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Gearwrench Magnetic Extensions

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Merkava_4

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fordracing200 said:
Read about them over on the toolguyd, anyone ever used them? how do they hold up?
Click to expand...

I had a set for awhile. I sent them back to GearWrench and requested that they send me the plain regular extensions in return. I didn't like how they pushed the bolt head half way out of the socket.
 
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ImportTuner

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I really like them; when trying to attach a nut to a spot that is hard to reach. these extensions are really handy. I used to use masking tape or scotch tape to try and hold the nut in the socket with mixed results.
 
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Stuey

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fordracing200 said:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_1...yword=gear+wrench+magnetic+extension&sLevel=0

Read about them over on the toolguyd, anyone ever used them? how do they hold up? Is sears the best place to buy them or not so much?
Click to expand...
They're slightly cheaper on Amazon. If I were buying a new set, I'd probably buy them from there since the return policy is a bit easier. For Sears mail orders, you can return products by mail as well, or by full-line Sears stores.

Merkava_4 said:
I had a set for awhile. I sent them back to GearWrench and requested that they send me the plain regular extensions in return. I didn't like how they pushed the bolt head half way out of the socket.
Click to expand...
The thing is, their functionality is not the least bit diminished by doing that. I'm not entirely thrilled with that consequence, but nothing negative comes of it.

ImportTuner said:
I really like them; when trying to attach a nut to a spot that is hard to reach. these extensions are really handy. I used to use masking tape or scotch tape to try and hold the nut in the socket with mixed results.
Click to expand...
They are pretty dandy, aren't they.

Although, I did chip the magnet on one of the extensions during the review process as I dropped the extension as it was attached to a fastener. The magentic strength hasn't been diminished at all, though, but it's something to be aware of.

Fordracing, are you looking for just the extensions, or the universals, and adapters as well?
 
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kartracer55

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They ****. As was mentioned, they stick out into the socket, so you'd have to change the extension to do the final tightening.

Jim
 
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fordracing200

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Stuey said:
They're slightly cheaper on Amazon. If I were buying a new set, I'd probably buy them from there since the return policy is a bit easier. For Sears mail orders, you can return products by mail as well, or by full-line Sears stores.


The thing is, their functionality is not the least bit diminished by doing that. I'm not entirely thrilled with that consequence, but nothing negative comes of it.


They are pretty dandy, aren't they.

Although, I did chip the magnet on one of the extensions during the review process as I dropped the extension as it was attached to a fastener. The magentic strength hasn't been diminished at all, though, but it's something to be aware of.

Fordracing, are you looking for just the extensions, or the universals, and adapters as well?
Click to expand...

Well originally I was thinking just the extensions because they caught my eye after seeing the 3/8 snap on adapter with the magnetic tip, but once I saw the whole set up, i wanted all of them, the whole shebang, hahaha. Any expierence with any of the universals and adapters?? It isn't like I need a normal universal also, I have a snap on impact set on order, I just want them for the magnetic use, like when I had to remove nuts off the K member on my sons car for the ac accumulator...things like that. Wouldn't a deep well socket negate the whole magnet sticking out factor?
 
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Old Donn

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Sears didn't have them in stock, got mine from the Advance Auto in the neighborhood. Tried them once, was disappointed. One of those things that looked like a good idea, but didn't quite work out in the practical arena.
 
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Stuey

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I haven't really tested the universals or adaptors, but they're due for in-depth testing once my time frees up.

I am under the impression that many deep extensions would not benefit from the magnetic tip due to a longer female to hex end baffle.
 
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Monte

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Maybe these here work too: "Nut-Grip" sockets from Ko-ken with a ball retainer. Magnets always attract metal dust and shavings etc.
avail. through http://www.baumtools.com/

nut-grip_with_bolt10.jpg
 
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M5 LiTE

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Merkava_4 said:
I fixed it for you Stuey. :bounce:

Snap-on has a solution for that too; it's called a spring loaded magnetic deep socket. :D

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=170&store=snapon-store
Click to expand...

