Tekton Semi-Deep
- Thread starter spd3454
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TheToolEnthusiast
Well-known member
That’s a big set. Wonder what sizes will be available.
Chrome 6mm to 24mm ($64) and 1/4" to 1" ($52). Impact 6mm to 24mm ($80) and 1/4 to 1" ($64).
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51dueller
Well-known member
There looks to be 1/4 drive coming eventually as well.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You can get the 3/8 impact metric semi deep from Capri minus the Ernst rail now if you're in a hurry. 
The 1/4 drive semi deeps if offered in impact would be interesting to me.
The 1/4 drive semi deeps if offered in impact would be interesting to me.
My Ernst Socket Boss rails will hate me for getting a 8mm to 22mm, leaving out 4 sockets.You can get the 3/8 impact metric semi deep from Capri minus the Ernst rail now if you're in a hurry.
The 1/4 drive semi deeps if offered in impact would be interesting to me.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
But Capri offers 6, 7. 23, & 24 mm as open stock in 3/8 drive impact semi deep just not in a set at the moment. Since red is for SAE and not metric, I prefer VIM Magrails, and the Capri semi deeps have been around for a while, I ran with those. Nice to see Tekton continues to release new product thoughMy Ernst Socket Boss rails will hate me for getting a 8mm to 22mm, leaving out 4 sockets.
1Bad55Chevy
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I need the 20, 21, and 22 to fill the holes in my 3 row Westling organizer! Thats been a gap thats plagued me forever!
Tynee
Well-known member
What's the theory behind semi-deep sockets? Is it really worth it to add a 3rd set of sockets between my existing shallows and deeps, or is this a 1 size fits all solution if you're buying your first sockets?
1Bad55Chevy
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If you work on cars a lot you will use them everyday. They really help with clearance issues.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
That’s the direction I’m heading to as well. Just grab semi-deep for the SAE at the house and metric for work since I rarely use either in each situation.
Exactly.
Also, inevitably when I need SAE at the house/property I have zero idea which size and it’s never actually close to my tool box, so a single rail that I can just take wherever the errant bolt/nut is located would be excellent.
Same with my SAE wrenches, they live in a roll because portability and space efficiency means more than anything else.
I keep a rail of 9 semi deeps and a ratchet in my tool bag at work, I drag it to everything I'm working on. The 9 semi deeps work for about 80% of the jobs I do. The semi deeps are a compromise between carrying deeps and shallows. Dragging the bag everywhere weight is a concern, I don't want to drag around shallows and deeps all day every day or a sockets I might use once every 2 years if ever.
This is tempting. I'm tempted to put together a small packout with my 3/8" m12 stubby impact, semi deeps, hex sockets, and some extensions and a wobble for a light weight go box of my most commonly used tools.
This is tempting. I'm tempted to put together a small packout with my 3/8" m12 stubby impact, semi deeps, hex sockets, and some extensions and a wobble for a light weight go box of my most commonly used tools.
Kurt4440
Well-known member
Just wait until you see the extra shallow sockets. You will be adding sets #3 and #4 after the release date. Then, more socket rails, then matching socket rails, then a larger tool box.....
If you are a 10 year member you know most of us don't need an excuse to buy more tools.
51dueller
Well-known member
The extra shallow isn't that tempting as nano sockets have the same height and can be used in other ways. I was going to say Capri has the stubby impacts already but they are 1" tall.
micromind
Well-known member
I really like that Tektons sockets are all the same length.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Yes they're extremely valuable
HolyMacaroni
Active member
I work on Volvo semis...I would be lost without my 3/8" semi deep impacts
The theory is: manufacturers needed a way to sell more sockets to people with complete collections.
If you need them, you need them, but my impression is people buy them because they’re the newest thing and then use them because they own them. Not necessarily because of some application where only a semideep socket would fit.
I’ve gotten by just fine with deeps/shallows, personally. Maybe that’ll change in the future but so far it seems like hype to me.
1Bad55Chevy
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My guess is you haven't done many timing chain jobs of FWD vehicles.
