Flex sockets...used how often?

[olds394]

How often do you reach for the flex sockets? The ones with the built-in universal joint. Just wondering before I buy. Thanks.

 

[goodfellow]

All the time! When you work on old Brit cars, flex sockets are a real asset.

 

[Treorp55]

For myself, working in a shop all day, i reach for them almost every time. I rarely use regular sockets throughout the day.

 

[autoace]

Once you have them, you will use them quite a bit, especially with long extensions!

 

[Zeroek]

Yep seems like I grab a flex even though I don't even need it. All the freakin time it seems.

 

[tatra]

at work, usually the first thing we grab.........have to make a concentrated effort to not grab one when not called for........at home on occasion i use them .........i am talking about impact swivels used with 1/2 " impact guns...........and as i have said before, never trust a westward impact swivel, sheer and utter fu^&*() garbage.........have had them fail and injure me on first and second time usage.........sanp-on, mac, proto ,armstrong, any quality impact swivel is worth the money.............

 

[olds394]

Thanks I'm going to get them which means they'll be on sale soon of course.

 

[nissan_crawler]

they're one of the things that you can do without 99% of the time, then once you get them, you use them at least 50% of the time.

 

[Vulturej]

I can’t say I use mine all the time, but when I do need them they are indispensable.

 

[Weedwaka]

I was wondering this same thing.

What brands are the best to look for ??

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I walked down this same path recently. At first, I thought that they were just tool jewelry, something nice to have but not necessary.

Well, now that I have them... I can find MANY more uses for such things that I ever thought were possible. I also initially though that impact swivels were really gratuitous, and now I have the whole set. Got 2/3 of it at Craigslist sale, and the rest I filled in from the Snap On rep.

Adam

 

[tatra]

actually the question might be type to look at .......ball and socket or pin type......again don't buy westward impact flex sockets.........i can never stress that enough...........

 

[nissan_crawler]

snap-on seems to be best for regular non-impact ones. I built my set off ebay for about 1/3 price of new. Sure, some are used, but who cares?

 

[tatra]

you wouldn't want to buy them after we got thru with them.......not only is the pinn worn out, so are the scokets themselves where the pin passes thru...........snap on doesn't warraty ours as industrial use.......and don't know if they warraty for professional mechnics or not...........

 

[nissan_crawler]

Yes, they're warrantied.

 

[Merkava_4]

I use them all the time even when I don't need to. I use the 1/4"drives the most, hooked up to long extensions.

 

[rsanter]

if you pull transmisions you will use them all the time along with a very long extension

bob

 

[isr2kba]

I use mine mostly for Personal Watercraft and outboard motor/small engine work. For me the most common sizes needed are 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 10, 12, 13, 14mm.

I used to use the c-man ones, but they break all the time, so I got Snappy ones and I've had no breakages so far.

I've only seen one situation where a flex socket was the ONLY way to remove a fastener, but if you're doing flat rate, they will make you money by saving the hassle of removing sub-assemblies to get to what you need to work on or running back and forth to the box for the right combination of three wobble extensions, a mini ratchet and universal joint.

 

[tatra]

i remember when i was working on taxis alot, aspens carravelles etc. one job i had to use a 1/2" impact 2 foot extension sized down to 1/4" and a 1/4 inch standard chrome universal with socket on the end and the uni held up great, the craftsman would bust on the first application of power.........the s/o would pack it in but the dealer was making lots off of me and others and just started giving us an extra to have on hand no charge.........

 

[d33pt]

what is the advantage of a swivel socket over a regular socket with a u-joint adapter behind it?

 

[nissan_crawler]

what is the advantage of a swivel socket over a regular socket with a u-joint adapter behind it?

shorter, gets in tighter spaces, swivels better as the pivot is closer to the fastener, one less part to come loose, etc.

 

[MattPersman]

as echoed above the impact variety is a top tool. I use them every single day, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. as far as brand goes they are all pretty good. I have Snappy, Matco, MAC, GP, and Sunex all with no complaints

the companies seem to keep revising them though, I just got a snappy replaced a couple weeks ago and it was a different design, a bit taller, and something my dealer said the ring was laser welded in now, should hold up better, yada yada

 

[Mike83]

they're one of the things that you can do without 99% of the time, then once you get them, you use them at least 50% of the time.

