Anyone else still use socket caps?

[Gurp]

I always have a set in my work box and my home box. When I mention them to people they don't usually know what I'm talking about until I show them.
Figured more people at work would at least. (Maintenance for a plant)
As a backyard wrench these have saved my bacon more times than I can remember. I don't use them often at work but they are great when I need them.

 

[iagsxr]

Wow, I hadn't seen or thought about those in years. There used to be some floating around my dad's/older brothers' toolboxes when I was a kid. Seems like they came in the Craftsman master sets people would buy back in the day.

 

[MarineScott]

Yes, I still use mine in certain,(tight) situations.

 

[yatg]

Those are usually called "hex bits" or some variation. Never found much use for them except for torqueing down electrical panel lugs. The screws heads are called "socket cap".

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[Farleyfan]

i have this craftsman set
They do come in handy

 

[vavet]

OP is talking about the piece that fits into the socket that is then driven by the ratcheting wrench…instead of using a ratchet. Look closely at the pic.

I have a set I bought during my days as a professional wrench. Uses are limited, but nice to have when you really need them.

 

[thunderalley3]

I have a couple of sets. When I was working in the powersports business there was a cylinder head temperature sensor that required the tank to be removed to get a socket on it to get it out and back in. I was flat rate and this job paid 1..5 hours. I had one of these bikes so I needed to figure out a better way. one weekend of chucking up a deep well socket in the lathe and shortening it as much as possible and taking about .030" off from the socket cap adapter and you could change it without taking the tank off.

I could change one out in 15 minutes, made me thousands of dollard over the years.

 

[kudakev615]

i have the ez red set that comes in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drives, i use the 3/8 most. comes in handy when used with extra long flex head rachet wrenches

 

[seber]

Sounds like a cut off piece of hex key to me.

 

[lilredex]

Like these? Always found them of limited use, but really needed when you need them.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have the craftsman ones, they’re called wrench sockets, i find they come in handy when you get used to them.

 

[PoorUB]

Some of you guys really need to study his picture!

I have never seen them before, although I can see they would come in hand for some situations.

 

[slowtwitch73]

OP needs to clarify wtf he is talking about.

 

[bas157]

I've got a set or two that I picked up on a bigtime sale or clearance. Don't think I've ever used any of them yet. Hopefully if I need them for some situation, I'll remember I have them!

 

[bas157]

Renegade1LI posted a pic of what they are. Basically shallow sockets but instead of having a drive square hole in the top, they have a hex head that fits in ratcheting wrenches.

 

[jblnut]

Damnit. More stuff I don't have that I may never use but need now ......

 

[PoorUB]

OP needs to clarify wtf he is talking about.

Pretty obvious if you look the the picture. It is a hex head, 3/8" square drive to use with a standard 3/8" drive socket and a combination end wrench, or perhaps a ratcheting box end.

Good for when you need that 1/2" more height, and no room above the bolt head.

 

[PoorUB]

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-pie...eMRd2NTmMwHICiWS_oORwuGu7AvhCceRoC3pUQAvD_BwE

 

[WJD]

Have a set in my box.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Pretty obvious if you look the the picture. It is a hex head, 3/8" square drive to use with a standard 3/8" drive socket and a combination end wrench, or perhaps a ratcheting box end.

Good for when you need that 1/2" more height, and no room above the bolt head.

But he's using it on Allen heads it appears..it's dark... and the pictures after the first are of different things?

What is obvious.. from the variety of responses is..... it's not obvious.

 

[rcbk00]

Harbor Freight sells a set. They're only a couple of bucks, and good to have "just in case". Same thing with low profile sockets.

 

[driftpin]

"Limited-access" tool, like the kinda-boomerang shape of an automotive electrical starter wrench or an exhaust manifold wrench. The Harbor Freight set is a good compromise. I have a set, waiting.

When cars still had distributors, that L-shaped wrench to loosen the distributor bolt was another "limited-access" tool. Sometime in the not too-distant future, asking a younger person about the purpose of one of those will elicit an 'I dunno' shrug.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I would like a set. Anything to help me get into compact spaces is a great thing in my eyes. Especially since my wife owns a damned Prius and I have way too big of hands for that little thing.

 

[WJD]

All vehicles today try my hand size, patients, Knowledge and the tools tools that I have.

