impact socket advice please

SWPERIC · 08-25-2009, 10:21 AM

i inherited a great air compressor and now i need some sockets. for your first set would you get deep well or regular? they are about 90 bux from sears. i have a standard impact gun. it would seem to me that its too big to squeeze in a tight place anyway so get the deep well. is there like an air ratchet? is it a can you get it in a tight spot? worth having one with short sockets?

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dannomite · 08-25-2009, 10:30 AM

I would get the shorties first. They are good for most of what you will need and they are better for getting into tight spots. As far as an air ratchet, yes they are out there and they work well as long as you get one with some torque. One thing to consider with an air ratchet is that they don't impact like an impact gun. They just spin. So it is important to be aware of that when you go to use it in a tight spot where your fingers can get pinched. I think that there are some impacting air ratchets out there but they are quite expensive. I hope this is helpful.

zlathim · 08-25-2009, 10:52 AM

I use my deep impact sockets much more than I use my shallow impact sockets.

desertcamper67 · 08-25-2009, 10:57 AM

The shallow sockets are usefull with or without an air gun. If you need to use a breaker bar on something rally tight, its hard to do with a deep socket. However, with room the deep sockets are more usefull than shallow.

Look around at your vehicles hardware and see what will work most on what you will be tackling.
Both would be ideal of course.

dark_fairytales · 08-25-2009, 11:18 AM

i have found the best way to save money buying new tools is to only buy what i need when the time comes that i need it. then you not forking over $90 and $20-30 is wasted on tools you never use.

if you keep a tool budget handy at all times you are always ready to buy what you need, and you dont have to scrape money together or put things off do to bills.

desertcamper67 · 08-25-2009, 11:26 AM

Quality used tools galore at your local swap meet. Or in your part of the country, 'flea market'

RevNL · 08-25-2009, 11:48 AM

Deep well.

But, I've always used my regular 1/2" sockets on my impact gun. The Snap-On dude told me that it was the chrome plating on regular sockets that will eventually damage the socket retainer on the impact gun. So, I use an impact style short extension on the gun and regular chrome sockets on the extension.

Snap-on 520 impact gun, 150psi, and Craftsman 1/2" sockets. Haven't broken one yet.

wyorunner · 08-25-2009, 12:12 PM

go to harbor freight and get both deep and shallow. when one wears out or breaks go get the singles from there to replace it. harbor freight may be cheap price and no name stuff, but i havnt had bad luck with them.

mick cassidy · 08-25-2009, 12:56 PM

in my years of wrenching ive found that craftsman stuff is ok not bad ... there impacs are fine for the home guy i have about 10 snap on tools . cant afford 'em !!
i agree deep socket is better leverage when room allows i use the chrome plated in my sears 1/2" impact . not broken one yet never tighten lugs with a impact i have brioken off studs going this best to use a tork wrench . my 2 cents

SWPERIC · 08-25-2009, 01:17 PM

yea. great idea. i have reg chrome sockets. i just go with craftsman because of the walk in replacement. i have a sears right near me. and cant afford snap-on right now. my deep well chromes only go up to 14 mm. maybe ill get the deep impact set. still thinkin tho. thanks for all the input yotatech.

SandDamaged · 08-25-2009, 01:31 PM

Mid-Length sockets! No joke..

s.resko · 08-28-2009, 09:30 AM

id go shallow just use extensions and i use craftsman 1/2 inch for the warranty

86Toyrunna · 08-29-2009, 10:05 PM

i work on heavy equipment for a living and ill be honest harborfreight impact sockets are the only way to go lol cheap and stong.. i have a broke snap-on, craftsman, proto, mac, armstrong.. but never broke one of my harbor freight impact sockets... well i take that back i bound up and twisted apart a 19mm 1/2 drive wobbly impact before.

camo31"10.50" · 08-29-2009, 10:16 PM

and dont let idiots tighten your lugs with a snap-on 1/2in. impact while you have to pee....

they will tighten them..and tighten them..and then tighten them a LITTLE more...then when you check to make sure all the lugs are tight (because you didnt know they tightened em already) you break off the studs....yea..been there..my pass. front needs 2 studs...

camo31"10.50" · 08-29-2009, 10:18 PM

the thing with deep or shallow sockets is not reaching for something...
its for a bolt that lets say goes into the frame and a nut is welded on the frame...therefor when you loosten the bolt..it backs out..with a shallow socket you might not have enough room..but with a deep socket you might?..

or tightening a nut on a stud..you need a deep socket if it is a long stud..

wyoming9 · 08-30-2009, 01:06 PM

Replace your studs all ready !!

