impact vs chrome sockets

[offroadford4x4]

I've been thinking, why bother buying sets of both? Why not just buy all impact sockets? I understand one shouldn't use chrome sockets for impact tools but I don't see any reason to why you couldn't use impact sockets in a non impact scenario.

any thoughts or ideas?

i guess once in a while an impact may be too thick to fit, but it is very rare that I encounter that.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Too thick to fit.....

and that's it.

 

[devoncoolman]

Chrome sockets are thinner generally.

 

[offroadford4x4]

I figured that was about it. I need to get a set of Metric sockets for work. I have a 1/2" S/O chrome SAE socket set I got second hand, but no metric. I was just thinking why buy 2 sets of socket (chrome and impact) when I can just buy the impacts and that is all I should ever need. The equipment I work on is never like a car where where socket thickness becomes an issue.

 

[JJThrasher]

As an auto tech I use impacts most of the time. I have a set of chromes on hand for clearance, but they don't get lots of use.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jd_1138]

I figured that was about it. I need to get a set of Metric sockets for work. I have a 1/2" S/O chrome SAE socket set I got second hand, but no metric. I was just thinking why buy 2 sets of socket (chrome and impact) when I can just buy the impacts and that is all I should ever need. The equipment I work on is never like a car where where socket thickness becomes an issue.

Then you can probably get by with impacts, but it might be best to also have some chrome sockets - just in case you run into a clearance issue.

 

[Murphy4570]

Impact sockets are generally colored black ore blued. Hard to see. Chrome sockets are easy to see. Helps with preventing tool loss.

 

[CWP1616L]

Chrome sockets are pretty and petite like Gwen Stefani.

 

[volvo92906]

All of my 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 sockets are impact. 1/4 are chrome.

I did it because it was cheaper to buy the impact sets and be able to use them in both scenarios than to buy chrome and not be able to use an impact. Eventually I will get chrome sockets but for the most part what I work on allows plenty of clearance and I generally dont have issues.

The Snap-On guy keeps pushing deep and shallow chrome socket sets.. I cant justify spending the money when I already have perfectly good impact sockets. Maybe one day I will just settle and get Crapsman sets. Cheap but still reliable when needed.

 

[Kent_B]

Most of my 1/2" stuff is impact sockets. I only use a few chrome sockets for tight clearance spaces as noted in other posts.

 

[monster1]

Chrome sockets are pretty and petite like Gwen Stefani.

Impact sockets are ugly and thick like Rosie O'Donnell.

 

[bglad]

Ditto

 

[Nanashi]

I have impact sockets for my 3/8" sets and 1/2" sets. I do have some super shallow 12 point 3/8" sockets as well. My 1/4" sets are all chrome.

The only time I need a chrome socket because my impact won't fit is when I'm removing aftermarket rims but I found my 3/8" impact with a half inch adapter solves that problem.

 

[racerboy944]

Impact sockets are softer then chrome sockets so you could be more likely to damage them with hand ratchets or breaker bars but I would think that to be unlikely.

 

[cole_CT]

Impact sockets are ugly and thick like Rosie O'Donnell.

 

[signcrafter]

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not a metallurgist or engineer but I thought that impact sockets were made to a different hardness then chrome sockets. They do this so that you can impact on an impact socket and not really damage it. And so you can apply a lot of potential energy to a chrome socket say with a 24" breaker bar and it won't shatter or strip. I thought I read on here about a guy changing a tire with a 24" breaker bar and an impact socket and the socket shattered and some commented about this. I can't find that thread right now but I remember something to that extent.

 

[Elvenhome21]

Ive almost always used chrome sockets on my impact. Ive only had 2 sockets that had an issue, I cant remember what happened, if they cracked or what but I just took them back to sears for a replacement. Most things I do, I need the clearance. But biggest thing with using an impact is using the correct drive size for the application.

 

[JJThrasher]

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not a metallurgist or engineer but I thought that impact sockets were made to a different hardness then chrome sockets. They do this so that you can impact on an impact socket and not really damage it. And so you can apply a lot of potential energy to a chrome socket say with a 24" breaker bar and it won't shatter or strip. I thought I read on here about a guy changing a tire with a 24" breaker bar and an impact socket and the socket shattered and some commented about this. I can't find that thread right now but I remember something to that extent.

