Sockets/accessories where no impact/chrome duplicates are necessary

[1320]

Today, looking at some Sunex 1/4" impact extensions that I have, I noticed that they were quite close in size to my Snap-on 1/4" chrome extensions. In some dimensions, the chrome were actually larger.

That got me to thinking (uh oh) about which sockets and accessories it's not necessary for clearance issues to have both a chrome and an impact version of the same thing.

It seems to me that some extensions and some hex, torx, and other drivers don't have any appreciable dimensional difference between chrome and impact versions. I've heard of people saying that impact sockets aren't to be used with hand tools, on ratchets and such, but I've never had a problem with that. "Regular" sockets aren't likely to fall into this category, with the OD of most impact sockets being greater than the chrome version.

I'm unlikely to sell or otherwise get rid of such "duplicates" like this that I have, but I have a friend who is looking to move from a small Autozone socket set into a more expansive collection to include impact sockets and it may be helpful to be able to point out items where a chrome version is unnecessary.

What do you think?

 

[JiminAZ]

I have made that choice in 1/2" drive, both shallow and deep. Have 12 point chrome sockets. If I have a fastener that is giving me trouble, I'll break out the 6 point impact and either use a breaker bar or impact as appropriate. Keep in mind I'm a home DIY guy.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Another thing to remember is that you don't HAVE to buy sets of everything. This is doubly, triply true for a home mechanic! You need some sets of the basics, but beyond the very basics, just get what you need. If you need a special something, get the one you need. Twelve point male driver for a twelve point female socket-head screw? Buy the one you need, not the whole set. Some bolts have a 12 point head. If you have them on your vehicle, buy the 12 point sockets you need, not a whole set.

 

[Wamsutta]

Depending on what you're working on, it's possible to get by with all impacts and no chrome; especially in 1/2 inch drive.

 

[jsaw]

All I use are impact sockets in all drive sizes. It is very seldom that I have to use a chrome socket.

 

[Blind1]

Another thing to remember is that you don't HAVE to buy sets of everything. This is doubly, triply true for a home mechanic! You need some sets of the basics, but beyond the very basics, just get what you need. If you need a special something, get the one you need. Twelve point male driver for a twelve point female socket-head screw? Buy the one you need, not the whole set. Some bolts have a 12 point head. If you have them on your vehicle, buy the 12 point sockets you need, not a whole set.

Really, this should be emphasized. A 3/8s drive set is more than most people need. Buy anything else separate, as needed (this is obviously poor advice for this site... but doesn’t make it any less true).

When I bought my first vehicle I raided discount shops and a cheap craftsman USA set to piece together a small handbox that held every tool I needed to damn near take that thing apart and put it back together.

Even now, as an adult (with many, many more tools) I put every fastener size for my truck on one socket rail, along with a couple wrenches that get use often, and extensions.

The only reason I go into my bigger box when working on it is if I need to break out a torque wrench or specialty tool.

 

[Angry welder]

Just about everything I use is impact sockets. I still have all of my chrome sockets but I can't remember ever having to use a chrome socket because of clearance issues.

 

[Wamsutta]

I've ran into so many clearance issues over the years working on cars that not only did I need chrome, but also needed a flex in 1/4 drive. And not just any flex socket either, it had to be one that flexed all the way over to 89 degrees without binding up.

 

[f121]

I've been thinking about this one a lot recently, as I try and consolidate several boxes and lots of random tools into something better layer out and easier/quicker to find stuff.

3/8" is what I use most, so I'm having deep and regular and all the extensions in chrome. 1/2" is generally only used on bigger/stuck stuff with the impact wrench or big bar, so I'm getting rid of my mismatch of chrome that I've picked up over the years, moving the useful sized impact sockets to my breakdown box, and buying a decent set of shallow and deep impact sockets, from 10-27mm.

I may yet pick up a 3/8" impact set too, but I don't have any 3/8" impact guns.

 

[Elvisidal]

Decent socket set of all 3 drives
1/2” deep impacts

 

[Tonyuk]

Impact sockets come in different wall thicknesses.

You can get thin-wall impacts that are very similar to chrome sockets (Gray penumatic duo for example).

My 1/4" impacts are thicker than my chrome, too thick for stuff like glowplugs etc..

1/2" doesn't usually matter.

I've only bought 3/8" impacts recently after getting a 3/8" impact, before than it was all chrome.

 

[DFB]

Ya really does depend a lot on what you are working on. I been using impact grade sockets a lot lately but I usually have better clearance with my chrome stuff

 

[Sine Swept]

I'm a DIY guy, but found situations that warranted me buying a set of semi deeps. 12 Volt can get a guy in deep.

 

[1320]

Looking at my original post, the question I intended to ask got lost in what I typed.

The subject I wanted to bring up was this - Given that impact sockets can be used with impact wrenches and hand tools, but chrome sockets are only to be used with hand tools, what types of sockets have you found that it would make sense to skip the chrome version altogether when there is no dimensional difference.

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

I have chrome in 1/4 and 3/8. For 1/2 I am just going for impacts. Chrome seems to just be a duplicate and I will pretty much only use it on suspension pieces anyway. I do have a nice Hazet 1/2 ratchet though.

 

[Zewnten]

Lot of guys at work use the Grey Pnuematic Duo sockets, so they have the best of both.

 

[Toothaker]

Given the original question, which ones to buy if there's no dimensional differences, then buying one set makes more sense than two.

But that's not how people buy tools. My first set was chrome. I needed some tools to work on things around the home, on my vehicles and later, on equipment in my business. Many years later I started buying impact tools. In my case getting rid of chrome sockets just because I now had impact sockets didn't make sense. And, my chrome sockets are smaller than the impact socket (in the same size), so there are dimensional differences.

 

[DFB]

Looking at my original post, the question I intended to ask got lost in what I typed.

The subject I wanted to bring up was this - Given that impact sockets can be used with impact wrenches and hand tools, but chrome sockets are only to be used with hand tools, what types of sockets have you found that it would make sense to skip the chrome version altogether when there is no dimensional difference.

I personally would probably opt for the impact grade...the only issue I ever knew of with chromed socket bits was the bit only is warrantied and not the chrome socket part.(if that's even an issue but here on GJ a manufactures implied warranty almost dictates purchase considerations where it ever be used or not)

 

[f121]

I have chrome in 1/4 and 3/8. For 1/2 I am just going for impacts. Chrome seems to just be a duplicate and I will pretty much only use it on suspension pieces anyway.

This. Still keeping my chrome 1/2" extensions, but no need for chrome 1/2" sockets.