Moose97
Well-known member
I'm 48 years old and for the first time in my life I broke a tool using it the proper way. Split a socket right down the side. It was a Kobalt.
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Broken tool
- Thread starter Moose97
- Start date
General Geoff
Well-known member
It happens sometimes. How much torque were you applying?
joel63
Well-known member
It happens sometimes. How much torque were you applying?
Yes^^^^
Drive size?
Socket size?
6 or 12 point?
Shallow or deep?
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
Might of been damaged before when being abused and this was the final straw, so to speak.
Might of been damaged before when being abused and this was the final straw, so to speak.
Hadn't ever really been used that much. I can't remember what I bought it for but it had only been used a couple of times. I use my tools on a fairly regular basis and this is the first to break in my life. Previous abuse isn't the issue.
For clarification I'm not downing Kobalt. I'll replace it with the warranty process. I just hear a lot about broken tools and this was my 1st experience.
I just hear a lot about broken tools and this was my 1st experience.
I always wonder how people break their tools all the time. I use mine fairly regularly as well. I've since upgraded most of my tools, but I was using a lot of cheaper tools (COO China, HF tools, etc.) regularly and never had an issue.
OP, I think you may have just had a socket that had an underlying defect that was not apparent until you really had to give it some torque. Did it split right down the thinnest part of the broach?
I always wonder how people break their tools all the time. I use mine fairly regularly as well. I've since upgraded most of my tools, but I was using a lot of cheaper tools (COO China, HF tools, etc.) regularly and never had an issue.
OP, I think you may have just had a socket that had an underlying defect that was not apparent until you really had to give it some torque. Did it split right down the thinnest part of the broach?
Yes it did and I agree. I prefer 6 pt sockets but when I bought this one I had a need and this was what they had.
General Geoff
Well-known member
I agree with the internal defect theory. A 1/2" 21mm socket should be pretty stout. ANSI standard for minimum torque rating of a 21mm 1/2"-drive socket is 424 ft lbs or 575 newton-meters. That's a 212lb man standing on the end of a 24-inch breaker bar.
WittHay
Well-known member
Farm guys can be strong. We have busted 1/2" 6-point sockets of all brands over the years. Mainly taking off implement tires. The socket sizes were from 3/4" to 7/8"
countryroad82
Well-known member
For the most part, I rarely break a tool using it for it's intended purpose. However there are those times **** just happens. Now it's when I'm doing something stupid such as using a flathead screwdriver as a prybar, is when I break stuff.
ssdave
Banned
I've never figured out how guys that use their sockets never break one. The last one I remember breaking was a 16mm, 1/2" drive Proto. I was using a breaker bar to remove an exhaust pipe flange bolt, and split that socket. That was the first use on it, out of a new set. Manufacturing defect, of course, it should easily break the bolt before the socket splits. I've also broken Snap-on ones, and other Proto ones. Split a lot of SK, they were overly hard but brittle. Craftsman, usually they just bulge oversize and smush the corners of the socket so it slips and rounds off the nut. But, I've split a few of them also.
Wrenches break a lot less than sockets. Typically I've broken them when I've been tapping them with a heavy rubber faced hammer.
Wrenches break a lot less than sockets. Typically I've broken them when I've been tapping them with a heavy rubber faced hammer.
sberry
Banned
I had quite a few cman split right out of the box in the 90's. Usually about the first use.
I agree with the internal defect theory. A 1/2" 21mm socket should be pretty stout. ANSI standard for minimum torque rating of a 21mm 1/2"-drive socket is 424 ft lbs or 575 newton-meters. That's a 212lb man standing on the end of a 24-inch breaker bar.
6'4 260lb. I wasn't exactly standing on it but I was giving it all I got!
Are we talking older Williams or Danaher USA Kobalt or newer Taiwan? Just wondering. Either way, it happens.
Taiwan, but in all fairness it was a HF socket that saved me.
Every guy I've ever met named Moose was a big, tough S.O.B. Maybe you just don't know your own strength?
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well...
If it makes you feel any better I broke my snap on 3/8 10mm chrome socket in the first 10 times I used it. Usually just use my 1/4 stuff for fasteners that's small.
To be fair I had my 18in snap on 3/8 ratchet on it. Split right down the middle. I was blown away it broke before the head of the bolt. **** happens I guess
To be fair I had my 18in snap on 3/8 ratchet on it. Split right down the middle. I was blown away it broke before the head of the bolt. **** happens I guess