Which impact sockets to have ?

[jc5205]

I'm looking to have a complete set of impact sockets for doing repairs on my family cars.
I have a complete set of
3/8 metric & SAE deep & shallow gearwrench
3/8 snap on 7pc sae semi deep
3/8 grey pneumatic semi deep metric
1/2 Snap on semi deep metric 15 - 27
Craftsman 1/2 shallow metric & SAE
1/2 axle nut sockets 29-36mm

Looking to complete my 1/2" drive deep sockets what do you recommend for
Metric & SAE ?

I don't seem to use much of the SAE sockets

 

[woody6904]

How do you like the Grey Pnuematics you have? If you are happy with them like myself and many others on this site, that would be a good direction to go. Also Sunex sockets are very similar to Grey Pneumatics.

 

[oldldh]

Look at Amazon for Tekton impact sockets...

 

[Wamsutta]

Proto does impact sockets very well.

 

[jc5205]

My question should be what sizes should I get ?

I'm thinking the grey pneumatic for the metric deeps or Tekton . I like the laser etched sizes on them. Would I need anything over a 21 deep if I have the semi deeps ?

But what about a set of SAE ? What sizes? I don't seem to use many of these, do I need a full set ?

 

[jc5205]

Or would my adapters on my 3/8 be good enough?
Is there a need for anymore depth ?

 

[jwh]

Craftsman SAE shallow 1/2"
Harbor Freight SAE & Metric deep 1/2"
Harbor Freight comparable shallow 1/2" SAE & Metric
Harbor Freight SAE & Metric shallow 3/8"
Campbell Housefield SAE & Metric deep 3/8"

Haven't had any problems with any of them.

Have a Craftsman 1/2" air impact and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8" impact.

John

 

[shockwave]

For home use I would go with grey pneumatic of sunex never had an issue with these and the pros really good too

 

[bcradio]

sunex master sets will give you a list of the sizes you'll want to work toward getting.

 

[MrGiggles]

The HF sockets will do everything a DIYer will attempt. They do skip some sizes, so you'll need to evaluate what you might need. They cover everything on most Japanese cars, and one set even includes a 30 and 32mm for axle nuts.

 

[stevenhs]

How much are you willing to spend?
Grey pneumatic, Sk tools, are all good.

 

[bob15]

Wright set # 466

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

Heard great reviews on the Tekton impact sockets. Great warranty and return time. I had something warranties and had it the next day. Their sets don't really skip full set. They are also cheaper compared to the rest, plus is they come in a case you can store.

It all comes down to what you want to pay?

If I had to pick some brands would be......

Williams
Sunex
Tekton



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[xbeatles4x]

I have a set of tekton in 3/8 shallow and deep as well as deep 1/2. They are great. No issues so far and the price was right.

 

[Clemson13]

I read good things of the Sunex impact sockets. Then I saw the sunex deals thread. ..

I bought:
sunex master 3/8 set
Sunex master 1/2 metric
Sunex master 1/2 SAE

Toatal spent ended up ~~ $230

I got every socket I wanted and spent almost nothing! I didn't even try very hard to get the lowest price. Some members here got them for even cheaper. I've used them a bunch and have had great results. They are holding up really well. I like how they are both lazer etched and stamped.

 

[jc5205]

My question should be what sizes should I get ?

I'm thinking the grey pneumatic for the metric deeps or Tekton . I like the laser etched sizes on them. Would I need anything over a 21 deep if I have the semi deeps ?

But what about a set of SAE ? What sizes? I don't seem to use many of these, do I need a full set ?

Are you guys reading this ?

 

[rmsg0040]

I have Genius SAE and Metric in 3/8" drive and they are nice and complete sets

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have Craftsman, Grey Pneumatic and Williams. All are good. I haven't had any problems. I've also been considering getting some SK and Wright. Maybe Snap On as well.

 

[dogdog]

My question should be what sizes should I get ?

I'm thinking the grey pneumatic for the metric deeps or Tekton . I like the laser etched sizes on them. Would I need anything over a 21 deep if I have the semi deeps ?

But what about a set of SAE ? What sizes? I don't seem to use many of these, do I need a full set ?

I got both the craftman sets deep socket/shallow socket ones, as well as the autozone ones when I was tool collecting........ as far as size. I find the autozone one "Great Neck" or something offer the best size I needed for import cars....Honda and VW.... the 10mm to 19mm sets. is all I used. very rarely I needed to brake out for anything larger.

 

[md21722]

My question should be what sizes should I get ?

I'm thinking the grey pneumatic for the metric deeps or Tekton . I like the laser etched sizes on them. Would I need anything over a 21 deep if I have the semi deeps ?

