Locking Extension Question - ball vs pin

[mrjaw14]

I know there are chrome locking extensions with a ball that locks into place. There are also impact locking extensions that have a short pin I think intended to be used with sockets that have a hole in it.

That pin on something like a SK locking impact extension will retain normal chrome sockets as well on a socket with good detentes. Is there any reason not to do that? Will it damage either the extension or the socket? If there's no adverse impact to using them that way it'd keep from having to buy both impact and chrome locking extensions.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

It shouldn’t damage the socket or the extension. I don’t see why it would.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Draftpick1]

I know there are chrome locking extensions with a ball that locks into place. There are also impact locking extensions that have a short pin I think intended to be used with sockets that have a hole in it.

That pin on something like a SK locking impact extension will retain normal chrome sockets as well on a socket with good detentes. Is there any reason not to do that? Will it damage either the extension or the socket? If there's no adverse impact to using them that way it'd keep from having to buy both impact and chrome locking extensions.

I prefer the locking ball detents, as they seem to release the socket smoother and easier, they both work but I prefer the ball over the pin cost being equal.

 

[ecotec]

Ball detents are inherently easier to use.

I have some pin detent extensions. I rarely ever use them. When I do, the socket stays on that extension for at least that whole job.

I save them for times that it would be seriously problematic to drop a socket.

 

[bob15]

I have both and hate the pin (though it has really good merits). Detent ball is easier to work with. With the pin, the socket or extension is on there for good, not coming off unless you use a small screwdriver, punch, screw, nail, etc to push that pin in for tool removal.

 

[mrjaw14]

I should clarify that the extension is still quick release. You don’t have to press a pin. Just slide down the locking collar. It wasn’t clear the extension was pin instead of ball when I bought them, but they seem to be just like a ball extension except with a short pin. I think a ball would fit the detent in sockets better, but guess there no real pressure on that part

 

[DeeKay]

It won't damage anything, but man I hate pin detents. The only thing I have with a pin detent is an impact we use for very specific elevated work.

 

[Draftpick1]

I should clarify that the extension is still quick release. You don’t have to press a pin. Just slide down the locking collar. It wasn’t clear the extension was pin instead of ball when I bought them, but they seem to be just like a ball extension except with a short pin. I think a ball would fit the detent in sockets better, but guess there no real pressure on that part

I was referring to quick release, I cannot remember the name but one USA company supplies all truck brands as well as Proto, SK, Armstrong etc with the locking mechs and they are a pin/lever lock type with a notch and locking lever on one side of the extension. If you compare them you can see they are all the same locking type, I cannot remember who makes them but I did find the patent one day, and I have Proto, Armstrong, Matco branded locking extensions and other than the name you would not know any difference. Those types do not release as easy as the ball detent like on quick release ratchet and a lot of the imported locking extensions are quick release ball detent, I have seen Gear wrench, Capri, Husky others with them. The older craftsman had a slide lever ball detent release, they did not hold up well. The lever pin types work and hold up to abuse they just don't release very easy some times, and I have had to know the socket off after some HD impact use.

 

[Draftpick1]

Qualicorp is who makes the mech I'm talking about, all the truck use this locking mech or they did last time i was on the trucks, same as SK, Proto, and Armstrong when they were in business. First patent is the original and second is the improved design.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4768405A/en

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4938107A/en

 

[Steve_P]

I have HF and KD/Allen USA ball type and also SK locking. The SK style locks on much better. The $ difference is not small, but can you buy the locking ball type in 1/4 drive?

 

[rick carpenter]

FYI, Apex makes locking pin and ball detent extensions. Search around for good prices though. Flexible Industrial, flexibleassembly.com, has an 8" 3/8" drive locking pin extension for $29.70 but est. shipping & handling to my zip is freaking $35. Omega Technologies, apexbits.com, has the same extension for $37.80 with $10 shipping.

I've bought straight Apex brand bits/etc before and have been pleased with them.

EDIT: At Omega Technologies the prefix for 3/8" pin lock extensions is EX-376 and the prefix for 3/8" ball detent extensions is EX-376-B, so a search for "apex ex-376" will return both flavors in various lengths.

