Author	[Modern View]
G6 at Snook, TX 03-15-2013 17:12:42 216.228.75.77 Report to Moderator	Who makes a good USA made impact socket? Craftsman is now Chinese made. 1/2 inch. Has anyone used the Harbor Freight brand? It gets good reviews--on its website. What about the 1/2 inch impact wrench? USA made? Or how about the "earthquake" wrench from Harbor Freight? Thanks. [Reply]   [No Email]
Ken(Ark) 03-19-2013 19:05:25 173.185.123.234 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Those are a lot nicer than the two wraps of electrical tape I've been using . I better print off that link and leave it laying around for the wife to find , birthdays in a few weeks ya know , wink wink . [Reply]  [No Email]
36 coupe 03-19-2013 01:41:25 69.49.142.155 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   Kitts Industrial Tools sells US made impact sockets very high priced.They have imports too.The price spread will amaze you. [Reply]  [No Email]
G6 at Snook, TX 03-16-2013 20:24:35 216.228.75.77 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   Y'all know anything about NAPA Professional Sockets? They are made in Taiwan and are on sale for $52.99 a set. [Reply]  [No Email]
Hobo,NC 03-16-2013 19:15:56 98.17.81.56 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to TOM N MS, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see The guy that has been with me now for 2 years uses metric sockets on about every thing he works on ( even uses the metric on standard chit but theirs not much standard chit anymore)... He now has Mac and snap-on semi-deep sets all chrome he rarely uses a impact socket... He uses a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter on a 1/2 air-cat gun... He's the worst abuser of tools I have ever ran across but those Mac and snapper sockets hold up and I am shocked I would never abuse my tools like he does warranty are no warranty... My Thoughts.... On the standard chit buy cheap most cheap chit now is acceptable... On the metric buy the good chit its hear to stay... I have found Sunex and GP to hold their own again the overpriced Tool truck brands in the socket line... In the wrench line (boxed and open end) the tool truck brands can not be beat BAR NONE no matter how proud you are of them.... Gearwrench has expanded to offer sockets and wrenches that would serve the DIY'er well... I am a 1/4" drive guy others tell me they never seen a man use 1/4" in so many places... If they offer it in 1/4" I have it my 1/4" chit hangs in front of all the rest.... The best thang that has ever come about is those locking gismos that lock a socket to a extension... I work in a environment were if you drop it you may never find it those lockers have saved me a bunch... http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-5778-sk-hand-tool-4941.aspx [Reply]  [No Email]
Jock(OR) 03-16-2013 23:16:00 71.216.23.229 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to Hobo,NC, 03-16-2013 19:15:56   When I made a living repairing aircraft I learned about 1/4" drive tools. I now use them for everything within their torque range and only move up to the bigger drives if I can't get enough torque or I don't have a large enough socket. I love how handy the little guys are! [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 03-16-2013 18:38:36 174.20.239.40 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   I've never been much of a fan of Harbor Freight. Perhaps I'm a bit old fashioned but to me it seems that nice tools can be an end in themselves. Folks collect tools just like they collect art or guns or antiques. And one advantage to collecting tools is you can use them to get your tractor running or build a deck on your house or a piece of furniture. I think your tools say a lot about who you are. Some folks when they take vacation will jump on a plane so they can get there quickly. I would rather take Amtrack where the ride is half the fun. Or like using my old scythe. I know that a gas powered string trimmer will do more work faster than my scythe will. But I do get a bit of satisfaction from cleaning up the weeds around buildings and trees with it. And I've never had anyone stop and ask about a string trimmer. But I've had a couple people stop as they drove by and talk about my scythe - how their grand dad used one or even ask to try it themselves. I know this is getting a bit off topic but getting good tools is a worthy endeavor and using cheap tools just to get the job done isn't so great. They sure don't give you any pride of ownership. That much I know. [Reply]  [No Email]
