A reader told me they’re still looking for a decent deal on universal-style impact sockets. They mentioned specifically looking for a complete 3/8″ impact socket set that includes universal sockets.
While this Gearwrench set doesn’t quite fit those needs, it is a decent universal impact socket set, and it’s on sale at a great price.
Most retailers seem to have this set for $88 and up, while Amazon has it for $69.39.
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This is the 3/8″ drive 10pc metric set, covering sizes from 10mm to 19mm, and without skipping any sizes.
Sale Price: $69.39
Buy Now via Amazon
Compare via Home Depot
If you need a broader range of sizes, the 3/8″ drive 15pc metric set is also on sale, for $78.97. This set comes with universal-style sockets from 8mm to 22mm, also without skipping any sizes.
Sale Price: $78.97
Buy Now via Amazon
Compare via Home Depot
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These sockets feature Cr-Mo (chrome molybdenum) alloy steel, 6pt hex recesses with chamfered openings and off-corner loading design, and laser-etched high visibility markings.
Reviews for both sets are exceptionally positive, with 87% 5-star reviews on Amazon for the 10pc set, and 82% for the 15pc set.
Note: Gearwrench is a ToolGuyd sponsor.
Aaron s
I’m a screws and nails and rectangles guy not a wrench guy… Does universal socket mean it has a swivel?
Zack
Yeah, it refers to the swivel. Doesn’t make the most sense, I agree.
Tom D
Comes from calling the swivel connector a “universal joint” or u-joint.
Nathan
THis. impact universals are made different. but if you look up universal hand sockets you will see it clearly.
MM
I’ve got some gearwrench stuff on my wish list, but alas none of the sale items they have had so far have been on it.
Gearwrench also makes pinless versions of these sockets, they call them “X-Core”. If those go on sale I am jumping on a set.
Koko The Talking Ape
“Pinless” meaning the universal joint doesn’t have pins? Is that stronger or more durable?
MM
Yes, there are no pins in the joint. They are stronger and they last longer because the wear is spread over a much larger area compared to pins.
Joatman
I’m curious how the swivel insert turns with the socket. It looks like there is a groove cut vertically on each side of the ball, so I’m guessing there’s a nub on each side of the socket that sort of makes a two-toothed gear?
Nathan
something like that and they will wear out with hard use.
MM
Yes, that’s how the traditional impact swivels work from most brands. There’s two slots in the ball and two pins pressed into the socket body that engage those slots.
The X-core sockets are a bit different; instead the “ball” has four very deep grooves in it and the socket has four lobes (for lack of a better word) which fit into those grooves. so instead of line contact on a pair of small cylindrical pins you have four rather large banana-shaped faces making contact.
To use your gear analogy, a traditional universal impact socket would be a relatively small two-toothed gear, while the X-core is a much larger four-toothed design.
Joatman
Thanks for both replies. Yes, “lobes” sound a bit more professional than “nuts”. Lol. But makes sense that 4 would hold up longer being the force is distributed into 4 points of contact rather than two. Thanks again.
Stuart
What other stuff is on your list?
MM
Set of SAE Flex-head combination wrenches #86759
X-core 3/8 impact socket sets 84974, -75, and -76
Large Metric flex-head combination wrenches 9903D
And a few sizes specific sizes of the mm flex-head combination wrenches to fill some holes in my set: 9908D, 9909D, 9911D, 9916D, 9918D.
Adam
I’ve been eyeing the extended x-core models. Set 84980. May splurge for a 10mm to begin with, then hopefully snag a set on sale.
I wouldn’t mind that 84975 set as well.
fred
The prices do seem like they are good. I compared to a Grey Pneumatic set:
https://www.amazon.com/Grey-Pneumatic-1210UMD-10-Piece-Universal/dp/B01B3PD5WA
Grey Pneumatic (probably others too) offer several different options including universal impacts in regular, deep and semi-deep sizes in both 6 and 12 point styles for metric and SAE fasteners. They also offer regular (non universl joint) styles with built-in magnets:
https://www.gpsocket.com/products/category.phtml/impact_socket_sets/3_8/
Nathan
my biggest grief is that I don’t see the point of a sub 12mm or even 15mm impact socket and thus the need for 3/8 drive impact sockets. What with torque ratings. LIke that new dewalt compact Impact or the milwaukee compact.
300 + ft lbs into a 3/8 drive anvil is significant – likewise into a 10mm bolt or specifically it’s 7mm threaded shank. Now yes an impact wrench only gets that much torque down when it meets that sort of torque resistance. but in the spin and jerk associated with – there is alot of potential for snapping.
but I will also say I get some grief from people from running my standard hand sockets off my impact driver. which is still 150 ft lbs – but that’s in the range of them. not double. I suppose I see some use for them but again not below a certain range. seems like overkill.
Dave P
If you use use a standard chrome-type socket often enough on an impact wrench/impact driver, you’d see why smallish impact sockets are needed.
Even if the socket never breaks and shatters–and believe me, they can– they will get sloppy on the drive end (and won’t stay on the tool) and, if a 12-pt. socket, they’ll eventually round off inside/ wear out and slip on the fastener.
Has nothing to do with the torque rating of the impact or the socket itself, it’s the repeated WHAM WHAM WHAM of the impact, it’ll wreck the socket at best, or drop the socket deep inside something where you can’t retrieve it, or at worst hurt you with the shattered, flying pieces.
Stuart
Impact sockets are also useful for various installation, assembly, or maintenance tasks, where an impact wrench saves space compared to an impact driver paired with adapters.
Less bulk in the socket itself can also make a difference in tighter spaces.
Dave P
I’ve never seen an impact socket that wasn’t thicker/bulkier than the chrome version….
Stuart
No, I mean 3/8” vs 1/2”.
MM
You’re completely correct that a modern 3/8 impact wrench can easily break fasteners with 10, 12, 15mm heads. But that’s if one is careless and mindlessly applies full power when it’s not necessary. Feather the trigger or use the electronic torque limiting that most cordless impact wrenches have these days and one can use those smaller size sockets no problem.
I personally like having the set run that small because it means I can avoid purchasing a 1/4 impact wrench & sockets for it. I can do the vast majority of my auto work with just that one tool.
Dave P
Impact-tool disassembly of rusted or “locktite-ed” parts can easily exceed the limits of a normal socket, even if the assembly was well within the limits of safety. And again, the WHAM WHAM WHAM of the impact will ruin the drive end (3/8, 1/2, 3/4, etc) of the socket and then it falls off of the anvil, even if not tightening all that tight it will ruin the socket over time… ever try to get a socket out of the water jacket of an engine?
MM
Socket in a water jacket? No. But I have dropped one down the open throat of a carburetor whereupon it, of course, fell all the way down the manifold and wedged against the intake valve. I’ve also dropped a dowel pin inside a water jacket though thankfully it was an alumium block so it wasn’t hard to get it out with a magnet on fishing line.
Anyway I completely agree about it being ill-advised to use chrome sockets in impact applications. I only do it for very low torque applications, like trim or light duty brackets under the hood. For anything more than that I want impact rated tools, hence why I like how small this set gets.
ONR
How many pounds of torque will the universal joint withstand prior to snapping?
Stuart