Socket Question

[ocloc24]

Alright, so maybe this is a dumb question, and as a pro I should know this. But I can't find the proper phrasing to find an answer to my question

On the non-drive side of a socket, most companies have some form of "flank drive" aka applying force on flats not corners. And this is visibly seen in the small grooves in the corners of the hex. But why are there there rounded corners or grooves on the drive side of the socket as well? Is it to remove stress from the corners of the anvil on your ratchet? I notice not all companies do this so I wasn't sure.

Also the taper inward on the drive end, is that just for convenience when attaching socket to ratchet/impact?

Please educate me.

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[Wamsutta]

The radius corners of the drive and are there to relieve stress at the corners and the funneled chamfer is there to provide quicker engagement with the male square drive.

 

[ocloc24]

Why does Snap-On not radius the drive end? Tighter tolerance therefore less play equalling less stress on the corner?

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[Wamsutta]

I went out to the garage to check. The drive corners of the Snap-on sockets are radiused ever so slightly, but not as much as the few GearWrench sockets that I have. I can't answer your question as to why.

 

[ocloc24]

Come on guys. The drive end corners are radiused like the working end corners for the same reason: to put torque away from, in this case, the corners of the post/lug/anvil. Also makes the drive end less likely to crack in the corners.

I mean that was my assumption I just didn't know why there was such inconsistency across brands if that was the reason.

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[Wamsutta]

The more important technical aspect to compare is the timing of the retention detents. The Snap-on sockets will come to a dead stop at the same time as the retention ball centers itself in the detent. The GearWrench sockets are out of time. They will continue to go past the friction ball before coming to a dead stop. I would say the timing is off by one half the width of a friction ball. That's why when you push on a GearWrench socket that's already been placed on an extension, it will push in and then spring back. It's out of time.

 

[ocloc24]

I went out to the garage to check. The drive corners of the Snap-on sockets are radiused ever so slightly, but not as much as the few GearWrench sockets that I have. I can't answer your question as to why.

Upon closer inspection I do see it. Strange though. I stand by my idea that they have tighter standards and perhaps less play.

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[Wamsutta]

You posted at the same time I posted. You might want to read my last post.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

A 90* corner is a perfect stress riser.

 

[MShaw]

And the broach that cuts the square will last longer between sharpenings if there is a radius on what is the outside corner of the broach. A sharp sorner will dull quickly.

This is the same reason that carbide inserts for lathe and mill tooling have a radiused tip.

 

[cherrybomb]

Yes,a square corner should always be slightly radiused.

 

[Wamsutta]

I don't expect people to understand post #7, but it's about the best way I can describe it in words. A video would be better.

 

[wmm2]

I don't expect people to understand post #7, but it's about the best way I can describe it in words. A video would be better.

Your description is fine. I've seen combinations of sockets and ratchets that do just what you describe. I doubt that they made it that way on purpose, but it might have an advantage in being able to remove the socket more easily.

 

[alskdjfhg]

Its also to aid in machining.

Sqaure corners are more complex to manufacture and more expensive.

 

[Wamsutta]

Your description is fine. I've seen combinations of sockets and ratchets that do just what you describe. I doubt that they made it that way on purpose, but it might have an advantage in being able to remove the socket more easily.

The GearWrench sockets are excellent quality except for that one issue. I'd give them a 9 out of 10. But since the SO sockets are full 10/10 that don't irritate me at all, I stick with them. Most people would probably never notice the timing issue with GearWrench sockets. But what irritates me the most is that it's a very simple manufacturing error that's easy to correct; they just need to move the 4 detents over a short distance.