Chrome Sockets vs. Impact Sockets

impact sockets vs chrome

Most automotive technicians know the difference between chrome and impact sockets unless they are new to the industry. Knowing the difference is beneficial not only to the longevity of the tools but also for your safety.

The two types go through different manufacturing processes; thus, using a chrome socket with an impact wrench could cause significant injuries to the auto technician.

Whether you need chrome sockets or impact sockets, you can find quality tools at our company.

Impact Wrenches

An impact wrench puts out a lot of torque. It is strong enough to break many “stuck” bolts loose or tighten them with more than 1,000 pound-feet of torque. Using anything but an impact socket with an impact wrench could cause significant injury because of the difference in the manufacturing process – chrome sockets are more brittle than impact sockets.

Impact wrenches usually come in half-inch and one-inch sizes as anything smaller will break, especially with heavy-duty impact wrenches. Thus, impact sockets must be able to handle that power.

Chrome Sockets

Chrome sockets are generally chrome-plated. They are harder and more durable than impact sockets, but they are also more brittle. They have thinner walls, which means that they’ll fit in places where a thicker-walled impact socket won’t.

Because they are more brittle, chrome sockets should never be used with an impact wrench. However, the opposite isn’t true – you can use impact sockets with hand tools and light to medium-duty air ratchets.

If you use a chrome socket with an impact wrench, you run the risk of the socket exploding because of the pressure the impact wrench puts on the socket. Chrome sockets, often referred to as hand sockets, are usually made from medium carbon alloy steel, which has been heat-treated to make it stronger and more durable – but that process also makes it more brittle.

Additionally, they don’t wear as fast as impact sockets because they are heat-treated to a higher hardness. The chrome plating on chrome sockets is better at protecting them from rust than the black coating on impact sockets.

Features of Chrome Sockets at Abolox

Depending on the brand of socket you purchase, you’ll find that the sockets we carry have features such as:

• Forged and machined.
• Best fit.
• Unyielding strength.
• Precision heat-treated and tempered for optimal hardness, durability and ductility.
• Designed, engineered and manufactured in Barberton, Ohio USA.
• Meets and exceeds ASME B107 hand tool standards.
• Does not use foreign blanks or forgings.
• American-produced steel.
• Labled display board for some socket sets.
• Sizes printed in numbers you can read right on the socket.
• 6 point sockets.
• 12 point sockets.
• SAE sizes.
• Metric sizes.

Impact Sockets

Impact sockets are softer than chrome sockets. They are manufactured to handle the repeated impacts and high torque that an impact gun puts out. They wear out quicker than chrome sockets. The medium carbon alloy steel – usually Chrome Molybdenum or Chrome Vanadiam) is heat-treated to a lower hardness range than chrome sockets; thus, they are not as brittle.

Because an impact socket isn’t hardened as much, it accepts the heavy abuse of an impact gun. Instead of exploding, the socket wears out faster. An impact socket also has a cross-hole in the handle end so that the auto technician can put a retaining pin in to hold the socket on the impact gun.

You can use impact sockets as hand tools, but you can’t use chrome sockets on an impact gun. Well, you could – but you risk severe injury. The only problem with using impact sockets in place of regular sockets is that the thicker walls might prevent you from getting into tight places.

You can tell impact sockets from chrome sockets easily, as impact sockets usually have a dull black finish. The walls on the sockets are thicker, which makes the tool much heavier.

Impact sockets do not have a chrome plating as the power from the impact gun would cause the plating to flake off. The coating – black oxide or black phosphate – is not as hardy as chrome, but it does protect the socket from rusting for some time.

Features of Impact Sockets at Abolox

Many of the impact sockets we carry are made in the United States. Features of the brands we carry include:

• Patented design distributes contact over a larger surface area for better gripping.
• Oiled black oxide finish.
• Forged and machined.
• Best fit.
• Unyielding strength.
• Precision heat-treated and tempered for hardness, durability and ductility.
• Easy-to-read stamp pattern for sizes.
• Designed, engineered and manufactured in Barberton, OH USA.
• Meets and exceeds ASME B107 hand tool standards.
• SAE sizes.
• Metric sizes.

Visit Abolox for Chrome and Impact Sockets

Abolox is located in Melbourne, Florida. We distribute hand tools, safety equipment, defense parts and industrial supplies. We carry only reputable brands that are known throughout the industries they represent. We are a world-class supplier that carries world-class products. You’ll see brands such as Bluepoint and Wright.

All of our products meet or exceed the standards for their industries – we do not carry products that do not meet the standards. When you choose Abolox for your tools, supplies and safety equipment needs, you’ll find that our customer service is phenomenal and that we believe in continuous improvement.

We believe that every customer, whether you are an individual or a large shop that purchases in bulk, is important. We understand that time is of the essence and that delays could cost money. Thus, whether you need a special order or we are processing a return, we ensure that you get the products you need as soon as possible.

When you need quality sockets, whether chrome or impact, and other tools and safety gear, and you need reliable shipping and excellent customer service, visit Abolox. We carry only high-quality brands. Many of our tools and safety equipment is made in the United States.