3/8 crome sockets on an impact gun

[Scotsman1886]

Anyone use crome sockets on their 3/8 impact gun to do low torque assembly/disassembly?

I know people do it but I want some thoughts on the matter

 

[nmcqueen469]

You will die an instant death, guaranteed.

 

[MoparTruck85]

I use HF chrome sockets on my impact all the time, I actually don't have any 3/8 impact sockets. Never had an issue even hammering on a stuck bolt and I'm not using a cheap impact either lol

 

[Bikes&Bowties]

I do on my 3/8 snapon electric... I haven't broke one.. My 10mm and a 3 inch extension have flaking chrome but that is a defect that happened before I put them on an impact... I am slowly building my 3/8 impact set

 

[48RON54]

I use my chrome 1/2" craftsman ones on my 18V impact.... rounds out the corners inside the socket a little bit on some of em but that is about it

 

[DieselSaves]

Import impacts are cheap enough that I can't see any reason not to have a set or at least sizes you will use. They were designed for impacting. Maybe use a chrome socket in a pinch but I'd not recommend making it a habit.

Bikes&Bowties, what model stack wagon is your avatar?

 

[SMKS]

Perform a search and read the epic threads on the topic.

Just copy and paste this into google for a start:
site:garagejournal.com chrome impact

 

[Bikes&Bowties]

Import impacts are cheap enough that I can't see any reason not to have a set or at least sizes you will use. They were designed for impacting. Maybe use a chrome socket in a pinch but I'd not recommend making it a habit.

Bikes&Bowties, what model stack wagon is your avatar?

Bw28.. Here's it's twins...

 

[DieselSaves]

Bw28.. Here's it's twins...

Wow. So you put up a little bit of hay?

 

[Farmall450]

C'mon guys,

I hate to break it to you, but they make impact sockets for impacts.

It's stupid to use the wrong tool unless you're in a real pinch when HF impact sockets can be found cheap.

 

[Ruger_556]

Chrome sockets explode... I'd rather keep my eye sight and my hands


Sent from my RM-917_nam_usa_100 using Tapatalk

 

[CWP1616L]

What the OP may not realize is that the chrome sockets wear the square drive out on the impact gun too.

 

[1950mercury]

I did for the first week i got my impact then i went and bpught some hf impact sockets.

I don't like how the impact can blow out the sockets. So when you go to use a regular ratchet the socket is sloppy amd falls off easy.

Also i have seen places not warranty chrome sockets when used on an impact.

There is a reason they make them its not a gimmick to sell more tools

 

[turdferguson13]

Also the chrome sockets cause premature wear to the anvil of the impact.

 

[CWP1616L]

Also the chrome sockets cause premature wear to the anvil of the impact.

That's what I said but I couldn't get it all in one sentence like you did.

 

[92integra]

i dont even use chrome sockets.... grey pneumatic duo sockets handle my needs for everything check em out

 

[monkeyspanners]

Got a cheap set of Sealey impact sockets, 3/8 and 1/2 metric and sae for about $60, its the only set i keep on the truck now (apart from my old Britool 1/4 set)

I hate using the wrong thing for the job unless i really need to.

 

[Rakoprtr]

You will die an instant death, guaranteed.

It probly won't be this bad but the terrorist will win no matter what

 

[AndrewV]

Seen chromes shatter from the force of impacts. Not all that fun.
Besides, i as well realy only use impact sockets. Have my 12pt. short, and long for 1/2, 3/8, and 6pt. I rarely use 1/4. But only own a set of universal's impacts of the 1/4's.
Save you'r money and just buy impact sockets also. No real need to over fill a box. With the same sizes, of differing types/grade sockets.

 

[outdoorsman310]

i use em sometimes but they are not my preferred impact sockets. sometimes you ned the clearance or dont feel like going across the shop to get one of your impact sockets

 

[zkling]

I think it is one of those things that we all have done at least once, but don't really want to admit to.

Do people do it --> Yes
Should you do it--> No

There is also a difference between running down and sitting there letting the impact (hammering) action go to work.

 

[wafrederick]

I don't do it at all.I use impact sockets only on my impacts only.Plus you will do damage to the impact including wearing out the anvil.Chrome sockets are much harder and shatter when used on an impact.The warranty is void also called misuse.

 

[Deadhead]

I cant speak for 3/8" stuff but if you put a 1/2" chrome socket on my IR W7150 you will taking a screwdriver and prying it off. They dont fit right and will pull the nose ring off the impact. IF and only IF, I have to use a chrome socket for side clearance, I put a 2" impact extension on the gun to keep from tearing my nose ring up.

