Current Craftsman Sockets

[N_Jay]

Anyone notice current Craftsman sockets don't have nice square and true drive sides?

It looks like they are purposely designed not to take excessive forces without starting to round the drive end.

Maybe it was done so they can deny warranty coverage if an impact driver is used?

 

[finn]

Anyone notice current Craftsman sockets don't have nice square and true drive sides?

It looks like they are purposely designed not to take excessive forces without starting to round the drive end.

Maybe it was done so they can deny warranty coverage if an impact driver is used?

Sounds like you’re describing flank drive sockets, which move the contact point away from the high stress corner location.

That design has become common across the industry, as far as I can tell. I think it was pioneered by SnapOn or one of the other Premium brands.

 

[milky2k]

Anyone notice current Craftsman sockets don't have nice square and true drive sides?

It looks like they are purposely designed not to take excessive forces without starting to round the drive end.

Maybe it was done so they can deny warranty coverage if an impact driver is used?

Can you provide a picture to see what you are talking about? If you are talking about Flank drive AKA off corner engagement then just about every socket made in the past 20 years or so have this feature.

 

[rust in the eye]

Any decent socket will have the corners of the drive end eased a bit. A "square" corner would be a stress riser. This a benefit not a plot to deny warranty claims
You may doff the tin foil hat.

 

[908Jim]

Sounds like you’re describing flank drive sockets, which move the contact point away from the high stress corner location.

That design has become common across the industry, as far as I can tell. I think it was pioneered by SnapOn or one of the other Premium brands.

OP is talking about the square end, not the hex side

Can you provide a picture to see what you are talking about? If you are talking about Flank drive AKA off corner engagement then just about every socket made in the past 20 years or so have this feature.

See above. Looks like OP is talking about the square drive side, not the hex side.


I think current craftsman sockets are actually quite nice. I'll go so far as to say nicer than Tekton and they can be purchased at a good price with sales from Ace or Lowes. I purchased Metric deeps and shallows 4-14mm for around $30 total with an ace sale and they have held up well. I even use them with my 1/4 air ratchet. (yes, I still use an air ratchet. Way more compact than cordless)

 

[N_Jay]

I know about flank drive but usually I see it on the socket side.
Maybe my tinfoil hat is a bit tight, but these seem to have quite a bit of "relief" in the corners, and only a small flat in the flank because the cut for the retention ball runs nearly the full depth with only a small section retained.

Next time I am at my shop, I will grab some pictures.

 

[finn]

Square is always weaker than contoured. The sharp corner of a square feature is a stress riser.

Doesn’t matter which end the sharp corner is on, it’s still a stress riser.

Look up notch effect.

 

[N_Jay]

Square is always weaker than contoured. The sharp corner of a square feature is a stress riser.

Doesn’t matter which end the sharp corner is on, it’s still a stress riser.

Look up notch effect.

I understand, but between the (in my opinion) overly wide corner relief, and the removal of much of the center flat, the remaining material seems minimal.
I noticed it on my 19mm deep, as I have a couple of cars with lug torques over 100 Ft-Lbs

Photos to follow.

 

[Hakeem]

I’ve seen sockets with the drive end relieved. Makes you wonder why some do it and some don’t.

Either way - unless your sockets are truly defective, I’d expect them to hold up just fine

 

[mervyn]

*sigh* now I gotta go look at my sockets

 

[woody 73]

Old post of mine, hope you enjoy it:

Patent No. 3,273,430 Knudsen,Price, & Olson Wrench geometry

I am amazed at how fast the vintage tool section is moving these days, since we only have 12 members and 12 guests at any one time. Today I only have information about Knudsen but if we (GJ member ckadams00 and myself) find any more information we will share it with you in any further...

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