Broke my first socket

[olds88]

Been wrenching full time for 2 years and finally broke my first socket. It was a Snap-on 3/8 drive 13mm deep. I was using it with a Matco ratchet, taking the timing cover off of a Chrysler 2.7. I told the Snap-on guy "I was using it with a Matco ratchet and I don't know what happened..."

 

[arkangel06]

fess up how big was the cheater??

 

[r0meyrome]

no honestly what impact wrench did you use on it.

 

[ImportTuner]

I broke 3 Craftsman sockets trying to replace a timing belt on a 84 Honda Accord back in 1989 .. haven't really broken any sockets since ..

 

[TBD]

If I don't break one a week then I'm not working enough.

 

[krusty the clown]

if ya make a living with them your gonna breakem............i keep extra 8, 10, 13, 15 and 18 mm sockets.

 

[caper]

What Krusty said.

 

[Merkava_4]

I don't see how you can break a socket when using it by hand ... you guys are doing something wrong.

 

[dustin19]

I don't see how you can break a socket when using it by hand ... you guys are doing something wrong.

no we dont have tiny girl arms like u so pure brute strength breaks them

 

[Merkava_4]

no we dont have tiny girl arms like u so pure brute strength breaks them

I have some pretty good size arms but I'd trade them in for a bigger ***** any day.

 

[wreckercologist]

They all break, no matter what brand.

For the OP....Was the socket 6 point or 12 point?

 

[wreckercologist]

I have some pretty good size arms but I'd trade them in for a bigger ***** any day.

I'd rather have new knee joints and a better back. Mine are killing me right now.

All my johnson has ever done is waste my money and get me in trouble.

 

[dustin19]

I have some pretty good size arms but I'd trade them in for a bigger ***** any day.

well u cant have my johnson

 

[Merkava_4]

All my johnson has ever done is waste my money and get me in trouble.

LOL!

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I remember breaking my first socket. I scared me to death. It made an awful sound. Now after breaking too numerous sockets to count, I just laugh. It happens especially if you make your money with them.

 

[olds88]

Got through the week with my impact 3/8 13mm deep. And yes, 100% honest I broke it with the ratchet, no cheater bar. Matco 3/8 long handle swivel.

 

[bmxr4life87]

That's why its good to have multiples of all sizes but with some variety example 6 and 12 point deep and shallow chrome and impact this will prevent you from coming to a screeching halt if you break your only deep ** size

 

[cruiser808]

That's why its good to have multiples of all sizes but with some variety example 6 and 12 point deep and shallow chrome and impact this will prevent you from coming to a screeching halt if you break your only deep ** size

Well said bmx.

 

[Zrexxer]

I broke a Mac deep 12mm 3/8" drive once, had it on a regular ratchet, no cheater, and I wasn't even leaning on it. The bolt had just snugged up and I gave the ratchet a pull to torque it down and it cracked like a rifle shot. I remember standing there looking at that socket saying "What the F..."

 

[cruiser808]

Zrexxer, I think we've all been there at one time or another. Maybe it's metal fatigue or
a void in the metallurgy process, who knows? The best bet is to have a spare handy to continue the job.

BTW Zrexxer, this is a retorical response, I already know that you know this stuff frontwards and backwards. My post is mainly for our young, new or shy GJ members benefit.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I've broken impact sockets with just a breaker bar. Stuff happens.

 

[eaneumann]

Right tool for the job and you won't break them : )

Never broken a socket (I've broken plenty of ratchets!) and wrench professionally.

 

[Hawk321]

Only broke hand sockets with an impact wrench...

Right tools for the right purpose...and you will have no problems.

 

[krusty the clown]

Right tool for the job and you won't break them : )

Never broken a socket (I've broken plenty of ratchets!) and wrench professionally.

i call bs........i broke a MAC 18mm deep socket on a sparkplug last week. i have been a mechanic for 30 years and it happens.

Only broke hand sockets with an impact wrench...

Right tools for the right purpose...and you will have no problems.

see above........i was using a cornwell ratchet.


some of you guy's think that the only way a tool breaks is misuse. i don't get paid untill the job is done and that bolt is going to come out......period. on an average day my tools get used harder than most members here's tools do in a month. that's why there is a warranty.

 

[caper]

Ask any mobile mechanic who works in the cold how many sockets they break.Amazing what -10 and a 230lb man putting some energy into something will break.I've broken more sockets,breaker bars and ratchets than I'd care to try and remember working mobile.It's the nature of the job.

