Impact sockets for hand and impact use?

[Aqua-Andy]

I see all these photos of tool boxes here and I can't help to notice the abundance of chrome sockets on display. I would say that I reach for impact sockets the vast majority of the time as a do all socket. The only time I will reach for a chrome socket is when the walls of an impact will be too thick to fit into an application or I need a chrome swivel socket for a real tight area. Just curious what other people here do?

My goto sockets for the majority of my work
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=4975&pictureid=59419

Sockets only when needed.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=4975&pictureid=59420

 

[hoye0017]

I was just thinking about this for myself. I need to build up my 1/2" sockets and I'm thinking I'm gonna just get an impact set for use with an impact wrench or a ratchet.

I can't think of a lot of scenarios where I couldn't fit an impact socket where I would need something large enough to warrant the 1/2" drive. So why buy both?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

For 1/4" and 3/8" manual work i almost always use chrome sockets. I can't remember the last time i used my 1/2" chrome sockets, i always use my impact ones.

Not really worth buying 1/2" chrome sockets, in my opinion.

 

[Wes J]

I use 12 point 1/2 drive shallow sockets pretty often. I don't own any 1/2 drive deep chrome sockets. I have a few 12 point 1/2 drive impact sockets for 12 point head bolts found in drivelines and engines.

I don't have any 1/4 drive impacts, so no need for 1/4 drive impact sockets.

3/8 drive is the most used size for most people, so IMO it's worth having both. I have chrome and impact in deep and shallow 6 point inch and metric. I also have 12 point shallow chrome sockets for those times when you need a little clearance.

I only have impact swivel sockets.

I have a mix of impact and chrome sockets in 3/4 and 1 drive. I've used 12 point chrome sockets on a 3/4 drive impact many times. I've broken a few and replaced them with impacts. Large impact sockets are ridiculously expensive from US sources, so I don't want to go hog wild.


In my travel tool set, I only have impact sockets.

 

[crewchief888]

For 1/4" and 3/8" manual work i almost always use chrome sockets. I can't remember the last time i used my 1/2" chrome sockets, i always use my impact ones.

Not really worth buying 1/2" chrome sockets, in my opinion.

i really have 2 "sets" of tools, one for working, one for the garage.

most of my 1/4" & 3/8" dr is chrome.
at work, my most used 3/8" dr sockets are impact wobbles, most all my std 1/2" dr sockets are impact, MM are chrome, with the exception of a few select sizes.

garage stuff is mostly chrome, with a few 1/2" dr impact's tossed in.

all my 3/4" dr sockets are chrome.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

all my 3/4" dr sockets are chrome.

Interesting. I have a few 3/4" sockets, that i bought for specific jobs, but am looking to expand to a full 3/4" set. I only considered buying impact sockets, figured since they can do both no point buying chrome sockets up in those sizes. Not something i really need but i have a drawer with space that needs filled.

How come you chose chrome for 3/4"?

 

[gdocktor3]

Most of my chrome sockets are 12 point and I use them when I need to use a breaker bar in a tight spot. You can get a better swing because of the increased number of positions you can start with. Plus they are thinner. Its good to have both chrome and impact in my opinion.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have both, my chrome are mostly 12 point and my impact are 6 point.

 

[crewchief888]

Interesting. I have a few 3/4" sockets, that i bought for specific jobs, but am looking to expand to a full 3/4" set. I only considered buying impact sockets, figured since they can do both no point buying chrome sockets up in those sizes. Not something i really need but i have a drawer with space that needs filled.

How come you chose chrome for 3/4"?

i bought them all as singles, on an "as needed" basis over the years. i'm pretty well complete from 3/4" -2 1/4" and 17mm & 19mm 6pt impact
actually the only one that ever broke was a matco 1" 12pt impact socket.

i broke it by hand...
it did take a torque multiplier and about 8 ft of pipe.....

 

[JJThrasher]

1/2" and up I go for impacts, 3/8" and down I go chrome.

 

[Thax]

Take a look at Grey Pneumatic duo sockets. Might fill your needs nicely.

 

[Parabellum]

If you could only afford one set, I would just get impact sockets, dual use otherwise you will deform the chrome sockets with impact use.

 

[JVB]

For 1/4" and 3/8" manual work i almost always use chrome sockets. I can't remember the last time i used my 1/2" chrome sockets, i always use my impact ones.

Not really worth buying 1/2" chrome sockets, in my opinion.

+1 here. I sold my 1/2" chrome off after I got to thinking about the last time I actually reached for them.

 

[Fedwrench]

On my tool cart, all of my 1/2 drive sockets are impacts. If you're using 1/2 inch drive, you usually have lots of room.

 

[Rossco]

Meh whatever. I have a good selection of both. 12pt in chrome but lots of 6pt.

