Chrome vs Impact sockets question

[a3tripod]

So, I have a pretty elementary question for the likes of this forum, but I'm just gonna set my pride aside and ask.

What is the functional difference between an impact socket and a chrome socket? I know not to use my chrome sockets on my impact tools (breakage), but are they so different? If they are substantially stronger, why not just use impact sockets exclusively - other than they aren't as pretty .

please don't revoke my man card, or worse, my GJ membership.

 

[Monte]

Chrome sockets are thinner

 

[AustinRoepke]

My ignorant *** just uses impacts.

 

[a3tripod]

i figured as much (thinner)...but impact sockets are cheap.

 

[DarrenF]

Chrome - thinner and harder

Impact - thicker and softer (more ductile)

 

[crewchief888]

So, I have a pretty elementary question for the likes of this forum, but I'm just gonna set my pride aside and ask.

What is the functional difference between an impact socket and a chrome socket? I know not to use my chrome sockets on my impact tools (breakage), but are they so different? If they are substantially stronger, why not just use impact sockets exclusively - other than they aren't as pretty .

please don't revoke my man card, or worse, my GJ membership.

my impact sockets have a heavier wall thickness.
my SO chrome sockets, especially 3/8 dr, have been beat on with impacts for years.
1/2 dr sizes that get used constantly, ie: lug nuts, suspension bolts, ect. i do use impact sockets.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

i figured as much (thinner)...but impact sockets are cheap.

No, SOME impact sockets as cheaper. (HF, IR, Imported, or older style, thicker walled)
The thinner the impact socket, the more it goes up. But then again, you have to compare price verses usage. This is where your cheaper comes in.

 

[Indy_500]

I'm new to tools so this might be a dumb question. But i thought you used impact sockets on impact wrenches because they had a "special fit" also? is it just me? lol

 

[a3tripod]

No, SOME impact sockets as cheaper. (HF, IR, Imported, or older style, thicker walled)
The thinner the impact socket, the more it goes up. But then again, you have to compare price verses usage. This is where your cheaper comes in.

That seems counter-intuitive, thinner walled impact sockets cost more? I guess the cheaper stuff works for my needs (auto hobbyist, not earning my keep with my tools).

Thanks for the answers guys.

 

[Fedwrench]

Chrome sockets are made from a different type of steel than impact sockets and are not meant to absorb impact shock. Often regular chrome sockets will shatter when used on an impact wrench. Impact sockets on the other hand may or may not have thin walls depending on brand and quality. However, all impact sockets are designed to absorb the shock from being on an impact wrench. Incidently, chrome sockets are harder on the impact wrench hammer and will shorten the life of the impact wrench.

 

[wreckercologist]

The inside demensions (hex broach) should be the same.

Most impact sockets will have a thicker wall, but thin wall impact sockets are available and are a little more expensive.

There's more to it than that, chrome sockets are of a different alloy and heat treatment vs. impacts which are softer and a little more forgiving.

Chrome sockets tend to swell and loose their tolerance after repeated impact usage.

EDIT.....Fedwrench can type faster

 

[spongerich]

That seems counter-intuitive, thinner walled impact sockets cost more? I guess the cheaper stuff works for my needs (auto hobbyist, not earning my keep with my tools).

Thanks for the answers guys.

Thin and strong cost more. Thin and ****** are cheap.

If you have a frequent need for impacts and don't have money to spend for both, then a set of impacts with a few thin wall chrome ones in common sizes can be a good compromise.

OTOH, if you only need impacts occasionally, or need a size that you just don't have, then you can do what lots of us do... grab a chrome Craftsman socket, put it on the impact driver and return it to Sears if it cracks. $.10 no-brand swap meet sockets are also handy for impact (ab)use...

 

[MattT]

That seems counter-intuitive, thinner walled impact sockets cost more? I guess the cheaper stuff works for my needs (auto hobbyist, not earning my keep with my tools).

Thinner sockets use higher grade steel, which is more expensive, in order to meet strength requirements.

 

[Teken]

I'm new to tools so this might be a dumb question.

There is no dumb question in this forum. That is why you're here to learn, so you know what to use, and when to use it . . .

But i thought you used impact sockets on impact wrenches because they had a "special fit" also?

All the sizes for impacts will fit on chrome and vs . . . You will see people using chrome sockets on a job because there are times when their thicker counter parts can not fit into a confined area.

Normally this is not covered under warranty etc. But, the reality is most main line tool companies replaced them knowing the legit reasons . . . Some, don't no matter what . . .

is it just me? lol

Yes its just you . . . As it was covered by a few people here in other threads if it is not clear to you, or to those new to the scene . . .

Almost any brand of chrome socket when used on a impact gun can, will, matter of time, will grenade and explode on you!

It doesn't matter if you're just pumping it just that one rat tat tat for a lug nut, or what have you . . . If you're not wearing protective eye wear you will lose your sight if it hits you in the eye!

Also some of the lower quality chrome sockets have been known to grenade on the very first time of application with a impact gun . . . So, lets recap!

