Hello! Would you call this a "thin walled" socket?

[ttgg89]

Hello! Over the years I have been led here on dozens of occasions when searching for info, thought I'd join up. Great site!

Well I purchased a KD 531426 13/16 impact socket to use as a lug wrench by hand with my 1/2 inch breaker bar. It was advertised as "Thin-wall construction for better access to fasteners in limited areas."

This is one purpose only for the vehicle I own, alloy rims with recessed lug nuts. I already had 2 other sockets to choose from. A spark plug 3/8 drive that fit beautifully, and a 1/2 inch drive stubby 12 point socket that fit but had to be coaxed onto a few lugs.

Thought I'd get one nice deep 6 point socket and be done with it. Trouble is the KD is 1/8" and 1/4" greater in diameter than my other 2 sockets! Won't even begin to fit!

I'm saying the manufacturer's description is incorrect. Am I missing something here?

See attached pics, the stubby 13/16 is on the left, the KD impact is in the middle, the 3/8 spark plug socket is on the right.

thanks for your time and any info!

 

[rlitman]

To me, it looks about average wall thickness for an impact socket.
But impact sockets are always going to be thicker than chromed sockets.

 

[purplezr2]

Thin wall for an impact socket....

 

[Fsatsil]

You're comparing an impact socket to a standard chrome socket. Impact sockets are made to be used with power tools and chrome sockets are meant to be used on hand tools. The impact socket will almost always have thicker walls since it has to be much stronger.

 

[ttgg89]

OK, thanks to all of you... They will honor my return but wanted to change my request from "item not as described" to "not what I need". I'm fine with that, just wanted to get educated first.

On another note, I went with the impact thinking of strength, but from doing some reading if I understand correctly the impacts are not necessarily stronger just built to withstand... impacts!

For the time being I've ordered a used 1/2" to 3/8 adapter to use with that spark plug socket on the lug nuts. SK brand to match my old bar, sweet!

thanks again.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Looks like a regular impact socket to me.

Here's a thin wall 19MM and regular 19MM next to each other. The thin wall is the 12 point socket (I use them for 12 point bolts on engines with both power tools and hand tools as space allows- they fit everywhere and can withstand impact wrenches!). You can see the thin wall impact is also tapered down on the outside to improve its clearance (2nd photo).

 

[bigredmf]

Running standard sockets on a impact is not a good idea.

Standard sockets are actually harder and may lead to the nose of your impact braking of with the anvil?

If your not in a professional environment it may not be an issue but most impact Mfg will not warrant the tool based on that particular failure mode

Red


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[Wamsutta]

On another note, I went with the impact thinking of strength, but from doing some reading if I understand correctly the impacts are not necessarily stronger just built to withstand... impacts!

Impact sockets are made out of softer metal than their chrome counterparts for the purpose of withstanding impacts; so in order to make up for the loss of strength from being softer, they are made with thicker walls.

For your application, special sockets are available with a Teflon outer casing so that they don't scratch the inside walls of the lug nut hole. But they are intended to be used by hand like you would use a chrome socket.

 

[ttgg89]

Thanks again to all, great info! Yeah I had seen those coated lug nut sockets, but nothing fancy to protect here... I think my old van [1989 Grand Caravan] may have at least one foot [wheel?] firmly planted in the "rat" category, or maybe ghetto rat

 

[WhiffySpark]

I can post a thin wall later

 

[Wamsutta]

In that case, I would either use a chrome socket, or try an authentic thin wall impact socket made by Proto.

 

[ttgg89]

Thanks for the info, that 3/8 drive 13/16 spark plug socket I have fits beautifully [I believe my spark plugs take another smaller size I have]. I'm going to start with that using the 1/2 to 3/8 adapter I just purchased on the auction site.

As I haven't had a flat in decades [knock on wood], it's not like it's going to be in heavy rotation or anything like that. Just wanted to be sure I have "lug wrench" covered in the tool bag.

Although I do take the wheels off occasionally for various maintenance stuff, like spraying rust proofing liquids.

 

[Hiball]

In regards to impact sockets, Chrome Vanadium will generally be thinner than Chrome Moly, might add that to search dimensions if you are working in tight quarters.

 

[ChevyEFI]

For your application, special sockets are available with a Teflon outer casing so that they don't scratch the inside walls of the lug nut hole. But they are intended to be used by hand like you would use a chrome socket.

The ones I have shopped for seem to be impact (though bright finished / anodized rather than black.)
Sunex 284917 etc. The 15mm is even bright anodized silver, looking like a chrome socket.

 

[mbshop]

Back in the good ole days, many including myself used regular chrome sockets for lug bolts. But we used a breaker bar to loosen them up first. Then we used the impact gun on a low setting to take them off. Then low setting to put them on and then a torque wrench to finish the job off. Never broke a socket. And a last bit of warning that needs to be said often, never put your hand on the socket when using an impact. Broken sockets will tear you up.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Almost all chrome sockets are made of chrome vanadium (CR-V). Quality Impact sockets are made of chrome molybdenum (CR-MO) which is far superior for impact use due primarily to strength and that they don't shatter. Even thinwall CR-MO impact sockets can withstand months of daily abuse without breaking.

We issue these Sunex thinwall 19mm/21mm (3/4" / 13/16") flip sockets to our tire techs. Sometimes they last over a year before developing a crack. We also use the bigger thinwall 7/8" and 15/16" flips and I haven't replaced one of those yet.

If you want to use a flip socket on your breaker bar you'll need a 3" or longer extension as pictured.

The 21mm side is compared to a 13/16" Craftsman. The Sunex is thinner.



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[xtela]

Sunex 28494 13/16" 1/2" drive deep thin wall impact. Pictured with plastic sleeve removed.

 

[JohnDeere1]

It's thin for an average impact socket I have some older snap on that are very thick alot of manufacturers claim to have thin wall impacts as in thinner than other guys then they have specialty thin wall impact sockets they are 2 different animals but with the wording easy to get confused. I use Mac 19mm or 3/4 (same) on my wife's focus and it has recessed lugs and alloy rims it fits great.

 

[ttgg89]

It's thin for an average impact socket I have some older snap on that are very thick alot of manufacturers claim to have thin wall impacts as in thinner than other guys then they have specialty thin wall impact sockets they are 2 different animals but with the wording easy to get confused...

Bingo! thanks JohnDeere1, that is what happened. I got confused by the description "Thin-wall construction for better access to fasteners in limited areas."

OK, I'll be sending this back, I agreed with the seller to change the reason from "not as described" to "not what I needed". My mistake!

thanks to all, great information. whew, this place is a goldmine!