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Why get chrome socket extensions (if you have impact)?

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lilscorpion

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I have most sizes in impact including wobbly. I don't really have any chrome and have considering getting a couple sets of SK but I'm not sure it's really worth it since I do have good sets of impact. So...why have both? If I don't really need them, I could get a good set of locking extensions instead. I have no idea why I no longer have any chrome ones anyway but dwelling I that will be saved for another post. Thanks.
 
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wafrederick

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Chrome is harder,will shatter when used on an impact.The impact grade will take the beatings from an impact without breaking.Any chrome attachment and extension,you will replace anvils a lot.
 
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gatewaysysop

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Am the only person so far that is understanding the OPs actual question? :dunno:

In my case, at least, I already had lots of chrome extensions before I acquired a few impact extensions in some sets I picked up. If I had the impact ones first, I still wouldn't use them with chrome sockets with, say a regular ratchet (i.e. not with an impact, which is I think what you're asking about) because they are larger/bulkier, heavier and most are fairly oily from the factory, to keep the rust at bay (yeah I know, rust in AZ, as if...). Chrome extensions are cheap, even good ones, so I'd rather have a set for regular stuff than double dip with impact ones for everything.

That my $.02 anyway. Hope that helps somehow? :thumbup:
 
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rusty65

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Ok to answer your question why some one would buy chrome extensions is because impact extensions tend to bend when you put a side load on them especially longer impact extensions so you buy chrome to use on breakers ratchets because they will flex less on heavy side strain. Just my two cents.
 
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shockwave

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I would say just use the impact extensions as I use chrome for all my extensions where I have never had an issue with them shattering just the retaining ball wears out
 
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lilscorpion

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Sweet, you guys got to what I was asking. Smaller diameter, stronger for non-impact bolt breaking, easier it clean, fancy as all get out, and another really good way to spend more on tools. My wife will get all of them though I will likely withhold one or two for obvious reasons. Thanks!
 
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afazz

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I use chrome with hand tools because they usually have detents that match ratchets and hand sockets. Most of my Impact extensions only have one hole, where the chrome ones have all 4 detents so the ratchet can engage in any position. Some impact extensions have retaining rings on the male end, and that can get annoying.
 
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tjmonsen5

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I have not been able to find a impact extension with knurling. I really like the knurling on my chrome extensions for when i just need to spin it out by hand.
 
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larryq

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I think Gatewaysop has it right. Chrome is thinner, cheaper and (as rusty65 said) chrome can take side loads a little better without flexing.
 
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volvo92906

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03protege said:
Are you saying that impact grade extensions will break under the use of a hand ratchet?
Click to expand...

Where did you come up with that?

I clearly didnt understand the context of the OP question... He said "Why get chrome extensions when I have impact ones?"... I said dont buy chrome ones, or go ahead and buy them (with the risk of breaking them using an impact). TITLE: Why get chrome socket extensions if you have an impact.

Nowhere in the post did it say anything about using ratchets. Or the strength of extensions. But there was some extra information about wobbly and locking extensions...

Nowhere did I say that impact extensions will break or bend with the use of a hand ratchet. But others did...
 
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lilscorpion

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volvo92906 said:
TITLE: Why get chrome socket extensions if you have an impact.
Click to expand...
I think the construction of the title messed up the question. "Why get chrome extensions if you already have impact extensions." The question wasn't really impact gun related. I have many impact extensions because, for years, my go-to has been my cordless impacts. The more I used them, the more I found the need for this length and that length so I wound up building a decent set of impact extensions. Recently I started organizing my socket drawer and I found that I have no chrome extensions longer than 3-inch in 1/2 and 3/8 and a few 3-inch and shorter and one 6-incher in 1/4. When thinking about it, I usually use what I have (impact) when I do use hand ratchets and, since I never noticed, I guess it doesn't matter that I don't have chrome. All of that in my head translated to the original question which I should have stated another way. "When i do use the hand ratchets, should I buy chrome extensions or just keep using the I impact ones I already have? Why is chrome better in some cases or is it?" ...or something like that. I have no idea why I don't have any chrome extensions in my drawer.
 
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