Klein Tools has introduced new 2-in-1 impact socket set (66010), with each socket fitting two different fastener sizes.
The new Klein Tools impact socket set features 6 tools that can fit 12 common fastener sizes used in construction and utility applications. They feature 12pt socket ends, with the inner size being spring-loaded for quick hands-free adjustments.
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See Also: Klein 2-in-1 nut drivers
The new Klein 2-in-1 impact sockets are also color-coded, for quicker size retrieval.
When placed over a fastener corresponding to the larger size, the inner sleeve depresses into the tool, and returns to its position when the job is done.
Here are the socket sizes included in the new set:
- 1/2″ + 3/8″
- 5/8″ + 7/16″
- 3/4″ + 9/16″
- 7/8″ + 11/16″
- 1″ + 13/16″
- 1-1/8″ + 15/16″
The sockets also feature a cross-hole design, for better socket retention when used with an adapter or impact wrench with pin detent anvil.
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Price: ~$198 for the set
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
First Thoughts
I would presume that Klein’s initial 2-in-1 socket offerings were popular, leading to the expansion of the line with this new set.
Klein Tools highlights the easy hands-free adjustment, and that you can switch sizes without having to take your gloves off. They do seem to be convenient.
Is there a downside to these 2-in-1 sockets?
Update: CJ and Taras make good points in the comments. Due to the design, the inner sizes have thicker side walls compared to single-size sockets, which could potentially pose clearance issues depending on the application.
Here’s the promo video:
Additional Klein Tools x-in-1 Sockets
Klein Tools actually introduced a pair of 2-in-1 impact sockets last year. Klein 66004 and 66001 are both 3/4″ and 9/16″ sockets, with the first being 6pt, and the second 12pt. They work in the same way as the newly announced set.
Buy Now(6pt via Amazon)
Buy Now(12pt via Amazon)
According to product listing imagery, Klein has updated the look of their existing standalone 2-in-1 impact socket size – at least the 12pt – with the new styling and color-coding.
There is also a 4-in-1 square impact socket, NRHD4, with 3/4″, 13/16″, 1″, and 1-1/8″ square sockets. It is shown here attached to its included 1/2″ square drive 7/16″ hex quick-change chuck adapter (NRHDA4).
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Lastly, there is also a 3-in-1 impact socket, NRHD, which is double-ended rather than being spring-loaded.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Cj
The downside is the crazy thick wall, the price, and having the deal with Klein when the moving parts wear out. Plus you’ll still need to carry shorts and deep thin wall.
fred
They are probably designed specifically for Electric Utility (e.g. linemen) workers.
The pricing is probably commensurate with what the Utility market will bear – but does seem a bit out of line with the cost of specialty sockets that are used in the water, oilfield and pipeline industries. In our plumbing business we had specialty sockets from folks like Perfecto Products, Reed and Wheeler Rex that were more costly than the typical automotive socket – but perhaps not so premium-priced as these Kleins. FYI – I’ve provided a link to 2 of the specialty plumbing tool firms:
http://perfectoproducts.net/products/
http://www.wheelerrex.com/products/wrenches-and-fastening-tools/heavy-duty-deep-sockets/
Wayne R.
Yep, line work is clearly where these would be ideal. Not a lot of room up in a bucket, more clearance around nuts than usual, and changing tools while gloved up is a pain.
Taras
Only downside might be clearance around the nut when using the smaller size. Essentially it becomes an extremely thick walled socket. I initially thought these would be great, as I would only need two of them to be able to join Victaulic piping, but they would be useless when trying to use the smaller size in that situation. With no clearance issues, they do seem like a good idea.
Richard Pino
Another solution without a problem…….flip sockets have been doing this with less parts to lose for a long time now……..
Julian
Is there a downside? Seriously? $200 for a simple impact set with possible clearance issues.
