Honest feedback on Snap On 1/4 universals...

[Buckgnarly]

So after battling with my Ranger starter, just how good are the Snap On 1/4" metric swivels? I used my Cman US 1/4 universals, they worked, not that great (loose swivels, flexed a lot).

I have heard the Snap Ons are the best out there, anyone have any experience, especially going from something else to Snap On? Or is there something even better anyone has had experience with?

 

[Rlfd213]

I have the SO chrome swivels and impact swivels. I like the impacts a lot better.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have the SO chrome swivels and impact swivels. I like the impacts a lot better.

Why is that? I NEVER use impacts in 1/4, but use the **** out of chromes. I really want to know if they work better at angles and do not "flex" when applying torque.

 

[Rlfd213]

I don't use the impacts for impact only. The only 1/4 inch impact I have is an air ratchet and I use all my 1/4 stuff on that without worry of breaking it. The 1/4 impacts work better. They don't fall down or bind up.

 

[wornoutoldman]

The SO are far superior to the cmans. That said I have both SO chrome and older MAC chrome 1/4 swivels. The MACs are shorter and can go in spots tighter than SO and they have little grub screws so you can tighten or adjust the flex play.

 

[Buckgnarly]

The SO are far superior to the cmans. That said I have both SO chrome and older MAC chrome 1/4 swivels. The MACs are shorter and can go in spots tighter than SO and they have little grub screws so you can tighten or adjust the flex play.

I have seen the Macs and they look shallower in the broaching...would you go MAc over SO?

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I have used an older version of the MAC's without a tension screw and although they are shallower than the SO's once they became loose in the joint they were a pain to work with. The SO's are a pleasure to work with but they go for a premium even used

 

[wornoutoldman]

I have seen the Macs and they look shallower in the broaching...would you go MAc over SO?

If you need extreme angle access the MACs shine. The SOs are tougher IMHO.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I've been happy so far with my SAE Gearwrench set, but the single 10mm SK I have is far nicer. Much shallower broaching in the business end.

I trick I learned is when universals get loose is to wrap them in electrical tape. It will still allow them to flex, but makes them hold tight like new. Break the tip of a toothpick off in the end when you set your bolt in the socket and it'll stay in place too.

I know the struggle; I have put a couple of starters in my 6.9idi Diesel. The top bolt is a PITA, especially with the old style "scud missle" direct drive starters.

 

[Can I try?]

OP, I previously owned a set of Craftsman swivels. I had the same experience as you.

I've been replacing them with Proto swivels. They are not floppy and have little, if any, flex.

I don't have experience with the Snap on swivels.

 

[DSLTRK]

What were you using the 1/4" on the Ranger starter? Those are mostly 13mm and are fairly tight. Couldn't you use a 3/8"?

A tight 8mm dia bolt will wreck any 1/4" universal, Snap-on or otherwise.

 

[DSM_PWR]

I just got these Ko-ken 1/4" swivels from Japan. Haven't had the chance to use them yet, but the quality appears to be very high. The nut grip feature is a definite plus too.

 

[Buckgnarly]

What were you using the 1/4" on the Ranger starter? Those are mostly 13mm and are fairly tight. Couldn't you use a 3/8"?

A tight 8mm dia bolt will wreck any 1/4" universal, Snap-on or otherwise.

backside wire connections, decided to try putting them on AFTER installing....still not sure if that helped or not, I have never found a good procedure to do the damn things easy.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

For chrome Snap On swivel sockets are the best. Their impacts are good to, but for a quality 1/4" impact swivel without the high price of Snap On check out Gray Pneumatic impact sockets. I have a full 1/4" set at home and they are really good value.

 

[DSLTRK]

backside wire connections, decided to try putting them on AFTER installing....still not sure if that helped or not, I have never found a good procedure to do the damn things easy.

You must have the 3.0 or 4.0 v6. I just did a clutch job on a 2.3 and had easy access with a regular 3/8" ratchet. I did bolt up the starter to the bell-housing first

 

[BK13]

I just got these Ko-ken 1/4" swivels from Japan. Haven't had the chance to use them yet, but the quality appears to be very high. The nut grip feature is a definite plus too.

Nice!

 

[Buckgnarly]

You must have the 3.0 or 4.0 v6. I just did a clutch job on a 2.3 and had easy access with a regular 3/8" ratchet. I did bolt up the starter to the bell-housing first

4.0 4wd with big differential and mounting bracket right smack in the way.

 

[gonmad54]

Overtime my SO's became a little loose so I slide an o-ring onto them.


