Using only impact or power sockets with air ratchets

[md21722]

I recently got a Snap On cordless air ratchet for Christmas and noticed in the manual it says to use only impact or power sockets. I thought it was interesting because I've never seen a pro mechanic specifically use impact or power sockets with an air impact (regular, not impacting/reactionless air). I wonder if any others follow the manual and use on impact/power sockets with their power tools... In theory it makes some sense as the drive head is moving similar to an impact...

 

[gdocktor3]

Are you serious right now? I can't tell. You've been around for a while now and this is discussed regularly by newbies. Either way, chrome sockets have the chance of cracking, breaking, exploding, etc when used with power tools. For liability reasons, they probably say impact sockets only, but many people use chrome sockets. I use chrome with ratchets and impact with power tools for the simple fact that I hate when chrome sockets get destroyed and don't hold on my ratchets.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

3/8" air ratchet, always chrome. 1/2" air impact, usually impact sockets and sometimes chrome for thin-wall or speciality (never broke a socket, but the drive-end get beat). 3/8" cordless/air impact, always chrome.

Sometimes you must do with what you have... time is money. Plenty of ground/modified SO tools in my dads cabinet .

 

[johndeereman]

I use impact sockets on my air and cordless ratchets and impact wrench's. I guess because i have them 1/4'' - 3/4'' metric and standard also that's the way i was taught. but yes in a pinch i have used chrome sockets in a impact situation.

 

[MrGiggles]

I recently got a Snap On cordless air ratchet for Christmas and noticed in the manual it says to use only impact or power sockets. I thought it was interesting because I've never seen a pro mechanic specifically use impact or power sockets with an air impact (regular, not impacting/reactionless air). I wonder if any others follow the manual and use on impact/power sockets with their power tools... In theory it makes some sense as the drive head is moving similar to an impact...

Which is it? Cordless or air?

Normal power ratchet, chrome is fine. Reactionless or impacting, impact only.

 

[Goleee33]

Which is it? Cordless or air?



Normal power ratchet, chrome is fine. Reactionless or impacting, impact only.

Was thinking the same thing. Maybe it has a battery powered air compressor built into the ratchet?

 

[mbshop]

Regular air ratchets I used chrome with no issues.
But anything that impacts then its impact sockets.
but again, never hold a socket with your hand while using power tools. Do not ask me how I know this.

 

[md21722]

Are you serious right now?

LOL. Yes, its the first time I've read the owners manual. I've always use chrome on my air ratchets. But the manual says impact says to use only impact or power sockets! Snap On FAR72C or CTR761 are the ratchets in question. Both are air ratchets, no impacting mechanism. I went back and looked up the FAR72C manual and it basically says the same! I am not changing my methods anytime soon but I just wondered if others take this stuff seriously.

 

[bdelmar2]

I will use chrome sockets on 3/8" air ratchets if they are handy, though I also use universal impacts quite often, also mainly because they are handy.

I also use chrome sockets on 3/8" impacts quite often. If I am using air just for the speed, like say pan bolts. If I'm expecting to actually have to impact something, like bell housing bolts or a harmonic dampner then I will use impact sockets.

1/4" I don't worry about which type I use, and for 1/2" I generally always use impacts except in an odd situation where I can't fit an impact socket where it needs to go, or I don't happen to have one that size. Fairly rare occurrences.

The only socket I've ever had blow apart on me was a 1/2" impact.

I've seen quite a few cracked chrome sockets in other peoples boxes and even found one in my box recently, but I'm fairly sure I didn't crack it. 1/4" Gearwrench, truck warrantied it.

In any case I keep my hands away from rotating parts (the thin metal tab they put on exhaust manifold bell nuts so a wrench isn't needed to install them will teach you this quickly), also my face, and I try not to look directly at whatever I'm impacting unless I have to.

 

[cheechi]

M12 ratchet, CP air ratchet, HF 'impacting' air ratchet all get impact sockets. The M12 really doesn't have the torque to damage anything but I try to force myself to have good habits. My chrome sockets are nice and I want to keep them that way. The first thing to go is the drive end and then it slips or doesn't stay on.

When you exert torque on a chrome socket with a ratchet handle or breaker handle it's not the same as the way a power tool exerts torque on it. The different materials are made with different properties for a reason.

 

[md21722]

Yeah, I figured on a hand ratchet, the head is more or less stationary, whereas in a power tool the ratchet head turns and the tool stays stationary which must be why they made that comment. I have sets of 3/8" impacts now, I bought them for reactionless (impact) ratchets, but I see a use for them on regular ratchets too. Though it does surprise me it seems impossible to find any long power/impact extensions. I understand why they may not be available for impact, but I thought they'd be available for power drive. Talking 18, 24, 36" here.

 

[cheechi]

fwiw the HF impact extensions, and especially wobble extensions are really pretty nice. A lot of them are made in taiwan instead of china but I have both and both work for what you need.