To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

3/4" drive sockets not fitting common?

G

gdocktor3

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
5,419
Location
Connecticut
I picked up a few 3/4" sockets at a yard sale last week, good older Mac and Proto, but didn't have a 3/4" drive tool. So I found an 18" Williams breaker bar on Ebay that I bought. When I got the breaker bar, only 2 of the 3 sockets fit on it. Now, I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but a few months back I was looking at a 3/4" set my buddy had of mixed Craftsman and older Pittsburgh sockets. It was an older Pittsburgh ratchet and although he said he used them all before, some of the sockets didn't fit. So I'm just wondering if its coincidental or do some companies make there sockets differently? The only thing I was thinking is maybe they were used on an impact wrench and the drive opening was twisted or bent up? I just thought it was odd and would like an explanation. And anyone have any thoughts on how I can get it to fit again? I thought maybe I'd file the edges down and round them off a bit. I mean they were dirt cheap so I'm not going to go crazy.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
R

Ruger_556

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
4,005
Usually because someone used them as a bushing driver and flared the drive opening. Take a file and knock the edge off.
 
R

Rico.

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2009
Messages
1,330
Location
England
As above....


I bought my 3/4" socket set new, and they all fit perfectly.
Give them a little file and you should be good to go... :thumbup:
 
OP
G

gdocktor3

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
5,419
Location
Connecticut
Any of you guys ever use Pittsburgh's 3/4" sockets? I can honestly say I have never bought or used any HF sockets or wrenches other than a set of 3/8" impact sockets that I used with a set of 6" Bondhus removable hex bits. The 3/4" sockets are huge, with lots of metal and surface area so I would think they'd be pretty strong. I have an older diesel truck and some older equipment & more often than not I have to use a 1/2" breaker bar with a 3' pipe. I know one day I'm going to snap it so that's why I decided to start gathering some 3/4". I saw a guy on CL with a 3/4" Pittsburgh set for like $75 or something and was considering picking it up if it was worth it at all. As mentioned I purchased a Wright 18" breaker bar that I would use over the Pittsburgh ratchet & breaker bar. It's only for occasional personal use on my stuff when it breaks. At the same time, I like to have the best tool within my price range for the job when needed. If I'm going for 3/4" drive tools, I'm already having a hard time.
 
S

sberry

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
The sockets have been good, the handles not so much. I have seen them really beat bad in the oil field. Seen them used on impacts so long that no one even give it a thought it aint sposed to be.
 
R

Ruger_556

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
4,005
gdocktor3 said:
Any of you guys ever use Pittsburgh's 3/4" sockets? I can honestly say I have never bought or used any HF sockets or wrenches other than a set of 3/8" impact sockets that I used with a set of 6" Bondhus removable hex bits. The 3/4" sockets are huge, with lots of metal and surface area so I would think they'd be pretty strong. I have an older diesel truck and some older equipment & more often than not I have to use a 1/2" breaker bar with a 3' pipe. I know one day I'm going to snap it so that's why I decided to start gathering some 3/4". I saw a guy on CL with a 3/4" Pittsburgh set for like $75 or something and was considering picking it up if it was worth it at all. As mentioned I purchased a Wright 18" breaker bar that I would use over the Pittsburgh ratchet & breaker bar. It's only for occasional personal use on my stuff when it breaks. At the same time, I like to have the best tool within my price range for the job when needed. If I'm going for 3/4" drive tools, I'm already having a hard time.
Click to expand...

I've had their 3/4 drive impact sockets blow up in my face when I was under a truck, I do not recommend them... If you're just going to use them with a breaker bar they're probably fine but if you have or ever buy a strong 3/4 impact you need better sockets.
 
R

RedneckWelder

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Messages
5,705
Location
The Ghetto Kingdom of Methlandia
Ruger_556 said:
I've had their 3/4 drive impact sockets blow up in my face when I was under a truck, I do not recommend them... If you're just going to use them with a breaker bar they're probably fine but if you have or ever buy a strong 3/4 impact you need better sockets.
Click to expand...

I take it you exploded them with your Proto? What did you replace them with?