Impact socket sets are available for from many many sources and in general are pretty much quality even in terms of performance, so why you’d pay $200 for a set to do a $50-80 set’s work is beyond me.
Not so much of a “Quality tools cost too much money!” argument, more of a gimmicky idea with little benefit with a high price to boot.
Stuart
Cost is usually a primary consideration factor for consumer goods, but this isn’t a consumer product. For something like this, does it save time? Effort? Is it more convenient? That’s where I’m hoping the product’s target audience can chime in about.
It’s a specialty product for very specific professional applications. Are you a lineman? Utility worker? I’m not. The applications for of a tool like this are well outside my wheelhouse, and so it’s fair to ask what the downsides are.
Julian
I look at color coded sets, be they hex key, sockets or other and always wonder how am I supposed to remember what size each color is??
Not as though it’s like the simple red for SAE and blue for metric, or blue for phillips and red for slot screwdriver, etc.
Two colors I can remember, but the rainbow colorized sets with no defined meaning prior to each set’s choice of colors seems a feature without much benefit.
Peter Fox
While I will agree that arbitrary color coding probably doesn’t add much value. If it aligns with an industry standard it can be a huge help.
And I have not paid much attention to the color codes that hex keys manufacturers are using. There are some successes are standardizing colors The best example I can think of is nut-drivers.
I believe Xcelite started color coding them back in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s and virtually evert current manufacturer follows the same color code. It makes it real easy to spot the one you need when the color code is consistent . I have even gone to putting matching colored electrical tape on my smaller size wrenches and some sockets to make identifying them easier. I do some TV and amatuer radio antenna tower work and it really helps to be able to identify a wench size at a glance when you are digging in your tool pouches while working at height.
It all comes down to good standardization and consistency.
MichaelHammer
Peter answered the question well with the fact that through use he learned the color coding. There are many instances in the trades where color coding is faster and more efficient. You’d be surprised at how fast one can learn it. The secret is that pros are using these tools every single day. We even refer to the color on the jodsite rather than the size.
Wayne R.
Yes, the this-thing-takes-this-color technique evolves a lot faster than converting everything to an intermediate number.
The What?
A socket inside of a socket reversed on one end turned down to fit inside of the id broached and held in by a spring and retaining ring with 2 different sizes on each end. Pretty clever I guess, but not $200 worth of machining and certainly not $200 worth of sockets. Not even close. These are basic impact rated sockets that for some reason (because it’s a Klein product) cost triple than what an individual size socket goes for. They must have teamed up with snap on to produce these. The price certainly indicates that may have been the case. Are these meant to be used with an impact wrench or with an impact driver with socket adapters? You would have to carry both ½” & ⅜” drive impact wrenches which is substantially more expensive than if you were to use a driver with adapters. With the limited space inside of a bucket I would opt for the adapters and a normal set of impact sockets and a ratchet.
fred
I’m guessing they are targeted at use with a hydraulic impact wrench from a bucket truck. The ones that Greenlee sell – come with a 7/16hex chuck and a 7/16hex to 1/2 sq. adapter – like this one:
https://www.toolup.com/Greenlee-H8508-1V-Impact-Wrench-1-2-7-16-He
Wayne R.
A line crew driving a $200k truck carrying a $1k wrench isn’t going to blink at a $0.2k socket set.
But if it doesn’t get the job done with speed & simplicity, it’ll be in the bushes in a second.
Eric
I honestly don’t see hoe this is better than individual impact sockets, especially when it’s so much more than what u can pick a set of 12 impact sockets up for. I mean the only thing that could possibly be handy is if u had to go from one size to the other u wouldn’t have to switch sockets but that’s others size fastener would have to be the same size as the one in the socket or other wise your changing out the whole socket anyway.
Kjell
I wish I could buy them separately. I do HVACR and ever since my buddy showed me his I wanted one! But I only need the 1/4 and the 5/16. Working on air conditioning we switch from those to sizes all the time, even on the same condenser/air handler.