Another reason chrome sockets may be needed for impact use!
http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=catview&id=4544
no excuse
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What's up w/ Cornwell's chrome plating???
- Thread starter nato
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http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=catview&id=4544
no excuse
stock z/28
Well-known member
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- Dec 17, 2006
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Personally, Im not making excuses, I am giving you a real world reason why I use standard sockets on impacts.
I have thinner non-chrome (typically called industrial I guess) that I use if they fit.
The vast majority of stuff I work on, there is no way a normal impact socket will fit, some thin wall chrome style sockets barely fit, I have had to machine some sockets for clearance. Its just the way it is.
On a bit of a side note, when I first started working as a mechanic back in about 1970, it was at a Buick dealer. We had Snap On and Mac dealers stopping in weekly. I soon discovered when I started buying tools that impact sockets were typically great for wheel and suspension work but would simply not work on a lot of engine and drive line applications. I asked the dealers about warranty on the chrome tools used on impacts, and they were happy to warranty them in the dealership environment.
Maybe a lot has changed and impact sockets will somehow fit all of the current engine fasteners?
Does not work for for me. About all I see these days are engines and differentials. I can say that the fast majority of ring gear bolts I encounter, a typical impact socket will either not fit properly and/or damage the bolt removing it. Am I the only one with these issues?
The Gray sockets might be cool but Im about done buying tools, and personally I wont buy a tool that requires me to return it to the place of purchase for warranty, or did I misread that and/or misinterpret the warranty?
http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentPieceID=807
So you'd prefer to mail your tools in for warranty? A lot of people are the opposite. I prefer having both options personally.
Anyway they're just sockets, not like some complex tool, so personally if i get 5-10+ years of day to day use out of it and then break one, i wouldnt cry or consider that a failure in quality. I'm sure you'd agree.
Its neat your dealers would warranty them but they werent suppose to so its very much a YMMV thing. The problem with the chrome sockets isnt that they work or dont, its just the wrong application and ends up destroying the socket. I bet if you have one explode on you and you or someone else gets injured you'd purchase something a bit more purpose built
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Anyway they're just sockets, not like some complex tool, so personally if i get 5-10+ years of day to day use out of it and then break one, i wouldnt cry or consider that a failure in quality. I'm sure you'd agree.
Its neat your dealers would warranty them but they werent suppose to so its very much a YMMV thing. The problem with the chrome sockets isnt that they work or dont, its just the wrong application and ends up destroying the socket. I bet if you have one explode on you and you or someone else gets injured you'd purchase something a bit more purpose built
.stock z/28
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- Dec 17, 2006
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- 298
I must say that in the approx 40 years I have done mechanical work I have mailed tools off for warranty precisely "0" times, but I do have to soon with some Stanely items.
The Gray sockets look cool and if the hold up well warranty may not even be an issue, but I have never even seen a set, I dont think anyone sells them locally, and unless they are VERY reasonably priced, I dont feel like testing them at my expense.
As far as the warranty at the dealership, I think it was obvious that if they wanted to sell tools that would suit the application one or both dealers would be happy to go the extra mile.
In regard to safety, no one is in the line of fire when when any dangerous tool is used regardless.
I use primarily Snap On sockets, and in 30 plus years I have probably had 3 socket failures and none have been on an impact. Its usually a due to fastener having a reduced head size for the body diameter, like 7/16 bolt with a 1/2" socket size and a torque of 80 ftlbs.
If I do break one my its no big deal to me, they earned what I paid for them +.
As I asked earlier, Am I the only one that has issues with impact sockets fitting where I need them?
Its just hard for me to believe that its only myself, friends, customers, and associates that have to use non-impact sockets on a routine basis.
Everyone else gets impact sockets to fit everything?
The Gray sockets look cool and if the hold up well warranty may not even be an issue, but I have never even seen a set, I dont think anyone sells them locally, and unless they are VERY reasonably priced, I dont feel like testing them at my expense.
As far as the warranty at the dealership, I think it was obvious that if they wanted to sell tools that would suit the application one or both dealers would be happy to go the extra mile.
In regard to safety, no one is in the line of fire when when any dangerous tool is used regardless.
I use primarily Snap On sockets, and in 30 plus years I have probably had 3 socket failures and none have been on an impact. Its usually a due to fastener having a reduced head size for the body diameter, like 7/16 bolt with a 1/2" socket size and a torque of 80 ftlbs.
If I do break one my its no big deal to me, they earned what I paid for them +.
As I asked earlier, Am I the only one that has issues with impact sockets fitting where I need them?
Its just hard for me to believe that its only myself, friends, customers, and associates that have to use non-impact sockets on a routine basis.
Everyone else gets impact sockets to fit everything?
MasterBlaster
Well-known member
Oldtools,we would usually bend the metal at least 90° to verify the plating on thin parts.Thicker parts were beat with a hammer or hit with a grinder.Sandblasting was rarely used in my shop.Most everything required a high polish in order for it to look good.Plating will not cover scratches or defects...contrary to what one might think...defects would show up easier.The plus side of working in the shop was the free parts and plating.We were allowed 1 percent loss for voltage and amp adjustments that would screw up parts at the beginning of the line.If we needed anything we would get it from the warehouse.It was hot,hard and heavy work.
Rnz520
Well-known member
So today I was cleaning and reorganizing my socket trays after a long weekend of work and as I cleaned my Snap On 13mm socket the chrome chipped off the front and side. Maybe the new EPA rule really is screwing with the chrome.