 

[dnschmidt]

The pin are not to be used with chrome sockets and in some cases, depending upon how deep the detent is in the chrome socket, the socket will never come off once use on a pin extension as there is no hole to put a punch to depress the pin to release it. THIS IS A GOOD THING! For impact sockets the pin is the nuts as the socket will not fly off if placed in the hole drilled into the socket unless you depress the pin with a tool. To me this isn't that big of a deal. I like pin type impact wrench anvils for impacts that are used for tires as I don't want the socket to go flying off. I have one impact that I use exclusively for tire changes that has a pin detent (Milwaukee Mid-Torque) and a 21mm deep socket basically permanently attached to it. It only takes about 10 seconds to pull out the punch, depress the pin, and subsequently pull off the socket but I'm not a flat rate guy but someone screwing around in my home shop so time isn't a big deal to me.

 

[qqzj]

Can anyone help by providing a link for a good pin type and a good ball type? Thanks!

 

[JradM]

I think this has got to be somewhat situational.

I’ve used a fresh pin impact extension with a chrome socket before and found it very hard to remove. A slightly worn pin extension is different - it releases with a bit stronger tug, but otherwise comes off no problem.

I also have a locking chrome extension with a pin and it works with everything. It doesn’t let go until you push the button though.

How much are you saving by not buying chrome extensions though? You can get a pretty nice set at Canadian Tire for like $15 when they go on sale. I’ve been led to believe things are cheaper in the USA.

 

[Tools4Me]

I know there are chrome locking extensions with a ball that locks into place. There are also impact locking extensions that have a short pin I think intended to be used with sockets that have a hole in it.

That pin on something like a SK locking impact extension will retain normal chrome sockets as well on a socket with good detentes. Is there any reason not to do that? Will it damage either the extension or the socket? If there's no adverse impact to using them that way it'd keep from having to buy both impact and chrome locking extensions.

If you want to use a pin lock style extension with chrome sockets occasionally, or if you are worried you might accidentally use a pin lock extension with the wrong chrome socket and not be able to get it back off again (Craftsman chrome sockets with that strange detent notch/slot can be that way), keep an eye out for pin lock extensions that have a chamfered/tapered edge to the pin like my second attached image shows. If the pin lock has a tapered edge it will act like a ball detent in chrome sockets and a pin lock in any socket that has a through hole for the pin to fully lock into.

In general I prefer pin lock, because everything is more compact and the extension isn't weakened somewhat by the locking mechanism, like it usually is for a locking ball style retention mechanism. I only use them when I need the locking capability though. Most of the time I'm using regular ball detent extensions. If I needed to regularly change out sockets that required locking retention I would prefer a slide collar style ball detent locking mechanism, because sockets can be released without having to grab and use my pin lock release tool each time (I use a small DIY screwdriver for each drive size with the tip cut off and the shaft ground down to the correct diameter for it to fit into my socket pin lock holes).

 

[Mooky]

If you’ve ever had a spark plug socket stuck in a deep sleeve, you’ll know why they have a hole to use the pin style extension.

 

[rick carpenter]

Can anyone help by providing a link for a good pin type and a good ball type? Thanks!

Check the links in my post #11 above. Flexible Industrial and Omega Technologies sell both flavors of extensions.

 

[JradM]

If you’ve ever had a spark plug socket stuck in a deep sleeve, you’ll know why they have a hole to use the pin style extension.

I would counter that locking ball detents can survive that challenge just as easily.

 

[redmondjp]

I would counter that locking ball detents can survive that challenge just as easily.

It all depends upon how grippy the rubber plug insert is inside your spark plug socket. Some of them really hold on tight! One solution for this is to only use the spark plug socket to remove the plugs, and then use a straightened section of rubber hose to insert the plug and get it started - then you can use a conventional deep-well socket to finish threading and tighten the plug. There is more than one way to get the cheese.

 

[Zewnten]

Can anyone help by providing a link for a good pin type and a good ball type? Thanks!

Proto has both types