Impact socket coating durability

[308guru]

I'm in the market for a set of 1/2" metric impacts. No Snap On sets, I'm looking for value. Right now I've got a bunch of randos, time for a full set. The use would be typical (Toyota & Lexus currently) vehicle maintenance.

With the random impacts I currently have the black oxide coating gets rusty very quickly. I live in MN, my garage is hot and humid in the summer, and the floor is covered it salty snow melt all winter. It is what it is, that's not changing.

My question isn't about coatings I can spray on, wipe on, etc. I've heard the "use it and they won't rust", etc.

I'm wondering about differences in coatings that manufacturers are applying when new and how they may hold up in comparison. Harbor freight impacts seem to have a very matte rough finish. Those look exactly like the ones I have in my toolbox that rust within seconds after cleaning/oiling. The Tekton impacts appear (in pictures) to have a shiny smooth finish, unlike most black oxide. Does the Tekton finish hold up any better? Maybe it's just their studio photos that look good.

I see Tekton impacts are laser marked with size. Are they also roll marked? Seems like the laser mark could become hard(er) to see over time.

I'm also left wondering why manufacturers aren't nickel plating or something better than black oxide which is essentially useless.

Thanks.

 

[WWheeler]

There is no coating on any impact socket I've ever owned. I always thought it's because any type of plating would be prone to cracking and could cause injury when used as an impact. None of mine have ever got rusty.

 

[seber]

Black oxide will not flake like plating. This is important on an impact. It also does not inhibit rust. What it does is provide a surface that will hold an oil film. If your sockets are not oily when you get them, wipe them down with an oily rag. Once a year should be enough.

 

[308guru]

Looks like I found my answer on the Tekton socket marking.

Knowing that there are essentially no other "coating" options as manufactured I'll just have to hose them down with LPS3 after use.

 

[Wakefield]

Would a wipe with Fluid Film help?

 

[boom_bap]

Yes, but then your sockets will smell like sheep

 

[isb cornbinder]

Yes, but then you're sockets will smell like sheep

you're is a contraction of you are. Maybe your spell-check should have gone to your.

 

[plinker]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphate_conversion_coating Parkerizing is the most common impact socket finish, though some use a black oxide finish or similar.

 

[Tallpilot]

Manganese phosphate

I keep mine in the garage and they are not rusted.

 

[jonesg]

it cost me $300 to insulate the garage and $100 to install an air conditioner.
Stop the cause.

 

[F-22]

I imagine you could take them to a plating workshop and have them zinc electroplated. Would wear out on the inside but I'm sure it would hold up on the outside...

 

[william_parker]

Tekton impacts could be a better choice for you as their shiny finish may hold up better against rust compared to Harbor Freight impacts.

 

[dnschmidt]

You're overthinking this. Mobil 1 on a rag is your friend. Judging from the number of Minnesota license plates I see here in Phoenix you must be one of the last people still living there.

 

[308guru]

You're overthinking this. Mobil 1 on a rag is your friend. Judging from the number of Minnesota license plates I see here in Phoenix you must be one of the last people still living there.

Looks like plinker might be in a similar environment as mine. He may be headed your way soon too.

I'm stopping half way though, too hot down there.

 

[Steve_P]

Phosphate and oil is the standard finish for impact sockets. Phosphate is a hot treatment, ~180F, that gives a coarse conversion finish for the post treatment "oil" to stick to- it's not typical oil but specific for this purpose. Phosphate is superior to black oxide because the coarse finish gives more surface area for the oil to stick to.

 

[BarrelRoll]

I'll have to look at my Tekton impact sockets and see how they are holding up. My impact sockets are always getting covered in mud, water, concrete, and gold concentrate at work with lots of temperature changes and humidity, I'm always fighting rust on them. I have GP, husky, Pittsburgh, and snapon impact sockets in addition to the Tekton. My Tekton are newer and I don't use them much, I'll have to see how they look compared to the rest. I wipe them down with WD40 and they stay rust free for a while.

 

[plinker]

Looks like plinker might be in a similar environment as mine. He may be headed your way soon too.

