Drive Tools Accessories

[JayL]

Can I find something better @ the same price range?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942283000P

Thanks

[Uncle Buck]

No you cannot, at least not new.

[Sunrise]

if you go with HF:lol_hitti

[dxdexter]

For USA made extensions and adapters, I can't see finding anything else at that price.

[JayL]

I know at least one member have these drive tools. Wobble extensions but are not long enough. Most probably I will go with the craftsman.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326810_200326810

[Uncle Buck]

I know at least one member have these drive tools. Wobble extensions but are not long enough. Most probably I will go with the craftsman.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326810_200326810

I could not tell what you were trying to express in this post, but I will try to give you a leg up anyway. Skip the Northern set and simply buy a short wobble socket from any of the quality venders and plug it onto the end of the extension of your choosing for the equivelant of a full set of wobbles cheap. :pimpflash

[JayL]

It's nice to know that there are adapters to make regular extensions wobble. My thought on this subject is that it is much better to get quality US made drive tools and the craftsman fits my budget.

I don't think I will need the wobble capabilities for now because of the universal joints included in the craftsman set. None the less do you have a suggested brand or link for wobble adapters. It's the first time I heard of such a tool.

Thanks again.

[MAD]

It's nice to know that there are adapters to make regular extensions wobble. My thought on this subject is that it is much better to get quality US made drive tools and the craftsman fits my budget.

I don't think I will need the wobble capabilities for now because of the universal joints included in the craftsman set. None the less do you have a suggested brand or link for wobble adapters. It's the first time I heard of such a tool.

Thanks again.

I would buy a short (3" - 4") wobble extension in 1/4" and 3/8" drive. With these you will almost never touch those annoying universal joints. Or buy a whole set of wobble extensions and a few regular impact grade extensions.

[dps]

I've got the Northern set, and am happy with them as they offer more versatility than the Sears set with the wobble feature (which of course you don't have to use). The finish is at least as nice as the Sears and it comes with a thin plastic, but useful, storage tray for a price that is much lower. It does not, however, come with the 20" 3/8 extension that the Sears set has. But I also have a set of quick release extensions, and more than enough pieces to come up with any length total of an extension if needed.

[JayL]

This is what I like best with this tools forum. You will get so confused but in the end zero in on the need and be able to make a better informed buying decision.

[MAD]

You may want to consider these wobble extension sets with thumbwheel ratchets. These ratchets are made by SK and are unbelievably smooth. They look like they have the Tuff 1 guts in them. I don't think SK is even offering a Tuff 1 thumbwheel ratchet under their own name now. These are a good deal even at list price.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934905000P?vName=Tools

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934905000P?vName=Tools

[eschoendorff]

I am not sure that you will find better pieces - even at a higher price point. Some will argue taht the Craftsman u-joints will bind and that the Snap On ones won't. You will find plenty of arguments, but no actual evidence. Go with the Craftsman...

The only reason that I wouldn't buy that set is that you might be able to put a better and more cost-effective set together from single pieces (on sale or through ebay perhaps) that is customized to your needs. There are probably a couple things in that set from Sears that you will never use....

Don't be in a hurry to spend your money - unless you have to. Deals are out there!

[JayL]

[QUOTE=eschoendorff;254729]I am not sure that you will find better pieces - even at a higher price point. Some will argue taht the Craftsman u-joints will bind and that the Snap On ones won't. You will find plenty of arguments, but no actual evidence. Go with the Craftsman...



Pardon me for asking but what do you mean by "the Craftsman u-joints will bind and that the Snap On ones won't".

I have one 3/8" Metrinch universal joint. It sucks big time, very annoying and difficult to position. For this reason I am cautious in choosing the universal joints to buy. I was hoping that the US made ones will perform better.

[Uncle Buck]

You may want to consider these wobble extension sets with thumbwheel ratchets. These ratchets are made by SK and are unbelievably smooth. They look like they have the Tuff 1 guts in them. I don't think SK is even offering a Tuff 1 thumbwheel ratchet under their own name now. These are a good deal even at list price.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934905000P?vName=Tools

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934905000P?vName=Tools

Good call MAD, thumbwheels are indeed very handy.:thumbup:

[wantedabiggergarage]

The local Sears never seems to have the short, 1/4" wobble, so I bought a Dahaner made, Kobalt branded from Lowe's. (my most used wobble, for things like hose clamps and such)

I use the round head Craftsman ratchets, that have the spinner built on them (less weight in a portable box, one tool does multiple jobs).

