Impact or Chrome Sockets - Strength questions.

[zer0cell]

Okay so I was looking to buy a set of Wright 3/8" sockets which I would use with my 18 volt tools and perhaps some pneumatic tools as well later.

My understanding is that chrome plated sockets should not be used with an impact driver as they are at risk of becoming damaged or the chrome plating shattering.

Therefore the non-plated, black impact sockets seems to be the way to go for this purpose.


My questions are;

1.) Are the strength of the chrome plated and impact sockets comparable, with the only difference being that the chrome plating is vulnerable with impact tools?

2.) Is there any downside (other than rust) to using strictly impact sockets, even when simply using them on a ratcheting socket wrench?

Please shed some light on this for me.


The sockets would be used on everything from car repairs to construction.

 

[imanaddict]

Hey there. The way i was always told is that chrome sockets are harder and impact sockets are softer. Impact sockets on a non impact tool can actually fail just as a chrome socket can fail on an impact tool. If Im wrong, someone please correct me.

 

[Rico.]

In a nut shell... Chrome sockets are harder than impact sockets, but more brittle.

What this means is, when a chrome socket is pushed beyond it's tollerance
it ill most likely split, and if you're having a really bad day it will shatter, if you use
a chrome socket on an impact wrench it can increase the chance of it shattering.

An impact socket due to it's "softer" metal has a minute amount of cushion or
springiness designed in to it, so can take the repeated hammering of an impact
wrench... however by it's very nature after many years of use impact sockets
will wear out due to deformation.

there is no reason not to use an impact socket with hand tools... however,
due to the extra thickness of impact sockets you may have clearence issues,
and if you're really honking on a stuborn bolt with a breaker bar and 4 feet of
pipe, as long as no impacting motion is happening, a good quality chrome socket
will work the best, as it won't deform.

 

[zer0cell]

Thanks, that does help.

 

[trout]

In a nut shell... Chrome sockets are harder than impact sockets, but more brittle.

What this means is, when a chrome socket is pushed beyond it's tollerance
it ill most likely split, and if you're having a really bad day it will shatter, if you use
a chrome socket on an impact wrench it can increase the chance of it shattering.

An impact socket due to it's "softer" metal has a minute amount of cushion or
springiness designed in to it, so can take the repeated hammering of an impact
wrench... however by it's very nature after many years of use impact sockets
will wear out due to deformation.

there is no reason not to use an impact socket with hand tools... however,
due to the extra thickness of impact sockets you may have clearence issues,
and if you're really honking on a stuborn bolt with a breaker bar and 4 feet of
pipe, as long as no impacting motion is happening, a good quality chrome socket
will work the best, as it won't deform.

yup.

also the hard chrome socket beat up the anvil on the impact tools and the fastener you're trying to remove.

 

[BB26]

Impact sockets also typically have just one detent, which will be a hole drilled through the socket. Chrome sockets have four detents, one on each of the square drive surfaces. Basically, this just makes it quicker and easier to engage sockets onto drive tools when using chrome sockets. You do not have to worry about finding the hole and lining it up with the ball on your ratchet/extension/breaker bar.

 

[FiendFX]

Does anyone have any problems using chrome sockets on their cordless impact, particularly the 3/8? Don't want to spend money on another set of impact sockets.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Buy the impact sockets to use with your impact tools.

You can shorten the life of the impact wrench and possibly damage it using chrome vanadium sockets.

Impact sockets stand up much better to the "hammering" effect of impact tools.

 

[richfinn]

In a nutshell

Chrome sockets on power tools = bits in your eyes/stitches

Impact sockets on hand tools = too chunky for detailed work

 

[bcradio]

Does anyone have any problems using chrome sockets on their cordless impact, particularly the 3/8? Don't want to spend money on another set of impact sockets.

Buy impact sockets... thats part of the purchase of an impact wrench.

Just like a mig welder needs gas/tank (if you want nice welds) and lots of clamps and wire, etc...