Any of you guys ever use Pittsburgh's 3/4" sockets? I can honestly say I have never bought or used any HF sockets or wrenches other than a set of 3/8" impact sockets that I used with a set of 6" Bondhus removable hex bits. The 3/4" sockets are huge, with lots of metal and surface area so I would think they'd be pretty strong. I have an older diesel truck and some older equipment & more often than not I have to use a 1/2" breaker bar with a 3' pipe. I know one day I'm going to snap it so that's why I decided to start gathering some 3/4". I saw a guy on CL with a 3/4" Pittsburgh set for like $75 or something and was considering picking it up if it was worth it at all. As mentioned I purchased a Wright 18" breaker bar that I would use over the Pittsburgh ratchet & breaker bar. It's only for occasional personal use on my stuff when it breaks. At the same time, I like to have the best tool within my price range for the job when needed. If I'm going for 3/4" drive tools, I'm already having a hard time.
Click to expand...

I don't see much point in chrome 3/4 sets myself, but if you are patient you can find a better set for cheap used without much trouble. You should also be able to find a used impact set of decent quality with enough digging.
 
Last edited:
R

Ruger_556

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
4,005
RedneckWelder said:
I take it you exploded them with your Proto? What did you replace them with?
Click to expand...

Actually the shop 3/4 at my last job, an IR 2145 which isn't as strong as my current gun. I bought a set of NAPA (Sunex) 3/4's and haven't had an issue since.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
G

gdocktor3

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
5,419
Location
Connecticut
Mechanical Noise said:
"Regular" price for the Pittsburgh 3/4" set is $100. The website says it's on sale now for $60.

$48 if you have a 20% off coupon.
Click to expand...

No kidding? Maybe I'll check them out. A guy had a brand new set of 3 Wright and 1 Stanley Professional 3/4" drive sockets 2" and up and he wanted $50 for them alone. I almost bought them if he took $40 that was all I had on me. $48 for an entire set sounds better though..

FWIW anytime I purchase anything online I always Google "coupon code" for the site and 9/10 times I get at least 10% off, but usually more. Especially hotel rooms!
 
OP
G

gdocktor3

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
5,419
Location
Connecticut
Ya like I said I already bought a Wright breaker bar and picked up a 3" extension today at flea market. I would never use the ratchet to break a bolt, only for loosening an already broken nut or bolt. I'm actually looking around on Ebay for a Proto or like ratchet adapter for the breaker bar. I feel like they are made better than a ratchet.

Has anyone ever used Valley Industries tools? I saw one on Ebay for decent price. Made of CRV, but from what I read they are made, assembled or distributed in USA. I can't recall. Are they any good or is it the same stuff as the HF and every other Taiwan CRV made tool?
 
D

defektes

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
547
Location
Arizona
jeremy v said:
It might not apply here, but I have purchased a few vintage 1/2" drive tools that would not engage with some of my sockets. It ended up being because the male square drive was perfectly square with no bevel on the corners. The sharply pointed corner tips would prevent it from slipping into the socket. After a quick hit to the corner edges with a small flap wheel everything worked fine.
Click to expand...

Many of my Vintage tools I have picked up like CMAN and TRW extentions are like this, but they engage well. They do have no bevel like modern extentions.
 
2

2oolhound

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 18, 2010
Messages
5,918
Location
BC Canada
The other thing you can find with lots of 3/4 is many are locking so you have to line up the pins to get them on and press the release to get them off.
 
P

plinker

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2007
Messages
4,286
Location
Northern Wi
2oolhound said:
The other thing you can find with lots of 3/4 is many are locking so you have to line up the pins to get them on and press the release to get them off.
Click to expand...

Mostly a Snap-on thing but I know others have this as well. It can be handy at times.
 
F

fatfillup

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
10,336
Location
Finksburg, Md
5/8 drive was often sold to industrial plants to discourage theft. Who has 5/8 drive tools at home? was the thinking.
 
E

engineer031

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
131
Location
Ontario Canada
fatfillup said:
5/8 drive was often sold to industrial plants to discourage theft. Who has 5/8 drive tools at home? was the thinking.
Click to expand...

I have some proto impact sockets that have a 5/8 drive and the 1/2 to 5/8 adapter for them they look like 3/4 if you look quick. They were my fathers and I remember them when I was still wet behind the ears
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom