Snap On Sockets.. Constantly cracking?

Gregster · Nov 29, 2012

In the past 1.5 years I've replaced about 12 SO sockets.. mostly 10mm, 13, 16 and 17. It's become rather comical actually because I am not hard on my sockets, I work on primarily Porsche's and Sport Racers so it's not like I am hammering on them with a mallet. Today I spoke to my SO dealer about it today while replacing yet another 13mm that I got in October and he said he's noticed an increase in sockets cracking from nearly all clients especially Older guys who are moaning they had to replace a socket made 15 or 20 years ago

Dieselbutterfly · Nov 29, 2012

there seems to be a marked increase in shady from **** On.and $14 a socket min.should not have to cut corners.they are my favorite tool company,''this hurts me the most''as dave chapelle would say

rusty65 · Nov 29, 2012

Maybe sockets have just gotten to darn thin to last any length of time :dunno:

fordbroncodave · Nov 29, 2012

sounds like their heat treating furnace needs a tune up. I have no complaints to speak of. good quality all around.

if I can't break a bolt loose with chrome I switch to black and use impact

bobcatdan · Nov 29, 2012

I do not think I have ever broke a socket by hand, you guys must be way stronger then I am. I normally just snap the drive off the ratchet.

96GT226410 · Nov 29, 2012

I have sockets that are ten years old and they are fine. I did crack a 3/8 10mm chrome socket on my MG31, my impact was too thick. I have a problem with cracking and mushrooming screwdrivers and a couple rounding sockets.

96GT226410 · Nov 29, 2012

bobcatdan said:
I do not think I have ever broke a socket by hand, you guys must be way stronger then I am. I normally just snap the drive off the ratchet.

I broke a 3/8 long ratchet when the black and red soft grip handle just came out. The socket I had on there was fine.

thejudges69 · Nov 29, 2012

BUT HEY there snap on and they have a lifetime warranty lmfao, keep paying ht prices fellas keep paying for the cut corners

Packard V8 · Nov 29, 2012

Most of my sockets are older, so I can't comment on whether the new stuff is weaker.

As bobcatdan said, I don't usually break S-O by hand. Yes, Craftsman, yes Easco. Usually their 17MM will split when trying to loosen a rusty lug nut with a long breaker bar.

jack vines

strikeouttruck · Nov 29, 2012

I broke about 3 10mm 1/4 drive deep sockets from snap on in about a 3 week period after not breaking the first one for 3 years. Almost a year later and its still holding up. Maybe it just depends luck of the draw?

nuklbstr83 · Nov 29, 2012

i have 3 deep 3/8 drive SO sockets that came in a set, and within 2 weeks the chrome started peeling/flaking off. still waiting for replacements.

Scootertrash48 · Nov 29, 2012

in 7 years of owning my snapon sockets i think theres 1 that ive broken and it was with an impact gun

Dieselbutterfly · Nov 29, 2012

^not ok,oops i mean the post by strikeoutruck

Dieselbutterfly · Nov 29, 2012

strikeouttruck said:
I broke about 3 10mm 1/4 drive deep sockets from snap on in about a 3 week period after not breaking the first one for 3 years. Almost a year later and its still holding up. Maybe it just depends luck of the draw?

not ok

96snma · Nov 29, 2012

strikeouttruck said:
I broke about 3 10mm 1/4 drive deep sockets from snap on in about a 3 week period after not breaking the first one for 3 years. Almost a year later and its still holding up. Maybe it just depends luck of the draw?

For $19.50 a piece it shouldn't come down to luck of the draw

NC-Fordguy · Nov 29, 2012

I have a few newer snappy sockets that were warranty exchanges. I got those in a few months ago and haven't split any of those as of yet.

amlv20 · Nov 29, 2012

i know its weird my 10mm has doen the same thing even if its a warranty replacement.

Hiball · Nov 29, 2012

IMO I don't care what brand or how much a tool costs you are gonna find poor examples of Qc and sometimes a tool just wears out, especially on commonly used sizes. It's amazing how many people here think that Snap on = Indestructible.. If your in the market to buy Snap on, the price has many things factored into it, if you think the price translates into some sort of magical metallurgy or that price Represents the cost to produce that tool, your misinformed and Snap on probably isn't the brand you should be buying.

Johnny Wishbone · Nov 29, 2012

Why do I use primarily Snap-on? A few years ago I finally broke a 3/4 drive 1 3/16" socket and my tool guy gave me a new one with no lip about was I using it properly and when we checked the date code, they were from 1937. under warranty after 70 years, beat that!

JW

justanengineer · Nov 29, 2012

bobcatdan said:
I do not think I have ever broke a socket by hand, you guys must be way stronger then I am. I normally just snap the drive off the ratchet.

