use chrome sockets on air ratchets?

[PoorOwner]

some air ratchets claim to put out as much as 80 ft lbs..
is this safe to use? does it wear out the sockets?

 

[Junkman]

I've used my chrome sockets on my air ratchets for years with no ill effects that I can see on the sockets. The air ratchet differs from the impact in the fact that it doesn't have a hammering action, which is why you shouldn't use a chrome socket on a impact wrench.

 

[MarkH]

I can guarantee that we very frequently put more than 80 ft./lbs on sockets using hand tools and some extra length. They survive and as Junkman stated, ratchets do not impact so chromes will work well.

 

[Merkava_4]

You can use chrome sockets on air ratchets just fine; they're not throwing blows at the drive end like an impact gun would.

 

[epmills]

As said, you should have no problems. I even use chrome on impacts if I already have it in front of me, although the chrome finish comes right off.

 

[eschoendorff]

You can use chrome sockets on air ratchets just fine; they're not throwing blows at the drive end like an impact gun would.

what he said.

 

[Fedwrench]

Chrome sockets work great on air ratchets and they're easier to find when flung off of the air ratchet.

 

[johnny1290]

Chrome sockets work great on air ratchets and they're easier to find when flung off of the air ratchet.

ahahahahahahhahaha!!!!

 

[PoorOwner]

ok because I was wondering why they sell 3/8" impact sockets... I guess for those who has a 3/8" impact gun. I don't have that luxary..

So next question if you have both 12 or 6 pt chrome sockets, which one is better to use on the air ratchet?

 

[Kevin54]

So next question if you have both 12 or 6 pt chrome sockets, which one is better to use on the air ratchet?

If the socket fits correctly, the 6 point is better. It grips deeper into the corners. With all of the nuts and bolts today being half slant eyed, you want to have the best fitting socket. A twelve point has more of a chance of rounding off the corners.

 

[Uncle Buck]

ok because I was wondering why they sell 3/8" impact sockets... I guess for those who has a 3/8" impact gun. I don't have that luxary..

So next question if you have both 12 or 6 pt chrome sockets, which one is better to use on the air ratchet?

I usually say that aside from the badly misshapen nut/bolt head, or the horribly corroded fastener the 12pt is as good as the 6pt; however I think this is another application better suited to 6pt tools; though admittedly we are speaking of air ratchets and not impacts my preference would run to the 6pts as soon as you start turning sockets under power as opposed to hand only.

 

[MAD]

ok because I was wondering why they sell 3/8" impact sockets... I guess for those who has a 3/8" impact gun. I don't have that luxary..

So next question if you have both 12 or 6 pt chrome sockets, which one is better to use on the air ratchet?

It really does not matter- whichever socket set you don't mind cleaning the blood from your busted knuckles from.

 

[Deafautotech]

ok because I was wondering why they sell 3/8" impact sockets... I guess for those who has a 3/8" impact gun. I don't have that luxary..

So next question if you have both 12 or 6 pt chrome sockets, which one is better to use on the air ratchet?

i own 3 snap on impact wrenches (IM31 and 2 MG31) i must have 3/8dr impact socket (shallow, semi deep, deep, and swivel socket (shallow and Deep)) and i am glad that i bought it as it is design to use with impact or i will have a lot of chrome sockets cracked or even broke which worse for myself... At Dealership, i am use a lot of impact sockets and had no problems...

 

[rhandwor]

The chrome sockets are made out of a harder material and are more prone to cracking on an impact. A good impact will break a chrome socket in a hurry.

 

[autoace]

I always use impact sockets on air ratchets. You don't have to, but I do. I have split, many a Craftsman socket with a heavy duty (80ft.lb.)air ratchet.

 

[kartracer55]

I've never ever broken a chrome socket on an air ratchet and I have never heard of anybody else doing it either. If it doesn't break when you initially yank it loose by hand, there's no way that nice spinning action is going to break one either. Keep in mind that the 80ft lb rating only applies if the nut/bolt your trying to spin is turning with that much resistance to begin with. Rare.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I've never ever broken a chrome socket on an air ratchet and I have never heard of anybody else doing it either.

