Can You Use Regular Sockets With a Torque Wrench? Yes, you can; however, my suggestion is to use regular sockets with a torque wrench for light and tight applications. For example, if you have to ride your bike and put it together to torque specs.
Full Answer
What is the best type of torque wrench?
- BEST OVERALL: TEKTON 1/2 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench 24335
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Capri Tools 31000 15-80 Foot Pound Torque Wrench
- BEST DIGITAL: GEARWRENCH 1/2″ Drive Electronic Torque Wrench
- BEST PORTABLE: LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (LX-184)
- BEST FOR MOTORCYCLES: Set of 3 Pittsburgh Pro Reversible Click Type Wrench
Which is a good torque wrench?
When selecting a torque wrench, it is recommended to focus on the following points:
- The range of torque. ...
- The size of the square. ...
- Accuracy of measurements. ...
- Dimensions of the tool. ...
- Material of the product. ...
- Material of the handle. ...
- Readability of the scale and ergonomics of the handle. ...
- Direction of movement of the tool. ...
- The reset button. ...
- Availability of accessories. ...
What should I look for in a torque wrench?
What should I look for in a torque wrench? Choose a wrench with an accuracy of plus or minus 5%. Check the torque wrench calibration for the date and accuracy as per the manufacturer’s settings. When a torque wrench is well-calibrated, it will have clear scale visibility. The longevity and accuracy of the torque wrench depend on how well it ...
How important is it to use a torque wrench?
These are the steps to take to use a torque wrench properly:
- Ensure the threads are clean, rust-free, dry, and undamaged.
- Tighten the nut by hand or with a wrench until it is snug.
- Set the correct torque value on the torque wrench.
- Apply the torque wrench to the nut and tighten it until you hear a click, then back off.
- Apply pressure again until you hear another click. ...
- The nut is now properly tightened.
Do you need a special socket for a torque wrench?
There are many types of sockets designed in the industry that cater to different fasteners or tool requirements. Among all, impact sockets are the most popular and durable sockets that can withstand the load delivered by torque wrenches.
How much torque can a normal socket take?
SOCKET DRIVE SIZES – TORQUE LIMITS & MAXIMUM TYPICAL LOADINGDrive SizeReasonable Torque Rating Limit*1-1/2″ Square Drive11,500 ft-lbs [15,600 Nm]2-1/2″ Square Drive45,000 ft-lbs [61,015 Nm]3-1/2″ Square Drive100,000 ft-lbs [135,590 Nm]4-1/2″ Square Drive200,000 ft-lbs [271,165 Nm]4 more rows
Can you use a torque wrench as a regular ratchet?
In these applications, a torque wrench is the proper tool to use instead of a plain ratchet. Fortunately, in all but the tightest or most specialized of applications, ratchet torque wrenches can be used.
Can you use a regular socket on an impact gun?
Ordinary chrome sockets can't handle impact work and may crack or shatter under the stress. And because impact-rated sockets have six points instead of 12, they're less likely to round over bolt and nut heads.
Can you use regular sockets on lug nuts?
Yes, return the impact gun, (if wheel install/remove was the only reason you bought it), yes, normal sockets (they are chrome plated steel (normally) as opposed to aluminum) will do just fine. Get whatever torque wrench you are comfortable with using and all torque wrenches require calibration.
How much torque does it take to break a socket?
150 ft-lbs will break a 3/8" drive usually and about 300 ft-lbs will break a 1/2" drive. These are on regular breaker bars that are partially hollow and have the little ball in the space of the head to hold the socket. A SOLID 1/2" heat treated impact rated drive anvil will go up to about 1200 ft-lbs.
Is it bad to use a torque wrench to loosen?
A torque wrench is a tightening tool. It is a very sensitive and precise tightening tool, and should never been used to loosen bolts.
What happens if you use a torque wrench as a breaker bar?
Never use your torque wrench as a breaker bar—that'll damage the torque mechanism. Carry it with kid gloves—a single fall can knock the accuracy off by as much as 30 percent. If you do drop it, get it recalibrated (calibration firms listed below) before using it again.
What should you not do with a torque wrench?
When working with your torque wrench, avoid using pipes or other objects to extend the wrench handle. Not only is this practice dangerous, it can also damage the tool and throw off its accuracy. Torque tools are designed to make things tighter, but some can also work to loosen bolts.
Are impact sockets stronger than regular sockets?
In most situations it is that simple. However, I've often found that impact sockets have a slightly stronger fit than the standard sockets—old tools, high-end tools produced here or there; it didn't seem to matter. Impact sockets tend to fit tighter and strip things less, even if not using impact tools to turn them.
