Impact vs Chrome Extensions

[_brian_]

In a prior post, I briefly mentioned I heard that there is no reason to buy chrome extensions as the impact ones are better than chrome on a hand ratchet, in addition to being ok for impact use. I ran into this statement again and wanted to post this on its own to hopefully gain some further insight to this.

If I interpret the statement correctly, the impact extension will “twist less” than a chrome extension when used on a hand ratchet. I interpret this as during higher torque use, the chrome extensions has more flex in the direction of the turn than the impact variety. I have not yet experimented on this as my impact extensions are limited and I wanted to post before I forgot the context again as last time I mentioned it.

Does anyone have further insight into this statement/claim? After my post on impact vs chrome sockets, I believe I have a solid understanding on the differences aside from the obvious face value ones. I can see the pros and cons and the why one over the other on both hand and impact uses. In this case, should this statement/claim have merit, I do ask then, what is the purpose of chrome extensions? I mean, I the obvious….. it is chrome vs black oxide (or similar), it is easier to see, you can polish up and make it shine, it will match chrome sockets, etc…. I use my tools and do not give much consideration onto what they look like or the brand on them. So please consider that as perspective on my query.

Backstory… this came to mind again as I am wanting to purchase 1/2 drive wobble chrome extensions and wobble 3/8 and 1/2 impact extensions. As I review my options, I got to questioning if I get the impact wobbles, do I really need the chrome? My answer is split. I have determined in 3/8 size, yes, but in 1/2 I am unsure. My reasoning for yes on 3/8 drive is for the knurling on the extensions, whereas with 1/2 drive this is no concern to me. So this leaves the 1/2 drive selection open to a real difference in functionality, all other considerations removed.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

The only reason an impact extension would twist less is if it has a larger shaft diameter, which is often not the case believe it or not.
The young's modulus on a harder hardened material doesnt change vs a softer hardened material. So they would twist the same.

That said in most cases the extension twisting is not a factor needed to consider unless you're doing something lab level scientific and can't have that.
The softer(ish) impact extension is simply that way to not chip or crack from hammer blows. They both will work the same on hand tools.

 

[_brian_]

The only reason an impact extension would twist less is if its larger shaft diameter, which is often not the case believe it or not.
The young's modulus on a harder hardened material doesnt change vs a softer hardened material. So they would twist the same.

That said in most cases the extension twisting is not a factor needed to consider unless you're doing something lab level scientific and can't have that.
The softer(ish) impact extension is simply that way to not chip or crack from hammer blows. They both will work the same on hand tools.

Interesting, thanks. The information I reference states the difference can be experienced with feel on hand ratchets, but again, I have not tested this out myself.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

You can definitely feel it on longer 3/8" extensions, but an impact extension wont be any better in many cases unless you can find a chunky boy

 

[_brian_]

You can definitely feel it on longer 3/8" extensions, but an impact extension wont be any better in many cases unless you can find a chunky boy

Ahh, ok. That makes sense then, as it makes both your statement and their statement correct. However, the missing aspect is it really makes no difference for a 150 pound guy like myself. I do not have many extensions over 15 inch except for 1/4 drive where I get to 24 inch, but in 1/4 drive I am not using that much torque, it is just reach.

 

[ecotec]

I have mostly what I found cheap and in good shape at garage/estate sales.

I paid retail for the Grey Pneumatic and the Husky.

 

[ecotec]

Since “fat boys” were brought up… I always called them the HD version… here are two different Wright extensions, one normal one HD… and they both, somehow, have the same part number.

 

[larry_g]

If you really want to go down this rabbit hole, read this thread https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/for-the-engineers-in-the-crowd.293799/#post-4916031

and then follow the links I provided there...

lg
no neat sig line

 

[_brian_]

I have mostly what I found cheap and in good shape at garage/estate sales.

I paid retail for the Grey Pneumatic and the Husky.

Keeping on point, do you experience a difference between the impact and chrome extensions while using them on a hand ratchet? If so, could you explain in as much detail as you can or are willing to? If not, well, no will suffice.

 

[_brian_]

If you really want to go down this rabbit hole, read this thread https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/for-the-engineers-in-the-crowd.293799/#post-4916031

and then follow the links I provided there...

lg
no neat sig line

I want to, I really do. However, I want the data to be age appropriate to the comparables. I will check out this link.

 

[ecotec]

Keeping on point, do you experience a difference between the impact and chrome extensions while using them on a hand ratchet? If so, could you explain in as much detail as you can or are willing to? If not, well, no will suffice.

