1/4" Impact Driver Use With Sockets? Incorrect?

[Here2Learn]

Is it considered improper use of a 1/4" impact driver to use it with sockets on an adapter bit for removing bolts and nuts such as on a motorcycle? I have a cordless Craftsman 1/4" impact driver and their 1/4" drive impact sockets sets. I have seen impact adapters to make the end be a square drive, but is this good practice?

I have 3/8" and 1/2" impact wrenches with the square end, but some of the fasteners are just torqued to inch-pounds values. I don't want to overdo it.

Thanks.

 

[Ign]

Nope. You can lose a considerable bit of power from flex in a 1/4" hex shank and the inherent slop in the fit of the shank, but it works.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Impact wrench has the most power in reverse. Impact driver has more power on forward for driving in screws and lag bolts. I use the adapters for 3/8 and 1/4in drive. I usually keep it under a 1/2in socket. Around 1/2in is when I get out the 1/2in impact wrench

 

[Mr_B]

I use a compact impact driver quite a bit for low torque stuff. perfectly acceptable practise ...

 

[Here2Learn]

The fasteners would be hex head bolts, up to 8 mm x 1.25 mm, with 10mm heads. Any 12 mm head and up I would just use the 3/8" or 1/2".

I have the 1/4" impact driver, but I have never got around to using it.

Thank you for the replies!

 

[rijndael]

The fasteners would be hex head bolts, up to 8 mm x 1.25 mm, with 10mm heads.

My Hitachi 18v driver has snapped the head off an M8x1.25 bolt on my Toyota. While there may be power loss with the adapters, it's more than sufficient for many jobs. I wish my driver had a lower torque setting.

 

[Here2Learn]

Even though mine is not too powerful, I will heed your warning.

 

[DFB]

Impact drivers with socket adapters work pretty good for removing and tightening hex head fasteners, I have numerous lengths in different drive sizes and like the positive retention the locking collet provides especially with a long extension like 12".

Actually have been surprised how certain 18v impact "drivers" have successfully removed certain vehicle lug nuts in online videos and even with my own experiences, not my choice of tool for that but for some off times seems to get the job done.

Just use common sense especially when tightening something as even a 12v impact driver hammering away full bore can easily strip smaller fasteners. Tools with multi mode settings can help keep you honest

 

[junkyardwarrior]

Impact driver is probably THE most important tool in my box.

--motorcycle tech (and lawn & garden too).

 

[Ign]

Yep I've snapped 1/4" Gr8 bolts w my M12 2453 Fuel

I do like 12V impact drivers for FEAD work on trucks (probably too large for many cars) like water pumps. Of course a dedicated square anvil would even shorter but once you get the fan shroud and fan outta the way the M12 impact drivers are still far more maneuverable than many impact wrenches, largely due to the submarine compact batteries

 

[gdudik]

My impact driver spends more time with the bit to convert to 1/4” socket drive than anything else. I’ll use it to remove what I can and I’ll use it to spin bolts back down, but I always torque by hand. The impact driver can be misleading. Sometimes stuff way too loose, sometimes stuff snapped off.

 

[bwringer]

Yep, I use mine (Bosch 18V) all the time for this stuff.

As noted, don't use it to tighten small stuff. But with a little trigger practice you can easily use it to spin stuff into place and let off at the precise moment before it starts hammering, which can still save a lot of time.

I use mine with a 1/2" or 3/8" adaptor to spin lug nuts into place, and if I let it hammer for a second, they're surprisingly close to final torque. I normally just let it bang once or twice and that's plenty.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Ditto many of the above,......

My Makita has turned many more nut's, 'n bolts with a 3/8" drive socket, than screws,....

 

[rlitman]

I've got Bosch 12V drivers, and a Milwaukee Fuel M18. I use them a lot with socket adapters. Yes, you lose some torque, and I've had plenty of bolts that they're just unable to move, but I have bigger impacts for that.

On the small end, I find my Bosch 12V VERY easy to control, and the Fuel has multiple speeds, so again, I don't end up breaking things (unless I accidentally leave it in the high power mode).

 

[sweet victory]

If you do feel like getting a 1/4" impact, you should take a look at the Milwaukee M12 stubby. There is an "auto stop" feature, so as you're tightening something, it will shut itself off at the first impact. Makes it really handy for reassembling something as you can properly torque it, and it helps to prevent cross threading/damage fasteners.

