Impact Socket Opinions

[Pete-FWA]

Right now I have a mis-matched collection of sockets for my 1/2" impact. I am still missing a few and am considering buying a complete set from one manufacturer and calling it done.

Since I don't do this professionally, I'm not sure spending the big money on SK or Matco is a good idea. I like Craftsman's guarantee and I'm close to a store, but is their quality good? One screw-up can cost me what I've saved and more.

Also, suggestions on where to buy...Sears site has some SK, but I doubt it's close to the best price out there. Going to pawn shops has been fruitless (just more of the mis-match I already have.) Are there any good vendors on Ebay or other online sites that you know of?

Thanks for the advice

[NEUMANNZZ]

get craftsmen they are made in the USA and if you break one you can always get a new one at there store for free, no hassle. Quality is just as good as those other tools.

[LJ93Z28GM]

you really have to be working it to break a impact socket.

The standard chrome sockets will crack after some use with an impact guy but you have to be really beating the hell out of something to break a impact socket. Likely the bolt or nut will break first. Just buy the craftsman pieces and save the cash for whatever else you need.

[Pete-FWA]

Wasn't worried about breaking the sockets ... worried about loose fit and screwing up a job.

I'm leaning on the "save my money" idea and just going Craftsman, like you suggested.

[bretsk2500]

you really have to be working it to break a impact socket.

The standard chrome sockets will crack after some use with an impact guy but you have to be really beating the hell out of something to break a impact socket. Likely the bolt or nut will break first. Just buy the craftsman pieces and save the cash for whatever else you need.

I've never broken an impact socket, ever, even with 6' cheater bars, I've got everything from chinese junk to Snap-on and Proto. I find that the ratchet or breaker bar will break first, that's assuming the bolt/nut didn't break first.

Even the taiwanese stanley stuff at wal-mart would serve you well. the only sockets I've ever found to be sloppy were the chinese stuff. horrible, horrible stuff.

[LinuxNative]

I got mine from Harbor Frieght. I got them during a sale and paid about 20 bucks a set. I got both metric and SAE. I've never broken one, or found one that doesn't fit correctly.

[The_Ogre25]

My buddy had some el cheapo 20 dollar a set impact sockets that I used on my body lift. Those that say they wont break must not have a good impact because my IR professional annihilated his sockets. Hit the first cab bolt and it just exploded. Have broke or blew up most of the others. Used my craftsman impact sockets and no problems. You can tell the difference just by feeling a good socket verse a cheapy.

[wilbilt]

I have broken countless Harbor Freight impact sockets. The only advantage there is the cheap price. Sometimes it's worth buying a new set until the Snap-On guy shows up.

Craftsman is a little better, but Sears is quickly and quietly getting in bed with the Chinese. Soon their tool line will be the same as HF.

Sears lists S-K on their website. Go there if you have a Sears card and want quality tools.

I bought a set of Mac Tools metric impacts years ago. I have broken every one of them at least once.

I bought a set of Snap-On standard impact sockets 25 years ago. I paid big bucks, but have never had a problem with any of them.

If you are a shadetree, you can get by with Harbor Freight or Craftsman. If you depend on this stuff to feed your kids, don't scrimp on the quality. The time spent going to Sears several times a week to exchange broken crap seriously cuts into the bottom line.

[OCTO13ER]

We've gotten the William's brand for work. No complaints yet.

[Izzy]

I got mine from Harbor Frieght. I got them during a sale and paid about 20 bucks a set. I got both metric and SAE. I've never broken one, or found one that doesn't fit correctly.
We've been using the Harbor impacts at K's shop for probably 3 years and never had a problem.

[454ss]

I'v used all sort of brands and the cheap Harbor Frieght sockets hold up as good as the pricey ones.

[Pete-FWA]

Craftsman is a little better, but Sears is quickly and quietly getting in bed with the Chinese. Soon their tool line will be the same as HF.


Yes, they have. I really started to question their quality when I started seeing their second line of hand tools in the stores. Sad



Sears lists S-K on their website. Go there if you have a Sears card and want quality tools.

Some of their prices seemed high on the SK. Is it just me, or will a dealer or somewhere else have a better price? I'm leaning toward SK if I do not get the Craftsman. More and more, I hear about trouble with Craftsman (last 5 years or less) and I don't like that.

[wilbilt]

Some of their prices seemed high on the SK. Is it just me, or will a dealer or somewhere else have a better price? I'm leaning toward SK if I do not get the Craftsman. More and more, I hear about trouble with Craftsman (last 5 years or less) and I don't like that.

The prices seem high to me as well. Some
Mom and Pop auto parts stores around here carry SK, and a former Matco tool truck guy is now a SK tool truck guy.

I haven't gone around and compared prices, as I have been out of the business for several years but still have an adequate supply of tools.

Sears power tools now are, I think, 100% Chinese. They switched hand tool suppliers (about 5 years ago) from Stanley to Danaher. Danaher has a good relationship with Chinese suppliers.

The hand tool line is the last holdout. I don't think it will be very long before they cave. They are already sneaking in a few lines here and there. (Can you say "GearWrench"?)

They tried outsourcing back in the early 90s, but there was quite an uproar. Somewhere around here I have a 1990-vintage Craftsman socket that says "Made in Taiwan" on it.


HF tool quality may be better these days, but to those who say they have never broken a HF tool, I say it smells like BS to me.

[speedpainter]

The pro's out there already know the hazards of using low grade impact sockets.An exploding socket not only runs the risk of rounding the high points of the nut/bolt,causing a time /money issue.......A piece of shrapnel slicing open a hand or eye loss will cost you more aggravation than it's worth. I've been using air tools for over 30 years & have experianced some terrible injurys. Just my $ .02

[wilbilt]

The pro's out there already know the hazards of using low grade impact sockets.

Ditto that. I'm as lazy as everyone else when it comes to wearing eye protection...but when using tools of questionable origin, the face shield goes on.

I worked with a guy who lost an eye when a grinding wheel exploded. I don't want to go there.