 

[Hawk321]

@krusty

you're right, **** happens. I try to have all problems solving tools like a hydraulic hub puller or turbo sockets for broken studs.
I'm also not a friend of miusing slotted screwdrivers as a punch, I have real punches for that.
That is what I meant.

 

[383astro]

Ive broke one socket in my life. SK shallow 6pt 15mm(14-15-16?) was changing a hub assembly on a 2000 silverado 4wd and snapped it.

 

[wrenchr]

I have some pretty good size arms but I'd trade them in for a bigger ***** any day.

Thanks we now know you are a short Di-- man!!!

 

[wrenchr]

i call bs........i broke a MAC 18mm deep socket on a sparkplug last week. i have been a mechanic for 30 years and it happens.


see above........i was using a cornwell ratchet.


some of you guy's think that the only way a tool breaks is misuse. i don't get paid untill the job is done and that bolt is going to come out......period. on an average day my tools get used harder than most members here's tools do in a month. that's why there is a warranty.

+1!!!!! When I work on my own cars I have no problem but when I work on someone elses POS rust heep is when the tools start failing.

 

[warpedredneck]

i call bs........i broke a MAC 18mm deep socket on a sparkplug last week. i have been a mechanic for 30 years and it happens.


see above........i was using a cornwell ratchet.


some of you guy's think that the only way a tool breaks is misuse. i don't get paid untill the job is done and that bolt is going to come out......period. on an average day my tools get used harder than most members here's tools do in a month. that's why there is a warranty.

X2
i got a job to do before i get paid!

 

[cruiser808]

i call bs........i broke a MAC 18mm deep socket on a sparkplug last week. i have been a mechanic for 30 years and it happens.


see above........i was using a cornwell ratchet.


some of you guy's think that the only way a tool breaks is misuse. i don't get paid untill the job is done and that bolt is going to come out......period. on an average day my tools get used harder than most members here's tools do in a month. that's why there is a warranty.

+3. I'm no novice at turning a wrench, but when Krusty speaks, I listen.

 

[Kev442]

I broke several 12 point Craftsman sockets before I ever owned a breaker bar. It is possible I was using a 1/2" ratchet reduced to 3/8ths sockets. Broke extensions, universals, adapters, you name it, and I only weighed 150 lbs back then. I got so tired of that s***, I basically live with 6 point 1/2" drive for 90% of everything I do these days, so now I've got to be using a breaker bar and all 180 lbs to break sockets!

 

[cruiser808]

Hey Kev - you may be only 180 lb, but I bet you got arms like Popeye.

 

[Kev442]

Hey Kev - you may be only 180 lb, but I bet you got arms like Popeye.

More like Olive Oyl!

 

[cruiser808]

More like Olive Oyl!

 

[nate379]

I have been turning wrenches as a hobby for close to 20 years, with a few years of part time pro work as well and I have only broken a couple that I can remember.

One that I remember was a cheap made in Taiwan one and I was trying to take a tire off an old trailer my Dad had. Of course he waited until it was -30* out and buried in the snow to move the trailer. The tire was so old it ripped apart, leaving part of it still froze to the ground!
I had a long breaker bar with a 3ft pipe on it and I was jumping up and down on it while my Dad held it on the lug nut. Socket exploded.


Oh, a good one. I broke a 3/4" to 1/2" adapter. Trying to crush the crush sleeve on an 8.8 and it was being a real biotch. Welded the axle to the workbench and had a 3/4" drive breaker bar with an 8ft pipe. 2 200lb+ guys on the end of it.

 

[cruiser808]

I have been turning wrenches as a hobby for close to 20 years, with a few years of part time pro work as well and I have only broken a couple that I can remember.

One that I remember was a cheap made in Taiwan one and I was trying to take a tire off an old trailer my Dad had. Of course he waited until it was -30* out and buried in the snow to move the trailer. The tire was so old it ripped apart, leaving part of it still froze to the ground!
I had a long breaker bar with a 3ft pipe on it and I was jumping up and down on it while my Dad held it on the lug nut. Socket exploded.


Oh, a good one. I broke a 3/4" to 1/2" adapter. Trying to crush the crush sleeve on an 8.8 and it was being a real biotch. Welded the axle to the workbench and had a 3/4" drive breaker bar with an 8ft pipe. 2 200lb+ guys on the end of it.

Damn Nate - you put that much torque on an 8.8 and it didn't explode? Please, tell me more about the story.

 

[olds88]

6pt, not even that old 2008 date stamp.