 

[Piles]

I know a couple pro mechanics that only use chromes. And other than the very odd time theynever warranty them. Probably break as much as my impacts do. If I were gonna do it all over again I would definitely consider buying only a nice set of chromes.

I do it lots when Im lazy amd never had a socket shatter on me.

 

[crewchief888]

the only 3/8" dr impact sockets i have are impact wobbles.

so yea i use chrome on both cordless and air impacts.

i cant recall ever breaking ANY chrome socket with an impact, (including 12pt 3/4" dr)
every one i've mangled has been by hand. the only impact socket, (1 1/8, 3/4"dr) i ever broke was by hand as well....


FWIW
i've been wrenching on const eq for 30 years...

 

[Rico.]

I know a couple pro mechanics that only use chromes. And other than the very odd time theynever warranty them. Probably break as much as my impacts do. If I were gonna do it all over again I would definitely consider buying only a nice set of chromes.

I do it lots when Im lazy amd never had a socket shatter on me.

Good for you.... I just hope someone you love isn't standing
next to you when your luck finally runs out...

 

[CWP1616L]

Chrome sockets are very very hard to give them strength to make up for their thinness. They are termed "Glass Hard" because glass is very hard and scratch resistant. Impact sockets are softer to sustain blows from impact forces without breaking. Impact sockets are thicker to make up for their softness. That's the simple explanation.

 

[richfinn]

I used to use the chromed sockets on impacts and never actually broke one.

Unfortunately the chrome peeled on one and I got a bad cut on my hand and its not good for the retaining rings on impact anvils, at the very least wear gloves and safety glasses.

 

[Rico.]

Look... lets be honest, the chance of a socket exploding in your face when
using on an impact wrench is pretty minimal..... BUT and it's a big but...
There is a chance...

A set of impact sockets from Harbour Freight cost Thruppence Ha Penny
Why the F*ck would you want to risk Blindness, deafness, Damage or
DEATH, no matter how small the risk, for a few dollars of impact socket
and 5 seconds to get it.

 

[jmm]

yup.

also the hard chrome socket beat up the anvil on the impact tools and the fastener you're trying to remove.

I've never considered this. I always use impacts with 3/8" and up impact tools. I have a handful of 1/4" impacts, but no deeps. About 6 months ago I took my little Makita 10.2 volt impact driver (1/4" drive) to work to speed up rebuilds that involve lots of little screws. Deeps and hex bit sockets are necessary. I figured, there's not a lot of torque involved (it's rated at 800 in lbs, and I very rarely have to break anything free by hand), so my chrome sockets will be fine and I don't need to worry about buying 1/4" impacts.

My question: how bad is this for a little impact tool? So far, I can't tell any difference, but the possible negative effects have never crossed my mind. It's actually the best power tool I've ever owned, and I'd like it to last as long as possible.

As an aside: at such low torque, and used relatively infrequently (maybe an hour a day, twice a week), is it necessary to buy impact hex bit sockets? I've never even seen those in 1/4" drive. What would you do?

 

[imanaddict]

Right tool for the right job. Wouldn't wanna use a 6 point socket on a 12 point fastener would ya? Imo buying an impact without buying impact sockets is like buying a floor jack and no jack stands. Sure, it'll hold for a while, but is is really worth taking a chance? Beside, who doesn't want more tools?!?!?!

 

[crewchief888]

Good for you.... I just hope someone you love isn't standing
next to you when your luck finally runs out...

the world will end as well....

Unfortunately the chrome peeled on one and I got a bad cut on my hand


and its not good for the retaining rings on impact anvils, a

i havent seen chrome peeling on ANY of my sockets

the retainig ring is a wear part, it's going to need replacing at some time or another. chrome socket or not.


ya'll worry too much

 

[crewchief888]

Wouldn't wanna use a 6 point socket on a 12 point fastener would ya?

Beside, who doesn't want more tools?!?!?!

besides the fact that a 6 pt socket WONT fit a 12pt head?


i'm pretty sure i already have enough tools.....

