Looking for Socket sets, chrome or industrial?

[Automotive Man]

Hello All

In class this week we are asked to take apart lug nuts on a pick up truck and replace it with 4 new tires. My question is should I be using chrome or industrial sockets for this project? My instructor said we could use whatever we think would work better and I am not sure if he is tricking us or not or if I am just a newbie and clueless. Any and all suggestions would help

 

[franzdom]

Not sure if you know this but Industrial are not impact, they are just like chrome without the chrome, for uses where if chrome chips off it would be possibly a problem or to save cost. Most here generally remove with impact wrench and impact socket, then install very lightly with same, switch to chrome and torque to spec.

 

[Wakefield]

Are chromed finish sockets more resistant to rust than the industrial black ones?
Otherwise most impact sockets are black industrial finish but there are some black industrial finish ones that are just hand sockets. I think many who work on wheels like to use impact sockets whether with an air gun or with hand tools like the breaker bar or the torque wrench. Except for some custom "mag" wheels with narrow holes where only special thin wall impact sockets will fit or hand sockets which almost always have thinner walls than impact sockets.

Some people are tempted to use hand sockets on air tools. I'm sure that is a no no in class. More chance of the socket exploding. I guess in class they harp on using eye protection goggles or glasses in case something lets go.

 

[franzdom]

Chrome is more resistant to rust than the industrial ones and the impacts. The thing you don't want to do is remove the lug nuts with a torque wrench, especially if you are being graded!

 

[Adam.C]

Is it possible the instructor doesn't know the difference between industrial finish and impact? Otherwise, I would regard that as a trick question.

The best method is impact gun and shallow impact socket to remove, gun, socket and torq stik to reinstall (with anti seize or grease applied to threads and mating face of wheel and lug) followed by chrome socket and torque wrench.

For many years, I used chrome and a breaker, followed by chrome and a speeder, often with 6pt chrome on the breaker and 12 pt on the speeder. Even after I got an impact gun, I did this because it was faster (for one or two wheels) than filling the tank, getting the gun and hose...now with cordless impact it's a no brainer. God I love that thing.

 

[Wakefield]

Sort of a question I might be afraid to ask for looking dumb
My impact sockets have a hole that I line up with the retainer ball in my ratchet or breaker bars-the impact socket is then harder to pull off than most of the hand sockets that don't have the hole,only a shallow detant or divot inside the square drive hole to catch the retainer ball. Some people have trouble pulling off the impact socket. Is it a no no to put the socket on without the hole lining up with the detant ball to make it easy to get off? (Might fly off unexpectedly)I don't have much trouble getting the socket off with my monkey grip hand. Unless covered in oil. 3/4" drive stuff the impact socket is even harder to pull off but it still comes off when I want it to--the retainer ball spring is probably stronger in the 3/4" drive stuff

 

[franzdom]

I think the main reason for the hole is for use when you have a pin retention. You can align the hole with or without the ball retainer, yes beware it may fly off easier if you don't line them up...
Pin retention is a pain but it definitely doesn't come off. My first impact gun had pin and you have to push the pin in to release the socket. I usually used the pin anyway because it's not fun having the socket come off so easily. I like lining the ball up with the hole.

 

[Wakefield]

Just noticed that most of my hand sockets in 3/4" drive have those holes
3/4" impacts have two holes across two sides-I guess for a hog ring retainer

 

[Automotive Man]

thank you everyone for the answers and I believe it is a trick question.