I never run more than 90 psi into my air system more than that blows things apart.

I never had any problems snapping wheel studs never seize going back on, Kroil if they are coming off the first time.

I will have to try the harbor freight impact sockets in 1/2 " you could get by with 14mm 17mm and 19mm then get the rest in 3/8ths 10mm 12mm 14mm if your money is tight right now.

s.resko · 09-08-2009, 12:38 PM

i had to run 100 psi in my recent clutch job through my impact gun to whack those flywheel bolts

08-25-2009, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
dannomite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 239	I would get the shorties first. They are good for most of what you will need and they are better for getting into tight spots. As far as an air ratchet, yes they are out there and they work well as long as you get one with some torque. One thing to consider with an air ratchet is that they don't impact like an impact gun. They just spin. So it is important to be aware of that when you go to use it in a tight spot where your fingers can get pinched. I think that there are some impacting air ratchets out there but they are quite expensive. I hope this is helpful. __________________ 1996 SR5 5speed rear locker.

08-25-2009, 10:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
zlathim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,185	I use my deep impact sockets much more than I use my shallow impact sockets. __________________ Do you think Einstein walked around thinking everyone was a bunch of dipsticks? Idiocracy (edited for family friendly viewing)

08-25-2009, 11:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
dark_fairytales Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sacramento, Crawlifonia Posts: 220	i have found the best way to save money buying new tools is to only buy what i need when the time comes that i need it. then you not forking over $90 and $20-30 is wasted on tools you never use. if you keep a tool budget handy at all times you are always ready to buy what you need, and you dont have to scrape money together or put things off do to bills. __________________ 86 longbed/ build date Sep. 85/ build # 1131 3" body lift 6.5" rear shackles 35" tires/ 15x10 beadlocks 5.29 gears/ ARB rear/ lockrite ront Custom 3 gal. onboard AIR Cobra LT 29 CB/ wilson 1000 ant. next mod 3" drive train lift dual t-case and bj spacers sitting on my carpet wait for install Last edited by dark_fairytales; 08-25-2009 at 11:20 AM.

08-25-2009, 11:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
RevNL Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 76	Deep well. But, I've always used my regular 1/2" sockets on my impact gun. The Snap-On dude told me that it was the chrome plating on regular sockets that will eventually damage the socket retainer on the impact gun. So, I use an impact style short extension on the gun and regular chrome sockets on the extension. Snap-on 520 impact gun, 150psi, and Craftsman 1/2" sockets. Haven't broken one yet. __________________ 1993 Toyota Xtra-Cab - Mods In Process: 5.7L TPI V8, 4L60, NP208, Dana 44 F, Ford 9" R, Lift

08-25-2009, 12:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
wyorunner Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anne Arundel County, MD Posts: 376	go to harbor freight and get both deep and shallow. when one wears out or breaks go get the singles from there to replace it. harbor freight may be cheap price and no name stuff, but i havnt had bad luck with them. __________________ 02 4runner Sport 4.88 LOCKED 3" OME lift + 1" 4crawler BL, Tundra Brake Upgrade, Deckplate Mod + ISR Mod, LED Gauge cluster and temp control, 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MTR, H/O ARB compressor, Needing install HID Retro My Profile

08-25-2009, 12:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
mick cassidy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: los angeles Posts: 50	in my years of wrenching ive found that craftsman stuff is ok not bad ... there impacs are fine for the home guy i have about 10 snap on tools . cant afford 'em !! i agree deep socket is better leverage when room allows i use the chrome plated in my sears 1/2" impact . not broken one yet never tighten lugs with a impact i have brioken off studs going this best to use a tork wrench . my 2 cents

08-25-2009, 01:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
SWPERIC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 281	yea. great idea. i have reg chrome sockets. i just go with craftsman because of the walk in replacement. i have a sears right near me. and cant afford snap-on right now. my deep well chromes only go up to 14 mm. maybe ill get the deep impact set. still thinkin tho. thanks for all the input yotatech. __________________ My Build Thread for sale. very cheap, almost free. 2002 4runner limited running boards (golden pearl) free to a good home. or any home at that 2002 runner stereo with 6 cd changer and external amp.