But what about a set of SAE ? What sizes? I don't seem to use many of these, do I need a full set ?

It really depends on what you are doing on your cars and what cars you have or plan to own. A bigger vehicle like a 3/4 ton truck will have larger bolts than a Honda. The Sunex sockets have the sizes laser etched and you can get complete master sets at a great price so you'd have every size you'd want unless you move up into heavy equipment. If money is not object then you can look to the pricier brands. Sometimes the semi-deeps aren't long enough or its just more convenient to use a deep socket. I have both semi-deep & deep impacts. I would not recommend using 3/8" sockets with an adapter on a 1/2" impact. I have two Jeeps and end up using a fair amount of both SAE and metric. If you had a Asian or European car its unlikely you'd ever touch a SAE socket. Older domestics will either be all SAE or a combination of both depending on their age.

 

[by921]

My vote is for Teton. I have 3/8 metric deep and shallow and working on getting the 3/8 sae and 1/2 sockets next. They are very nice and so are the cases.

 

[AutoTeck84]

Tekton is crv metal. You want cr-mo

 

[jc5205]

My repairs primarily on domestic cars & pick up

 

[gdocktor3]

Sunex work awesome for me. I hear Grey Pneumatic work well also. I also have Snap On, Wright, and Craftsman USA. The Sunex are hands down best deal. Here's a picture of a Sunex and snappy. They're identical. The snappy is on top.

 

[bsosborne1]

I work on trucks and heavy equipment and I use the HF Pro impacts. I have no problems with them at all. That being said I wouldn't use any of their other sockets. The regular impacts are total junk. But the pro's look very similar to Sunex. They handle rusted cruded up fasteners just fine. I use them to tighten dozer track bolts and have never seen them round one off. I would recommend them.

 

[GearHeadPanda1777]

I really like my 1/2 gearwrench deep socket set.. comes with 8mm to 36mm with no skips. Sturdy although the finish is like a flat matte rather than a shiny snap on socket. . Looking forward to trying there 3/8 swivel sets 8mm to 24mm..

 

[LumpyMusic]

Are you guys reading this ?

I am and I don't understand your dilemma. Get the sizes that YOUR car or other application requires. Were you hoping that someone her would know what size bolts and nuts you need to turn?

Impact sockets for axle nuts seems misplaced unless you're just using them as sockets on a regular, non-impact, ratchet and torque wrench.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[1950mercury]

I'd buy 3/8 and1/4 drive swivels...so nice to use and does 80% of what you need to work on cars and trucks

 

[bcradio]

I am and I don't understand your dilemma. Get the sizes that YOUR car or other application requires. Were you hoping that someone her would know what size bolts and nuts you need to turn?

Sgt Lumpy

EXACTLY!!

 

[bob15]

My question should be what sizes should I get ?

I'm thinking the grey pneumatic for the metric deeps or Tekton . I like the laser etched sizes on them. Would I need anything over a 21 deep if I have the semi deeps ?

But what about a set of SAE ? What sizes? I don't seem to use many of these, do I need a full set ?

What are you planning on working with them on ? A Cat D8 or a Smart car or maybe a Deere 4440 or a Wheelhorse garden tractor?

I use SAE's all the time. I have a metric set but rarely use them.....

 

[back2class]

THIS IS A NO BRAINER. Go to Harbor Freight and get a full set for like $20. I have some and they are great. I also have Sunex and Cornwell sets. ZERO difference. Not much I would recommend from HF.....but even if you were a pro I would recommend the HF ones. As a DIYer...anything else would be a complete stupid waste of money.

 

[gtlaw]

To say anything else is a waste is a bit extreme. With all of the skip sizes in the HF sets the other Taiwan options would be better depending on what you work on.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I don't know what sizes you need right now but since you mentioned trucks I would definitely get 22mm. Some use 24, 26 & 27 also. I picked up a matco adv deep set on ebay for $75 that goes 10-22, 26 & 27. I added 24 for $10 off the truck & bought the matching shallow on sale for the same. That said my 3/8 are sunex & I've never looked at their 1/2 sets but you should be able to get those for less. Fwiw a guy I worked with had a $12k snap on box and about twice that in tools but never upgraded from his hf pro impacts.


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[byoungblood]

I'll make everyone's head spin and comment that I've been using a set of Taiwanese Performance Tool impact sockets for well over a decade, not only with my impact, but with breaker bars and cheaters, and they've never been a problem for me.

Unless you absolutely need the thin ones, most impact sockets from about any maker are usually adequate for home use.