Do 3/4" to 1/2" reducers hold up?

[AceofSpad3s]

In typical GJ fashion I now the proud owner (shipment pending) of among other things a 3/4 proto ratchet and extensions.
Here's the kicker, I own a grand total of one 3/4 drive socket , but it was the right price so it's not a waste of money, but an investment in the future
I was thinking of getting 3/4 to 1/2 sunex reducer but I am aware drive adapters can be sketchy. I wouldn't be using it with a impact or a super long breaker, I was thinking of just treating it as a long handled 1/2 ratchet, not doing anything too crazy with it. Anyone got a sunex or any other adapters that can comment on how it did or did not hold up?

 

[gamescastspencer]

The harbor freight impact ones seem to be ok, I have used them both on impact and on breaker bars working on an 84 mack dump truck and on cultivators and other farm implements.

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[Mr Ratchet]

Broke a couple SK 3/4" to 1/2".

 

[RedneckWelder]

No they don’t

I use them only if I have to. I sheared the HF one first time I used it before the gun even got a few hits in. Sunex one lasted longer. There is only so much force the 1/2 drive square can take before it gives up the ghost

You might be fine with just a shorter 3/4 ratchet but expect breakage with cheater pipes

 

[Schurkey]

I bought the style that has a replaceable male "bit", so WHEN it breaks, you cram a new 1/2" bit into the 3/4 female housing, and it's good-to-go again.

Don't forget to buy a second bit so you have no down-time when the first one pops.

https://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratc...C-3-4-Drive-x-1-2-Drive-Impact-Socket-Adapter

 

[WWheeler]

Never used one with an impact, but I've definitely had a few 3/4-to-1/2dr reducers break on me with a breaker bar + cheater combo working on tractors & bush hogs & whatnot in the field. Don't remember what brand any of them were, but cheap was a safe bet. Haven't broken one since I bought a Snap-on GLA62, but not sure if that's because it's that much stronger or that my tool situation has slowly but surely improved to where I haven't had to put it to use nearly as often. It's definitely been put to use more than a handful of times though and has held up to the task.

Now that I think about it I actually have several GLA62s now as I put one in each of the family's roadside toolkits on a 3/4 slider w/ cheaterpipe, flip socket set, scissor jack, etc. Didn't trust using a cheap one for that purpose. None of them have been used more than at most a few times either.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Yes they break, I never realized it was something to be worried about.

 

[finn]

The HF reducer is pretty week. I’ve broken enough that I don’t use them anymore..

Never broke a Craftsman, and I have several.

Best advice is to buy the proper sockets and extensions so that a reducer isn’t necessary.

 

[joe_padavano]

Never broke a Craftsman, and I have several.

^^^THIS! Of course, not overtorquing the adapter because you are using a longer 3/4 drive handle instead of the intended 1/2 drive handle, and ESPECIALLY not putting a pipe over the end of it to increase torque even further will go a long way towards not causing them to fail...

 

[plinker]

I've had a few break, Not fun if you have any sort of load on it. It's preferable to use 3/4 drive sockets, but that said adapter can work fine if you keep in mind torque limits.

I had a guy at the truck shop I worked at ask to borrow an adapter, later he almost injured himself when the adapter broke torquing a pitman arm bolt. Best part is I had a 3/4 drive bit socket in the right size he could have used if he'd said what he was doing.

Snap-on has the best adapter, the insert is replaceable as well. Most will not likely max out the torque limits though, unless a long pipe or 3/4 drive torque wrench is involved.

 

[KWtech90]

I've had a few break. The mac adapter is pretty weak. I have yet to break my snap on adapter and the bit is replaceable if it does. I've torqued several semi wheels to 500 ft lbs with my snap on and it shows no signs of failure. The mac adapter I used broke on the first lug.

