Bought an air ratchet - use regular sockets?

[masintenn]

I bought an air ratchet ar Harbor Freight for $10. It's a Central Pneumatic, so it's not top of the line but I won't be using it much so it should serve my needs. I actually bought it to disassemble a cedar playset.

My question is do I use regular sockets with it or do I need to buy some impact sockets?

[court_jester06]

i dont know for sure...but when i worked at a tire shop...impact guns use impact sockets and then i was told for air rachets use whatever fits/works.

[ojaijohn]

You don't need anything special assuming you have a decent brand of socket, the hammer action in a ratchet is mild compared to an impact wrench.

[masintenn]

Thanks, guys. That's what I was thinking, but wanted to be sure before I exploded a Craftsman socket! I may go ahead and pick up some impact sockets anyway since I want to get an impact wrench eventually. I just wanted to make sure they weren't necessary.

[Jokeman]

Yes you can get away with chrome sockets.

[Joe]

Go buy one or two more air rachets. I always buy HF tools like that in groups so when it craps out you aren't left stranded :D

[masintenn]

Go buy one or two more air rachets. I always buy HF tools like that in groups so when it craps out you aren't left stranded :D

You're probably right! I'll get halfway through taking this playset apart and it will stop working. Maybe I'll get lucky. It actually seems pretty durable, but I'll see.

[bigred70k20]

Use chrome sockets, impact sockets are softer steel to handle the blows with out cracking

[00shortbox]

Use chrome sockets, impact sockets are softer steel to handle the blows with out cracking

Ditto, you don't have to worry about using chrome sockets on air ratchets.

[speedracer77]

I used to strip engine cores for a living. they supplied the sockets. all non impact for two reasons. cheaper to replace, and they fit in tight spaces better. they actually last a long time, and don't crack that often. When they did, it was just a big crack, no explosion. most of the time they just wore out.

But remember to wear your safety glasses!

EDIT: used a bluepoint impact gun for the job.

[brutal]

hehehe, we use chrome sockets at work for everything. even on my Matco impact (300 ft. lbs of breaking power) iv only cracked one snap on socket. it just cracked and started slippin. replaced for free :D

[Chev-350]

I've cracked regular craftsman 1/2 inch drive on impact gun's before but air rachet's don't bother anny that I've seen craftsman, snapon, mastercraft. Air rachet's aren't real strong.

[Eric Guidry]

Air ratchets are not an impact tool. They only use air to operate the back and forth action of the ratchet. Thats why you don't see people busting lugs and large bolts with them. Regular sockets are fine.