 

[hangfirew8]

It works and is handy. However after an experience I used the 12V drill/driver more. Then I picked up a full set of Craftsman/USA 1/4" impact sockets at Sears Outlet and I'm back to the 12V impact driver, at least where I need more torque than the drill/driver.

What happened, I put a (nice, shiny new looking) Cman chrome socket on the impact driver's hex-1/4" socket adapter and used it to run up a hose clamp. Falling down from the work was a steady stream of what looked like fine tinsel in the LED light. I thought it was from the hose clamp, but once I was done I found out it came from the inside of the socket. It was chrome, not paint.

When I purchased the 1/4" impact sockets, I thought it was an almost frivolous purchase, then I remembered the tinsel incident. But hey, full sets of USA impact sockets for a few bucks, how could I resist? Now I'm glad I have them.

 

[General Geoff]

Is it considered improper use of a 1/4" impact driver to use it with sockets on an adapter bit for removing bolts and nuts such as on a motorcycle? I have a cordless Craftsman 1/4" impact driver and their 1/4" drive impact sockets sets. I have seen impact adapters to make the end be a square drive, but is this good practice?

No problem at all, I use a Makita subcompact 1/4" hex impact driver all the time with a 1/4" square drive adapter. Huge time saver.

 

[Rarified27]

I use the DeWalt magnetic nut setters in my M12 Fuel impact every day, never had an issue and the nut setters on go to 1/2", so I use sockets for larger stuff and it's still no problem.

 

[DerekV]

A powerful impact driver is extremely handy and versatile. It's probably my most used power tool. I mention "powerful" because there's this notion that since it's not technically a "wrench" it can only handle smaller fasteners. I was just using mine last night to assemble something with M16 fasteners (24mm socket)...fastened them down like nobody's business...as in, PLENTY tight enough...any tighter and the bolt would've deformed. Absolutely no need to break out the bigger, heavier, more powerful impact wrench. I probably use the driver + socket adapter to drive nuts/bolts about the same as driving screws.

I can change drive sizes painlessly all with one tool. Drill holes in a pinch. Fasten tiny, delicate fasteners with surprising precision due to drive mode controls. Absolutely blast most screws into all types of wood. IMHO, there's no other tool in the arsenal that can do as many things and do them well than a powerful impact driver.

"You'll know" when you need to step up to a proper impact wrench.

 

[DFB]

Somewhat relating to what another post had to say about socket choices (said chrome flakes were coming of one of the sockets) A guy at the flea mkt gave me this little 1/4" drive socket set people give me stuff all the time there trying to get rid stuff So I says cool I can use them on my 2452 M12. Geez it's only 45ftlbs max. Well them cheap sockets the first one I used twisted itself on the anvil so bad I very difficult time removing it. I ended up using pliers and was quite concerned I was going to break the ring in the process. I did get off without damage

Lesson learned the hard way about cheap socket quality

 

[LXCam]

Gawd I hope not..

My impact driver spends more time with the bit to convert to 1/4” socket drive than anything else. I’ll use it to remove what I can and I’ll use it to spin bolts back down, but I always torque by hand. The impact driver can be misleading. Sometimes stuff way too loose, sometimes stuff snapped off.

Cause this is exactly how I roll too.

 

[Here2Learn]

Thank you for the information and replies, everyone. I appreciate it.

It works and is handy. However after an experience I used the 12V drill/driver more. Then I picked up a full set of Craftsman/USA 1/4" impact sockets at Sears Outlet and I'm back to the 12V impact driver, at least where I need more torque than the drill/driver.

What happened, I put a (nice, shiny new looking) Cman chrome socket on the impact driver's hex-1/4" socket adapter and used it to run up a hose clamp. Falling down from the work was a steady stream of what looked like fine tinsel in the LED light. I thought it was from the hose clamp, but once I was done I found out it came from the inside of the socket. It was chrome, not paint.

When I purchased the 1/4" impact sockets, I thought it was an almost frivolous purchase, then I remembered the tinsel incident. But hey, full sets of USA impact sockets for a few bucks, how could I resist? Now I'm glad I have them.

Those are the same ones I have, plus a few Armstrong to fill in the ones they skipped.

 

[mr.lemons]

Regarding adaptors causing a loss in power.

I think a drill/driver or impact driver (before it starts hammering) will not be affected by flex in an adaptor as the torsion applied to one end of the adaptor will continue to the other end and not be lost even if the adaptor flexes. I think a flexing hex adapter will however soak up and reduce the power from the hammering action of an impact driver which may not be such a bad thing when working on motorcycle bolts. I may have this all backwards though.

