Chrome vs. Black Oxide Finish

[ElectroMechTech]

I want to get you're opinions on why you would chose one finish over the other.

I guess I could see choosing black oxide if FOD in some environments could be an issue with chrome flaking off. What might be some other reasons?

 

[Browning1]

chrome is easier to find if drop in dark areas. Using a flashlight it reflects off of it

 

[astroracer]

Hydrogen embrittlement. The chroming process can cause this. If the chromed parts aren't post processed correctly, to reduce the embrittlement, the tools can fail under high tensile use. This is why you never see chromed impact sockets. They are always black oxide or something similar.
Mark

 

[Adam.C]

Black oxide can be touched up if damaged. The sockets in my profile picture were rusted beyond recognition (but not worn too bad). They were refinished with cold gun blue solution.

I think black oxide is less slippery when oilly. That could be factor in some work environments.

Other reasons to choose black oxide:
Black tools look bad ***
They are often signifcantly cheaper
You can use my crayon trick to make the markings easier to read than chrome (and it looks pretty cool).
Easy way to tell metric from inch sizes (I have black oxide sockets in inch sizes, metric in chrome).

Downsides are the finish is not as durable. They are absolutely difficult to find in some cars, driveways.

 

[twertsy]

Personally, I prefer BO / satin because they are easier to grip when you're covered in grease/oil.

 

[dlcwent]

Hydrogen embrittlement. The chroming process can cause this. If the chromed parts aren't post processed correctly, to reduce the embrittlement, the tools can fail under high tensile use. This is why you never see chromed impact sockets. They are always black oxide or something similar.
Mark

Personally, I prefer BO / satin because they are easier to grip when you're covered in grease/oil.

My opinion also.

 

[gungatim]

I prefer chrome because they look cool and easy to clean...but I do have a set of snap-on 3/8 in black oxide I bought thinking they were impact sockets. they were not...oh well...

the black oxide is easy to re-do, if you know how to parkerize, like bluing a gun...pretty easy, just google home-Parkerizing. have seen some pretty nasty tools, chrome included, get blasted and parkerized to look like brand new!

 

[daddy2coull]

i prefer the chrome versions, but sometimes the black 'anti sniper' tools can be very handy

 

[The Toolest Guy]

Black Oxide so you don't blind yourself in the dark when you turn a light on, or when working outside in the sun.

 

[Tim37]

chrome is easier to find if drop in dark areas. Using a flashlight it reflects off of it

I got to go with bright chrome for that reason same with bright screwdriver and other handles.

 

[Beenman]

Hydrogen embrittlement. The chroming process can cause this.

I though that only zinc plating causes hydrogen embrittlement? Was not aware chrome plating does it as well.

To the OP. Go black oxide - it just looks better. Chrome plated tools always reminds me of the cheap Taiwanese tools I use to see as a kid in the 80's.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Chrome is just tough as nails, BO isn't.

 

[ddawg16]

Personally, I prefer BO / satin because they are easier to grip when you're covered in grease/oil.

Also agree

 

[Lassen Forge]

I like the unslipperyness of the BO finish, also I'm finding as I get older I can read the sizes on the BO sockets easier (especially if I "white" them out) than on the Chrome ones that I've "blacked" out.

Still, it's easier to keep Chromies clean.

 

[2oolhound]

I prefer chrome for longevity and durability.

I like black oxide because I can do it myself so I'll use it on refurbished tools . Good chrome plating is difficult, expensive and dangerous so no thanks, I'll buy my tools already chromed.

 

[PFSard]

I have mostly chromed tools. If the chrome plating is intact, the tools are more resistant to rusting.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Hydrogen embrittlement. The chroming process can cause this. If the chromed parts aren't post processed correctly, to reduce the embrittlement, the tools can fail under high tensile use. This is why you never see chromed impact sockets. They are always black oxide or something similar.
Mark

I'm betting it has more to do with the fact that chrome will eventually crack/flake after repeated impacts. Chrome is a true plating process where the finish sits on top of the base metal. Black oxide (most that is), actually sets into and colors the metal itself, so therefore can't flake off (but certainly can wear off).

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I like my chrome and satin finished hand tools, but do own a set of black oxide Cornwell 3/4 drive, 12 point non impact sockets and a Williams 10" adjustable..

I ordered a ProTo 3/4 drive - 2 1/8 six point impact socket this morning.. When delivered next week; it will go straight to the machine shop to be milled down to better suit my needs... Thinking that impact socket would machine better than a chrome one..

 

[hautpot]

Chrome for home garage, black oxide for heavy industrial (manufacturing, pipeline...)

 

[Packard V8]

I prefer the black oxide because they're always less expensive than chrome, unless the chrome is trashed and starting to flake off and slice one's fingers.

My main set is probably 2/3 black oxide and 1/3 chrome because the chrome came used at estate/garage sales.

The basement set is all chrome, as are the sets at son/daughter's homes.

Interestingly, my first black oxide exposure was a great deal on Snap-on OE/box/combo wrenches and 1/2" and 1/4" socket sets which came home from the Alaska pipeline in the '70s. That black oxide finish is very different than that on the metric combinations I bought recently. It's relatively smooth, where the new metrics are a bit furry.

jackvines

 

[ElectroMechTech]

Some good discussion.

Except for my impact stuff, everything else I got is chrome.

 

[Strouty]

I bought some of my 1" drive ratchets and breaker bars in BO. They don't see a ton of use and I am now finding out I wish I had bought them in chrome. They are getting some surface rust that I am going to need to clean and oil up.

My original concern was if the chrome got scratched up that it would start flaking off. I had some older proto sockets that did that and it was so sharp just picking them up without gloves would slice up your hands.

 

[davethorik]

I don't have a preference usually, most of my tools are chrome. However I recently bought a Wright 4425 ratchet in chrome for work use, the lights we have where I work kept shining off and blinding me. I then found a deal on a Proto 5450XLBL in black oxide and that is now my work ratchet. I also have 2 Wright adjustable in Bo they were a little cheaper than chrome when I bought them.