Impact Socket Sets: Overview and Selection Guidelines

An impact wrench is a thing that every motorist needs, because it is during the repair and disassembly of a car that the most stubborn nuts come across that do not want to leave their homes. It is not surprising, because the very concept of the machine's operation implies that all the nuts in it will be tightly tightened, otherwise the machine will simply fall apart on the very first bump. Twisting and tightening such nuts with your own hands is a thankless task, it is much better to entrust it to the technique. Then the most difficult thing that awaits the car enthusiast will be the choice of nozzles for the wrench.

Before proceeding with the choice of heads, you need to select the wrench itself. Today in stores you can find a huge variety of different models. Below are the most popular options.

• Bosch GDR 10 Is a mobile impact wrench from a world-renowned manufacturer. Among its advantages, buyers distinguish high power (for a mobile model), long work without recharging and versatility. The only drawback is that it is not the most successful design. The device is not suitable for industrial work, because it is applicable for private use.

• Hilti SIW 22-A Is an autonomous impact machine of high power, a real "beast" of the world of autonomous impact wrenches. It is suitable for driving screws and anchors up to 1 cm in diameter, as well as nuts with a maximum thread of M16. It is quite powerful and at the same time very convenient and compact. The only negative is the high price.

• AEG BSS 18C. This model comes with a set of 1/2 and ¼ "adapters and a suitcase for storage and transport. Its main advantages are convenience, high power and relatively low price. However, according to buyers, sometimes the quality of the supplied heads is not very high.

These models are the best on the domestic market, but not the only ones. There are many more models to look out for.

It is necessary to disassemble the difference between conventional nutrunner heads and impact heads. Most users mistakenly believe that the difference lies in the thickness of the walls or the material used. However, this is not the case, because both types of heads are made of the same metal. The thickness of their walls is indeed different, but there are also thin-walled impact heads.

The main difference is the through hole in the impact head. It would seem such a trifle, but do not underestimate its importance. A pin is threaded through this hole, with which the socket head is attached to the nutrunner. This additional anchorage is essential given the stresses it will face.

The main thing to look for when buying impact heads is, of course, the size of the landing square. The size of the bolt landing square is measured in inches. The standard sizes are 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 "- these sizes should be in any set.

Of course, there are other sizes, more rare, which are used in certain brands of cars or special equipment. Before buying, it will not be superfluous to inspect all the equipment in the house and check if there are any bolts with non-standard dimensions on it.

Impact sockets for impact wrenches can differ in a wide variety of parameters: from strength to shape. Each of their separate types is suitable for a different job, therefore, when buying heads for a nutrunner, you need to understand how and why to use them. There are several types of impact sockets.

• Industrial and garage. The main difference between an industrial head and a garage head is the quality of the steel used. Industrial options have increased strength and elasticity, but are more expensive. If you need to use them to repair your personal car, then you should not spend much money. If you need to use a wrench for work, then it makes sense to think about buying them.

• Short and long. Usually, short heads are used to tighten bolts, and elongated ones are used to screw a nut onto a screw. Ideally, you should buy a set that contains both types to be ready for any situation. But if the budget does not allow, then it is better to take long ones, since they are suitable for almost any situation, albeit less comfortable.

• Different head shapes. The nozzles can also differ in the shape of the hole - they are hexagonal, twelve-sided, E-type (star-shaped hole) and non-standard. With the first three types, everything is clear: you need to inspect what shape the nuts and bolts are on the car, and buy a suitable option. If you are not sure of the correctness of the choice, then it is better to immediately take hexagonal ones, since they are most common. The fourth type is used for nuts and bolts of unusual shapes (triangular, pentahedral and other options).

• For twisting bolts with stripped edges. There is a separate type of attachments for twisting bolts, the edges of which have been torn off. They have small bulges in the middle, with which they catch the bolt not from above, but in the center.

• Thin-walled. Thin-walled heads are usually cheaper than standard-thickness bits. But it is worth remembering that wall thickness is the main factor affecting the reliability of the nozzle.

These are all types of attachments that can be found in the store. It is imperative to take into account all the nuances of the upcoming work before purchasing such products.

See below for a video overview of Impact Wrench Socket Sets.