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Worn impacts

bmwpower

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If they are worn, can you get warranty replacements? I'm not talking abuse (this means you Junkman), but I've seen impacts where the inside of the socket is obviously worn and may not be the proper size anymore.
 
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Art From De Leon

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I would think that would depend on the brand, or if your dealer is in a good mood.
Personally, I would think that it would not be warranty, as it would be normal wear and tear.
I have had the same Snap On dealer for almost 18 years, and he doesn't have to try very hard to sell me tools, but he has always treated me decent, so yes, he might give up a replacement, but I have NEVER worn out a hand tool, excepting ratchets.
 

krusty the clown

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i guess one could argue that it is a defect in materials........

i have never needed to warranty an impact socket but i have warranteed a chrome socket worn out from using it on an impact.
 

goodfellow

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I've worn out two in the all the years that I worked on cars. A 3/8" drive 9/16 and a 1/2" drive 3/4 -- they were replaced by MAC with no questions asked.
 

Danglerb

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HF no questions asked, Snapon with purchase. ;)

If a socket got a bit "loose" its worn out, and unless the warranty excludes normal wear I'd expect a new socket, and/or switching brands.
 

Junkman

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If they are worn, can you get warranty replacements? I'm not talking abuse (this means you Junkman), but I've seen impacts where the inside of the socket is obviously worn and may not be the proper size anymore.

How could you ever wear out any of your tools? Most of us here know that you only keep them for there aesthetic value. Now, if you had said that you wore the chrome off of them by polishing, that we could understand... :lol_hitti
 
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bmwpower

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How could you ever wear out any of your tools? Most of us here know that you only keep them for there aesthetic value. Now, if you had said that you wore the chrome off of them by polishing, that we could understand... :lol_hitti

Ooh that is low. I do use my tools occasionally. Once I used them to attach that engine block of yours to my crane to hoist it into your buddy's truck. Good thing I had a couple of K-Mart specialty wrenches to accomplish that job! They weren't quite the right size, but it was only your engine block anyway.... :bounce:
 

wantedabiggergarage

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At the garage, about three flip sockets have been wore out and replaced. They crack, shortly after getting wore out. The extensions are what are really wore out. They are rounded off, or sometimes snap. I've seen two of them replaced since going their as a kid (24 years ago). There is a Snap-On set (primary, but NO dealer, have to use a relatives dealer elsewhere), a Mac set (semi decent dealer, and our only dealer), and a Sunex, $13 back up set (paid for itself). Few other impacts have been wore out, and started using the HF impacts more, as cost verses modification needs have been justified.
 

jerk_chicken

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I have no idea what the above response (#11) said.

Basically, what's the fastest any of you have gone through an impact socket, and which one was it?
 

Danglerb

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My guess is the most wear would be in a tire shop, maybe somebody that works on LOTS of suspensions.

Lot of spread between a socket that won't work, and one that works, but takes the edge off every lug nut.
 

Danglerb

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Flip sockets are what tire guys use, a short extension like 4" and a double socket with the attachment in the middle (why you need the extension, which fits down in the unused side of the socket). Even cheap flip sockets are built like tanks.
 

Mike83

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When I was doing inspection on a bridge job, the ironheads had some really worn impact sockets. Granted they were using a spline drive impact (that sucker weighed about 35 pounds) and tightening literally tens of thousands of 7/8" bolts (which have a 1-7/16" nut I believe.) There were 1-1/8" and 1" dia bolts, but to a lesser extent.
 
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Junkman

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Ooh that is low. I do use my tools occasionally. Once I used them to attach that engine block of yours to my crane to hoist it into your buddy's truck. Good thing I had a couple of K-Mart specialty wrenches to accomplish that job! They weren't quite the right size, but it was only your engine block anyway.... :bounce:

I vaguely remember that engine block. It is still in the same corner of the garage since it arrived here. Some day, I hope to finish assembling it and install it in the car. I have a strong suspicion that by the time I get it done, gasoline will be only a memory. You were a life saver on that deal, and I haven't forgotten that. However, I still like to poke a little when you leave the opening for me..... :lol_hitti
 
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bmwpower

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I vaguely remember that engine block. It is still in the same corner of the garage since it arrived here. Some day, I hope to finish assembling it and install it in the car. I have a strong suspicion that by the time I get it done, gasoline will be only a memory. You were a life saver on that deal, and I haven't forgotten that. However, I still like to poke a little when you leave the opening for me..... :lol_hitti

How big of an opening do you need? :)

This is thread is on it's way down...
 

caper

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When I used to work in a muffler shop I'd wear out snap on 9/16 impact sockets about one every two years.Wheel nut sockets at about the same rate.My snappy dealer used to tell me he'd only warranty them if they broke,but then proceeded to tell me how to break em.Said he didn't care how they broke as long as they were broke.
 

Elwood77

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I wear out a Matco 19mm/21mm flip socket about every 6 months... but that thing gets a lot of use throughout the day :uzi:
 

billymade

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I guess, the next logical question is; what brands last the longest and seem to wear well? Everything wears out and probably breaks eventually; the better quality tools, just take longer to do so! Ok, so what are the better quality impact tools out there?
 

Hawk321

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A good tool will work for years...doesn't matter if impact stuff or a normal wrench.
 

Merkava_4

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The socket is supposed to be guarantied to fit the corresponding fastener forever as long as the socket has been used correctly.
 

autoace

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The only impacts I ever had, that wore out quickly are Snap-on. Otherwise I have never wore out an impact socket. I have broken some cheap ones, but that's a different story.
 

jimmycrackcorn

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Depends on the dealer, I've had my impacts replaced all the time. 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, extensions, but i throw my dealers a bone. Some guys in the shop i used to work at ,have trouble getting stuff replaced, and rarely buy. But they just give it to the guy who can get em changed.

If you need to break some tools, i have "heard" dry ice works......
 

caper

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There's a spray called Chill It that works pretty good.Or you can just work outside up here in cape breton in the winter.
 
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