Pass-through socket wrenches? Anyone got'em?

Jayhovah

I have no idea what section this belongs in, so Mods feel free to move if necessary.

Anyone use these pass-through type wrenches as their main ratchet set? Sears has the Max Axess line on sale right now.... I recently moved and was not able to take all my tools with me, so I am in the market for a primary ratchet set.

What do you guys think? Seems like they can do everything a standard set can do, but can also fit into some tight spots you might not be able to reach with a standard ratchet w/ deep well socket. They also come with adapters to fit standard sockets, so I am thinking there must be very little downside to them.

Who's got some experience?

chops

pass through type? i use regular deep impact sockets...

Stanley 97-126 11 Piece 1/2-Inch Drive Metric Deep Impact Socket Set - - Amazon.com

Tazicon

I have a set I carry in my Jeep. They do it all and work well for me. As always Sear stands behind their tools. I have not run into much of a down side to them yet. I also have a cheap B&D set that I have not really used. Can't say much about them.

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Jayhovah

Good sign so far!

For those that aren't quite sure what I am referring to, this is the set I am looking at:

Sears.com Craftsman Max Axess 131 pc set

I'm looking at that set as it has 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive (pass through equivalent anyhow) and all the sockets are 6-point instead of those horrible bolt rounding 12-point.

kenchan

for small projects i suppose that can do the job.

but you'll probably want to get a breaker bar separately or something.

if you're limited on budget (or space) i suggest you get impact sockets as chops
recommended so that you can use it on both your hand tools and powered tools
down the road.

even if you have a hint of buying impact guns in the future, just get the impact sockets.

RonRizz

I have a set of pass-thru's as well, but would not rely on them as a primary set. They are made for a specific purpose.

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Liquid_G

Got the same ones.. Its not my primary set of tools but I've taken that kit on road trips and trips to the junkyard. Pretty good for a small set.

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aszyd

I love impact sockets! I have a 14mm and 19mm and they are leaps and bounds better than the other regular sockets. If I had to do it all over again, I would buy a full set of metric and SAE.

The only issue that I have had with them is that they can be too thick to fit in some places on the Z. For the big jobs, like the 19mm nut on the front end links, or the 14s on the cats, impacts are absolutely necessary to avoid rounding them off.

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kenchan

That is true about the impact socket thickness.

Jayhovah

Can you guys elaborate on why? I went ahead and purchased but I can always return them! Thanks for the responses.

Liquid_G

I mean there's nothing wrong with them.. they work great. I just have a full cabinet stack thing full of tools already. Got this kit as a gift for xmas a few years ago and never had a ratchet fail or anything like that.

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6spd

Ive got them and I use them professionally repairing cars about everyday. They are very durable and Ive used them to tackle some really tough situations, as well as whacked them with the hammer multiple times. They are most certainly worth the money. For high torques though, there is no substitute for impact sockets.

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SouthArk370Z

I don't own one but I've used one before on a "light weight" job. Very good feel and operation. Felt like it could take some abuse. Pretty much a typical, high-quality Sears tool. Not sure it would be appropriate for head bolts but should handle just about anything smaller. I say go for it.

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Jayhovah

This is the type of experience I was hoping to hear! Thanks a lot...

Awesome! Thanks! I am going to give them a go... They come with regular square drive adapters, so in the event I need to I can still mate them to impact sockets and other square drive attachments.

Jayhovah

Got the set in! Only one problem... the box says it comes with 1/2", 3/8", 1/4" drive adapters and it actually comes with a 1/4" adapter, 1/4" adapter for the 3/8" equivalent, and 3/8" adapter... No 1/2" drive adapter for the 1/2" equivalent! I actually think this is a mistake either on the box or in the manufacturing, because there are three adapter slots in the case, and none of them will fit a 1/2" adapter.

I called Sears.com and they offered an exchange, but I am pretty sure I will just get the same thing again.. so I am going to go to the Store and see if they will give me the necessary adapter.

Other than that, I really dig the wrenches and do not foresee any issue with them being my primary wrench set! Feel really nice and everything fits super tight. They are a copy of the gearwrench versions, though the gearwrench XL version has a lockable hinge on the actual wrenches that I'll bet is super awesome.

I'll let you guys know what I end up with for the 1/2" adapter! If they won't give me one I will probably just buy one.