Extension Recommendations

[Zewnten]

Tried asking this before but I am looking for extensions that don't or minimally twist over longer lengths, last thread turned into a debate about what was actually happening. I keep reading good reviews for Toptul, Genius, Nepro tools. How do these brands compare to say Carlyle? I'm using Carlyle as the standard because I tried their extensions and they were similar in 'twist' to my harbor freights.

 

[WhiffySpark]

We told you. Buy snapon

 

[Mr_B]

older snapon good choice or something german, I got various makes taiwan inc some you mentioned and while all fine and strong they more springy than older snapon and german and british ones I have .

 

[Zewnten]

Thank you Mr B, that's what I was looking for.

Whiffyspark, I know a lot of you said to get Snap On but I didnt see any mention of how other brands compared to Snap On.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Most impressive extensions I have ever used are Snap-on and Gedore. I would go Gedore because I prefer satin finish. Toptul is amazing for the money but not top tier IMO

 

[Mr_B]

Yeh I prefer satin, stahlwille being a favourite, older elora extensions are damn nice rigid bars and ones I had taken a beating without any damage or complaints from me .

 

[WhiffySpark]

Thank you Mr B, that's what I was looking for.

Whiffyspark, I know a lot of you said to get Snap On but I didnt see any mention of how other brands compared to Snap On.

Because they don’t compare. If you’re doing this professionally don’t bother buying other brands. They will eventually break no matter what you buy

 

[Mr_B]

lot of top european brands will match or exceed snapon on an extension and other tools easily especially on recent manufactured snapon extensions, older models were stronger and far stiffer in use . I got extensions from various top brands of all ages and more modern taiwan and only ones I ever broke are 1/4 wobbles and partially my fault as you know when working with it you pressing limits on the wobble tips but taking chance in tight spot to get job done easier and less labour time, never busted a standard extension in over 30years professional use, even premier taiwan made hold up fine .

 

[Zewnten]

Sure all things break or wear out. I broke a 1/2 Snap On wobble extension, but if I can get similar performance for a 1/5 the price why not? That why I found Mr B post to be more what I was looking for. I appreciate everyones opinion that chimed in on the other thread but I was hoping for more along the lines of: "I've tried them all and this is one area where going the tool truck route is absolutely worth it"

 

[Wrapitinbacon]

I like the longer snap on because they don’t twist much under a lot of torque. But I have some Mac with knurling on the top and I really like that feature.

 

[Wamsutta]

Zewnten, I found you a set to try:

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...3-8-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tool-Sets

 

[WhiffySpark]

Sure all things break or wear out. I broke a 1/2 Snap On wobble extension, but if I can get similar performance for a 1/5 the price why not? That why I found Mr B post to be more what I was looking for. I appreciate everyones opinion that chimed in on the other thread but I was hoping for more along the lines of: "I've tried them all and this is one area where going the tool truck route is absolutely worth it"

If it helps you any I’ve broke a bunch of gear wrench and sunex. Quite a few sks as well

 

[Mr_B]

If going snappy buy older models used, new stuff no where near as stiff as older made extensions,
Gedore do 12" and 20" 3/8 . Stahlwille do 18", they have locking too but longest I have in locking is 10" and not sure if do longer locking, damn nice quality extension though, proper heavy and hard .

 

[Zewnten]

It does, SK was another brand I was curious about.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Why make a separate thread?

 

[Al Borland]

If you are going cruising the pawn shops, look for New Britain or Indestro/Duro extensions.

 

[Zewnten]

Started a new thread trying to be more specific about the advise I was looking for and the other thread turned into a physics discussion.

 

[kb1982]

If you are going cruising the pawn shops, look for New Britain or Indestro/Duro extensions.

Flea markets would be a good place to check also. As mentioned above, the older no longer brands where made robust, but usually don't have the shine or nice knurling. Another tank like brand would be Bonney

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

 

[Wamsutta]

Started a new thread trying to be more specific about the advise I was looking for and the other thread turned into a physics discussion.

No response from you for my Williams recommendation. I'm assuming you're not familiar with their two separate lines. They have a Taiwan line and a USA made line. The USA made line are real sleepers because they're Snap-on tools without the decorative grooves and fancy labeling.

 

[Deskmechanic]

I like the longer snap on because they don’t twist much under a lot of torque. But I have some Mac with knurling on the top and I really like that feature.

Most snap on has knurling near the top. On the other hand I have some Ko-Ken extensions with really deep knurling around the top that I love.

Honestly I don’t know too many that twist - even my Taiwan ones are plenty stiff.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bob15]

Most snap on has knurling near the top. On the other hand I have some Ko-Ken extensions with really deep knurling around the top that I love.

Honestly I don’t know too many that twist - even my Taiwan ones are plenty stiff.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't think that isn't the knurling he is talking about. I think he is talking about the Mac knurling on the female end of the extension.

 

[Wrapitinbacon]

I don't think that isn't the knurling he is talking about. I think he is talking about the Mac knurling on the female end of the extension.

Yup that’s it, makes life easier at times.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Gear Wrench has worked well for my non pro use.

Esse quam videri

 

[stercorarius]

I gotta say that knurling looks sweet. Only have proto 3/8 extensions so when money allows I'll have to go Mac for my 1/2 inch extensions.

 

[Zewnten]

Those Mac extensions are nice looking. I looked into the williams and they do offer a locking extension in the length I'm looking for, I just havent had any experience with them but everyone here gives the usa made stuff high ratings.

