Universal/flex/swivel sockets ... opinions!

[Scotty_B]

I'm curious about opinions on this board about these types of sockets – not a universal joint adapter, but, ya know, the bendy, twisty sockets in all the sizes. 6 and 12 point.

I have a couple of them, and I've been thinking about purchasing a couple more in sizes that I use commonly, but I'm not sure if they are worth the extra cost. So I wanted to see what y'all think.

I'm looking for value (cost vs. quality), but I've been a little surprised at the bidding wars on eBay over these sockets.

I can imagine how they might have some particular, specific uses, but I'm wondering if, say, you have a roto or flex ratchet, if these things have any value at all.

Since y'all like to talk about this stuff (heh heh!), maybe you can enlighten me or talk about your favorite uses for these sockets. Or your favorite brands. Is design unique between brands? Is one better than another? And, of course, there's manufacturing. For example, can a GearWrench stand up to a Snap-On in common applications? Is it worth paying more for tool truck brands if you're doing maintenance a few times a year vs. every-day use? And I ask this because the bidding on Snap-On and such can get ridiculous, whereas I can get a Gearwrench socket right now, with no bidding, at a reasonable price.

Do any of y'all use these sockets frequently, or are they pretty specialized?

1...2...3...GO!

 

[chrisnazzy]

If you were using them every day it would make sense to have pinless impact swivels like the Snap-on.

Since your only using them occasionally at home I would recommend the Sunex. They are ball swivels which are commonly preferred to the u-joint style chrome sockets due to fact that they don't bind up as easily. They are Chrome-moly which is better than the cheaper chrome vanadium. They are etched and stamped and they are relatively inexpensive compared to many other options.

I do prefer USA made tools and I haven't used every brand out there by any means but when it comes to impact sockets I choose Sunex. IMO you can't beat the quality, value and warranty.

The pic is the 3657 set. 3/8 drive 10mm-19mm and $58.65 on amazon right now.

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[ssdave]

I use them, infrequently. When they're the only thing that works, it's worth $15 or $20 to have something that works correctly. Where I use them is to get to hard to reach bolts obscured by something else. It can save a lot of time to not have to take apart half the peripherals in an engine compartment to get out a component needing replacement. There are bolts in some engine compartments that the only way to reach them is with a flex. Like, intake plenum bolts that you have to go in through a 1/2" gap between pipes, and take off a bolt that you're 30 degrees mis-aligned with. Getting the socket onto the bolt, and particularly getting the bolt back in, you need a new, tight flex that won't bend down and dump the bolt into a hard to recover spot. Been there, done that, paid for the new Snap-on and junked the Craftsman after that.

I've had a lot of brands of them, and the ones that work the best, no question, are the Snap-on ones. Followed closely by Proto and SK. A distant finish behind them for Craftsman and the import ones. Snap on flex the best and work through the widest range of motion without wearing out as quickly. And, are warranted, no problems, when they do get loose or sloppy.

The Proto ones I have work about as well as Snap-on and have been as durable, but are slightly bulkier and don't have as good of range of motion. I have a mix of Proto and Snap-on in 1/2", the bulk doesn't matter much there. The strength does, and both have that. I have 3/8" Snap-on, I upgraded from my mixed set of Proto/SK/Snap-on. 1/4", I just went Snap-on from Craftsman; didn't shop for others. They're expensive, but Snap-on rules the roost at the 1/4" size for quality.

SK have varied in dimensions with time, and some of the older ones I had got loose with use more than others; some were quite good. Craftsman get loose quickly and bind as the angle gets extreme. They work all right when they are new; they just get loose quick and don't flex as much. I think SK and Craftsman have converged at times; they looked the same in some era's. The recent SK's I've seen have looked good; I haven't tried them.

If you are just wanting a cheap set to try (might do all you ever want), I'd buy Astro Pneumatic. I think they're the best quality "value" ones out there. They'd be a lot better than none, at a reasonable price.

If you are really going to use them, I'd buy 1/4" Snap-on ones. Expensive as they are, they're the best lifesaver ones for tight places. After that, I'd get 3/8" Snap-on, Proto, or SK ones. I'd only get 1/2" ones if I got them cheap or did a lot of heavy work that needed them.

