Magnetic sockets: Why not common?

[visionguru]

I recently did some minor work on my car and dropped the bolts several times into the engine bay/ground. I think magnetic sockets would make life so much easier, especially for those hard to reach by hand bolts.

I wonder why megnetic sockets are not so common.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

They tend to collect scraps of metal on the magnet, annoying on everyday use sockets. I do have a magnetic spark plug socket that I really like.

 

[Fedwrench]

It might depend on what you work on. I have sets of magnetic impact sockets in 1/4 & 3/8 drive. I also use magnetic nut setters with my cordless screwdriver daily. Both Grey Pneumatic and Sunex offer sets that will last forever without breaking the bank. I haven't had a problem with them picking up debris

 

[kctyphoon]

It would also impair the max depth on the sockets. More than a few times I know I've had one where I can just fit the drive of the ratchet onto the socket cause a bolt protrudes slightly too far. I think most people would love the idea, but it's just not practical in real world use.

What might be nice is it someone could mount a magnetic imbedded on the side in the size of the socket.

 

[bert1913]

you could epoxy a small strong magnet to the ends of a few extensions

 

[notlob]

I've had a set of these for 40 years or so, may have used one of them 1 or 2 times.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/371928300582?chn=ps&dispItem=1

 

[minnesotadude]

bulk. only ones I have are spark plug sockets. I do have a few small pieces of broken magnet that I push down into sockets on the rare chance I need them. last time was getting a nut started doing a heater core.

 

[Wamsutta]

Magnetic sockets are readily available from Snap-on shipped to your door.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Koken nut grip sockets are an alternative.

 

[Mr_B]

I have some neodymium magnets in various sizes that turns any socket onto a magnetic retaining socket for odd scenario it needed .

 

[tripplejl]

I just purchased a set of 1/4" drive metric sockets from Grey Pneumatic. Worked excellent automotive dash panel bolts. I purchased a deep set. If I had it to do over I would just purchase the standard length. The magnet is mounted close to the working end of the socket so you don't get the full working length of the deep sockets. Although I am super happy with them and they save a lot of fumbling around in tight spots.

 

[wafrederick]

If you don't have magnetic sockets on hand,put some grease in the socket.The grease holds the nut or bolt in the socket.

 

[packet]

Wera makes a line with ball bearings inside the socket that retains the bolt. No issues with bulk or metal shavings.

Alternatively, Gedore makes a socket extension that has a magnet on the end that will allow you to do the same thing with any socket.

 

[T45]

Facom makes a set for oil changes. I don't know why they are not more common, TBH. The snappon and apex ones are a bit more bulky than chromes, but I've been tempted a couple times on mission-specific fitments. Magnetic SO are pretty rare as well on used market, and get gobbled up quick and not cheap.

 

[Bellaireroad]

I've had a set of these for 40 years or so, may have used one of them 1 or 2 times.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/371928300582?chn=ps&dispItem=1

I've got those! Came with my first craftsman tool set bought in 74


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[crazyjim30]

I've had a set of these for 40 years or so, may have used one of them 1 or 2 times.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/371928300582?chn=ps&dispItem=1

Heh. I just ordered a set. GJ strikes again.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have a set of those craftsman's, Just can't remember the last time I used one.

 

[oldldh]

I have the GearWrench set of Magnetic Extensions...

GW# 81235 --- $ 30.00-ish from a bunch of on-line retailers...

I have been using them for about two years, and I really like them...

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have the GearWrench set of Magnetic Extensions...



GW# 81235 --- $ 30.00-ish from a bunch of on-line retailers...



I have been using them for about two years, and I really like them...

I may have to pick up a set of those. Should be easy to clean and I have had a positive experience with Gearwrench extensions. I replaced all my Craftsman extensions with Gearwrench from Advance of the last year. Even the newer Craftsman extensions I had didn't hold the sockets very well.

 

[PJNJ]

It might depend on what you work on. I have sets of magnetic impact sockets in 1/4 & 3/8 drive. I also use magnetic nut setters with my cordless screwdriver daily. Both Grey Pneumatic and Sunex offer sets that will last forever without breaking the bank. I haven't had a problem with them picking up debris

+1 on the Sunex 1/4 sets.

I just picked up the Sunex metric and sae sets in 1/4. I bought them after having some problems recently with dropping small nuts and bolts on the engine of my wife's car. I found the Sunex sets and the price was pretty good. They arrived yesterday and they should work well from my initial inspection. The magnet is put into one of their regular impact sockets and the depth is compromised somewhat. But this doesn't matter to me as they will be primarily used to start to remove or install a nut or bolt (and to keep them from falling off and into the twilight zone). The magnets are also sized to the sockets - that is, the smaller sockets have a smaller magnet and the larger have larger magnets so they should be able to hold onto the larger bolts. I'm going to check how well the magnets hold bolts tomorrow (hopefully). The sockets in the larger sizes taper down to the female 1/4 connection like my old Mac sockets. This should allow them to get into confined spaces better than non-tapered sockets.

The sae set goes up to 9/16 and the metric goes up to 15mm. I see that Grey Pneumatic has 3/8 drive magnetic sockets but I'm going to hold off as the Sunex sockets seem to cover the main sizes I usually have problems with.