I was always told the chrome ones were more brittle and couldn't take the impacts. No idea how true that is though.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Farmall450]

Chrome sockets are pretty and petite like Gwen Stefani.

Boom!

Why one would invest in full sets of 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 in 6 & 12 point shallow & deep

 

[Farmall450]

I was always told the chrome ones were more brittle and couldn't take the impacts. No idea how true that is though.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I just see the softer drive side get beat to hell.

 

[TwoInch]

Chrome sockets are pretty and petite like Gwen Stefani.

gwen stefani is not petite.

unless your definition of petite differs from the rest of the world.

shes actually taller than average women.

 

[94blu1500]

Iirc impact sockets are softer than chrome sockets so that they don't shatter with impact use.

 

[devoncoolman]

Most quality impact sockets are soft so the dont shatter. Ive seen cheap sunnex impact sockets shatter. Hit a fellow mechanic just below the eye. Lucky son of a b.

 

[Deadhead]

Can anyone tell me the difference in fitment of the two styles. My impacts fit my impact gun like a glove and are easily removed. I made a terrible mistake and put a chrome socket on my impact and had to pry it off with a screwdriver. Popped the bullnose ring off the end in the process. Seen it happen to someone else also. What's the difference?

 

[SkyMaster]

gwen stefani is not petite.

unless your definition of petite differs from the rest of the world.

shes actually taller than average women.

While it is totally true that petite is the female word for short. It it also the female word for small. I understood that CWP1616L meant that gwen stefani was svelte.


And for the chrome sockets... they are thinner and look better than the fat impact sockets.

 

[Conductor562]

Chrome sockets that are pushed to far tend to crack or break.

Impacts that are pushed to far tend to warp.

You will bust a chrome socket on an impact faster than you will warp an impact on a ratchet.

Impacts will rust much faster than chrome sockets.

I only stock chrome sockets up to 27mm. Anything bigger than that gets the impacts.

This concludes my contribution. Carry on.

 

[Frosthy]

Impact sockets when working with hand tools, don't see a problem other than they'r ugly, heavy, and don't stand out like chrome.

Chrome sockets on an impact? I had a HF impact swivel come apart today. My impact (2115TiMax) is has a rated free-speed of leik 15,000 RPM. The socket and swivel ended up on the floor, the other end of the swivel stayed on my gun, and the pin just disappeared. Now if someone was in the way or if it was a socket that shattered, things would have HURT.

 

[SC-AW11]

what about chrome vs impact extensions?

 

[rusty65]

Impact extensions bend more easily on hand tools so I would stick to chrome extensions on hand tools especially for breaker bars.


Sent From Snap On Head Quarters deep in China.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

what about chrome vs impact extensions?

They will shatter. If anything get Impact extensions and pass on the chrome.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Can anyone tell me the difference in fitment of the two styles. My impacts fit my impact gun like a glove and are easily removed. I made a terrible mistake and put a chrome socket on my impact and had to pry it off with a screwdriver. Popped the bullnose ring off the end in the process. Seen it happen to someone else also. What's the difference?

Look inside the female end of the socket. Each is made differently, but an impact socket can be taken off with ease on non impact extension or ratchet.

There are a few mechanics that I know is that the only 1/2 sockets they have are impact. If they need clearance then they throw on a reducing adapter.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i dont have many chrome sockets at all; flex/universal sockets, specialty sockets and thats it
i have some very thin walled grey pneumatic duos they are going on 3 years of daily service with no issues
the thing that bugs me is when you use a chrome socket or extension(we've all been there) and it jams on the hog ring something fierce



or you drop an impact socket you though you had set on the detent but you didnt

 

[zkling]

How many times are we going to have this discussion?

Chrome sockets and extensions are harder, thinner and more brittle, designed for constant torque

Impact sockets and extensions are tougher and more ductile. They act as a stiff spring and can tolerate constant hammering without cracking. If you don't know what mechanical toughness is....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toughness

The property that makes the chrome sockets thinner is the opposite for why impact sockets have to be thicker for a given size. It is a tradeoff in material properties.

Using impact sockets on hand drive tools (ratchets, breakers, etc). No real harm is going to be done. Just not the most efficient way to do things, heavy and has been mentioned limited access.

