapids,Mi which was in in Febuary.He said they had to go back to the drawing board.Broke during testing.He was in their booth.

And that's why you don't announce something when the idea first pops into your head.


I love sk but they have to do a better job with their product announcements.

 

[Schurkey]

anytime i have used a universal joint i have broken it. they just dont agree with me. this was years ago. after braking 2 or 3 of them i never used or bought another one lol

1. Impact or chrome?
2. What brand(s)
3. What drive sizes?
4. How much angularity did you have?

I have shattered several chrome U-joints. Some were plain, some were U-joint sockets. All of them used roll-pins for pivots (low-budget JUNK.) Some broke when used with hand tools, one opened me up and I saw my own blood when I was young and dumb and used a USA Craftsman chrome U-joint with an impact wrench. I've had a set of Snap-On SAE chrome U-joint sockets since 1984, and metric since...about '87 or so. Most are originals, although a couple were replaced when the pivot pins began to turn. None of them has broken. Of course, I now own impact U-joints so I never use chrome with an impact wrench any more! I've never, ever broken an impact U-joint.

 

[wafrederick]

Mac did try the pinless design in the 1980s,it was a flop and went back to the pin design.These newer Snap On impact swivel sockets with the welded in pin,the drive part is a little too fat in spots.Have tried this with a 10mm Snap On impact swivel in 3/8 drive access to an egr bolt in a 2008 Chrysler minivan with the 3.3 or 3.8.Could not get it in there and my dad borrowed my Matco 10mm impact swivel socket that went in there.

 

[Greg85mcss]

My sunex are 3/8 6 point 7-22 with no skips. I think I got them from cpo outlet. There are tons on ebay too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lightning02]

My sunex are 3/8 6 point 7-22 with no skips. I think I got them from cpo outlet. There are tons on ebay too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i looked on there site and only could fine 12pt in a 7-19mm set.

 

[stevenhs]

Should i go with sk

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRBF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20


or Sunex?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRAO4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[cliftonbros89]

Should i go with sk



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRBF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20





or Sunex?



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRAO4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I just purchased the SK SAE set the other day. Should arrive before the end of the week. I've used regular 1/2" drive Napa rebranded Sunex Impact sockets. They're not bad. But I really like SK. I've always been very satisfied with SK all round. Plus I like the made in U.S.A. part about SK.

On a side note I'd compare the Amazon prices with some place like Zoro or HJE for the SK set. The set I just bought was through Zoro. Much cheaper and still free shipping.

 

[OHMS LAW]

I just got the matco adv shallow universal set. I like them. But I like the snap on ones a better. Stiffness is key

 

[908Jim]

There's a difference between wear items like bit sockets and thinwall impacts and standard tools in this regard. I think he was lumping impact universals into the former category as basically wear items vs lifetime investment tools.

This.

Pinned impact swivels sacrifice durability for function. You're essentially hammering away at a relatively small pin in shear. After enough cycles, it will eventually fail.

Have you ever seen one that didn't fail at the pin?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[Schurkey]

Pinned impact swivels sacrifice durability for function. You're essentially hammering away at a relatively small pin in shear. After enough cycles, it will eventually fail.

Have you ever seen one that didn't fail at the pin?

I've never seen one fail, period. My impact swivels have never failed, pin or otherwise. The standalone swivel (not the swivel sockets) has been in use since the '80s.

 

[908Jim]

I've never seen one fail, period. My impact swivels have never failed, pin or otherwise. The standalone swivel (not the swivel sockets) has been in use since the '80s.

It sounds like you have had a pretty good run with yours. My personal experience has been that they fail at the pin. The first warning sign is that they get stiff or will bind slightly. This is usually because the pin is starting to bend or otherwise deform.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Sunex/GP fine for DIY use, need a reliable warranty source for pro use. Collar makes that style a bit bulky.

Matco and I've heard Macs are good for access. Matco/Armstron/Craftsman/Gearwrench are smaller for better access. I'm going to be replacing my Cornwell Bluepower (Sunex rebrands) with Matco when I can for better access and durability. I've warranties a few of the Sunex/Cornwell ones

Snap On's are laser welded but I hear are taller so can impede access.

Chrome style universal joints- buy high quality brand like Snap On. Cheap ones are bad IMHO.

Don't buy the HF impact swivels the pin walks out.

 

[Skin]

Snap-On in general are taller, some a lot taller, but they released chopped down versions in the last few months that are now about on par with Matco pinless (the most compact). All they have right now is a 7pc set, p/n 207RIPFM, but I suspect they'll have full sets out in the next couple years for 3/8 and 1/2 drive. Its a long overdue change.

Photo I took when I got a set, these are both 17mm 3/8 drive with the taller one being their old standard depth.

Pinless, laser welded, peened pin (MAC/Cornwell), I like them all personally if they do the job. I was never crazy about the Snap-Ons because of how much taller they were comparative to other brands but since that's changed they've been added to the arsenal.

 

[wafrederick]

One thing I don't like about the new Snap On impact swivels is the drive part does not fit into some places.Too big and this is with access to EGR bolts in the newer Chrysler Minivans which is on the left side of the rear cylinder head of the 3.3s and 3.8s.