I'd be curious to see that. Ive seen a ton of broken ratchets, always the innards but never the square drive.

Ive broken chrome sockets in the past, but I have this bad habit of kicking or leaning my 210+ lb weight into ratchets and breaker bars 1/2" drive and larger.

strikeouttruck · Nov 29, 2012

I think people may forget snap on's target market. Everytime I broke one of those 10mm I called up my dealer and he brought me a replacement that day. And besides the 10mm I cant really think of any chrome sockets I have cracked. I have had a fair amount replaced because they were starting to wear out and I wanted to reduce the risk of rounding a fastner.

As always im sure I could have boughten a craftsman socket or harbor freight and be far ahead but I dont want to drive there afterwork, plus whatever job im doing at the moment was easily completed with a 1/4 10mm mid depth, 3/8 10mm deep, etc.

Packard V8 · Nov 29, 2012

While I'm sure most here wouldn't do it, the truckies I talk to tell me impacts kill a lot of chrome sockets. There's always the sadist who just enjoys abusing tools and says "Fugit, it's guaranteed."

jack vines

bgott · Nov 30, 2012

While I'm sure most here wouldn't do it, the truckies I talk to tell me impacts kill a lot of chrome sockets.

I use my 1/4" and 3/8" impacts on my chrome sockets all the time. The last sockets I've broken, maybe one or two a year, have been by hand. If the fastener that you are trying to remove doesn't want to cooperate you need to move up a drive size and not sit there and beat your small stuff to death.

96GT226410 · Nov 30, 2012

hiball said:
imo i don't care what brand or how much a tool costs you are gonna find poor examples of qc and sometimes a tool just wears out, especially on commonly used sizes. It's amazing how many people here think that snap on = indestructible.. If your in the market to buy snap on, the price has many things factored into it, if you think the price translates into some sort of magical metallurgy or that price represents the cost to produce that tool, your misinformed and snap on probably isn't the brand you should be buying.

strikeouttruck said:
i think people may forget snap on's target market. Everytime i broke one of those 10mm i called up my dealer and he brought me a replacement that day. And besides the 10mm i cant really think of any chrome sockets i have cracked. I have had a fair amount replaced because they were starting to wear out and i wanted to reduce the risk of rounding a fastner.

As always im sure i could have boughten a craftsman socket or harbor freight and be far ahead but i dont want to drive there afterwork, plus whatever job im doing at the moment was easily completed with a 1/4 10mm mid depth, 3/8 10mm deep, etc.

+1 ....

FiendFX · Nov 30, 2012

strikeouttruck said:
I broke about 3 10mm 1/4 drive deep sockets from snap on in about a 3 week period after not breaking the first one for 3 years. Almost a year later and its still holding up. Maybe it just depends luck of the draw?

how can you break a 10mm 1/4 deep socket? what kind of bolt you were loosening?

autoace · Nov 30, 2012

Packard V8 said:
While I'm sure most here wouldn't do it, the truckies I talk to tell me impacts kill a lot of chrome sockets. There's always the sadist who just enjoys abusing tools and says "Fugit, it's guaranteed."

jack vines

Yep! Chrome sockets don't belong on impact tools, I don't even use mine on air ratchets, etc.... chrome sockets are for hand tools only. Even with no power tools, occasionally a socket can crack, any brand, any time. Proper tool usage is more critical to tool longevity than brand!

jethro29 · Nov 30, 2012

in my 28 years as a professional tech,i have broken one snap-on socket which was not impact but i used it on an impact gun.

Gregster · Nov 30, 2012

Hiball said:
IMO I don't care what brand or how much a tool costs you are gonna find poor examples of Qc and sometimes a tool just wears out, especially on commonly used sizes. It's amazing how many people here think that Snap on = Indestructible.. If your in the market to buy Snap on, the price has many things factored into it, if you think the price translates into some sort of magical metallurgy or that price Represents the cost to produce that tool, your misinformed and Snap on probably isn't the brand you should be buying.

A continually batch of poor sockets? or maybe I am wearing out these new replacement sockets in a span of a few weeks? I doubt it's my use of the tools, I'm not a giant fan of air tools anyways.

I didn't start this thread to bash on SO, I like SO and my dealer gives me excellent service. I would use "exoctic" brands in a heartbeat but I wouldn't even know where to get service for Hazet or stahlwille locally. So I stick with SO. I just find it rather annoying to be replacing an endless stream of sockets on a monthly basis.

