Craftsman Locking 3/8 extensions

[Blacknwhitepit]

Does anyone have the Craftsman version? They have been out for about a year or so now. How durable are they? When I looked at them, it appeared that the release/locking button was plastic.

As always I like S-O or MATCO, but these are USA made as well. Seriously thinking about these.

SEARS Craftsman Extension Link

-BWP

 

[rose jackets67]

I would say these are a no-buy. If you handle one you'll probably see why. The mechanism is not very solid feeling at all, but it does seem like it would hold the socket on well. The first time I saw these in the store, the first two packages both had broken locking parts.

 

[bmwpower]

I bought the 3/8" and 1/4" pieces during the $5 coupon sales. The 1/4" units aren't that great. Almost provides no locking. The 3/8" drive units work well...at least in my experience. Not sure if the switch is plastic or not...it felt like metal, but will have to check.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

The 1/4" craftsman PISSED ME OFF when I had them... I was in a slightly tight spot over an intake, installing the plenum, when the quick release lever on the extension gripped a wiring harness and socket fell under the intake. Luckily my pocket magnet barely got it (after I took off the coil pack). After that I got the SO versions. Much better quality, I broke the craftsman locking version with just a 13" ratchet, when it took a 2 ft cheater bar and alot of force to break one of my SO 1/4" locking extensions. I don't know about the SK/Matco ones.

 

[grillmasterp]

They've been out for ALOT longer than a year-
I've only occasionaly used the 3/8" drive one with a spark plug socket.

 

[MAD]

They've been out for ALOT longer than a year-
I've only occasionaly used the 3/8" drive one with a spark plug socket.

Yes it is true. Those Craftsman locking extensions have been around for about ten years. I got some many years ago and the 1/4" drive ones sucked back then too. I took the 1/4" ones back and every one in the store was the same. They just did not lock the socket tightly on the extension. That was some time in the late 1990s. I am glad to see that no one has ever noticed there was a problem with them so we can all still enjoy the same quality product today.

The 3/8" drive ones have been fine- no problems.

 

[mrtwo91]

My kids got me a set of the 3/8 drive for Christmas four or five years ago. I've used them quite extensively, no complaints here.

 

[Deafautotech]

i own both craftsman locking set (1/4 and 3/8 extensions) and it is good but it will be worse if i use it every time because locking button is plastic and i almost broke plastic button... so that reason why i bought used snap on extensions from Wrenchr....

 

[Senorpablo]

I have these, and although the button/slide appears to be plastic, it's not. I think they're well made, and much more compact than many other locking designs.

I haven't used the 1/4" ones, but the 3/8" set workes well for me.

 

[ImportTuner]

I have the Craftsman 1/4" and 3/8" locking extensions; they worked fine for me; never had any problems and they are less bulky (space wise) then the Blue Points and Husky's I have ...

 

[SteveU]

I would get locking style impact extensions, seems like they would be more durable + you could use them on an impact if needed. Guess I'm going cheap but everything I'm getting in the way of sockets & extensions is impact stuff these days. Way I look at it is I only have to buy one set vs one chrome & another impact that way.

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't care for them. The problem is the small size of the locking detent ball. Because the ball is so small, it won't securely hold most sockets. The low profile locking button would be a nice feature if it worked. Craftsman extensions also lack knurling on the shaft for finger spinning. There are better choices from SK to the tool trucks.

 

[gotmud13613]

The older craftsman locking ext are alot better than the newer ones, the older ones have a push in style lock instead of a sliding lock. I have the older style in 3/8 & 1/2" and recently grabbed the 1/4" with the coupon. Now I wish i would've bought the 1/4 years ago.

I have never had a socket let go (fall off) with the old style but the new style is a joke.

 

[JB740i]

I had a broken 3/8 extension that was broken when I got it (off of ebay I think) when I took it in they didn't have one that they would give me cause the manager wouldn't brake open a package. THere was a 1/4 inch in a box on the shelf that was broken too.

The buttons where just gone on both.

 

[Merkava_4]

I like the PROTO's better.

 

[bmwpower]

I like the PROTO's better.

woh..

 

[eschoendorff]

These are teh locking extensions I use. Knurling be damned!

http://www.vimtools.com/product_detail.asp?id=HD375

 

[Jbullfrog]

The Craftsman locking extensions work great if the socket has a deep detent or a hole in it for the ball to lock into. When they came out, alot of 3/8 drive crome sockets didn't have detent hole in them. Yes, the slide button is plastic of sorts, but I have had my set for 10 years and have had no problems with them.

 

[cambell]

I got mine about 8 years ago, the slider is plastic and I have not had any problems with them. I could not work without them, they work great for me.

 

[ImportTuner]

I like the PROTO's better.

My SK's look identical ....

 

[eschoendorff]

i would like to get a set of 3/8" locking extensions.... and for the $$$ I am looking at Cman and Husky:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...3&productId=100050308&N=10000003+90401+502357

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...cessories&filter=Accessory+Type|Extension+bar

I know, I know... Husky. Eew. China (or Taiwan). But I have to admit that they look to be better made than the Cman.... and I'd like to have another set around the garage... to go with my Taiwanese VIMs.

 

[T56 Impala]

Got a PN for that Proto in 3/8? That looks like a very good piece. Might have to pick one up soon.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

i would like to get a set of 3/8" locking extensions.... and for the $$$ I am looking at Cman and Husky:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...3&productId=100050308&N=10000003+90401+502357

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...cessories&filter=Accessory+Type|Extension+bar

I know, I know... Husky. Eew. China (or Taiwan). But I have to admit that they look to be better made than the Cman.... and I'd like to have another set around the garage... to go with my Taiwanese VIMs.

