Deltec Industries impact sockets are designed to be as versatile as possible in order to provide the maximum benefit for the end user. There are some points to keep in mind when ensuring the socket you order is suitable for your application such as torque limits, torque ratings and plating. Our knowledgeable Sales and Engineering staff are always willing to assist with answering any questions you may have, or to help you find the information you need. Feel free to contact us with any questions and we’ll do our best to get you answers.
Deltec Industries can manufacture any bespoke socket or accessory in a wide range of sizes and materials to meet your specifications.
The information below speaks to common heat treated alloy steel drives (black steel) made to ANSI or DIN specifications. Exotic and non-sparking alloys will have different values which are typically lower than for heat treated black steel. Generally speaking, the limiting factor on torque for most larger impact sockets is the size of the square drive, due to the fact that on such sockets the square drive size is smaller than the nut opening size. Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, an impact socket/power tool connection is generally limited by the smaller mass of the two connections.For example, a typical 3-1/2″ AF hex impact socket may well be capable of handling many thousands of Ft-Lbs of torque, but if the square drive on that socket is only 3/4″ drive, the torque it can be used for is extremely limited by drive size, but not the drive of the impact socket itself. It will be effectively reduced in the load it can be used for, not at all by wall thicknesses or the type of alloy or hardness – or any property of the socket at all for that matter – but instead reduced by the inherent limitations of the 3/4″ section of steel driving it, on the end of the impact wrench itself. In this example, the impact wrench square drive is thus limiting the load, not the impact socket.Conversely, if the square drive is large, and nut end is small (such as a 1-1/2″ drive socket with a little 7/8″ 12-point nut size), you will be limited to what is appropriate for a 7/8″ nut, even though your 1-1/2″ drive tool might be capable of delivering 10,000 ft-lbs. The smallest connection (nut size versus square drive) is generally the limiting factor when evaluating socket sizes and square drives to determine reasonable torque limits.Industry standard impact sockets (those meeting ANSI, ASME, specifications for example) are generally designed to handle the amount of torque typical to the NUT SIZE it fits with, regardless of square drive size. So generally speaking a size 7/8″ socket will be deemed appropriate for loads common to a 7/8″ nut, whether the drive size is 3/8″ or 1-1/2″ drive. All of Deltec Industries steel designs exceed ANSI/ASME B107 load test requirements, and all of our products are designed for heavy duty industrial applications where loads are taken to the maximum limits. In applications where rust, fouled threads, or other problems are causing extremely high loads on Modern materials innovations in steel alloys have extended the amount of force common square drives can withstand well above the limitations of the past, however, specific limitations still exist between drive sizes, and the following guidelines should be kept in mind when deciding on which drive size to choose for your application.The strength of the socket will generally be designed to deliver torque appropriate to the nut size it fits onto, regardless of how large the square drive is. If you require an Extreme Duty design please feel free to discuss your application with us, to determine if an Extreme Duty impact socket is the best choice, or if our normal industrial grade designs will do the job.
*Deltec Industries methods will reduce these amounts due to the inherent spikes in force which result when applying torque via impact methods. Additionally, keep in mind that anytime you heat up or stress a part in more than one direction simultaneously, there is a substantially deleterious effect on overall strength, resulting in lower performance versus what you would achieve had any of those forces been applied individually. The most common effect of this when working with nuts and bolts is to cause both bending forces and twisting forces to be applied at the same time on the square drive. Avoiding this effect by keeping the tool inline with the axis of the socket will minimize this effect and provide the best performance.
When it comes to sockets, all 8 pointed shapes are not the same. There are two very different and incompatible shapes which need to be considered prior to ordering. One shape is the octagon, and the other is referred to as a double square. The 8 point double-square is the most commonly available socket due to the common use of square headed fasteners versus less common octagonal ones. The difference between these shapes which makes them incompatible is illustrated for you in the drawing below.You can see that even though the size is the same across flats, there is material missing in the critical areas of surface contact when a common 8pt socket is used with an octagon nut. In fact, the socket does not even contact the octagon nut even though the size is the same across flats. Please note that there are NO sizes of 8-point double square sockets which can be effectively or safely used on octagon fasteners.
Deltec Industries can manufacture any bespoke socket or accessory in a wide range of sizes and materials to meet your specifications.
Need a bespoke socket or specialised accessory? Simply submit your product specifications to our experienced sales team for a no-obligation quote.
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*Dependent on size and quantity
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