 

[richfinn]

the world will end as well....



i havent seen chrome peeling on ANY of my sockets

the retainig ring is a wear part, it's going to need replacing at some time or another. chrome socket or not.


ya'll worry too much

I get where your coming from, and I've BTDT and had to go to hospital and it was a deep Snap On socket that peeled and cut me.

Not the end of the world, but enough for me (I even have 1/4 in impact now)

 

[Wakefield]

I have always thought impact sockets-at least good ones-were all around stronger bigger heavier than the chrome ones of the same wrenching/drive size but don't fit into as tight a place
not all black finish sockets are impact however!

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

In one of the shops i worked in, my buddy owned only one impact socket, a flip flop socket (19 and 21) for wheel removal. He had one half inch matco gun, and a 3/8 cordless ingersoll. Always used the chrome sockets on it and even told me to do so if i had to use it. I never had issues with it and neither did he, they were craftsman sockets. I would and did however buy impact sockets for my impact gun. I had a flip flop socket as well for my IR 2135 TImax when i bought it, but bought a set of IR deep impacts a few months later. When i bought my IR W7150, i bought a set of shallow impacts with it. So i'm all set with impacts! At the track we use chrome sockets on our snapon 1/2 impact and have had no issues. I've broken chrome sockets on a breaker bar before though (snap on 15mm 3/8 socket). I wouldn't risk being injured nor risk damage to my tools by being lazy and using chromes. No, i've never seen or heard of one breaking on an impact, and in a jam if you have to use one its not the end of the world, but they make impact sockets for a reason.

 

[Piles]

Good for you.... I just hope someone you love isn't standing
next to you when your luck finally runs out...

Yah maybe I shouldn't go outside ever again in case my "luck" runs out, what with natural disasters, car accidents, disease, and even just a slight breeze the world is sure a scary place.

Gimme a break, I said in my original post that there is guys I know who have been wrenching all day, every day for over 15 years that just use chromes. And yet they still have all their limbs! Must have horseshoes up their asses to have survived this long.

 

[Nanashi]

Lol what is the problem. Buy impact sockets for 1/2" and 3/8" then buy chrome in 1/4" and be done with it.

To the guys with chrome sockets on impacts stop being bull headed because you don't want to purchase impacts. Your guiding people in the wrong direction for no good reason. I bet most of you chrome on impact users also don't ware your seat belt because you don't want to get stuck in the car if you get in an accident. Enough said.

 

[Rico.]

Yah maybe I shouldn't go outside ever again in case my "luck" runs out, what with natural disasters,
car accidents, disease, and even just a slight breeze the world is sure a scary place.

Actually, statistics dictate that most accidents happen in the home, so perhaps you'd be
better off never going inside again. Pitch a tent in the garden and be done with it..... Just
make sure it's not a chrome tent though.

 

[MikeF2316]

I've never considered this. I always use impacts with 3/8" and up impact tools. I have a handful of 1/4" impacts, but no deeps. About 6 months ago I took my little Makita 10.2 volt impact driver (1/4" drive) to work to speed up rebuilds that involve lots of little screws. Deeps and hex bit sockets are necessary. I figured, there's not a lot of torque involved (it's rated at 800 in lbs, and I very rarely have to break anything free by hand), so my chrome sockets will be fine and I don't need to worry about buying 1/4" impacts.

My question: how bad is this for a little impact tool? So far, I can't tell any difference, but the possible negative effects have never crossed my mind. It's actually the best power tool I've ever owned, and I'd like it to last as long as possible.

As an aside: at such low torque, and used relatively infrequently (maybe an hour a day, twice a week), is it necessary to buy impact hex bit sockets? I've never even seen those in 1/4" drive. What would you do?

I'm interested in this too. I have a 1/2 drive cordless impact that I primarily use to change tires. It's not strong enough to torque the lug bolts to the proper torque (80 ft-lbs) nor is it strong enough to loosen them. I loosen the bolts about a half turn, jack up the car, remove the bolts with the impact, tighten the bolts on the new wheel with the impact, then torque with a torque wrench when the car is back on the ground. I don't even own any impact sockets, I thought the relatively low torque of this thing would hurt chrome sockets and I never considered that chrome sockets could hurt it.