 

[Mr_B]

As far as I remember the Williams locking extensions are taiwan coo .
Are the Mac ones taiwan, not looked at those but will do when see Mac van .
Not saying taiwan don't do some damn nice tools and totally usable extensions that way up to pro use but stiffest extensions (and that the key point of this topic) I come across especially in 3/8 drive and 1/4 are old USA/snappy or top brand german .

 

[Wamsutta]

I had no idea you were looking for locking extensions. What drive size and what length?

 

[theoldwizard1]

ALL EXTENSIONS TWIST WHEN ENOUGH TORQUE IS APPLIED !

Oversizing the extension for the application (like using a 3/4" or 1" extension on a 1/2" socket) will minimize the twist. Also it you are just using a breaker bar or ratchet it really does not matter if the extension twists.

Not true for impact tools.

 

[Mr_B]

some more than others and that the point of this thread.
I assume he can't oversize or he would be going for 1/2"

 

[Olafur]

Tried asiing this before but I am looking for extensions that don't or minimally twist over longer lengths

Extension is essentially a solid shaft made of steel. If you want to calculate the "twist" also referred to as "angular deflection" - here is the formula for solid shafts.

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/torsion-shafts-d_947.html

The angular deflection θ of the shaft can be calculated as

θ = L T / (J G)
= L T / ((π D4 / 32) G)

Let's look at this formula and what it means.
L= length of the shaft - longer shaft, more twist.
T= torque - more torque, more twist.
J= is a geometrical factor calculated for shafts - bigger J, less twist
G= modulus of rigidity - bigger G, less twist


G is called - modulus of rigidity.

Here are all the examples of "steel" from the table in the link above;

Carbon Steel 77
Nickel Steel 76
Structural Steel 79.3
Stainless Steel 77.2
Steel, Cast 78
Steel, Cold-rolled 75

Notice how similar the number is for different types of steel. In all likelihood the variation you find in steel used in extensions is so small it's impossible to detect or feel. Even difficult to measure with advanced equipment.

So basically, take a look at any extension, the only thing you need to know about it regarding twist is the diameter and length. And notice according to the formula above the twist or angular deflection is inversely proportional to the diameter in forth power. Meaning - small increase in diameter makes BIG difference in twist (less twist actually).

Ps
This formula is only valid in the elastic zone and tells you nothing about when your extension fails. Then different material properties come to play.

 

[WittHay]

The standard for 20" + extensions is not Carlyle, its Snap-on and Mac and has been for decades. Mac is good for the impact extensions especially the reducer type and Snap-on is really good for chrome. They work and have easy warranty if needed

There is no magical tool store, where you walk in and measure SK, Nepros, Hazet, GearWrench 24" locking extensions and see if they are the same diameter as Snap-on. Even if it is a 32 of a inch smaller, its going to twist more

For reference both Snap-on and Blue-Point locking extensions are 1/2" in diameter.

 

[1950mercury]

No response from you for my Williams recommendation. I'm assuming you're not familiar with their two separate lines. They have a Taiwan line and a USA made line. The USA made line are real sleepers because they're Snap-on tools without the decorative grooves and fancy labeling.

Williams extensions are nothing like snap on. They have no knurling and that is a deal breaker for most people

 

[Zewnten]

I was looking into something in the 24" plus length, I ended up with an old Cornwell extension in that length, no locking but electrical tape solves that. No noticable twist even though the shaft is a smaller diameter in the middle and using my 15" 3/8 ratchet

 

[ttpete]

I have two 24". The SO SX24 is 5/8" in diameter and the Mac 24E is closer to 21/32". Both are over 30 years old. Neither one has any noticeable wind-up in use.

 

[sberry]

How come other people have. more problems with this kind of thing than I do? Easiest thing is to use a larger drive.
While there seems to be an obsession with putting 3 /8 parts in a 1/4 body after doing this for a while today I use a 1/2 ratchet if I can vs twisting the **** out of a 3/8.
I had a helper grab me up,,, I can't, ,,, well no ****. Gary around 45 minutes with 3/8 drive, 3 ft away is a whole nuther set, 30 seconds with a heavier tool.

 

[Zewnten]

For this use 1/2 drive doesn't fit , tends to be pretty normal on some of the stuff I work on and my stuff isn't even as tight as what auto techs deal with.

 

[Wamsutta]

Williams extensions are nothing like snap on. They have no knurling and that is a deal breaker for most people

If you add the knurling, decorative turned grooves, and Snap-on fonts, doesn't that Williams extension become a Snap-on? They come out of the same factory.

 

[Firebrick43]

If you add the knurling, decorative turned grooves, and Snap-on fonts, doesn't that Williams extension become a Snap-on? They come out of the same factory.

+1 and start with the same basic forging as well

 

[-OSIS-]

I’ve got the mac ones. Zero complaints, love the knurling.

 

[mmason7764]

For this use 1/2 drive doesn't fit , tends to be pretty normal on some of the stuff I work on and my stuff isn't even as tight as what auto techs deal with.

Zwenten,

If 1/2 is too big, perhaps a 3/8 impact extension would work. I took a quick peak at the SK catalog, their 3/8" chrome extensions are 0.69 inches in diameter (in the middle). Their 3/8" impact extensions are 0.81 inches in diameter. As discussed above, larger diameter = less twist.

This should be true for pretty much all brands.

Mark