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locking extensions what holds up best?

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dirtmister16

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ok guys im looking for 3/8" locking extensions.

ive looked at snap on, mac,matco,sk,blackhawk. but have never laid my hands on any. i have a 1/4 craftsman but its not the same as the others.


so what do you guys like for durablilty and use? im leaning towards snap on as i have a dealer for snap on. also have matco and cornwell around here too.


i have standard extensions in sk and craftsman. so really nothing to compare the locking ones too. i am looking for these to do spark plug work mainly but im sure they can come in handy elseware.

thanks for the help in advance.
 
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ijroorda

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I have a set of 3/8 locking extensions from Harbor Freight that I bought about 5 years ago. They are the Snap-on sliding collar style, rather than the Craftsman button style. I originally purchased them for changing spark plugs, as you mentioned, but they have become my go-to extensions for everything; they have held up very well to fairly heavy DIY use, including use on a cordless impact wrench. For the price ($20 for a set of four), I think they're worth a look.
 
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bcradio

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ijroorda said:
I have a set of 3/8 locking extensions from Harbor Freight that I bought about 5 years ago. They are the Snap-on sliding collar style, rather than the Craftsman button style. I originally purchased them for changing spark plugs, as you mentioned, but they have become my go-to extensions for everything; they have held up very well to fairly heavy DIY use, including use on a cordless impact wrench. For the price ($20 for a set of four), I think they're worth a look.
Click to expand...

I have this same set and boy can I report that they work great. They may not be the absolute top of the line out there, but at 1/10th the price, they are sure worth it. I use mine all the time and they only take a back seat to my wobble extensions.
 
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dirtmister16

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ok, so you guys think it best to get the impact grade for all around use? like i said im looking at plug work and maybe other things as time goes on.


i wouldn't mind buying a three piece set. but what is the best length if you get just one size? i was thinking 12" size, but seems they come in 11" so that i thought would be ok?

whats your guys thoughts on this. i read that link and still not sure what i should do.
 
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firebox40dash5

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I've often needed/wanted a 4" or 6" locker for doing recessed plugs in stuff other than a typical 4-banger. A 10"+ works fine when there's nothing over the valve cover, not so much on the Chrysler 3.7L I did yesterday. I like not having to get my plug socket back with needlenoses.

Never had an issue using my impact extensions with a ratchet. Never had an issue the other way around when I've had to, but still not a good idea. Only bummer is there might be times the collar might get in the way, where the button won't. I hate my CM button style locking bars, too many times having to pick the lock back to get my socket off when the button breaks off.
 
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ijroorda

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firebox40dash5 said:
I've often needed/wanted a 4" or 6" locker for doing recessed plugs in stuff other than a typical 4-banger. A 10"+ works fine when there's nothing over the valve cover, not so much on the Chrysler 3.7L I did yesterday. I like not having to get my plug socket back with needlenoses.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience as well. A 10" works well for all the plugs on my '97 Aurora; however, changing the plugs on my '02 Explorer the other night, I needed a 6" with a knuckle and another extension to clear the fuel rail. Certainly not one size fits all - I'd recommend getting a set unless you will always be working on the same vehicle.
 
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jjjrmx5

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Locking extensions are a funny bunch.

You either have to go big and expensive or go cheap.

You wanna dabble, buy the HF set. But it is NOT the same design as the big boy tools.

I have all non-impact Mac sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2.

eg. :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAC-TOOLS-3...XTENSION-SET-SXE4EKLT-With-Tray-/300838486332

which is this set thaqt I have:
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/...0297-4-pc-38-drive-locking-extension-set.aspx

Here is the 6 piece set:
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/...0298-6-pc-38-drive-locking-extension-set.aspx


If you need impact, buy impact, but expect to pay more.

Yes, they will last a lifetime. And are totally worth it over the low line tools.

Snap-On is slowly moving thier chrome locking extensions to the Blue Point line with the crappy locking mechanisms so if going Snap-On I;d go impact unless you can guarantee what the design is they are sending you.
 
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ijroorda

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jjjrmx5 said:
You wanna dabble, buy the HF set. But it is NOT the same design as the big boy tools.
Click to expand...

Well shoot, I knew some of my tools were cheap, but I didn't know they made me less of a man. :headscrat I guess I'm just glad they didn't come with the matching hammer and saw. :bounce:

gy-033_2z.jpg
 
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G1GRANDEUR

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I have snap-on and craftsman locking extensions, they both do their job.

snap-on is easier to operate since locking ring is all the way around. craftsman has low profile locking lever on one side.
 