 

[Lucid Moments]

"Limited-access" tool, like the kinda-boomerang shape of an automotive electrical starter wrench or an exhaust manifold wrench. The Harbor Freight set is a good compromise. I have a set, waiting.

When cars still had distributors, that L-shaped wrench to loosen the distributor bolt was another "limited-access" tool. Sometime in the not too-distant future, asking a younger person about the purpose of one of those will elicit an 'I dunno' shrug.

I don't consider myself particularly young at 53 and I wouldn't be able to tell you what that was for.

 

[PoorUB]

But he's using it on Allen heads it appears..it's dark... and the pictures after the first are of different things?

What is obvious.. from the variety of responses is..... it's not obvious.

Ok, Allen sockets too!

I am sorry, but two seconds looking at his picture I knew what he was talking about and I never knew they existed!

 

[gatewaysysop]

I am sorry, but two seconds looking at his piscture I knew what he was talking about and I never knew they existed!

I have a set, Craftsman actually, from back in the day. May have used it once so far, but good to have:



Honestly I think some people are giving the OP too much ****. He stated the correct name for the tool and posted a picture of it being used. If you search for "socket caps" on Google it's the first hit too. That some people still fail to understand and worse yet, blame the OP for it, beggars belief.

 

[Renegade1LI]

My mistake, we talking about two similar but different tools, the socket cap that the op has and the wrench sockets. The wrench sockets are about 1/4” lower in height, nice to have both, you never know what will work.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have a set, Craftsman actually, from back in the day. May have used it once so far, but good to have:



Honestly I think some people are giving the OP too much ****. He stated the correct name for the tool and posted a picture of it being used. If you search for "socket caps" on Google it's the first hit too. That some people still fail to understand and worse yet, blame the OP for it, beggars belief.

I did the same, looked too quick, my apologies.

 

[gatewaysysop]

My mistake, we talking about two similar but different tools, the socket cap that the op has and the wrench sockets. The wrench sockets are about 1/4” lower in height, nice to have both, you never know what will work.

No argument against more tools, of course. That would be heresy.

 

[Mr_B]

He certainly on about socket caps as in hex head to square drive adaptors that can get used with regular wrench or ratchet wrench .
They super useful, want a 4pc set that include 1/2 3/8 1/4 square drive and a bit holder .
They can be just the answer to some access issues and cheap way make your basic sockets and wrenches more versatile ...

 

[d.mcfarland]

I have a set and used them once or twice so they were worth the price!


I'd say the low profile sockets with built in nut are the modern version. (Like the Astro set pictured)

 

[Outahere]

Some of you guys really need to study his picture!

OP needs to provide a clearer picture of the individual "socket cap".

 

[PoorUB]

OP needs to provide a clearer picture of the individual "socket cap".

Then why did I figure it out in a couple seconds and I have never heard of them? Sure the OP could have poasted a separate picture of the tool. but I figured it out right away and found them online in just a few seconds.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Sears had the Craftsman wrench sockets at the Outlet Store a few years ago. SAE only. I didn't see much advantage to wrench sockets over pass through sockets so I passed. Probably would have bought metric wrench sockets if they were there.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I don't consider myself particularly young at 53 and I wouldn't be able to tell you what that was for.

Starter/manifold wrench is what that is. I also have a handful of distributor wrenches I’ve accumulated buying box lots etc at auctions. As someone who likes to play with old cars, weird stuff like that holds a lot of value to me.

 

[larry4406]

Forgot I even had these!

I’ve never used them. Bought them at local Sears 5-7 years ago before it closed. Figured one day might by handy.

 

[ex-x-fire]

This gearwrench set comes in handy in tight areas. 81602

 

[plinker]

I've used them at random times. Pass thru & low profile sockets have probably lessened the need for them in general. I managed to break the 1/4dr quite a while ago, Napa set (Danaher OE). I picked up a new set for 5$ at HF. Kind of a harder to find item now it seems, as I had looked at a number of places.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Haha I just seen some of those at Harbor Freight and I’m like I wonder what the heck you would even use these for. Like I understand the concept just don’t recall ever needing them. I haven’t ever needed them but probably would of come in handy for something along the way. I might just have to pick up a set now lol. I have seen them before but never in anyones box that I know of.