CWP1616L · Nov 30, 2012

Gregster said:
In the past 1.5 years I've replaced about 12 SO sockets.. mostly 10mm, 13, 16 and 17. It's become rather comical actually because I am not hard on my sockets, I work on primarily Porsche's and Sport Racers so it's not like I am hammering on them with a mallet. Today I spoke to my SO ndealer about it today while replacing yet another 13mm that I got in October and he said he's noticed an increase in sockets cracking from nearly all clients especially Older guys who are moaning they had to replace a socket made 15 or 20 years ago

That doesn't tell me much of anything. All I know from your opening post is that you cracked a Snap-on socket and that you work on Porches. You're not telling me the drive size of the socket and you're not telling me what was attached to the socket when it broke. For all I know, you could have been using a 3/8'' drive socket with a 3/8'' to 1/2'' drive adapter with a 24'' long 1/2'' drive breaker bar ...

Hiball · Nov 30, 2012

Gregster said:
A continually batch of poor sockets? or maybe I am wearing out these new replacement sockets in a span of a few weeks? I doubt it's my use of the tools, I'm not a giant fan of air tools anyways.

I didn't start this thread to bash on SO, I like SO and my dealer gives me excellent service. I would use "exoctic" brands in a heartbeat but I wouldn't even know where to get service for Hazet or stahlwille locally. So I stick with SO. I just find it rather annoying to be replacing an endless stream of sockets on a monthly basis.

I don't know what to tell you... Your situation (as explained) seems extremely odd. Does your dealer have any answers for you? I've never heard of such rampant destruction of a snap on sockets, here or abroad. Maybe some pictures next time you crack one?

Never mind I see now you already talked to the dealer..

Dieselbutterfly · Nov 30, 2012

CWP1616L said:
That doesn't tell me much of anything. All I know from your opening post is that you cracked a Snap-on socket and that you work on Porches. You're not telling me the drive size of the socket and you're not telling me what was attached to the socket when it broke. For all I know, you could have been using a 3/8'' drive socket with a 3/8'' to 1/2'' drive adapter with a 24'' long 1/2'' drive breaker bar ...

this is a most important point

Gregster · Nov 30, 2012

3/8 on a 3/8 ratchet...

autoace · Dec 1, 2012

Gregster said:
A continually batch of poor sockets? or maybe I am wearing out these new replacement sockets in a span of a few weeks? I doubt it's my use of the tools, I'm not a giant fan of air tools anyways.

I didn't start this thread to bash on SO, I like SO and my dealer gives me excellent service. I would use "exoctic" brands in a heartbeat but I wouldn't even know where to get service for Hazet or stahlwille locally. So I stick with SO. I just find it rather annoying to be replacing an endless stream of sockets on a monthly basis.

Use impact sockets. I use 12pt., 3/8 drive impacts on ratchets all the time. I have only broke 3 chrome sockets my entire career....one was a Proto, and the other two were Craftsman...... They just fatigued I think, I was not beating on them when they cracked.

CWP1616L · Dec 1, 2012

I watched a guy break a Snap-on socket while trying to remove head bolts from a Honda Accord. The socket was a 14mm chrome 3/8'' drive shallow 12 point. The head bolts are 12 point and they're down in a recess requiring a thin wall socket. He had the socket attached to a 3/8''-1/2'' drive adapter going to a 24'' long breaker bar. Split the socket all the way down the side of it. The torque rating of the socket was exceeded.

eurokid · Dec 1, 2012

I've never cracked a Snap-On socket. My impact and hand use sockets are about five years old, used five days a week.

wafrederick · Dec 1, 2012

I broke one impact socket once so far,a 14mm Mac deepwell in 1/2 drive on Honda headbolts.The headbolts were on so tight.I have broke Mac,Cornwell,SK and Snap on sockets by hand using no 1/2 ratchets with an adaptor on it.Use of chrome sockets on an impact wear out anvils overtime.

Cryptic1911 · Dec 1, 2012

Unpossible! Snap-On never breaks! that's why they cost more than their weight in gold

Baby Jesus is going to cry over this post

sdguy55 · Dec 1, 2012

Its funny this thread popped up. I have broken 3 snap-on tools in the last week. 1 24mm 1/2 drive socket. A oil filter strap wrench and my 24 in 1/2 drive ratchet.
1) The 24mm socket cracked because i was using my 1/2 impact wrench trying to loosen up mains on a C12 i think the socket just got so hot that it finally had enough
2) This is one of those cloth ones and it just ripped
3) The button on the ratchet for the locking flex head just broke. No big deal.

FiendFX · Dec 1, 2012

I love snap on tools, but at the end of the day any tools that breaks is inevitable. Nothing is forever. But at least it's lifetime warranty.

Snap On Sockets.. Constantly cracking?

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