Here I am

Impact sockets vs regular sockets

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Which welder?

auto darkening welding hoods

We've worn out our Snap-On impact sockets quite a bit lately, espcially the 15mm, it's most used in transmission removal. Crapsman, Snap-On, I see little quality difference, however, if I call my Snap-On guy at 1:00 a. m. with a BIG problem, he will come through for me, every time. That alone is worth the extra cost in tools. Also, SOME of their tools are definitely stronger and better. The cost sucks, but he has to make a living, and I don't begrudge him that, he has cut me more deals than I deserve.
 
Originally posted by CumminsPower98

I use my Craftsman chrome sockets on my Blue Point 1/2" gun all the time and have never broken or cracked one yet.
Hope you're wearing safety glasses. Big problem using plated sockets with an impact is the plating flying off at high speed. I've had to use a non-impact socket with the impact in close clearance areas, once had a Mac socket lose almost all it's plating in a fraction of a second. It was flying everywhere, was sharp and hurt.

Same thing can happen with extensions and other adaptors you use with an impact that are plated.
 
some fact v/s fiction



where to start...



first off impact sockets are made of a much more mild steel so they absorb the impac, they are thicker to control the stretch... the reason that they do this is two fold...



the most expensive tools are the air tools and the anvil that the socket attaches to is the most expensive part of the air gun [about 1/2 half the cost of the gun when buying it as a part] . . you want the socket to wear out way before the anvil does on the air tools do to cost of replacement alone...



second do to the fact that the chrome sockets are much harder there is a safety issue, they can and will explode with air tool [impact gun] use, especially in very cold climate use. and they also wear out the anvil very fast as they are harder than the anvil is.



as Pual Harvey said . . now you know the rest of the story... LOL



not trying to flame anyone, just some info.
 
What about "flank drive" sockets? Are they really better?



And next... tool storage.

I need a tool box - big one - but sure don't want to pay $5K up. I don't wrench for a living but to save a few bucks, know it's done right and for fun. So, any advice on a good compromise between cost and quality? My current setup is everything laid out on an 8' foldup banquet table which sits across the back of the shop. Pretty functional but looks crappy and tools tend to go missing when my 4 y/o granddaughter is around.
 
RT66DOC, my craftsman ball bearing boxes are great and don't cost a fortune. You can't go wrong with them in my opinion. Flank drive sockets do have better grip. Craftsman has them now. Used to be a Snap-On thing. I don't know about the other brands.
 
Tom... Yes Yes and Yes ... flank drive is a process that good ol' Snap On invented years ago and now the patent has expired so all the copy cats are at it LOl



what it does is to allow a clearance [radiused ] corner of the socket / wrench, so the socket / wrench attacks the flats of the nut v/s the corners, giving more surface area to apply torque to. . the other styles will strip and round off the corners.



as to a large tool box... saw a very cool Stainless Steel box for sale at Costco, ya might want to check it out. . low $$ very high capacity and some very good built in quality... [I have several large Snap On's but not worth the cash for home owners IMHO unless you use them for a living or are a total tool nut as I am :D ]
 
I have two Snap -On boxes but only use them for tools I don't use much or doubles.

For the tools I use all the time I use one of these Rubbermaids with a middle shelf. So much easier with everything out in the open in a designated place. They are also available with slide out drawers and tons of different configurations. High quality for the fraction of the price.



#ad




Mechanic where I get my alignments done has a beautiful Snap-On 100 year limited edition box. When I asked what he paid he wouldn't tell me but said he had the choice between the box and a new pickup. :eek:
 
Originally posted by Hohn

The same metric deep 1/2" set that's $30 in a Crapsman brand is OVER $240 FROM SNAP ON!!



Funny you should mention this...



I just purchased the set you referred to yesterday... 12 mm through 24 mm, 1/2" sq. dr... . $280. (if memory serves). BTW, After you have used high quality Snap-On tools (especially their sockets and wrenches), it's crystal clear why they get the money they do for their ultra high quality tools. Everything else pales in comparison!



BTW, I keep extremely good care of all my tools so once I make the purchase I'm set for life!



I have to admit, I'm not exactly a 100% Snap-On loyalist...



I recently purchased a bright yellow Mac, Macsimizer (#1351) rollaway. Even though I really liked the newer high-end offerings from Snap-On, I prefer the Macsomizer series from Mac. What an awesome unit! For about $6k it should be.
 
The Snap-on hand tools I have used have always inpressed me. It's their power and air tools I always thought were underperformers for the price.



For my use, I don't need the ultra-high quality of the snap-ons.



I ended up buying the cheap Crapsman deep metric set (19-24, 27mm) for $35. It's seems even cheaper than the sears stuff I have had before. I mostly do little projects here and there, so I can't justify the cost of the nice stuff, though I can see where it would be worthwhile for some folks.



Quality is worth it. Just ask me about the DT track bar I received yesterday. Yeeha! That thing is STOUT!!



Justin
 
Back
Top