Is that socket moving? Follow the line...

[Knotgoalie]

This may be an old idea guys but a new one in my head. There are those times when using an impact wrench that it is hard to determine if the black impact sockets are actually moving like when removing a really tough bolt in low light or using a little finesse when installing a fastener so as not to cause damage.

Armed with a small set of impact sockets, and a white paint pen, I drew a straight line on each one every 90deg.



No problem now to determine visually just when that fastener is about to break loose or snug up...follow the white line! I have never seen sockets marked as such by either manufacturer or user but the trick works for me! I do believe I will heretofore name them "Zebra" sockets

 

[ybnormal70]

Seems like an excellent idea to me!

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[jsaw]

Thats an Idea. It also makes the socket more visible if you drop it, and makes it easier to identify it as yours. You could also use different colors for identification.
Usually, I watch the hole for the detent, Some of My sockets have the detent hole on 2 opposite sides

 

[Knotgoalie]

Thats an Idea. It also makes the socket more visible if you drop it, and makes it easier to identify it as yours.

I thought about both of those things after the fact...no mistaking them being my sockets!

 

[Richard Cranium]

another great ideal from the minds of Garage Journal

 

[ddawg16]

Eloquent simplicity......love it

About the only improvement I could suggest....sandblast the line. Make a template with a narrow notch.....use a fine medium blasting material....make line.

If you want to be really fancy....add your name or some ID # to the template just in case someone steals them

 

[toolenthusiast]

I use a paint pen to write the sizes on impact sockets. This will also let you see when they're turning.

 

[Lassen Forge]

The more I think about this, the more I like it. It's one of those "Damn, why didn't I ever think of this?" things... in fact, it's fodder for the "thread of awesome" file...

Hope you don't mind but I'm gonna steal your idea.

 

[MBfreak]

Is this what people call " White Line Fever?"

Ola

 

[SRSemenza]

Great idea! Did you just free hand the lines? Nice neat job.

Seth

 

[Knotgoalie]

Great idea! Did you just free hand the lines? Nice neat job.

Seth

Nah, no freehand! I cradled the sockets on the jaws of a dp vise and used a wooden coffee stir stick as a guide...paint, rotate 90deg, repeat.

 

[Knotgoalie]

The more I think about this, the more I like it. It's one of those "Damn, why didn't I ever think of this?" things... in fact, it's fodder for the "thread of awesome" file...

Hope you don't mind but I'm gonna steal your idea.

You didn't think of it for the same reason I didn't think of things you came up with...you ain't me and vice versa!

Steal away...pics or it never happened

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I use a paint pen to write the sizes on impact sockets. This will also let you see when they're turning.

I got a full set of Snappy 1/2" impact universals from Jeepinz, and they have the sizes written huge on them in yellow paint marker. At first I was thinking I did not like it but after using them I love it and have continued to do that on other impact sockets.

 

[Knotgoalie]

C'mon then...show me your "Zebra" sockets! Like I said, pics or it didn't happen.