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Never use a 12pt with either an impact wrench or a breaker bar.
This is a point I disagree on it's wording. I bought an impact grade Snap~on 12mm 12point socket just for removing those 12 point bolts at the U joint. I have no problem using an impact grade 12 pt on a 12 point bolt for removal, but when they put those there, that should be a reminder to break out the torque wrench for installation!
Another thing about chrome sockets and impacts is that they don't transmit all of the torque and hammering to the bolt or nut like an impact socket does. Chrome sockets are somewhat soft and springy whereas impacts are hard.
As for chrome sockets on an air gun, I think there's a more important question to be asked. Since I'm sure that all of us have been guilty on occasion of NOT wearing all of the proper safety protection, the question that comes to my mind is - what are your eyes worth? A decent set if impact sockets can be had for around $50. Seems worth it to me...
As for chrome sockets on an air gun, I think there's a more important question to be asked. Since I'm sure that all of us have been guilty on occasion of NOT wearing all of the proper safety protection, the question that comes to my mind is - what are your eyes worth? A decent set if impact sockets can be had for around $50. Seems worth it to me...
Anyone here think that impact sockets won't shatter just like chrome ones, you are sadly mistaken. The bigger question here is where the heck are your safety glasses?
"You can eat with false teeth, walk on a wooden leg, but you cannot see with a glass eye."
Also the reason for not using a chrome socket on an impact is NOT because of it breaking, it is because after it breaks, the chrome that peels off near the crack is sharper than a razor blade. I have close to 15 sockets at work Snap on, Proto, Williams, all impact, all broken. Granted most of you in here never use 1" or 1 1/2" impacts on a daily basis either.
The reason that impact sockets will break more fasteners loose than a same size chrome socket, is not because it is any softer, it is because it has more mass. Tip for everyone in here, next time you cannot get a bolt broke loose with a 1/2" drive impact socket, use a 3/4" drive impact socket with the appropiate addapter, you will be supprised in the difference in torque transmission with the heaver massed socket.
Cheapranger, thanks for the correction. 12pt impact sockets are manufactuered for a reason, 12pt fasteners, which seem to be gaining popularity in a number of different industries. And thanks for the point about using a torque wrench. I'm so sick of seeing people overtorque everything the do with an impact wrench. I couldn't tell you how many times I've gone to take a tire off one of my friends cars just to discover that it had been torqued to 200+lb/ft. No point in owning the tool if you're not going to use it right.
Remember those 12 point drive shaft bolts have Locktite on them. Use a little heat and they come loose easy. Make sure you clean everything properly and apply Locktite to them when you replace them.
Anyone here think that impact sockets won't shatter just like chrome ones, you are sadly mistaken. The bigger question here is where the heck are your safety glasses?
"You can eat with false teeth, walk on a wooden leg, but you cannot see with a glass eye."
Also the reason for not using a chrome socket on an impact is NOT because of it breaking, it is because after it breaks, the chrome that peels off near the crack is sharper than a razor blade. I have close to 15 sockets at work Snap on, Proto, Williams, all impact, all broken. Granted most of you in here never use 1" or 1 1/2" impacts on a daily basis either.
The reason that impact sockets will break more fasteners loose than a same size chrome socket, is not because it is any softer, it is because it has more mass. Tip for everyone in here, next time you cannot get a bolt broke loose with a 1/2" drive impact socket, use a 3/4" drive impact socket with the appropiate addapter, you will be supprised in the difference in torque transmission with the heaver massed socket.
Ryan
I do not agree with your point about if you can not get a nut off with 1/2 impact socket then you get a 3/4 impact socket and put in an adaptor between your gun and the socket your adaptor sucks up all the power. I have IR Titanium and when I add a swivel, adaptors, extension, or even a swivel impact, socket I lose a ton of power. So then I get out my 24" breaker bar crack it loose and let the gun spin it out for me.
I do not agree with your point about if you can not get a nut off with 1/2 impact socket then you get a 3/4 impact socket and put in an adaptor between your gun and the socket your adaptor sucks up all the power. I have IR Titanium and when I add a swivel, adaptors, extension, or even a swivel impact, socket I lose a ton of power. So then I get out my 24" breaker bar crack it loose and let the gun spin it out for me.
I have gotten many main cap tie bolts on Waukesha VHP series engines loose using this trick, rather than taking all of the accessories of the side of the engine block, to get a breaker bar or a 3/4" drive torque wrench in place to loosen them. Using the same impact you mentioned. I guess I have just been getting lucky the past 6 years then.
Using chrome non impact sockets with an impact is like using pvc pipe to plumb shop air. It is an accident waiting to happen. Always use the proper tool for the job.
You guys are forgetting about the other half of the equation. Chrome sockets are also harder, the extra hardness wears the square shank on your impact mush faster than an impact socket. I have also been told that an impact socket will split before a chrome when using a breaker bar due to the hardness, an impact uses short bursts of torque as opposed to a constant with a breaker bar. Greg
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