impact sockets vs regular sockets

[MechMyk]

I was thinking about this the other day when reaching into my tool box looking for a certain socket. I passed over my ATD impact sockets several times trying to find this chrome socket. Then I realized why not just use an impact socket. So I did and it worked just fine. Then I started thinking why don't people just skip the chromes all together? Aside from being slightly bigger and less pretty I honestly can't figure out why we have chrome sockets. Impacts are much stronger and aren't as slippery when greasy.

 

[bonneyman]

Some people like the look of chrome. Plus, it rusts less. And some people prefer 12 point sockets - impacts only come in 6 point.
On some applications, the thicker wall of an impact would prevent it's use. But, one can use impact sockets both ways, whereas you can't use chrome sockets with impact tools and get away with it for long.

 

[CWP1616L]

Chrome sockets have a smaller outside diameter from being thinner to get you in to tight spaces.

 

[TwoInch]

Chrome sockets have a smaller outside diameter from being thinner to get you in to tight spaces.

he mentioned that in the OP

 

[Nick6]

Some people like the look of chrome. Plus, it rusts less. And some people prefer 12 point sockets - impacts only come in 6 point.
On some applications, the thicker wall of an impact would prevent it's use. But, one can use impact sockets both ways, whereas you can't use chrome sockets with impact tools and get away with it for long.

Impact sockets can be had in 12 point too.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Some people like the look of chrome. Plus, it rusts less. And some people prefer 12 point sockets - impacts only come in 6 point.
On some applications, the thicker wall of an impact would prevent it's use. But, one can use impact sockets both ways, whereas you can't use chrome sockets with impact tools and get away with it for long.

 

[CWP1616L]

Looking at that snap-on socket, I wonder if it was a coincidence that snap-on has their writing upside down to coincide with Hansen trays holding the sockets upside down. With the snap-on socket being upside down in a Hansen tray, you'd be able to see the size on the socket right side up.

 

[ChevyEFI]

That's just Ko-Ken marketing to AU and NZ customers in the southern hemisphere.

 

[andre_saltiva]

Actually impact socket is softer than regular socket.it will come wear off more sooner than regular one.

 

[shoggoth80]

I could be wrong, but the different steel used in making the impact... does that make it more likely to deform vs. shatter outright?

 

[Monkey Milk]

I guess all black tools are for impact Without looking at # it might be industrial finish

 

[Alfajuj]

BTW I've got a Koken 12 point impact. It's a real impact socket. It's not a hand socket with industrial finish.

The steel used and the heat treatment in impact sockets is different to give flexibility toughness so they won't shatter, but they do wear faster. I think they are never chrome because the flexibility of the material under stress would let the chrome flake off.
The impact sockets used in factory applications need to be replaced as often as once a month in some situations.
Using a hand socket on an impact tool may not just shatter the socket or flake the chrome, it can also damage the impact tool's internal parts as well.
But I see no compelling reason why it would be bad to use impact sockets on a hand ratchet. It might be clumsy and not fit in some places, though.
Using chrome sockets on an air ratchet wouldn't do any harm, either.
If you're really going to lean on a fastener and for some reason you can't use an air impact wrench, you need to use a breaker bar or T handle with a cheater bar (shh...don't tell anybody) it would be much better to use an impact socket in that case.

 

[rodm1]

I do (1/2 drive) and I can't think of any time I needed chrome. With a 3/8 drive you probably would run into clearance problems.

I have so many sockets if I had to start over I would like to try impact for SAE and Chrome for Metric just to keep them organized better.

 

[fnieto]

As stated, impact sockets are softer therefor not recommended for critical torquing (head bolts etc).
And chrome quality sockets would crack over time when used with impact.
So you still need both types if you consider yourself a pro.(please, no offense)

 

[wafrederick]

I have a set of Matco shallow 12 point metric impact sockets,including a 9/16 and 1/2 which I do use.I use the 9/16 on 1994 to 2001 Dodge Ram 4x4 wheelbearing retaining bolts.Will go through anvils too if using chrome sockets and attachments a lot.Does damage to the impact also.

 

[Polski-Chevy]

Here is a link to a member review of duo sockets...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78682

I ended up getting a complete set of 3/8 drive, pretty nice set, also offered in both 6 and 12 points.

