Craftsman Evolv 10 pc. Deep Impact Sockets: $18 (Reg $40) Sears, In-store Pickup

I just picked up a metric and standard set B&M

Quote from noobhammer : Chrome vanadium, which is what regular sockets are made out of, is extremely hard. Makes it great for slow application of force (ergo, by hand), but it also means they can turn into grenades when you use them as impact sockets. I've personally seen it happen, and I'll never use a Cr-V socket as an impact. Way too dangerous. Impact sockets are designed to be "softer" in order to absorb the force of the impact better, and are thus not well suited for use by hand. They're extremely resilient though, so they're not weaker than chrome sockets - it's just a different formulation of metal to make them more suited to impact use. Given the few Evolv tools I've used, I'd never touch these things. The full US-made sets go on sale every now and then for $50 a set, and I think they are 12- or 13-piece sets. Alternately, Gray Pneumatic and Genius make great impact sockets that are relatively inexpensive. Not stupid cheap like this Evolv stuff, but they're quality sockets.

Very informative! Thanks a lot! Now I'm sure I will remember the difference. I have a impact driver but only used one time with its own socket. I'm more interested in the Cr-V type (just got understand what this means from your post)

Quote from shortleg : Very informative! Thanks a lot! Now I'm sure I will remember the difference. I have a impact driver but only used one time with its own socket. I'm more interested in the Cr-V type (just got understand what this means from your post)

Impact drivers are a bit different, as normally they're used with bits and nut drivers, rather than normal sockets like an impact gun. Non impact-rated bits are safer to use with an impact driver than non-impact sockets on an impact gun - normally, they'll either shear off or the head simply gets so chewed up it becomes useless, and the overall energy level of the driver vs the gun is significantly lower (drivers are normally rated in in-lbs, while guns are ft-lbs - 12in-lbs makes 1ft-lb, to give you an indication of the difference in torque output). However, impact-rated bits are on the whole not more expensive than normal non-impact bits, while good impact sockets are significantly more expensive for a full set vs the same sizes in Cr-V.

Cr-V is really more of a generic term - basically, you don't want to use chrome-plated sockets for impact work, and impact sockets on hand ratchets. There can be significant differences in "Cr-V" sockets from a cheap manufacturer (like Chinese Craftsman) vs US stuff (like Proto or SK), so simply getting chrome-plated sockets doesn't guarantee you're getting good sockets. Material composition, plating, quality of deburring and broaching, etc all play into the quality of sockets. A lot of times, cheap sockets are marked "Chrome vanadium" or "Cr-V" to try and make them look higher-quality than the unmarked sockets - but, as far as I've been able to tell, all chrome sockets have some quantity of Cr-V in them, so it's really nothing more than a marketing ploy to stamp them as such.

dammit in for the 2 sets.. 5% off AAA as well using link (search AAA link) and you will find..
Harbor Freight same set 34 bucks.. good deal..

Quote from 67L88Stingray : Well the new crop of regular craftsman is all China now, so not much debate anymore at least at Sears. I was lucky enough to score some of the last US made sets in my area before the changeover a few weeks ago. I really never looked at this line as I have had bad luck with the evolve line(poor quality and not lifetime warranty) plus the China issue. Can anyone who has used both of these sets chime in about them as I am curious.

What's wrong with China?

BTW I used deep impact sockets to get spark plugs deep in the engine, works great (I know I am supposed to use spark plug sockets, but sometimes it doesn't have enough grip to get the job done...)

Quote from zachjowi : I just picked up a metric and standard set B&M

Are they China made?

Quote from noobhammer : Cr-V is really more of a generic term - basically, you don't want to use chrome-plated sockets for impact work, and impact sockets on hand ratchets. There can be significant differences in "Cr-V" sockets from a cheap manufacturer (like Chinese Craftsman) vs US stuff (like Proto or SK), so simply getting chrome-plated sockets doesn't guarantee you're getting good sockets. Material composition, plating, quality of deburring and broaching, etc all play into the quality of sockets. A lot of times, cheap sockets are marked "Chrome vanadium" or "Cr-V" to try and make them look higher-quality than the unmarked sockets - but, as far as I've been able to tell, all chrome sockets have some quantity of Cr-V in them, so it's really nothing more than a marketing ploy to stamp them as such.

I would think that these impact sockets are chrome vanadium, like the bottom lines at harbor freight. Good impact sockets should be chrome molybdenum (like the Pittsburgh Pro HF models)
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-p...67918.html

Deep impact sockets? Seriously lol. When female 'stuff' is posted here you get tons of jokes and comments. Then something like this comes along and no one cracks a joke. LOL Typical!

Good deal. Much cheaper than the Stanley set at Walmart.

This is cheap for deep impact sockets but likely factoring in the quality, it's priced about right. I was working on brakes & needed a combination wrench thinner than what I had (us made craftsman from over a decade ago). Went to sears & couldn't find a US made craftsman thin profile wrench set.

Went up to the counter & explained to the tool dept guy that I have the craftsman combination wrench in the correct size, but it's too wide to fit between the caliper & torque plate on a bolt I need to hold steady while using a socket & ratchet to undo the caliper bolt. He pulled a 7 or so piece Craftsman Evolv set & said try these.. They are thinner than the US made Craftsman sets we carry. they were thinner & it actually worked as a "thin profile" wrench. But these bolts were only like 24 ft-lb or so... weight wise they are a lot lighter than my craftsman combination wrench in the same 14mm size...

I also have US made craftsman regular chrome vanadium shallow & deep sockets & well as craftsman regular & deep impact sockets would be interesting to compare the 2 but I don't need to buy another set that's made in china & probably lower quality.

Also like the other poster, I've also cracked harbor freight impact sockets. I was working on a lower strut to wheel hub bolt with a torque spec of 150 ft-lb.. I couldnt get it to break loose with a breaker bar & regular chrome vanadium sockets. So it was time to turn on the 30 gallon compressor & fire up the ingersol rand 2135ti, heard a snap, then saw the socket spin.. I thought I had broken the bolt loose.. But it was the harbor freight impact socket that gave way. I didn't notice rust at the crack like the other poster mentioned, it was more of a white line where it cracked..promptly returned the entire set to harbor freight & finished the job with the US made craftsman set which I still have.

If these sockets are anything like the combination wrenches (us craftsman vs new Evolv) they are definitely thinner, lighter & cheap feeling.. they did look nice & polished like the craftsman professional wrenches though.. Just thinner & lighter

My experience with Evolv is that it is garbage. Now really this is just a hunk of cast metal, but these are impact sockets and there is a real danger of one of them exploding if not to specs. I don't trust anything Chinese made where safety issues are concerned. Nor should anyone.

Quote from 67L88Stingray : Well the new crop of regular craftsman is all China now, so not much debate anymore at least at Sears. I was lucky enough to score some of the last US made sets in my area before the changeover a few weeks ago. I really never looked at this line as I have had bad luck with the evolve line(poor quality and not lifetime warranty) plus the China issue. Can anyone who has used both of these sets chime in about them as I am curious.

Sad thing is with the introduction of cheap Chinese replacements, the price still remains the same. So Sears is making 2-3x more for this new crap.

How can we tell what is best to go with regarding SAE or Metric? I know it depends what I use it with but how can I tell though? thanks

Quote from eIplbe : How can we tell what is best to go with regarding SAE or Metric? I know it depends what I use it with but how can I tell though? thanks

How old is it?