If you're a professional I highly recommend this, but it's probably not worth the price in a home shop.

https://store.snapon.com/Adaptors-S...ernal-Drive-x-1-2-External-Drive-P756690.aspx

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I've had a few break. The mac adapter is pretty weak. I have yet to break my snap on adapter and the bit is replaceable if it does. I've torqued several semi wheels to 500 ft lbs with my snap on and it shows no signs of failure. The mac adapter I used broke on the first lug.

If you're a professional I highly recommend this, but it's probably not worth the price in a home shop.

https://store.snapon.com/Adaptors-S...ernal-Drive-x-1-2-External-Drive-P756690.aspx

I wouldn't be using it professionally, I'll keep my eyes peeled and watched the used market for a snap on one.
Most anything on any of my vehicles is torqued to 300 footpounds so that sounds plenty strong for me.

 

[Super Mech]

I've got a snap on and regularly use it on a 3/4 impact without fail. It's at least 8 years old and has held up fine.

 

[Sugarfryz]

My sunex one has held up fine. I’ve had it for a few years. They all break though, nature of the beast.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Just warrantied a chrome Williams for our shop. We had bought it at some point at the local Praxair and it wound up on the 4 foot long 3/4" torque wrench the guys were using on those 406 ft lb Ford trac bar bolts. Yeah.....luckily nobody got hurt when it snapped! Correct size 3/4" drive socket in place now.

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[JR 42]

Sounds like a good excuse to buy a bunch of 3/4- drive stuff instead of one adapter...

I lucked into a $5 Indestro 3/4" open gear ratchet and a pile of Armstrong sockets and a breaker for dirt cheap. If you're not in a rush (to buy tools you'll rarely if ever use...) you can probably find a good deal on ebay.

JR

 

[Ericgst]

If you break the adapter by standing on the 3/4” ratchet/breaker bar, you probably would break a 1/2” breaker bar by standing on it as well. Use an adapter like you would use a 1/2” tool and you will be fine. I would only by high quality adapters myself. The Proto ones are pretty good.

 

[cherrybomb]

Probably not very reliable,I would get a Proto to use carefully untill I started my upgrade to 3/4 sockets when you figure out which ones you really need.They do start to become pricey.

 

[matt_i]

There's no way a 1/2" square can ever hold up against the potential torque that a 3/4" handle can dish out...that material doesn't exist yet.

 

[Schurkey]

There's no way a 1/2" square can ever hold up against the potential torque that a 3/4" handle can dish out...that material doesn't exist yet.

...but a 1/2" square made out of proper tool steel, with appropriate heat-treat, might be stronger than a piece-of-**** 3/4" square drive made from peanut butter.

 

[dutchgray]

2' handle, probably alright unless you are a complete animal, 3' handle and it will be pretty easy to break it, good 3/4" impact wrench with a decent air supply so it can really hit, going to break as well.
All depends on how you use the things.

 

[Cruzan80]

Where are you at? I see sets of 3/4 go up frequently, and I think I even have a spare set in the "To Be Craigslisted" pile. This is when you love flat-rate boxes, with no weight limits...

 

[WhiffySpark]

I’ve broke several snapons.

First time driver said how in the hell did you manage that. Second time he laughed. 3rd time he wanted my secret

 

[wvhillbillie]

I have the hd sunex and have used it with a huge cheater pipe several times. They have two types, be sure to get the hd.

 

[unslow1]

I’ve broke several snapons.

First time driver said how in the hell did you manage that. Second time he laughed. 3rd time he wanted my secret

I have a couple of Snapons I reserve for the really tight stuff I think might twist off something lesser. I put a 41 inch breaker on it for my nephews lug nuts. 16 yearold and 6'4 280 make for some over tightened stuff.

 

[CR888]

I have SEK tools Japan adapters and have been impressed with their strength. I would seek a used one off eBay from a top tool brand. It may have a scratch or two but will be quality CR-V treated well. A good 3/4-1/2 adapter should stand several hundred ft lbs. Its a PITA when they break during a job so go 4 quality.