Any feedback?

 

[Skin]

My 2 cents, use the correct tool for the job. Impact and chrome sockets can be purchased so cheaply I wouldn't even bother justifying any reason to not use the right socket. The one exception is if the impact socket simply wont fit. Plus chrome sockets look like **** after impact use which bugs me since I like to take care of my things.

Now that said, I know a guy who's been using his chrome sockets (Snap-On) on his impacts for over 20 years in a professional environment. Hes cracked a few sockets but hasn't hurt himself or lost any limbs by doing it in all that time and im sure he'll continue to do it for decades more. Also his impacts (IR) are fine. They'll probably die from 100 other causes before the anvil wears out.

 

[imanaddict]

Wow..

 

[taumac]

I use extra set of 3/8 chrome i use my 18v and 3/8 impact and use 1/2 impacts on my 1/2 impact. The chrome works fine for me cause my 18v dewalt and 3/8 doesnt have alot of torque and works fine for small jobs. Usually for bigger job the 1/2 comes out but never use chrome on it. I have only Craftsman socks. I would be afraid of use a cheap socket on anything.

 

[richfinn]

I get where your coming from, and I've BTDT and had to go to hospital and it was a deep Snap On socket that peeled and cut me.

Not the end of the world, but enough for me (I even have 1/4 in impact now)

I'm interested in this too. I have a 1/2 drive cordless impact that I primarily use to change tires. It's not strong enough to torque the lug bolts to the proper torque (80 ft-lbs) nor is it strong enough to loosen them. I loosen the bolts about a half turn, jack up the car, remove the bolts with the impact, tighten the bolts on the new wheel with the impact, then torque with a torque wrench when the car is back on the ground. I don't even own any impact sockets, I thought the relatively low torque of this thing would hurt chrome sockets and I never considered that chrome sockets could hurt it.

Any feedback?

What would it cost you to get 1 impact socket to suit your wheel nuts/bolts??

HF maybe $2

Snap On maybe $20

Not worth discussing really, It will cost you more replacing the retaining ring on the anvil

 

[MikeF2316]

What would it cost you to get 1 impact socket to suit your wheel nuts/bolts??

HF maybe $2

Snap On maybe $20

Not worth discussing really, It will cost you more replacing the retaining ring on the anvil

I suppose I should. I just never thought it was a problem, until now. Now I need 3 sockets though, the new car has different nuts for summer and winter wheels, and they're even a different size from each other and my other car!

So I need 3. I'm going to end up with a whole set.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I suppose I should. I just never thought it was a problem, until now. Now I need 3 sockets though, the new car has different nuts for summer and winter wheels, and they're even a different size from each other and my other car!

So I need 3. I'm going to end up with a whole set.

Get a flip flop socket. They come with a 3" extension and a socket with a 19mm end and a 21mm end, I forget the standard sizes, 13/16 & ??/??. I got an ingersoll set for cheap.

 

[jmm]

Get a flip flop socket. They come with a 3" extension and a socket with a 19mm end and a 21mm end, I forget the standard sizes, 13/16 & ??/??. I got an ingersoll set for cheap.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675681&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675681&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

These can be had on the cheap if you look on eBay/craigslist. I had a set a while back that I gave to a buddy of mine who just started out as an auto tech -- I wrench on machines for a living, so they're sorta useless. They seemed to be pretty nice.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

If I could do it all over again and was tight on funds, I would probably skip chrome 1/2" sockets all together. I rarely ever use them.

I don't think I've ever been in a situation on larger bolts where clearance was so tight I couldn't use a 1/2" impact socket.

I'm guessing the majority of warranty returns for broken chrome sockets is a result of using them on an impact gun.

 

[6-Speed]

Does anyone have any problems using chrome sockets on their cordless impact, particularly the 3/8? Don't want to spend money on another set of impact sockets.

Yes ... the detents on the inner walls of the chrome socket's drive end will tear up the retaining ring on the anvil. Use impact sockets to prevent damage to the hog ring.