Using 3/4" impact with 1/2" sockets

[seagull369]

I'd like to use a 3/4" air impact wrench with 1/2" impact sockets and was wondering if I'd lose any significant twisting force on actual fastener by having the 3/4" to 1/2" adaptor in between the 2.

 

[Jlarson]

I do it occasionally in odd situations but you're more likely to just eat up adapters then have to worry about any losses assuming you have a decent 3/4" gun.

 

[PSCo1867]

I'd like to use a 3/4" air impact wrench with 1/2" impact sockets and was wondering if I'd lose any significant twisting force on actual fastener by having the 3/4" to 1/2" adaptor in between the 2.

In a word...no, unless either your adaptor or 1/2" drive socket breaks (which is a real possibility with the adaptor). You may have to dial it back a bit.

 

[Wrench97]

The adapter will break long before the loss of force will matter.

 

[RedneckWelder]

You’re gonna snap reducers like crazy. I went through several before giving up and buying 3/4 sockets in the smaller sizes I needed.

 

[joe_padavano]

Any slop between the impact wrench anvil and the bolt will reduce the amount of usable angular stroke you get from the impact. This is how torque sticks for lug nuts work - you twist the torque stick until the impact wrench anvil stops and resets for another stroke, so you can't over-torque the lug. Same thing happens if there is slop between the bolt, socket, any adapter or extension, and the wrench itself. The fact that it's an adapter is irrelevant - an extension has the same effect. Will it matter from a practical standpoint? Not unless you are trying to wring every last ft-lb out of the impact wrench. I've run into this exact problem when using three or four extensions to reach an exhaust manifold outlet nut, for example. Anything you can do to prevent slop will help.

 

[ItsNemo]

Any slop between the impact wrench anvil and the bolt will reduce the amount of usable angular stroke you get from the impact. This is how torque sticks for lug nuts work - you twist the torque stick until the impact wrench anvil stops and resets for another stroke, so you can't over-torque the lug. Same thing happens if there is slop between the bolt, socket, any adapter or extension, and the wrench itself. The fact that it's an adapter is irrelevant - an extension has the same effect. Will it matter from a practical standpoint? Not unless you are trying to wring every last ft-lb out of the impact wrench. I've run into this exact problem when using three or four extensions to reach an exhaust manifold outlet nut, for example. Anything you can do to prevent slop will help.

This...although the mattering from a practical standpoint comment I'm going to disagree with...adapters/extensions **** back power like you wouldn't believe. Effectively any advantage in torque you have with a 3/4" gun over an equivalent 1/2" gun will get erased by using the adapter. We're talking potentially hundreds of ft-lbs of torque that would actually get transmitted to the fastener gone.

 

[shadetree_mech]

Resist the urge to save a few bucks by using 1/2" sockets and an adapter.

I've heard of those adapters breaking and flying across the room. It's not worth getting hurt or breaking something from flying shrapnel. Just buy 3/4" sockets if you really need the extra torque from a 3/4" impact.

 

[Jland]

Are you guys using standard type adapters or the “impact rated” ones?

 

[quickfarms]

The cheap adapters break

I now use Williams, snap on industrial, adapters and only do it if there is an issue using a 3/4” socket

 

[Wrench97]

The cheap adapters break

I now use Williams, snap on industrial, adapters and only do it if there is an issue using a 3/4” socket

I've broken the Snap On, Matco, Willams, CP and Sunex all of them impact adapters. Face it the "1/2 square drive is not strong enough for a good "3/4 gun.

 

[Jlarson]

Same, I gave up buying good ones and we just keep a bag-o-adapters from the hobo freight for the odd times, break one grab another lol like eating chips.

 

[seagull369]

Thanks for the feedback.

No worries about adaptor snapping here as the power output, if anything, feels weak. That's why I was wondering if the adaptor is robbing me. Maybe the gun is the problem. It's a HF special pic below with an alleged 1000lb/ft of twistyness. I'm using a 1/2" hose that's only 15' long and large fittings. If you guys are experiencing broken adaptors, at least I know the adaptor isn't taking away that much.

 

[BolognaBlake]

I don't think that gun will be breaking many adapters.

 

[dclark2171]

Personally, I think you are better off buying cheap 3/4 inch impact sockets vs using the adaptor. Thats what I did. I only go to the 3/4 impact wrench when I can't break a bolt with my 1/2 impact or a breaker bar.

 

[Wrench97]

Yes you will lose torque through adapters/extensions really any extra connection.

 

[plinker]

Are you guys using standard type adapters or the “impact rated” ones?

Both. None will hold up long to a decent 3/4 impact (or torque wrench) When I did truck/equipment I had a Snap-on, two Napa/Sunex and a Masterforce/Danaher.

All were ok until a certain limit was reached, usually around 300-350 ft fb. Some turntable bearing bolts would get torqued to 350lb, adapters were a bad idea as you would go flying when the adapter failed. Not an if, but when.

 

[Schurkey]

Task: Remove front hub and rotor from an 8-lug '97 Chevy K2500, so the rotor could be replaced. Rotor is "riveted" to the hub via the lug-studs. Hub has to come out, then the lug studs come out, then the rotor falls off the hub.

Hub is held to the steering knuckle with four bolts, threaded in from the back-side. Have to work around the CV axle to remove the bolts.


Mac impact adapter has a replaceable square-drive insert in a hell-for-strong body. It breaks, you poke in a new one. I bought a spare square-drive but haven't needed it.

2-PC. 3/4" Drive x 1/2" Drive Impact Socket Adapter

3/4" Female square to 1/2" male square drive

www.mactools.com

Snap-On 15mm "extra short" swivel socket in 1/2" drive.

A Snappy MG725 running on a two-stage air compressor (regulator set to 135) wouldn't budge the bolts.

 

[john.k]

Never broken a Koken 3/4 -1/2 adaptor ...........other brands not so much ............anyhoo,I use to use 9/16 chrome sockets with adaptor and CP 3/4 drive on the reduced head bolts in Rockwell truck diffs all the time .......no impact socket would fit in the space..........sockets would swell and be dumped ,new socket only a few $ .