Good quality extension set?

[n8n]

Any recommendations?

Are Genius or Wilde any good? I see excellent pricing on those but don't have any experience with them. Or should I stick with names like S-K, Proto, Snap-On, etc...

What I think I want is 3 or 4 different lengths in each drive size. I already have some wobbles just want plain old extensions. I've been dealing with a mishmash of a few bought with a "mechanic's set" ages ago plus yard sale pickups, time to actually get organized so I don't have to borrow extensions when I need one just the right length and nothing else will do...

 

[joedodge]

I use them by all of them lol snappy, mac, grey pneumatic, sunnex , sk, craftsman lol. I've never torn any up at work in 8 years. There all pretty good as long as they have a warranty. Unless you want knurling in certain spots or locking extensions and such then you gotta pic what looks best to you

 

[n8n]

knurling yes, locking no, I have a set of Craftsman locking ones that I never use because they don't actually lock onto the sockets... unless there are some that work better?

Right now I'm using a mishmash of Snappy, Craftsman, Proto, S-K, whatever... and have three of some extensions and none of others, that's got to stop. Recently had to borrow one because nothing in my drawer was the right length to get at the spark plugs on a Trailblazer without hitting the cowl.

 

[joedodge]

I hear ya I hate that. Like I said I've used all of the ones I named as a pro. Never broke any. I'd just look for a good reputable company set that has the lengths u need. I wouldn't over think it

 

[Farmall450]

Wilde is American made and quality.

Mine are all US made Craftsman, kobalt taiwan isn't bad either. Nice knurling.

 

[n8n]

Yeah I have used kobalt before, don't have any though. If they were USA made we wouldn't be having this discussion. Leaning towards Wilde, no knurling but USA made and almost too cheap to be good? But if they are then even better!

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[3rdbuttondown]

This may interest you.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=241562

 

[BlksnshN]

I just bought the Snap On wobble plus in 3/8 and 1/4 and I love them. But for just regular extensions, I don't think I would pay Snap On price unless you can find some used.

 

[n8n]

This may interest you.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=241562

Thanks. I'd written off Craftsman as my local Sears doesn't have ANY extensions in stock (went to pick up a 1/2" drive 3" long extension the other day for a friend; they had NONE, got on eBay, got her a Snappy one instead) so I figured that all the new stuff was going to be offshored... but that thread says probably still US made?

Edit: any idea why I can't have these shipped to my local sears, but only ones 20 miles away? grr...

So which is better, Wilde or USA Craftsman? About the same price; I don't need the universals or adapters in the Craftsman set, but extras of those are not bad to have.

 

[brit road garage]

Koken extensions are the best Evers


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[Hako86]

Is Gearwrench an option?? I have a set and I really like them so far. I don't think you got to have top quallity extensions because the wear on them is almost nothing compared to sockets and ratchets. And if it breaks, it's got a life time warranty

 

[W0rLDWaR4]

I bought that same craftsman set you did.

 

[sonvolt]

I have SK, Proto, and USA craftsman. The SK and Proto get my vote out of the group i have.

 

[sberry]

I have had good luck with extensions of all kinds and grades.

 

[sberry]

Extensions are often obscured by ratchets. While its nice to have every socket they ever made there is a mastery of extensions. In impacts on occasion use deep sockets as ext. As straight as it can get as much as possible with the fewest pieces.

 

[fireguy229]

+1for the Gearwrench sets, never cared for the locking extensions

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have droves of extensions from yard sales and what not. From no name to Snappy. Other than Snappy wobbles, I can't tell a difference using them. However, the better quality ones are slimmer most of the time, which means they weigh less which of course is good.

Side note: I do have the Koken wobble 3/8" and 1/2" to hex (for Makita impact) and those are SWEET! Lots of wobble, clean wobble too. No bind.

 

[1950mercury]

If u want a reg ext get some hf cant beat em. Not a fan of there locking or wobbles.

I use mostly locking ext. I have sk, armstrong and snap on all work great.

 

[Tejaas]

A short while back I decided to build another set of extensions. I was wanting 3 for each drive... L/M/S.

My criteria was as follows:
- Must be on Ebay (I had a ton of "paypal" funds to burn)
- "Buy It Now" only listings
- "Free Shipping" only
- "New" Condition

Ended up with all "modern logo" knurled Snap-On extensions, not a single scratch/scuff/owners mark on any.

Took less than 10 days to find them all, and cost less than $85!

The 1/2" drive 3" extension will be here tommorrow.

The non-knurled 1/4" extension was a freebie.


~Tejaas~

WTB: Snap-On Orange Hard Handle SDD6 & SSDP63 in Very Good Condition!

 

[Westly]

I usually use a Blackhawk 6" and a Kmart Japan 3". The reason is they are the stiffest I've found. I have a Craftsman that twists so bad I can't even really feel how tight the nut is. Buy the cheapest and hardest you can get, like in the red yellow blue basket at Advance and compare them with what you have for stiffness.

 

[Biomed]

Any recommendations?

Are Genius or Wilde any good? I see excellent pricing on those but don't have any experience with them.

Wilde stuff is good but you should know that the Wilde extensions (and sockets) are not made by Wilde. They are however made in the USA.

How do I know this? Everything in the Wilde pricelist that is listed in bold letters is made by Wilde. Everything else is not manufactured by Wilde.

 

[Conductor562]

If you aren't worried about knurling look at a Blackhawk set.

