In my SUV I have a small tool box that includes a 1/2" ratchet and 22mm deep socket, plus a speed handle, so when I need to change a flat I can do it faster and easier than using the factory lug wrench. After helping a motorist change his flat tire using his factory lug wrench because of the different size lug nuts, I decided to get sockets for the other various lug nut sizes. Well, I found the Neiko Pro 02282B 5-Piece, 1/2" Drive, Thin Wall Flip Impact Socket Set. They: 1. Are space efficient; flip sockets take half the space of standard deep sockets. 2. Include a 22mm size, which somel other sets do not have. 3. Have easy to read markings. 4. Are 6-point sockets and contact the nut on the flats instead of the corners. There are 4 flip sockets that are 3 inches long, and a 3 inch, 1/2" drive extension, all contained in a red blow molded case. The case dimensions measured 8.25"W x 5.91"D x 1.92"H. In the case that I received, there is a piece foam put in the lid of the box that is not shown in the product photo. I would guess it's there to kept the pieces from rattling. I tried out the sockets and extension on various friends' and family cars, except no one had a car with 17mm lug nuts. They fit nicely (more on the 22 mm socket below), and the extension fit the sockets and my ratchet as well. There were no instances where a socket was too big that it didn't fit into the wheel, but none of us had fancy wheels, just OEM aluminum or steel. I actually didn't use an impact wrench since most of this was done where there was no compressed air, but also I loosen and tighten lug nuts manually so I don't risk maring them (or mangling them as with Chrysler lug nuts). The 22mm socket did seem to wobble some. Also in the reviews, there were some questions about if these sockets are thin wall. So I took some measurements. Using calipers, here is what I found: Size Nom ID OD Dep 15/16 0.938 0.947 1.296 1.036 7/8 0.875 0.884 1.215 1.075 22mm 0.866 0.887 1.214 1.037 21mm 0.827 0.837 1.135 0.857 13/16 0.813 0.825 1.135 1.066 3/4 0.750 0.760 1.057 1.048 19mm 0.748 0.760 1.056 1.085 17mm 0.669 0.679 0.977 0.836 Size is the size of the socket. Nom is the nominal size in decimal inches. ID is the measured ID from flat-to flat. OD is the measured OD about a half inch from the edge. Dep is the broach depth. These do look like thin wall impact sockets. However they are still larger than standard sockets. For example, my 22mm Duralast deep socket is 1.171 inches in diameter, and I have a Stanley 3/4 spark plug socket that measures 1.007. These sockets measure 9 to 12 thousandths over the nominal nut size except for the 22mm which is 21 thousandths, which explains why it felt a bit wobbly. For those interested in such things, the broach depth is certainly not shallow, where it would be as deep as a standard nut is thick. Sticking my finger into the socket, the broaching goes as deep as they can go, bottoming at the square drive recess, well, except for the 21mm and 17mm sizes. I don't know why those two would be shorter then the rest; there's still room to go deeper. The size markings are easy to read being in a silvery-ish color contrasting on a black matte phosphate finish. The markings look printed instead of embossed, so I suspect they may wear over time. I'll see how the markings and finish tolerate rolling around in my small tool box. (I won't be using the blow molded case they come in). There are two circumferential ribs near the middle of the sockets so I wonder if they will roll on those so the markings and finish make less contact. One other thing about the finish being dark that I just realized, is that having changed tires at night in the dark, I wonder if I'll be able to see or find the socket after I lay it on the ground in a low light condition. (But now that I know this, I suppose I'll be careful about it). Unlike a regular socket where the square drive fits on the end, these flip sockets are engaged in the middle. You need the extension unless you're using an extended impact wrench, or perhaps something like the Gorilla telescoping lug wrench. Also with the extension, I noticed that the locking ball on the drive square sits just a bit further out compared to my other extensions. Inserting it in the socket with the ball engaging the side hole is very secure, but so secure that I had to use a punch to push the ball in to take the socket off, or use another extension to tap the Neiko extension to give it a start out of the socket. In using these sockets, the combined length with the extension is a bit under 4-1/8 inches. With my standard 22mm deep socket with a 3 inch extension, the combined length is a bit under 5-3/8 inches. This 1-1/4 inch difference reduces the clearance from the sidewall of the tire to my knuckles, and that wasn't so comfortable, so I used my 5 inch extension. Oh, one thing interesting is that 19mm (.748") is really close to 3/4 inch (.750"), and in this set their sockets ID and OD measure pretty much the same. Also with the ID of the 22mm socket as big as it is, it can be combined with the 7/8 size. So all 8 sizes could be done with 3 flip sockets. Just a thought. All in all, this is a great set. It has all the sizes I'll ever need,right?