I never heard of this as well

 

[autoace]

I've never ever broken a chrome socket on an air ratchet and I have never heard of anybody else doing it either. If it doesn't break when you initially yank it loose by hand, there's no way that nice spinning action is going to break one either. Keep in mind that the 80ft lb rating only applies if the nut/bolt your trying to spin is turning with that much resistance to begin with. Rare.

A word of caution.... A lot of guys wrap their fingers around the sockets when spinning off a nut in order to catch it. Chrome can chip off and little chrome-flake splinters hurt like a *****.

The ones I broke, were when the power of the air ratchet wouldn't break the fastener free. The extra, hand applied torque was it, I use thin wall impacts on ratchets too. I break alot of chrome sockets, with no impact use. It's always on "rust belt NE" disassembly they break. For assembly, I don't final tighten with any air ratchet. Most of what I work on, demands exact torque. I rarely use chrome sockets,period.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Gravedigger bringing up more old threads eh?

Wobbles/swivel sockets do break fairly easily on some air ratchets. They also get some discussions going about using nothing but chrome sockets on air tools (impact and non impact) on the tv shows. But part of that target audience, is people starting out (no money for lots of tools yet).
I have broken chrome sockets on air ratchets, although in a couple of cases, they would have broke on a regular ratchet (air bubble in the metal).

But there ARE impact air ratchets. Those require impact grade, while most air ratchets, manuals, recommend them.

 

[gofastman]

i own 3 snap on impact wrenches (IM31 and 2 MG31) i must have 3/8dr impact socket (shallow, semi deep, deep, and swivel socket (shallow and Deep)) and i am glad that i bought it as it is design to use with impact or i will have a lot of chrome sockets cracked or even broke which worse for myself... At Dealership, i am use a lot of impact sockets and had no problems...

My Mac guy was saying how much he hates the new 3/8" impacts on the market like the MG31 and the IR 2115 because they obliterate chrome sockets, then people get mad at him saying his tools are ****.
Me thinks chrome sockets are fine on an air ratchet

 

[Tool Pants]

Gravedigger bringing up more old threads eh?

That is funny. "Gravedigger" showed up yesterday and replied to many old topics.

Anyway. Here is what I call an air ratchet that I have owned for about 20 years. I use it as a nut runner. Does not put out much torque and I have a small compressor. I use standard Craftsman chrome sockets and extensions.

As others have said I would not use chrome with a heavy duty impact without something to protect me if it shattered. 100 years ago I worked at a gas station and a guy was using a "real" impact on wheel bolts with a chrome socket. As someone said, he had his fingers around the socket. The socket shattered and flew. Fortunately, only his pride was hurt.

 

[Danglerb]

I use chrome sockets sometimes with impacts, but never to pound on something, just to buzz it off. If it rattles I stop and switch.

Air ratchets I can't see any problem using chrome.

OTOH if you start loosing chrome on some sockets stop using them with whatever is doing it.

 

[J Hodges]

I use the cheapy chrome sockets on mine and have not had one fail yet

 

[bushhawg73]

I allways use chrome sockets on an air ratchet. Impacts allways get impact sockets.

 

[Weedwaka]

some air ratchets claim to put out as much as 80 ft lbs..
is this safe to use? does it wear out the sockets?

I put my chrome mastercraft sockets through hell with my big snap on impact gun every day. Never had one fail ever. I even use reducers so I can get the 1/4 inch drivers on my impact and pound em rusty fasteners. They are great and cheap and have a lifetime warranty.

Chrome swivel joints are a different story. I had to return a bag of swivel bits for warranty exchange more than once. I have to explain to them what it was

 

[billymade]

I don't get it; why don't you just buy impact sockets?

 

[gdocktor3]

I'm going full Creedance Clearwater Revival on this old *** thread. I was considering picking up an IR hammerhead and was just wondering if they'll blow chromies apart with their rated 180 ft lbs of torque, even though they are "reactionless."

