Craftsman Impact sockets for daily use - doable?

[thedeatons]

If you converted all your 1/2 sockets to impact sockets, and had to use them exclusively on your impact gun, and on your standard 1/2 ratchet... Could you do it?

What would the tradeoff be?

Are there really access/clearance issues with impact sockets?

Thanks!
James

 

[xurusaibobx]

being a full time technician i have craftsman deep sockets but i also have matco impact sockets as well. the deep ones i put them hell and they all held up pretty good. i even use them to press bushings/bearings act as spacers for other things around the shop as well. things i wouldnt dare use with my matco ones

 

[thedeatons]

So you are saying the standard deep sockets are stronger than impacts?

Maybe this is why they work so well on my impact gun

 

[Seanbev24]

The thickness of an impact socket is rarely an issue, but I've seen it enough where I'm not giving my chrome 1/2" sockets away.

The 1/2" sockets I use the most are deep impacts, followed by impact swivel, and then shallow chrome. I don't remember that last time I touched my shallow impact sockets

 

[wreckerman5357]

I don't own a set of Chrome deeps in metric 1/2" drive, only impacts. But in a collision shop I rarely use 1/2" drive on a ratchet. I would say it depends on what you are doing.

 

[Seanbev24]

Oh yeah, as for Craftsman 1/2" impact sockets specifically, my set got moved to home use because I hated how thick they were. They're the thickest ones I've seen. The SK set I have at work now is much better.

 

[wreckercologist]

A few guys have them at work and they are fine, but are a little thick in certain spots. In those cases the Mac's and Snap-ons fit better.

As far as not buying chrome and only impact, I think most guys could get away with it and never need the thinner wall of a chrome socket. Probably depends on what you're working on. For me, there are a few tight applications where an impact is a no go, but by and large, my 1/2" drive chrome stuff at work collects dust........although I did use a 24mm shallow today, and a 1 1/4" deep a few days ago.

If I started out buying tools as a young guy today, but knew what I know now, I'd probably skip chrome all together in 3/8" and 1/2" drive and only buy impact, as well as purchasing single chrome sockets for those jobs where nothing else will do, instead of full sets.

Another thing to mention is most impact sockets do not have the undercut in the square drive for a ratchet's detent ball to fit into. That would mean making sure the detent ball of the ratchet lines up with the sidelock hole drilled in the impact socket, or else the socket may be more prone to slip/fall off. Not a big issue, just something to keep in mind.

Better go ahead and buy both chrome and impact just to be safe and cover all of your bases.

 

[pipsters]

Oh yeah, as for Craftsman 1/2" impact sockets specifically, my set got moved to home use because I hated how thick they were. They're the thickest ones I've seen. The SK set I have at work now is much better.

Craftsman vs. SK vs. Snap-On deep 1/2" impact exterior dimensions. The "/" denotes a taper.

Really not much of a difference, maybe on a few of them. But not all Craftsmans are thicker.

In reality, very little difference, maybe a mm on each side at most. The Snap-On's are $825 for their 10-36, I bought my SK's for $230 for the same sockets...

 

[pipsters]

If you converted all your 1/2 sockets to impact sockets, and had to use them exclusively on your impact gun, and on your standard 1/2 ratchet... Could you do it?

What would the tradeoff be?

Are there really access/clearance issues with impact sockets?

Thanks!
James

One tradeoff for me, and I'm an at home guy, is I keep my impacts oiled with Boeshield T9. I keep my Craftsman 1/2" sockets in the tray they came in and roll them around in it when I put them away.

Personally, I prefer to use chrome when using a ratchet for that reason - but I doubt it makes a difference. On the stuff I really reef on I use my impact sockets due to them being thicker material, then when using a torque wrench put a chrome socket on it. Oh one thing, my chrome sockets are broached tighter than my impact sockets. Not sure if it's like that way on the more expensive brands or not, but that holds for Craftsman & SK. Both seems to broach their chrome tighter than their impacts for some reason.

 

[Fedwrench]

The trade off would be when you dropped one, a black socket is harder to find.
Seriously though, with 1/2 drive you probably have enough room to use an impact socket without any issues.
On a side note, the reason why Craftsman impact sockets seem thicker in some sizes is that they share blanks. What do I mean? Take two socket blanks that are the same diameter, cut two different sizes into the blanks. The smaller bolt size gets thicker walls, and the larger gets thinner walls. Think I'm crazy? place your Craftsman impact sockets end to end and see how many shared sizes there are for outside diameter.
Of course, now that Craftsman Impact sockets are imported, this may no longer apply.

 

[GRX]

I do come across occasions where impact sockets are too thick. So not doing away with my thin wall chromes for non-impact use. And I like the convenience of a 12-point socket. Having 24 clock positions available comes in handy it tight automotive situations.

 

[tbobbo]

I am a pro and 6 months ago or so, i took all my chrome sockets off my tool cart and put all my impact sockets on it. Yes i have 1/4 3/8 1/2 impact sockets. I have only run into clearance issues twice i think. Now I dont break anymore sockets! I NEVER impact my chrome sockets either. I use grey pneumatic, but one of the other guys at work has 10 year old craftsman impact sockets and they have held up great for him. I say go for it. I wont let my chrome sockets go, I like to have doubles if I need the same size on different ratchets, like for one bolt you need a flex head ratchet, and for another you may need a stubby ratchet. Also I think impact sockets round off less fasteners, but thats just something I "think" I have no proof or anyone else backing me on this.