08-25-2009, 01:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
SandDamaged Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6	Mid-Length sockets! No joke..

08-28-2009, 09:30 AM	#12 (permalink)
s.resko Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: vernon ct Posts: 16	id go shallow just use extensions and i use craftsman 1/2 inch for the warranty __________________ 91 runner marlin crawler super heavy duty clutch "just installed" bfg mud terrains 32x11.5

08-29-2009, 10:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
86Toyrunna Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: B-TOWN, ORYGUN Posts: 431	i work on heavy equipment for a living and ill be honest harborfreight impact sockets are the only way to go lol cheap and stong.. i have a broke snap-on, craftsman, proto, mac, armstrong.. but never broke one of my harbor freight impact sockets... well i take that back i bound up and twisted apart a 19mm 1/2 drive wobbly impact before. __________________ current: 1986 4Runner, Rebuilt 22RE with engnbldr HP head, cam'd, battery/intake swap, SASed, 5.29s, detroit rear, 35in MTRs, trussed and armored axles, marlin HD clutch, soon to be dual cased, TG rear bumper, Best mod todate CHROME METAL SR5 DOOR HANDLES, thats whats up RIP: 1985 Standard Cab SR5 pickup, add-a-leafs and shackels, 33" BFGs, it died a horrible death (50mph roll over) DD: 2006 Scion Tc w/TRD Supercharge and TRD stainless cat-back exhaust

08-29-2009, 10:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
camo31"10.50" Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Vian, OK Posts: 2,081	and dont let idiots tighten your lugs with a snap-on 1/2in. impact while you have to pee.... they will tighten them..and tighten them..and then tighten them a LITTLE more...then when you check to make sure all the lugs are tight (because you didnt know they tightened em already) you break off the studs....yea..been there..my pass. front needs 2 studs... __________________ FOR SALE 1986 Ext. Cab 4x4, rebuilt 22R, 5spd, 31x10.50 X-Terrains FOR SALE 1992 SR5 FO RUNNA V6, 5 speed, 4in. trail-master lift, 33x12.50 BFG muds, 4.56 gears!!! and an IMMACULATE interior..yes..you should be jealous "Its still a toyota man.. Dont deprive it of its capabilities.." "If you can read english, Thank a teacher...If you can speak it, Thank a soldier!!" Kelli Ruark-2009

08-29-2009, 10:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
camo31"10.50" Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Vian, OK Posts: 2,081	the thing with deep or shallow sockets is not reaching for something... its for a bolt that lets say goes into the frame and a nut is welded on the frame...therefor when you loosten the bolt..it backs out..with a shallow socket you might not have enough room..but with a deep socket you might?.. or tightening a nut on a stud..you need a deep socket if it is a long stud.. __________________ FOR SALE 1986 Ext. Cab 4x4, rebuilt 22R, 5spd, 31x10.50 X-Terrains FOR SALE 1992 SR5 FO RUNNA V6, 5 speed, 4in. trail-master lift, 33x12.50 BFG muds, 4.56 gears!!! and an IMMACULATE interior..yes..you should be jealous "Its still a toyota man.. Dont deprive it of its capabilities.." "If you can read english, Thank a teacher...If you can speak it, Thank a soldier!!" Kelli Ruark-2009

08-30-2009, 01:06 PM	#16 (permalink)
wyoming9 Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: I live in New Tripoli Pa out in the woods Posts: 266	Replace your studs all ready !! I never run more than 90 psi into my air system more than that blows things apart. I never had any problems snapping wheel studs never seize going back on, Kroil if they are coming off the first time. I will have to try the harbor freight impact sockets in 1/2 " you could get by with 14mm 17mm and 19mm then get the rest in 3/8ths 10mm 12mm 14mm if your money is tight right now.

09-08-2009, 12:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
s.resko Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: vernon ct Posts: 16	i had to run 100 psi in my recent clutch job through my impact gun to whack those flywheel bolts __________________ 91 runner marlin crawler super heavy duty clutch "just installed" bfg mud terrains 32x11.5

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