Chrome or Impact?

[ATC]

I'm looking at getting a 1/2" drive socket set, since I am very limited in that department. I've looked at Kobalt just now, and saw they have a decent sized impact set for an OK price. Should I just get the impacts and use them like chrome sockets (with the benefit of throwing them on my IR when I need to)? Or is there a time and place for 1/2" drive chrome's?

I don't use 1/2" drive stuff too much...probably about 10% of my work (weekend warrior)

I'd like all sizes from 1/2" or 9/16" up to 1-1/4" (or enough to fill up a Hansen tray anyways...). I realize I will have to buy some seperate.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Someone before had mentioned that the walls of the impact sockets are thinker so they had a problem reached in tight areas. Other than that, I think impact would serve the purpose of both.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

This has been discussed so many times.

 

[Monte]

you should buy both

 

[CWP1616L]

If you have even the slightest inclination of using your impact gun, get the impacts. Using an impact gun with chrome sockets is detrimental to the socket as well as harming the square drive of the impact gun.

1/2'' drive chrome sockets are for muscular mechanics who wouldn't even give the slightest thought to ever using an impact gun. To those guys, impact guns are for girly-men.

 

[chris6278]

I agree with getting both.

 

[Joe B.]

Use impact sockets on an impact gun. Use regular sockets on a ratchet. Any other combo is either annoying or unsafe. There really is not a good dual use option here.

 

[KinzeMech]

Use impact sockets on an impact gun. Use regular sockets on a ratchet. Any other combo is either annoying or unsafe. There really is not a good dual use option here.

What is the reason not to put an impact socket on a hand driven tool?

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Get both

 

[dsmnickk90]

What is the reason not to put an impact socket on a hand driven tool?

Its heavy and bulky

 

[Fast LT1]

Get the Harbor freight Impact sockets. They're pretty much the cheapest around and they arent bad. I've been using mine for 4 years no problems.

 

[davesnothere]

+1 on both

 

[KinzeMech]

If you get the harbor freight impact sockets, spend the extra $17 to get the pittsburgh pro

Pittsburgh: 10 pc, 7/16" thru 1", CR-V, for about $12
P. Pro: 13 pc, 7/16" thru 1-1/4", CR-MO, for about $29.

The pittsburgh pro are much nicer, & you get three more sizes. Each set includes every size in 1/16" increments. No skipped sizes unless you count x/32" SAE sockets (very rare)

 

[camarotoolman]

I've got a set of 6 point new c-mans sae for $40 + $6 to ship.

 

[archirelic]

I'm tossing out my recommendation on the SEARCH function...

 

[redwrench60]

This has been discussed so many times.

You have said that so many times.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I've got partial set of 1/2" chromes that came with my Crapsman socket set, they sit on socket rails at the back of my socket drawer, and get used maybe once a month, usually because they go bigger than my impact sockets. I can't think of a time when wall thickness has kept me from using a 1/2" impact socket.

I'd buy impact only... if you ever run into a time when you really need chromes, grab a set from Sears, it's not like they're horribly expensive.

 

[Monte]

10mm impact vs. 10mm chrome socket

 

[Matt018]

Id start out with a full set of impacts, Cause you want the ability to throw them on an air wrench. Especially with the bigger bolts, Then id recommend you buy a set of chromes in your most used set (i.e. deep mm, or shallow mm)

 

[KinzeMech]

[flameproofsuit]
If you go the chrome route, and you end up with a periodic need to use an impact on them, you can. I've done it before, and although the world almost fell off its axis, I was able to catch it before it hit the floor and put it back. Once in a while, or in a pinch, probably won't hurt anything, but daily use of a chrome on an impact will eventually damage either the socket or the gun anvil.
[/flameproofsuit]

 

[Super Scout]

I have SK chrome 1/2 inch drive for hand tools. Pittsburgh Pro impact, I have an older electric impact gun and they have held up well. Get both, there has never been a point in my life where I said "Gee I just have too many tools"

 

[wafrederick]

Grey Pneumatic makes a dual socket set which the sockets can be used on an impact and hand ratchet.You might want to look into this too.
http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=catview&id=4554

 

[pipsters]

Impacts tend to rust if not kept oiled...for that reason alone I like having a chrome set so my hands don't get all oily when using 1/2" drive. I do have 1/2" impacts but find I prefer using chrome sockets on my ratchets, although you do very easily use both.

So, money and space is at a premium get impacts, if you have the money and space and don't mind housing them get both.

 

[Matt018]

Impacts tend to rust if not kept oiled...for that reason alone I like having a chrome set so my hands don't get all oily when using 1/2" drive. I do have 1/2" impacts but find I prefer using chrome sockets on my ratchets, although you do very easily use both.

So, money and space is at a premium get impacts, if you have the money and space and don't mind housing them get both.

I have all impact sockets, and have no problem with rust, They are Grey pneumatic, and i think being used frequently for mechanic tasks keeps them a bit oily.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I use 12 point snap on sockets on my impact occasionally. Mine are the black oxide but I do have a few chrome ones. At home I have the IR impact socket set. This was before I started putting effort in to buying us made tools. But for the price they are very nice.