Those U joints flex so much more then almost ever needed, they stay wrapped in either electrical tape or heat shrink tubing. They almost entirely get used with deep sockets, as I tend to use flip sockets more. The Craftsman ones of those will hold up just fine for hand use, the Snap~on's tend to handle the abuse of being on an air tool better. This tends to happen until (and even after, due to some tight spots) one gets a impact grade set.

[eschoendorff]

[QUOTE=eschoendorff;254729]I am not sure that you will find better pieces - even at a higher price point. Some will argue taht the Craftsman u-joints will bind and that the Snap On ones won't. You will find plenty of arguments, but no actual evidence. Go with the Craftsman...



Pardon me for asking but what do you mean by "the Craftsman u-joints will bind and that the Snap On ones won't".

I have one 3/8" Metrinch universal joint. It sucks big time, very annoying and difficult to position. For this reason I am cautious in choosing the universal joints to buy. I was hoping that the US made ones will perform better.

The style of u-joint that the OP linked to will, as wantedabiggergarage said, flex more tha you need them to, thus binding up in the process. Some will clain that Snap On ones won't do that, but I have yet to see any evidence... most of the guys around here have their Snap on u-joints taped to avoid excessive flex anyway.

I don't use that style of u-joint unless I absolutely have to. I use my impact swivel joint 95% of the time anyway...

[JayL]

I don't use that style of u-joint unless I absolutely have to. I use my impact swivel joint 95% of the time anyway...[/QUOTE]

Do you mean something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/SK-Hand-Tools-Universal-Retainer/dp/B00062LLOQ/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1217208978&sr=8-14

[Merkava_4]

Is this another Craftsman thread? :bounce:

[eschoendorff]

I don't use that style of u-joint unless I absolutely have to. I use my impact swivel joint 95% of the time anyway...

Do you mean something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/SK-Hand-Tools-Universal-Retainer/dp/B00062LLOQ/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1217208978&sr=8-14[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that's what I use.... as much as I can.

[eschoendorff]

Is this another Craftsman thread? :bounce:

Something tells me that Craftsman/Danaher isn't too worried....

[JayL]

How about these? Are these any better to have than the Craftsman Drive Tool set?

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/xq/asp/TID.%7BBAD80CCE-8B5A-47E5-A91F-3CC9EC487985%7D/prodid.16717/qx/product.htm

and

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/xq/asp/TID.%7BBAD80CCE-8B5A-47E5-A91F-3CC9EC487985%7D/prodid.46670/qx/product.htm

[Merkava_4]

The blue case sure is cute. :D

[JayL]

LoL :):bounce:

[eschoendorff]

They are different - apples and oranges. GP is decent stuff... good quality Taiwanese tools. Pretty expensive for what you get though....

Then again, I haven't found any circumstance where my impact extensions wouldn't work and my chromies would.

Just be aware that those impact u-joints will not have the same range of motion as the chrome style. They are also much less likely to bind though.

I have found a lot of single extensions (Kobalt/Craftsman) and even u-joints for cheap over the years and have assembled quite a collection of them. You might try surfing ebay for a while before you pull the trigger....

[Merkava_4]

Some will argue taht the Craftsman u-joints will bind and that the Snap On ones won't. You will find plenty of arguments, but no actual evidence.

I can't provide you with any evidence on an internet forum; you would have to use it yourself. The little 1/4'' drive Williams u-joint I picked up at Gordon's Industrial does not meet your definition of u-joints; it has extremely smooth action and does not bind EVER. I'm worried that people tuning into this thread will get the wrong impression of u-joints. I don't believe they're all created equal; some are WAY better than others. My $.02

[KLars1]

You may want to consider these wobble extension sets with thumbwheel ratchets. These ratchets are made by SK and are unbelievably smooth. They look like they have the Tuff 1 guts in them. I don't think SK is even offering a Tuff 1 thumbwheel ratchet under their own name now. These are a good deal even at list price.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934905000P?vName=Tools

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934905000P?vName=Tools

THANKS MAD! I have been looking for a nice thumbwheel. If it is made by SK and smoooth..I'm in.

KL:thumbup:

[Fedwrench]

I would stay away from SK 1/4 inch drive wobble extensions. I have twisted the wobble end off of more than one extension with a 1/4 flex head ratchet and hand pressure. Their thumb ratchets are ok though. I have never broken one of their 3/8 wobble extensions though.