I have the 3/8" Huskys. If you want to risk dropping a socket in an unwanted place when it gets tight, go ahead. The release sleeve ones from the trucks are better, I know they're *very* pricey, but you don't have to worry. Oh and the Huskys are Taiwan. I use them as my locking impacts now, (they work fine for that I might add).

I don't buy from Husky not just because it's non-USA, but because I broke a 1/2->3/8 adapter, took it there, and I had to give my name and address so it could be mailed to me. It was never mailed. I've had to do this with Sears a few times, and I've always received my tool a week or two later. I live in a sorta small town, so stores here don't have the stocks that bigger ones do. So I buy from SO even more because he gets my warranties fast (even though I rarely need them from him).

 

[eschoendorff]

I have the 3/8" Huskys. If you want to risk dropping a socket in an unwanted place when it gets tight, go ahead. The release sleeve ones from the trucks are better, I know they're *very* pricey, but you don't have to worry. Oh and the Huskys are Taiwan. I use them as my locking impacts now, (they work fine for that I might add).

I don't buy from Husky not just because it's non-USA, but because I broke a 1/2->3/8 adapter, took it there, and I had to give my name and address so it could be mailed to me. It was never mailed. I've had to do this with Sears a few times, and I've always received my tool a week or two later. I live in a sorta small town, so stores here don't have the stocks that bigger ones do. So I buy from SO even more because he gets my warranties fast (even though I rarely need them from him).

Okay... so the Husky's are out. Thanks for saving me $19.99...

 

[MAD]

I have some made in Taiwan, Master Mechanic brand locking extensions that I picked up ultra cheap when a local True Value hardware store closed a few yeas ago. They work great. I have seen identical extensions branded Stanley as well.

I took a look at the 3/8" dr. Craftsman locking extensions I have and noticed the thumb slider on some is plastic and others are metal. No problems with either one in the 3/8" size.

Here is a pic of what the Master Mechanic/Stanley ones I have look like. I don't know if they still sell the same ones. I would expect they may be the same as the Husky ones now.

 

[george4]

These are teh locking extensions I use. Knurling be damned!

http://www.vimtools.com/product_detail.asp?id=HD375

Is there a female drive on the handle end? If so, are they one piece through the handle?

 

[Major Ramifications]

I've had my Craftsman locking extensions for many years, and they are wonderful. The only problem I had is with a set of 1/4" Craftsman sockets where they forgot to stamp the little detent in the square opening. Sears replaced them with a new set, and they work just fine. Maybe I would like the Snap-On ones better, but I don't have any complaints about the Craftsmans.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I bought both the 1/4" & 3/8" Cman sets with the $5.00 coupons and have not had a chance to try them out, but I suspect they will suit my needs just fine.

 

[Mike83]

I have both the 1/4" and 3/8" drive, bought about 6 months ago. I had trouble with one of the 1/4" not holding onto the socket very tight, but traded it for another at Sears. Another problem is that the female end on the middle length 3/8" drive extension does not fit onto my ratchet. The square hole is too small, so the extension does not lock onto the ratchet itself. I end up having to jam the thing onto the ratchet, and that seems to hold it tight. I went back to Sears and tried every other piece they had on the display and it was the same problem with all of them...

 

[DavidtheDuke]

I have both the 1/4" and 3/8" drive, bought about 6 months ago. I had trouble with one of the 1/4" not holding onto the socket very tight, but traded it for another at Sears. Another problem is that the female end on the middle length 3/8" drive extension does not fit onto my ratchet. The square hole is too small, so the extension does not lock onto the ratchet itself. I end up having to jam the thing onto the ratchet, and that seems to hold it tight. I went back to Sears and tried every other piece they had on the display and it was the same problem with all of them...

Weird, never had a problem when you use the right drive for the right extension/socket/driver. Almost sounds like it's something to do w/ your ratchet's drive size instead.

 

[Mike83]

Weird, never had a problem when you use the right drive for the right extension/socket/driver. Almost sounds like it's something to do w/ your ratchet's drive size instead.

Could be, but any other socket or extension I put on it fits just fine. The ratchet is one of those Craftsman full polish thin profile deals.

 

[eschoendorff]

Could be, but any other socket or extension I put on it fits just fine. The ratchet is one of those Craftsman full polish thin profile deals.

Warranty.

 

[engnerdan]

Not to side track thsi thread for for some reason threads like this make me think "Damn I need a locking exptension, I don't have one" and I bet within a week I will have one in my tool box.

-Dan

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Not to side track thsi thread for for some reason threads like this make me think "Damn I need a locking exptension, I don't have one" and I bet within a week I will have one in my tool box.

-Dan

I pretty much only use locking extension.. I hate losing sockets and/or looking for them

 

[strizzy]

i would like to get a set of 3/8" locking extensions.... and for the $$$ I am looking at Cman and Husky:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...3&productId=100050308&N=10000003+90401+502357

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...cessories&filter=Accessory+Type|Extension+bar

I know, I know... Husky. Eew. China (or Taiwan). But I have to admit that they look to be better made than the Cman.... and I'd like to have another set around the garage... to go with my Taiwanese VIMs.

Never have a socket come off an Extension again. Unique Locking Extension keeps sockets from being lost in places like Engine Bays and Boat Hulls.

OMG I must get them...

I've used SK's which look much like the Proto posted and never had a problem.

This is something on the "if its a good deal I will buy it right now" list.