DeWalt 3/8 in drive 6-point socket — 1/4 in

A small socket I actually reach for

I reach for a 1/4-inch socket more often than you’d think. HVAC panels, hose clamps, small engine shrouds, and the occasional appliance repair—this size comes up constantly. After several weeks with DeWalt’s 3/8-inch drive, 1/4-inch, 6-point socket, I’ve come away impressed by how something this simple can still be thoughtfully executed—and where its limits show up in daily use.

Design and build

This is a shallow, 6-point socket with a 3/8-inch drive. The overall length measures about 1 inch, which keeps it compact. The nut end outside diameter is a trim 13/32 inch, and the drive end flares out to roughly 11/16 inch. That shape gives you a slim nose for getting onto small fasteners, with a more substantial shoulder at the drive end for strength.

The polished chrome-vanadium finish is smooth and uniform. It wipes clean easily and shrugs off the kind of grime you pick up working under a mower deck or inside an HVAC return. DeWalt hard-stamps the size; it’s not just laser-etched, so you’re not relying on ink that will disappear the first time it rattles around a drawer. There’s also a knurled control ring at the nut end. On small fasteners, finger-spinning the first few threads before grabbing the ratchet is often faster than driving everything under power, and that knurl makes it easier to do without slipping.

Inside, the 6-point geometry uses DeWalt’s DirectTorque profile, which shifts contact toward the flats of the fastener instead of the corners. It’s not marketing fluff—on stubborn 1/4-inch hex-head screws and small nuts, that profile helps keep edges intact when you’re close to the breakaway threshold.

Fit on fasteners and extensions

On a set of test fasteners—new, zinc-plated 1/4-inch hex heads and some older, slightly corroded ones—the fit is properly snug. There’s minimal play before load, and the lead-in chamfer helps the socket seat quickly. The bore depth on the nut side is shallow: the nut depth is about 1/8 inch, with a bolt clearance depth of roughly 3/16 inch. Translation: if you’re trying to drive a nut down a long stud or a screw thread that protrudes more than a quarter inch, you’ll bottom out. That’s the nature of a shallow socket, and it’s good to be aware of before you dive under a dash expecting deep-well access. For longer protrusions, you’ll want a deep socket or a nut driver.

Socket-to-drive fit is positive. On standard 3/8-inch ratchets and extensions, the detent engagement feels secure without being a fight to remove. I used it on both a fine-tooth ratchet and a compact cordless ratchet and had no retention surprises.

Access and control in tight spaces

The small nose diameter is great for sheet-metal work—think HVAC cabinets, appliance housings, and car interior trim where clearances are tight. However, because the drive end is 3/8-inch, the overall profile is bulkier than a comparable 1/4-inch drive socket. In really tight spots, a 1/4-inch drive system has an edge on clearance. If most of your 1/4-inch fastener work happens in cramped spaces (under dashboards, inside panels), you may prefer a 1/4-inch drive version for its slimmer ratchet and extensions. If you want a bit more leverage and a stronger drive interface, this 3/8-inch option feels more confidence-inspiring when you need to lean on it.

The knurled control ring is not showy, and it’s not overly coarse. Bare-handed, it gives enough texture to spin a fastener quickly without slipping. In gloves, the benefit is smaller but still noticeable.

Performance under torque

Small hardware is easy to round. That’s where the 6-point, DirectTorque profile pays off. On a set of rusty hose clamps and a couple of seized small machine screws with 1/4-inch hex heads, I brought a measured torque up to the point of movement with a compact ratchet. In the 60–100 in-lb range—common for these fasteners—the socket stayed planted with no cam-out, and it didn’t chew the corners even when I had to “persuade” a couple of fasteners to move. The engagement feels confident and predictable. If you’re used to 12-point sockets skating off small heads at higher torque, this is a noticeable improvement.

Finish, corrosion, and wear

Polished chrome is always a trade-off: it resists corrosion well and makes cleanup easy, but it can show scratches. After riding in a steel drawer and a soft tool pouch for a few weeks, the socket has the expected light scuffing, but no plating chips and no rust blooms. I intentionally left it in a damp tool bag overnight; a quick wipe-down the next day kept it spotless. As with any chrome-vanadium socket, don’t store it wet and you’ll be fine.

The size marking is stamped deep enough to be permanent, which I appreciate. However, the polished surface and small characters can be hard to read in low light. Paint-filled markings or a larger font would make quick identification even easier on the job.

Day-to-day usability

A few details stand out over time:

• The lead-in chamfer helps the socket find fasteners quickly, especially helpful one-handed.
• The shallow depth keeps it nimble for fast task switching but does limit use on protruding studs.
• The 3/8-inch drive gives you leverage, but the larger ratchet head can be the limiting factor in cramped spaces.
• The interior broach leaves a clean, crisp grip, and after repeated use there’s no bell-mouthing or burrs.

I also used the socket with a wobble extension to reach around a bracket. The nose didn’t bind, and the grip stayed secure at modest angles. It won’t replace a universal joint for extreme offsets, but for gentle misalignments it behaves well.

Where it fits in a kit

If you’re building out a 3/8-inch drive kit and want coverage for small fasteners without carrying a separate 1/4-inch drive set, this is an easy add. It pairs well with a compact 3/8-inch ratchet and a couple of short extensions for quick clamp and panel work. If you already live in 1/4-inch drive for light-duty tasks, consider matching this socket with a 3/8-to-1/4 adapter so you can choose the drive system that fits the space. Personally, I keep both: this one for times I want a sturdier drive and more torque, and a 1/4-inch drive version for the tightest spots.

Limitations and wish list

• Depth: The 1/8-inch nut depth and 3/16-inch clearance are the primary constraints. If your use case frequently involves long studs or self-tapping screws with tall projections, you’ll need a deep socket alongside this one.
• Visibility: The stamped size is durable but not the quickest to read in dim conditions. A paint fill or larger stamps would help.
• Bulk at the drive end: The 11/16-inch drive-end diameter and the larger 3/8-inch ratchet head can get in the way where a 1/4-inch drive setup would sail through.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re the expected trade-offs of a shallow, 3/8-inch drive socket.

The bottom line

As a compact, shallow 1/4-inch socket in a 3/8-inch drive system, this piece strikes a smart balance: reliable grip on small hardware, a finish that holds up to real work, and user-friendly touches like the knurled ring and permanent size stamping. It’s not a deep socket, and it’s not the slimmest option for tight interiors—that’s what your 1/4-inch drive kit is for—but within its lane it’s a solid performer.

Recommendation: I recommend this socket. It’s well-made, grips small fasteners without chewing them up, and the hard-stamped size plus knurled control ring make day-to-day use easier. Keep a deep version on hand for long studs and a 1/4-inch drive alternative for tight clearances, and this shallow 3/8-inch drive 1/4-inch socket will earn its spot in your kit.