I have the 10mm one - it's sweet. BMWs use a lot of 10mm nuts and bolts in the engine bay, and if you lose one, it goes to the belly pan, then you have to remove it to get the lost nut (or bolt).

The SO socket allows for full contact with the fastener, no matter how tall it is as the spring mechanism allows the magnet (and fastener) to move into the deep socket. Great solution.
 
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fordracing200

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I was just thinking, wonder how these magnetic extensions would work with a midlength socket... :headscrat
 
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steidley

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I bought the full set, and the 1/4" drive magnetic adapter was worth the price of admission by itself over the last weekend. I was installing bolts on accessory pulleys and the like where I couldn't get the bolt in there all the way to start with my fingers. The magnetic piece and a socket just to get things started was great. Didn't have to worry about dropping, etc. etc.

I'm happy with the purchase.

Adam
 
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dede2897234

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Monte,

How well do the Ko-ken Nut Grip sockets hold a hex bolt? Which automotive tasks have you found these sockets invaluable in completing the job? I would like to purchase them from Baum Tools.

Thanks,

Dave
 
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dede2897234

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I called Baum Tools in Sarasota, FL this afternoon (800-848-6657). The Ko-ken KO3226M 3/8" drive Nut Grip socket set (10-15,17,19,21,22mm) is currently not in stock. The cost of the set is about $93. Baum Tools can only order from Ko-ken the Nut Grip socket set in quantities of 10. Once Baum Tools places an order of 10, it takes 4 to 6 weeks for Ko-ken to ship them to the U.S. from Japan. I have an interest in purchasing a Nut Grip socket set. Are there nine more members on this board who are interested in placing an order for the set from Baum Tools?

Thanks,

Dave
 
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Monte

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dede2897234 said:
Monte,

How well do the Ko-ken Nut Grip sockets hold a hex bolt? Which automotive tasks have you found these sockets invaluable in completing the job? I would like to purchase them from Baum Tools.

Thanks,

Dave
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,
sorry i don`t have those, i just thought the concept is good (2 balls holding the hex) and i saw a similar product from "Wurth" (probably also made by koken) so i guess they should work. I only use this ghetto method with tape: :)

IMAG0001-1.jpg


Wurth socket
01720057.jpg


koken socket
4450m.jpg
 
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Monte

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@dave:
I can`t believe that there is no north american distributor of ko-ken... there is one in europe too (Luxembourg) but no one in the biggest hand tool market of the world ?
I bet there is one in USA or canada, i don`t think that the other retailers import every single tool from japan.... just send them a mail: [email protected]
A distributor or good dealer should also be able to get you just 1 socket of each size, my dealer here in germany can get them also individually ( ordered a couple of SAE impact sockets from them , catalog says 10 pieces but they only had to take 1 ea.)
 
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dede2897234

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Monte,

Thank you for providing Ko-ken's e-mail address and your purchasing experience of their tools in Germany. It was very insightful and informative. I just sent an e-mail to Ko-ken requesting the names, addresses, and phone numbers of their U.S. distributors and retailers.

Dave
 
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NugeConstruction

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Anchorage
Merkava_4 said:
Snap-on has a solution for that too; it's called a spring loaded magnetic deep socket. :D

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=170&store=snapon-store
Click to expand...

From the link above, could someone please translate into English for me:

"New spring loaded design improves holding power and allows greater bolt clearance. Coercive force of spring loaded deep magnetic power sockets is 15 times higher than that of sockets with conventional design."

"Coercive force" just sounds kind of FBI/CIA to me...
 
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wantedabiggergarage

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NugeConstruction said:
From the link above, could someone please translate into English for me:

"New spring loaded design improves holding power and allows greater bolt clearance. Coercive force of spring loaded deep magnetic power sockets is 15 times higher than that of sockets with conventional design."

"Coercive force" just sounds kind of FBI/CIA to me...
Click to expand...

Restraining force of spring loaded sockets. I know I have some smaller (Apex made?) Snap-on magnetic sockets, in both spring loaded (favorite) and non spring loaded, that come in handy on extensions (removing hose clamps that like to spin on you).
 
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