Deep Sockets for Impact Wrench

[Dark61]

Just purchased my first impact wrench.
would it be more economical to buy a set of deep sockets rather than standard size? My thinking is deep will do deep and standard, whereas standard will not do both? Or is there a reason why you should only use a deep socket on a “deep” fixing?
Apologies if I am not making much sense.
All comments gratefully received as usual.
cheers,
D

[Phil B]

Just purchased my first impact wrench.
would it be more economical to buy a set of deep sockets rather than standard size? My thinking is deep will do deep and standard, whereas standard will not do both? Or is there a reason why you should only use a deep socket on a “deep” fixing?
Apologies if I am not making much sense.
All comments gratefully received as usual.
cheers,
D

Impact sockets are expensive so I see your problem. For that reason deep sockets are the go.
however, I have found that in some cases the deep socket makes the overall length of the tool plus socket too long to get into some spaces ( eg Defender panhard rod bush bolts)
i solved this by buying individual short sockets where I need to, or just use a breaker bar on a deep socket.

[donh54]

Mobs like Supercheap, Repco, etc usually sell impact sockets singly. Personally, I bought a set of deep sockets, then just add shorts as you need them.

My usual technique for buying the non-name brand ones, is to go by weight. Over the past 45 years or so, I've found that (with regards to tools for heavy duty use, at least) the lower quality ones are often noticeably lighter than the "gooder" ones. YMMV [bigwhistle]

[Rick]

I bought these a couple years ago. https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2-Inch-Impact-Socket-6-Point/dp/B009447UOC/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=tEKTON+1%2F2-Inch+Drive+Deep+Impact+Socket+Set&qid=1562809625&s=gateway&sr=8-2

They had good reviews and have held up well but I'm not using them every day.

[350RRC]

I bought a cheapo set of deep impact sockets 10 years ago, maybe $25, and they've been fine. They are 'heavy'. Maybe 10mm up to 24mm.

I've got a couple of sets of 1/2" drive shorties and the deep sockets complement them really well.

They get used with a rattle gun and also with breaker bars and hand ratchets.

Really handy at times for difficult access.

DL

[Dark61]

Impact sockets are expensive so I see your problem. For that reason deep sockets are the go.
however, I have found that in some cases the deep socket makes the overall length of the tool plus socket too long to get into some spaces ( eg Defender panhard rod bush bolts)
i solved this by buying individual short sockets where I need to, or just use a breaker bar on a deep socket.

I had not considered access! Thanks for the heads up.
cheers,
D

[gromit]

I've purchased impact sockets for particular jobs, no need to pay extra for the strength of an impact socket for day-to-day usage.

I'm also fortunate that the Kincrome outlet shop isn't too far away so I've never paid retail. A while back I put together a set of deep sockets (not impact) in metric & imperial for $2 per socket.


Colin

[Homestar]

What about a set of these - Black Drive Deep Impact Metric Socket Set Car Garage Tools 35pcs 1/2" AU | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-Drive-Deep-Impact-Metric-Socket-Set-Car-Garage-Tools-35pcs-1-2-AU/352372432221?hash=item520b089d5d&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&enc=AQADAAADEFjVrDbVsZ8oH%2F8PNHtt9VX4%2Fw7FZcmMuq sX8uaFEduV%2BuCsgISX8AXJBkW8t9sBPAHZOUgyyezaOEq4%2 F9WiPRzCkROpjUPZWiB89eSXmj3OPg%2BKeOPdwFF%2FZhtRFc JvenIGJYKStv%2B2cKudUu5Nq6If5jUWmOsrPyV58cU6O%2FT0 AzyUtsfLWwREgIMluJotgqxRClxbHp83%2BFHcS0jm3DUiI5mp JbdgMD6U5GnbeW36jXVoVGw17t1ILk%2FQfXw%2FPRQRjDBoLm FbArTOOvL7oLt3WN4S%2Fx3nQYX4Jtx0IZHFNOFCQ1RSO7PUdA 7pSwzlqbwmKn2UWc4i0yLHboZaw6PVLePV93o9kfdKKyh1Kp8% 2FCSbNnisETdfeeJQGEjFICRlw2fCj81tuyA%2B%2B9nqui3Jf G%2BGxfGDAI3V5x4sLNj%2BUyRrZkVWhgYT60S99NiUPuE6Mm6 YifJJ20Shso77SwgP2vc5Wq6n4tEF0Nc%2FdBkB9CV%2FH1AKK Q%2FgAH45296lWvEyLl2qXC5Ktpr0ZHcV0IOQ2tACpnPH9vslX eKJdYyodo7FsqIybBIG0vuNz07m2Qi9h4rp%2FMf1ZeYmC%2B8 mWLD7iX5eqgIyl%2BhzzMyW8CFSR5i4xNnWnvS0h3alVf1GKpH EvESyjPfTYUitbZuWJo%2FfH66qD1Qv6Qpa5GovKHGvPjtqgGZ PPuZZH%2FiHwvdRsX2OaL31pmzSpoVuqJ678LQZIM8vygOky9Q y9VWcjWAOOS0IZpC0x0rZ2PQ8A6CrfMoO6L1uHgzdYtKApa10L cVOvv0AIpGzS8sMeGpZDfSw%2F6yj9S0APcxsJYvPb8qhlmeLZ dJ2ZXarfLysgJJX7mTFKYDMDrWd3LZ5CVzbA0k1fUV7Oh5Lves KPaVL%2BtBSzlvdy8QfMX6WFovcF%2FWbch7t34Hoz7qCPg8gZ hwbZrvHb4L4uEXU2ZGUpicqVXnTaux2ObdRaupOt%2B03pe5qd DeKg2mHry3ygbixzdUd8LNAewS6nHJfcwZAd1cebwP2f3bFqYv MJgb%2F%2FOk680ogYudw%3D&checksum=3523724322212c4888c6d52d488290b24991a5ea1 d8d). You get both in the one kit.