Why are impact sockets black?
Impact sockets are typically black. This is because the surface is carbonized in order for it to harden. Ensuring that the surface is hard allows the sockets to absorb sudden torque changes i.e. “impact” a lot better.
Are 6 point or 12 point sockets better?
Answer: It's true that 12-point sockets are fine for most lightweight repairs, but heavy wrenching calls for a six-point socket. A six-point socket is much less likely to slip off a stubborn fastener or round over the corners. Here's why: (1) Six-point sockets have thicker walls, so they're less likely to flew.
Can you use an adapter or an extender on a torque wrench?
You can easily use an adapter to lengthen or change the size of the sockets for your torque wrench, as these do not directly affect the overall torque being applied. The only thing that they change is the size and length at which the torque is being applied, with the only caveat being that there is a length limit and an angle limit.
What sockets should be used on a torque wrench?
For everyday projects, you should be using the normal sockets you are using with your other socket wrenches. These sockets are usually rated to handle more torque than your wrench will be able to apply, as torque wrenches are not meant to be used with extension bars.
What does using an extension rod on a torque wrench do?
When you are loosening a stubborn, rusted-on, twenty-year-old bolt, the best friend you will have on your socket wrench is an extension bar. This increases the total amount of torque that you are applying to the bolt, ensuring that it comes loose, usually only failing when the bolt strips, rips off, or the socket twists.
What is the difference between a torque wrench and a normal ratchet?
Torque wrenches have special settings that allow you to adjust a nut or bolt’s tightness to a specific foot-pound or newton meter. This allows you or the next person to work on the system, adjust the bolts to the same level, ensure equal pressure is applied, a tight seal, and that the bolts are not stripped. (Source: Stackexchange)
What should you not do with a torque wrench?
You should never exceed the maximum torque of a torque wrench, and you should stop turning once it has clicked. The torque wrench should never be extended with a simple pipe, barring situations where there is no alternative, as you will most likely damage the wrench. Further, the wrench should never be adjusted while it is being used.
Final Thoughts
Torque wrenches are perfectly compatible with normal sockets. However, if you know you will be a bit rougher, it may be worth getting a few more expensive impact sockets.
Can you use Regular Socket with an Impact Wrench?
An impact wrench accommodates large tool bits and delivers high torque, making it a great candidate for heavy mechanical settings such as lug nuts. That means the sockets and extensions attached to this device have to be made of high tensile metal because any spring effect can lessen the torque at the fastener.
What Socket Should I Use With an Impact Wrench?
Considering that an impact wrench produces high torque output, you need to use a socket that matches the outstanding performance of this tool. An impact socket, for example, is a better pick in this case.
What Is the Difference Between Regular Sockets and Impact Sockets?
Regular and impact sockets have a similar shape, and their corresponding tools boast matching dimensions. They are designed to enhance fasteners’ quick tightening and loosening, making them ideal for professionals in the automotive industry and other maintenance projects.
How To Connect a Socket To an Impact Wrench?
There is no denying that an impact wrench is a mechanic’s best friend, and you will also find it handy in any home repair. But for this tool to work as expected, you will need an attachment tool such as a socket to make the tightening and removal of fasteners a much speedier process.
Can you Remove a Stuck Socket from the Head of a Bolt?
It’s common for a socket to be stuck on the head of fasteners. This occurs if you try to unfasten or tighten a damaged bolt or use the incorrect socket. For instance, you might be forcing a 12 mm impact socket onto a 13 mm bolt. At first, the socket will fit on the bolt, but it gets stuck when you tilt it.
What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using an Impact Wrench?
Impact wrenches are versatile tools that deliver sufficient amounts of torque to fasteners. For that reason, many industries rely on them to make their work more convenient. But given that these units deliver high torque output, it presents an opportunity for mistakes that will cost you money at best.
How to Adjust the Torque on an Impact Wrench?
The hammering mechanism of an impact wrench brings much convenience in our daily lives, especially when tightening and loosening stubborn fasteners. Using one of these gadgets to tighten a nut at the proper torque is not easy, but you can get the job done in minutes with the valuable tips in this article.
Regular Sockets and Impact Sockets
In lug nut operations, we can use a hand or impact wrench for tightening or losing the lug nuts. Normally we need torque for nut and bold handling. We use sockets for applying the force without moving here and there. As a simple tool, we use hand and rachet, and for quick and efficient work, we can use an impact wrench.