Don't use impacts that much. Only 3/4.

It's amazing how many young mechanics simply cannot wrench these days, Have no feel for tightening fasteners. Something I always try to teach.

 

[andys]

For years I only had chrome 3/8 sockets. I began to use my 3/8 gun more and more after ignoring it for most of my then-young career and the chrome sockets were fine. Snap-On had a BOGO on 3/8 mid-length sockets and I bought them. The metric set sits on the handle of my cart and gets used for everything.

I just got a new, stronger 3/8 gun and use it for almost everything that isn't a wheel or over 21mm. If my chrome set disappeared, it'd be a long time before I miss it.

 

[drink]

I see all these photos of tool boxes here and I can't help to notice the abundance of chrome sockets on display. I would say that I reach for impact sockets the vast majority of the time as a do all socket. The only time I will reach for a chrome socket is when the walls of an impact will be too thick to fit into an application or I need a chrome swivel socket for a real tight area. Just curious what other people here do?

My goto sockets for the majority of my work
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=4975&pictureid=59419

Sockets only when needed.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=4975&pictureid=59420

I usually use hand sockets but I do own some impact sockets also. Typically you use impact sockets with air tools or power tools, etc. The hand sockets are designed to be used with your hands as in good old fashioned elbow grease. If I had about 50 bolts to loosen I would probably reach for my air impact wrench and an impact socket to make short work out of the job.

 

[619DioFan]

I have complete sets of chrome sockets 1n 1/4 , 3/8 , 1/2 six and twelve point shallow and deep because way back when as a young teen I didn't have an air compressor nor air tools so did everything by hand. once I could afford my first compressor and a set of air tools I then started buying the impact sockets. now , all these decades later I have complete sets of impact sockets in 1/4 , 3/8 , 1/2 , 3/4 drive as well as a ten piece 1'' drive set. yes, like many others here I have the sickness known as " can't have enough tools " my 3/4 drive chrome sockets go up to 2 1/2 inch and up to 60mm. I don't have a 1'' drive chrome set ( yet ) but am keeping my eyes open. probably don't need one but just want one. sometimes I feel that I really need professional help.

 

[ItsNemo]

Both. I like chrome because they clean up better when covered in oil/grease than impacts and they do fit in the tighter spots and are a bit lighter to lug around. Impacts well, when you're using an impact, not much choice.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I have complete sets of chrome sockets 1n 1/4 , 3/8 , 1/2 six and twelve point shallow and deep because way back when as a young teen I didn't have an air compressor nor air tools so did everything by hand. once I could afford my first compressor and a set of air tools I then started buying the impact sockets. now , all these decades later I have complete sets of impact sockets in 1/4 , 3/8 , 1/2 , 3/4 drive as well as a ten piece 1'' drive set. yes, like many others here I have the sickness known as " can't have enough tools " my 3/4 drive chrome sockets go up to 2 1/2 inch and up to 60mm. I don't have a 1'' drive chrome set ( yet ) but am keeping my eyes open. probably don't need one but just want one. sometimes I feel that I really need professional help.

Inspiring... At least you're not alone here.

 

[GSMotorrad]

1/2" and up I go for impacts, 3/8" and down I go chrome.

This seems to be the best way. I have all chrome 1/4" and 3/8" drive, then opted for the DUO Grey Pneumatic sets for the 1/2" shallows, and then regular GP impacts for the 1/2" deeps.

I am sort of tempted to get a full set of the DUO sockets in 1/4" for my new M12 Fuel impact gun, though 1/4" stuff is usually low enough torque to not worry about.

For hand-wrenchin', I much prefer the way chrome feels in my hand, and do not like the way the black oxide feels, either oily or dry - just feels like a dirtier experience, so I'd rather only use impact sockets when impacting with them.

 

[Farmall450]

Doesn't anyone work away from air/not have a cordless impact?
Not to mention chrome won't rust away from sitting in moist air, or on soggy ground (spring weather) for a few hours.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

My HF 1/2" chrome set has seen regular impact use since 1993.
Most of the smaller ones have turned into yard sale Craftsman 6 points.
At one point this sweet girl noticed i didn't have any of the black impact sockets and she got me a set. I shattered 3 on the first 3 bolts, and exchanged them for something else.

 

[Blazinzuk]

If I knew what I knew now I would have very few chrome sockets.

But I started buying tools years ago and impact sockets haven't even entered into my brain yet

 

[TK-421]

I'm a tool *****, so I'll get both chrome and impact in the three main sizes, for the simple fact that it will make me smile when I open the socket drawer and see too many sockets perfectly organized.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have complete sets of chrome sockets 1n 1/4 , 3/8 , 1/2 six and twelve point shallow and deep because way back when as a young teen I didn't have an air compressor nor air tools so did everything by hand. once I could afford my first compressor and a set of air tools I then started buying the impact sockets.

