Killed a Snap On socket
- Thread starter Jason280
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dr_clyde
Well-known member
The only chrome socket I ever broke was a 3/8" 17mm shallow SK. I was using with a really long breaker bar. I don't blame SK.
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mr57
Well-known member
My local dealer refused to warranty the exact same thing on a socket. Told me I had it in an impact. Didn't even own an impact at the time. But...the dealer is a knob....
Mechanical Noise
Well-known member
Sure, Mostly Craftsman but I'm not blaming the manufacturer. Things get rusty tight here.
I have only one snap on socket. I inherited a cracked 3/4" deep and I exchanged it. The driver looked at it long and hard but there was no sign it was ever used on an impact.
sberry
Banned
Its the horror of it all. Someone could have been killed.
And just what brand is an improvement on Snap On sockets? This is GJ where many face Kenosha, WI when they say their morning prayers. Seriously, that could have been abuse or just a bad socket. Snap On quickly made good on it. They are widely recognized as top quality for their wrenches, sockets and ratchets.There may be as good but I don't know about better
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sberry
Banned
I always wondered if they stress tested Snaps before shipment? I busted a lot of Sears right out of the box back in the 80's.
I don't have much Snap, a few, seems had 1 break where someone pounded it on, spread an open and had the hitch on the BP tubing flare set break which I repaired. Havnt used Snap in the same capacity as i have other stuff.
I don't have much Snap, a few, seems had 1 break where someone pounded it on, spread an open and had the hitch on the BP tubing flare set break which I repaired. Havnt used Snap in the same capacity as i have other stuff.
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toolenthusiast
Well-known member
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ssdave
Banned
Exactly my point. An occasional failure happens. I'd only worry about it if you see it consistently happening. And, my bet would be that you won't with Snap-on.
It's just a joke, man. A bit of internet tomfoolery. Lol
i thought it meant before The Almighty Snap-On stepped in and shut the thread down.
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Probably manufacturers defect, replaced under warranty. That's what they have warranties for.
Schurkey
Well-known member
Popped a Snap-On 15mm shallow chrome while removing cylinder heads on a '93 Lumina Euro 3.4 (DOHC 4-valve heads) I handed it to my dealer, he handed me a replacement socket. Based on the "old" logo stamped into it, I'd had this socket for a couple of decades, therefore it's very...experienced.
This socket had held-up to several bolts that broke loose at "about" 150--160 ft/lbs. The bolts thread into an iron block, but the cylinder heads are aluminum. There was no trace of lube on the bolts I removed, the engine had ~150K miles on it.
I knew that the bolts took an exceptional amount of torque to remove. I should have been using a 1/2" drive socket. The assembly is torque-angle, but installation torque was about 65 ft/lbs, as you'd expect from the metric equivalent of a 7/16 fastener.
Yup. It happens when tools get used. It happens more often with inexperienced workers; with cheap-junk tools; and when someone gets careless about drive-sizes or is forced to use a too-small drive size due to inadequate tool clearance.
A friend popped a 14mm Craftsman deepwell of mine a couple of weeks ago. As expected, Sears has nothing but Chinese replacements, so I have an SK "extra deep" on order from Epsteins.
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Snap On is highly regarded because the reputation is well earned. If the stuff started to fail at a high rate, the people that depend on it to make a living would quickly desert them. The reason anybody looked at this thread is because Snap On socket failures are not that common. There are other companies that make quality stuff too and this was not intended to be a ******* contest on the best brand. Nothing is shut down and all personal observations are free to be posted. If someone suggests that SO is overpriced junk they are likely to get a lot of kickback fron those that strongly disagree. If you don't like SO, have at it. I will read your post.
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mrjaw14
Well-known member
That socket is before they started making them out of unbreakium. new one will be self-healing
I was actually fairly surprised when it cracked, not so much because it was a Snap On but simply because this isn't a common failure I've seen. Regardless, it didn't concern me in the least...I knew Snap On would replace it no questions asked.
mrjaw14
Well-known member
Im glad to hear you had a good experience with them, I’m considering buying 4 SO socket sets for that reason
+1 on this. I had an order of thread files get lost in shipping (they goofed on the shipping address), and they sent another set out no questions asked. Even said I should just keep the first order if it ever showed up. It did, so I gifted those files to my dad.
