Bondhus Hex Socket Bits / Sockets -- should I be concerned?

[catalytic]

I got these Bondhus hex bits w/sockets (mod. 43299) from amazon. These are the ones that come already pressed into sockets. The bits have 4 yellow plastic dots that are supposed to lock them into the retainer dimples on the sockets (see mfg pic below). However, my set came with several loose yellow dots floating around in the packaging and a few more like the one shown in the pick below, as though they had been scraped off while being pressed into the socket.

Is this normal or Mfg defect that will make them fall out? Doesn't look right to me…

Mfg picture of what just the bits are supposed to look like:

My bit/socket with yellow dot peeled up (a few more yellow dots are completely loose and bouncing around in the packaging):

 

[Wes J]

If you use them long enough they will come loose. They all will. It's impossible to make them both replaceable and stay in forever.

In the industrial world we always just tack weld the bit to the driver before it ever hits the shop floor. I know you tools snobs just squirmed back in your chairs...

Also we never warranty anything. It gets tossed in the scrap bin and a new one ordered. The time we spend fussing with a warranty would result in us losing money versus just buying a new one.

 

[M6erfan]

Have you tried contacting Bondhus and asking them?

 

[jrobb316]

I have them and lots of bondhus keys. The sockets **** IMO. I have the same issues you do. They hex keys are superb though.

 

[T45]

If you don't like em, send em back

The bonhus is IMHO a 'master of none' solution,

so just take the tradeoffs as you see them

between price/space/quality etc.

(Also look at VIM or Proto and maybe Used snap on.)

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have them and lots of bondhus keys. The sockets **** IMO. I have the same issues you do. They hex keys are superb though.

What details about the sockets ****?

I was looking at the metric non-ball long reach 6" set w/ sockets through 10mm.

If the sockets themselves ****, I don't mind sourcing others. If the yellow dot retainer *****, maybe sourcing magnetic sockets is a better idea?

Thanks.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

It will come loose eventually even if it was pristine. I wouldn't say they are a gimmick, there a times you need those. I just make my own. Anyone who uses them a lot probably has multiple sets and bends and cuts them as necessary. You could cut an allen wrench and stick it inside the appropriate sized 6 point socket. Throw some tape on it. It works.

 

[gdocktor3]

If the bits are still in the sockets, they're fine. Just use them. Some of mine popped off when I pressed them in the sockets also, but that was well over a year ago and they still work perfectly.

 

[catalytic]

If you don't like em, send em back

The bonhus is IMHO a 'master of none' solution,

so just take the tradeoffs as you see them

between price/space/quality etc.

(Also look at VIM or Proto and maybe Used snap on.)

^^ This surprises me. I bought these because I have a few sets of the Bondhus hex keys -- they are fantastic and truly "gorilla-proof" as advertised, and they seem more robust to me than the (not-one-piece-welded) tool truck versions.

I was hoping the hex bits/sockets would be the same high quality...

 

[jrobb316]

What details about the sockets ****?

I was looking at the metric non-ball long reach 6" set w/ sockets through 10mm.

If the sockets themselves ****, I don't mind sourcing others. If the yellow dot retainer *****, maybe sourcing magnetic sockets is a better idea?

Thanks.

The retainer is definitely the worst part. I've also broken a few as well. For the price they're good, but the price savings wear off when you have to dig a broken end off twisted in a bolt. I love my protos (SAE non ball). The one good thing is bondhus doesn't just take a larger stock and turn the last 1/2" down to its desired size which pisses me off to no end. That completely defeats the purpose of long reach sockets. The proto metrics do that so I ditched them for snap on.