Impact socket finish.

Pro-Painter · Nov 12, 2011

Does anyone know what the very smooth, shinny black coating found on some impact sockets is called? It's generally found on cheaper impact sockets.

Also, Anyone know what type of finish the USA Williams impact sockets have? smooth gloss, or ruff flat finish?

fr0mastaj · Nov 12, 2011

As far as i know, the cheaper 'impact' sockets are just Cr-V sockets spray painted black. Where as real impacts are Cr-Mo with a black oxide finish.

Pro-Painter · Nov 12, 2011

fr0mastaj said:
As far as i know, the cheaper 'impact' sockets are just Cr-V sockets spray painted black. Where as real impacts are Cr-Mo with a black oxide finish.

The finish I'm talking about is not a paint, or a thick coating. It's more like a dye, or stain. You can still see the grain of the metal if you look closely.

jjjrmx5 · Nov 12, 2011

Yep, fr0mastaj is correct.

For most users, it's called black oxide finish in the industry. The do it in the fastener industry all day long on cap screws, set screws , industrial fasteners, etc.

As for the "real" finish of each impact socket line, well... that can be disputed.

Good impacts are good, and bad ones rust when it gets humid.

Fedwrench · Nov 12, 2011

Parkerized or phosphating? Just like a weapon or survival knife but, that's just my guess. :wtf:

Pro-Painter · Nov 12, 2011

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Here is a good example (found on ebay) of what I'm talking about. The sockets in the center are gloss, and smooth finished. (not paint/powdercoat), the sockets on the ends are flat, ruff and textured.

From my experience, Most of the better sockets have the ruff textured finish which I hate. I recently purchased the (Taiwan) Williams 3/8" impact socket sets and they have a ruff textured finish that is eating my gloves, and impossible to keep clean.

So I'm looking for a OK quality set with a smooth finish. All I can find is either smooth/cheap set and ruff/quality sets.

fr0mastaj · Nov 12, 2011

Then it looks like you are looking for an Electro phosphate finish. Here is a link to the newer IR's that have that finish: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HGMS8Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

"Electro-phosphate finish for a sleeker look and high visibility"

jjjrmx5 · Nov 12, 2011

Sorry Pro-Painter, I wasn't trying to be snippet with my answer, but I;ve seen so many "black based" tool finishes that it's hard to nail down without a picture.

The more common HF and ****** tool finishes anymore seem to be matte black and almost phosphate finish/wash including a couple of sets of HF e-torx I own. Great for finger gripping but really a dull crappy finish in the end.

I would not put beyond the realm of belief that those would not be kind to almost anything.

The std. black oxide finish of major tools wipes clean and is dull but not flat finished. Atleast any of the god brands and tool truck brands out there.

Sounds like a little more poking around may be necessary.

Stephenw · Nov 12, 2011

Snap-on black oxide, pure beauty...

Pro-Painter · Nov 12, 2011

Stephenw said:
Snap-on black oxide, pure beauty...

That is purty. Anyone know if the USA williams have the same finish?

markw365 · Nov 12, 2011

I've refinished a few sockets, bead blasted them and then re-parkerized them at my buddies. He's a gun guy and has a tank long enough to do barrels. I think it was zinc manganese finish, came out looking really nice.

shampoop · Nov 12, 2011

fr0mastaj said:
Then it looks like you are looking for an Electro phosphate finish. Here is a link to the newer IR's that have that finish: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HGMS8Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

"Electro-phosphate finish for a sleeker look and high visibility"

Some of my HF impact sockets seemed to have this phosphate finish. It is much shinier than normal black oxide.

My sunex black oxide finish is very smooth and durable. zero issues with them eating gloves. The oil does not wipe off as easy as the other style of finish, but that probably helps them resist rust anyway.

Steve_P · Nov 14, 2011

in pro painters pic the pretty ones in the center are black oxide, the others are black phosphate. I just purchased some SK impacts and they are phosphate. I don't know what Williams uses on their USA impacts.

pipsters · Nov 14, 2011

I have rough finished impacts before and smooth finished. The SK's are almost a hybrid. Actually they definitely have the best looking tools I've ever seen.

SK 4047 impact set 10-36mm

Impact socket finish.

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