Carbon Steel Socket Tools

When it comes to a set of wrenches and sockets, quality matters. That’s why the best hand tools are made from high-quality alloy steels like chromium-molybdenum and chromium vanadium. Both are softer metals than iron, but when heat treated and mixed with other elements, they harden and develop properties that make them suitable for use in hand tool manufacturing.

These alloys have a moderate amount of carbon, around 1% – 2% chromium, and 0.15% – 0.20% vanadium, among other metals. They’re also a lot harder than high-carbon steel, which is why manufacturers use them in hand tool manufacturing to achieve the hardness, strength and toughness needed for hand tools to work effectively.

While high-carbon steel is still appropriate for certain types of blades, most hand tools benefit from a combination of hardness and toughness as well as corrosion resistance. Alloys like chromium-molybdenum or chromium vanadium are more effective than high-carbon steel in achieving these combined qualities. Abolox carries several different kinds of hand tools made from these alloys, including socket sets and wrenches.

Sockets are a critical part of most wrenches. They need to be durable and capable of enduring the constant strain of tightening and loosening a wide variety of nuts and bolts. But even the best-made sockets will eventually wear down, so it’s important to consider how often you’ll be using your tools when making a purchase.

Wrenches and sockets are manufactured from a variety of different materials, and the choice you make will have an impact on how long they last and how well they perform. The most common material is carbon steel, which consists of 90% iron and small amounts of carbon (usually 2%) mixed in with other alloying elements like molybdenum and vanadium. These alloys improve the strength and durability of the steel, and when it’s properly hardened and tempered, it becomes very strong.

The other commonly used materials for sockets include chrome-molybdenum and chromium-vanadium. Chromium-molybdenum is more commonly known as chromoly or CR-Moly, and chromium-vanadium is commonly referred to as chrome vanadium or CR-V. When they’re properly heat-treated, these two types of steel have similar chemical compositions and perform similarly.

Chrome-molybdenum is more ductile than other forms of steel used in sockets, so it’s less likely to shatter under the stress and vibration of an impact tool. It’s more expensive than 8650 or chrome-vanadium steel, though, so it’s typically found in higher-grade and more costly tools.

If you’re looking for a great deal on a high-quality set of tools, this Fachmayer Max PRO socket and ratchet set is a good option. It includes a comprehensive selection of 1/2 and 1/4 inch sockets, as well as hex keys and extension pieces for working in tight spaces. The kit comes in a convenient suitcase, so you can keep your tools organized and easily locate them when you need them. The individual socket and ratchet elements fit into their designated places perfectly, so nothing falls out or gets misplaced when you’re opening and closing the case.