Totally agree. I made do without them for quite a while (with much frustration) and now that I have them I use them a LOT. I stocked up during the 50% off sale at Sears.

 

[sk farmer]

i have sk 3/8 deep swivel sae impacts.they are almost always on on my air or cordless impact. i have never broken one and they have been used and abused. my 3/8 u joint type are only used occasionally, but when i need them they work fine.

 

[JB740i]

I always feel like they're going to flex and ram my nuckles into the car. I can't imagine ever reaching for them first.

 

[posaune]

shorter, gets in tighter spaces, swivels better as the pivot is closer to the fastener, one less part to come loose, etc.

Also, you can put a universal socket on a locking extension. A universal joint PLUS a socket doesn't work that way. I found that out last week on a heater core... Now I have a couple Craftsman ones and I will have a lot more when I get my Toptul wishlist filled!

 

[chappys4life]

How are the craftsman flex sockets been debating getting some.

 

[Uncle Buck]

How are the craftsman flex sockets been debating getting some.

My sets in both standard and metric have served me well for years.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Fine for hand tool use, but I know a few mechanics who use them instead of the impact grade ones, on the impacts, "due to the impact ones not being flexible enough".

 

[rhandwor]

I use them frequently when I need them. If you use them to much they get floppy.
You mostly need short length but need the long ones for exhaust bolts. Mostly 13mm,14mm,15mm,16mm,17mm for the longer ones. U S sizes 1/2,9/16,5/8.
I bought a lot used Mac,Matco,Snap On,Williams,Proto,Cornwell.

 

[bchee]

for you guys that have broken some, where do they fail?

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

for you guys that have broken some, where do they fail?

When used on an air ratchet, normally the pins. (not impact) Now I have had two new (replacements) crack right off the bat, at the corner, but I could see an air bubble in the metal (defective to begin with).

I cracked one, using it at an extreme angle, as it started to slip off the bolt and put too much pressure on one point (Me being in a hurry).

 

[nissan_crawler]

How are the craftsman flex sockets been debating getting some.

It depends how much you'll use them.

If it's a once-twice/year thing, they're ok.

If it's a once-twice/week thing, they ****.

 

[Deafautotech]

It depends how much you'll use them.

If it's a once-twice/year thing, they're ok.

If it's a once-twice/week thing, they ****.

i own craftsman flex sockets and it is work great! BUT for high stress, it is ****! it will split half off the socket head or explode when pins give out.. that why i had to bought snap on flex socket which i use a lot... i did look and test mac and matco, it is same but worse is when i tried to re-tight the small bolt on flex socket, it will snap off...

that why i had to use much of impact swivel sockets while i can so i dont keep make a trip to sears...

 

[vssjim]

I use mine 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 all the time couldn't live without them.

 

[zuspiel]

I got the CMan 1/4" ones when they were on sale a couple of weeks ago. Haven't had a chance to use them much, yet.

The 3/8" ones are on my Toptul wishlist/order. Each set comes out to something like $25-30. For that price, they are a great way to see if you'll use them a lot...

I'm not a big fan of the normal socket + U-joint combo. The joint ends up too far from the fastener, making it jam easily.

 

[Brad54]

I don't have any, and need a flex head maybe a couple times a year--at most.
When I need one, I use my Impact universal joint--the action is a TON smoother than a regular universal u-joint, and I believe it transfers torque and pressure a lot better.

-Brad

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

i own craftsman flex sockets and it is work great! BUT for high stress, it is ****! it will split half off the socket head or explode when pins give out.. that why i had to bought snap on flex socket which i use a lot...

Deaf, did you get a full set, or did you buy the ones you most used individually?

 

[Deafautotech]

Deaf, did you get a full set, or did you buy the ones you most used individually?

the craftsman flex sockets that i bought as set. but for snap on flex socket, i bought individually that i use a lot like 13mm and 15mm.

 

[Chris Adams]

I got the CMan 1/4" ones when they were on sale a couple of weeks ago. Haven't had a chance to use them much, yet.

The 3/8" ones are on my Toptul wishlist/order. Each set comes out to something like $25-30. For that price, they are a great way to see if you'll use them a lot...

I'm not a big fan of the normal socket + U-joint combo. The joint ends up too far from the fastener, making it jam easily.

I got a set from Mike in TopTul for Metric. They are good ones, nicer look and nicer action than my Craftsman. You will like them when they get here.