S.O. wobble or plus extensions worth it?

[malykaii]

Just saw this today. Was planning on buying something like the h.f wobble extensions. Are the Snap On ones in any way significantly better (no, don't care about warranty or coo) and is the "plus" version anything more than a gimmick and novelty?
Thanks!

 

[gdocktor3]

I don't think it matters in 1/4". I have HF, kobalt, gw, craftsman China, and then craftsman USA, snap on, Mac, Armstrong extensions and they all do the same thing. The only way that snap on set is worth it is for that long handle ratchet. The extensions are are one in the same realistically. How much torque are you really going to apply to a 1/4" extension?

 

[JonnyMac]

Only thing that makes a difference to me is whether there is knurling on the extensions and how snug the sockets and ratchet fits. Ive got some deep sockets that slip off occasionally and i cant wait to get rid of them!!

 

[Jim Diesel]

I agree. I have sets for all sizes of drive, and when it comes to 1/4 its all the same. No real stand out brand is any better then the rest. Save money on extensions and use it for quality ratchets.

 

[gdocktor3]

[/QUOTE]Only thing that makes a difference to me is whether there is knurling on the extensions and how snug the sockets and ratchet fits. Ive got some deep sockets that slip off occasionally and i cant wait to get rid of them!![/QUOTE]

I know my 1/4" gw extensions have knurling just as good as my 1/4" snap on's do. I'm not positive on this, but it seems extensions, sockets and ratchets fit better when they match. Gw attachments might fit better on gw ratchets then a snap on let's say for example. Probably because they were designed to coincide with each other.

 

[Strouty]

Sometimes the plus is annoying, you push a bit too much and it locks the socket into non wobble mode. Overall I like them, if you like the long handle ratchet that is a great deal. HF has wobbles that will work fine, the fit and finish of them leaves a little to be desired. As others have said, 1/4" is not a high torque application. The reason I ended up going with the wobble plus was they had extra meat to them and my driver said he warrantied them a lot less often. It also helped that it was a buy the 3/8" set get the 1/4" set free deal.

He had a set of 1/2" drive ones that were replaced under warranty, I asked him why and he said the sockets were falling off. When I looked closer it was obvious that they were being used on an impact gun, my driver said the guy spends a lot of money with him, so he warrantied the entire set.

 

[gdocktor3]

Just curious, how much would that set of extensions be with the ratchet?

 

[Strouty]

It is a bogo, you buy either set of extensions and get your choice of ratchet free.

So wobble would be $135.80

Wobble plus would be $140.70

 

[gdocktor3]

Oh ok I didn't see that in picture. So now, what's the difference in wobble and wobble plus? Some guy is selling the wobble plus with 9" ratchet on eBay for $175 lol. What a chump.

 

[Stevenn1]

I had a set of the Snap-on Wobble Plus and hated them. So I traded them on a set of new regular extensions, & one short wobble for each drive size.
The wobble part worked until i barely press on ratchet to keep socket from slipping off bolt and it locked in straight position, then socket comes off bolt. Then had to reset to wobble end again & repeat & repeat & repeat.... So annoying, especially when in an awkward/tight position.
Its the only S.O. tool I dislike so far.

 

[48548]

Can you get the bogo online?

 

[B_Bimmer]

I had a set of the Snap-on Wobble Plus and hated them. So I traded them on a set of new regular extensions, & one short wobble for each drive size.
The wobble part worked until i barely press on ratchet to keep socket from slipping off bolt and it locked in straight position, then socket comes off bolt. Then had to reset to wobble end again & repeat & repeat & repeat.... So annoying, especially when in an awkward/tight position.
Its the only S.O. tool I dislike so far.

Just curious, do you use snap on brand sockets or something else? I thought the same until I tried them with snap on sockets, there is far more resistance between the wobble and the "plus" than with most others. Proto sockets also work very well with them, at least in 3/8 drive.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Can you get the bogo online?

Is your 1/4" collection weaker than your 3/8 one?

 

[48548]

Hmmmmm

 

[bcradio]

Are the Snap On ones in any way significantly better?
Thanks!

No, they are not significantly better. You can do just fine with the HF versions. There may be a few minor things you like better on the Snap-On versions, but certainly nothing significant.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Oh ok I didn't see that in picture. So now, what's the difference in wobble and wobble plus? Some guy is selling the wobble plus with 9" ratchet on eBay for $175 lol. What a chump.

Wobble + has a little straight section above the machined wobble end. Put the socket part way on and it functions as a wobble extension. Push the socket as far as it will go and it functions as a straight extension.

For 1/2" and 3/8" drive, I have all straight extensions. I've gotten by with a u-joint when necessary, don't think I'll ever buy wobbles.

For 1/4" I have the snap-on wobble plus setup, and for me they have functioned very well.

 

[Adam.C]

I initially was reluctant to buy wobbles and found the wobble plus to be problematic for the same reason Strouty mentioned above. Now I prefer them. Its nice to be able to switch between wobble and straight. I consider extensions to be a luxury item. Its really nice to have a large set of extensions, instead of just 3",6", and 12".

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend 1/4" wobble plus. And that's a great deal with the TLL72. That thing is awesome.

For Strouty, I have had similar issues fishing extensions into tight areas. What I would like are 1/4" locking wobbles. I have them in 3/8" but Snap On doesn't make a 1/4" version (yet).

Snap On extensions are thin and very strong (very little twist). They are very good, worth buying if you have the scratch. If you don't, I recommend buying a big set of cheaper extensions. Nice to have a wide range of sizes.

 

[Strouty]

I am still getting used to them myself, but they are handy to have both the wobble and straight all in one. If I get into a situation where I have to apply a lot of force, I usually grab the correct size swivel socket.

