1/2" drive impact sockets...shallow, deep?

[chili_pepper]

Sunday evening, who wants to be polled (not poled)?

Was dicking around working on my tool box organization this afternoon and wondered how others handle 1/2" drive impact socket sets.

What kind of sets do you run, shallow, deep or both? If both, do you find you actually use all of them (at least in any particular size) or tend to use one more than the other?

 

[SuperTramp]

Long will do everything, except where clearance is an issue. You really need both, but I’d start with the deep wells.

 

[B1Toad]

I almost always use deep. I cannot even remember the last time I used a short impact socket. I have been known to just use a regular socket, only cracked a couple over the years. My impact sockets mostly get used on wheel nuts.

 

[John Cooper]

I have both shallow and deep well in 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 inch. Standard and metric.

 

[Apparition]

Use this for both my 1/2” M12 stubby and 1/2” M18 impact. Haven’t had a need for anything else. Only needed a couple more sizes, like my 36mm.

 

[rasband]

I don't bother with the impact rated sockets, at least for 3/8" size I've still never broken a socket. I have a set of deep well 1/2" impact sockets that just collect dust.

 

[John Cooper]

Impact are all i have in my box. All my chrome are in ammo cans, on the off chance I need a thin wall.

 

[Apparition]

I don't bother with the impact rated sockets, at least for 3/8" size I've still never broken a socket. I have a set of deep well 1/2" impact sockets that just collect dust.

I’m the opposite. I barely use any 3/8” power tools. Use the 1/2” impacts if I’m running electric and if I’m using 3/8” I’m using manual ratchets with chrome sockets.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Sunday evening, who wants to be polled (not poled)?

Was dicking around working on my tool box organization this afternoon and wondered how others handle 1/2" drive impact socket sets.

What kind of sets do you run, shallow, deep or both? If both, do you find you actually use all of them (at least in any particular size) or tend to use one more than the other?

Chili - Are you somehow trying to make an argument that we need less tools????

[IGNORE]



I have a bunch of both deep and shallow impact sockets. Thinking about this though, whenever I reach for a 1/2" impact socket to use in a 1/2" drive impact driver, I'm generally doing something heavier duty, and I think I always reach for the deep socket. If I'm going after something that has tight clearance which may require a shallow socket, I'm generally not reaching for the impact driver.

Interesting thought experminent.

 

[rasband]

I’m the opposite. I barely use any 3/8” power tools. Use the 1/2” impacts if I’m running electric and if I’m using 3/8” I’m using manual ratchets with chrome sockets.

No m12 right angle 3/8" ratchet? If I have to spin manually it's an annoying day to me

 

[Apparition]

No m12 right angle 3/8" ratchet? If I have to spin manually it's an annoying day to me

First thing I bought but it rarely sees use.

 

[B1Toad]

I forgot about these, I bought a set of SAE and one of metric and I keep them in my M-12 bag, they are 3/8" and come with the hex adapter to use with the smaller battery impacts. Don't use them much on vehicles though. They did get the colors wrong, they put the metrics in a red holder and the SAE in blue and the sockets are not close enough in outside diameters to switch them around. They are made by Makita.

 

[mrblaine]

I'll go slightly against the current. My preference is standard first, deep next, but after finding both to be a problem at various points in time, I ran across these and after acquiring both SAE and Metric sets, I use them a lot more than I thought I would.

https://olsatools.com/products/stubby-impact-sockets?variant=42125062275123

Being able to stick a box end wrench on them is a bonus that has saved me a few times.

As for chrome versus impact. 95% of my use is impact. I have deep and standard height in impact for 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" drive. Most commonly used are 3/8".

 

[MountaineerTom]

I’m the opposite. I barely use any 3/8” power tools. Use the 1/2” impacts if I’m running electric and if I’m using 3/8” I’m using manual ratchets with chrome sockets.

Same here.

I have standard and deep in metric and SAE, but 1/2” drive only.

 

[NskLJ]

Sunday evening, who wants to be polled (not poled)?

Was dicking around working on my tool box organization this afternoon and wondered how others handle 1/2" drive impact socket sets.

What kind of sets do you run, shallow, deep or both? If both, do you find you actually use all of them (at least in any particular size) or tend to use one more than the other?

I have both standard and deep in Sae and Metric. I mainly use the deeps with my impact guns. 1/2” drive. I have deep and shallow 3/8 swivel impacts for use with air ratchets and 3/8” impacts

 

[chili_pepper]

Kind of glad I posted this, got some interesting responses so far.

Long will do everything, except where clearance is an issue. You really need both, but I’d start with the deep wells.

Probably should have been clearer in my firestarter, I wasn't really asking for purchasing advice as I've already kind of "bought in" (in 1/2" drive only), but that's what got me thinking as I was wiping down and organizing things.

I have both shallow and deep well in 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 inch. Standard and metric.

Yes...we've seen your toolbox(s). I knew you'd show up for this one, was like putting out the Bat Signal.

Chili - Are you somehow trying to make an argument that we need less tools????

[IGNORE]

I would NEVER do such a thing and if I did, I'm probably ill and near death. Put a fork in me, I'm done. That said, it may well be a consideration for someone just starting to put a tool box together, somewhat to @SuperTramp 's point.

I learned the hard way early on and only purchased tools through necessity, which means to say I always had the right tool for the job after I needed it.

Being able to stick a box end wrench on them is a bonus that has saved me a few times.

This is a damn handy feature, and an underrated one. My impacts don't have it but I do have some sockets in the stash that do, some spark plug and sensor sockets come to mind. Quite like those low profile impacts.