Chrome Vanadium Vs. Chrome Molybdenum, Requesting Clarification

Vivekananda · Jul 15, 2015

I'm really pleased to see such a forum exist.
I recently paid a visit to Harbor Freight Tools and noticed that all of their 1/2" Deep Metric Sockets were made of Chrome Vanadium instead of chrome molybdenum.

I thought Chrome molybdenum is specifically made for Impact Sockets (for those using air tools or torque wrenches). Why is it that Harbor Freight claims Chrome Vanadium good for torqueing bolts? I thought Vanadium is only good for standard sockets and ratchets. Also, there seems to be contradiction on their website listings. Most, if not all of their Impact Sockets are listed as Chrome Molybdenum within the item description, but when you go to their store, the packaging states Chrome Vanadium. This is so deceiving.

I see many on this forum recommend the impact sockets sold by Harbor Freight.

Please elaborate, thank you.

jobo1004 · Jul 15, 2015

Harbor Freight makes impact sockets in both chrome molybdenum and chrome vanadium. In my store they have some of the impact sockets with the ratchets and sockets and more impact sockets with the air tools. Just gotta look around for the ones that you want.

Chrome molybdenum:
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-deep-wall-socket-set-67915.html

Chrome vanadium:
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-deep-wall-socket-set-69279.html

Vivekananda · Jul 15, 2015

Thanks, I believe I should be on the look out for Chrome Moly. That's the real thing. Other's just can't withstand impact.

1950mercury · Jul 15, 2015

There are a lot of cr v impact sockets out there not just hf. They work fine

Vivekananda · Jul 15, 2015

Right, but if I want quality I should opt for something like Chrome Moly, right? I intend to use the 1/2" sockets primarily for torquing bolts whether it may be torque wrenches or impact hand tools.

Astro_Pneumatic_Tools · Jul 15, 2015

Quoting a previous post of mine:

Astro_Pneumatic_Tools said:
“Toughness” is normally used as a reference to the amount of impact fracture loading an alloy or any material can take. Resistance to fatigue loads can also be called “toughness”. In the context of sockets, both definitions apply here. With proper heat treatment, alloys like 4130 chrome moly, 5160 chrome-vanadium, or 300M steel are all very tough and miles ahead a standard carbon steel regardless of Rockwell rating. Although hardness can affect toughness, the composition of the material itself determines overall how tough it can be. Even within the same family of alloys, 4130 is much tougher than 4340 with the same attention paid to heat treatment.

Thus, while heat treatment process and final result are very important – starting with the right base alloy really frames the entire potential of the tool. For impact sockets, this usually means CroMo which will mar or gouge instead of shatter. The limiting factor here being how much material you’re playing with. On a thin wall you need the Vandium to pull off a thin (and thus necessitating: hard) wall. We pretty much always aim for CroMo (when we can afford the room).

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warweapon762 · Jul 15, 2015

Vivekananda said:
Right, but if I want quality I should opt for something like Chrome Moly, right? I intend to use the 1/2" sockets primarily for torquing bolts whether it may be torque wrenches or impact hand tools.

Go for Chrome Moly. The likely hood of catastrophic failure is much lower and the warning signs of it failing are much more evident (I.E. Cracking, surface deformation, etc). With CR-V the **** will just explode with little warning although I am starting to believe it has alot to do with temperature sensitivity. I had a set of impact U-joints that seemingly worked well until I used them this winter and nearly all of them shattered in freezing temps.

If you are shopping for Chrome Moly at HF look for Pittsburgh PRO or the made in Taiwan items. Most of the time they are Chrome Moly.

Vivekananda · Jul 15, 2015

Thank you, I did watch the following as well,

Are there any torque wrenches or ratchets you would recommend to go along with the Chrome Moly purchase, or would any standard ratchet / torque wrench do?

franzdom · Jul 15, 2015

Vivekananda said:
Right, but if I want quality I should opt for something like Chrome Moly, right? I intend to use the 1/2" sockets primarily for torquing bolts whether it may be torque wrenches or impact hand tools.

All sockets are for torquing bolts or other fasteners, you can't tighten one without torquing it. :wtf:

Vivekananda · Jul 15, 2015

Right, but what if I need to torque it to spec, there is a difference isn't there? :bounce:

franzdom said:
All sockets are for torquing bolts or other fasteners, you can't tighten one without torquing it.

404 · Jul 15, 2015

Sadly these are all just stamped letters on the side of a socket.. If one wants to know what the metal really is, go to a scrap yard and ask nicely if they will xrf it.

If testing a chrome plated socket grind to base metal in the area to be tested.

Even then it is an act of faith that the heat treat is correct. In 3ed world countries the electricity may go out during the heat treat cycle, and maybe no one knows or cares. That used to be a real problem under the Soviets. A Rockwell hardness test can tell if there was correct heat treat. Grind off chrome in the test area.

Many hand tools could be high carbon steel, hardened, and who would know?

1950mercury · Jul 15, 2015

I use chrome sockets with a torque wrench

RPH · Jul 15, 2015

Rockwell is only one test. Pattern and microstructure are also important. That is what the hardness tester can't tell you.

AmishFury · Jul 16, 2015

warweapon762 said:
If you are shopping for Chrome Moly at HF look for Pittsburgh PRO or the made in Taiwan items.

last i checked ALL the impact sockets at HF were taiwan... and the pittsburgh pro in the sets are cr-mo the individual impact sockets are labeled pro on the plastic holder (and also used to be on the socket as well) but they are identical to the regular cr-v pittsburgh sockets from the 13pc sets

Vivekananda · Jul 21, 2015

Lately, some of the Pittsburgh Pro Impact Sockets have been Made in China. I'm returning mine tomorrow, this is getting really absurd. :willy_nil

AmishFury said:
last i checked ALL the impact sockets at HF were taiwan... and the pittsburgh pro in the sets are cr-mo the individual impact sockets are labeled pro on the plastic holder (and also used to be on the socket as well) but they are identical to the regular cr-v pittsburgh sockets from the 13pc sets

kythri · Jul 21, 2015

Yeah, it's totally absurd that HF sells something made in China.

Leaflessshadetree · Jul 21, 2015

Vivekananda said:
Right, but what if I need to torque it to spec, there is a difference isn't there?

Then you shouldn't be using an impact wrench.

BDT/NWMN · Jul 21, 2015

kythri said:
Yeah, it's totally absurd that HF sells something made in China.

Glad I held off on a hot cup of coffee before reading that. :lol:

Vivekananda · Jul 21, 2015

I remember seeing Made in Taiwan just a few days ago

Chrome Vanadium Vs. Chrome Molybdenum, Requesting Clarification

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