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[Wamsutta]

My honest feedback is that they have gotten me out of some very bad situations where I needed a swivel socket that could turn over even at almost 90 degrees. Most other brands of swivel sockets can't lean over that far without binding up. If they bind up, they're useless.

 

[bob15]

I have both SK and Snap On in 1/4 drive, one metric and one is SAE. I prefer the SK. Half my Snap On's have electrical tape around them to keep them from flopping over. The SK's (about 10 years old now) don't have that issue.

Have I broken sockets from either set? No. they are both strong enough to take my abuse.

 

[K-Dog]

I had the SO chrome swivels and I eventually traded them in on the impacts. The chromes were too floppy. I am thrilled with the impacts. I use them virtually exclusively.

 

[redwrench60]

I started out with the 1/4" Craftsman chrome universals and broke them often so I switched to Mac, which were better but then finally switched over to Snap On. They have the best combination of short overall length and steep angle operation in a tight area as well as toughness for those times when you really should be using 3/8" drive stuff but it won't fit. Judging by the amount of guys in the shop that borrow them they are real problem solvers.

I also have the 1/4" impact swivels and use them often but they won't turn near as tight in a confined space as the chrome universals will.

 

[pi_guy]

So after battling with my Ranger starter, just how good are the Snap On 1/4" metric swivels? I used my Cman US 1/4 universals, they worked, not that great (loose swivels, flexed a lot).

I have heard the Snap Ons are the best out there, anyone have any experience, especially going from something else to Snap On? Or is there something even better anyone has had experience with?

I have had the 1/4 universal for over 30 years, my go to sockets.
Snap on replaces the socket when there is too much play, floppy lack of ****** moment.
I have them in 6 pt and 12 point and have acquired a set of Std 1/4 universal with deep sockets, discontinued 20 years ago.
There are just some place on formula cars that nothing beats them.


Coming up to Ludlow, are you close to that area?
I can bring a few of my sets if you are close to Ludlow Okemo Mountain to show you. I have a regional NASTAR race there this weekend.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have had the 1/4 universal for over 30 years, my go to sockets.
Snap on replaces the socket when there is too much play, floppy lack of ****** moment.
I have them in 6 pt and 12 point and have acquired a set of Std 1/4 universal with deep sockets, discontinued 20 years ago.
There are just some place on formula cars that nothing beats them.


Coming up to Ludlow, are you close to that area?
I can bring a few of my sets if you are close to Ludlow Okemo Mountain to show you. I have a regional NASTAR race there this weekend.

Okemo is about 1.25 hrs from me, but I have a bus driver class all day sat and Sun is booked. Been a LOUSY year for snow up here, I usually have 50-75" we are only at 22"! Need to send some up north!

 

[Rossco]

SO / CAT UJ sockets are Stella. 5/8 - 16mm 12pt = The only socket that can take out the third bolt on QSK starters.

Shame they don't offer a 16mm 1/4 drive 12pt UJ.

 

[pi_guy]

Okemo is about 1.25 hrs from me, but I have a bus driver class all day sat and Sun is booked. Been a LOUSY year for snow up here, I usually have 50-75" we are only at 22"! Need to send some up north!

We are coming back to Stratton for a week, school is off. And we plan to do some visiting of other sites in VT. So as it gets closer to that week will touch base with you.
I have been trying to melt the snow down here to get my parking place. back

 

[matt01073]

I have both chrome and impact snap on 1/4 drive swivels have had the chrome ones for probably 20 year or more the impact ones maybe 2 or 3 years in 20 years of use in a busy shop, and im by no means easy on tools i can only remember maybe 1 or 2 being replaced and you really have to be abusing them to break one. The impact ones are better as far as tighter / not flopping around but the chrome will definetly flex tighter when needed . I use the impact ones more often since i got them both for hand use and impact on both an air ratchet and a 1/4 drive impact wrench . never broke a impact 1/4 drive . have 3/8 deep and shallow chrome and impact snap on also have broken a few of those . compared to a coworkers craftsman i can tell you for sure i use mine harder and a lot and the coworker is a tool polisher and still is replacing broken universals often

 

[Buckgnarly]

So anyone use the smaller sizes? I think the 6 piece 8, 10, 12-15 will do everything I need, and it's way cheaper than the 11 piece set.

 

[stage20]

ive got a few with electrical tape myself. sometimes ill cut layers or add layers depending on how tight i need it to be. haha.

that o ring looks like a nice trick too

 

[DSM_PWR]

for a DIY mechanic, that should be sufficient. That's all I need for my personal vehicle.

