Whats difference between friction and wobble extentions

[johken]

I am new to the more specific tools and was wondering what the purpose of the friction ball and the wobble extentions from Snap-on. Dont laugh at me. They look the same and I understand that the wobble allows you to move a couple of degrees within the socket.
Thanks

 

[Teken]

Yes, you're correct . . .

 

[johken]

So then whats the point of the friction ball? Same thing??

 

[runonbeer]

Pretty sure a friction ball extension is just a straight extension with a little spring loaded ball to hold the socket on the end of it.

 

[Mickey O]

So then whats the point of the friction ball? Same thing??

Unless you need the wobble extension to get at something hard to get to you don't want the extension wobbling around (plus I would assume the wobbles are weaker), they do have wobble plus that are both but from what I read here they're not real well thought of.

 

[barney rubble]

I don't have SO's but I find myself using the wobbles most of the time I reach for one. I like them. JMO.

 

[1969]

I too find the wobbles very handy. True, they might not be as strong,but I've not had a problem yet. Also, JMO.

 

[Merkava_4]

The wobbles have a friction ball too don't they?

 

[peter_x]

The wobbles have a friction ball too don't they?

Yes, they do. I never thought about it until now, but I guess the ball can only go into the detent when in wobble mode (for "wobble plus" extensions). When you go to straight mode, the ball is too far down.

 

[Merkava_4]

Yes, they do. I never thought about it until now, but I guess the ball can only go into the detent when in wobble mode (for "wobble plus" extensions). When you go to straight mode, the ball is too far down.

Oh No ... don't bring wobble plus into the discussion ... forget about those.

 

[Bart Simpson]

The wobbles have a friction ball too don't they?

Of course they do.

The Snap On wobbles give you up to 16 degress of offset.
I believe the other brands are all pretty much the same as far as offset goes.

 

[tonydanzah]

I have a wobble plus, but its not from snap on an it always locks when it shouldn't and unlocks when it shouldn't

 

[garfunkle24]

Of course they do.

The Snap On wobbles give you up to 16 degress of offset.
I believe the other brands are all pretty much the same as far as offset goes.

Do you mean that the Snap-ons are ahead of the pack which are all similar to each other, or that they're all about the same?

 

[Bart Simpson]

Oh No ... don't bring wobble plus into the discussion ... forget about those.

Some people think when using the wobble + extensions the socket gets easily bumped on to the upper locking part of the extension in use and goes from wobble to regular mode.
That hasn't been my experience.

It does take a bit of force to push the socket up that far onto the extension to take it out of wobble mode.
In my experience a little bump won't do it.
The socket needs to be relatively straight on the extension to do it.
The socket wont engage the upper locked step when it is on an angle.
Put the socket on the extension on an angle and then get it into position.

 

[Bart Simpson]

Do you mean that the Snap-ons are ahead of the pack which are all similar to each other, or that they're all about the same?

I wrote:
" I believe the other brands are all pretty much the same as far as offset goes. "

I thought that was pretty straight forward.....I meant that they all have "about" a 16 Degree offset.

For example Matco's are 16 Degrees as well.
I am sure there are some that are maybe a little more or less but 16 degrees seems to be the standard.

 

[garfunkle24]

I wrote:
" I believe the other brands are all pretty much the same as far as offset goes. "

I thought that was pretty straight forward.....I meant that they all have "about" a 16 Degree offset.

For example Matco's are 16 Degrees as well.
I am sure there are some that are maybe a little more or less but 16 degrees seems to be the standard.

Actually your statement was entirely ambiguous, but thanks for clarifying!

 

[Bart Simpson]

It was perfectly clear in my mind......

I guess I should of wrote:
" I believe the other brands are all pretty much the same as Snap On as far as offset goes ".

 

[BWright]

Some people think when using the wobble + extensions the socket gets easily bumped on to the upper locking part of the extension in use and goes from wobble to regular mode.
That hasn't been my experience.

It does take a bit of force to push the socket up that far onto the extension to take it out of wobble mode.
In my experience a little bump won't do it.
The socket needs to be relatively straight on the extension to do it.
The socket wont engage the upper locked step when it is on an angle.
Put the socket on the extension on an angle and then get it into position.

I tend to agree. I haven't had any problems with my wobble plus extensions and I like them because I only need to buy one extension to do two jobs. Takes up less room in my box this way.

Also, I got some gearwrench wobble extensions cheap and I'll give you guys a heads up. They blow. They allow more like 6 degrees of offset instead of 16.

 

[bmxr4life87]

I have had good luck with my hf impact wobble extensions I've got >$20 into a set of 3 3/8 and 3 1/2 drive they get a good amount of deflection and they have held up to my torture so far. I haven't had to bust out an impact swivel since I got these and they are a lot more controllable than impact swivel