The bidding on ebay reflects the quality/demand; 1/4" Snap-on are the most sought after and bring high money; you can get reasonable ($10/each) buys on 3/8" drive ones in sets if you watch. I think the Astro Pneumatic sets go for about $35 to $50; like I said, they're the best value out there for acceptable quality. But, they're definitely not Snap-on in usability/warranty/durability, but they don't claim to be.

 

[Scotty_B]

Okay, one vote for the ball swivel vs. the u-joint type, in the impact flavor.

Good for hand ratchets and air/power tools? Upsides? Downsides?

 

[ssdave]

chrisnazzy posted while I was typing, and recommended a different direction that I don't think of much because I rarely use impact tools. Pinless swivel are nice, and work easily, and hold up to impact. But, they don't flex as much. I have a fair selection of them, and almost never use them. I only use them under impact. But, they do work real well, and are easy to use. Look at what you want them to do, and how you work before you decide.

If I were you, I'd buy a 10mm in each style, and try it out. That's the one I probably use the most. Then, buy the type you like the best, or buy both. Or, buy an inexpensive set such as the Astro or Sunnex, and try them out. Not a big investment; I'd pay the set cost just to take out one bolt sometimes in a tough spot.

 

[Scotty_B]

ssdave, 10mm was one of the sizes I was thinking about. I work on my Subaru Forester and my wife's Honda CRV, and almost all of the bolts are 10, 12, 14, 17, and 19mm, with varying accessibility. I have 19 and 17 mm universal sockets, but they were mostly impulse buys because they were great deals (one Mac, one GearWrench). But I'm getting ready to do some stuff that's going to require 10 and 12mm frequently.

Can I probably get by with what I have? Yeah. But if I can get a couple of things that will speed things along without spending a fortune, I'm all for it. Time is money, right?

Plus, as many here can attest, it's fun just to try stuff out, when you have the luxury.

And really, this board is fun and I really dig hearing about others' experiences.

Keep'em coming!

 

[Stevenn1]

The U-Joint design in general no matter what its on will be your weakest link. So get the best you can afford.

 

[md21722]

First off, Snap On does NOT have pinless impact swivels. The original design used a collar, then they switched to a welded pin. Matco, Armstrong, Craftsman, and Gear Wrench are the only ones with pinless swivels. The Sunex ones use a collar.

If you have a 3/8" impact then the impact swivels from whatever brand can be a great timesaver.

In some cases the impact swivels are too large to fit so out comes the chrome.

It is fine to buy a swivel adapter and then buy individual sockets that you need. In some cases the added length and bulk of the adapter means it won't fit where it needs to, but the dedicated socket will.

The pinless style offered by Matco, Gearwrench, Craftsman, and Armstrong are very nice. The overall socket length is shorter than the Snap On. Snap On introduced low-profile sockets to help make up the difference.

For chrome swivels Snap On is about the best. Their pins are blind and can't fall out like some of the other brands.

I use my Matco pinless on a regular basis. I also have some Snap On chrome swivels for particular jobs.

 

[Scotty_B]

The U-Joint design in general no matter what its on will be your weakest link. So get the best you can afford.

So, tool truck brand? Snap-on, Match, Mac, Cornwell? Or is industrial (Proto, Williams, Armstrong, Wright, etc.) just as good?

UPDATE: Just noted md21722's response.

 

[Scotty_B]

BTW, does anyone else kind of like that you can discuss tools at 1:30 a.m.?

 

[chrisnazzy]

Its only 10:44 on the west coast.


Sorry about the misinformation on the SO swivels. I thought they were pinless.

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[Scotty_B]

10:44 p.m. Talking about tools.

 

[mbshop]

I just used whatever so and mac had. Rarely used the impact ones. At any sort of angle they would just pop off. I never held sockets while using power tools.

 

[dan360]

I have impact and non impact in SO, and impact in Matco, and Proto.

The pinless design of the Matco are sweet when new but I have found over time with heavy use they develop some wear that will bind them up worse than the spring ball socket style of Proto and SO.

Matco used to be easy to get warranty when we had a guy with a huge Freightliner truck and deep pockets, but he moved up to District and the new guy with his little Isuzu cabover thingy can barely afford to keep the licorice and root beer barrels in stock much less cycle out my swivels on a reg basis.

