Craftsman locking 3/8" extensions ****

[franzdom]

I had these for a while and finally really needed them to lock and they don't. Not on craftsman sockets and not even on new SO sockets.

 

[superautobacs]

I've read mixed opinions on this product as well--either it works as intended or it simply breaks after the first use.

 

[Griff93]

I have one 1/4" 6" locking craftsman extension that won't lock on craftsman sockets. I'm really not impressed and won't be buying anymore of them.

 

[cruiser808]

I had these for a while and finally really needed them to lock and they don't. Not on craftsman sockets and not even on new SO sockets.

I've heard of this, Seems to me, all the truck and quality USA industrial brands have no problems. I got them and don't have a compliant.

 

[crashbumper]

I went through about 4 of these before I finally told the guy at sears to just warranty it for a regular extension.

The little plastic button breaks off, and I have a socket stuck on it. Pain in the *** getting it off.

 

[volvo420coupe]

my 10" one locks great, but my 3" one doesn't hold anything. the 3" locked for the first couple of years, but then quit holding.

 

[Old Donn]

Bought the 3 pack of these in 1/4" drive some years ago. They'll lock on some sides of my sockets, not others. Annoying enough that I won't buy 3/8" or 1/2"

 

[sk farmer]

i have the sk versions. they lock, hold and seem to be rugged. i recomend them. they use a metal sleeve that needs to be pulled towards the female end to release the socket. no plastic at all.

 

[billymade]

Check out my review of the snapon's; same lock is used on matco, mac and maybe even cornwell, sk.... http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24430

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I have these from HF. $19.99 for 3/8" or 1/2" set
Works great!!
Comes with a lifetime warranty

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=99882

 

[nate379]

I've been using the C Man ones for at least 6 years and they have treated me well. They hold just fine on all my C Man, Snap On and Napa sockets.

 

[Fedwrench]

What you guys need to do is watch evil pay (ebay) for the locking adapters themselves. They could be from SK, Blackhawk, or Snap on. Once in awhile they'll show up for a few bucks a shot. Since most everyone has extra extensions laying around, you can make a decent set of locking extensions up for not a whole lot of money. I don't care for the Husky, Harbor freight, or the new mac style as the collar is too thick but, that's just me. Your results may vary.

 

[EricF]

when I bought my craftrsman lock extensions, they weren't holding any of the new craftsman sockets I plugged in. I got frustrated and tossed them aside for a return later on.
They did seem to function correctly. I got a regular extension and plugged it in and wallah! the extension came off and left the socket.
So for whatever reason, I took a close look at the square, and the sides were all solid. NO DIMPLES!
Went and got an older craftsman set, they all had dimples in them. Then I got annoyed and checked the other craftsman sockets I had, the 1/4" drive set I got was missing dimples too.
My older sockets had them. I went back to sears to utilize my lifetime warranty and the supervisor said there was nothing wrong with those sockets and until they are physically broken by wear and tear, there's no warranty at that time. So I said, I can't use my locking extensions because of these defected sockets. And I got the I'm sorry sir routine.
Well those sockets made it to the garage sale, and were quickly scooped up.
I'll never buy the discounted socket sets again without inspecting each and every one first. the 1/4" sockets came with the cordless 1/4" drive ratchet, so for "free" they made it to the garage sale.

Otherwise, all my other sockets work flawlessly with the locking extensions..

 

[ImportTuner]

i have the sk versions. they lock, hold and seem to be rugged. i recomend them. they use a metal sleeve that needs to be pulled towards the female end to release the socket. no plastic at all.

+1 on the SK's .. I also have the Craftsman which won't lock on some sockets but will on others ..

 

[bmxr4life87]

ive got a set of the hf ones in 3\8 and i love em. they lock my sockets tight and have metal release collars which allow the socket yo fall right off. they have nice knurling... a real steal for $20

 

[Mike83]

Bought the 3 pack of these in 1/4" drive some years ago. They'll lock on some sides of my sockets, not others. Annoying enough that I won't buy 3/8" or 1/2"

My 1/4" drive are the same way. I even had one that DID NOT FIT ON A RATCHET! I went back to sears and tried every of those item they had in stock and finally found something that worked. I sometimes have to fit the socket on different ways to make it lock which is annoying but I can usually make it work.

The 3/8" work great imo but the plastic switch gets chewed up. For the price they're fine, but I'll look to upgrade eventually.

 

[franzdom]

Found a couple of nice ones on the bay, 3/8", 6" & 11" 46 shipped, not bad. Sure wish I had those yesterday.

 

[Stick Figure]

I have a single craftsman one somewhere, it always seemed to work for me. At work i have been using some blue point ones ... http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20120&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog probably overpaid by quite a bit compared to another Taiwan made extensions, but they have held up great so far, and 90% of the time they are on the end of my Makita 18v impact driver.

 

[BackTracker]

I forever destroy these. Too much torque and the button assembly just comes apart and locks the socket onto it. Or the plastic button gets smashed...either way they get replaced and are good for a couple years, so meh...