 

[-Brent-]

I have a Sunex 1/4" drive impact socket set that now gets more use than my other sets because I use my Impact Driver so much.

 

[ttpete]

I work on motorcycles, and I have two M12 Milwaukee drivers. One is an impact and the other is a non-impact. The second one I use on small fasteners that are mostly on bodywork. I use the trigger to just snug them up and then I twist manually to the desired torque. The gearing of the driver makes this possible.

 

[KnurledNut]

Didnt read all the replies, but i prefer to use nutdriver bits with an impact driver if i dont need deep.

 

[FigureItOut]

I use a 12 volt pocket driver and a 12 volt impact driver as my primary drive tools. I've found I'm much better off using dedicated nut setters rather than adapters and sockets. I have them in 3 style: deep/short, deep/long, deep/mid-length, magnetic/short and magnetic/mid-length. I'd like to get some magnetic/long but I can't seem to find any so I just use extensions for those situations.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Flybye]

I... Tools with multi mode settings can help keep you honest

THIS
My IR impact has 4 modes. Hand tight, wrench tight, half power, and full power.

I have already been in the situation where I so wish I had a battery driver because of the stupid amount of bolts I had to deal with like when I had to bleed the hydraulic system of an SLK's convertible top. It was an easy job but SOO many bolts.

 

[M6erfan]

Is it considered improper use of a 1/4" impact driver to use it with sockets on an adapter bit for removing bolts and nuts such as on a motorcycle? I have a cordless Craftsman 1/4" impact driver and their 1/4" drive impact sockets sets. I have seen impact adapters to make the end be a square drive, but is this good practice?

I have 3/8" and 1/2" impact wrenches with the square end, but some of the fasteners are just torqued to inch-pounds values. I don't want to overdo it.

Thanks.

Hell no it's not incorrect. I tear down whole motorcycles with an impact driver & adapters.

I almost convinced myself I needed a 1/4" impact wrench, but I just don't see the need.

Edit: I do have an 18v 1/2" impact wrench for larger/tougher stuff. But the 12v impact driver does just about everything I need on the bikes.

 

[Moparman390]

My impact driver spends more time with the bit to convert to 1/4” socket drive than anything else. I’ll use it to remove what I can and I’ll use it to spin bolts back down, but I always torque by hand. The impact driver can be misleading. Sometimes stuff way too loose, sometimes stuff snapped off.

This guy's right, especially when it comes to things like lug nuts, you should be getting out your torque wrench and finishing those to proper torque anyway.

When taking stuff off, if your 1/4 impact driver doesn't have enough power to break something free you can always break free by hand and then spin them off with the impact driver.

 

[gdudik]

With head bolts that have cooling passage junk on them and won’t turn by hand, I’ve been known to break them loose with a breaker bar and then adapt up to 1/2” drive on my little impact driver to spin them out so I don’t have to take forever with a ratchet on a 5” bolt.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I use mine all the time for small fasteners, i usually break them loose with a ratchet or wrench first though.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[johndeereman]

If i had a chose No i would not use a 1/4'' impact driver as a impact wrench or with an adapter any larger than 1/4'' hex to 1/4'' square. i try to have the right tool for the right job. I have seen to many 1/4 X 3/8 adapters snap one instance i was unable to remove the broken section from the 1/4'' quick connect onthe tool rendering it unusable. just my two cent's

 

[PhysicsDude]

Some(most?) 3/8 impact wrenches are literally identical to 1/4" hex impact drivers with a different anvil on them.

You lose some torque using an adapter, but it certainly works, and works well.

 

[2manytools]

You should really only get concerned when you start using a 1/2" socket adapter. With larger bolts, or rusted I suppose, you are more likely to shear the adapter in two. I tried doing lugs with my first Milwaukee Fuel impact driver & 1/4" -> 1/2" socket adapter. All I was able to do was watch the Milwaukee easily twist the adapter until it broke. Then you realize you need an impact wrench & pull out the 4-way until you buy one.

 

[rustbucket5]

i use mine all the time, its crazy how much it can do even with torque loss, its really good for service calls too because with one tool and 3 adapters you can put any socket on it. i use mine everyday and ive only broken 2 adapters so far

 

[PugetDude]

I use my 1/4" M12 impact driver to remove bolts up to about 1/2", but prefer my 3/8" m12 ratchet to install them.
I don't own any impact sockets (or SnapOn ) use mostly old USA Craftsman; haven't had to replace one yet.
YMMV