Isn't that the truth. Still got the job done though.

When you're in the business, it's quicker and easier to choose a deep or shallow impact, instead of a chrome or impact, deep or shallow, 6 or 12 point. Using impact sockets only also saves space on your cart and you know it will work with hand or air tools. I use 5 drawers for all my sockets - 1/2" chrome, 1/2" impact, 3/8" chrome, 1/4" chrome in a section of another drawer, and 3/4" chrome/impact share drawer. I don't own any 1/4" or 3/8" impacts. I just don't use them. That's a lot of space in a 34" box. But they make me happy.

 

[BK13]

I'm a tool *****, so I'll get both chrome and impact in the three main sizes, for the simple fact that it will make me smile when I open the socket drawer and see too many sockets perfectly organized.

I don't have any impact 1/4" sockets, but I expect I'll get some when I but an M12 1/4" impact wrench, and I have only come to the impact world within the last year or so, so I 'need' to pick up 3/8" drive MM deep and semi-deep and 1/2" drive metric deep and standard sockets. But I'm not going to stop buying chrome sockets either, I need 6 point semi-deep sockets in 1/4" and 3/8"....

 

[Aqua-Andy]

This topic seems split about down the center. I'm with a lot of posters here as my first tools were chrome and that's why I still have them. As for the chrome being easier to clean, when I worked in the dealership I had an easy solution for this issue. The rack of 3/8" sockets in the link would go into the Cuda parts washer for five or so minutes and they would come out clean as a whistle.

 

[gsingh]

Only chrome tools i have are 1/4 or 1/2 12pt from sears. Everything else is impact. I have special tools or thin walled sockets for certain things.

 

[JKady]

Other than my swivels and 1/2" stuff I don't have any impact sockets, and 99% of the time when I'm working I have an impact tool in my hand. Is it "correct"? No, but it works for me. I break my commonly used ones once or twice every couple years but that's just the cost of doing business and it doesn't cost me anything to warranty them out on the truck. Most pro-techs I know are the same especially with the widespread use of electric impacts that are a little easier on sockets.

 

[T45]

I think this thread should be titled..."do you need 12 sets of sockets"...

and the answer is clearly 'no' you don't...need to pick what works for you

there are lots of applications like moto and aerospace where impact has limited uses

and chromes have better hand feel in high quality executions, with hard alloy and low tolerances...

but clearly in many professional environments almost everythin is implact and you don't need every socket in 6pt and 12pt in metric an sae in every possible combination of impact and chrome...when 90% is with impact in metric sizes (or whatever)

 

[Greg85mcss]

To have a minimal amount of sockets I'd say 1/2 & 3/8 impacts. 1/4 chrome should be fine & may help in tight spaces. Then add 12 points in chrome if needed. I don't do anything that requires 3/4 or larger drive.
That said I have all 3 sizes sae & metric 6 & 12 point chrome, 3/8 metric swivels also. Impacts are 1/2 & 3/8 metric with 1/2 universal adaper & 3/8 universal set. My service cart is all impacts & 1/4 metric chrome. Really cuts down on what I have to drag around all day & gives me room to have more tools readily available. The rest basically make the top drawer of my box look impressive 99.9% of the time but when you need something it's there. It's all about what you're doing with them but working on cars efficiency is key.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[drink]

Years ago I bought a small set of hand sockets off of eBay. When they arrived they were damaged from being misused with an impact wrench. Talk about getting a lousy deal.

 

[TK-421]

I don't have any impact 1/4" sockets, but I expect I'll get some when I but an M12 1/4" impact wrench, and I have only come to the impact world within the last year or so, so I 'need' to pick up 3/8" drive MM deep and semi-deep and 1/2" drive metric deep and standard sockets. But I'm not going to stop buying chrome sockets either, I need 6 point semi-deep sockets in 1/4" and 3/8"....

I don't have any impact sockets.

But I'll be picking up 3/8" impact sockets first, to go with my 3/8" M12 impact wrench, then I'll pick up 1/2" to go with my IR impact wrench once I buy it, then I'll buy an M12 1/4" impact wrench and use it as an excuse to round things out with a set of 1/4" impact sockets. Then, once I've got those in standard and deep, I'll go for the semi-deep.

 

[jt777]

Take a look at Grey Pneumatic duo sockets. Might fill your needs nicely.

I've seen these and am interested. Anyone use the 3/8 ones?

 

[BK13]

I don't have any impact sockets.



But I'll be picking up 3/8" impact sockets first, to go with my 3/8" M12 impact wrench, then I'll pick up 1/2" to go with my IR impact wrench once I buy it, then I'll buy an M12 1/4" impact wrench and use it as an excuse to round things out with a set of 1/4" impact sockets. Then, once I've got those in standard and deep, I'll go for the semi-deep.

