DeWalt 1/2 in Drive Impact Sockets - 6 Point

A compact, hard‑working 3/8-inch impact socket that punches above its size

I reach for a single impact socket more often than I expected: the 3/8-inch, 6‑point in a 1/2‑inch drive. This small piece of kit sees regular duty on brackets, clamps, and the kind of hardware that gathers on mowers, light equipment, HVAC panels, and older vehicles. The DeWalt impact socket in this size has become a steady performer in my box, and after months of use—both on a mid‑torque impact wrench and with a hand ratchet—it has earned its slot.

Design and build quality

This socket is built from heat‑treated CR‑440 steel and finished in black oxide. In practice that combination feels every bit the part of a true impact socket: slightly thicker walls than a chrome socket, a matte finish that doesn’t glare, and a reassuring ring when it hits the anvil. The 6‑point profile is cut cleanly, with a small lead‑in chamfer that helps the socket locate on the fastener even when you’re working one‑handed.

Dimensions matter on a small socket, and here the numbers are practical rather than academic. At 1‑1/2 inches long, it’s a compact, shallow pattern. The nut end stands at about 5/8 inch outside diameter, so you’re not trying to cram a bulky tube into tight spaces. The drive end is wider (31/32 inch OD), which adds strength at the square but can limit access into very narrow recesses. Nut depth is 5/16 inch, with a bolt clearance depth of 21/32 inch. Translation: it will handle a typical nut or low‑profile hex head easily, and there’s room for a short stud or screw to protrude into the bore before you bottom out. If you’re dealing with long studs or deeply recessed hardware, you’ll want a deep socket instead.

DirectTorque grip in real use

DeWalt’s DirectTorque design is essentially a flat‑to‑flat emphasis that spreads load across the fastener’s flats rather than its corners. In a 6‑point socket that’s what you want, especially when the nut is crusty or you’re breaking things loose with an impact. In use, this socket has held fasteners without the cam‑out or corner bite I expect from cheaper cuts. I used it to remove a series of small hex fasteners on an engine cover that had seen winters of road salt; the socket seated positively, and I didn’t see any sign of rounding, even when the wrench hammered for a few seconds on each one.

On installation, particularly with a torque wrench, the fit is snug without binding. The walls don’t flare, and the hex remains true after repeated hits. Dimensional consistency matters at this size, and this one has been reliably tight across different 3/8‑inch hardware in my shop.

Markings and day‑to‑day usability

The large laser‑etched size marking is genuinely helpful. I can spot it quickly in a drawer without lighting up the bench. Stamped and paint‑filled markings tend to last longer than laser etch alone, but here the etch is deep enough and big enough to stay readable after grime and a few wipe‑downs with solvent. If you like serialized or color‑banded ID, you won’t find it, but the essentials are covered cleanly.

The through‑hole for an O‑ring and retaining pin is a welcome detail. On pin‑detent anvils or when I’m running an extension and wobble joint into a machine cabinet, that extra security keeps the socket from staying behind on the fastener. With hog‑ring anvils, the fit is secure enough that I don’t bother with a pin, but it’s nice to have the option.

Performance on impact and by hand

I’ve paired the socket with a 1/2‑inch mid‑torque impact wrench and a standard 1/2‑inch ratchet. Under impact, it behaves like a proper impact socket should. No bell‑mouthing at the hex, no mushrooming at the square, and the black oxide develops the expected polished wear patterns on the edges without flaking. The CR‑440 steel seems well heat‑treated; after many cycles loosening and tightening small fasteners, I don’t see hairline cracks or distortion.

By hand, the socket feels balanced. The slightly thicker wall gives you something to guide by when your fingertips are doing the steering. If you work in colder conditions or with gloves, the matte finish is easier to grip than chrome. The chamfers are conservative—enough to help you start on a fastener, but not so generous that you sacrifice contact area.

Access and geometry

This is a shallow socket with compact diameter at the nut end. That makes it good for:

• Panels, brackets, and covers where fasteners are close to edges or corners
• Small assemblies in automotive and power equipment where a deep socket would bump into housings
• Overhead work where a short stack height saves your wrist

The flip side is depth. With only 5/16 inch of nut depth, any fastener with a tall nut or long protruding threads can bottom out. The 21/32 inch bolt clearance depth gives you some room to play with machine screws or studs, but it’s not a replacement for a deep pattern. Also note the wider shoulder at the drive end; if your target fastener sits in a counterbore that narrows, the drive‑end diameter can be the limiting factor even if the nut end clears.

Durability and finish

Black oxide is not a rust‑proofing miracle. It resists glare and offers light corrosion protection, but if you leave the socket wet in a steel drawer, you’ll see a hint of surface oxidation. A quick wipe with a lightly oiled rag at the end of the day keeps it fresh. The finish wears gracefully rather than chipping.

Internally, the hex shows even contact polish across the flats after a lot of use, which is what I want to see. There’s no burr or raised lip forming at the corners, a common failure point on lower‑grade sockets. The square drive remains tight on both pin detent and hog‑ring anvils.

Where it fits in a kit

If you run a 1/2‑inch impact and don’t want to juggle adapters for small hardware, this socket fills an everyday niche. I’ve used it on hose clamps with hex heads, small bracket hardware, machine guards, and various accessories that are best handled with a compact, shallow socket. It’s less useful if your work lives in deep wells or tight counterbores, in which case a thin‑wall, deep 3/8‑inch socket (possibly in a 3/8‑inch drive) will serve you better.

What could be better

• It’s shallow by design, so not a complaint, but a matching deep version is essential if you frequently see protruding studs.
• The drive end’s 31/32‑inch diameter can stop you short in very tight bores. A slightly slimmer shoulder would broaden its access.
• Laser etch is easy to read, but paint‑filled or stamped markings would outlast heavy solvent use.

The good stuff

• Strong, consistent grip with the 6‑point DirectTorque design
• Compact length and relatively slim nut‑end diameter for access
• Secure attachment with O‑ring and pin when needed
• Heat‑treated CR‑440 steel that stands up to impact use
• High‑visibility size marking that’s actually easy to find in a crowded drawer

Recommendation

I recommend this 3/8‑inch impact socket for anyone who runs a 1/2‑inch drive and needs a compact, shallow socket for small fasteners. It’s durable, well‑cut, and thoughtfully sized for real work, not just spec sheets. The geometry offers good access without getting fragile, and the DirectTorque profile holds fasteners the way a 6‑point should. If your tasks involve long studs or deeply recessed nuts, pair it with a deep version to cover those scenarios. Otherwise, this is a dependable, no‑nonsense addition that will earn its keep in your impact drawer.