air wrench on chrome sockets

[KEH]

Turned down a 13 piece set of standard SO chrome sockets at the flea market today because they had seen a lot of impact wrench use, especially the 13/16. I have used an air wrench on chrome sockets(not SO) in and emergency but went and got a proper size impact socket ASAP. Not real sure about the reasoning behind using expensive sockets on air wrench except when time was pressing, but I see a lot of sockets that show repeated impact use.

KEH

 

[Givl Reggin]

Sometimes an impact socket's walls are too thick to get at the bolt and only a chrome socket will fit.

 

[JPRACING]

Chrome sockets are used on hand ratchets only because they will crack and explode also will round the nuts and bolts and then slip,Impacts are used on air tools and are safe.

 

[mrholeshot]

I do it all the time. Sockets have a warranty and the job has to get done. Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omlet

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

My chromes never see and impact, I always modify the part I am working with before tools. No matter what it is.

 

[mrholeshot]

My chromes never see and impact, I always modify the part I am working with before tools. No matter what it is.

You can't modify a customers 1200 dollar wheel. You can't take the time to take them off with a breaker bar. Well at least not if you want a decent check at the end of the week.

 

[Sparks4184]

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but first I think you need to distinguish between "impact" versus "air ratchet". I've never had a breakage or even a rounding problem using chrome sockets on a 3/8 or 1/4" air ratchet. And I can't recall ever busting a chrome ratchet for those rare instances I've used them on a 1/2 CP impact. I've heard stories from other mechanics about chrome shattering on an impact gun. Scarey to be sure but then we all wear safety glasses when we're working, right? <G>

 

[Indy_500]

I've used a few chrome sockets on an impact for the short amount of time i've owned an impact and i now want every impact socket made. It truly ruins chrome sockets. I had a friend who put a chrome socket on an electric impact and it shattered the socket completly and a few chunks hit him in the leg and cut his leg open, luckily nothing went towards his face (he wasn't wearing safety glasses)

 

[JPRACING]

yes you are protecting you eyes but what about you other body parts. metal when it shatters are like razor blades but do what you want

 

[mrholeshot]

Ive split a few sockets but never had one to shatter or "Explode". I use Snap-On sockets on my Impacts when I have to use Chrome. It's rare I ever damage one. It's just one of those choices you have to make. I'll sacrifice a tool to get the job done. When you don't think like that as a line tech you are tripping over a dollar to pick up a dime

 

[JPRACING]

Snap on socket are the best but other company's are garbage

 

[rsanter]

I use the crome sockets on my air ratchet all the time. no problem
I also will use my snap on sockets on my 3/8 air impact and have never had a problem. for the few sozes that get ised 'all the time' when you eventually pound them out you have maken enough money to not worry about it

most of the time I use the impact sockets on the 1/2 drive but there are a few times where I have used the crome (espically with wheels). the 1/2 drive will really pound them out before very much time at all

bob

 

[redLSJ]

I do it all the time. Sockets have a warranty and the job has to get done. Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omlet

I've seen a guy nearly lose his arm because he was using chrome on an impact. Not a very good idea, quite an extensive amount of surgery to get all the shrapnel out. Flaking chrome shrapnel is about the last thing you'd want in your flesh.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I use chrome sockets on my cordless impact a good bit but when I use my air impact I almost always use proper impact sockets. I had a chrome import socket break on my corded impact once but it didn't explode or anything like that.

 

[tyreguy25]

You can't modify a customers 1200 dollar wheel. You can't take the time to take them off with a breaker bar. Well at least not if you want a decent check at the end of the week.

Exactly. I have seen people shove an impact socket into the lug hole on a Volkswagen factory wheel only to scratch the **** out of the wheel. I came in to finish the job after the customer required a NEW wheel and I used the 17mm chrome socket on the rail. The job got done and I got a tip for not effing up his other wheels. The car belonged to his daughter (smoking hot by the way). I know it's not a $1200 wheel, but the next one is closer to that.