 

[1950mercury]

I have Armstrong and sk and the sk can flex to almost 90° where the Armstrong ie craftsman are good for about a 70° angle

 

[pi_guy]

So anyone use the smaller sizes? I think the 6 piece 8, 10, 12-15 will do everything I need, and it's way cheaper than the 11 piece set.

I use the smaller sizes, we have 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 nuts on the cars.
The beauty of the snap is when they get floppy they get warrantied.
10 mm used many other places, 2500 series suburban right off the top.
But I have found through the years having odd sizes often fits better than the proper size if there is wear and corrosion.
Best way to take out flex is use shrink tube.

 

[espyking83]

The price you pay for Snap on 1/4" swivels is nowhere near worth the premium. Telling you this as a legit beer buddy. Craftsman will get the job done, especially since you dont truly use them that often.

 

[Gotmayhem]

So anyone use the smaller sizes? I think the 6 piece 8, 10, 12-15 will do everything I need, and it's way cheaper than the 11 piece set.

I have that set and use the 10 and 13 quite a bit. Mine haven't broken or gotten sloppy yet but I've only had them a few years. I got that set off the truck for around $100 or so but I think that's just because my dealer was having a bad week or something. Paying retail for them would be painful but they fit everywhere and never let me down. I bought Gearwrench 6+7mm swivels and they work fine for hose clamps but they're getting noticeably sloppy after 6 months or so.

 

[stage20]

To comment on the gearwrench brand I have some 3/8 drive with light use and I can tell they are not going to stay all that tight over time. Should have spent a few more pennies for SK or proto

 

[pauls_workshop]

Overtime my SO's became a little loose so I slide an o-ring onto them.


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Now THAT is clever!

I've done the electrical tape around the floppy flex before. That is a great idea too when you need to do it. Ever change out the crank position sensor on a 2000 grand cherokee? It is nearly impossible. Had to get to it through a little access hole under the dash and make sure the socket doesn't come out and fall down into the transmission while you are using it! - Paul

 

[abvw]

Without the support of a reliable dealer, no Snap-on tool is worth the premium. That being said, they always have buy-one-get-one deals you can take advantage of. They will often bundle the metric and SAE together so you can sell the SAE sets to offset the cost.

I upgraded from a Taiwanese set, what a big improvement. As you can see below, it appears that the pin is punched into the swivel and then chromed over. Also the V shaped swivels joint binds itself at angle over 50°, if you look closely you can even see the dents. Notice how the drive end of the (WobblePlus) extension has also contributed to the binding on the middle joint? This is about 6 months of moderate shop use, the laser etching is worn, chrome has dulled, the pins are loose, the joints are stretched and the swivel is floppy.

https://scontent-yyz1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/11252727_10203323018349840_9089520548354828031_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoibCJ9&oh=6200557ecaeda8595d49179d9a2d27a0&oe=573EA006

The Snap-on has a U shaped joint design that doesn't bind and their pins laser welded. On the same WobblePlus extension the middle portion can swivel freely. I have subjected this socket to much more use than the Taiwanese counterpart since I've also added long locking 1/4" extensions, and the socket is still like new.

https://scontent-yyz1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/11391111_10203323018389841_3804977297929965353_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoibCJ9&oh=866fc8027ea38d0e3156284f0d3ba8d4&oe=5735BFF6

 

[pauls_workshop]

I have both SK and Snap On in 1/4 drive, one metric and one is SAE. I prefer the SK. Half my Snap On's have electrical tape around them to keep them from flopping over. The SK's (about 10 years old now) don't have that issue.

Have I broken sockets from either set? No. they are both strong enough to take my abuse.

Question for those with SK. I have some older SK that are floppy, and I mean real floppy. Will Sk replace these? Well before current SK era under Ideal. I also have some that are still good and tight SK after many years. But a few are bad. - Paul

 

[Mastermind]

I have a couple odd snappy chromes, great. A full set of impact ADV matcos. Work good. My 10mm goto is a matco with the ball design. No binding. Awesome. Would love a full 1/4" set. Have the 3/8 deep, beat them daily.

 

[stage20]

I have a couple odd snappy chromes, great. A full set of impact ADV matcos. Work good. My 10mm goto is a matco with the ball design. No binding. Awesome. Would love a full 1/4" set. Have the 3/8 deep, beat them daily.

Find a deal on the Armstrong brand. They make the pinless swivels for matco. Save money by buying the oe