Looking for a good set of inexpensive 1/2" drive impact sockets. Mostly for changing wheels but looking to get the best bang for my buck...

 

I have a set of Kobalt ones that are decent and were on sale at Lowes. Can't remember how much though.

Edit:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...380&lpage=none

 

Kobalt and Craftsman are good. I have a set of Kobalt that are many years old and have withstood a MAJOR beating. Bought a set of Craftsman Deep socket impacts for christmas, but haven't needed to use them yet.

for just cheapo impact sockets, Harbor Freight makes some that will do the job and are much less money.

BUT.. watch Lowes and Sears/KMart for tools on sale. good deals to be had.

 

Harbor Freight. If you dont have one close by, check their website

 

I have one 5 min from my house... but I am just uneasy about the sockets... maybe I am just being paranoid...

 

Impact sockets I wouldn't worry about. Using impact wrench on cheap HF regular sockets? nuh uh.

 

Ideally all you need is like 14, 17, 19, 21 in impact. The rest you'll never use. Just like how you buy one of those socket sets full of 12pt standard sockets.

My co-worker has been using the same snap on chrome socket for the past 5 years for taking off/on lugs, hes never broken it.

Check out this. I have a few Ingersoll sockets, and they arent bad, i actually have what id recommend for you!

You cant beat the bang for the buck on this. I use this at work, awesome, most tuner style keys are 19mm along with hondas, fords, etc, while nissans are 21mm. The 1/2 drive is in the middle of the socket, so one side is 19mm, one side is 21, flip it around for whatever side is applicable to your situation. oh and fwiw, most sockets fit better with 3/4 and 13/16" rather then 19/21mm..

http://www.irtoolsales.com/ingersoll...et-sk4c3f.html

 

You could try Jonnesway also.

I probably would buy them individually as you need them too (that's what I did) - but you have to calculate it out - I may have actually spent more buying them on separate occasions - when I add shipping etc..., or gas and inconvenience to go get it.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=7383

you can tear apart just about everything on the car with that set.

 

I love those flip sockets. A flip socket and an impact with an extended shank make doing wheel work so much quicker.

Of course, the holes in some alloy wheels are too narrow to accomodate the socket.

I've been using regular Craftsman chrome sockets for doing wheels for quite a while now, the last ~3 years, never had any issues. They're the only thing that will fit in a wheel, sometimes.

Though I did have an A32 come into work once, the regular chrome socket wouldn't even fit into the wheel (aftermarket) to get the lugnuts off. Ended up using a spark plug socket, worked perfectly.

 

Bastard. That was such a good deal I had to buy it for spares.


I also picked up two stubby ratchets for $9.99.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93695

 

Thats the set I went with... It was $19.99 in the store, and on sale for $15.99. I also had a 20% off coupon, so I spent a total of $13 and change for the set with case... Cannot complain at all!

 

I have those same ratchets from HUSKY. I purchased them at Home Depot for $3 or so... Cannot beat that!

 

Guess I paid too much then. Haha. I also just got a pair of Craftsman work gloves for $4.99, except they are red. Oh well, can't really complain for that price.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...7655000P?mv=rr

 

I have a set of those FTW....they are nice...

 

I got my 1/2" metric deep set, 10-24mm, at Walmart back in 03. I think they are Campbell Hausfeld; they have never let me down. They were $20.
I picked up a set of 1/2" SAE deep Stanleys at Walmart last year, again around $20. Seem to be just as well made.

VIP sells Great Neck sockets for even cheaper, 1/2" deep or shallow. Im skeptical however.

 

harborfreight FTW!!!

 

Just for the record, I ordered my stuff from Harbor Freight Feb 7, and just got the package yesterday, so don't count on speedy shipping unless you pay extra. Of course, this is just one person's experience. I should have just gone to the store, haha. Everything looks good though.

 

I had to order some replacement casters for my HF aluminum jack one time. took 5 MONTHS to get..
grrrrr

 

Okay then, compared to that I guess I shouldn't complain.