How to bend a socket extension?

[jeejay]

I'm thinking of forming a 90° L-handle out of one or more, between 1/4" and 3/4". Would it take some kind of huge metal bender, or are there places known for offering that service?

 

[freudianfloyd]

Like this?
http://www.gearbest.com/wrenches/pp_282383.html

Why reinvent the wheel when they already make them. If you are dead set on making them though, I would say heat (Oxy -Acyt) would be your best friend. It may change the metals characteristics though.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Go to the back of you vehicle stick it in the hole for the hitch pin and bend it, I've done it with an old SO I had in an extra box to get the last spark plug of of an S-10 only I bent it at more of a 45 degree angle.

 

[bon3s]

Any industrial fab/sheet metal shop could just toss it in the power break and easily do that... though it might result in a weaker part....

Both our breaks (10'5" @ 240T and 5'5' @ 110T ) will easily bend up round stock like that, though we typically bend up 16ga - 1/4" plate on it at 10' ....

 

[JJThrasher]

Something like this?

https://store.snapon.com/Extension-Connectors-chrome-Extension-Connector-1-4-drive-P645998.aspx

 

[jeejay]

Thanks, those are nifty. Looks like they make 1/4 & 3/8".

As for why I'd want to bend a larger extension, it's because that size in L-handles are difficult to find double ended, 3/4" especially. I'd like to extend the other end more than the extendable slide handles at times, and be able to break it down for storage. Also read that Snap-on used to make bent extensions for torque adapters, and have an offset 3/4" torque adapter too (not really an L there).

Any industrial fab/sheet metal shop could just toss it in the power break and easily do that... though it might result in a weaker part....

Do they make them differently in the first place, other than bending them into shape? I'm thinking that's how ell handles are made, so it shouldn't be weaker than those.

 

[Provincial]

Don't be surprised if the extension breaks while bending cold. Most are pretty brittle. Impact extensions are more ductile because they have to take the blows.

 

[jeejay]

Impact is okay, whatever works.

 

[bon3s]

I mentioned that they might not be as strong due the the fact they are being bent cold, i could see them tearing or stretching outside the limits of the steel due to the fact im sure most tool (extensions) have a heat treat or tempering that will restricting the flexibility and ductility of the piece when doing something like putting in to a hydraulic break press.

Most Mfg's would do the bending or forming before they treat and then coat the metal (chrome / powder coat / etc).

 

[jeejay]

Oh yeah.

There's this kind of thing too.

Not sure if any sliding T head will fit on an extension, or how to remove the head past a ball on its handle, can those be taken off and put back on?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Whatever you do, do not ever put a pipe over your short L or slide bar.

 

[jeejay]

Everything has its limits, but there are extendable drive handles in production, which are essentially a pipe over a shorter solid handle.

Draper 3/4" Sq. Dr. Extending Offset Handle, for example.

I probably won't bother with reshaping them, was just a thought (given that extensions may be thicker than pipes at their connection and are mostly solid). I tried extending a half-inch double-L, and it does increase the torque, but seems to be flexing more than a solid handle (or the angle keeps dropping as extensions are added, and I don't think as much torque is transmitted that way).

 

[Skidonenko]

Go to the back of you vehicle stick it in the hole for the hitch pin and bend it, I've done it with an old SO I had in an extra box to get the last spark plug of of an S-10 only I bent it at more of a 45 degree angle.

Old snap on will bend. I turned a 1/2" ratchet into a candy cane. New snap on replacement not so much. Love my SO guy lol.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

...but seems to be flexing more than a solid handle (or the angle keeps dropping as extensions are added, and I don't think as much torque is transmitted that way).

By definition, the torque is unaffected, however your ability to transmit impact or a torque spike is reduced. Breakers, ratchets, etc are pretty bendy metal.
Thats why an impact wrench directly connected to a socket is so effective.

 

[jeejay]

Oh it would be affected if the handle hit the ground, for sure.

 

[budmur]

For a proof of concept, I'd go get a 1$ extension from a pawn shop, chuck it in a vice, and hit it with a hammer until I got the shape I want.

For me, I'd use it until it breaks, which will probably be longer than I'm alive.

 

[joecon]

bend it in a hydraulic press it is easer than beating on it with a hammer.