These mini extensions are the solution that doesn’t require buying an entire set of sockets. I had several and love being able to get just the right length for the situation.
www.tekton.com
1/4, 3/8, 1/2 Inch Drive Mini Extension Set (3-Piece) | SHA99020 | TEKTON
Includes: 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive mini extensions. Create mid-length sockets by combining a standard socket with these extensions. SHA99020.
I used all three depths of 1/4 and 3/8 sockets yesterday pulling replacing the take manifold and valve covers on my pickup. There were scenarios where only that depth…or a wrench…would have worked. They are incredibly handy.
That does nothing to address the added depth in a semi-deep.These mini extensions are the solution that doesn’t require buying an entire set of sockets. I had several and love being able to get just the right length for the situation.
1/4, 3/8, 1/2 Inch Drive Mini Extension Set (3-Piece) | SHA99020 | TEKTON
Includes: 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive mini extensions. Create mid-length sockets by combining a standard socket with these extensions. SHA99020.
51dueller
Well-known member
Automotive manufacturers like to use these kind of bolts and hide them in places. Deep Sockets tend to be too long.
1Bad55Chevy
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I just measured my GW short and mids... that 1" extension makes a short 3/16" longer then a mid. Sounds minimum but that small difference can get you in a bad spot with your electric ratchet stuck! We have all been there!These mini extensions are the solution that doesn’t require buying an entire set of sockets. I had several and love being able to get just the right length for the situation.
1/4, 3/8, 1/2 Inch Drive Mini Extension Set (3-Piece) | SHA99020 | TEKTON
Includes: 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive mini extensions. Create mid-length sockets by combining a standard socket with these extensions. SHA99020.
On a different topic I dont see a need for mid length 1/2 drive for automotive work or atleast i have never seen it. I do need to pick up some 3/8" mid length swivels from Astro though. Anyone here that has removed a chevy transmission from a late model truck will understand!
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
These mini extensions are the solution that doesn’t require buying an entire set of sockets. I had several and love being able to get just the right length for the situation.
1/4, 3/8, 1/2 Inch Drive Mini Extension Set (3-Piece) | SHA99020 | TEKTON
Includes: 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive mini extensions. Create mid-length sockets by combining a standard socket with these extensions. SHA99020.
Those are nice too. For modern automotive work professionally you'd benefit from these and semi deeps and every other design such as Astro Nanos.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Mid length 1/2" are especially nice when you need to add a universal joint to it and the shallow won't fit onto the stud/nut and the deep creates clearance issues
Thankfully no - I work heavy diesel
And like I said originally: if you need them, you need them. Buy them if your work would be improved with them. I’m just not convinced that everyone needs shallows, midlengths, & deeps in all the drive sizes, chrome & impact, like manufacturers would like us to believe.
Maybe I’m wrong—wouldn’t be the first time.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I was thinking about that the other day in the context of stubby sockets like these
I first looked at them and I thought well that's interesting. There's a hole in the back which means That I can use them on a bolt as shown by @51dueller
But then I noticed that all the tools sells these clips that will plug the hole because apparently those sockets have a tendency to fall out
But if I plug that hole, although I can still use it where I need a stubby, I don't understand how well their retention works or doesn't. I have only ever used one pass-through set and that is made by crescent
Crescent 25 Piece 3/8" Drive Pass-Thru X6 Standard Spline Mechanics Tool Set - CX6PT25
My only midsize sockets are 1/4 inch made by snap-on. It's a really nice set with their shallow midsize and deep s both SAE and metric. Really nice set...
Snap-on Store
51dueller
Well-known member
Olsa sells the nano socket clips to be able to use any type of wrench and because they don't offer the special ratchet wrench like Astro, Matco and Crom. If you have the ratchet wrench you can sort of use the nano sockets like a pass through socket, up to the anvil size.
I bought my first sets of semi-deeps a few months ago. I haven't used them yet.Thankfully no - I work heavy diesel
And like I said originally: if you need them, you need them. Buy them if your work would be improved with them. I’m just not convinced that everyone needs shallows, midlengths, & deeps in all the drive sizes, chrome & impact, like manufacturers would like us to believe.