For the people asking about bogo deals online, snap on doesn't do that. The bogo is for the dealers, another advantage of buying off the truck. I rarely buy things that are not bogo or on special.

 

[48548]

That ***** or saves me money I guess. I bought most of my stuff when I found a guy online selling on ebay and he was able to sell me anything I wanted from snapon and gave me the bogo's and his price was at least 35% off from the snapon site. Since he retired I have no connection to buy snapon anymore. I guess I can call and see if I can find a truck in my area.

 

[Strouty]

It makes sense that Snap On does that, otherwise people would not need the dealer and then the franchise would not make sense. There are lots of deals that someone without a dealer will never know about. Then there are the show specials, some of those deals are awesome.

 

[franzdom]

Koken is superior.

 

[mcmtech]

My hf wobbles wore out in under a year of use at work. May try gearwrench next, been super impressed with their stuff the past couple years. I use the wobbles more than the straight it seems. I have a set of snappy straight extensions that I love as well.

 

[WhiffySpark]

My hf wobbles wore out in under a year of use at work. May try gearwrench next, been super impressed with their stuff the past couple years. I use the wobbles more than the straight it seems. I have a set of snappy straight extensions that I love as well.

I snapped the long gearwrench wobble drive end clean off. Lol

I've sheared every HF wobble ive brought. Waste of money

 

[General Geoff]

Koken is superior.

True that. Half the cost of the Snap-On set and with better knurling. Turns every extension into an effective hand driver.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I sold my SO wobble plus to "downgrade" to plain wobble. Never liked the wobble plus for reasons mentioned earlier, it was OK at two jobs but not great at either.

 

[franzdom]

I also tried the plus and sold them.

While it seems I have most 3/8" extensions SO makes I definitely prefer the Koken, I always reach for them first. I think the only wobbles I have are SO though. I even have their locking ones. Those are pretty trick!

 

[48548]

Yeah buddy Koken stuff kicks but.

 

[Strouty]

So am I seeing Koken with a "wobble plus" design? I have always loved the knurling on those!

 

[General Geoff]

So am I seeing Koken with a "wobble plus" design? I have always loved the knurling on those!

Yessir. Their wobble-fix extensions are awesome. The shoulders on them are pretty wide so they can take a lot of torque in the fixed position.

 

[Strouty]

Do you get the same oops, now I am in fixed mode, but I was in wobble mode issues?

 

[General Geoff]

Do you get the same oops, now I am in fixed mode, but I was in wobble mode issues?

Not unless I'm trying to stab the socket into place blindly, and hastily. If I'm gentle, I can feel when the socket has enough straight-back force being applied to it that it will slip to the fixed position, and back off before it happens.

Once the socket is actually on the fastener head, I haven't had any issues with it going into fixed mode from wobble.

 

[Adam.C]

I'm not cure how I'd feel about the knurling there instead of on the shaft. What I do is hold the ratchet head in the palm of my hand. I twist the extension between my fingers.

I liked the super early Snap On sockets that had knurling on them.

 

[Stevenn1]

Just curious, do you use snap on brand sockets or something else? I thought the same until I tried them with snap on sockets, there is far more resistance between the wobble and the "plus" than with most others. Proto sockets also work very well with them, at least in 3/8 drive.

SK, Craftsman, Carlyle, Mac....
Did it on all these.

 

[gdocktor3]

Only thing that makes a difference to me is whether there is knurling on the extensions and how snug the sockets and ratchet fits. Ive got some deep sockets that slip off occasionally and i cant wait to get rid of them!!

I took some pictures of the extensions I have with knurling when I got home. Didn't expect to have to compete with all the Koken.

First pic is 1/4" Gearwrench on top, Snap On, then Kobalt on bottom.
Second pic is 1/2" Snap On on top, Armstrong, then Sunex on bottom.
Third pic is 3/8" SK on top, Gearwrench, the Kobalt on bottom.
I actually like the Kobalt, Gearwrench and Sunex knurling better then the USA made stuff. Maybe because they're all made in the same factory over in Bangkok!

 

[Tony G]

Why buy the whole set? Just buy 1 short one and put it on your regular extensions as needed.

 

[Strouty]

The OP was looking at the BOGO deal, I think that is what sparked the entire conversation.

 

[T45]

I'm not cure how I'd feel about the knurling there instead of on the shaft. What I do is hold the ratchet head in the palm of my hand. I twist the extension between my fingers.

I liked the super early Snap On sockets that had knurling on them.

Yeah, I agree with this...the snap on has the knurling in the right place, it's just that the Koken has a deeper design which is good. But its in an awkward place on 1/4 drive.

Hazet sockets have effectice knurling, but its out of reach on longer extensions. I almost think the knurling on SO screwdrivers is better than their extensions, but note it is in the same place.

The Koken design works well I would guess when the extension is off the ratchet and you can start or finish spinning out the threads just with your hand. But that's an extra step of assembly/dissasembly depending on what you are doing (like doin a valce coper or pan with multiple bolts).

Interested to hear some of the koken users chime in tho.

 

[48548]

Toptul....

 

[Stevenn1]

My longer S.O. extensions (18" and longer) don't have the knurling.

 

[04chase]

the 1/4 hf wobble extensions blow, mine wore out really quick , like 6 months quick. I use them evbery day at work though.

My home i have snap on wobble plus and like them , dont have much of an issue with them going into lock mode , usually your not pushing on them too much and your at an angle hence the reason your using a wobble so its hard to get it on straight , if it does then have at it and tighten that fastener down. I have them in 1/4 and 3/8 and dont think i need them in 1/2 . I do need some locking extensions though as well as some really long 3/8's extensions.