I'm probably going to put them on socket rails as they are loose inside the storage box - if it falls they'll scatter all over the place.

SAE set on Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HV2OQGE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Metric set on Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HV2OMJA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tym]

I've seen some thin magnetic inserts for regular sockets did at the local Sears a while ago.

Their tool section looks like a ghost town these days, so doubt they still offer them.

 

[PJNJ]

I have the GearWrench set of Magnetic Extensions...

GW# 81235 --- $ 30.00-ish from a bunch of on-line retailers...

I have been using them for about two years, and I really like them...

I have a couple of the Gearwrench magnetic extensions and they worked well sometimes but I found that some larger bolts, bolts with a rim or shallow head didn't go far enough into the sockets to get a good hold. Hopefully the Sunex will cure these problems.

 

[jsaw]

I have a Mac 1/4" drive set both standard and metric. They are my most used sockets in 1/4" drive

 

[KSB]

I have a few small rare earth magnets on my tool box that I will throw on an extension if needed.

They also help hold paperwork to the side of my box when required.


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[KnurledNut]

Spring loaded magnetic deeps are often used with power nutrunners during assembly.
The magnet retacts into the socket for studs.
They can be helpful in some settings, and annoying in others.
Apex, Cornwell, GP, SO, Sunex make them.

 

[Mikeske]

I had some of the Craftsman magnetic inserts years ago and some place I "lost" them in a garbage can. They were absolutely useless for the type of work I did and most times annoying. Faster and easier for me to just use grease on the bolt or nut and I would then git er done. If that failed I always have another trick up my sleeve and grease or double back tape almost always worked and was faster and easier to use.

 

[Snakebyt]

i have a couple of magnetic deep sockets from SnapOn, they were expensive, but tere is a spring beneath the magnet so it can be used on more than just the head of a bolt. I use both on a daily basis so the price i paid is justified

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I've had a set of these for 40 years or so, may have used one of them 1 or 2 times.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/371928300582?chn=ps&dispItem=1

Have the same set, used about the same number of times!

 

[zktk01]

I just got the Sunex 1818 kit I needed 1/4 impacts anyway

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQEV9O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mrborohachi]

Koken Nut grips
What's available-->http://search.store.yahoo.net/yhst-128669497614690/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=yhst-128669497614690&query=nut%20grip&searchsubmit=Go&vwcatalog=yhst-128669497614690&.autodone=http://frankstools.com/

 

[Milton Shaw]

I have always just used a piece of paper or paper shop towel sandwiched between the nut/bolt and socket. Works every time and always easy to do. Magnetic always fill up with metal shavings and end up more trouble than they are worth.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I've seen some thin magnetic inserts for regular sockets did at the local Sears a while ago.

Their tool section looks like a ghost town these days, so doubt they still offer them.

I think I picket them up several years ago, they looked like this:

They don't work very well. I've used them a few times when working under a car, and they do function, but are pretty clumsy.

I have a set of nutsetters like these in metric and english:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017JX780/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like 'em. They're really nice when you're disassembling or assembling something on your workbench. Not always great at reaching bolts in an engine bay though.

I have the GearWrench set of Magnetic Extensions...

GW# 81235 --- $ 30.00-ish from a bunch of on-line retailers...

I have been using them for about two years, and I really like them...

Those things look awesome! I'll have to add that to my tool wish list. Very functional, doesn't require a whole 'nother set of sockets, and easy to clean off metal debris. Thanks for sharing!

 

[T45]

i have a couple of magnetic deep sockets ...I use both on a daily basis

snake,what is your application/use case?
(if you don't mind sharing!)

 

[Jazz1]

I spend enough time digging metal slivers out of my hands, don't need all metal shavings on my sockets as well. I did finally broke down and got a good extending magnet for picking up dropped sockets.

 

[zktk01]

I bought one of the Koken Hold 3/8 socket sets. We'll see how that works.

 

[LXCam]

Those things look awesome! I'll have to add that to my tool wish list. Very functional, doesn't require a whole 'nother set of sockets, and easy to clean off metal debris. Thanks for sharing!

They're ok, most of the time you'll have a hard time finding the right combination of socket depth for these to work. I have a couple different sets and at times they have come in very handy. But I suggest waiting until you find these on sale for about $15 instead of what they normally sell for. The only time they work is for the head of a bolt, but they don't work worth a damn on a nut. The magnets are just not strong enough to retain them.




Really if you want something that will hold a fasteners then go with the koken sockets, well worth the cost.

 

[jeejay]

Why not common? Magnetic pick up tools are common, as are magnetic trays.

 

[larry_g]

I have always just used a piece of paper or paper shop towel sandwiched between the nut/bolt and socket. Works every time and always easy to do. Magnetic always fill up with metal shavings and end up more trouble than they are worth.

X2 on this.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Handyfarmer]

one can just place a length of electrical tape over the face of the socket, and then press it on the nut and it will usually hold the nut in the socket.

works well going the other way, place the tape over the socket press in the nut and it will hold the nut/bolt in the socket until one can get it started,

 

[NYBODYMAN]

My uncle gave me that exact same Craftsman magnet set years ago and I have yet to use it. If I need a bolt or nut to stay in the socket I use dum dum (3M strip caulk).