Find you a HF or a GP dealer and get what you need or order them offline and have them shipped home so that we dont see any graphic warning photos coming from you later on.

 

[Wakefield]

so that we dont see any graphic warning photos coming from you later on.

Really Really good eye protection suggested?

 

[kunkernator]

In high school shop class, some idiot was hammering on their lugs with a chrome socket. That socket shattered, and it was not a fun day for that guy.

Not only does it cause damage to your tools, but it is VERY dangerous. I saw it happen first hand, and I will NEVER put a chrome socket on an impact.

 

[wafrederick]

I have broken a 3/8 drive deepwell chrome socket with an impact,it did not shatter either was the surprise.It was a 15mm Craftsman on a 1/2 impact with a 1/2 to 3/8 adaptor.Proto has tool safety videos and I seen this one on sockets

 

[gsingh]

What the OP may not realize is that the chrome sockets wear the square drive out on the impact gun too.

Are you serious!?!?!?!?

 

[The Boss]

Guilty, but only when I've had to.

 

[ADSR]

I do it all the time and have only broken a couple C-mans doing so over 20 years. When i'm working, i grab whatevers in reach to finish the job.

 

[crewchief888]

yep,

been doing it for 30 years.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I do when only a chrome socket will fit, or its the only socket i have, such as my 36mm socket that seems to always gets used for axle nuts. I always make sure to use an impact extension. Never put the chrome socket directly on the anvil, it will get stuck on there and ruin the snap ring! I have had to use an air hammer to get a chrome socket off my impact before.

 

[jgreen-fsi]

I am trying to build up my impact socket collection to avoid this. I have heard many horror stories about chrome sockets and impacts. I have personally cracked one, but never shattered one. The alternative I have found is Grey Pneumatic sockets at my local tool dealer. They are reasonably priced and have held up well so far.

 

[6-Speed]

The detents on the inner four walls of the drive end of chrome sockets tend to grab on to the retainer rings on the anvil and can make sockets difficult to remove and potentially damage the ring. The inner walls of impact sockets don't have these detents.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I think it is one of those things that we all have done at least once, but don't really want to admit to.

Do people do it --> Yes
Should you do it--> No

There is also a difference between running down and sitting there letting the impact (hammering) action go to work.

Nope, never done it...breaker bar.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I am trying to build up my impact socket collection to avoid this. I have heard many horror stories about chrome sockets and impacts. I have personally cracked one, but never shattered one. The alternative I have found is Grey Pneumatic sockets at my local tool dealer. They are reasonably priced and have held up well so far.

Wear safety glasses if you do it. The more torque out of that impact the greater the "blowback" when it shatters. They do make (A LOT of) cr-v impact sockets but they sidewalls are much thicker (usually).

 

[chris142]

I picked up a matco impact cheap because someone about wore the square out using chrome sockets on it.

 

[Plombob]

I hate to break it to you, but they make impact sockets for impacts.

This.

Chrome sockets explode... I'd rather keep my eye sight and my hands.

When I was in mechanic's school, a few kids blew up chrome sockets this way. Fortunately, no injuries.

What the OP may not realize is that the chrome sockets wear the square drive out on the impact gun too.

When you look at sockets at the flea market, if the drive ends look battered, they were used as impacts.



You'd be better off buying impact sockets to use on an impact and ratchet. I keep a set of 1/2" impact sockets in the racing toolbox rather than chrome, because most cases where a 1/2" drive is used, there's enough clearance for an impact.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

This.




When I was in mechanic's school, a few kids blew up chrome sockets this way. Fortunately, no injuries.




When you look at sockets at the flea market, if the drive ends look battered, they were used as impacts.



You'd be better off buying impact sockets to use on an impact and ratchet. I keep a set of 1/2" impact sockets in the racing toolbox rather than chrome, because most cases where a 1/2" drive is used, there's enough clearance for an impact.

Yep

 

[CWP1616L]

Are you serious!?!?!?!?

Yes. If you keep using chrome sockets on your impact gun, eventually you'll start seeing the corners of the drive rounding off. Chrome sockets are extremely hard; they have to be in order to make up for having such thin walls. There's a term called "glass hard," and that's what chrome sockets are.

 

[BK13]

I think it is one of those things that we all have done at least once, but don't really want to admit to.

Do people do it --> Yes
Should you do it--> No

There is also a difference between running down and sitting there letting the impact (hammering) action go to work.

I've never done it, and I don't even have a real impact wrench, just an M12 Fuel 3/8".

And why would I pass up an opportunity to buy more tools?