 

[franzdom]

Impacts on a ratchet are also a pain because you always have to look to line up the hole with the retainer ball. It's really nice having both. Get impact first.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have zero problem using impacts on hand tools. Many sets in 3/8" and 1/2" I only have in impact. I tend to buy chrome only in 12 pt for the the 12 pt bolts I use to run into often. I would recommand sunnex impacts. They make very complete lines. Their impacts are thinner wall then my SO, SK, mac and matco impacts. I have never broke one. My road truck, I only have sunnex impacts in 3/8" and 1/2", no chrome insight. I have zero rust problems. Sunnex is well prices and GP has come along since and seems to be well respected and a worthy competiter to sunnex.

 

[ATC]

Thanks...I guess I'll go get the Pittsburg Pro's for now, and wait until I find a good deal on chromes (probably craftsman). The Pro's are on sale for $22 now too...

I have a cheap no-name set of chinese impacts I bought on ebay 5 years ago for $20, and they've about had it. They are starting to mushroom on the ends, and I am missing a 3/4". They are not much thicker than chromes...if at all, and I've had no problems fitting them into tight spots.

 

[Matt018]

Id really reccomend grey pneumatic impacts, They cost a little more than craftsmans, but are really thin impacts that make use on a ratchet very nice, Much sleeker design than the Pittsburghs.

 

[monster1]

What is the reason not to put an impact socket on a hand driven tool?

Because its not pretty!

 

[shoturtle]

for 1/2 I went with impact for deep and my standard chrome for standard size.

 

[chris142]

Impacts on a ratchet are also a pain because you always have to look to line up the hole with the retainer ball. It's really nice having both. Get impact first.

All of my Impact sockets have the hole and dimples on the 3 other sides. I'm gonna look closer tomorrow.

 

[ATC]

for 1/2 I went with impact for deep and my standard chrome for standard size.

That's what I was thinking about doing

 

[firebox40dash5]

That's what I was thinking about doing

Dunno about you, but I've often had bolts where I needed the balls of a 1/2" impact gun, and barely had room for it with a shallow socket, or even barely had room for a shallow socket and swivel.

But about the only time I've really needed a more compact 1/2" drive socket is the stupid cartridge filter cap on Ecotecs, but even chromes don't fit worth **** on them. Unless you're just trying to cut costs. If you're in the market for some 3/8" impacts too, the Craftsman 95pc. set isn't a bad deal... shallow, deep, 3/8", 1/2", SAE, metric, all 8 sets in one box. $315 right now, and it's got a handful of extensions and a pair of swivels.

 

[shoturtle]

That's what I was thinking about doing

the impact I have are for around the house and on the cars and bike. So they do not get used much. Did not make sense to get both deep and shallow impact for me. But I never break down my car that far that I need to get a shallow impact socket in there. And I generally find that if I need a shallow socket, my impact driver will not fit into the tight area, and the breaker bar comes out for those. But that is a weekend shadtree user.

 

[ATC]

Dunno about you, but I've often had bolts where I needed the balls of a 1/2" impact gun, and barely had room for it with a shallow socket, or even barely had room for a shallow socket and swivel.

But about the only time I've really needed a more compact 1/2" drive socket is the stupid cartridge filter cap on Ecotecs, but even chromes don't fit worth **** on them. Unless you're just trying to cut costs. If you're in the market for some 3/8" impacts too, the Craftsman 95pc. set isn't a bad deal... shallow, deep, 3/8", 1/2", SAE, metric, all 8 sets in one box. $315 right now, and it's got a handful of extensions and a pair of swivels.

I do have a set of shallow impacts to cover most sizes (Pittsburg sets).
3/8" impacts are definately on the wish-list. However I still don't own a 3/8 impact. I really want an electric impact in 1/2 and 3/8. I'd use the hell out of them...but cannot justify the cost

 

[shoturtle]

just get a 1/2 to 3/8 step down for 3/8 sockets. HF has a 3pc set that has 1/2 to 3/8 for 4 dollars.

 

[shoturtle]

PS,

I have a Chicago pneumatic set of 3/8 impact, I ether use the bit adapter to 3/8 on my 1/4 impact driver for small stuff. Or use my 1/2 compact impactor with the 1/2 to 3/8 for medium size stuff. I just can justified getting a 3/8 impactor and a 1/3 impactor. So I got the higher torque 1/2 and step it down to 3/8 when I need to.

If I were doing it pro, then I would get a 3/8 impactor as well. But I find have a 1/4 bit impact driver and a 1/2 impact covers everything for a homeowner and weekend warrior.

 

[BackTracker]

Chrome. Go with chrome.

Impacts are enormous and will not fit in any tight spaces. I regularly run to wheels that require a chrome socket because the impacts are too thick. Yes, I use craftsman chrome sockets on a 1/2in impact. An IR 2135 no less. And those sockets take a beating. Yep, it's unsafe. The socket could explode. I have split one all the way up the side. But if I had to choose... I would take the chrome. It's also considerably easier to care for. It may not be the right way but if you had to chose I'd say to with the lower maintinence one that will do more jobs by fitting in more places.



My.02 cents.

Disclaimer: if I choose to be an idiot that's my business. If you choose to be an idiot and do what I do. That isn't my business.

 

[Wakefield]

Finesse vs. strength?
A set of 3/8"s drive in chrome and a set of good old 1/2" drive in impact? Even a couple 3/4" drive sockets and a second hand breaker bar to fit them?
1/4" drive chrome for the person working on small engines?