Why not always use impact sockets?

[buckeyefarmer]

I use cardboard on floor to get under vehicles and stay relatively clean.

 

[YLee Kioti]

I use cardboard on floor to get under vehicles and stay relatively clean.

what parts do you order from amazon to get those card board boxes.....???:laughing:

and don't the wife give you the stink eye for all those orders.....

 

[buckeyefarmer]

what parts do you order from amazon to get those card board boxes.....???:laughing:

and don't the wife give you the stink eye for all those orders.....

Her new treadmill, her new washing machine, dryer..... Cut the sides. I keep the large pieces, they store easy flat.

I stopped saving the small boxes, way too many.

 

[JerryK]

Her new treadmill, her new washing machine, dryer..... Cut the sides. I keep the large pieces, they store easy flat.

I stopped saving the small boxes, way too many.

Good to save SOME boxes. Never know when she will want you to pack them and move out.....

 

[Oldoak]

No warranty? These days it seems many tools come with a "lifetime warranty".

I would hope any warranty would not cover such mis-use or abuse of any product.

That's what drives up the cost for all consumers. :confused3:

 

[rhunt]

Yes, cardboard works for me too. I feel your pain with the up and down also. Bob

 

[CMV]

I have both, but will grab a standard socket 99% of the time unless 1/2" breaker bar + cheater pipe or stronger (than typical 20V cordless) impact gun being used. Yeah, the size and weight are different, but for me, the standard ones are easy to read. All my impact ones are matte black with the sizes just stamped. Very difficult to read - especially if underneath something and lower light.

So just the simplicity of being able to read the size markings makes me choose the standard socket.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I MUCH prefer old carpet to lie on, I keep pieces of it around just for that purpose.

SR

 

[dodge man]

I actually have a pad I lie down on, works pretty good.

 

[JRobyn]

I just throw an old bed sheet on the ground most of the time.

Larger chunks of cardboard (like from appliance boxes) are my go-to. Make halfway decent knee padding too.

 

[JerryK]

Larger chunks of cardboard (like from appliance boxes) are my go-to. Make halfway decent knee padding too.

Sometimes [ sometimes ] it is better to be elevated above the floor, at least high enough that 'most' of the oil you are draining stays a little farther under you..... you know, the stuff that you don't seem to be able to get in the pan.

 

[tjkubota93]

While working as a auto mechanic I ended up using my 3/8" metric impact sockets most often. That way I could use them on air wrench or by hand without breaking them. The times I needed the thinner ones were very few.

 

[kenlip]

Impact sockets have thicker walls which can be a problem in tight areas. Also, quality impact sockets also only come in 6 point (as a general rule) whereas 12 point chrome is often very helpful.

So, it depends on your use. If clearance and 6/12 pint doesn't bother you, go for it.

I was thinking about the number of points and you make a good point I bought a new torque wrench, which a deflecting beam model and has no ratchet. I can see now, that the lack of ratchet might be problematic, given that some bolts are in areas where there is inadequate swing to go from one hex to the next.

The store had the 12-point only with 3/8" drive. Both the standard and impact versions with 1/2" drive were 6-point.

Ken

 

[kenlip]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys.

At the moment, with a brand new tractor and only an FEL with a bucket and forks, my need for sockets is primarily to keep the various bolts torqued.

As time goes on, and I get more into servicing the tractor, my needs will change a bit. I have a couple of 1/2" drive socket sets but might also invest in a 3/8" set when the servicing requirements start.

 

[LD1]

As others said, impacts are often thicker and don't always fit.

Chrome are easier to wipe clean.

6 vs 12 point.....good to have both. If you are into actually rebuilding things...lots of 12 pt fastners. EOD and main caps, head bolts, etc.

And haust manifolds are usually one of the times you struggle to fit a thicker impact socket

 

[ovrszd]

While working as a auto mechanic I ended up using my 3/8" metric impact sockets most often. That way I could use them on air wrench or by hand without breaking them. The times I needed the thinner ones were very few.

Yep. And 3/8 is preferred over 1/2. My 3/8 air impact is used 5 times as much as my 1/2. The rechargeables have advanced leaps and bounds as well.

 

[crazyal]

Moral of the story is you need more tools. Don't question it, just keep buying more until you start having difficulty finding a tool on the store shelf you don't already own. At that point in time it's time to start getting a second one of each.

 

[JerryK]

Moral of the story is you need more tools. Don't question it, just keep buying more until you start having difficulty finding a tool on the store shelf you don't already own. At that point in time it's time to start getting a second one of each.

PLUS, you can give your Son all your mostly worn out stuff and buy new...... takes him a while to catch on.