If the socket in question had been a HF special.....this thread would've been wrapped up in a few posts. I don't own a single item from Snap On not a socket or screwdriver bit nothing. I wish I could afford all my stuff to be SO, but I have plenty of Stahlwille, SEK (Japan) Aussie made Sidchrome and other good tools. SO is dreadfully priced here, $10k would not get you that much.
The only sockets I've ever broken have been craftsman. 3 of them, all 12 point, 3/8 drive 13mm. Jeep unit bearing bolts require 75lb/ft of torque a 12 point 13mm socket and unfortunately a 1/2" ratchet doesn't fit. The only non snap on sockets I own of course are the 3/8 drive shallow metric. They were all 20 yr old craftsman USA, now they're craftsman USA and a craftsman China.
Might be time to upgrade the 3/8's set.
No I didn't almost fall into a volcano or slam my hand into a running meat grinder, or fall backwards into a pit of cobras when they broke.
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Might be time to upgrade the 3/8's set.
No I didn't almost fall into a volcano or slam my hand into a running meat grinder, or fall backwards into a pit of cobras when they broke.
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Mikeske
Well-known member
I have broke a few sockets and they have been Bonney, Mac, Craftsman and SK nothing unusual in my view. I've had them break and I look at it as par for course, grabbed the backup socket and continued on. Later I get them warrantied. It does not matter what brand sockets any will eventually brand will break and the thin wall deeps more often then short sockets. Have never had a Snap-on break but I only have a few of them in the first place. I was to cheap to buy Snap-on when I was working and now retired it does not matter as I have a vast collection of tools.
WittHay
Well-known member
Couple of pictures of broken 1/2 drive sockets. one is a cracked Armstrong 9/16" deep and the other is a broken in half Gray 9/16" shallow. Never have broken a Snap-on 1/2 drive socket.
Strong guys, breaker bars and frozen bolt, nuts = lots of broken sockets. Now a days powerful impacts, less rusty equipment and use more heat or let the penetrating oil sit overnight. Haven't broken a quality socket in quite a while.
Strong guys, breaker bars and frozen bolt, nuts = lots of broken sockets. Now a days powerful impacts, less rusty equipment and use more heat or let the penetrating oil sit overnight. Haven't broken a quality socket in quite a while.
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jalind
Well-known member
I just split a 3/8" drive USA Made Thorsen II 13mm normal height 6-point chrome. It was going on 35 years old. Did one of the things one shouldn't do and should have known better. The primary abuse came from putting it onto a 1/2" drive hand impact driver using a 1/2 --> 3/8 adapter and then whacking the hand impact driver with a 4-lb hand held sledge hammer. Was trying to get some frozen brake caliper slide bolts out after soaking them in 50/50 ATF & Acetone for a day. Finally gave up on the slide bolts and put it onto a 1/2" drive breaker bar and went after the bracket bolts, also 13mm on the rear calipers. Torque specs on them are 85 ft-lb and they came out without too much trouble. Whatever they were coated with didn't rust up like the slide pin bolts. However, it was finally too much and split down two of the apexes when I was installing the second bolt on the new bracket with a torque wrench. Thought something had happened to the torque wrench as it snapped around to the next set of flats twice. Then I looked at the socket and saw the hairlines. Did what I should have done from the outset and got the 1/2" drive 13mm impact socket. First tool I've broken in over two decades. IMHO, 3/8" drive chrome sockets shouldn't be subjected to much more than 100-150 ft-lb static torque max and impact is completely out, even a hand driver as the alloy is too brittle. Don't know where my brain was. It's since been replaced with a shiny new Taiwanese Tekton.
Should retire the 3/8" drive metric Thorsen II sockets and put them into one of the portable tool boxes that could use a metric set. I've got a larger set of 3/8" S-K metric on rails in the same drawer. For some reason I keep reaching for the Thorsen II tray when I should be using the S-K. However, if a socket is going to slip its mortal coil to join the Socket Rail Invisible I'd rather it be one of the Thorsen than an S-K.
John
Should retire the 3/8" drive metric Thorsen II sockets and put them into one of the portable tool boxes that could use a metric set. I've got a larger set of 3/8" S-K metric on rails in the same drawer. For some reason I keep reaching for the Thorsen II tray when I should be using the S-K. However, if a socket is going to slip its mortal coil to join the Socket Rail Invisible I'd rather it be one of the Thorsen than an S-K.
