Impact sockets critical for impact wrench?

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e9999

e9999

Gotta get out there...
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got myself an impact wrench to play with. 425 ftlbs.
But didn't get impact sockets yet. Will later on when I get the chance.
Is it critical to use impact sockets with the wrench or will regular do in a pinch?
I'm thinking impact sockets have been hardened to resist the blows better yet that would suggest more likelihood of shattering events than with the regulars.
IOW, what is likely to happen if I use regular sockets? 1 in a 1000 chance of messing up the faces of the sockets or guaranteed explosion...? :)
 
I wonder how many of us have a hand socket we need to take back to sears because of this:o
 
thank you, Honk, as we all know, MUD is much better than Google....
I'm aware that it's advisable to use impact sockets with impact wrenches.
If that wasn't clear, I'm asking about real life experiences, not catalog info: are regular sockets a major no-no with real danger to life and limb or will they do in a pinch until I get real impact sockets? If the only likely outcome is a stripped socket, I can live with that if I have a job to do...
 
I was dumb once 'cause I tried to sneak by with a regular socket and shattered it. No injuries, just that sheepish feeling that comes when you know you should know better.

I'd stick with the impact sockets if I were you.
 
I changed out my transmission (H55F upgrade) with impact wrenches using regular sockets. No problems. "Explosions" can't be likely, but cracked sockets perhaps. Cheap Taiwanese sockets will crack with hand socket wrenches, so I wouldn't use those with an impact. If the sockets are good quality, I think you'll be OK for a while.
 
Benson said:
I was dumb once 'cause I tried to sneak by with a regular socket and shattered it. No injuries, just that sheepish feeling that comes when you know you should know better.

I'd stick with the impact sockets if I were you.
Click to expand...

OK, that's not good, shattered I don't like...
 
e9999 said:
thank you, Honk, as we all know, MUD is much better than Google....
I'm aware that it's advisable to use impact sockets with impact wrenches.
If that wasn't clear, I'm asking about real life experiences, not catalog info: are regular sockets a major no-no with real danger to life and limb or will they do in a pinch until I get real impact sockets? If the only likely outcome is a stripped socket, I can live with that if I have a job to do...
Click to expand...

Oh well then you should ask ol' BMH. ("BMH" stands for the place he lives; the Blind Mechanic's Home)
 
So run some electrical tape around standard sockets

I have used standard sockets many times. Never had one shatter..

And no matter what, you shoudl always wear safety glasses.
 
I used standard for a little while as well....nothing crazy happened.

Also, for what its worth, the SuperWalmart has stanley deep impact wrench sockets for $18 a set. About 1/3 of the price of Husky at the Home Depot.
 
I use the impact sockets when I can but sometimes they are too large (long or bulky) so I use the regular sockets. I have broken about 2 or 3 so far with my 625 ft-lbs Thunder Gun. I think Mace had a good idea about using the tape. Why wait though, invest in a set now.
 
Eric-I have used non-impact sockets but usually with the power dialed down.

The real reason not to use them, is that the retention mechanism is slightly different, and pulling the nonimpact socket off can wreck that c-clip that sits on the end of the impact anvil. This results in ongoing frustration with sockets getting jammed on the anvil and finally force you to go back to the dealer and get a new c-clip installed. Not that I would know:crybaby:

Seriously, ToolsRUs schooled me on this a while back. Use impact sockets. Even the cheap ones from Harbor Freight hold up pretty well. And they are, well, cheap, just like you.:flipoff2:
 
RHINO said:
i think impact sockets are actually softer than regular sockets,,,,
Click to expand...


They are, softer with a thicker wall to get strength back,

I have been known to do it with craftsman and Snap-on sockets, see some chipping of the chrome, never had one shatter. not to say that it cannot happen,

at home I mainly use the impact for lug nuts, just get one 13/16" impact socket (think that is right size for the 80) and that should cover 90% of your impact use.
 
Benson said:
I was dumb once 'cause I tried to sneak by with a regular socket and shattered it. No injuries, just that sheepish feeling that comes when you know you should know better.

I'd stick with the impact sockets if I were you.
Click to expand...

I have been in professional tool sales/repair for years, warrantied tons of sockets, never seen one "shattered". It must be extremely rare or a wifes tail.:D Hand sockets are more prone to cracking, splitting.

Cruiserdrew said:
...
The real reason not to use them, is that the retention mechanism is slightly different, and pulling the nonimpact socket off can wreck that c-clip that sits on the end of the impact anvil. This results in ongoing frustration with sockets getting jammed on the anvil and finally force you to go back to the dealer and get a new c-clip installed. Not that I would know:crybaby:
...
Click to expand...

A big part of the problem, some hand socket designs do this others work OK.

RHINO said:
i think impact sockets are actually softer than regular sockets,,,,
Click to expand...

This is the other half, impact sockets are much softer, made to wear before the anvil on the tool. Hand sockets are harder and the chrome plating is much harder, greatly accelerating the wear to the anvil and retainer clip.

Some applications require a thin wall socket and some users don't have impact sockets. If you need to use a hand socket on an impact, get a short impact type extension and use it between the socket and tool to save the anvil. Also when a chrome socket flexes, cracks it can shed peals, slivers of chrome, so don't touch, hold a spinning chrome socket, the cuts produced aren't nice!
 
good info, all that...!
thx
 
Depends on the torque used. If the fasteners aren't really tight but the impact is being used more out of convenience then you may be able to get by. Elec tape around them sure isn't a bad idea. Glasses would be good since you only get one set of eyes. Bottom line though as cheap as the impacts can be there really is no excuse not to have them. Having an impact setup includes having the impact wrench, the impact sockets, the correct psi and cfm and even the oil. Trying to get by with using standard sockets is just stupid and you are only going to save a few bucks. Save that round of roulette for something else.
 
I went to the school of ToolRus and he set me straight too....!!!
 
I agree that impact sockets aren't that expensive, my last couple of sets are Grey Pneumatic, good sockets at a great price. But in a pinch it's not that big of a deal to use chrome, however never use any hand/chrome universal joint/sockets on an impact, they can come apart and fling pieces. I carry a IR2115 in my trail kit, the only impact stuff that I carry is a couple of extensions, u-joint and a 21mm 6pt deep for lugs, the rest of the sockets are chrome. The chrome stuff is much less likely to rust and the thinner walls fit more places.

I replaced a 1/2 IR anvil this morning that has chrome wear, the one on the right has normal wear, the one on the left has seen a bunch of chrome use.
anvils.webp
 
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