1/2" drive impact sockets vs. Std Chrome deepwell

[indyokie]

I'm a garage weekend warrior. Have a Mustang to restore and don't need every tool, however like many of you on this website, I sometime just want them so I have them, and I've had situations where not having the right socket has been a hassel, so tell me what I'm missing.....I'm wanting to complete my sockets sets- Good with 1/4", 3/8" drive std and deep, moving on quite to 1/2 drive. I'm assuming it's possible to purchase everything as impact sockets and be ready if I need to use an impact ( Haven't purchased one yet ) vs. going with Chrome sockets and then duplicating in impact. I know impact sockets are often thicker wall..what else ?

 

[crewchief888]

if i'm using 1/2" dr sockets, it's usually an impact,
even if it's not on an impact.

most less expensive impact sockets are thicker walled than their more expensive counterparts...

between what i have in the garage, whats in my service truck, and what i have at the shop, i'm pretty well covered for short, deep, impact and non impact.

something you may want to consider are impact universals, i use them more than shallow sockets.

 

[LGMechanical]

In theory, impact socket steel will flex under load. This means that it should not be used for precision torque applications. (ie. using them on a torque wrench). Aside from that, it's a clearance issue at times with the thicker walls.

 

[KEH]

I got shallow impacts years ago to get 6 point sockets. Later I got metric deep impacts. I had deep chrome standard sockets much earlier. Only recently have I worked on getting deep chrome metrics and haven't really needed them, but they are nice to have. Impacts are thicker than chrome but if that becomes an issue you can get individual chrome ones. I eventually got an impact gun and i advise you not to go too cheap on an impact gun. Look at the power ratings on them and compare.

Impact sockets are one area where the cheap HF ones seem to hold up fine, but I'm don't know about full time professional use.

All of these I mentioned are 1/2 inch drive.

Don't use an air gun on chrome sockets. Don't buy used chrome sockets that have had an air wrench used on them. Buying used impact sockets is ok, it's obvious if they are on their last legs so you can turn them down if they are unsuitable.

KEH

 

[indyokie]

Thank you all, Great info !

 

[rusty65]

I have always heard that when restoring vintage cars a 1/2 drive is your best friend and I would get a quality set of standard 6 point chrome sockets. I have a 65 mustang and many bolts seem to be 1/2 or 9/16

 

[franzdom]

In theory, impact socket steel will flex under load. This means that it should not be used for precision torque applications. (ie. using them on a torque wrench). Aside from that, it's a clearance issue at times with the thicker walls.

Torque wrenches don't care how much flex is in a system, force balance says it's even at the fastener and at the wrench. If you don't believe me make a free body diagram.

 

[TwoInch]

Torque wrenches don't care how much flex is in a system, force balance says it's even at the fastener and at the wrench. If you don't believe me make a free body diagram.

that myth is rampant.

i always tell people to grab something long and flexible, one end in each hand, and twist it. which hand is exerting the force? both are, equal force on both ends.

if they dont get it after that, i usually walk away.

some will then go with the "if the extension is twisted past its yield point, then the torque transfer will be off...."

me "if the wrench makes the click sound, it transferred the torque... period..."

universal joints will screw with torque applied tho... especially at hard angles.