John
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Speaking of impacting on chrome hand sockets, way back in the 1980’s when I first started out working at the auto shop all that any of us new guys had and could afford was chrome hand sockets from sears craftsman. And, to make matters worse, most of them were 12 point! We were actually beating away, all day long with 1/2 impacts on chrome sockets until we could raise the cash to buy off the tool truck ( we were all so very broke back then). The other day I was looking at those sockets: chrome is chipped off the edges pretty much all around the perimeter and the back side where the impacts anvil goes in to the square of the socket is all mashed up. Reason I am saying this is. Hard to believe that those crappy little craftsman sockets could ever withstand that kind of use. Then you see a snap on with a failure from hand use? Hard to believe. Must have been a forging defect?
rrangus
Well-known member
I have been buying Snap On since the '50's and have NEVER had a problem with the salesmen. I just had a soft deadblow hammer replaced for free that I have had over 30 years. They have replaced tools that were over 40 years old with obvious signs of being used on impacts without one comment or question
visionguru
Well-known member
Not surprised that SO socket can break if not used within the designed torque range. If this were a Made in China socket, some GJers may jump out with "Chinese Junk" without thinking.
I have 2 metric sets of Snap On sockets (1/4, and 3/8"). Frankly, I'm not impressed at Snap On sockets as much as other tools. Gearwrench has better chrome and more visible markings. Socket is probably one of those items that truck brands provide the least quality upgrades.
The only socket I broke was a Craftsman USA 10mm. A chinese socket saved the day.
I have 2 metric sets of Snap On sockets (1/4, and 3/8"). Frankly, I'm not impressed at Snap On sockets as much as other tools. Gearwrench has better chrome and more visible markings. Socket is probably one of those items that truck brands provide the least quality upgrades.
The only socket I broke was a Craftsman USA 10mm. A chinese socket saved the day.
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jalind
Well-known member
Best stuff I've used on rusted fasteners is 50/50 ATF and acetone. I make it in a roughly half-pint all metal squeeze handle oiler (the acetone). Need to shake it vigorously before each use as the two fluids will separate. The ATF is the penetrating carrier and the brand or type doesn't matter. Been told the synthetics have smaller molecules which aids penetration slightly. The acetone chemically changes Ferric Oxide (the main iron compound in rust) into Ferric Carbide which is quite brittle. May need to let it soak. Better than PB B'laster or Kroil. Acetone is flammable; should not be used around smoking, sparks or open flame. Prolonged exposure to its fumes are not good for you either. Use in an area that's well ventilated. Finally, as with nearly all automotive fluids, it's not good for your skin either and will penetrate through your skin. I wear nitrile gloves when using it - and use them in general when working on anything that might grime up my hands. Dirt cheap by the hundreds at Sam's Club.
John
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I split a 14mm Snap-On deep with a breaker bar and adapter doing wheel bearings on a Subaru. I'm debating whether to warranty it or just chalk it up to tools being consumables. It's 30 years old and decidedly abused. Somehow just does't seem like the right thing to do.
If you bought it new, I'd have absolutely no issue with warrantying it (and neither would Snap On). Now, on the other hand, if you'd bought it used, that would be a different story (and a completely different discussion).
sberry
Banned
While penetrant probably disolves rust the main point is to get the lubricant in to the joint.
777mechanic
Member
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- Mar 22, 2017
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- 14
in 34 years as a aircraft mechanic , i've broken and wore out snap-on sockets wrenches and ratchets . they just replaced a 1/2 drive ratchet because the teeth where so wron the thing would jump when loaded . for years snap-on had flip blade screwdrivers made for the airline industry . i had the blade replaced about ever year from snapping the flat blade off . never ever has a snap-on dealer denied replacement . i bought my last set of 1/2 inch deep wells from a flea market that where peeling chrome and handed the whole rack to the dealer and he hand my a brand new set , no complaints ever .
SuzukiGS750EZ
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- Apr 26, 2012
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Been there done that. On a caliper bolt and 3/8 ratchet. I also removed the bolt that defeated the socket with a craftsman... I've blown up snap on ratchets too. People make too much fuss over snap on. I'm no more surprised when one fails than any other. It's a tool not a super hero.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Why Toptul of course, didn't you watch Eric O sing their praises last night.
I thought about posting Williams but, I thought too many people wouldn't get the joke.
Tools fail or wear out regardless of whose name is stamped/etched on it. Granted higher quality stuff will often take years of heavy use before failing but, tools fail. It's good to have spares in heavily used sizes.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
There's a term called "glass hard." Chrome sockets are so hard, they're like glass. But they have to be because they're so thin. Being as thin as they are, if they were soft like impact sockets, they'd wear out quick.