Impact tools

[greasegunn]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Its not that they break its the extreme angle that they can achieve and pulls the socket of the bolt/nut leaving the thing flailing around all over the place at full speed (some impacts have 10,000 RPM) until you react. Return them for the other style or use them for hand tools only, they can and will bite you one day and its gonna hurt.


So what about some tubing or something else to restrict the movement of the universal joint?

 

[greasegunn]

Originally Posted By: BigD1
Universal joint impact is something I needed right off the bat to get at some bolts. Don't use them all the time, but the set from Harbor Freight has not fallen apart yet. http://www.harborfreight.com/2-pc-universal-impact-joint-socket-adapter-set-67920.html

Plan on buying some wobble extensions too one of these days. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-1-2...-set-67066.html


Do you lose a lot of "impact power" when you uses the wobbles?

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: greasegunn
Originally Posted By: Trav
Its not that they break its the extreme angle that they can achieve and pulls the socket of the bolt/nut leaving the thing flailing around all over the place at full speed (some impacts have 10,000 RPM) until you react. Return them for the other style or use them for hand tools only, they can and will bite you one day and its gonna hurt.


So what about some tubing or something else to restrict the movement of the universal joint?


Try it at your own risk, I wont put one one an impact gun. Any sort of wobbler or extension will reduce the hitting power of an impact gun even thinner sockets.
A nice heavy quality made impact socket directly on the gun will transmit the most power. The secret to removing some Honda crank bolts is to use a super thick socket,it transmits more of the guns force to the bolt.

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-77080-Harmonic-Balancer-Socket/dp/B00RGNCV1U

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

With any extension or wobble your losing torque with an impact. However if by ratchet, then no... just flexes more.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Those work well enough but whatever you do don't buy this style unless your looking for a workmens comp claim from broken fingers. These bastar.. are dangerous, I wish they wouldn't even make them never mind sell them. I got nailed by one on an impact gun when I was a kid and never forgot it. Nothing broken but my hand hurt for a week.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67986.html


Those are Cr-V no less. Nothing like HF selling tools that actually endanger people...

 

[Trav]

I meant the style, I have no idea what alloy HF makes their sockets from. Just curious but where did you get the info that Chrome Vanadium is not suitable for impact use?
Hazet, SO, Stahlwille all use it, A Hazet swivel cost over $80 for a 3/8 drive alone, its a top shelf tool. This is a Chrome Vanadium special alloy not the same as used for the hand use sockets.
I agree HF is not using high end alloys for $10 a set and probably as dangerous as it gets.

Quote:
Hazet 8806S Universal Joint for Impact Socket -3/8" Drive - MADE IN GERMANY

Photo

For impact operation
Drive 10 = 3/8"
Chrome-vanadium special steel
Surface burnished


https://chadstoolbox.com/hazet-8806s-universal-joint-for-impact-sockets/

 

[THafeez]

Polished/plated chrome vanadium sockets are generally harder than the black (oxidized?) sockets. The black sockets are made softer on purpose so that in the case of failure when using an impact gun, they won't go shooting everywhere. All of the deep impact sockets I have are black Cr-V made by Stanley. Whether there is truth to the claim that black Cr-V sockets don't shatter as violently, I don't know. Just something the industry does.

 

[Trav]

Some of the old impact sockets I have are marked chrome moly vanadium, these were expensive as it gets but it is another alloy. Today Hazet for example labels them chrome vanadium but they are in fact an alloy that has moly also.
With these alloys you cant paint with such a broad brush, chrome vanadium bad chrome moly good no longer applies except for may be the cheap stuff.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Some of the old impact sockets I have are marked chrome moly vanadium, these were expensive as it gets but it is another alloy. Today Hazet for example labels them chrome vanadium but they are in fact an alloy that has moly also.
With these alloys you cant paint with such a broad brush, chrome vanadium bad chrome moly good no longer applies except for may be the cheap stuff.


To the average consumer buying in an HF (or a box store, etc), it's huge. This isn't an expert buying tools specifically designed for a job. It's not a tool truck where the owner notionally knows everything about their business and their wares.

If safety has historically defined that Cr-V is hard and suitable for hand tools,many Cr-Mo is softer and better for impacts, I'm not sure it's prudent to rock the boat at a place like HF.

 

[Trav]

Agreed I wouldn't advise anyone to buy impact tools from HF or big box store.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Impacts from HF are perfectly fine... I see many techs using them. Want to step up, then look at Tekton, Sunex, or Gray. Personally, I'd go for Sunex... tool-truck quality, but very affordable.

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I meant the style, I have no idea what alloy HF makes their sockets from. Just curious but where did you get the info that Chrome Vanadium is not suitable for impact use?
Hazet, SO, Stahlwille all use it, A Hazet swivel cost over $80 for a 3/8 drive alone, its a top shelf tool. This is a Chrome Vanadium special alloy not the same as used for the hand use sockets.
I agree HF is not using high end alloys for $10 a set and probably as dangerous as it gets.


Do the Hazet swivels bind?

 

[Trav]

Not he ball kind, the common 2 block style always binds at some point no matter who makes it its the nature of the beast.

 

[ajchien]

Most used impact tools for me a short and deep well sockets, regular extensions, and wobble extensions in 1/2" drive.

Once you get hooked because of the time savings, you'll probably be interested in buying a 3/8" cordless impact wrench.