I've been using them less and less lately.

For heavy duty use, SO and Proto have rarely left me in a pickle.

 

[Bessy]

bought two sets (std, metric) of the Maximum line impact swivel (turned out to be 3/8" drive) from crappy tire. I have yet to use them over the last month or so since i got them. Granted I haven't had a whole lot of shop time. I figured they would be good for getting at some tricky areas even if just on a ratchet (as my impact is a 1/2" at this time - Still considering swapping the anvil for a 3/8"). Hopefully I'll get to use them soon enough!

 

[sberry]

Can I probably get by with what I have? Yeah. But if I can get a couple of things that will speed things along without spending a fortune, I'm all for it. Time is money, right?

There is a difference here between a homebody and a guy under the hood all week. Buy a cheap set and see how it goes. I have some, I really rarely use them, only as real problem solvers on occasion.
I bought a set of metric impact swivels from HF, didn't have them, my guy says we made it a long way without them. They were 28$, I have used them a couple times, at that price they are worth having.

 

[Finky198]

+1 on the sunex 3/8 impact swivels they are great for the price and quality can't be beat.

As said before. For chrome start with 1/4 and then 3/8. I perfer the snap on's I have yet to buy the 1/4 sets. I have snap on 3/8" Sae they are Excellent sockets with incredible range of motion. My metrics are a few 1/4 and 3/8" drive Craftsman USA / rebranded apex. They are not even close in regards to how well they work... I will be replacing them in the near future.

In chrome I have common sizes only 3/8"-3/4" and 8,10,13,15mm it covers most of what I've needed in the past. Anything larger or inbetween I try to use my impact swivels.

Swivel sockets in my op, if you really intend to use them should be a buy once cry once issue.

Theirs Nothing like being in a serious bind only to find out your cheap swivel socket won't flex far enough to fit..... . It's happen to me way to many times now.

 

[trackwelder]

+1 on the sunex 3/8 impact swivels they are great for the price and quality can't be beat.

As said before. For chrome start with 1/4 and then 3/8. I perfer the snap on's I have yet to buy the 1/4 sets. I have snap on 3/8" Sae they are Excellent sockets with incredible range of motion. My metrics are a few 1/4 and 3/8" drive Craftsman USA / rebranded apex. They are not even close in regards to how well they work... I will be replacing them in the near future.

In chrome I have common sizes only 3/8"-3/4" and 8,10,13,15mm its cover most of what I've needed in the past. Anything larger or inbetween I try to use my impact swivels.

Swivel sockets in my op, if you really intend to use them should be a buy once cry once issue.

Theirs Nothing like being in a serious bind only to find out your cheap swivel socket won't flex far enough to fit..... . It's happen to me way to many times now.

I agree The Snap On chrome swivels are great. I love the 1/4" for super tight areas. The Matco pinless are my go to sockets for impact work. The cheaper swivels aren't even close in performance.

 

[Stevenn1]

I would buy Snap-on.

 

[Schurkey]

I had a batch of mis-matched junk chrome universal sockets. Several different brands, none of them much good. Had one or two explode and lacerate me. Got the Craftsman warrantied at Sears, then sold the works, bought Snap-On chrome. End of that problem. Still wobbled-out the pins occasionally, but no bloodshed.

Finally bought metric and SAE sets of impact swivels. If I'd bought those first, I'd have maybe never bought the chrome ones.

Lastly, bought deepwell swivel impact sockets. Mostly used SK, some new SK, and a couple of Snap-On. Happy with SK, costs less than Snap-On. Seem to work just as well--but I haven't used them enough to know if they will wear as long as Snappy.

 

[cvairwerks]

I've got a few areas on the airplane that both the universal and flex sockets get used. Flex socket is about half the overall length of using a universal, but in some instances, it doesn't matter. We have a few places where the universal has to be used, as a deep socket is needed. We also have one place where torques exceed 200 lb/ft and we don't have 1/2 drive flex sockets in the tool box.

 

[ecotec]

I have a few random flex sockets and one set. A 3/8" metric Carlyle set. It is really great for the money.