Material Properties of Regular Sockets
When we consider regular sockets and impact sockets, both are used for the same task but with different tools. Regular sockets are used for the hand-operated tools, and impact tools are for the impact wrenches. Normally well growth man can handle 30kg from his single hand easily. But using the body, he can apply more than that.
Structure of Regular Sockets and Impact Sockets
When you carefully observe these sockets. You can see there is a huge difference in their structure. Impact sockets are subjected to high torque and impact rates. In order to resist this socket wall is designed more thickness than standard sockets wall thickness.
Tighten Torque and Breakaway Torque
When we consider the sockets and their applied torque, we should know the minimum and maximum torque applied with the tool. If the applied torque is high, the nut and bolt will break. If the torque is less nut will be loosened. So there is a suitable torque for each and every lug nut.
Is it Safe to use a Regular Socket in an Impact Wrench?
Actually, it is not safe to use regular sockets in the impact wrench. The socket can be break easily while it is rotating. So parts can be damage the user as well as around things. It is highly recommended not to use the regular socket in the impact wrench due to this reason.
Why is my torque wrench not giving the same amount?
The reason for this is because if the socket head flexes during the torque, the torque wrench doesn't register the give (it equates it to the same amount). Since the socket is attached to the head of the torque wrench, it's considered part of the torque wrench (the head of the fastener could be considered the same).
Why does an impact socket flex?
The main idea of the impact socket and the reason why it can flex is to handle the extreme, sudden torque which is applied through the impact gun. This flexibility will not affect the outcome of the torque which is being applied and measured by the torque wrench.
Can you apply force to a socket?
Active Oldest Votes. 10. Short answer : no, you can't apply the force suddenly enough to make the socket flex to make a difference - what can skew the readings or, at least, the torque applied is friction between the nut or bolt head and the surface it is mating to.
How Impact Wrench Mechanism Affect to Socket?
First of all, we must know how an impact wrench is used. Because we must know how vibration and torque are generated. In-depth I can explain you as below.
Suitable Sockets for Impact Wrenches
As I discussed above facts, you can realize the necessity of a special socket. So that should withstand high torque and vibrations. So selected material should be with high tensile strength, hard and less brittle.
Impact Socket Structure for the Higher Torque and Vibration
So let’s see, how impact sockets successfully stand against the high torque and vibrations. Normally there is a special structure than regular sockets.
How to Identify the Impact Socket and Regular Socket?
After considering all, you must know how to identify the impact socket and regular socket. So it is easy, it can identify by its seen. Read the below points you can remember.
Are Impact Sockets Worth It for Impact Wrenches?
Impact sockets are really worth it for impact sockets rather than regular sockets. Impact sockets are more durability, strength, vibration resistance, thermal resistance, and more safety. It will cost a 75% higher price for the impact wrenches. But it will increase the force by 20% and really user-friendly to use.
Regular Sockets and Impact Sockets
- In lug nut operations, we can use a hand or impact wrenchfor tightening or losing the lug nuts. Normally we need torque for nut and bold handling. We use sockets for applying the force without moving here and there. As a simple tool, we use hand and rachet, and for quick and efficient work, we can use an impact wrench. Torque is the multiplication ...
Material Properties of Regular Sockets
- When we consider regular sockets and impact sockets, both are used for the same task but with different tools. Regular sockets are used for the hand-operated tools, and impact tools are for the impact wrenches. Normally well growth man can handle 30kg from his single hand easily. But using the body, he can apply more than that. There are some torque multiplication instruments t…
Structure of Regular Sockets and Impact Sockets
- When you carefully observe these sockets. You can see there is a huge difference in their structure. Impact sockets are subjected to high torque and impact rates. In order to resist this socket wall is designed more thickness than standard sockets wall thickness. Standard socket wall thickness is really thin and lightweight. But impact socket is more weight and wall is high th…
Tighten Torque and Breakaway Torque
- When we consider the sockets and their applied torque, we should know the minimum and maximum torque applied with the tool. If the applied torque is high, the nut and bolt will break. If the torque is less nut will be loosened. So there is a suitable torque for each and every lug nut. Normally there are two types of torque we use for lug nut Tighten Torque Tighten torque is used …
Is It Safe to Use A Regular Socket in An Impact Wrench?
- Actually, it is not safe to use regular sockets in the impact wrench. The socket can be break easily while it is rotating. So parts can be damage the user as well as around things. It is highly recommended not to use the regular socket in the impact wrench due to this reason. If there is no option, you can use it to tighten but do not use it for the breakaway conditions.