Camco Professional Element Socket (09953)

I'm an HVAC tech for a utility company, formerly a HVAC and plumber for a small business. I've replaced a fair number of water heater elements. The shop I worked for provided a 3/4 drive socket and breaker bar. Worked great and the weight of the tool made it effortless for loosening and tightening. Sad to see it left behind. The utility provides a ton of tools, but their supplier ships the stamped sheet metal tool for removing elements even when I ordered the socket shown in the catalog. I've already used the sheet metal tool, and it works. If I wasn't doing this professionally it would work fine at home a couple times in my life. I decided to order my own socket because some locations are pretty tight. Some of the techs buy regular sockets and grind of the chamfer/taper. I saw this brand that comes without a chamfer/taper. I hesitated to order it because the pictures make it look like a rough casting/cheap overpriced socket. I was pleased to find the socket I received better quality (less porous) than the one pictured. I like the 1/2 drive option because my employer provided a 1/2 breaker bar and I own a lot of 1/2 stuff, including ratchets and extensions that might be helpful in tight locations. Don't own any 3/4 stuff. The socket has a slight chamfer. To my surprise. The chamfer may cause it to slip off if not seated squarely, but I think it will be fine since I've previously used a standard socket without problems. You just need to hold it square. Bottom line. Price is reasonable. Quality is better than expected. And I plan to use it on a regular basis for years.

Ok, after almost killing myself "trying" to use a generic socket from HD that did not fit well and kept popping off as soon as I put pressure on it, seriously, between pushing inward with one hand and trying to unscrew it with the other, I thought I was going to have a stroke from pulling and pushing so hard to the Point It gave me a headache..seriously. Came home ordered this, I got it and took my half inch breaker bar and a 2' cheater pipe and put it on the stuck element and it popped right out. Seriously nice fit. The lip on the socket has a short flange, the 6 point socket fit firmly and cleanly. I only wish I'd bought this years ago. BUY THIS SOCKET IF YOU HAVE A STUCK ELEMENT, heck buy it anyway and save your knuckles and the headache of dealing with an HD/Lowes generic element socket. Seriously, there is no comparison. this is heavy duty real steel quality socket. The other looks like pot metal with a very poor fit.

If you are a tool guy, read on. If you are a "do it yourself and make do guy", you can probably stop with the next sentence. Do you need this to replace a heater element for your Suburban water tank, the answer is no. You can find an socket somewhere. But, as far as I am concerned, this is a specific tool for a specific job. It makes taking the element out and installing a breeze. I am a tool guy and want to have the right tool for the job. This works great. It attaches to your 1/2 drive socket set. It matches the element lug perfectly. It fits the access hole to a tee. You will have no trouble removing the element with this socket. Is it worth the money? In my opinion, yes.

This item works as intended - I think, but I have to admit it is not what I wanted. I was looking for a socket to remove the water heater anode on my RV. I just assumed since it was from Camco this would work, but this is way too big. Here's another kicker, I have a gas hot water heater in my house! Totally my mistake though, so I'm not going to give a bad review. I did try it on a family members electric hot water heater and it looked like it would work - I just wanted to see if it would fit the element - and try to sell it to him.

It’s a socket- It came quickly and works just as it should. What more can you say?

Great tool to have if you have to replace your heating elements. You can also extend the life of your Water Heater if you drain it each year and inspect your heating elements. If you identify that calcium and other harsh minerals are found and slowing down the draining process, this tool allows you to safely and securely remove your heating elements to open up and inject the recommended cleaning solution from your Water Heater's vendor. This tool has also helped out my extended family with their Water Heaters. Handy little tool to have in your toolbox.*******************************I rely heavily on reviews when I make purchases so I put some time into reviewing everything I buy on Amazon for personal or business use so I can help other people considering that item. If you found my review helpful, please consider hitting the "helpful" button below when it asks if the review is helpful! Thank you.

This saved me a lot of hassle and fits right on most standard heating elements. I needed a breaker bar to get the old ones out since they were originals, but this socket made the whole job a breeze! And to think I was going to try using channel locks or something, never would have happened...lol.