"Softness" of Impact Sockets

[The Critic]

Over the years, there have been numerous complaints about Snap-On impact sockets having poor wear characteristics due to the "softness" of the metal used.

Is there any advantage to using an unusually soft blend of Cr-Mo for impact sockets?

 

[Timmastertech]

They dont shatter and go flying on an impact gun when they break

 

[The Critic]

They dont shatter and go flying on an impact gun when they break

But neither do the Chinesium/Taiwanesium ones that supposedly wear better?

 

[Timmastertech]

But neither do the Chinesium/Taiwanesium ones that supposedly wear better?

Cant commend on the chinesium ones, dont own any. Also have never broken a snapon impact socket, all of mine are my originals with 10+ years on them. Only replacements are for ones I lost.

 

[chris719]

But neither do the Chinesium/Taiwanesium ones that supposedly wear better?

I assume there is always a tradeoff between hardness and how brittle the socket is. Softer could be better for the fastener at the expense of the socket as well.

 

[spasm3]

I was always under the impression that they are softer, not hardened, so they don't crack/shatter. I have heard that the trade off is the wear more, I.E. get loose on the bolts nuts over time.

I'm a DIY guy so i don't use them everyday like you guys do. I probably will never wear them out.

My impact are northern tool Klutch brand.


EDIT; I think Taiwan made.

 

[The Critic]

I assume there is always a tradeoff between hardness and how brittle the socket is. Softer could be better for the fastener at the expense of the socket as well.

If Snap-On's impact sockets are softer than other impact sockets due to safety, that is understandable. But I wasn't aware of safety being an issue with any impact socket.

 

[skyactiv]

I'm a semi fleet mechanic. I like a mix of different tool brands at work and home. I like my Blackhawk impacts the best. They are under the Stanley tool umbrella.

 

[2EHA]

i’ve killed a 10 11 13 22 8 mids and deeps and a couple 33s over the past decade. i never ever use chrome sockets unless 12 point standard or impossible to do the job without it.

not the best purchases i made…there’s people who’ve worked harder for longer with sunex, even harbor freight impact sockets will get you very far. for non swivel impact socket you really have to try to get something bad

 

[clinebarger]

Snap-on impact do seem to wear a little more, I wear my 10mm 1/2 drive deep out pretty quick from GM truck sway bar clamp bolts. And I have my 13 & 15mm impact swivels swapped out every few years as I'm pretty hard on them R&R'ing as many GM transmissions as I do.

I find myself using Snap-on deep 1/2" chromes a lot....A 3/4", 21mm, & 7/8" live on my cart & see impact duty everyday.

 

[The Critic]

Snap-on impact do seem to wear a little more, I wear my 10mm 1/2 drive deep out pretty quick from GM truck sway bar clamp bolts.

I don’t think I have ever used my 10mm 1/2” dr socket. Is there something unusual about those fasteners that requires the power of a 1/2” impact?

 

[clinebarger]

They're 10-1.5mm thread with a liberal amount of thread locker applied at the factory.....My mid-torque 3/8" Impact could do it, But I don't subject my 3/8" sockets to that kind of torture unless I absolutely have to.

When it comes to RWD bellhousing bolts.....I have to beat on my 3/8" drive impact swivels using long specialty extensions which are 1/2" drive that accepts 3/8" drive sockets.

 

[The Critic]

When it comes to RWD bellhousing bolts.....I have to beat on my 3/8" drive impact swivels using long specialty extensions which are 1/2" drive that accepts 3/8" drive sockets.

Ah yes, I have the old stock, USA-made SK 46178 and 46177 1/2-to-3/8 locking extensions for that purpose. I also find them to be useful for that fill plug on Honda V6 transmissions.

 

[JHZR2]

But neither do the Chinesium/Taiwanesium ones that supposedly wear better?

What is the fringe safety case that qualifies that?

 

[MattPersman]

I on occasion have a snap on impact socket get replaced. The common ones for me yes. Just one of those things they wear very little each year and some point you want a crisper socket

I’m sure they messed with different metal alloy compositions and came up with this as there standard of whatever their requirements were