Snap On power bits on impact gun

[pugglewuggle]

Snap On power bits on impact gun... Is this okay? I know you're not supposed to use chrome on an impact but the power bits (no, not just industrial black finish - the actual power bits such as PFA12E) are sold clearly separate from industrial finish regular bit drivers. But what gets me is - they specifically say "WARNING NONIMPACT" on them, but I'm pretty confused... first off, they're called power bits. Second, they look just like impact sockets and the drive end is machined exactly like Snap On impact sockets. Thoughts? Is this warning just for liability for them even though they're supposed to be used on impacts or what?

 

[Skin]

Not in your example. The bits are hardened tool steel and will shatter in time. They're in impact sockets as they're meant for things similar to assembly line drive tools that run in hundreds or thousands of fasteners and a chrome socket base would be beat up in short order. True impact bit sockets are 1 piece and are generally stubby. See Astro/Sunex if that's what you want.

 

[msbytes]

Your example looks like the same as chrome version without the chrome finish on it. I've always used chrome bits with an impact, no issues besides breaking bits. Never seen any socket wear from impact use. Like Skin said, it's probably best to use the 1 piece Astro/Sunex since they specifically say for impact use.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Cripe sells impact hex bit sockets for around $12 for a set of Armstrong.
Impact rated.

 

[Wrench97]

Power bits are for non-impact power use like a drill.

 

[bob_the_builder]

Does snap on sell any hex impact sockets?

Sent from my STV100-3 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[plinker]

Does snap on sell any hex impact sockets?

Sent from my STV100-3 using The Garage Journal mobile app

The Armstrong and various Sunex rebrands are the only impact rated I've found, both work pretty well. Impact rated torx sockets is a slightly different story, anything smaller then a T40 dont last too long IME, quite a bit softer then the regular two piece chrome jobs. The Vim 1pc socket I have in 1/4dr are very good also. Probably the better ones to get actually.

Most people I know use Snap-on (or other) hex & torx bit sockets on their impacts with really no issues other then an ugly socket. I try not to since it wears on the anvil, but it does happen once in a while.

 

[MetricTech]

Any snap on bit can be used with an impact, the bits are all impact rated but the bit sockets are not. I have the master bit set and use them everyday, you can either get a 1/4” hex impact driver or you can get an impact rated bit holder socket for 1/4” or 3/8” square drive from Matco, Apex, Proto, etc. I’ve used plenty of snap on bit sockets on impacts but I don’t need to anymore since I have all the right stuff. I also use the Matco and apex 1/2” drive impact bit holding sockets for 7/16” hex bits. That’s for the larger bits like T60 or 14,17,19mm hex.

 

[MetricTech]

The one piece design impact bit socket is actually a weaker design according to testing but I have plenty of them from different brands like power torque stybbys (O’riellys house brand), stahlwille, hazet, and vim. Unless you buy some kind of special bit that is tungsten carbide or a variation of that then basically all bits are impact rated S2 steel. The same stuff most punch and chisel sets are made of. If you use the snap on impact magnetic bit holder with a snap ring for a 1/4” hex impact driver you will love it. The magnet is strong enough that it will hold most fasteners and makes quick work of assembly/disassembly because it helps from dropping fasteners.

 

[CobraRed]

The one piece design impact bit socket is actually a weaker design according to testing

Not according to Solidworks... and physics

Unless you buy some kind of special bit that is tungsten carbide or a variation

Terrible idea

basically all bits are impact rated S2 steel.

Nope

The same stuff most punch and chisel sets are made of.

Again, nope

Source - Materials Engineer

 

[Skin]

Yea, I didn't want to get into it myself but 1 piece is stronger and no Snap-on does not sell true impact bit sockets. What they sell are both too long and have too much reverberation. I've blown up a couple cordless gearboxes from the impacts going back into the tool.

Hard materials and impacts don't mix. Tungsten shatters like glass if shocked.

The Sunex purpose made sets are actually really decent and very affordable.

 

[MetricTech]

One piece impact bit sockets are not ever going to be made with softer steels like a regular snap on 6 point impact socket is. All of the one piece designs that skin recommends are chrome molybdenum which is a hard tool steel. They work but they will snap and fracture just like any other bit. A soft bit would be useless and would just round out fasteners. A two piece impact bit socket (like the Armstrong or Proto ones) is strong because it uses the softer steel holder socket to give and wear but still uses a hardened bit. The Taiwan made brands that skin recommends use that same cr-mo steel on their regular impact sockets but it’s not soft like the cr-va alloys most American manufactures use. So I’d say if your worried about wear on your anvil you wouldn’t want to use the Taiwan stuff

 

[MetricTech]

I was saying not to use any kind of tungsten carbide bit or any variation of them. Im sorry you guys are having trouble understanding what I was trying to say. Lol I didn’t realize my statement would be picked apart and taken out of context, thanks. I also didn’t realize that all of my punches and chisels and bits made from S2 steel are not designed to be hit with a hammer or used in an impact driver, Are you serious cobra red [emoji23].
The bottom line is with an impact your going to break bits and wear is going to occur. You have to use common sense and get a feel for the limits of your tools. Torsion bits help with breakage because of their ability to twist slightly and absorb the force. Bits are a lot easier and cheaper to replace then a whole socket even if you have to drive the old bit out and press a new one in, an option you don’t have on the one piece design. Tell me I’m wrong, obscure everything I said, tell you job title, whatever I’m done I was just trying to help

 

[ex-x-fire]

Snap On also has sockets called power sockets, the say "not for impacts" and sometimes have magnets in them. I think they are for torque regulated tools in a factory.

 

[Wamsutta]

ex-x-fire hit the nail on the head. Power sockets are for pneumatic nut runners that are pre-set to a single torque value when doing repetitive work like in a factory setting. They run the nuts down real fast and then stop at a pre-set torque value. No impact action is involved.