How often do you guys use your 1/2" drive deep chromies vs imapcts?

[Soon2AdjustYou]

Just wondering how many use a 1/2" drive impact deep socket before using a chrome socket. Do you reserve your impacts for air tools only or will you go ahead and stick a ratchet on them?

Dr. B

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Usually use chrome socket with ratchets for improved clearance issues. Impact sockets are usually used with airguns only

[classic70]

I use the impacts because that is all i have and they work the same way with a ratchet or impact.

[Zrexxer]

Hate to say it but the only time I use the chromes is when I need a thinwall. At least in 1/2 deeps anyway.

[WVU Tuba Dale]

I have few chrome 1/2" drive sockets, so I usually go for the impacts either way.

[Moose-LandTran]

I use both. Switch between them without rhyme or reason. Except i only use a chrome socket on a hand tool, never an airtool. However, i will use and impact socket on a hand tool too.

[speed bump]

I have a few Deep chromes but they never see any use so I haven't ever bought more. Impacts all the way.

[franzdom]

I use both. Switch between them without rhyme or reason. Except i only use a chrome socket on a hand tool, never an airtool. However, i will use and impact socket on a hand tool too.

Never is a long word, I had to use a chrome on an upper strut nut as I couldn't get enough torque on it with a breaker bar because the spindle would spin, and the strut mount precluded the use of a thicker wall socket. Craftsman chrome :thumbup:

[Moose-LandTran]

Never is a long word, I had to use a chrome on an upper strut nut as I couldn't get enough torque on it with a breaker bar because the spindle would spin, and the strut mount precluded the use of a thicker wall socket. Craftsman chrome :thumbup:

I will avoid it as far as i can. My friend has a nice scar on his face from a chrome socket that grenaded itself on an impact gun.

[Old Donn]

Don't use 1/2 drive sockets much, when I do it's the standard size. I don't think I've ever used my chrome deep wells. Strictly use impacts whether ratchet/breaker bar or shop air's involved.

[daveblank]

Hate to say it but the only time I use the chromes is when I need a thinwall. At least in 1/2 deeps anyway.


When I was a tech, almost all I ever uses was impacts for 3/8 & 1/2 unless it was a tight spot.

[stock z/28]

Well, I must admit that I use chrome 1/2" deep wells a lot, and Its almost always on an impact.

I have both chrome and impact sets in the top of my box up to an 1 1/2" and for most engine work I do, the impact sockets simply wont fit.

Both of these sets are Snap On that I originally bought new in about 72 and most have held up well, I'm very pleased with them.

Obviously if there is adequate clearance I use the impacts. I use 1/2" drive impact flex sockets a lot also.


The Snap On sockets and for that matter the wrenches were a great investment back then, I don't regret their purchase at all.


Jeff

[GDA]

Only when I need a really thin wall and that ends up being every couple months when doing a suspension rebuild (strut and strut mount) on a front end of a BMW or the like.

Most of the time my 3/8 deep impacts will work but there have a been a couple times that I had to resort to using my 1/2 drive chrome because the 1/2 drive 22mm chrome was the only one deep enough to work.

[nissan_crawler]

chrome on hand tools, impact on impact.

The only time I'll have an impact on a hand tool is when the 24" breaker bar or 24" ratchet is coming out, especially if there's a cheater pipe involved.

[Cobradriver]

You made me scratch my head...I honestly can't remember the last time I used any of my chrome 1/2" stuff. I use impact sockets on everything.

Chris

[psychoclaw84]

Not as much as my impacts.

I have a complete metric set of 1/2 drive impacts from 10mm - 36mm and my chrome set is 10mm-24mm.

Only use the chrome with hand tools, but I also have used the impact sockets with hand tools.

Asian autos (what I own) have small fasteners which limits 1/2 drive use.

[Soon2AdjustYou]

I'm with the majority. I primarily use impacts unless a thin wall or shallow clearance is needed.

[06wt]

My freind(master tech) always tells me to use chrome when im using the socket in an area where you cant see it, cause if it falls off the ratchet or extension its easyer to find chrome in an engine bay then a black impact socket. But as for the op question i barley ever use 1/2'' deep chromes, 3/8'' usaully get the job done

[BB26]

chrome on hand tools, impact on impact.

The only time I'll have an impact on a hand tool is when the 24" breaker bar or 24" ratchet is coming out, especially if there's a cheater pipe involved.

This pretty much describes my use as well. Although, I am guilty of using chrome sockets on my impact if clearance issues dictate the need. If so, it is only a top quality socket such as SO, Wright or Proto. I am not going to use an HF or C-Man chromie and take the chance of it grenading on me.

[Dust]

I only use 1/2 for the large fasteners and lug nuts. The differential drain plugs in the LX/LC bodies use a 14mm hex, which is only 1/2 drive. A few large bolts in the suspension/frame. A 1/2 drive 1/2 double-square socket with an adapter on it for the spare tire winch.

I don't own a set of 3/8 deep impacts, and only use my shallows for my impact gun. Everything else is chrome.

[nate379]

I don't even own impact sockets. Been using chrome ones for ~10 years and haven't broken one yet.

[rsanter]

my cromies are 12 pt and I do use them with an impact even thought I should not

I dont see the point in having 1/2dr 6 pts unless they are impacts. I use them when I know they bolt will require the drive tool to 'impact' numerious times to get the bolt off

bob