 

[redvalkyrie]

If you make your living wrenching go with the impact swivels. I don't make my living wrenching-it's just a passion. I have Craftsman, Toptul, Kobalt, and Gearwrench. None are impact but the Sunex impacts are on my list. I haven't had any issues with the Craftsman or Toptul. I can't give you too much of an opinion on the others because they're SAE and I just don't use SAE enough.

The metric swivels are the ONLY way to get two particular bolts out on one of my cars. Nothing else will fit and even with the swivels I have to use an extra long extension. Those bolts alone make the purchase price worth it.

If you want to go full Baller Snap-On or Koken would be the choice. Koken does have a USA based distribution facility and I've found them extremely easy to deal with.

 

[Sharky]

I've got SK impact shallow, metric and SAE. They don't get used a lot but there are times that they are the only ones that fit due to the short overall length. Also the impacts don't flex as much and don't fly off the n7t or bolt as easy as the u-joint style chrome.

SK has great product support and warranty service in my experience too. Every time I've called them, they tell me 7-10 days for replacement and 2-3 days later it's in my hands.

Thumbs up SK.

(Not saying Snap-on, Mac, etc aren't good, but waiting for the truck is not always my favorite)

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[superautobacs]

I've relegated all my standard type universal joints for the home box. My work box has Ko-ken Zeal and Nepros universal joints. They are all super shallow in height and are really user-friendly in operation unlike the standard universal socket designs in the market, hands down. You don't know what you're missing until you try one out. The Ko-ken Zeal ones earn a higher score than the Nepros design, but both are outstanding products.

Some comparison shots that I have:
Ko-ken Zeal, Nepros & Snap-On Universals with 6mm Sockets (far right is a Snap-On 6mm swivel socket)




Both with 6mm sockets








These are with 8mm sockets:
Stanley, Proto, Ko-ken Zeal

 

[njric71]

I have the Matco 7pce 3/8" metric impact set only because I was able to get it used on craigslist from a local retired mechanic for $100. I tend to use my Milwaukee M12 3/8" fuel impact and 3/8" M12 ratchet wherever I can. These sockets have kind of become my go to set. I often use them even where a regular impact socket will do. I have the HF 3/8" & 1/2" set just to fill in some missing sizes. You can tell they aren't made as well and probably wouldn't hold up to regular use, but for the limited use the odd ball sizes see they are fine.

The limiting factor with the Matco set is that the socket part is REALLY shallow, more shallow than a regular shallow impact. and I sometimes find myself needing to switch to a regular or deep socket with separate impact swivel.

If you make your living with your tools I'd say the Matco set is worth it at the full retail price ~$300. It's one of those things I suspect a working mechanic would probably use every day. If you're a weekend warrior splurge $100 or so for a used set if you can swing it, you won't be disappointed. If the HF set is all you can afford, it's probably better than nothing especially if you want to use even a small impact like the m12 3/8" fuel trying to get it in to some of the tight spaces having swivel capability is invaluable.

 

[kctyphoon]

For value, gearwrench, kobalts actually get good reviews, craftsman, or sunex for impacts..

 

[bigdav160]

I have found the chrome u-joint style near useless in car repair.

When I was a professional tech, the impact style was a go-to tool used on every job.
I would wear the popular sizes out in about a year, maybe two. The collared snap-on were preferred as the collar would break before the socket would wear out so easy warranty exchange. The Matco were not as deep and would wear the socket and not break. Never got one warranted due to "wear".

 

[bob15]

I have both Snap On and SK and find that they are the same in quality, and the SK doesn't have the flopping around issue Snappy has after being used heavily (electrical tape does corrects the floppy issue).

Buy the SK and you won't be disappointed.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have a variety of swivels. Chrome I have 1/4" Snap On set, work good but I rarely use them cuz I rarely need sizes that small. I have a U.S. Napa rebranded 3/8" that aren't bad considering I got them for $15 since they were clearing out the Napa stuff to bring in the Carlyle stuff.

In impact I have a 1/4" Matco set, once again that aren't used that often. But they're still pretty nice. I have all of those just in SAE sizes. But I have 3/8" impact sets in both SAE and metric. Those are my most used. They're all SK. I've been very satisfied with them. Not all that expensive and they've held up well.

I have intentions of soon getting some 1/2" impact sets soon. I figured I'll go wth SK for those as well. I haven't been disappointed in any of other SK sets and I've read a lot of good things about all their impact sockets.