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dirtmister16

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i really hate to pay the big price. i think im going to look on ebay or see what else i can dig up. i like having knurled extensions so thats why ive been ruling out craftsman even if they are usa.

still sorta leaning towards snap on, but sk should be fine. anyone have any prefence with snap ons having the all chrome versus the everyone else having black so they jump out at you?

whats your thoughts on that?
 
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str8axle55

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I have an old set of 3/8 dr SK, they have the knurl on the female end and have held up great for 12 yrs or so. I have a 1/4 dr set of Matco`s that have held up well, did have a collar issue with one. I also have 1 or 2 3/8 dr Matco`s that are black, not sure if they are impact, but they are nice also. I think I like the SK`s the best have been my daily go to`s for yrs.
 
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Fedwrench

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dirtydogintex said:
Seen anyone knurl the female end other than Mac?

I'm not positive there can be too much knurling on an extension....
Click to expand...

No MAC is the only one. Toptul made some that were hex shaped around the square drive end but, that's it.

Hammell said:
Those look very handy. Thanks. Anyone else make anything similar?
Click to expand...

Those are actually made by VIM for MAC:

http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-hd250.aspx

For chrome or impact locking extension in 1/4 and 3/8 drive, I would recommend Proto made versions from Zorrotools.com

Cripe distributing has an extensive Armstrong 1/4 drive locking impact extension set that will serve you well.:beer:
 
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Altec

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I use my HF locking extensions every day as a auto/light duty mechanic. Love them. Don't have a lot of twist, and the collar is pretty low profile. Not even just for the price, but as a whole they are a great set. You would have to be a ***, or simply never used them to say otherwise.
 
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greasemonkey44

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i killed a 1/2" locking extension from harbor freight; soured me on the cheap ones
since then ive been buying the low profile locking extensions from Craftsman
i like how there isnt a collar, just the button
some people complain about the durabilty but its been 2 years on a 3/8ths extension(6" btw and highly recommended for plugs) and its been on an impact plenty
same with a few sets of 1/4 drive locking extensions
 
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6-Speed

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Proto makes some good looking locking extensions. I have a few in both 3/8" and 1/2".
 
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TF.120

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I have the matco 1/4 set and love them, wouldn't dabble with those HF ones myself.
 
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Steve_P

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I have cman and HF in 3/8 and SK in 1/4. I like the SK the best- you can't pull a socket off of them using any reasonable amt of force. The HFs are great for the money but when I bought them they didn't have 1/4- not sure if they do now.
 
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cmandp

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Glad to hear good things about the HF locking extensions. I was eyeing them in the store when getting my toolbox, but wasn't sure how well they would work.
 
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greasemonkey44

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Altec said:
How did that happen? Both Muddy, and myself use them every day. The only way Muddy broke his was putting a impact on it.
Click to expand...

it was a black 10" impact one
sob sheared the allen bolt that pins the collar to the rod that lets the ball slide in
was a pain getting my socket back
 
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dirtmister16

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been doing my looking, ive looked at ebay. some prices are fair some not so.

i went on tool topia, started to look at sk again and it seems this set is good, but could use one shorter one to be just right. what do you think?

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-4516.aspx

i see that the price for that set is quite good, but when they are seperate it is another story on prices.



also, thinking of buying of the snap on retention sockets.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-3-8..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item25794e9106&vxp=mtr

anyone have opinions on that, i thought maybe id upgrade my plug sockets. also should i be wary of metric plugs? never had one but just thought id get your thoughts.
 
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fivespdcat

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dirtmister16 said:
been doing my looking, ive looked at ebay. some prices are fair some not so.

i went on tool topia, started to look at sk again and it seems this set is good, but could use one shorter one to be just right. what do you think?

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-4516.aspx

i see that the price for that set is quite good, but when they are seperate it is another story on prices.



also, thinking of buying of the snap on retention sockets.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-3-8..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item25794e9106&vxp=mtr

anyone have opinions on that, i thought maybe id upgrade my plug sockets. also should i be wary of metric plugs? never had one but just thought id get your thoughts.
Click to expand...

Metric plugs? All plugs are metric threads and ISO hex. Most are 16mm, labeled as 5/8" here and newer cars are going to 14mm or 14mm bi-hex. No need for metric sockets any spark plug socket that is 5/8 or listed at 16mm is fine. I personally prefer the SnapOn thin wall magnetic socket.
 
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dirtmister16

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ok ive seen plug sockets that were metric and the thought just hit me again was all. guess that solves my thoughts on that.
 
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dirtmister16

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well, im keeping my eyes out for ones on ebay. but now im leaning sk as ive had good luck with my other sk extenstion and would like to kinda keep sk for those.

if i can't find a nice deal on ebay, i might buy snap on if a good deal comes up. i will buy some new sk.

can anyone give me some thoughts on the lengths on that set i found on tooltopia?
 
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