Can I turn a socket?

V

Vince_O

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Guys I started a new job and I have found a way to speed up a prosses for my crew. I need a real thin walled socket to fit a comen apclation. So my question is

Can I turn down the out side walls of the socket in my small 6 inch lathe?

With it being chromed I didnt know if I needed to know something spical.

Thanks Vince
 
Depends how hard it is. If you can't get a good bite on it with a file, it's probably too hard, if you can get a good bite with the file, I don't see why not.

Obviously though, the thinner the socket wall, the less torque you can apply before the socket is prone to failure.

-Josh
 
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Vince_O said:
Guys I started a new job and I have found a way to speed up a prosses for my crew. I need a real thin walled socket to fit a comen apclation. So my question is

Can I turn down the out side walls of the socket in my small 6 inch lathe?

With it being chromed I didnt know if I needed to know something spical.

Thanks Vince
Click to expand...

Put in a carbide tool and give it a try...If you can't call a Snap-On guy and see if he has a good quality thin wall socket. Snap On is expensive, but if you can speed up the job, your employer will pay for it.
 
I've turned and machined many sockets for special applications. If it's chromed make sure the first cut gets under the chrome into the base metal and carbide tools work best.
 
Sockets are tough, not hard and machine nicely with carbide. As the OldMachinist says, just be sure to get under the chrome on the first cut because that IS hard.

Tom
 
As mentioned an impact socket should turn easily on a lathe...

One day I was doing something (dont remember exactly now?) far away from a lathe and desperately needed a thinner wall on a socket - looking around at what I did have I came up with this: Stuck the socket on the impact wrench and locked it in the 'on' mode, got my trusty HF 4 1/2" angle grinder and proceeded to grind away the wall of the socket - took about 3-4 minutes.
 
Be careful to not heat up your socket till it starts turning colors if you grind it down. Turning would be gentler on the temper. Of course,you are making the socket a LOT weaker,so be prepared to make more.
 
Pacer said:
As mentioned an impact socket should turn easily on a lathe...

One day I was doing something (dont remember exactly now?) far away from a lathe and desperately needed a thinner wall on a socket - looking around at what I did have I came up with this: Stuck the socket on the impact wrench and locked it in the 'on' mode, got my trusty HF 4 1/2" angle grinder and proceeded to grind away the wall of the socket - took about 3-4 minutes.
Click to expand...
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the mother of invention. . . . i love it. . .
 
Hey guys thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No real heavy torque is needed. Snap on tools are great, just ask my dieler, LOL Im sure Ive payed for something in his house! But my snap on thin walls arent thin enough. I want to turn a about a 1/4 inch grove in it to slide into a channel. So looks like its off to the pawn shop fopr some junk sockets!!!!!!!! Ill post some pics if I can get it done before I head back out, if not Ill do it when Im back in for Christmas.
 
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