Friction Ring Vs. Pin Detent Impact Wrench: What's The Difference?

Having the right tools for the job is half the battle. With the right tools, you can take on any task in front of you. Without them, though, the job gets a lot harder to complete. For that reason, socket sets are a popular option for do-it-yourself of all types.

The main difference between a friction ring and a pin detent is in how they fit into the impact wrench. The pin detent holds the socket in place and is mostly for using one socket a lot. The friction ring is easier to remove and great for instances where you need to swap out sockets.

This article will give a brief overview of both friction rings and pin detents, as well as the pros and cons of each so you can tell which is which, as well as which is best.

So, that brings us to the question of just what that little square pin is on your impact wrench. Don’t assume that all impact wrenches are the same; these connections are quite different and serve different purposes.

The friction ring is a rubber ring that helps keep the socket seated to the square. Rubber is more flexible but also tends to be less sturdy and more prone to tearing and other damage.

The reason for the friction ring has to do with removing the socket. Because it is less secure, it is ideal for swapping out multiple sockets. On jobs that require more than one size of the socket, a friction ring is probably ideal for easier removal.

On the other side of that coin is the pin detent. The pin detent is either a locking ball or a locking pin that holds the socket into place. The principle is generally the same as the friction ring; it is about holding the socket into place.

The difference here is that the pin tends to be a bit more secure and heavy-duty. It holds the socket quite tight to the impact wrench, providing a more secure connection than the friction ring and its rubber connector would.

Pin detents are ideal for securing the socket into place. For tougher jobs or ones that require the same sized socket, a pin detent is probably the better choice.

Related Questions

How Do You Get a Stuck Socket Out of an Impact Wrench?

As covered above, one of the biggest downsides of using a detent pin is that it can be quite difficult to remove the socket. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to replace the existing socket with a new one only to meet resistance.Ideally, giving it a few tugs will remove the socket. But when that doesn’t work, the most likely solution will require a vise. Set the socket on top with the open end up. Leave the extension dangling between the jaws but do not clamp them tightly.

Can I Use Regular Sockets with an Impact Wrench?

Contrary to popular belief, not all sockets are interchangeable. When it comes to the use of an impact wrench, the burning question for amateur DIYers is whether or not they can use standard sockets with their impact wrench.The shower answer is “no.” Simply put standard sockets are not rated to handle the kind of force that impact wrenches deliver. The material tends to be brittle in comparison. Using a standard socket with an impact wrench will more than likely lead to that socket shattering.

What is the Difference Between an Impact Driver and Impact Wrench?

Despite the shared “impact” designation, it is important to note that the two are quite different in their applications. The quick explanation is that one drill while the other loosens.Impact drivers are for drilling long screws into metal or wood. Impact wrenches, meanwhile, are used to loosen or tighten bolts and nuts. Both deliver higher amounts of force than standard versions of those tools (hence the “impact”).

Personal preference is the most important factor in considering which one to go with. Neither is necessarily “bad” and offers its own set of benefits when in use. That said, DIYers tend to have a preference and that is the friction ring.

Simply put there is no matching the versatility offered by friction rings. Though they may not offer the same level of support while holding sockets into place, they do offer increased flexibility. Many jobs require moving from socket to socket. Being able to change them out quickly can make a job go that much quicker.

Even when time is not necessarily a factor, it can be quite difficult to remove the pin detent. It is safe to assume that the vast majority of DIYers out there have run into an instance where they simply couldn’t get their socket out of the impact wrench.