• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

question for the mechanics

mitch504

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
5,776
Location
Andrews SC
Not to be a smartass, but, yes.

Well, I lied in the first part of that, but, I use both deep and shallow. I guess if I had none, I would buy deep first, because there's probably more spots where you can only use deep than spots where you can only use shallow. I probably use my shallow ones the most, though.
 

catfixer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
168
Location
Pittsburg, KS
If I could only have one it would be deep, but like mitch says, always good to have both. Can usually find one inch sockets at farm auctions and such. I was fortunate enough to get 3/4 to 5 1/2 inch sockets in a trade from a guy that was getting out of the field service game, hate to know what it would have cost me to get new
 

lantraxco

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
7,704
Location
Elsewhen
do you buy deep or shallow one inch drive sockets

I bought a set of shallow ones, just buy the deeps as I need them. Same with 3/4" actually, for the equipment I work on it's rare to need a deep socket, but then I'm probably in the shallow end of the gene pool again.
 

willie59

Administrator
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
13,396
Location
Knoxville TN
Occupation
Service Manager
I reckon I'm like Lantraxco...shallow end of the gene pool. Automotive may find more applications for deep sockets, but I've been working on all manner or machinery since back in the 80's and by and large most tasks can be done with shallow sockets, rarely have I needed deep sockets on machines, and there at spots where deep would be a hindrance in tight spots, or just plain won't work.

My 1/4" ratchet sockets I prefer 6 point. 3/8" and 1/2" ratchet sockets, 12 point, I always have my 6 point impact sockets in 3/8 and 1/2 if the job requires six point. On 3/4 and 1" sockets, pretty much only use 6 point impact sockets.
 

Wes J

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2016
Messages
649
Location
Peoria, IL
I think shallow is fine. You might want to get deep in the sizes 1-1/2 and smaller. For the others, shallow will be fine.

Beware, you can spend piles of money on 1" drive sockets. I think most brands go from 3/4 all the way to 4-1/2. There are around 40 sizes available in there.
 

CableDW10cat

Active Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2016
Messages
42
Location
montana
Shallow impacts in 6pt, chrome 12pt harbor freight shallow set (had them 20 years now, havent broken any yet) and good deep 6pt impacts as the need arises. Buy a good 1" drive ratchet. My armstrong is stout but sometimes wont fit where my snapon will. Also need an impact universal. I got lucky and ended up with some military snapon wobbly sockets in 1" drive, love em.
 

OFF

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2009
Messages
1,048
Location
Alberta, Canada
Occupation
HD Mechanic
Like a lot of the others, I have all Shallow sockets in 3/4" and 1". I've bought or acquired deeps only in the sizes I've needed them.
 
Top