Keep snap on 1/4" sockets or sell?

[TK-421]

Are you desperate for money? If the answer is no then keep the better tool. If the answer is yes, then sell them and buy cheaper sockets.

 

[M6erfan]

I'd keep them AND buy the $15 Gearwrench set so I could keep my snappy's pristine and save them for when I really need them.

This makes no sense to me, please explain...

 

[Gerard]

These images do a good job at showing why I prefer Snap-on (or Williams USA, same design) sockets to most others. Look at the ridiculous amount of chamfer on the Gearwrench socket versus the Snap-on. Sure, maybe you can slip it onto the bolt head ever so slightly more easily, but is it really worth giving up all that contact area? This is especially an issue for thin bolt heads, with that much chamfer and a thin bolt head you can end up with almost no bite at all and just slip right off. I suppose it might rarely be an issue in practice, but I did actually run into the issue recently with a stubborn thin head bolt and a 32mm Taiwan-made socket where a Snap-on or USA Williams with less chamfer would've made all the difference. Given the choice, though, I'd rather have the most bite possible in all circumstances.

 

[rice rocket]

Look at the ridiculous amount of chamfer on the Gearwrench socket versus the Snap-on. Sure, maybe you can slip it onto the bolt head ever so slightly more easily, but is it really worth giving up all that contact area? This is especially an issue for thin bolt heads, with that much chamfer and a thin bolt head you can end up with almost no bite at all and just slip right off. I suppose it might rarely be an issue in practice, but I did actually run into the issue recently with a stubborn thin head bolt and a 32mm Taiwan-made socket where a Snap-on or USA Williams with less chamfer would've made all the difference. Given the choice, though, I'd rather have the most bite possible in all circumstances.

Consider yourself uninformed/underinformed on this topic then.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73245

Gearwrench:

Snap-On:

 

[Two Door]

Consider yourself uninformed/underinformed on this topic then.

I believe he is talking about contact in the depth of the socket, not around the circumference of the bolt/inner diameter of socket.

 

[rice rocket]

Sorry my mistake. This is the first time I've heard someone lodge that complaint.


So the variance in contact area looks like what, 5% at this nut height? Looks like you'd have to have a 0.5mm tall 13mm nut for this to be an issue...

But hey, I guess every little bit counts?

 

[n8n]

Sorry my mistake. This is the first time I've heard someone lodge that complaint.


So the variance in contact area looks like what, 5% at this nut height? Looks like you'd have to have a 0.5mm tall 13mm nut for this to be an issue...

But hey, I guess every little bit counts?

Sometimes it does, e.g. large dimensional size banjo bolts.

I've often grabbed a cheap impact socket and ground it perfectly flat on the end (no chamfer at all) as a problem solver for situations like that.

 

[Gerard]

Looking at the photos of that nut, the difference does not seem very significant in that case. It's probably one of those things that isn't an issue 99.9% of the time (maybe the fact that so many sockets have so much chamfer is evidence of that), but for the occasional very thin nuts or bolt heads it can really make all the difference between getting a good grip or fighting to keep it from slipping off.

 

[warmpancakes]

snap on set 10 years still worth 90 or more

gearwrench worth about 6.00

 

[rice rocket]

The thin panel switch nut I show in my picture is a good example of this problem in action. A standard Snap-on deep socket could probably grab this nut pretty well and remove it, one of my modified sockets with zero chamfer could remove it easily with 100% socket engagement on the nut, and a Gearwrench socket might not be able to remove the nut at all because the chamfer is too deep so the socket will not engage enough of the thin sidewalls of the nut for it to turn.

Now you're just using the wrong tool for the job altogether.


http://www.dmctools.com/Products/jam_nut_sockets.html

 

[T45]

This issue also comes up in specialized applications, I know the cycling techs use de-chamfered sockets, for similar reasons. They are trying to keep weight down, so oems have very thin/shallow fasteners. An excessive champfer is a hassle on low-profile hardware, so they either grind down or buy boutique with no chamfer.

When the bolt is low quality or corroded, it also starts to matter a bit more norally. A socket only part engaged (even by mistake, not design) will mess up a soft fastener. Any extra chamfer has the tendency to make more mistakes likely, which means you need to pay more attention.

Oddly i have a socket with a frustrating chamfer that is a snap on, but that is a low-profile socket with a chamfer to allow you to get it on easier in hard to reach places. But you wouldn't pick that as an everyday socket because the chamfer is meh, so only use that when absolutely necessary. So I'd say its a design thing and some people prioritize differently. Its not a brand thing or a price thing in that sense, its just a way to differentiate the product.

 

[wafrederick]

Humble Mechanic does have a you tube video mentioning the Snap On 1/4 drive sockets.He will not own and buy anymore Snap On 1/4 drive sockets.Reason why is he loses them and are expensive

 

[90zcar]

I have no problem with losing stuff. These are at my home garage where I do my projects and side work. If I want to spend 2 hours looking for a socket I dropped or missing......I will.
Plus I am very organized and keep track of my tools so that's never a problem. I'm the same way at my job with my tools


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have Craftsman, Blackhawk, SK, ProTo, and SnapOn in 1/4" drive... The SnapOn sockets are my winners.. The Craftsman socket sets were cheapies that were intended to fill in voids in several tool sets that I maintain.. I feel like I am punishing myself for some unknown reason when I use them.. On a road call a couple years back; I was using some of the cheapie stuff to put in a water pump in tight quarters on a car.. I cussed myself the whole dang time as I thought about My SnapOn tools sitting at home resting.. Think of !/4" drive SnapOn sockets in tight quarters, then TRY come up with a good reason to sell them

 

[pi_guy]

I do not know some times the questions get silly. But the bizarre part is some interesting information gets produced.
The only time I would grab another socket is to give it away or if I was going to modify into another tool.
Several times I have had to modify Snap On tools because there were no other equivalent and they are more difficult to modify as the hardening or surface treatments require more machining time than a HF one.

 

[PapaGrande]

The only tool truck brand anything I own happens to be a Snap On 1/4" socket/ratchet set. I use it when I'm doing things by hand, and my old 1/4" sockets get used with my Porter Cable cordless screwdriver.

 

[chrisnazzy]

I agree if you don't need the money keep the Snap On's. I have been buying quality tools from the tool trucks for a lot of years and it all goes home where they are only used lightly around the house, for my own vehicle maintenance and customization and for a side job here or there. I've thought about it so many times. I could sell my Snap On box and its contents, replace with less expensive stuff and probably pocket $10-15k.

The reason I never do is because I always think these tools will last me my lifetime and then some. I'm sure I will wrench on cars with my grandkids someday with these tools (no grandkids yet, my oldest is only 14). I take immense pride in my family 1st, how I take care of my customers 2nd and my tools and vehicles 3rd.