Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks - The "BLACK" Impact Socket ??

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The "BLACK" Impact Socket ??

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Topic: The "BLACK" Impact Socket ??

Posted By: FREEDGUY
Subject: The "BLACK" Impact Socket ??
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2021 at 6:21pm

Why/what is the significance of the "impact" socket over the "chrome" cousins ?? Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2021 at 6:28pm

Impact Sockets are actually Soft yet Thicker Wall, allows the Gun Shank to distort the square slightly over time but do not shatter, Chrome sockets tend to be Harder and thinner leading to Shatters and Injuries.

Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2021 at 6:32pm

don’t think any Crome socket is a legit “impact” socket. Black sockets are normally thicker.

Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2021 at 8:27pm

Impact sockets are used on impact drivers or other drive tools
Chrome sockets are used with those other drive tools but NOT Impacts

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Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2021 at 8:29pm

chrome sockets will wear the drives on your impact guns a lot quicker

Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2021 at 8:57pm

The process of electroplating results in a chemical effect on the parent metal called 'hydrogen embrittlement'... the chromed metal becomes brittle from the process.

As others noted, an 'impact socket' is thicker, and not plated, and the alloy used is more ductile, so that it will last at the mandrel of a flying-hammer impact tool.

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Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2021 at 9:17pm

Not to mention that the chrome plating flakes off, after the socket deforms, as anyone who has gotten a finger full of chrome splinters can tell you...

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Posted By: Ray54
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2021 at 10:26am

Or even worse than splinter in the finger would in the eye.

Always just the cheap impact sockets. We had a local guy with cheap china tools back in 76 or 77.He was good to warranty the cheap junk . Finally retired when the big box stores came. Never broke one just keep planting black sockets in black dirt. NOT ONE HAS EVER GROWN, dang imported seed.But many places the big thick ones don't fit.

Posted By: KJCHRIS
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2021 at 3:10pm

"BLACK" impact sockets are a softer but thicker material designed to take the force & torque of an impact. Designed to not shatter in use. The harder thinner sockets "WILL" shatter when used on a powerful impact. I've had the standard sockets split or shatter when forced to use them in low clearance applications on impact. Didn't matter Snap-on, S-K, Matco, Craftsman, or cheapy from farm or hardware store they all break. Have never bought Snap-on or MatCo impact sockets, think I've only had a couple break but have had many get wallowed out to point they'd wedge onto bolt or nut. Have 1/2" & 3/8" craftsman impacts that are 20+ yr old, used them almost daily for 20 yrs.

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