Socket question

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Dec 12, 2008 | 09:12 PM

skirk55

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From: Newtown Pa 18940

Socket question

Some people tell me impact sockets are a waste of money. They use regular sockets. Are they worth the money?

Dec 12, 2008 | 09:56 PM

Mawk

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Only if you want a shiny piece of metal in your eye.

Easiest way to ruin a socket (the chrome one) is to try using it on an impact gun, instead of using an actual impact socket (black).

I use to work on cars, day in and day out use or 500lb/ft of torque on a chromie will definitely get rid of it. I would recommend even using cheap harbor freight ones over a chrome craftsman on an impact gun, but that's only my reccomendation. I know guys who've used chrome and haven't had problems, but they also don't use their tools every day.

Dec 12, 2008 | 10:06 PM

Chaosracing

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For a 3/8" impact you can get away with using 6pt craftsman, mac or snap on. But that would only be for limited use. But for the amount of abuse and all, get yourself a decent (Craftsman, snap on MAC) set of impact sockets. I have tried the cheap Harbour Freight impact sockets. The smaller sizes are okay, but once you start getting to larger sizes (18MM for example) the thickness of the wall sucks. I cracked 3 HF sockets. As they break I replace them with Craftsman. CP sockets are also pretty good and fairly cheap.

Dec 13, 2008 | 12:39 PM

Phinxter

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From: Saratoga, NY

I bought a set of 1/2" deep sockets at HF 4 years ago to get me started and I do use them daily with a IR 2135Ti. I also use them in a 40 ton press, I beat on them with hammers to do whatever and not one has ever split. I have made back my $18 investment and then some. I did buy some 3/8 from HF and they are (were) crap-too thin but I made my $6 back with them so I went back to my Crapsman sockets and they work ok, once in awhile I split one but they are free to replace. Swivel sockets are worth the money, I have busted 15mm Matco swivels in my 3/8 impact like 3 times in a year, and those suckers go for about $35 each.

Dec 13, 2008 | 07:29 PM

brownieboy525

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From: south jersey

I use harbor freight impacts all day on my impact gun and have never had one split. I was going to buy craftsman first but there impacts only go up to 1" in 1/2 drive, and need atleast up to 1 1/2.

Dec 23, 2008 | 11:55 AM

Mr.Ford 351W

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Impact sockets are worth the money, Do you want loose your eye(crome sockets)?

Dec 23, 2008 | 01:41 PM

quaddriver

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From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA

steel - even chromalloy - is maleable. regular sockets will deform if they dont shatter in the cold (I have had regular chromed ones shatter using hand tools when it is george bush cold out.)

if it is on the end of an impact wrench - make it black steel impact socket.

and dont use a 1/2 drive impact wrench on an adaptor to drive a 1/2 or smaller socket - just the torque produced to cycle the tool will exceed what the threads can take.