I Just added a 1/2 inch impact to my Milwaukee M-18 Fuel tool collection.
Grunt grunt grunt!!

It is rated 700 ft-lbs of maximum fastening torque, up to 1,100 ft-lbs of removal force.

This is my first heavy impact driver (not counting my little 1/4 inch one) so a couple questions...
Will this break or strip my 50 year old Craftsman or my newish Husky sockets?
Use will be quite varied overall, but will primarily be rotating the tires on 4 vehicles and removing commercial ZTR mower blades.

Are the Harbor Freight impact socket up to DIY work or do I need to look for better?
I was thinking I might need some thin-wall ones for some of the lug nuts I need to remove.

And what about those torque stick things for lug nuts, GTG? or better off sticking to a manual torque wrench?
Thanks!

I've never destroyed a Harbor Tools impact socket.
I have stripped the impact TORX sockets though.
But that's why I buy them.

Word I have is impact wrenches can shatter non-impact sockets. It's the impulse force that does it.

I always but impact sockets. While I do use air from time to time, I'd rather use them w/o air, than use a non-impact socket with air. I find the price difference not that substantial.

I have broken a Husky impact socket. With a torque wrench, even.

If you got the M18 Fuel wrench, that's a beast. Congrats. Yes, you need impact sockets, and the Pittsburg line from HF is just fine. Do not endanger your old Craftsman sockets. There is no such thing as a lifetime warranty for a quality USA Craftsman socket when the replacement comes from China.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
And what about those torque stick things for lug nuts, GTG? or better off sticking to a manual torque wrench?
Thanks!

I have worked in shops that had both, but I always used a good quality, calibrated/certified torque wrench. Maybe I'm old school, but I liked knowing for sure what torque was applied, and it was a final act of quality control; X lug nuts, got X clicks, before leaving. Never, ever had a comeback.

I'll give em a look at the Harbor...

I have been using the Pittsburgh Impacts Sockets from Harbor Freight for years now with excellent results.

All the impact sockets I have are Proto and have never failed. The only bad thing is I can't use them to take off my rims. I use my normal craftsman socket with no problem.

Pittsburg at Harbor Freight. I have that same impact and the Pittsburg have held up well on some serious jobs around the farm. Old dump truck, tractors, loader. The only reason I would recommend buying something better would be if you are a tech, purchase from one of the big 3.

You may have to buy a higher priced impact socket to get a thinner one if the Pittsburg ones are too thick walled for a specific application, but that is the only reason I can see needing a higher priced impact socket. We've used Pittsburg (Harbor Freight) impact sockets on the ranch for years, sometimes on a breaker bar with a BIG cheater bar when the impact gun didn't seem to be getting it. Stuff like changing the cutting edges on the dozen. Never managed to break one, even with this level of abuse.

There are many tools where Harbor Freight would not be my first choice. Impact sockets is not one of them.

I own a tool company. For casual home use the harbor freight impact sockets are pretty good and an excellent value for their price. If you are using them all the time with a quality impact wrench like an IR or similar you want a quality set of impacts. When they let go it can be easy and painless or an ugly process. BTW the cheap impacts rarely come close to their advertised torque specs. My guys rebuild torque wrenches big and small all day long. They would quickly destroy a set of HF. Protos are good, snapon, IR all make good impact sockets.

You do need impact sockets.

I have yet to break one of my Harbor Freight impact sockets.

My little 12v Milwaukee impact driver twists non inpact/Milwaukee Shockwave 1/4" bit adapters. I've tried non impact sockets with it and over time they hog our the 1/4" drive hole.

That said, the 18v will destroy regular sockets. Bite the bullet and get impact sockets.

Pittsburg Pro impact sockets are excellent, and affordable at Harbor Freight.

Torque sticks are garbage.

Buy a tire impact flip socket set. I have a similar set to these and I use them all the time, for years, and love them.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-0...keywords=thin+impact

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-...eywords=flip+sockets

Pro-Tip : these 24 inch breaker bars are tough as nails and a steal at $18. I keep one in every car, as well as the correct sized socket. It's MUCH easier to change a tire with a proper breaker bar. The plus side is that this a one time expense. You can keep this breaker bar in your cars trunk for the rest of your life, and you will be glad it's there every time you change a tire.
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-...YYEF65BQ9S6WAN84HFCT

It's kind of wild that to get reasonably priced US made decent quality sockets you have to go through the Chinese import king of stores.

I've picked up several Pittsburgh hand tools to replace my Craftsmen tools when they finally give up. I've yet to be disappointed.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
And what about those torque stick things for lug nuts, GTG? or better off sticking to a manual torque wrench?
Thanks!

For lug nuts, I prefer to use a socket and breaker bar to break them loose, then I can use a 3/8" battery impact tool to spin them off. Same thing in reverse, spin them on with the 3/8" battery impact tool, it will never over-torque them. Then come back and torque to specs with a torque wrench.
 
Use the battery powered tool for "spinning" only.
 

Snap-on Technical Reference: Impact vs. Chrome Sockets

Chrome hand sockets and impact sockets have differences that are a lot more than skin deep. Each is designed and manufactured with specific applications in mind, and they are built to handle that job only. The user must be careful not to use a chrome hand socket on an impact gun.

The impact socket has thick walls and is finished in a black phosphate or black oxide finish. The design is also distinct as impact sockets have a cross hole in the handle end for use with a retaining pin and ring or locking pin anvil to allow the socket to be securely attached to the square drive of an impact gun.

Power sockets, designed for use with power nut runners, multi-spindle machines and angle head nut drivers, may cause some confusion since they are offered in a black finish. But, they are stamped “WARNING: NON-IMPACT.” Power sockets are heat treated to a higher hardness than either impact or hand sockets. This high hardness, combined with thick socket walls, produces a strong, wear resistant socket. This socket is ideal for assembly-line work where it is not subjected to high-impact loads.

Hand sockets have a thin wall which allows for clearance in general applications where hand torquing is used. Hand sockets, except for those intended for industrial use, are chrome plated. Although hand sockets and power sockets can fit the impact wrench, they are not the same and must not be used on impact tools.

One difference you can’t see between these two different types of sockets has to do with the way each has been heat treated and/or the composition of the metal used. The impact socket made out of medium carbon alloy steel is heat treated to a low hardness range which has been optimized for impact use. This means that under heavy, continuous use, an impact socket will withstand the impact blows and will wear rather than break.

Hand sockets are made of medium carbon alloy steel heat treated to a hardness range commensurate with their size and configuration. Hand sockets are heat treated to a comparatively higher hardness for high strength and more wear resistance than impact sockets. But, they are made to sustain hand applied torque applications only. In other words, they are not designed for use on impact guns, and should never be used on them.

Using only impact sockets on impact wrenches reduces the risk of injury, delays and damaged work. It’s relatively easy to spot a hand socket that’s been misused on an impact wrench. Check the square drive end for signs of damage and distortion. Cracks and other damage will often appear around the wrench end as well. Breakage due to impact use is considered misuse and not through any fault of the hand socket itself.

If the right socket for the job isn’t available, the job can be delayed and tools can be damaged. Improperly using hand sockets on impact tools may be hazardous as they may crack. By knowing the difference between the various types of sockets and using them appropriately, you will be able to ensure a safer and more efficient work environment.

Great info all, thanks!