Maybe I’m wrong—wouldn’t be the first time.
For 30 years, my brain has been programmed to use shallow or deep, so that's what it keeps doing.
Have there been times in the past where semi-deeps would have been a help? Yes, a few, that's why I bought them.
Do some people have frequent need for them? Apparently, but I am not one of them.
As an HD tech, are they necessary, certainly no. Do I love my mids and use them almost always over deep or shallow? Yes. Do I still occasionally need deeps and shallows, also yes.Thankfully no - I work heavy diesel
And like I said originally: if you need them, you need them. Buy them if your work would be improved with them. I’m just not convinced that everyone needs shallows, midlengths, & deeps in all the drive sizes, chrome & impact, like manufacturers would like us to believe.
Maybe I’m wrong—wouldn’t be the first time.
DAWrench
Well-known member
I consider the chrome deep sockets the least useful in 3/8 drive. I find the mid length the most useful followed by the shallow with the deep being a distant 3rd. I have a set of full broached deep sockets but they are used mostly on sensors. However in impact sockets the deep are my most used
You can buy an excellent set of 1/4 or 3/8 chrome semi-deep import sockets for $30-50; if it makes one job easier, then it's worth it to me, even as a DIYer. I rarely use mine because I've not had them for 90% of my years, but I have needed them a few times and just for one use the $ was worth it for me. If they were $300 a set and only from Snap On, then I would just struggle thru and wouldn't have them. But for Gearwrench prices, F yeah.
Like always it depends on what you work on. There are long-time members here that will insist that you don't need ratcheting wrenches; "I've never used one in 50 years" (of doing spark plugs and brakes). Ok, fine, I haven't either for those simple tasks. But as said above, when it comes time to do a timing belt or chain on some modern transverse engines, then you need everything: ratcheting wrenches, extra shallow sockets, mid length sockets..... to realistically finish the job in some cars without wanting to shoot yourself in the head after an hour.
Edit: you are not going to do the timing belts on this car with your 1970s tools when there's 10mm of clearance to the frame rail.
Like always it depends on what you work on. There are long-time members here that will insist that you don't need ratcheting wrenches; "I've never used one in 50 years" (of doing spark plugs and brakes). Ok, fine, I haven't either for those simple tasks. But as said above, when it comes time to do a timing belt or chain on some modern transverse engines, then you need everything: ratcheting wrenches, extra shallow sockets, mid length sockets..... to realistically finish the job in some cars without wanting to shoot yourself in the head after an hour.
Edit: you are not going to do the timing belts on this car with your 1970s tools when there's 10mm of clearance to the frame rail.
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I’d like to see the heights of shallow sockets compared somewhere in this thread. I measured Snap on stuff a long time ago for a Koken thread. My recollection is that Snap on, Williams, and now Icon shallows are on the shallow end.
It’s possible some of those who feel they don’t need semi deeps, own shallows that are on the taller end of the spectrum. I suspect it’s also true that when you have them you use them and when you don’t, you may not miss them. But data would be helpful.
Found it: I even updated my original post
Suggest reading the whole thread.
It’s possible some of those who feel they don’t need semi deeps, own shallows that are on the taller end of the spectrum. I suspect it’s also true that when you have them you use them and when you don’t, you may not miss them. But data would be helpful.
Found it: I even updated my original post
Suggest reading the whole thread.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Interesting. No 120mm, 4.75" or 5" to compete with other mfgr. offerings.Just wait until you see the extra shallow sockets. You will be adding sets #3 and #4 after the release date. Then, more socket rails, then matching socket rails, then a larger tool box.....
If you are a 10 year member you know most of us don't need an excuse to buy more tools.
It is actually very interesting how socket depth/height can vary between brands despite being labeled shallow, deep, semi-deep, super shallow, etc.
I've got a bunch of different 10mm's for example and I swear every single socket is a different height/depth between the brands.
You can almost think of them as regular sockets and shallows and deeps are the specialty sockets. A lot of times that’s how it is for me.