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Last updated on May 3, 2022 5:39 am by the writer.
The best socket set for a 1/2 inch impact wrench is made from Cr-Mo alloy steel. Gearwrench, Sunex, Craftsman, Tekton, Bacho, and snap-on are brands to consider.
The toughness from CR-Mo is important as standard sockets built from harder steel will be more brittle and break under the pressure from an impact wrench, or impact driver, and softer metals will burr.
With build material in mind, you also want an impact socket set that contains all the bits you would need in the future and a case that is strong and durable enough to withstand your conditions to organize your bits nicely.
Grey Pneumatic 82622 18 pcs 1/2 in, SAE impact socket sets with a hand ratchet
Features ½” drives and 6-point design.
Each socket has roll stamps and laser etching.
Comes with a 24-tooth quick-release ratchet.
The wobble sockets aren’t the most robust.
How impact sockets work?
Impact sockets are the removable components of socket wrenches that fit onto nuts and bolt heads.
They are the primary point of contact with the fasteners, loosening or tightening them as needed.
Impact sockets are designed specifically to work with impact wrenches, which deliver bursts of twisting power to loosen or tighten fasteners.
These sockets work pretty much the same way as sockets used in hand ratchet wrenches and standard socket wrenches, a practical gift to give your fellow mechanic.
However, they are made of a much stronger material that will not shatter, or burr when subjected to extreme torque, if they are made from the right materials.
Impact sockets are used mainly by automotive technicians and builders.
They are also used by DIYers, particularly car owners who prefer working on their own cars instead of bringing them to a car repair shop.
Reasons to buy 1/2 impact socket set
½ inch impact socket set is the best and most common size for impact socket wrenches, so a set that includes this size will let you work on a wide variety of nuts and bolts. Here are some other reasons to buy ½” impact sockets:
They can help you remove even the most stubborn fasteners.
They can prevent injury caused by shattered sockets.
They will work even with manual ratchet wrenches and standard power wrenches.
They allow you to loosen nuts and bolts located in tight spots.
They let you remove fasteners without cutting into the surrounding material or drilling into the bolt with drill bits.
They let you fix your own car at home.
What we looked at when we inspected 1/2 inch impact sockets
1. The socket quantity.
Your set should have a comprehensive range of standard-sized sockets, including the common drive sizes such as ¼”, ⅜”, ½”, ¾”, 1”, 1 ½”, 2 ½”, and 3 ½”.
It’s also a good idea to get sockets in less common sizes such as ⅝”.
3. Included Metric sockets.
These are essential for working on most nuts and bolts used around the world.
Metric sockets are especially important if you ever need to work on foreign cars manufactured since the 1990s.
2. Socket build material.
Don’t even consider impact sockets that aren’t made from Chrome Molybdenum (Cr-MO) [1].
Other sockets just aren’t strong enough to withstand the extreme torque put out by impact wrenches and will likely shatter when used.
4. Included SAE sockets.
Try to get a set that includes SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) sockets.
These sockets are based on the English/Imperial measurement system and will fit fasteners used in older cars as well as certain brands of battery terminals.
5. The socket depth.
It’s a good idea to get deep sockets along with the shallow sockets that typically come with a set. Deep sockets will let you reach into blind bolts to get to the nut and accommodate long bolts as well.
Why you can’t use regular sockets in an impact wrench
Although you can use impact sockets with standard wrenches (powered or manual), the opposite isn’t the case. Regular sockets will burr and likely shatter when used with impact wrenches or impact drivers and potentially cause serious injuries and frustrations.
Make sure to use only impact sockets with impact wrenches and drivers, that are made of chrome molybdenum (Cr-Mo) steel.
Understanding standard and deep sockets
Most impact socket sets come with standard or “shallow” sockets. These will work well for most situations like hanging a bike on the ceiling or fastening concrete with wood, and most people won’t need any other types of sockets.
Shallow sockets are especially useful for working in tight spaces or on cars and motorcycles, where there is usually very little room to maneuver.
Deep sockets are better suited for specialized jobs, such as working on bolted joints and blind bolts.
These applications require more reach than standard “shallow” sockets can provide.
Deep sockets are also more useful for loosening the clamp bolts that hold exhaust pipes in place.
And if you have to loosen the nut on a long bolt that extends farther than the length of a standard socket, only a deep socket will do.
SAE, metric, or both?
SAE sockets are based on the English or Imperial measurement system adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
These sockets are typically sized in fractions of an inch, such as ½”, ⅜”, and ¹³⁄₁₆”.
These sizes were common in trucks and cars in the 1970s, although they are still used in vehicles manufactured as recently as the mid-2000s.
The metric system is, of course, the most widely-used measurement system in the world. They are used in almost every foreign car manufactured in the past 30 years.
So should you go for SAE or metric sockets? Most socket sets you could buy today probably consist of metric sockets.
I suggest purchasing SAE sockets in the most common sizes to cover you for every conceivable application.
Can you use impact sockets with a hand ratchet?
You can absolutely use impact sockets with hand ratcheting wrenches and even other powered turning tools.