 

[Finky198]

I will only use my impacts with my hammer head (3/8)... the mechanism is really no different then a 2135ti just smaller and with a 90* gear box its still an Impact...

I believe after repeated use of chrome that it would crack'em. That said I use chrome and impact on my Ir max mini ratchets with no sweat.

If you ever have head problems with your IR hammer head I can help you repair it...

 

[Duster346]

I wasn't a member here when this thread was first made. My personal opinion is that impact sockets belong on power tools (air or cordless) and chrome sockets belong on hand ratchets.

Over time a chrome socket will put excessive wear on your impact tools anvil and also the ring that holds the socket on.

 

[gdocktor3]

The reason I asked is because I don't own more than 5 or 6 3/8" impact sockets. I've always used chrome sockets on my Snappy FAR72, but that doesn't exactly put out a lot of torque like the hammerhead does.

 

[AndySchlagzeuger]

Impact sockets are designed to be tougher, not harder than regular hand sockets. Greater hardness usually has the trade off of being more brittle. So generally impact sockets are softer but tougher than regular hand sockets (They'll wear before they break see they link below) That said I can't remember ever seeing a chrome socket fail on an impact gun. I've done it, but generally used impact sockets on impact guns, the air ratchets however especially 3/8" and smaller I wouldn't hesitate using regular hand sockets, and have done so for years without problems.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/snap...erence-impact-vs-chrome-sockets/251237528642/

 

[Al Borland]

Probably O.K., but if you've got the impacts, use them to be safe.
Along the same line, if I'm using a 1/2" drive breaker and an "extension handle", I go with the impacts as well.

 

[Sugarfryz]

It really does not matter- whichever socket set you don't mind cleaning the blood from your busted knuckles from.

So true. I have a Matco 3/8 air ratchet and it's made me punch metal so many times

 

[cheechi]

I'm going full Creedance Clearwater Revival on this old *** thread. I was considering picking up an IR hammerhead and was just wondering if they'll blow chromies apart with their rated 180 ft lbs of torque, even though they are "reactionless."

If it was me, I'd be impact only on that. I use impact sockets on my HF impacting air rat. On my M12 rat if I have it in impact I do, otherwise I use a socket I know I can get a good replacement. I know the M12 doesn't have the torque to damage but I pretty much see chromes as hand tools only and any kind of mechanical power other than me goes into impact sockets.

Haven't broken, cracked, or chipped any chrome sockets this way.

 

[JJThrasher]

I'm going full Creedance Clearwater Revival on this old *** thread. I was considering picking up an IR hammerhead and was just wondering if they'll blow chromies apart with their rated 180 ft lbs of torque, even though they are "reactionless."

I use chrome sockets on impacts all the time. Not the greatest thing, but sometimes I have no other option. This is including 3/4" and 1" drive stuff.

 

[casestudies]

What about using 1/4" chrome sockets on an Astro 1124 mini impact ratchet? 50 ft-lb rating. Just got a set of good 1/4" chrome sockets but I guess I could get an impact set too... 50 ft lb doesn't seem like much compared to using an extra long 1/4" drive ratchet that's supposedly good to 90 ft-lb. Thoughts?

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

 

[gdocktor3]

If it was me, I'd be impact only on that. I use impact sockets on my HF impacting air rat.

How has the HF air ratchet treated you?

 

[cheechi]

It's nice. Heavier than the typical air rat. I was expecting to be blown away, it's not that. While it has more balls than the typical air rat, it has a lot less balls than a low torque gun. I probably had higher expectations than what I should have but it is a good tool.

Considering all my fittings are HF, it may have more balls than I get out of it still. Once I learned what situations to use i really like it.

 

[winlinmac]

As far as using chrome sockets go,

On an,
Air Ratchet--yes
Air Impact Ratchet--no

 

[Wakefield]

Probably O.K., but if you've got the impacts, use them to be safe.
Along the same line, if I'm using a 1/2" drive breaker and an "extension handle", I go with the impacts as well.

That old Bonney impact 17 mm. socket,I would trust it more than most any chrome socket on breaker bar or anything else.