Are you about to start projects that require sockets? Are you halfway through a job and can’t find the socket you need for your torque wrench? With the different types of sockets available, you must find the right one for your task.
But what is the difference between impact and regular sockets, and which socket set do you need? Find out what these two sockets are and how they can help you with your DIY.
Why Do You Need Sockets?
A socket enables a fastener to be tightened or loosened, and it can be used in different ways to help with your specific task. When in use, the fastener is behind the socket and is used in both machine and electrical tools. Sockets, such as a Bahco socket set, are usually used by DIY experts, mechanics and professionals in the avionics industry.
What is an Impact Socket?
These sockets are designed to be used with an impact driver or impact wrench, meaning they are manufactured with more powerful tools in mind. They need to be able to work despite the vibration that comes from the wrench or hammer.
Both individual impact sockets and impact socket sets are black because of the black oxide they are coated in. This coating helps to offer protection against corrosion and is not found on all sockets.
What is a Regular Socket?
These tend to be manufactured with chrome vanadium steel, which is a combination of chromium and vanadium to form an alloy. When considering a regular socket, they can only be used with hand tools.
Impact Sockets vs Regular Sockets
1) Construction Material
As previously established, regular sockets are made from chrome vanadium steel. This makes it softer and more brittle, which is why it is more likely to break when tools cause vibrations or shock.
An impact socket is made from chrome molybdenum steel. This has more elasticity than chrome vanadium steel so is more likely to bend than break. This means it has a better chance of withstanding the vibrations of powered tools.
2) The Locking Pins
When it comes to sockets, the locking pin is what keeps the socket attached to the wrench. The type of locking pin depends on what type of socket you use, with it being either the ball groove locking pin or the ring groove locking pin.
The ball groove locking pin is found with regular sockets and makes the removal of the socket from the wrench harder. However, it is also less likely to come off. In contrast, impact sockets have the ring groove locking pin and connect the socket with the tool more securely.
3) Use of Socket
If you have smaller fastenings, such as on cars, the regular socket is ideal. Deep impact sockets, being more durable, are great for situations requiring high levels of torque and for impact wrenches.
4) Pricing of Socket
Of the two types, regular sockets are the cheaper option. However, impact sockets are made from better-quality resources and can withstand higher levels of torque, making them a good value for money.
5) Gripping Ability
When gripping a fastener, the regular socket is more likely to round off or slip unless it utilises a bi-hex profile for enhanced grip. Impact sockets, however, have a design that prevents this, making them ideal for situations where lots of torque is required. This is because they have a better grip on the fastener.
6) Shape
Regular sockets have walls that are approximately 50% thinner than their more durable counterparts, making them more likely to break. They are also smooth and hard. On the other hand, impact sockets are thicker and they are coated in black oxide to help prevent corrosion.
7) Design
Impact sockets are designed to withstand the shock and vibrations that come from powered tools, such as pneumatic tools. They are also made more durable through the materials they are formed with and can work with fasteners that cannot operate with regular sockets, such as lug nuts.
The durability of regular sockets makes them great when using hand tools, and they are hard to prevent deformation when used with high torque levels. They are also resistant to corrosion, though they do lack that layer of black oxide over the top.
8) Heat Treating Capability
Impact sockets are heat treated, which is what makes them more resistant to general damage and more likely to withstand powered tools. As regular sockets are not heat treated, they are more susceptible to damage when subjected to great amounts of torque.
9) Size
Due to their smaller size and thickness, regular sockets are easier to use when space is limited. Impact sockets, however, are larger, both in thickness and length, which makes them stronger and a great choice when interacting with more difficult fasteners.
Advantages of Impact Sockets
1) Stronger
The impact socket is designed to withstand great amounts of torque pressure, and they have been made stronger than regular ones to help with this. They are suitable for heavy-duty work, as well as lighter tasks.
2) Durable
Due to the additional elasticity of these sockets, they are less likely to break when subjected to high amounts of pressure or torque. Whilst they may stretch, they are more inclined to remain intact and are therefore a more durable type of socket.
3) Vibration resistance
Vibrations from tools can cause cracks in a socket, which can result in breakage. By making impact sockets vibration resistant, they can operate with impact wrenches without breaking and can therefore be used with powered tools.
4) Resists corrosion
Whilst regular sockets are corrosion-resistant, impact sockets have an additional finish of black oxide. This gives it further protection against corrosion so it can continue to be used for your DIY jobs.
5) Longer/thicker
Whilst regular sockets are ideal for limited space, they are smaller. In contrast, their impact equivalent is an example of a long socket, making it better suited to fasteners that are harder to move. Impact sockets, such as the Expert by Facom 10mm Long Impact Socket, also tend to be thicker.
Advantages of Regular Sockets
1) Easier to manoeuvre
As mentioned previously, impact sockets are larger than regular sockets. This means regular sockets can access tighter areas easier, making them more manoeuvrable for awkwardly placed fasteners you need to access.
2) Many applications
A large range of tasks can require sockets, and regular sockets can be a great solution to those issues. Many projects can take advantage of this item, making it a versatile addition to your toolbox for you to apply as you see fit.
3) Shorter/thinner
As the regular socket is thinner and shorter, it can operate in smaller areas where the impact socket cannot fit. This makes it ideal to use in more confined spaces or where lug nuts are not appropriate due to their size or fit.
4) Less expensive
Whilst impact sockets are more durable, they are also more expensive. Regular sockets, in comparison, are a cheaper alternative that are effective for a variety of jobs, enabling people to complete their projects without breaking the bank.