Using chrome sockets on impact tools is just bad all around. It can damage the socket, the impact tool itself and the fastener being removed, not to mention the operator and bystanders. Having said that I know I am guilty of using chrome sockets on an impact. One specific application is for outboard flywheels, where limited clearance is present around the nut and the impact action is needed to brake loose the nut without spinning the engine over. Then again my impact is pretty anemic, so the limited times I have done this my sockets have survived.

I figured that was about it. I need to get a set of Metric sockets for work. I have a 1/2" S/O chrome SAE socket set I got second hand, but no metric. I was just thinking why buy 2 sets of socket (chrome and impact) when I can just buy the impacts and that is all I should ever need. The equipment I work on is never like a car where where socket thickness becomes an issue.

In your case I would probably start with a set of impacts then add chrome as needed. Unless you use a breaker bar a lot, which could damage impact sockets, but not likely unless you really put some force into the breaker bar. Then again you could always reach for the impact wrench if you are using the 1/2" sockets on a stubborn fastener.

 

[amlv20]

1/4 I have in chrome with one socket in impact because that's the only one he had and I needed it.3/8 I have deep, extra deep,and shallow in impact and semi deep in chrome.deep and shallow swivels in impact.1/2 in impact and shallow sae in chrome.

 

[offroadford4x4]

Chrome sockets are pretty and petite like Gwen Stefani.

Impact sockets are ugly and thick like Rosie O'Donnell.

Thanks for all the input everyone

In your case I would probably start with a set of impacts then add chrome as needed. Unless you use a breaker bar a lot, which could damage impact sockets, but not likely unless you really put some force into the breaker bar. Then again you could always reach for the impact wrench if you are using the 1/2" sockets on a stubborn fastener.

I have only used a breaker bar once in the last year and half at this job. And that was before I bought my MG725 which I mostly use on the large and stubborn hardware. 75% of the time I use my Cman Nextec impact driver with a Dewalt 3/8 impact bit, 20% of the time I grab my IM31. So my MG725 is only used 5% of the time but it's worked hard when it's used. So I think I will just go with an impact set. I have a sporadic set of Cman chrome metric with some missing in shallow, and I have a full set of HF deep metric impacts. Just need shallow metric sockets now. In SAE size in shallow and deep are all S/O chromes, and yes I'm guilty of using them on my impact. But I trust them more than I do Cman. I would never use a Cman chrome socket on an impact.


And thanks for bringing up about the extensions also, Hadn't thought of those. All my 1/2 drive extensions are impact, the 3/8s are chrome. I don't have any 1/4 drive at work. I do however want to get a set of 3/8 impact extensions. I'm always leary of using my chrome extensions on my IM31.

 

[wafrederick]

Break a chrome socket with an impact,the warranty is void called misuse most of the time.I have a set of GP 1/4 impact sockets,I don't use my chrome 1/4 sockets on my IR 1/4 impact and 1/4 air ratchet from Harbor Freight.

 

[offroadford4x4]

Ya, I know that voids the warranty. My snappy dealer said he would warranty sockets no questions asked, but if you tell him you used it on an impact he would have to turn you away. kind of a don't ask don't tell policy.

All my 3/8s are Mac, and I use them on my 3/8s impacts also. Again, i never used my Cman 3/8s on impacts, never trusted em enuff. If one of those break, I'll just have to buy a replacement from ebay. No mac dealers around.

 

[Farmall450]

Ya, I know that voids the warranty. My snappy dealer said he would warranty sockets no questions asked, but if you tell him you used it on an impact he would have to turn you away. kind of a don't ask don't tell policy.

All my 3/8s are Mac, and I use them on my 3/8s impacts also. Again, i never used my Cman 3/8s on impacts, never trusted em enuff. If one of those break, I'll just have to buy a replacement from ebay. No mac dealers around.

I wouldn't beat on my nice sockets, especially if they were my living!

Get some HF impacts or Cman Evolv & you'll be good to go.

 

[03protege]

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not a metallurgist or engineer but I thought that impact sockets were made to a different hardness then chrome sockets. They do this so that you can impact on an impact socket and not really damage it. And so you can apply a lot of potential energy to a chrome socket say with a 24" breaker bar and it won't shatter or strip. I thought I read on here about a guy changing a tire with a 24" breaker bar and an impact socket and the socket shattered and some commented about this. I can't find that thread right now but I remember something to that extent.

An impact socket is softer so that in the event of failure (while using on an impact) it won't shatter, which would be a major safety hazard, it will just deform.