1/2" impact sockets VS 1/2" chrome sockets

[onecheck]

A couple of techs who wrench for a living told me I don't need 1/2" chrome sockets. You can get away with impact sockets. From 10-20mm you can use 1/2 wrench with an adapter on a 3/8 chrome socket in tight spaces and anything over 20mm you can use the 1/2" impact sockets. You think I can get away using 1/2" impact sockets instead of chrome?

I was thinking about getting this set

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=8727

[Diesel-Mech]

I have both solely because there are places that a impact socket wont fit that a chrome will and I'm not willing to put a 3/8 socket under those stresses. If I had to pick one or the other for just starting out I would go with the Impact but I still would not want to be with out the chromes for long.

[eschoendorff]

I have both solely because there are places that a impact socket wont fit that a chrome will and I'm not willing to put a 3/8 socket under those stresses. If I had to pick one or the other for just starting out I would go with the Impact but I still would not want to be with out the chromes for long.

What he said. The more intricate your projects become, the more tools you will need.

I started out many years ago with a set of impact sockets from HF. I didn't know that they were impact at the time, I just liked their heft. They served me very well for years and I still used them today as my primary 6pt 1/2" drive sockets.

[krusty the clown]

i have a couple sets of chrome 1/2' sockets........never use them.

[Rigmaster]

i have a couple sets of chrome 1/2' sockets........never use them.


Give them to me!!!!


;)


:lol_hitti

[Chris Adams]

I'm looking at my impact sockets and the vehicle I'm working on today...
And thinking HOW?
My impact sockets are WAY too big to fit into most the tiny holes, like under the battery box, or to do the valve cover, or the bell housing. If I had the motor open they wouldn't fit on the rod caps. Maybe the mains.
What do you guys work on that can handle that wide a socket wall???

[Adam McLaughlin]

Like dropping the K member under a 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette to get the 4T65E out. Work wonders for something like that. Did it last night.

Adam

[Merkava_4]

Like dropping the K member

That's what it's called!! I was trying to remember what that thing was called the other day and couldn't pull it out of my head. Thank you sir. :beer:

[Fedwrench]

First off, you need to stop mixing apples and oranges. We're talking about sizes within 1/2 inch drive only, not using 1/2 drive instead of 3/8 drive. Who the hell uses a 1/2 drive 10mm socket anyway? I'm not suggesting to use 1/2 drive under a dash either. However, in common sizes like 15mm and larger if you have enough room to use 1/2 drive in the first place, you can probably use an impact socket as easily as a chrome socket. Now, not all impact sockets are created equally. Some brands' walls may be so thick, that you can only use them in wide open spaces. Mine aren't that way, so on my tool cart, 1/2 drive sockets are found only in impact. My chrome ones sit in my main box gathering dust. Will 1/2 impact sockets work everytime in place of chrome sockets, no. It depends on the sockets and what you're working on but, if you're trying to squeeze a nickel until the buffalo poops, I think you can get by without chrome 1/2 drive sockets initially and if you needed a couple of sizes for certain applications, those would be cheaper than a whole set but, that's just my warped thinking.:beer:

[Adam McLaughlin]

That's what it's called!! I was trying to remember what that thing was called the other day and couldn't pull it out of my head. Thank you sir. :beer:

Yup. I have been a full time trans guy for nine years. In the last four of those years I went into business for myself. I have three local independent shops sending me work, I stay busy enough to keep ahead of my student loan payments.

Adam

[Crawlin]

I have to have both. I have full sets of 1/2" shallow, deep, SAE, Metric in chrome and impact and I use both about equally. Yesterday I was using a 1 1/8" chrome socket on a 3/4" bolt and my impact socket would not have cleared because of the walll thickness.

[a390st]

If you buy older SK impact sockets, you'll have an excuse for buying chrome sockets. I had to get another set of impact sockets because the SK ones are so thick.

[paramudduck]

Eh buy a set of good impacts. Then run by Sears and get a set of chromes. For the times you'll have to use them they will do a fine job.

[Danglerb]

I'm just not seeing it as practical not to have both chrome and impact in 1/2" drive, but I also see no need to fill out the sets with smaller sizes in the impacts or bigger sizes in the chrome unless you have a specific need.

A big part of my reasoning is that I use HF impacts and Craftsman chrome. If I was paying $35 a socket I might just buy what I needed, but I think I am better off with full sets of cheap sockets than a handful of expensive ones.

[kartracer55]

I'm kind of in your boat. I 'm thinking Im going to go to sears and buy 17-22mm 6pt chrome sockets, minus the 20mm. Anything larger than 22mm, I can't see no' using an impact for anyway, and honestly can't think of anywhere on a car that has a bolt that size my gun won't fit, and anything smaller gets 3/8.

[autoace]

Half inch drive chrome sockets come in real handy at times. When I assemble short blocks, I use them with a 1/2 inch drive torque wrench, for the main caps, and cylinder head bolts. Impacts would be to thick, to fit.

I would not buy new Snap-on etc... sockets in these, because they don't get used everyday, buy a big Craftsman set, when they are on sale.

[wantedabiggergarage]

In the older days, (gramps garage times, 20's then later in the 50's to early 60's), he had mostly 1/2" drive, 12 point sockets, and 1/4" drive sockets (sae of course). They didn't seem to use as much in the way of 3/8" from some of the older ones I knew (of course you could sit next to the engine, under the hood as well).

In other words, don't forget used chrome!