Not that expensive and and should do the job for a while.

I personally have some high quality ones but I’m sure most wouldn’t want to pay what I did for those, but when I was on the tools, I used them daily so worth it back then.

[Tins]

It comes down to:

1; what are you undoing? Good quality ordinary sockets will stand up to undoing wheel nuts and most ordinary nuts and bolts.

2; what power does the impact wrench have? I have a Milwaukee 18V Fuel 3/4" drive gun. The torque is awesome. I use it with my 1/2" drive sockets often with an adaptor ( which adds to the accesibility issue ), but it would absolutely destroy them on say a 300TDi crankshaft pulley or any other high torque nut/bolt, but it's incredible. Not everyone wants or needs one of those, so what you need to buy will depend on that.

3; single hex vs double. There are all sorts of debates around physics which I won't go into, but I prefer single hex when possible, as they seem to prevent rounding of the bolt or nut, and impact sockets are nearly universally single hex. The accessibility issue resurfaces here though, as the single hex impact sockets have thicker walls, which is a pain when there is limited room around the fastener.

4; I guess your original question revolved around "deep" sockets though. That has no bearing on whether you have an impact gun or an ordinary ratchet or breaker bar. Deep sockets have a specific purpose, which is reach, and you are better off not using them if you don't need to.

All that said, I reckon an impact gun, especially a cordless one, is a fantastic investment. Mobs like SuperCheap and TotalTools sell affordable sets of sockets which are fine for the casual user. My gun can have a wheel off in around 30 seconds, without applying any force to the vehicle, which is a very welcome thing when you have a car in a serious recovery situation with a flat tyre. That alone pays the price of entry.

I spent a large part of the first 20 years of my 'adult' life on the spanners, and I'm paying for it now at 65. Sure, we had some air tools if we were near a shop with air, but mostly we weren't. Cordless stuff these days????? Wow, I would have loved to have them. I'd have happily broken a few sockets. Well, provided they were as cheap as they are now.

Enjoy your gun. Take it with you in your travels. I have a car charger for mine. See if there's one for yours, or just use an inverter.

[Tins]

I've purchased impact sockets for particular jobs, no need to pay extra for the strength of an impact socket for day-to-day usage.

I'm also fortunate that the Kincrome outlet shop isn't too far away so I've never paid retail. A while back I put together a set of deep sockets (not impact) in metric & imperial for $2 per socket.


Colin

Shhh.... Don't give too many secrets away Colin. That $2 socket thing is amazing. I've spent some time there as well.

[gromit]

Shhh.... Don't give too many secrets away Colin. That $2 socket thing is amazing. I've spent some time there as well.

Problem is I always come away with something I didn't even know I needed....

Colin

[Blknight.aus]

unless your grease monkeying full time...

dont buy a full set of impact sockets.

go online and spend the money on a moderate to good (high for your really commmon use one like the 27mm) impact sockets for the jobs you need them for.

buy a socket rail for them and label the sockets for the jobs they do.

[Tins]

Problem is I always come away with something I didn't even know I needed....

Colin

Yep. I've got a dial indicator and mag base I didn't know I needed, and as I've never used it I guess I didn't.

[Graeme]

My dial indicator with mag base was purchased to determine run-out that then cost $12K to correct. Dial gauges can be expensive, although frequent coupling breakages was expensive too.

[Homestar]

I have 4 dial indicators and 3 different bases. Still find I don't have the right setup sometimes.

[Tins]

Yep. I've got a dial indicator and mag base I didn't know I needed, and as I've never used it I guess I didn't.

I'm basically retired, so it was purely an impulse buy. However, my son has a twin cam Fiat with adjustable cams, so it may come in handy one day.