Using Impact Sockets only for 3/8” and 1/2” dr

[Tempest1]

I picked up a 3/8" and 1/2" set of stubby 18v impacts from Ridgid a couple of years ago and am using chrome sockets less and less. Cheap set of Quinn 3/8" impacts has worked well for me so far. Still grab mostly chrome for 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets.

Can't remember the last time I used a chrome 1/2" socket, but I have them from back in the USA Craftsman days.

 

[RyanY]

I am not a pro so take this with a grain of salt.

I usually carry both impact and chrome sockets from the toolbox to the car. I use the impact sockets to remove and loosely tighten the nuts/bolts. I use chrome sockets on the torque wrench for the final turn. In reality I could switch the socket between the impact and torque wrench, but I prefer not to.

 

[Tundragod]

As the title states, is it sensible for a tech to only use impact sockets for the 3/8” and 1/2 dr sizes?

This was a recent discussion over on GJ:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-away-with-impact-only-and-not-chrome.526700/

I have found impact sockets from Sunex, Snap-On and Koken to be fairly thin-walled. I cannot remember a recent situation where I had to use a chrome socket due to an issue with the impact socket’s wall thickness. However, I do prefer the feel of chrome sockets (over impact) with manual ratchets.

As someone who is currently outfitting the essentials for a daily-use roll cart, I am very tempted to only keep impact sockets for the 3/8 and 1/2” dr sizes. Thoughts?

You read my thought.

 

[Spring Break '92]

Impact sockets shouldn't be used to tighten high-torque fasteners, like a crank pulley bolt. I used them to loosen bolts and nuts only. They are made to have some 'give' in them as to where a CRV socket does not, and is a better choice for tightening. A set of 6-point chrome 3/8 and 1/2 shallow sockets go a long way, and at least one flexhead ratchet. 1/4 drive sockets aren't a necessity, but are a very nice thing to have.

 

[DCDG]

Impact sockets shouldn't be used to tighten high-torque fasteners, like a crank pulley bolt. I used them to loosen bolts and nuts only. They are made to have some 'give' in them as to where a CRV socket does not, and is a better choice for tightening. A set of 6-point chrome 3/8 and 1/2 shallow sockets go a long way, and at least one flexhead ratchet. 1/4 drive sockets aren't a necessity, but are a very nice thing to have.

You're right I cant remember the last time that I used a 1/4" drive ratchet. I do use 1/4 sockets that I keep in my work tool bag cause they take up little space I just use them with a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter. They aren't high stressed, use them for tightening and loosening plumbing fixtures mostly.

 

[Trav]

Impact sockets shouldn't be used to tighten high-torque fasteners, like a crank pulley bolt. I used them to loosen bolts and nuts only. They are made to have some 'give' in them as to where a CRV socket does not, and is a better choice for tightening. A set of 6-point chrome 3/8 and 1/2 shallow sockets go a long way, and at least one flexhead ratchet. 1/4 drive sockets aren't a necessity, but are a very nice thing to have.

Some of the best impact sockets money can buy had chrome vanadium or chrome alloy stamped right on the socket.

 

[grasscutter]

I don't like the looks of a square drive on a chrome socket after it's been used on an impact for so long.

 

[TomYoung]

Kinda concerned that this thread is a high level CIA interrogation designed to get folks to admit to using regular sockets with an impact wrench. I will admit to having done that a few times. Let’s see what happens to me next.

 

[billt460]

I skimmed through this and didn't see it. I'm just curious, has anyone shattered a chrome finished, non impact socket by using it in an impact gun?

 

[NYEngineer]

Few years ago during a construction project at my job, there was a guy installing fire sprinklers. It was all No Hub or whatever you call it. All the pipes are joined together with a coupler with two bolts. The guy was using a Dewalt impact gun with a totally beaten and stripped chrome 12 point socket. He'd be up on the ladder tightening these bolts with the socket six inches from his face. Made me cringe. I said you should tell your boss you need six point impact sockets. I said that chrome shouldn't be used on impact tools. He had never heard that before so he Googled it and said oh wow. It's true. Next day he tells me his boss said he'd get him impact sockets for Christmas. It was September. I bought him a 3/8 drive 5/8 impact socket from Amazon. Made me sleep better.

 

[IndyIan]

I skimmed through this and didn't see it. I'm just curious, has anyone shattered a chrome finished, non impact socket by using it in an impact gun?

I do use them the odd time, but just out of convenience when I'm under the car. I'm just using the mid-torque 1/2" Rigid, and not on something really stuck. My mastercraft maximum impact socket set does just "neck down" some of the sockets, so a few of the smaller sizes are very thick walled and don't quite fit in spots.
I don't know if anyone makes an impact set with the thinnest walls possible for each size? If that exists, I would just use that.
Also I think my impact set is a bit tighter than my regular sockets, and I can hammer them onto a rusty nut or bolt without a care, so I often just use them in the hand tools if they fit.
I suspect that the smaller sizes of chrome sockets will snap most vehicle fasteners well before they would shatter on an impact gun, as the sidewalls are comparatively thick for the diameter. I do notice that a couple of the bigger chrome sockets in my set have quite thin walls for their size, so I could see blowing them up with a high torque impact before snapping the fastener.