Impact driver sockets are pretty common and not too different than standard sockets from first glance but they do have some differences, subtle but key to their makeup. Here are some of the most common questions I found regarding impact sockets...
What is an Impact Socket?
An impact socket is a specialized tool that securely attaches to a socket wrench, impact wrench, ratchet, or even a 1/4 inch impact driver with the right attachment.
They are specialized in the sense that they are specifically designed for impact power tools, and can withstand the high torque, vibration, and impact stresses that tools like an impact driver or wrench can deliver on them.
Where ordinary sockets might chip, crack or otherwise fail under the extreme stresses that they undergo between the powerful hammering action of an impact tool and a stuck bolt, impact sockets have the abrasion resistance and just the right amount of flexibility to withstand all of those.
An impact socket, simply put, is a socket that can stand up not just to the greater torque that an impact driver or wrench can deliver, but can also hold up to the shock and vibrations from the hammering action of these tools.
They can do so since they are mostly made of chrome molybdenum steel, which is slightly more malleable than the comparatively brittle chrome vanadium steel that makes up most ordinary sockets designed for hand tools.
Aside from a more durable composition, specialized coatings and a few anti-vibration features, impact sockets are similar to conventional sockets in appearance and the way they are used. Both impact sockets and ordinary sockets work by securely holding a nut or bolt in place so you can tighten or loosen them by turning.
Just like regular sockets, impact sockets have what is called a “drive socket” on one end, which goes on the drive shaft of your impact wrench or impact driver. These drive sockets are square shaped to fit the square drives of your 1/2 inch impact driver or impact wrench.
On the other end of the socket is the head, is the part that holds the fastener snugly in place while the tool exerts its turning power. You will usually see these heads come in a hexagonal shape, which slightly curves inwards for better grip.
These sockets are also called “hex sockets,” and there are a variety of other socket head shapes available as well for bolts and nuts of all sorts of shapes and sizes.
What is an Impact Socket Used For?
An impact socket is used for loosening or tightening a fastener, such as a nut or a bolt, with the aid of an impact power tool. These are specifically designed to be used with an impact wrench or an impact driver, and as such, you can expect them to perform better and last longer than conventional sockets. You may also use them with hand tools such as ratchets as well if you want to.
It’s generally recommended that you use an impact socket with an impact driver or an impact wrench, especially if you are working with fasteners that are stuck, corroded, or require a lot of torque to loosen.
Regular sockets may work for a while for these tasks, but they are simply not built to withstand the vibration and shock that impact tools can subject them to. Impact sockets are less likely to crack, get scraped, or have their outer finish flaked off.
More importantly, they have a bit of additional elasticity to them that makes it a lot harder for them to snap off, which makes them a lot safer to work with even with high torque power tools.
What is the Difference Between an Impact Socket and a Conventional Socket?
The main difference between an impact socket and a conventional socket is in the materials used to make them. Conventional sockets are made of chrome vanadium steel, a hard variant of steel used in a lot of tooling applications.
Chrome vanadium steel is very hard, and relatively brittle - so while regular sockets are durable tools, they do not stand up too well to shock and vibrations. Impact sockets, on the other hand, are made with chrome molybdenum steel that adds just a bit of additional elasticity to the socket. This material is not as hard, but in the case of extreme stress, it tends to bend or stretch rather than shatter.
Another big difference between an impact socket and a conventional socket is in the finish. Regular sockets will usually come with a shiny or satin chrome plated finish, while impact sockets come with a duller black oxide finish. A chrome or matte chrome plating is great for warding off corrosion, but also tends to chip or flake off when subjected to shock and high torque that deforms the socket. A black oxide finish, on the other hand, will not chip or wear off as easily.
The different coating used also makes it see at a glance which of your sockets are impact sockets, and which ones are regular sockets. You can also check the packaging to confirm that you get a socket that’s labeled as “impact rated” or “impact ready” as well.
What is an Impact Socket Wrench?
An impact socket wrench, which is also simply known as an impact wrench, is a power tool designed to turn a drive with a high amount of torque.
With the right socket or adapter, you can use this torque to effortlessly loosen bolts, nuts, and other fasteners, even if they have been rusted or stuck in place. Impact socket wrenches are so called because they do the same job as a hand-operated socket wrench, but do it with the speed and efficiency of a power tool.
The three most common types of impact wrenches are corded, cordless and pneumatic models. Typically the pneumatic (compressed air type) will offer some of the highest torque output and is commonly used in automotive applications. Corded and cordless models are also available which can come in handy for different circumstances (convenience, cost, power, etc.).
What is a Deep Impact Socket?
Deep Impact sockets are impact sockets with a “deep” reach - you can usually tell them apart by the extra length they have – many of them are 3 1/4 inches long, or even longer in some cases.
They are ideal for bolts and nuts with deep heads. They are also the ideal socket for use on fasteners that are damaged, those that have their corners rounded, or those made from mild steel or other softer materials.
What are Drive Impact Sockets?
A drive impact socket is simply an impact socket with a drive socket on the other end. This means they have a square hole on the other end that fits right on to the drive shaft of an impact wrench, or a 1/2 inch adapter on an impact driver. Aside from drive sockets, there are also other sockets that have a protruding male head instead and are usually referred to as a drive adapter or drive socket adapter.
What is a Flip Impact Socket
princessauto.com
Flip impact sockets are handy to have in the tire shop or in the garage since you can have two sizes in one socket. Flip impact sockets come as a set since you will need the 1/2 inch drive tang to put inside one end of the socket to use them with your square drive.
To use the other end, simply pull off the socket from the tang, flip it around, and use the other end to attach the socket to your impact wrench. A small set with three pieces can cover most, if not all, of the lug nut sizes you will likely encounter in your auto shop or garage.
How About a Universal Impact Socket?
A universal impact socket looks similar to your ordinary impact socket at first glance. The only difference is that it has the ability to swivel in a circular motion, which comes in handy for tighter areas or awkward angles.
These are available in single sizes or you can get a full set of these if you want with all the common sizes included in some of the larger sets.
What is a Twist Impact Socket?
A twist impact socket is a socket that has spiral grooves inside the head socket, and these are designed to cut into and grip even the most rounded or corroded fasteners you may come across.
They are ideal for dealing with wheel lugs, bolts, pipes or studs that have long rusted away, as long as you don’t mind not being able to reuse the fasteners.
The spiral flutes dig into the damaged fastener head and let you easily remove the damaged nut or bolt.
What is an Impact Socket Set?
An impact socket set is simply a collection of impact sockets, of varying head shapes and sizes.
One of these will let you deal with a wide range of fasteners you may come across in your line of work.
Many impact socket sets are designed with a workplace in mind – you will usually find sets designed for automotive, construction, HVAC, or maintenance applications.
grainger.com
These can come in smaller sets, like the set pictured above or in larger sets with more sizes and both metric and standard dimensions as well, extensions, etc. just like the other standard socket sets out there.
What is an Impact Socket Set Used For?
Impact socket sets are used for a wide variety of applications – in the garage, construction site, or in industrial settings. That said, some impact socket sets have a more narrow application- there are sets that are solely designed for removing corroded fasteners only, for example. If you are shopping for an impact socket set, make sure that what you are getting will fit both your impact tools, as well as the fasteners you will use them on.