A customer had a 21mm lug nut holding on a set of 22s and the hole was maybe 22.5mm in diameter. An impact 21mm socket would not fit, so I grabbed a chrome 21mm and put the wheels on. If I had used an impact socket as has been suggested, the socket wouldn't have gone on the lug nut. You have to sacrifice a tool to get the job done right and quickly once in awhile.

 

[mrholeshot]

I've seen a guy nearly lose his arm because he was using chrome on an impact. Not a very good idea, quite an extensive amount of surgery to get all the shrapnel out. Flaking chrome shrapnel is about the last thing you'd want in your flesh.

I use my right hand to hold the impact. I use my left to guide on the socket (so it doesn't touch the wheel. I keep my hand wrapped up around the socket so I can catch the lug nut. I use an Impact where I can but have no problem using one of my snap-on chrome sockets on an Impact.

 

[redLSJ]

I use my right hand to hold the impact. I use my left to guide on the socket (so it doesn't touch the wheel. I keep my hand wrapped up around the socket so I can catch the lug nut. I use an Impact where I can but have no problem using one of my snap-on chrome sockets on an Impact.

The impact exploded the socket and sent shrapnel into the guys arm as he was tightening..

 

[kythri]

Snap on socket are the best but other company's are garbage

I heard they also sneak into your house and impregnate your daughters while you're sleeping!

 

[crewchief888]

i use chrome sockets on 3/8" dr all the time,
i use only a few sizes in 1/2" dr, and i have impact sockets for those sizes.

ive broken more sockets by hand than i have with an impact.

 

[mrholeshot]

The impact exploded the socket and sent shrapnel into the guys arm as he was tightening..

What brand socket?

 

[mrholeshot]

ive broken more sockets by hand than i have with an impact.

+1.....................

 

[Skyline]

You can't modify a customers 1200 dollar wheel. You can't take the time to take them off with a breaker bar. Well at least not if you want a decent check at the end of the week.

If you're working on a car with $1,200 wheels, you must be damn carefull with what you use. Certainly you do not want to be using an impact to put the wheels on....only a torque wrench will do for that. I do use an impact to remove wheel lugs, and a torque wrench to re-install. For both, I use plastic covered sockets specifically designed for protecting expensive wheels. These are pretty thin walled, deep impact sockets...you might want to look into a set of these. There simply is no excuse for damaging an expensive car just to save a few minutes. If you can't make a coated impact socket fit, stick to the breaker bar.

 

[FoMoCoPower]

13/16" is used on alot of Ford lugnuts,impact sockets are sometimes too thick as already said

 

[mrholeshot]

13/16" is used on alot of Ford lugnuts,impact sockets are sometimes too thick as already said

Mustang Cobra R wheels for one as well as the 99-04 cobra wheels and some of the GT wheels

 

[wafrederick]

The anvil wears out prematurally and the clip holding the socket on gets screwed up when putting on a chrome socket.There are special thinwall impact sockets for the aftermarket rims made even for the Ford rims mentioned.I have a set made by Matco which are flip sockets.I even have a special socket for the lousy mushroomed chrome cap lugnuts from the factory,a flip socket which has 19.5 mm and 21.5 mm on the other.

 

[mrholeshot]

The anvil wears out prematurally and the clip holding the socket on gets screwed up when putting on a chrome socket.There are special thinwall impact sockets for the aftermarket rims made even for the Ford rims mentioned.I have a set made by Matco which are flip sockets.I even have a special socket for the lousy mushroomed chrome cap lugnuts from the factory,a flip socket which has 19.5 mm and 21.5 mm on the other.

I have special flip style thinwall impact sockets. They still won't get down 3.5 inches into the rim.

