DeWalt 3/8 in Drive 6-Point Impact Socket

I spend most days bouncing between under-hood work and light chassis jobs, and a good 3/8-inch impact socket is a quiet productivity booster. Over the past few weeks, I’ve kept this DeWalt impact socket in my service cart and on a mid‑torque 3/8-inch cordless impact. It’s a straightforward piece of kit—six-point, black oxide, clearly marked—but the details add up.

Build and geometry

The socket is made from heat-treated CR‑440 steel with a black oxide finish. That choice of alloy isn’t just marketing; it’s tough and noticeably resilient under repeated hammering. After several sessions on stubborn M10 and M12 hardware, I saw no deformation at the drive end and no spreading or chipping at the nut end. The black oxide finish arrives lightly oiled from the factory, which helps ward off flash rust. Expect it to wear in cosmetically—black oxide doesn’t stay pretty forever—but that’s normal for impact sockets and doesn’t affect performance.

DeWalt’s DirectTorque geometry is the right call for a 6‑point. The broach lands the majority of load on the flats of the fastener rather than the corners, which is exactly what you want with impact energy. In practice, engagement feels positive: less cam-out on stubborn fasteners and fewer chewed corners. If you’ve ever rescued a slightly rounded bolt head, you’ll appreciate how a good 6‑point behaves; this one does the job without drama.

Fit, finish, and access

Size visibility is excellent. The laser‑etched markings are genuinely large and readable from a couple of feet away. In greasy or poorly lit spaces, I could grab the right size without playing the “rotate and squint” game. Etched markings do wear with time on any socket, but these are deep and have held up well after cleaning with solvent.

Access is always the rub with impact sockets, and the numbers matter here. This standard‑length piece measures 1‑5/32 inches overall with a nut end OD of 1/2 inch and a drive end OD of 3/4 inch. The wall profile is fairly conservative for an impact socket—enough material for longevity without being overly bulky. I had no trouble fitting it into typical recesses on alternator brackets and engine mounts. That said, if you’re dealing with tight wheel bores or very narrow pockets designed for thin‑wall chrome sockets, you’ll still want a dedicated thin‑wall option.

Depth-wise, you get 9/32 inch of nut depth and 1/2 inch of bolt clearance. That’s standard for a shallow 3/8‑drive impact socket: great for most under-hood fasteners, clips, and bracket bolts. It’s not a stand‑in for a deep socket; if you regularly run long studs or need to clear protruding bolt ends, pair it with a proper deep version.

Retention and compatibility

Retention on the anvil is secure. The socket’s through‑hole and groove accommodate O‑rings and retaining pins, which is particularly handy if you use pneumatic impacts or want a positive lock for overhead work. On a cordless with a friction ring, it snaps on with a reassuring click and doesn’t pull off when the extension binds. The machining at the detent is clean—no burrs to fight.

In use with a 3/8-inch impact

Most of my testing was with a mid‑torque 3/8‑inch impact rated around 200 ft‑lb. That’s the sweet spot for this socket. It shrugged off repeated bursts to break free rusty brackets and suspension links without flaring or ringing like a bell. The internal chamfer helps the socket start on fasteners quickly; combined with the DirectTorque flats, I could line it up by feel in blind spots.

Hand use with a ratchet feels fine as well. While impact sockets aren’t knurled and don’t offer the polished slickness of chrome, this one’s finish provides enough grip to finger‑start on threads. On a breaker bar, it stayed true, with no twist evident after several high‑effort pulls.

Durability over time

After a few weeks of varied tasks—brake hardware, engine accessories, and some general repair—the socket shows the normal brightening at the corners of the hex but no rounding. The black oxide has worn slightly at high contact points, which I expect. A quick wipe with a rag and a drop of oil keeps it looking presentable and prevents surface rust if it sits.

I paid attention to the drive end because that’s where cheap sockets fail first. This one remains crisp, and there are no hairline cracks or mushrooming at the broach. Heat treatment seems on point—hard enough to resist deformation but not so brittle that it chips.

Ergonomics and markings

A small thing I appreciate: the large, laser‑etched size marking is on the flank where you naturally look when sockets are lying in a tray. It’s fast to identify, and it didn’t fade after repeated contact with mineral spirits and brake cleaner. The laser etch doesn’t peel like a painted stamp and is much easier to read than shallow roll marks.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

• Strength and engagement: The 6‑point DirectTorque profile grips fasteners securely and treats corners kindly, especially on older hardware.
• Visibility: The size markings save time. If you work in dim spaces, that matters.
• Anvil compatibility: O‑ring and pin readiness is useful for those running pneumatic tools or needing positive retention.

Limitations are predictable and not unique to this socket:
- Tight clearances: While reasonably slim for an impact, it’s not a thin‑wall. Some wheel bores or recessed pockets will still prefer chrome or a specialty thin‑wall impact.
- Not a deep substitute: The bolt clearance and nut depth are appropriate for a standard socket. Keep deep versions on hand for studs and longer hardware.
- Finish will show work: Black oxide wears and can pick up surface oxidation if neglected. A light oil film and normal cleaning mitigate that.

Comparisons and value

Against other mid‑tier professional impact sockets I use (from long‑standing industrial brands), this DeWalt holds its own. Fit to the anvil is consistent, the broach is clean, and the corners hold up. The big differentiator in day‑to‑day use is the legibility of the size markings and the reliable engagement on slightly compromised fasteners. If your current sockets are a mix of mismatched pieces with faint markings, the usability gains are real.

If you’re splitting hairs, some premium sockets trim a millimeter or two off wall thickness for better access, and a few competitors use chrome moly alloys with a slightly different hardness profile. In actual use at 3/8‑drive torque levels, I didn’t notice a practical advantage that would steer me away from this piece.

Who it’s for

• Automotive and powersports techs who live in the 8–17 mm (or 5/16–11/16 in) range on a 3/8‑drive impact.
• DIYers upgrading from chrome sockets for impact use and wanting something durable and easy to read.
• Anyone running a mix of cordless and pneumatic tools who benefits from O‑ring/pin retention.

If your work skews heavily toward wheel service or deep‑set fasteners, pair this with thin‑wall and deep options to round out your kit.

The bottom line

This DeWalt impact socket gets the fundamentals right: a tough heat‑treated body, a 6‑point geometry that protects fasteners, and size markings you can actually see. It fits well, hits hard without complaint, and doesn’t fuss with retention on the anvil. The finish will wear, and it’s not a miracle worker in ultra‑tight recesses, but those are fair trade‑offs for a socket that stands up to daily impact use.

Recommendation: I recommend this socket. It’s durable, engages fasteners cleanly, and the high‑visibility markings make it efficient to work with. For general automotive and light industrial tasks on a 3/8‑drive impact, it’s a dependable choice that prioritizes function where it counts.