I'm stopping half way though, too hot down there.

Nah, too many bitey snakes & such for my liking. It would be nice if winter would leave though.

 

[308guru]

I'll have to look at my Tekton impact sockets and see how they are holding up. My impact sockets are always getting covered in mud, water, concrete, and gold concentrate at work with lots of temperature changes and humidity, I'm always fighting rust on them. I have GP, husky, Pittsburgh, and snapon impact sockets in addition to the Tekton. My Tekton are newer and I don't use them much, I'll have to see how they look compared to the rest. I wipe them down with WD40 and they stay rust free for a while.

I'd definitely be interested in hearing back on your comparison between all of the brands you mentioned.

 

[rooster59]

It’s very humid in the summer here. My impacts live in a steel ammo can. A piece of oily cardboard cut to fit the bottom. You can get metal socket holders at HF for $1. No rust ever.

 

[308guru]

It’s very humid in the summer here. My impacts live in a steel ammo can. A piece of oily cardboard cut to fit the bottom. You can get metal socket holders at HF for $1. No rust ever.

Link to the $1 socket holders at HF please.

 

[jsmeece]

Link to the $1 socket holders at HF please.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

$1.49 now.
Seriously, no one knows how to use a internet search engine!

 

[308guru]

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

$1.49 now.
Seriously, no one knows how to use a internet search engine!

Search "Socket Holder", as stated, and see what you get.

Also, "an" should be used in place of "a" in your statement.

 

[jsmeece]

Search "Socket Holder", as stated, and see what you get.

Also, "an" should be used in place of "a" in your statement.

If you don't know what a socket holder is then you need help.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Google hydrogen embrittlement. I was told many years ago that this occurs in any type of plating on metal. Things may have changed since then but that's what I was told. IIRC that's why NASCAR **** canned chrome rims many years ago.

 

[308guru]

Google hydrogen embrittlement. I was told many years ago that this occurs in any type of plating on metal. Things may have changed since then but that's what I was told. IIRC that's why NASCAR **** canned chrome rims many years ago.

Heating after plating resolves this issue. I always require it on machined parts I have nickel plated and have never had an issue.

 

[BarrelRoll]

I remembered to grab pictures today. I have snapon, GP, Tekton, Pitsburgh, and Husky 1/2" impact sockets. Here's pictures of them all. All sockets are kept in a tool box in a humid environment (southeast Alaska) with varying temperatures between 50-90 degrees depending on the heater wars. I clean my tools with WD40 on occasion, usually after a use or 2 though don't just clean things to clean things. They all get covered in mud, dust, mine water, gold slurry, and mine tailings all of which is pretty corrosive.

My Tekton sockets are in the red case and are newer (less than 6 months old), you can see which sizes I've used and which sizes never get used. The coating is starting to wear off, no visible rust yet. They appear to be less rusty than the rest though haven't gotten a lot of use.




GP, these are my go to sockets, the kit is 3 years old, I believe the 15/16 is a replacement though is my most used socket. The coating is pretty well worn off on the sizes I use all the time (3/4,



Used snapon off of e-bay, no clue on the history, wearing/ rusting about the same as the GP stuff



Mixture of Husky and Pittsburgh, probably 10 years old. The coating is pretty well worn off all the sockets.

 

[CR888]

Can of lannox spray oil, 1 rag....done.

 

[Al Borland]

All of my impacts are old, some I've had 40+ years. Most have never rusted, despite being stored in garages, truck boxes, etc. I have some HF sockets that rusted (put away wet...) and I cleaned them in vinegar. Oops! Not black any more.
Simple answer is take care of them. Let them be oily, don't polish them.

 

[zendriver]

I wipe my cheapie HF impacts off with WD40.

Not a spec of rust on them and it gets plenty humid here.

 

[dchawk81]

It’s very humid in the summer here. My impacts live in a steel ammo can. A piece of oily cardboard cut to fit the bottom. You can get metal socket holders at HF for $1. No rust ever.

100 points for ingenuity.

 

[dchawk81]

As a Pennsylvanian, I have learned not to be bothered by surface oxidation.