which sockets do you use?

[wowturtles]

hey all

im planning to pick up a 1/4" cordless impact wrench for school and home. just wondering what drive size impact sockets do you guys use/suggest. 1/4" impact sockets or 3/8" impact sockets with an adapter? im a student so my budget is kind of tight and i want to pick up a socket set that would be most beneficial for my needs (mainly school) until im able to afford more tools.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

I would stick to 3/8" if you're stuck on a budget. I have sets of 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, and 1". The 3/8 always gets the most use.

 

[shoturtle]

You will be better with 3/8 sockets. Not to often you will really need 1/4 impact. You can actually break allot of 1/4 fastener smaller then 10mm heads with impact if you are not careful.

 

[greasemonkey44]

1/4 chrome deep wells
down the line you will want magnetic sockets
i used a cheap set of northern sockets for a year and a 1/2 before i traded them out
this is coming from someone who works on cars day in day out; there are a million tiny bolts and screws in dashes and access covers in modern cars

 

[metaleltr]

What are you working on? If your doing body work it may be in your best interest to start with a 1/4" drive set.

 

[Zephyr]

I bought my cordless impact for belly pans and the bolts for them don't get much larger than 13mm so 1/4" however but periodically I use my 3/8" adapter since those sockets sit in the the top of my box. To be honest if you're on a budget and have a Lowes near you pick up a set of their 1/4" drive sockets and it should cover you for the most part just my .02

 

[wowturtles]

thanks for the replies.

most of the work will be engine work. my only concerns about using 3/8 sockets is the legnth from wrench to bolt. since ill be using an adapter all the time. i thought about getting a 3/8" impact but that was about the same size as my 1/2" impact. whereas the 1/4" one is about 6 inches tall (matco).

 

[VolvoMan]

For engine work, at least 3/8 if you're using it to dismantle, most engine bolts get pretty tight even if they aren't torqued up. If you're just going to use it as a nut runner, and crack/tighten by hand then 1/4 should be ok for most applications, but keep the torque control low (if it has one) and use at least 3/8 sockets & Breaker bar for cracking & Torqueing. you could also consider an air ratchet in 3/8 if access is your concern. the power sockets are also thinner than impact ones and fit in tighter spaces.

 

[genevabuck]

3/8, no doubt.

 

[jetmech09]

I'm assuming you mean automotive engine, if so, I'd go with 3/8.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

I use chrome with my 19.2V impact driver. Then I have the little adapter to go from 1/4" to 1/2" if I want.

 

[smothers33]

3/8 Has more sizes you'll run into but a 1/4 impact especially cordless isn't gonna take off anything over 13-14 mm or 1/2-9/16 on a car that has any age on it so 1/4 will do for automotive use. I dont use impact sockets though. Those 1/4 impact are that powerful. Not saying it won't shatter a socket but I haven't broken 1 yet and I use mine all the time.

 

[VolvoMan]

Just don't let your Snap-on dealer find out you're using chrome sockets on an impact wrench.

 

[Outlawmws]

You can't get very big with just 1/4" drive sockets, so that is probably the driver for what you pick. (Probably 1/2" is the biggest typically, although I do have a 17/32... Or 13-14 MM in Metric.)

 

[transittech]

I get more torque out of 3/8 sockets than 1/4 for the same size fastener.

3/8 drive transfers more torque to the fastener than 1/4 drive (at least in these small impact drivers).

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Just don't let your Snap-on dealer find out you're using chrome sockets on an impact wrench.

my dealer know he still warranties sockets

 

[crewchief888]

3/8" drive 90% of the time

btw
i work on const eq