 

[bmxr4life87]

Air ratchet doesn't impact tho it just spins with less force than you can create by hand so I see no problem using chrome there! On the other hand I have full sets of impact sockets for my impact but in times of desperation I haveno problems offering a chrome socket to the tool gods! I've never saw a socket explode before they always just crack and then spread till they just slip

 

[scott37300]

I do it all the time. Sockets have a warranty and the job has to get done. Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omlet

I'm pretty sure I've read on this site from one of the snap on dealers taht they won't warranty a chrome socket if the square drive is messed up due to using an impact.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have split 2-3 chrome sockets over the years, while using them on a 1/2" impact. I have never seen one "grenade" into shrapnel though. I try to use the proper socket where needed, but will use chrome on an impact if that is all that fits.
I will use chrome 3/8", or 1/2" sockets on an air ratchet all day long, and not think twice.

 

[mrholeshot]

If you're working on a car with $1,200 wheels, you must be damn carefull with what you use. Certainly you do not want to be using an impact to put the wheels on....only a torque wrench will do for that. I do use an impact to remove wheel lugs, and a torque wrench to re-install. For both, I use plastic covered sockets specifically designed for protecting expensive wheels. These are pretty thin walled, deep impact sockets...you might want to look into a set of these. There simply is no excuse for damaging an expensive car just to save a few minutes. If you can't make a coated impact socket fit, stick to the breaker bar.

I have the plastic covered Impacts and sometimes they dont fit. I use an impact on and off. Just going back on I go in a specific order and lightly tighten them down then finsh up with a torque wrench. a 1200 dollar wheel isn't rare. I had to buy a factory wheel for a Porche Cayane and it was 1650 dollars. It got messed up on the tire machine and a rookie operator. Even the plastic covered lugnuts can wreck a wheel. If you know what you are doing it can be done easily with a impact and chrome socket. Look how thin tuner lug sockets are. They withstand impacts. The trick is you don't ram them down with 600lbft of torque.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

Mustang Cobra R wheels for one as well as the 99-04 cobra wheels and some of the GT wheels

Did i hear Mustang Cobra R

 

[mrholeshot]

Did i hear Mustang Cobra R

One of my Customers owned #43. He only had like 1300 miles on it and bought it new.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

One of my Customers owned #43. He only had like 1300 miles on it and bought it new.

1993, 1995 or 2000?

 

[mrholeshot]

1993, 1995 or 2000?

2000........... Hated the wing but loved the car

 

[Cummins_Powered]

2000........... Hated the wing but loved the car

oh man i would kill for one of those. someday...someday. the wing is pretty intense, but hey its functional right!

 

[nate379]

I don't even own impact sockets. Haven't broken a socket yet from an impact gun, been turning wrenches for close to 20 years.

I even have a 1/2 to 3/8" reducer and sometimes use 3/8" drive sockets on my gun.

IR2135, no cheapo HF unit.

 

[wafrederick]

I have broken a chrome socket on an impact,a Craftsman deepwell in 3/8 drive with a 1/2 drive impact and luckily it did not shatter on me.Mac will not warranty a chrome socket used on an impact too,shows on the older catalogs

 

[msmith]

There is a big difference between an air ratchet and an impact wrench. I use a 1/4-inch Mac air ratchet with chrome SK sockets all the time and have never had a problem. It's low torque and doesn't have an impact mechanism. I don't even own 1/4-inch impact sockets.

 

[Flash21]

......If you can't make a coated impact socket fit, stick to the breaker bar.

^ Agreed

 

[Skin]

I don't even own impact sockets. Haven't broken a socket yet from an impact gun, been turning wrenches for close to 20 years.

I even have a 1/2 to 3/8" reducer and sometimes use 3/8" drive sockets on my gun.

IR2135, no cheapo HF unit.

really depends on the application. Fasteners on commerical trucks, especially old ones, require a lot more oomph than a car. Its also amplified further if you're in the "rust belt". I've found using a good strong impact with the pressure turned up to 150-175psi on bolts requiring 500+ ftlbs will start tearing through your chrome sockets pretty quickly.

You basic car lugs and suspension work though? 9/10 you'll probably be fine.