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Product Reviews:
Grip-Tite 00102 17 Piece Non-Magnetic Grip Socket Set |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Additional Equipment Needed
Comments: The sockets work fantastic. I had several lug nuts on my car that were over-tightened when new tires were installed. When I tried to remove them to rotate my tires they completely rounded over. I used Grip-Tite 3/4" deep socket and wratchet handle to try to remove the lug nuts. The wratchet handle was not strong enough. It kept slipping. The drive size of the Grip-Tite sockets is 3/8",so I tried using a 3/8" drive breaker-bar(not included in the set). There simply was not enough leverage to loosen the lug nuts. I then used an adapter drive (3/8" to 1/2"drive)(not included in the set)in order to use my 1/2" drive breaker bar. This worked fantastic. I got all the lug nuts off easily. |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Seems like a great product initially
Comments: The Grip-Tite is a unique 6-point socket with long rectangular metal pins held in place in each corner of the socket by a plastic retainer anchored at the base of the socket's inner wall. Under load it appears as if the pins are designed to slide a little and be forced inward against the flats of the quickener, so stripping does not seem likely at all.
The set has 7 standard socket in the range 3/8 - 3/4" x 1/16", and 8 deep sockets in the range 3/8 - 13/16" x 1/16". I did not really want the quick release ratchet and extension bar that came with the set since like probably almost all people that would purchase this set, I already have plenty of drive tools, and I prefer American tools where available to Taiwan ones. However, I wanted the deep sockets and this set is the only way to purchase them at the moment. I would have preferred that more Grip-Tite sockets were in the set instead of redundant drive tools that raise the price of the set however do not add any functionality for me.
Some of the sockets are 'double duty' in that they are offered as SAE-metric equivalents, e.g. 3/4" and 19mm. In general I do not like this kind of tool because in some cases the match is not as great as you might like, and when I am working I usually need either SAE or metric, however not both. It would have been better to have entirely separate SAE and metric sets. A metric set in standard depth that fills in the gaps in the metric sizes not covered by this set is available. Apparently no deep metric sockets are offered though, except for the double-duty deep sockets in this set.
In an initial test of all the sockets, they performed as advertised. They held quickeners on removal without dropping them at all, even when I shook the sockets to test their holding power, and similarly they held quickeners inserted into them just as well during installation. The sockets cover American nut and bolt sizes from #10 to 1/2". I did not try the sockets on any rounded quickeners, since I did not have any to try them on at the time.
All in all, I am pleased with the set initially. For me it will be a niche tool since I have plenty of conventional sockets, and various extractor sockets as well. I'll reserve these for their ability to hold onto quickeners, and give them a try with damaged quickeners if my extractor tools will not work. With moving metal pins and a plastic retaining device, who knows how well these tools would stand up to regular use and the inevitable abuse. Still, the tools do seem well made.
Hopefully if the tools are a success, the socket range will be extended down to cover #8/32 or #6/40 quickeners, both of which are common machine screw sizes, and upwards from the 3/4"-19mm sockets. Some sets are now in Sears and other stores, so if they sell well maybe we will see 1/4" or 1/2" sets, and metric deep sockets as well. |
Rating: 3 (out of 5)
Summary: Interesting concept
Comments: Have not tried to use it on any "problem" jobs that the advertisement describes and have only used1size so far, however, on about the third nut I tightened1of the fingers broke. Have not contacted anybody about that yet so do not know how they will respond. Be aware that the walls are a little thicker than regular sockets so you cannot get into as tight a space as others. I do like the way they hold a bolt or nut as you try to insert them into close quarters. |
