Question about air tools, particularly sockets.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Question about air tools, particularly sockets.
This may be a dumb **** question but I've always been a "I don't need a compressor" kind of guy but screw that chit. I went out and bought a compressor. My question is, will regular sockets work with air tools or do you have to buy the cool looking black ones? What's the difference? Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Will they work? YES, should you use them NO 
The black ones are heavy (very thick) so the torque from the air gun will not shatter them. My advice even if you can't afford really good ones, is to go get a moderately priced set of impact sockets. Enjoy your new compressor and air tools. Working on your car just got easier. 
The black ones are heavy (very thick) so the torque from the air gun will not shatter them. My advice even if you can't afford really good ones, is to go get a moderately priced set of impact sockets. Enjoy your new compressor and air tools. Working on your car just got easier.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Thanks, that's what I figured. I'll buy some, just didn't want to spend any un-necessary money. I have a ton of regular sockets. The tunnel plate alone makes up for the cost of the compressor and the air tools.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 822
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From: Grafton Ohio
I use my regular chrome snap ons with the impact only if the thick impact sockets ( the cool black ones ) will not fit into the space I'm working in. The chromies will eventually crack from repeated use with an impact.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: eastern NC
Originally Posted by Cajundude
Thanks, that's what I figured. I'll buy some, just didn't want to spend any un-necessary money. I have a ton of regular sockets. The tunnel plate alone makes up for the cost of the compressor and the air tools.
You're gonna want this feature once you use them on some really rusty bolts.
Good luck... GUSTO
Last edited by GUSTO14; Nov 23, 2005 at 06:42 PM.
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '03
For small fastener jobs like the tunnel plate, an impact wrench is definitely NOT the tool to use.
Get yourself a 3/8" drive air ratchet, and then yes, you can use the normal chrome sockets with that.
But, for impact wrench usage, use the black 6 pt impact sockets. You will break the chrome ones easily with it.
Get yourself a 3/8" drive air ratchet, and then yes, you can use the normal chrome sockets with that.
But, for impact wrench usage, use the black 6 pt impact sockets. You will break the chrome ones easily with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 807
Likes: 21
From: Los Altos CA
While I have broken a few chrome sockets over the years, chrome 6 pt sockets work well and are lighter and fit into tight spots better. I only use the impact sockets for high torque situations.
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St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
For small fastener jobs like the tunnel plate, an impact wrench is definitely NOT the tool to use.
Get yourself a 3/8" drive air ratchet, and then yes, you can use the normal chrome sockets with that.
But, for impact wrench usage, use the black 6 pt impact sockets. You will break the chrome ones easily with it.
Get yourself a 3/8" drive air ratchet, and then yes, you can use the normal chrome sockets with that.
But, for impact wrench usage, use the black 6 pt impact sockets. You will break the chrome ones easily with it.
Air Ratchet ->http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S...42f+1132884387
Next you'll want:
1.) Cut off tool ->http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S...42f+1132880414
2.) Die Grinders -> http://www.maxtool.com/cgi-bin/dbsea...25,DB_CAT2=Sdg
and
http://www.maxtool.com/cgi-bin/dbsea...25,DB_CAT2=Adg
3.) Reciprocating Saw ->http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S...42f+1132882802
4.) Air Hammer ->http://www.maxtool.com/cgi-bin/dbsea...=25,DB_CAT2=AD
These will make future projects MUCH easier.
