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1/4" impact sockets

toolfreak

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Jan 8, 2006
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1,273
Location
Illinois
What's everyone using? I just bought a matco cordless ratchet and impact so I have been trying to decide what brand of sockets to use. I am leaning towards the 74 piece matco set but am willing to hear some opinions. I was going to go with snap on since all my other sockets are snappys but it doesn't look like they have that many sizes.
 
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dan1120

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Mar 23, 2011
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169
Location
Dallas, TX
1/4 impact sockets? Pish posh.

I use my chrome set all the time without a problem. Its a mix set between matco, snapon, and silver eagle. Only 1/4 imact sockets I have are my deep and shallow 10mm magnetic sockets.
 

Damian

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Joined
Dec 26, 2010
Messages
428
Location
Auburn, Georgia
I've never really understood the need of a 1/4" drive impact socket over a chrome socket. Nothing that needs tightening with a 1/4" socket set should be getting tight enough to require an impact strength.

My 20yr old chrome Husky 1/4" set is holding up just fine to constant daily abuse.
 
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toolfreak

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Jan 8, 2006
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Location
Illinois
I work with a guy that had to buy impacts since he has broke several chrome sockets with the matco impact in the first week.
 

greasemonkey44

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Mar 30, 2011
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1,625
Location
memphis
i heard hear from deaf that chromes will tear up something fierce if you use an AIR impact
i use electric all the time with chrome and have no problems at all
 

JASTECH

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Oct 21, 2009
Messages
2,671
Location
Gering, NE
Damian, your 20 yr old set is made way better then new MIC Husky's. I bought a Grey set with SAE and Metric shallow/Deep 1/4" impacts. I would just use my full MAC set or even one of 2 Craftsman 20+ year old sets except they all were stolen and left me without any so I only had enough money for the Grey sockets, no ratchets, extensions or universals. It *****, hope they know they ripped off a handicaped person and it bothers their sleep.

Thanks, JASTECH
 

wantedabiggergarage

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Joined
Feb 25, 2006
Messages
3,897
Location
Independence, MO, USA.
I agree with Deaf, that air over electric will make a difference. I have the Craftsman short ones, due to outlet store deal, but the ones I would like to get are the impact wobbles. Missed out on the Gearwrench set a few months back (came home and went to order and they were gone), and am hoping a certain company brings theirs back.
 

G1GRANDEUR

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Aug 22, 2009
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2,094
Just use chrome sockets. with low torque, you will hardly damage the sockets.
 

wheats71

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Dec 14, 2010
Messages
127
Location
ontario can
have a look at matco's new line of impact sockets the ADV line from what i've seen they look decent but i don't know much about pricing
 

WhiffySpark

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Joined
Oct 22, 2009
Messages
6,252
have a look at matco's new line of impact sockets the ADV line from what i've seen they look decent but i don't know much about pricing

I got the swivel set last week. I think it was 212? I'm getting the 71 piece set this week. I like them
 

Avgas

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Aug 7, 2009
Messages
344
wow you guys use impacts to tighten fasteners? I have only used them to loosen them
 

WhiffySpark

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Oct 22, 2009
Messages
6,252
Only certain times do you really need a torque wrench

I like 1/4 impact sockets better. They just seem to hold up better. I like how they swivel vs the chrome swivels that flop around.
 
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pmohr

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Jul 3, 2009
Messages
158
Location
Maryville, TN
1/4 impact sockets? Pish posh.

I use my chrome set all the time without a problem. Its a mix set between matco, snapon, and silver eagle. Only 1/4 imact sockets I have are my deep and shallow 10mm magnetic sockets.

Are the magnetics SO? Just because they're black doesn't mean they're impact, the SO magnetics are specifically labeled 'not for impact use'.
 

4x4gearhead

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Oct 4, 2010
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Location
New Hampshire
I would also agree with just using chrome, I have used my sk shallows and blue point deeps on my far25a for years and have never broken one
 

WhiffySpark

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Oct 22, 2009
Messages
6,252
It's not a fact of using impact's because of torque. impacts just seem to hold up better than chrome. Granted i use my snappy air ratchet all day long ( might get the mini pitbull soon), so i have quite a bit of experience. 1/4 impacts are usually cheaper too
 
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toolfreak

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Jan 8, 2006
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1,273
Location
Illinois
1/4in impacts? WTF? I could understand buying them if you have the strength of a 6 month old baby...

:wtf: Its about getting the job done faster, obviously you don't turn wrenches for a living.


i use 1/4 air impact wrench and cordless 1/4 impact driver in my body shop all the time..perfect for quick unbolting of 7, 8, 10 and 12 mm bolts...
i have this model..
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CQDD62/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and yes, i use impact sockets with this wrench because it spins very very fast and it will ruin chrome sockets quickly...

I ordered a set of matco adv impact sockets, little more than I planned on spending but it beats digging chrome slivers out of you hand.
 

Ponyhntr

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
15
Location
MO
I wouldn't worry about a chrome 1/4 socket breaking when used with a 1/4" impact. What I WOULD worry about is the socket wearing out the ANVIL of the impact. I run into guys all the time that use chrome sockets on impacts and they wonder why they are buying anvils all the time.

Sockets may be lifetime, but air tools are not!
 

Hammer1963

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Jan 2, 2011
Messages
2,048
Location
Kentucky
Definitely invest in the impact sockets. I've been using the Matco MT1745 1/4" pneumatic impact for 3 years, the Matco MUC108I 1/4" cordless impact and the Matco
MUC108R cordless ratchet for about 18 months and after wearing the anvil out on the pneumatic impact using chrome sockets, I switched to impact sockets.

First I tried the Snap-on set since all my chrome sockets are Snap-on, but I got tired of them flying off. The drive end would wear our ultra quick. I have since been using the Matco 1/4" and the Gray Pneumatics 1/4" impact sockets and have zero problems. Just ordered a set of Matco ADV 1/4" impacts just to give them a try.

If you use these tools everyday as I do in the collision business, you will easily get your money out of the investment in these tools. The 1/4" pueumatic impacts and cordless impacts as well as the cordless ratchets will flat make you some money.
 

dan1120

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Joined
Mar 23, 2011
Messages
169
Location
Dallas, TX
Are the magnetics SO? Just because they're black doesn't mean they're impact, the SO magnetics are specifically labeled 'not for impact use'.

No, they came from the cornwell guy. And according to him they are impact rated. Had them for over a year, and use them constantly, on and off the air ratchet. No problems yet.
 

JeepsAreBuilt

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Joined
Nov 24, 2006
Messages
1,066
Location
The Beautiful NorthWest
Depends on where you bought them. I have no idea who is "authorized" and who is not.

Matco is. Just have to make him realize it if he doesnt. I have the GP magnetic deep set. The springs dont last long so I have matco warranty them.. however my matco guy stop coming around. So I bought a replacement 10mm deep magnetic from cornwell and I liked the GP one better.
 

knocker

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Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
220
Location
Peoria, Az
I wrench for a living and have never seen anyone use or own 1/4 impact sockets...ymmv

Really, it’s the complete opposite for me, I’m the only one who doesn’t have ¼ impacts. It depends on what you wrench on I guess, I see a lot of tight spaces so they come in hand for their size.

Chrome sockets tear up the snap ring on the anvil.

Yeah I agree
 
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