Do SK swivel sockets have common pin breakage?

[JonDick13926]

I broke a 19mm 3/8" drive yesterday. It was my fault. I don't have 1/2" swivel impacts, so I put a 3/8" on one of those Snap On adapters with the replaceable square drive, and attached everything to a fairly new 2235timax. Turned the power up, and four hits in the pin broke into two pieces. I'm going to warranty that one and then get a 1/2" set. These SK sockets seem pretty nice, but I just want to make sure you guys aren't breaking pins left and right before I buy another SK set.

 

[chopper1]

Was that an impact swivel?

 

[ttpete]

Understandable if it wasn't an impact socket. You're lucky that you didn't get the broken piece slung into your teeth.

 

[PJNJ]

If you use a chrome swivel on a impact, then the pins will most certainly break. Simple solution - Buy impact swivels. Expanding on what ttpete said - I hope you have good medical insurance especially dental if you do that again.

Edit:
After re-reading your original post, I apologize. I thought you used a chrome swivel - my mistake. I would look to pinless for any future impact swivels purchases like the other posters are saying.

 

[CobraChevelle]

Buy these and never worry about pins again.. 1/2 Metric set

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench...scplp8627393&gclid=CPHrzr6O_McCFQ-PaQodBwIBQA

 

[SMKS]

I think the pin is the weak point on any brand of pinned socket. That's why some companies have moved to new pinless designs.

I think I read here that SK is also moving to pinless, but they aren't out yet.

I suspect you would get a similar result with any brand of 3/8 pinned impact getting hammered on a 1/2 impact.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I broke a Sunnex the exact same way you did, was a 19mm swivel on a 2235 for clearance issues.... took about 5 turns until it mashed the pin enough that it would not turn.
I would not worry about SKs, they all would break in that case. In the future you probably will be pinless if you have any warranty issues as I to have heard the new SKs will be pinless.

 

[zakmartin]

Buy these and never worry about pins again.. 1/2 Metric set

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench...scplp8627393&gclid=CPHrzr6O_McCFQ-PaQodBwIBQA

Wow. Those ARE nice, but $352.99!

I've been using the SK swivel impact sockets (the ones in the green cases) for ages and have nothing but good things to say about them. The only time I ever used a chrome tool on an impact gun was when I used a 1/2" chrome extension bar with an impact socket. The chrome changed color and a spiral of hairline cracks worked its way up the bar. I tossed the ruined extension and bought a bunch of new Armstrong impact extensions from Cripe.

I do like those pinless universal joint socket adapters, though. They work SO MUCH better than the ones with the pins in them. I got two 1/2-inch and 3/8-inch pinless u-joint adapters when Craftsman was liquidating one of its stores. They're the USA ones that normally went for about $50 each. I think I paid about $20 each for those. The pin universals never get used anymore.

 

[JonDick13926]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, it was an impact socket. Granted it was stepped up a drive size, which is what I assumed lead to its breaking. I'll get ahold of SK for warranty and ask about the pinless. Ill also look into pinless for 1/2".