On a hand ratchet, I cannot feel any difference at all.

 

[_brian_]

If you really want to go down this rabbit hole, read this thread https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/for-the-engineers-in-the-crowd.293799/#post-4916031

and then follow the links I provided there...

lg
no neat sig line

Ahhh, ok. You are sort of repeating the comments of Chris here. You may experience the idea that things are different, but the true result is not so much different.

Question... "The long extension may wind up a bit and give you lost motion but it will not add or absorb torque applied. make sense?" --> Ok, yes makes sense. However, does the said "wind up" increase the chance of breakage or wear to the extension? As in if you bend metal enough it breaks. i equate probably incorrectly winding and twisting with bending.

EDIT: So Question 2: Do I want both? It is seeming that part of what I heard is correct, just use impact and skip chrome.

 

[F-22]

Nicer chrome extensions can have nice knurling for spinning with the hand. The chorme ones can be lighter. The impact ones are generally all quite beefy...
Also I assume softer material is used for the impact extensions so it eventually results in looser tolerances, while a chrome extension will be more durable if not used with an impact tool. This is probably even more true for the "wobble-drive" styles where the tolerance is even more important.

 

[_brian_]

Nicer chrome extensions can have nice knurling for spinning with the hand. The chorme ones can be lighter. The impact ones are generally all quite beefy...
Also I assume softer material is used for the impact extensions so it eventually results in looser tolerances, while a chrome extension will be more durable if not used with an impact tool. This is probably even more true for the "wobble-drive" styles where the tolerance is even more important.

The knurling is something I wish I had on my extensions. Most all of mine are smooth finish, but I cannot justify replacing all of them just for the knurling. But I try to get any new ones with knurling. On my older ones, I usually use a spinner attachment, the Blue-Point FSD1 is always on top of my roll cart.

Your comment makes sense on tolerance, I am a bit hesitant on the wobble impact extensions, and warranty is more important in my decision on those. Obviously they need to be used with less torque and more caution than their non wobble alternatives, but they for sure have a weak point that is a part of the design.

I have not noticed much on the impact extensions being larger in size vs the chromes, but my impact extension collection is quite limited. I have maybe 8-10 impact extensions vs more chrome than I want to even count. I am not new to impact (air) tools, but I have always favored using hand tools for most things aside from wheel removals and tough suspension under car fasteners. In my query I added why this thought came into mind again, and part of that is I have a new 3/8 impact gun, I already had a reaction-less 3/8 ratchet which is sort of impacting. As I am not a professional I am not in the fight on flat rate and book time for things, but as I am getting older, I am sort of wanting to save some wear and tear on the body as well as save time.

 

[dnschmidt]

The only point of an impact extension is to prevent wallowing out the drive end attached to an impact. Other than that there is no difference between impact and chrome. This is true of sockets so why wouldn't it be true of extensions?

 

[KnurledNut]

Worth noting that power and impact extensions often don’t have the scallops in the drive end for ball retention, since they typically rely on ring or pin retention. Which leaves you lining up a single socket pin hole with the anvil ball. This usually ends up making for a somewhat sloppy connection. Not a huge deal for most, but in a critical setting it could matter.

The tool trucks, even HF offer beefy 1/2 female to 3/8 male extensions (adaptors) in various lengths short and long for a little extra grunt.

 

[finn]

I bought some inexpensive house brand impact extensions from TSC that wouldn’t fit in my sockets. Had to return them. Don’t know if it was a batch quality problem, or what.

Other than that, my wobble extensions are SnapOn black oxide coated. Excellent fit and quality, as expected. Most others are chrome of various manufacturers, with the main advantage to the chrome being that they’re easy to clean.

Not a big fan of knurling, though. Don’t really see the advantage.

Stay away from cheap extensions, though, both chrome and oxide coated. They just don’t fit well, and they’re the only ones that don’t get lost or misplaced. The chrome also tends to chip, which is a safety hazard.

 

[_brian_]

Not a big fan of knurling, though. Don’t really see the advantage.

I like the knurling as it helps when starting or going as far by hand as you can. Provides extra grip vs a smooth finish only. With 1/4 drive, I have a spinner handle with a 1/4 female on the handle end, so I can use it like a screw driver then use a ratchet on the end to finish. They have these for 3/8 drive as well, but they take up a lot of room to use and most times when I am using 3/8 drive, I just dont have that much extra space. For 3/8 drive, I use a Blue Point spinner adapter, which is fairly small in size, but it is an extra tool to get in the mix, so having this on the extension eliminates that.