i had one 1/4 and one 3/8. ive lost the 3/8 and i broke the 1/4 because it was probably pot metal china, non impact. ive got 10 of the regular long ones, but i cant find a source for the short ones.
any leads?
thanks.
any leads?
thanks.
short socket adapter for drill
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ihateminimumwage
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From an earlier thread.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211303
Black & Decker (Taiwan) bits are the shortest for the price (about $5 at Walmart or Amazon), and hold up well. They go straight from the hex to the head, without that extra 'step' that makes all the others so long. I've used the 3/8 daily, with no issues to speak of. The 1/4 is the same length as the 1/2 & 3/8, so it's pretty long. I just cut it down and dremeled a new indent into it to make it lock in. It's been holding up great in the shop.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Decker-3-Piece-Socket-Adaptor-Set/16672639
I bought the Apex bits in 1/4 & 3/8. They are extremely good quality, and as short as you can get with a detent. But as stated above, they take a while to ship. They also use a locking pin instead of a ball detent, so quick changing sockets is a bit of a pain. For that reason I've only used my 1/4 once, and still haven't used the 3/8. They measure up about 1/4" shorter than the B&Ds.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211303
Looked in home depot and sears. I think I got my last short ones from pep boys. Ill have to pik up those black and deckers. Some spoots with a deepwell and. Long adapter you can run into trouble.
Thanks for the link
GortonsFisherman
Well-known member
That B&D set is available on Amazon too, for $4.97:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RH0NOE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RH0NOE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Wamsutta
Well-known member
APEX is the best.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
Dewalt has impact ones at Home Depot. That's the ones I use.
If you are just chucking the adapter into a drill instead of actually using the quick connect you can get a really short 1/4" square drive like this one instead of using the longer one linked to earlier in the 3pc set. I have a couple and they seem to last and work just fine for taking apart small engines etc.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vermont-Ame...974?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d1741b526
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vermont-Ame...974?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d1741b526
NoahG
Well-known member
The Milwaukee ones are shorter than Dewalts.
Those are the standard/long versions.
I have the dewalts and they are long too. I could cut them haven't really thought about that.
Tinner
Well-known member
The Apex EX-250-B is 1/4 hex to 1/4 square and 1 3/8 long.Ball detent, impact rated.
The Apex EX-371 is 7/16 hex to 3/8 square 1 3/4 long. This one has a locking pin for impact sockets. As close to unbreakable as you will find.
Apex EX-370-B is 1/4 hex to 3/8 square 1 5/8 long. Ball detent, impact rated.
Once you've used the Apex, you will give up on the cheapies.
The Apex EX-371 is 7/16 hex to 3/8 square 1 3/4 long. This one has a locking pin for impact sockets. As close to unbreakable as you will find.
Apex EX-370-B is 1/4 hex to 3/8 square 1 5/8 long. Ball detent, impact rated.
Once you've used the Apex, you will give up on the cheapies.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
geojag
Well-known member
I have had good luck with the Milwaukee several people have mentioned so far. I got a kit that had a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 from Home Depot about 2 Christmas ago. I haven't used the 1/4 much, but the others have stood up great to some pretty serious abuse.
Yeah, those Milwaukee ones look nice. To be honest, I just don't understand why all manufacturers don't make their (non extension) socket adapters as short as possible.
You look at the design of any of the cordless impact drivers (well any of the good ones) and it's obvious that they've gone to a lot of effort to keep the body length as short as possible for access reasons. So why do we want our socket adapters a good inch or more longer than they need be? It just doesn't make sense.
I have a couple sets of the Dewalts, which have held so far. I have been wanting to try the Milwaukees, but I now see Snap-on has pin lock in 3/8 and 1/4. The 1/4 has a length shorter than Dewalt, but not sure how it compares to Milwaukee. Snap-on has quick release hex drive in different lengths too, but I am thinking of just going with regular quick release impact extensions instead, with the adapters. Still thinking about it.
With wobbles and extensions I can get just about any where a socket can fit.
With wobbles and extensions I can get just about any where a socket can fit.