 

[absolutelybillsmood]

If you look at any used ones check the detent ball, sometimes those can wear out

 

[pfhWJ]

Really like my matco set. All the sizes I want, even a 24",

 

[W0rLDWaR4]

I need to get me a knurled and wobble set!

 

[Mxjr12]

I prefer the macs due to the knurling rite at the female end and a few inches up. I have the snap on wobble plus in 1/4 and 3/8 and if they made a 1/2 set I'd buy them too

 

[Mastermind]

Up until this week I would have said that they were all the same just where you wanted the knurling then I broke my favorite 1/4 harbor freight wobble, killed a long hf 3/8 wobble, bought a 3 inch 1/4 wobble from lowes, first bolt snapped it. Guess whos shopping for truck brand wobbles now.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Any recommendations?

Are Genius or Wilde any good? I see excellent pricing on those but don't have any experience with them. Or should I stick with names like S-K, Proto, Snap-On, etc...

What I think I want is 3 or 4 different lengths in each drive size. I already have some wobbles just want plain old extensions. I've been dealing with a mishmash of a few bought with a "mechanic's set" ages ago plus yard sale pickups, time to actually get organized so I don't have to borrow extensions when I need one just the right length and nothing else will do...

You don't really need that many (just get 3/8" and some adapters for sockets in other sizes). What you building there mr "sterling va"? James bond ****?

Stick to something you can get warrantied though you probably won't ever have to get it warrantied. These are incidental tools in my opinion. If you're using one you're likely missing something essential in your toolbox. There are occasions when you'll need one (plugs) but even then you can probably get away with only owning a 6" one (maybe less). Unless you're working on some james bond ****.

I own a bunch of kobalt and usa craftsman it's good, husky is probably fine, most of the industrial stuff is going to be excellent, I'm just not sure this is where you spend your money on high end stuff.

 

[n8n]

I dunno, I end up needing extensions a lot, or maybe I just use them because it makes things easier and more convenient. I've been working for years with one Proto 6" 3/8" drive extension and while it handles most of my extensibility needs, sometimes I need shorter or longer. Yes, I do fine tune with deep and shallow sockets but sometimes it's not enough. anyway, I picked up the Sears set today, was about $40 after cashing in my points, and now I have tons of extensions, sorted out all my duplicates (now I have not only extra extensions but two complete sets of universals and adapters) and will put them in my "home" box, and anything left over after that will be given to the needy, and unfortunately I know lots of guys who need lots of tools... part of the reason I'm here, trying to stay on top of deals so I can pass them on.

 

[n8n]

Koken extensions are the best Evers


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Out of my price range, but I've heard good things about them...

how do the "wobble-fix" extensions work? Seems like a really handy feature to have. I have a couple 1/2" no-name wobbles, don't even remember where I got them, but ended up having to use one the other day and the guy watching me had the immediate comment "I have to get me some of those!" But for normal use I prefer fixed, and if I could have both in the same extension... well maybe I could justify at least the 1/2" set (the size I use most; I know some guys are 3/8" guys and some are 1/2" guys, I'm definitely in the latter camp.)

 

[foreverfalcon40]

I got the Cman extensions when I bought my 255 piece kit. I also went out and purchased their impact extension kit.

I have only broke the Impact 1/2 step down to 3/8 due to abuse.

Other then that I have used them extensively. I am a heavy duty diesel tech. I do a lot of clutches and work on rust buckets here in NY. Do not fear CMAN USA extensions.

Remind you I do not abuse my tools at with the exception of that one odd situation I was in. I DO NOT PUT CHROME EXTENSIONS OR SOCKETS ON ANY IMPACT TOOL I OWN!

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Out of my price range, but I've heard good things about them...

how do the "wobble-fix" extensions work? Seems like a really handy feature to have. I have a couple 1/2" no-name wobbles, don't even remember where I got them, but ended up having to use one the other day and the guy watching me had the immediate comment "I have to get me some of those!" But for normal use I prefer fixed, and if I could have both in the same extension... well maybe I could justify at least the 1/2" set (the size I use most; I know some guys are 3/8" guys and some are 1/2" guys, I'm definitely in the latter camp.)

Wobble extensions are great. I went 6 years with out them...I just finally bit the bullet and bought some due to a SO promotion. I just do not know why I never got them any sooner. Instead of reaching for a swivel...I grab my wobble.

You can get them pretty reasonable off Ebay. If I did not get fortunate off Ebay, I would be looking at CMAN COO USA one's. If not SK. Like I said I got 5-6 wobbles second hand in 1/4", 3/8", and one Impact Rated 1/2" in SO. Then due to a promo I got full 6 or 8 piece set from SO. Deal was Fine tooth ratchet, Metric Semi Deep Set and 3/8th wobble extension for $325. I upgraded regular extensions to wobble for an extra $25 and I AM GLAD I DID!

 

[foreverfalcon40]

My next extensions to find are locking ones...

 

[AndrewV]

Gearwrench, snappy, sunex, cman, all of them are good. Mish mash in my work box too.
But go with the best for your budget man.

 

[byoungblood]

Only "bad" extension I ever owned was a 1/2" drive Thorsen I bought to get a job done. While it worked, it was either over-chromed, or the male end was made too large. I had to pound sockets on it, and usually had to take a pair of pliers to get one back off.

I have a mish-mash of Craftsman, Cornwell, SO, Wright and S-K extensions. All work equally well. I recently bought a Craftsman locking extension at one of their outlet stores and it seems to work well too.