Impact sockets are essential tools for automotive repair, construction, and other heavy-duty applications. They are designed to withstand the high torque and vibration imparted by impact tools, making them ideal for tasks such as removing lug nuts from tires, disassembling engine components, and carrying out suspension work.
Key Facts
- Material: Impact sockets are typically made from chrome-molybdenum alloy steel (chromoly) or vanadium. Chromoly sockets are known for their durability and resistance to shattering and deformation under high torque. Vanadium sockets are also popular and offer good performance, although they may not be as durable as chromoly sockets.
- Size Range: Impact sockets come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different fasteners. It’s important to choose a set that includes the sizes you commonly use in your projects. Teng Tools, for example, offers a diverse size range from small metric sizes like 6mm to large metric sizes like 130mm, as well as imperial sizes from 3/8 inch to 2-3/8 inches.
- Types of Impact Sockets: Impact sockets come in various types to suit different fastener shapes and applications. Some common types include:
- Hex Impact Sockets: These sockets have a six-sided, hexagonal shape that provides a secure grip on fasteners, reducing the risk of rounding off.
- TX Impact Sockets: Designed for Torx (star-shaped) fasteners commonly found in vehicles and electronics, these sockets prevent stripping or damaging the fasteners.
- Shallow and Deep Impact Sockets: Shallow sockets are suitable for fasteners that are easy to reach and protrude out, while deep sockets are essential for dealing with recessed fasteners that standard sockets cannot reach.
- Thin Wall Impact Sockets: These sockets have a slimmer wall, allowing them to access tight spaces where standard sockets might not fit.
- Extra-Long Impact Sockets: These sockets provide an extended reach, making them suitable for accessing areas that standard and deep impact sockets can’t reach.
- Brand and Quality: It’s important to choose impact sockets from reputable brands known for their quality and durability. Teng Tools, for example, is a trusted brand that offers impact sockets engineered to exceed critical specifications and standards set by DIN and ANSI.
Material
Impact sockets are typically made from chrome-molybdenum alloy steel (chromoly) or vanadium. Chromoly sockets are known for their durability and resistance to shattering and deformation under high torque. Vanadium sockets are also popular and offer good performance, although they may not be as durable as chromoly sockets.
Size Range
Impact sockets come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different fasteners. It’s important to choose a set that includes the sizes you commonly use in your projects. Teng Tools, for example, offers a diverse size range from small metric sizes like 6mm to large metric sizes like 130mm, as well as imperial sizes from 3/8 inch to 2-3/8 inches.
Types of Impact Sockets
Impact sockets come in various types to suit different fastener shapes and applications. Some common types include:
- Hex Impact SocketsThese sockets have a six-sided, hexagonal shape that provides a secure grip on fasteners, reducing the risk of rounding off.
- TX Impact SocketsDesigned for Torx (star-shaped) fasteners commonly found in vehicles and electronics, these sockets prevent stripping or damaging the fasteners.
- Shallow and Deep Impact SocketsShallow sockets are suitable for fasteners that are easy to reach and protrude out, while deep sockets are essential for dealing with recessed fasteners that standard sockets cannot reach.
- Thin Wall Impact SocketsThese sockets have a slimmer wall, allowing them to access tight spaces where standard sockets might not fit.
- Extra-Long Impact SocketsThese sockets provide an extended reach, making them suitable for accessing areas that standard and deep impact sockets can’t reach.
Brand and Quality
It’s important to choose impact sockets from reputable brands known for their quality and durability. Teng Tools, for example, is a trusted brand that offers impact sockets engineered to exceed critical specifications and standards set by DIN and ANSI.
Sources
- Best-value impact sockets … your recommendations?
- What Makes the Best Impact Sockets in the Market
- Best Socket Sets
FAQs
What are impact sockets used for?
Impact sockets are designed to withstand the high torque and vibration imparted by impact tools, making them ideal for tasks such as removing lug nuts from tires, disassembling engine components, and carrying out suspension work.
What are impact sockets made of?
Impact sockets are typically made from chrome-molybdenum alloy steel (chromoly) or vanadium. Chromoly sockets are known for their durability and resistance to shattering and deformation under high torque. Vanadium sockets are also popular and offer good performance, although they may not be as durable as chromoly sockets.
What size range do impact sockets come in?
Impact sockets come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different fasteners. It’s important to choose a set that includes the sizes you commonly use in your projects.
What are the different types of impact sockets?
Impact sockets come in various types to suit different fastener shapes and applications. Some common types include hex impact sockets, TX impact sockets, shallow and deep impact sockets, thin wall impact sockets, and extra-long impact sockets.