what to do..?

[young_buck]

when it comes to buying 1/2" drive sockets is it worth it to buy both chrome and impact or can I get away with just buying impact sockets? Input appreciated

 

[davesnothere]

Sooner or later you will need both.
Most of the time impacts will work, but not all.

 

[Zeke]

Impact sockets have a fat wall and sometimes won't fit in a tight spot where a slimmer socket will go. Also they are 6 point and you might like a 12 pt. sometimes.

 

[young_buck]

are chrome sockets only good for the thinner walls or is there another reason to buy both?

 

[rusty65]

I would probably buy a nice set of 1/2 impact sockets now and then hunt for a nice used chrome set later and wait to find a steal of a deal. Also for brand suggestion I would look at blackhawk sockets proto quality at a low price.

 

[volvo92906]

I would probably buy a nice set of 1/2 impact sockets now and then hunt for a nice used chrome set later and wait to find a steal of a deal. Also for brand suggestion I would look at blackhawk sockets proto quality at a low price.

All of my sockets in 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 are impact. Quarter inch is a Crafstman set.... I am fortunate that I work on stuff that has enough space for the impact sockets, but eventually I will work in some chrome stuff. Better to splurge on the impact sets and have the multi-use rather than spend all your money on the chrome stuff and not be able to use an impact with them...

 

[toolstools]

Id buy chrome first, then impact. You can use chrome for.impact, but eventually they will fail. Impact sockets are 20 bucks for a nice set. Dont buy 12 point sockets unless you KNOW you need them.

 

[redline380]

For me, I need twelve point for flywheel bolts. I would go 6pt deep impacts and 12pt chrome shorties. Just my take but that combo should take care of quite a bit

 

[young_buck]

I am a firm believer of using the right tools for the job so chrome sockets will not be used as impacts, and I should have mentioned this earlier but they will be used on large cat and jon Deere equipment

 

[redline380]

I am a firm believer of using the right tools for the job so chrome sockets will not be used as impacts, and I should have mentioned this earlier but they will be used on large cat and jon Deere equipment

you'll need full impacts sets of 6 and 12 in that case

 

[joedodge]

You'll use chrome on some wheel and lug configurations were impact just won't fit. I have almost all impact but still keep a few select chrome sets around

 

[crewchief888]

i dont have a full "set" of either.

i bought all my 1/2" dr deep sockets on an "as needed" basis
1/2" - 1 1/2
1/2" dr shallow std impacts 3/8- 1 1/2
1/2"dr shallow MM chrome 10mm-32mm

as i started needing larger size sockets and wrenches (over 1 1/4"), i bought them as singles, that way i really didnt "waste" money on ones i didnt need.

my 3/4" dr "set" isnt a set, nor is it "complete"




some words of wisdom from a guy who gave me some early training and lots of advise
"stop trying to buy everything you think you'll need for the rest of your life in the 1st year, all you'll end up with is an empty wallet, and a generally sh*tty outlook on your choice of a job"

it takes Y E A R S to even come close to having everything you need.

i started buying my own tools in '76 when i started my machinists apprenticship, and started wrenching in '84. i still run across stuff i should have.

 

[flippin]

some words of wisdom from a guy who gave me some early training and lots of advise
"stop trying to buy everything you think you'll need for the rest of your life in the 1st year, all you'll end up with is an empty wallet, and a generally sh*tty outlook on your choice of a job"

it takes Y E A R S to even come close to having everything you need.

i started buying my own tools in '76 when i started my machinists apprenticship, and started wrenching in '84. i still run across stuff i should have.

Some awfully sound advise there!! I know it's hard as we all have a desire for nice things and there is no doubt that as members here we have an addiction to tools. But I also think that what we need and what we want are often two entirely different things. Given that you work on heavy equipment I can't help but think that you would benefit more from a complete set of 1/2" impacts. Keep your eyes open for a Crappy Tire sale on chromes when you might need them. But wait a few months before buying them (chromes) and reflect on the number of times that you really needed them. I would suspect that you might be surprised.

As additional sets for my employees, I was encouraged to look at Genius Tools. A great friend of mine who was a former Mac Franchise owner (now retired) also sold Genius Tools and he was amazed at how good their (cro-mo) impacts were. He said that he serviced mostly heavy equipment operators and they beat on the sockets as he encouraged them to do hoping to find a flaw. They never had any issues. He also commented that they were a fraction of the price 25pc Cro-Mo 1/2" Metric Deep (8mm-30mm no drops & 32mm, 36mm) for $130 Canadian!! At that price I couldn't go wrong. For about $400, I was able to purchase every 1/2" deep, shallow, sae and metric.

I can't help but think that spending money this way then adding the critically important pieces if you find something is flawed will ensure that you have money in your bank and not in your tool chest.

Following your signature, ".......It is better to have and not need than to need and not have" applies to money first!!!

I certainly hope this message does not come across as condescending in fact I am so happy to see your passion. I also feel a bit hypocritical saying what I have because I was never that smart when I was young dumb and full of..... well you get the idea.

Cheers and Good Luck.