Hobo,NC 03-16-2013 16:06:36 98.17.81.56 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to TOM N MS, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Those HF chitty tools have came a long way from 30 years ago they are better I will admit that... The reason the good chit will fetch top dollar is a real wrench works on production... To beat the clock it takes the best... If you are getting paid by the hour who cares how long it takes are what you fudge up with those HF tools... [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 03-16-2013 17:32:29 108.112.113.41 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to Hobo,NC, 03-16-2013 16:06:36   you got that right! I remember some of the pakistani tools from the 80's and some of the early chinese junk with junky plastics..a nd bad alloy metals in ratchets that stripped .. rounded off.. cheap drop forged wrenches that could be bent by hand. I agree 100%. last 15 years has seen a huge jump in quality from offshore hand tools. and in the last 5, the power tools have really stepped up... it wasn't too far back when you only had 2 choices.. expensive and good.. or cheap and junk. only recently could a production mechanic actually get by with economy tools like this. no way a real shop could have worked on stuff using that pakistan type 500 piece ( all the half milimeter pieces ) set you used to be able to buy in the flat then metal try.. chrome plating already flaking off and rusting when you bought them.. fo sho agree... [Reply]  [No Email]
DollarBill 03-16-2013 04:32:36 98.70.233.128 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   I've had the 1/2 EarthQuake impact wrench for several years - It easily out torques my 30 year old Chicago Pneumatic - Even when it was brand new. I HAVE NEVER PUT IT ON A FASTENER THAT IT DIDN'T BREAK LOOSE OR WRING OFF. As my good friend Hobo alluded, I don't use them to feed my family and the longevity of the EarthQuake remains to be seen. So far, I've been well pleased with the gun. But, like a lot of stuff made offshore - It does what you need but you just aren't proud of it. [Reply]  [No Email]
tesmith66 03-16-2013 03:12:34 66.117.97.118 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   I have the Earthquake impact wrench from HF. It's heavy, but very strong. Have had no problems with it at all. I have had it for 5 or 6 years and use pretty much every weekend. I recommend it. [Reply]  [No Email]
mstas 03-15-2013 20:51:57 72.251.12.1 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   I've got a snap on set . had them over 35 years. [Reply]  [No Email]
G6 at Snook, TX 03-15-2013 20:44:14 216.228.75.77 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   I have a craftsman set I bought a few years ago. And it has served me fine for my occasional use. It was made in the USA, but alas not anymore. My brother is buying a 60 gallon ingersol tomorrow from TSC. He needs the tools to go with it, so I ask. [Reply]  [No Email]
Hobo,NC 03-15-2013 19:34:01 98.17.81.56 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to Dell (WA), 03-15-2013 17:12:42   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see I get to play with all the good chit at my day job every day ... Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Cornwell, SK... The best bang for the buck is Sunex are GP... http://www.sunextools.com/ http://www.gpsocket.com/ I don't doubt that those that play a little will have luck with the cheap HF chit (They don't know any different),,, if their day job did depend on their tools HF chit would not get'er done...... [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 03-16-2013 14:40:50 108.112.118.15 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to Hobo,NC, 03-15-2013 19:34:01   i happen to know a construction co in central florida that, for the time being, is having the bulk of their maint and repairs done by them 'chitty' tools by someone who don't know better. ;) working out go so far. economy is so bad we can't go out and buy 17000$ of new tools to keep the operation running.. so a few hundred of HF had been doing good. ;) I like the warranty ont he hand tools as well. same as craftsman.. no question asked... though i havn't had to use that warranty yet. :) I'm actually glad I'm not a real mechanic. I'd be broke. I've seen what the matco and snapon delaers used to charge our mechanic before he moved. scarry prices. :) I have a healthy respect for real mechanics. [Reply]  [No Email]
Colin King 03-15-2013 19:12:27 71.49.81.17 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   I have 2 Ingersol Rand sets, 1 standard and 1 metric. They've done the job when I've needed them. I doubt that their US made, though. Colin, MN [Reply]  [No Email]
mattwillson 03-15-2013 19:04:50 70.54.4.223 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   Snap On [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 03-15-2013 17:38:52 108.112.13.97 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to G6 at Snook, TX, 03-15-2013 17:12:42   i have a set of 3/8 and 1/2" drive HF impack sockets with the black phosphate finish. i'll tell you. I've never broke a hf ratchet, breaker bar, socket or air gun. when I'm grabbing for a socket to do soemthing.. if my hand don't fall on an impact socket fast.. it grabs one of the plain chrome ones. i've had my 3/4" and 1" gun blazing away on thos eplain chrome sockets taking big stuff loose.. cuz i only have the plain chrome in the 3/4 and 1" size. like I said. ain't never broke one.. me doing pull ups on a 6' pipe onthe end of a big breaker bar.. :) [Reply]  [No Email]
McBride 03-15-2013 17:53:08 74.70.171.169 Report to Moderator	Re: OT-Impact Sockets in reply to soundguy, 03-15-2013 17:38:52   I have a set of Harbor Freight"s impack sockets for 15 years. Use them all the time. Never broke one yet. [Reply]  [No Email]