 

[jsaw]

Other than 1/4" drive and a few oddball sockets, all I own are impact sockets.

 

[Zeroek]

I remember seeing Gray Pneumatic selling 12 point impact sockets. I try to have both in my box. The guy that works next to me uses all impact sockets and barely owns anything chrome besides I think his 1/4" stuff which is fine as long as it works for you but when you like tools so much you just can't go wrong with having it all.

 

[monkeyspanners]

I keep a Sealey set of impact 3/8+1/2 sockets on the truck, the only chromes i have are a few odd sizes i needed plus an 1/2 one due o the impact sockets having too thinck a wall to undo Copeland compressor valve bolts.

Sealey set is similar to the,

http://www.ldemporium.co.uk/35-piec...medium=product_search&utm_source=googlesimple

 

[firebox40dash5]

I guess all black tools are for impact Without looking at # it might be industrial finish

I can assure you that you can buy 12 point impact sockets, regardless of whether the ones pictured above are impact or just industrial finish.

I use my impact sockets most of the time, on both impacts and ratchets. My 3/8" chromes all look nearly new, and the only time I've used a 1/2" was to chop it down for an Ecotec oil filter sockets. Can't say it's ever posed a problem besides clearance... in addition to being thicker they're usually deeper in a given length than a chrome from the same brand. Hell, all my random 12 points for doing unit bearings and head bolts are impacts too- they stand up to a few hundred ft/lb on an impact, never had a problem torquing by hand with them.

 

[01ps]

Grey tools makes sockets that are supposed to do both with slightly thinner walls but capable of using with an impact. I thought about them for 3/8 drive just to save space but didn't pull the trigger. I think they are duo sockets?

 

[MLB0611]

My mainly used drive size is 3/8th and 99% of the time I use impact sockets, I have chrome and they sit in my box, I cannot remember the last time I had to use a chrome socket because my impacts would not fit, my impacts are snappy or matco, shallow, semi-deep and deep.
1/2 is the same the last time I used a chrome socket was because I did not have a impact that size 30mm 12 point.
1/4 is the only size I only have chrome only, My advise to any tech coming into this biz is if you are buying HF/craftsman etc, buy both because the impacts are way thicker, but if buying snappy, just buy impacts, they are cheaper than chrome snappy's and much more useful.
As for not using them with a torque wrench, I call BS, no were have I read not to use impact sockets with a torque wrench, extensions and adapters yes but never impact sockets

 

[bonneyman]

Guess I was wrong about 12 point impacts.
I've never seen one in the flesh, and, when I asked once if companies made impacts in 12 point, the two mechanics looked at me like I was an idiot and said the points are too small on 12 points to take the abuse of impact use.

 

[wafrederick]

Mac,Matco,Snap On,Cornwell all make 12 point impact sockets including SK.

 

[exophyusical]

Some people like the look of chrome. Plus, it rusts less. And some people prefer 12 point sockets - impacts only come in 6 point.
On some applications, the thicker wall of an impact would prevent it's use. But, one can use impact sockets both ways, whereas you can't use chrome sockets with impact tools and get away with it for long.

Pretty sure this is false, my local bumper to bumper has a set of 12pt Sunex impact sockets, not sure what you'd want them for though.

I turned a few of my impact sockets down on a lathe, these get used regularly and show no signs of breaking. Not sure that impact sockets need to be quite as beefy as many of them are.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I can assure you that you can buy 12 point impact sockets, regardless of whether the ones pictured above are impact or just industrial finish.

I figured someone might do the due diligence of reviewing the image address and seeing the PN, which is enough assurance in any case.


http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/images/IMDM270.jpg

Snap On IMDM270 27mm Shallow 12 Point Impact Socket


http://www.toolpan.com/assets/images/kok14305-30-Large.jpg

Koken 14305M-30 - 1/2" Drive Deep Impact Socket - 12-Point - 30 mm

 

[4x4gearhead]

I myself actually had no chrome 1/2" sockets for a number of years, and for the most part I was fine, but every so often I would need the thinner wall to get in somewhere. Other than this reason I cant think of why you couldnt. (I know the thinner wall was mentioned but just wanted to share my experience.)