Talk to me about semi-deep sockets.

[BirdMobile]

Hello all!
I have full sets of shallow and deep sockets in 1/4 through 1/2 drive, including impacts.
Never needed anything else... but a lot of people here seem to like the semi-deep sockets.

Why?

Talk me into (or out of...) another expensive tool purchase!

 

[wild cowboy]

I like semi-deeps because in 99% of situations, they will do the job of either shallow or deeps, so they are the first socket I grab! - also, in the case of replacing shallows, they are a knuckle-saver

 

[bcradio]

Something you don't have, so get 'em.

 

[BirdMobile]

Something you don't have, so get 'em.

The standard Garage Journal answer... I'm just surprised it took until post #3 to show up!

 

[kctyphoon]

I think this is more of a want vs need situation.. If your itching for new toys then just consider if you want them more than something else.. Although with everyone saying "clearance" as the answer for evevthing snap on, will "clearance" give you a good enough reason?

 

[rsanter]

I use my 3/8dr semi deep sockets the most.
When you have a nut that has the bolt sticking out a bit the semi deep will work and are more compact than the deep sockets.
You don't need them but they sure are nice to have

Bob

 

[stratman977]

I have the same subaru as you and I used a semi deep on a flex head ratchet to put in the motor mounts without pulling the engine. It's a 5 minute job with the engine out of the car but I almost ran out of swear words trying to change them without pulling the engine out.

I didn't so much need the extra depth inside of the socket to clear a long stud but it more that the semi deep was the right length to get a ratchet in there. A regular deep socket or a short socket with the shortest extension wouldn't fit. The semi deep brought the ratchet far enough back from an obstruction on the block while still fitting in there.

Think of it as the same reason to have a dedicated set of swivel sockets over just having a swivel adaptor and a short socket. Sometimes the right length makes all the difference.

 

[BK13]

I dig mine a bunch... Snap On 3/8" inch and metric 12 point, metric 12 point 1/4", Sunex 3/8" SAE impact. I'm looking to fill out my collection with SK 1/4" 6 point inch and mm, Nepros 3/8" mm 6 point, maybe SO or Gearwrench SAE 6 points, and Sunex metric.

I'm having a harder time convincing myself I need to get the SO 1/2" drive stuff. It's a fair investment and I don't use the big stuff very much...

 

[92integra]

i like my set from grey pnuematic.... around 40 bucks was well worth it.... also look into gear wrench i have them for my 1/4" set and they have been just fine.

 

[jc5205]

I just got some snap on 3/8 semi deeps
I didn't need them either, but wanted them
I

 

[mrborohachi]

KOKEN from Frankstool.com

As others have said if you only take a set of sockets to go out and work on something and you aren't near tour tool box a single set of kids will do


Do your research tho SO 3/8 mid vs MAC mids have a different overall length.

 

[yjWrangler]

Just more sockets to lose.

No but really they're kinda nice when you really need them, but they're low on my list of things to get.

 

[2x_Tom]

I personally don't see the need. I just have the SK 94547 set I drag around as my go to set so I have standard and deep with me at all times. It's rare I have to grab any other sizes. That said, I'm sure their is a place for them and if you want them I don't see why not to get them.

 

[kctyphoon]

How much will they cost?

 

[GTA Matt]

Gearwrench makes a phenomenal quality mid length set, in 1/4" and 3/8". For $40 and some change, you really can't go wrong.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

there are many threads about this.

 

[DanInVA]

I can't tell you anything about having a semi deep socket, but I can tell you a story about NEEDING a semi deep socket and not having one. I was at work, and had to replace the driver's seat on a Lincoln town car. The seat in question was being replaced because the track was bad and would not move forward or aft. Since the seat was all the way back, the front bolts were a snap. The left rear bolt was a bit of a pain, but I got it out of there. The right rear was an 18mm nut on a mid length stud, and there was a metal tab directly in behind said stud blocking access from a wrench. A shallow would not reach, and a deep was so long that there was no room above the nut to put a ratchet on, due to the seat being in the way.

I searched high and low throughout the shop for a semi deep socket, only to find to my dismay that there are no semi deep sockets in the shop. Finally I asked my boss if he knew of any semi deeps, and he asked to see the bolt. He ended up getting it off with a combination wrench held at an angle and a little bit of time. I'm glad he is the man, because my plan b involved cutting the seat track apart with an air hammer and chisel.

 

[SantaAna12]

KOKEN from Frankstool.com

Do your research tho SO 3/8 mid vs MAC mids have a different overall length.

In the picture a couple down from Mrborohachi's post the Mac listed is the newer series. If you are interested, the older longer Mac mids are available and around for a good price on Ebay. I really like em, and Mac backs them without question.

Good luck!

Correction: Skang shows the Mac socket correctly as a regular length. The Mac mids I am talking about are not pictured. You can find them on Ebay though. To me, some of the best that Mac has to offer.

 

[MLB0611]

My go to sockets in 1/4 in and 3/8 in

 

[dgxlh]

Something you don't have, so get 'em.

That seems to be my answer for a lot of situations with tools for me lol

 

[Hiball]

If you wrench enough you will find a need for semi deeps, not having them won't necessarily prevent you from completing a task, but they will definitely save you from removing components, which saves you time. My most recent success story was when changing glow plugs on a IDI Navistar engine, shorts wouldn't clear the spade connection, longs wouldn't allow you to completely back the glow plug out before it hit the injection lines, not nearly enough room to swing a wrench without taking all day.

> Sk semi deeps.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have the same subaru as you and I used a semi deep on a flex head ratchet to put in the motor mounts without pulling the engine. It's a 5 minute job with the engine out of the car but I almost ran out of swear words trying to change them without pulling the engine out.

I didn't so much need the extra depth inside of the socket to clear a long stud but it more that the semi deep was the right length to get a ratchet in there. A regular deep socket or a short socket with the shortest extension wouldn't fit. The semi deep brought the ratchet far enough back from an obstruction on the block while still fitting in there.

Think of it as the same reason to have a dedicated set of swivel sockets over just having a swivel adaptor and a short socket. Sometimes the right length makes all the difference.

Sounds like you get the picture,,, there is a time and a place for them