Impact wrenches and impact drivers deliver the most torque among all tools, so impact sockets are naturally built to withstand the punishment.
If an impact socket fits onto your hand ratcheting wrench or even your manual socket wrench, you can go ahead and use them for all your tools.
Without any worry, you can also attach the bits to your impact driver with a wrench socket attachment they will hold up and last much longer than any standard socket set.
Remember, this doesn’t apply to regular sockets. Do not use your standard sockets with your impact tools, or they will probably shatter.
Only use impact sockets (preferably made from chrome-molybdenum) with impact tools such as the Milwaukee impact wrench , and you should have no trouble.
Top 1/2 impact socket sets
#1 Best quality impact socket set
The Gearwrench 84947N is a huge collection of high-quality sockets, consisting of 39 pieces in all.
Each piece is made of high-grade chrome molybdenum (Cr-Mo) alloy steel for the ultimate in strength and durability, making these little minions suitable for the most demanding professional applications.
Some of the sockets in the set have parallel necks that allow for working in tight areas where standard sockets won’t fit.
The sockets also have sliding lock mechanisms that ensure a secure attachment to the extension for worry-free operation. And with chamfered socket openings as standard, you are assured of a snug fit with any type of nut or bolt.
I like the case, the sized selections, and the life span durability of Cr-mo.
If the quantity is what you are after, look no further than the Craftsman CMMT16548 set. A staggering collection of 48 sockets, this set will cover you for virtually any application.
Each piece is precision-crafted to withstand extremely high amounts of torque, and you get both standard and metric sizes for maximum versatility.
The Craftsman 1/2 impact socket set even comes with a rugged hard-shell case that protects the sockets from loss or damage.
#1 Best value 1/2 impact socket kit for your money
The Sunex 2569 set offers one of the following best value choices, with 38 individual pieces, extension bars, and even universal joints.
Each socket is made of high-grade chrome-molybdenum steel, assuring you of utmost strength and reliability.
The radius corner design of each socket helps increase torque while preventing rounding off of fastener corners.
Other features of the Sunex 1/2 impact socket set include chamfered openings for quick socket alignment and dual-size markings for easy identification.
#1 Impact socket set [1/2 inch] with a hand ratchet
The Grey Pneumatic 82629MD set is admittedly pricier than most, but you do get a lot of value for your money. The set consists of 27 pieces with included extension bars, with each piece manufactured for precision fit and quality finish.
The sockets all have a nice heft to them, giving you the result of high-quality construction. For real.
Each one is double-marked as well, so you always know what size to pick up in the heat of the moment.
If you need a dependable set of impact sockets for automotive work or any other task, the Grey Pneumatic 82629MD set is worth a closer look.
Impact sockets are some of the most durable and hard-wearing fastening bits you could own, but that doesn’t mean you should just throw them in a toolbox without care!
Organize them neatly in a carrying case.
Keeping your impact sockets in a carrying case or strongbox with holders for each socket will keep them well organized and help you avoid losing them.
One of the worst things is to have to loosen a fastener in a specific size only to find that the appropriate socket is missing.
Keep them in a rugged and organized case, and you will be able to pull out what you need at a moment’s notice.
Separate your impact sockets from regular sockets.
Keeping your impact socket separate from your standard sockets will also prevent you from using the wrong one for the wrong tool.
You could generally use impact sockets with standard socket wrenches, but you definitely won’t want to use your standard sockets with your impact wrench.
Keep your impact socket set and standard socket set in their own cases, and you will be much less likely to get them mixed up.
Wear safety gear.
Always wear protective gear when working with impact wrenches and sockets. Safety goggles are a must, along with a face shield, gloves, and body protective equipment.
The Gearwrench 84947N is a whopping 39-piece set that offers both standard and deep sizes.
Crafted from impact-grade chrome molybdenum (Cr-Mo) alloy steel, these sockets boast impressive strength and durability.
Features such as parallel necks give you the versatility to handle a wide range of applications, making this one of the best ½” impact sockets you can get for the money.
The Grey Pneumatic 82629MD set consists of 27 pieces and extension bars.
It also comes with a hand ratchet so you can use it for a variety of tasks right out of the box.
Each piece is noticeably high quality, with a pro-level fit and finish. The double markings and the nice heft further add to the impressive feel of the set.
If you also need a smaller set of sockets for your 3/8 inch tool make sure to check my review of the best 3/8 impact socket set as well!
Our 1/2 impact socket recommendation
Pros:
Each socket we found to have a reassuring weight and a high-quality build.
Comes with extension bars and a hand ratchet.
Accurate fit and finish.
Cons:
The extensions no longer include the ‘wobble’ feature.
Hi, my name is David Walker, and thanks for reading this article!
As a leading mind in construction and engineering as a mechanic, and a car restoration enthusiast I share some of my tips here at Bangingtoolbox for young men to grow their practical abilities and skills in their garage or workshop.
If you have any questions about your car restoration projects or if you have any bright ideas or queries you can find out more here.
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![Best impact socket sets [Including both 3/8 and 1/2 bits]](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20300%20180%22%3E%3C/svg%3E "Best impact socket sets [Including both 3/8 and 1/2 bits]")
