wrench sockets

[cunninglinguist]

Here's a stupid question but is it bad practice to use a deep socket in place of a extension and a shallow socket?

 

[rdnkjeeper]

No, I don't think so. Use what works and what you have available.

 

[kartracer55]

No, it might acutally be better in some cases. The reason I say this is because for every connection you make, you are adding just a little bit more play between the nut and the ratchet. So, but eliminating one of those connections, you have less play, and so chances are that your socket is positioned jsut a little better on the socket. this is just my theory, but keep in mind, along these same lines, you shouldnt use an extension unless you need to, because it makes it more difficult to get the ratche>extension>socket directly in line with the bolt.

Jim

 

[kartracer55]

No, I don't think so. Use what works and what you have available.

Id just like to add that I use my deeps more often than my shallows because think about it... its much more common to find an instance where you need a deep socket because a shallow wont work, than one where a deep wont work... agreed?

Jim

 

[ranger_dood]

Especially if it's a situation where you need an extension!

I need to get some more deep sockets. I only have small deep sockets, plus one sparkplug socket that never fits the right plugs.

 

[pl_silverado]

eh, i dont remember the last time i used my shallow sockets, or the semi-deep's i have. i use deep for everything, so i am trying to figure out why i even bought the others. oh well.

 

[ChucksCrib]

They are also easier visually to spot on the floor or pick up when your laying on your back or contorted in an un-natural manner

 

[Satatic]

How about this. Depends on the quality of the socket. Chinese **** may flex more as a deep socket then as a standard one. Causeing nuts to beocme rounded. Just a theory, could it be true?

 

[dink]

Here's a stupid question but is it bad practice to use a deep socket in place of a extension and a shallow socket?

No not really....your going to get more torque that way....because the exstension will wobble....so what your doing is fine

 

[l_bilyk]

Here's a stupid question but is it bad practice to use a deep socket in place of a extension and a shallow socket?

Like most people already said, no, it's not bad practice

If you have to get an exact torque on the nut, you should use a deep socket instead of a shallow socket + extension. As a general rule, when using a torque wrench, never use and extension.

 

[dink]

But now manufacturers are coming out with a mid range socket...something inbetween a shallow and deep....this actually might be better off for you....as for right now I can only think of SK that does a mid range socket

 

[ranger_dood]

otherwise known as "deep, but not deep enough"

 

[dink]

Personally I think the Semi-deep are a waste of money....but whatever....tool manufacturers need to bring out new things

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah Sk and Snap on both make semi deep sockets. Matco makes them under the term "mid length," MAC under "intermediate" or something like that. As far as I know, Cornwell and Proto dont offer them, but I could be mistaken.

Jim

 

[dink]

I guess Semi deep sockets are good for the guys that want a complete selection of sockets.....even if they dont use them they are there and they look good all together

 

[kartracer55]

Id have to agree. Semi deeps are kinda useless. I have yet to encounter a situation where I needed a semi. I dont own any, and my dad only has a handful of them.

A total waste of money is semi-deep impacts, but the guys who are out to outdo the jone's will buy them.

In fact, for impacts, even the snallows are kind of a waste. I dont think I have ever used my shallows more than once or twice. I ALWAYS go for a deep.

Jim

 

[dink]

Id have to agree. Semi deeps are kinda useless. I have yet to encounter a situation where I needed a semi. I dont own any, and my dad only has a handful of them.

A total waste of money is semi-deep impacts, but the guys who are out to outdo the jone's will buy them.

In fact, for impacts, even the snallows are kind of a waste. I dont think I have ever used my shallows more than once or twice. I ALWAYS go for a deep.

Jim

My first sockets were MIT impacts shallow

 

[kartracer55]

Well I bought a the sk 28 pc set that had deep+shallow from 3/8-1 1/4. for $30 more I could have gotten 1/2-1 1/2 but I figured If I ever get a second impact it would be nice to have two of the same sizes.

The only reason I wound up with shallows was because the set was such a better deal than just the set of deeps.

Jim

 

[dink]

Well I bought a the sk 28 pc set that had deep+shallow from 3/8-1 1/4. for $30 more I could have gotten 1/2-1 1/2 but I figured If I ever get a second impact it would be nice to have two of the same sizes.

The only reason I wound up with shallows was because the set was such a better deal than just the set of deeps.

Jim

I will take them off your hands if you find they are cramping your style

 

[kartracer55]

Not THAT much lol


Jim

 

[Swift]

Id have to agree. Semi deeps are kinda useless. I have yet to encounter a situation where I needed a semi. I dont own any, and my dad only has a handful of them.

A total waste of money is semi-deep impacts, but the guys who are out to outdo the jone's will buy them.

In fact, for impacts, even the snallows are kind of a waste. I dont think I have ever used my shallows more than once or twice. I ALWAYS go for a deep.

Jim

Hey Jim, I think the semi-deep are very useful. I've had the SK 3/8 metric impact set for almost 2 years now and sometimes I wonder how I did without them, just like my Gearwrenches. A good example for using them are when I remove front seats out of customers' vehicles and the seat bolt is jammed close to the bottom of the seat, a short socket won't make it past the stud and a deep socket with the ratchet hits the bottom of the seat. In the pehistoric days, I would use my long pattern open wrench for torque to loosen and the rest by hand. This would take forever. Then came the Gearwrench, which I used after the long pattern open end wrench. But now, I just use my semi-deeps and don't have to switch to the Gearwrenches. There have been many times when I have to get to a bolt on a stud and find my deeps are too long and will hit the top of my ratchet. This is where the semi-deeps really come in handy. Before the SK set came out, I was so close to buying the Snap-on set, but the price always made me say maybe next week when the truck comes by,LOL. But the SK price is like between one third to one quarter of the price. If you work on a lot of different vehicles the semi-deeps do come in handy. If you're not wrenching for a living, then you'd proballly don't need them.

 

[dink]

Hey Jim, I think the semi-deep are very useful. I've had the SK 3/8 metric impact set for almost 2 years now and sometimes I wonder how I did without them, just like my Gearwrenches. A good example for using them are when I remove front seats out of customers' vehicles and the seat bolt is jammed close to the bottom of the seat, a short socket won't make it past the stud and a deep socket with the ratchet hits the bottom of the seat. In the pehistoric days, I would use my long pattern open wrench for torque to loosen and the rest by hand. This would take forever. Then came the Gearwrench, which I used after the long pattern open end wrench. But now, I just use my semi-deeps and don't have to switch to the Gearwrenches. There have been many times when I have to get to a bolt on a stud and find my deeps are too long and will hit the top of my ratchet. This is where the semi-deeps really come in handy. Before the SK set came out, I was so close to buying the Snap-on set, but the price always made me say maybe next week when the truck comes by,LOL. But the SK price is like between one third to one quarter of the price. If you work on a lot of different vehicles the semi-deeps do come in handy. If you're not wrenching for a living, then you'd proballly don't need them.

Well there you go....there is a reason to have semi-deep sockets....but I would only get them when I am taking seats out on a regular basis....thank you for your imput