Impact Wrench - Sockets and Accessories

Sockets and Accessories

Sockets and extensions for impact wrenches are made of high tensile metal, as any spring effect will greatly reduce the torque available at the fastener. Even so, the use of multiple extensions, universal joints, and so forth will weaken the impacts, and the operator needs to minimize their use. Using non-impact sockets or accessories with an impact wrench will often result in bending, fracturing, or otherwise damaging the accessory, as most are not capable of withstanding the sudden high torque of an impact tool, and can result in stripping the head on the fastener. Non-impact sockets and accessories are made of a harder more brittle metal. Safety glasses should always be worn when working with impact tools, as the strong impacts will generate high-speed shrapnel if a socket, accessory, or fastener fails, unlike the steady torque of a hand ratchet where a broken accessory usually does nothing worse than cause bruised knuckles.