I started out with the Sunex 3/8" Master SAE set and the Sunex 3/8 semi deep SAE and have added stuff from there. I mainly work on a Jeep CJ, so metric wasn't that important, but you worry about getting into a situation where you don't have the correct tool, right? (Or duplicates of the right tool, or triplicates of the right tool, or... LOL)

 

[gdocktor3]

I don't have any impact sockets.

But I'll be picking up 3/8" impact sockets first, to go with my 3/8" M12 impact wrench, then I'll pick up 1/2" to go with my IR impact wrench once I buy it, then I'll buy an M12 1/4" impact wrench and use it as an excuse to round things out with a set of 1/4" impact sockets. Then, once I've got those in standard and deep, I'll go for the semi-deep.

Listen you're going to hear a million different reasons as to why you should buy this and that, but for impact sockets, go with Sunex. I have Snap On, Wright, Proto, Craftsman USA, Pittsburgh, Husky, Blackhawk and some others, but the Sunex are the best deal. They are very complete sets, in nice plastic cases, and excellent quality. If I knew then what I know now, I would probably have all Sunex. If I were you, I'd order this 3/8" master set. Its a great deal. https://jet.com/product/detail/77de...Zix6Vu5Yh0ZUxSK8ZDcLbiCVoH9J1-pnaoaAuKO8P8HAQ Might I also recommend buying an 18 volt impact wrench. Battery powered impacts are so advanced these days, you really don't need a 1/2" pneumatic impact all that much. The 18v fuel tools last days on one battery, are super powerful and aren't tied to an air hose. Which means you can work anywhere and even take it on the road or home to do small jobs. Plus, you can buy a combo battery charger for the 18v and 12v. Yes they're expensive, but not much more than IR's comparable air impact. If you do want pneumatic, take a look at Aircat. They are right there with IR and in some cases more powerful, but more than 1/2 the price in most cases. I have an Aircat impact wrench and its an absolute animal. Lot's of youtube videos comparing them. I'd go with m18 1/2" impact wrench and pick up a 3/4" air impact for anything the m18 won't break.

 

[jallyn]

Listen you're going to hear a million different reasons as to why you should buy this and that, but for impact sockets, go with Sunex. I have Snap On, Wright, Proto, Craftsman USA, Pittsburgh, Husky, Blackhawk and some others, but the Sunex are the best deal. They are very complete sets, in nice plastic cases, and excellent quality. If I knew then what I know now, I would probably have all Sunex. If I were you, I'd order this 3/8" master set. Its a great deal. https://jet.com/product/detail/77de...Zix6Vu5Yh0ZUxSK8ZDcLbiCVoH9J1-pnaoaAuKO8P8HAQ Might I also recommend buying an 18 volt impact wrench. Battery powered impacts are so advanced these days, you really don't need a 1/2" pneumatic impact all that much. The 18v fuel tools last days on one battery, are super powerful and aren't tied to an air hose. Which means you can work anywhere and even take it on the road or home to do small jobs. Plus, you can buy a combo battery charger for the 18v and 12v. Yes they're expensive, but not much more than IR's comparable air impact. If you do want pneumatic, take a look at Aircat. They are right there with IR and in some cases more powerful, but more than 1/2 the price in most cases. I have an Aircat impact wrench and its an absolute animal. Lot's of youtube videos comparing them. I'd go with m18 1/2" impact wrench and pick up a 3/4" air impact for anything the m18 won't break.

^^^ This is good advice. I don't have an electric impact yet, just a 1/2" air. But I can see the future holds a small, light-weight, powerful impact tool since it is the most convenient and time-saving way to go. Still seems expensive, but when you look at the compressor, hose, fittings, etc. to make air work well (and are still dragging a hose around your garage), it makes sense. I'll be saving up for a Milwaukee Fuel... might as well get the best.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'll be saving up for a Milwaukee Fuel... might as well get the best.

Tread carefully. Comments like that often come with serious consequences! Milwaukee makes excellent tools. Because I already had 20v Dewalt tools, I went with the new Dewalt 20v DCF899. Its my first cordless impact wrench and man is it amazing. The two brands are probably neck and neck, but the Dewalt does have 1200 ft lbs break away over Milwaukee's 1100 ft lbs. Milwaukee's the best?? Maybe not!!!

They're both awesome tools. Buy what you can afford and what you can share batteries/chargers with.

 

[Philbert]

I love my cordless drill and impact driver, but I'll stop there. In twenty years i'll still have my air tools. But will there still be batteries for my cordless? If I where a pro I'd dive in on the cordless but as a DYI'r I can't justify the expence and long term costs.