Snap-on tools are high-end and best quality for professional use in the industry including automotive, marine, aviation, and railroad. They are very expensive. All hand tools come with a lifetime warranty. There are no retail shops. You can buy their tools online or from franchisees in a van loaded with their items. Because of high quality and its popularity, there are auctions on eBay every day. Most of them are pre-owned, but it doesn’t matter, you will get a lifetime warranty as well.
- Snap on SAE 1/2 drive impact socket set
- Snap on Metric 1/2 drive impact socket set
- Snap on SAE 3/8 drive impact socket set
- Snap on Metric 3/8 drive impact socket set
- Snap on Swivel Universal impact socket set
- Snap on Impact Extension set
- Snap on Impact Adapter set
Craftsman tools are sold in Sears, Kmart, several other retailers, or online. It’s a mid-price brand and comparable to Husky from Home Depot, Kobalt from Lowes, and so on. Most hand tools come with a lifetime warranty. Unlike Snap-on, you can take a broken tool to the retail store, and you will get a replacement with either new or refurbished one for free. You don’t need a receipt or dated proof of purchase. Craftsman also has a lower-tier brand called Evolv, which replaced the brand called Companion in 2008. Evolv has much cheaper than Craftsman with low quality. And Evolv’s warranty program requires a receipt or dated proof of purchase.
- Craftsman 95 piece 6 pt. 3/8 & 1/2 in. Dr. Easy Read Impact Socket Set
- Craftsman 55 pc. 1/2 in. Drive Dual Mark Impact Socket Set
- Craftsman 78pc Impact Socket and Accessory Set
- Craftsman 16 pc. Easy Read Swivel Impact Socket Set, 6 pt., 3/8 in. Dr.
Harbor Freight Tools is a discount tool and equipment retailer. Some of their tools are poor quality. But, when it comes to impact sockets and accessories, they are satisfactory and very reasonable. Pittsburgh Pro is the name of the brand for most of the impact tools and other hand tools. Even if you purchase all sets including SAE, Metric, 3/8″ drive, 1/2″ drive, swivel, extensions, adapters.. it won’t break your bank. They come with a lifetime warranty. You can take a broken tool to the store and get a new one for free. Harbor Freight Tools is a growing company. Currently, there are 800 stores in 47 states. It’s an advantage over Sears, which are closing many stores in recent years.
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Whichever type of impact wrench you are using, it doesn’t give you a satisfied performance when any of parts around the impact wrench have damage. It’s not unusual that loss of its power is caused by solely an old battery or a damaged air hose. It’s important to check them regularly.
An impact wrench produces repeated hammering actions which apply to fasteners in a circular direction. If you use it with a wrong size of a socket, not only it wastes some of its power, but also it gets excessive backlash. The backlash is stress for an impact wrench. Accumulating the stress will end up a short lifespan of an impact wrench. And if you are using chrome sockets with an impact wrench, you should stop using now. Unlike sockets designed for the impact wrench, they won’t absorb any impact. The backlash directly comes back to impact wrench. Besides, chrome sockets have a thin wall. They get cracked and broken easily. It also increases the chance of accidents and injuries.
For air impact wrenches, water contamination is a significant issue in its performance and lifespan. As mentioned above, it can’t block entirely, but there are a few things to do. Maintaining an air compressor and filter is a part of it. As another part, you can apply lubricant to air tools. The lubricant is designed to drive away moisture and stay coating internal parts to protect against rust and contamination. You put the lubricant from the air inlet, then connect an air hose and pull a trigger of an impact wrench a bit to spread the lubricant over internal parts. 
As you see, unlike hand tools, power tools are required a lot of maintenance. Many failures of impact wrench may result of lack of maintenance. Pay more attention to the power source including compressor and filter, electrical cord, battery, and charger. Proper maintenance, using accessories of good conditions will extend the lifespan of impact wrenches.