Do not use any chrome socket unless you're prepared and using full body gear from gloves, glass's and a apron . . .

I have seen two guys get hurt from doing the above . . . One got a fragment in the cheek, the other got a shard in the throat . . .

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

There is no dumb question in this forum. That is why you're here to learn, so you know what to use, and when to use it . . .



All the sizes for impacts will fit on chrome and vs . . . You will see people using chrome sockets on a job because there are times when their thicker counter parts can not fit into a confined area.

Normally this is not covered under warranty etc. But, the reality is most main line tool companies replaced them knowing the legit reasons . . . Some, don't no matter what . . .

It chaps my hide a bit, that some of the tool company sponsered programs show Chrome sockets on Impacts. You would think they wouldn't be cheap enough, that they could supply and instruct the presenters, to use them.

 

[Fedwrench]

It chaps my hide a bit, that some of the tool company sponsered programs show Chrome sockets on Impacts. You would think they wouldn't be cheap enough, that they could supply and instruct the presenters, to use them.

First, you can't take any of those programs too seriously. Secondly, for product placement a black impact socket doesn't show up as well as a close up of a chrome one. Lastly, technique is far from correct on those shows. I cringed once watching Sam from the old shadtree mechanic/crank and chrome/two guys garage show use a 1/2 drive micrometer toque wrench as a breaker bar to remove fasteners. Those shows are for entertainment purposes only and most are nothing more than an infomercial.

 

[a3tripod]

Thanks for the detailed answers. I never thought of the unintended wear a chrome socket could have on impact tools. Additionally, I have multiple sets of chrome and impact sockets 1/2 and 3/8 alike. I never gave it much thought, just always bought impacts for my air tools, and chromies for my hand tools. Incidentally, I rarely use my impact tools...tend to use my hand tools for most jobs...though i'll stick impact sockets on them.

 

[comedyman809]

well some people just like the shiny instead of the black......racists!!!

 

[scbird94]

The locking mechanisms are different between chrome and impact as well. Impact wrenches use a snap ring, ratchets use a ball. I know from experience that using a chrome socket on an impact will DRAMATICALLY shorten your impact's snap ring life... wont hold sockets, very much annoying.

Grey pneumatic sells a line of sockets they claim are BOTH. Looks promising. They call em duo sockets

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-8202-grey-pneumatic-89653crd.aspx

 

[MotoDave]

Lately I've been buying impact first, then later if I want a second set i'll buy chrome. Impacts work fine on my hand tools.

 

[Marlin]

Thanks for the detailed answers. I never thought of the unintended wear a chrome socket could have on impact tools. Additionally, I have multiple sets of chrome and impact sockets 1/2 and 3/8 alike. I never gave it much thought, just always bought impacts for my air tools, and chromies for my hand tools. Incidentally, I rarely use my impact tools...tend to use my hand tools for most jobs...though i'll stick impact sockets on them.

Using chrome vs impact sockets is not going to have any noticeablle affect on tool life there are a ton of other variables that have a lot bigger affect on tool life. That being said using chrome is definitely not recommended due to safety concerns.

 

[hammergodthor]

I'm new to tools so this might be a dumb question. But i thought you used impact sockets on impact wrenches because they had a "special fit" also? is it just me? lol

Most impact guns have a longer nose on them (compared to a ratchet) because of the hog ring which also holds the socket on the gun. Impact sockets have a deeper square drive (most chrome sockets do also) that the hog ring fits right in. If you find a chrome socket that has a shallower square drive, a flat "bottom" or shoulder at the bottom of the square drive (extensions are a good example), it won't fit all the way on the impact gun. MOST sockets and extensions have deeper square drive broachings though, and will fit right on.

 

[Teken]

Also keep in mind when the square end starts to mushroom, you better be ready for small pieces of chrome to be flying off!

If that doesn't get you when the socket cracks, it can either just split, or explode depending upon the BPM while under load . . .

 

[Indy_500]

I just found this out last night. Some of my bright friends took their dad's impact wrench, and put a chrome socket on it to take off a bolt on the crankcase of a sled they were parting out, well, the bolt is now stripped and the socket is in 100 pieces. Guess they should've checked out this website first! lol

 

[Monte]

Chrome sockets sometimes fit where impact sockets doesn´t like this 10mm impact socket with a tapered design vs. a 10mm hand socket.

 

[Stogies]

Dumb Question #2. Is it a problem using chrome sockets with an air ratchet?

 

[lipadj46]

Dumb Question #2. Is it a problem using chrome sockets with an air ratchet?

Not a problem

 

[Teken]

Dumb Question #2. Is it a problem using chrome sockets with an air ratchet?

Not a dumb question at all . . .

 

[tjmonsen5]

I didnt have a impact 30 mm, so i put my chrome 30 mm on my IR impact gun. It was a HUGE ordeal to get that socket off!! I had to beat it off the gun with a hammer and punch. Ill never use chrome sockets on my impact again. I was scared i might not get the socket off. It was a Craftsman 30mm on IR 231.