Snap-On 1/4” hex to socket adapter how to make shortest one possible

[TMplayers]

To anyone looking for the shortest and strongest 1/4” hex to socket adapter I do believe this is the best that you can get with a modification of a Snap-On # CRD8B
This adapter will not fit in your impact gun without removing the rubber ring first then using a bench grinder slowly taper your grind down the shaft as I have done in the picture and be careful not to take too much material off just do a little bit and try and a little more then try again. Once the shaft fits down in all the way you then need to place it in a vice and take a hand file and open up the locking grove or else your adapter will not lock in “ see photos “ this can all be done in less then 5 minutes and I placed the Milwaukee adapter next to it for size comparison. It is not only the shortest you can get on the market but is much stronger! Ive broke many adapters from all brands including Milwaukee and ive yet to break the Snap-On one I made. I had purchased 10 of these adapters 6-7 years ago and they sat in my box till I decided a few months ago to try this out. I wanted to give a summer of use before posting in case it was a failure but im happy to say they work great! These adapters might be harder to come by these days im not sure but if you get your hands on one try it out. Hope the GJ community gets a little use from this post. Thanks everyone!

 

[tstaude]

I have a set of the Milwaukee ones you have pictured, I was debating doing the same thing with them. They are just too long.

 

[merkyworks]

Was thinking of doing something similar to this. But instead was going to take the Milwaukee one pictured, cut the hex end shorter and then grind in a new detent groove.

 

[BillK]

I have one at the shop that probably isnt an inch long total. Not sure what brand mine is but it basically looks lie this:

Hex 1/4" to 1/4" Sq Socket Adapter 25mm: Electronic Components: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Hex 1/4" to 1/4" Sq Socket Adapter 25mm: Electronic Components: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

 

[Holt]

I have one at the shop that probably isnt an inch long total. Not sure what brand mine is but it basically looks lie this:

Hex 1/4" to 1/4" Sq Socket Adapter 25mm: Electronic Components: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Hex 1/4" to 1/4" Sq Socket Adapter 25mm: Electronic Components: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

That won't work I'm a Impact gun as it needs a full detent and not the little cut line. The detent allows the ball bearing in the impact to hold the bit.

 

[TMplayers]

That won't work I'm a Impact gun as it needs a full detent and not the little cut line. The detent allows the ball bearing in the impact to hold the bit.

Yeah thats why I filed it so it was big enough for it to lock in.

 

[TMplayers]

It doesn’t take much with a hand file and it locks in my impact it doesn’t have to as big as say a Milwaukee indent.

 

[TMplayers]

Just this little bit around it and it the locking pin works. It has not come out on me yet and I use it almost every day.

 

[TMplayers]

That won't work I'm a Impact gun as it needs a full detent and not the little cut line. The detent allows the ball bearing in the impact to hold the bit.

Opps I didn’t realize you was telling the other guy that the bit he was talking about wouldn’t work thought you was talking about the one I was talking about. Im still trying to get used to the new gj layout.

 

[jrsavoie]

I prefer the square drive compact impact and the magnetic 3/8" square to 1/4" hex adapter for bits.

I've been using them for over a decade. I've got in places I could not get into with the 1/4" chuck impacts.

I have a 1/4" impact here I never use.

I have

 

[niget2002]

I don't often need it shorter. I'm usually needing to find all my extensions.

Anytime I did need it shorter, I just grabbed a swivel.