Locking socket extensions ?
- Thread starter WR250F
- Start date
Busted Bolts
Well-known member
S/O has them and also has locking universal joints. have both and use them frequently. Not near the tools to get P/N but in catalog
wafrederick
Well-known member
Matco,Mac and Cornwell have them too with no plastic releases.Handy to have so you don't drop an expensive socket and lose it.
billymade
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
shampoop
Well-known member
Love my snapon ones. Chrome in 1/4" and black impact in 3/8" and 1/2" They are what I use 95% of the time for everything. Expensive, but worth it for sure. I plan on using them for the next 60 years.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
Mac.
Set of all 3 drive sizes:
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-319940-s6ekltq.aspx
They are not cheap, but they are indeed awesome.
All metal parts with pull back lock ring in knurled metal.
I love mine.
1/4" drive set
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320080-sme6ekltq.aspx
1/4" drive set impact
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320102-smp5ekl.aspx
3/8" drive set - 4 pieces
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320297-sxe4ekltq.aspx
3/8" drive set-6 pieces
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320298-sxe6ekltq.aspx
3/8" drive set locking impact
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320319-sxp3ekl.aspx
Set of all 3 drive sizes:
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-319940-s6ekltq.aspx
They are not cheap, but they are indeed awesome.
All metal parts with pull back lock ring in knurled metal.
I love mine.
1/4" drive set
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320080-sme6ekltq.aspx
1/4" drive set impact
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320102-smp5ekl.aspx
3/8" drive set - 4 pieces
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320297-sxe4ekltq.aspx
3/8" drive set-6 pieces
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320298-sxe6ekltq.aspx
3/8" drive set locking impact
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320319-sxp3ekl.aspx
Last edited:
B17E1943
Well-known member
Never knew such a thing existed. 
Cool!
Cool!wafrederick
Well-known member
They come in handy.I have dropped one socket so far and luckily found it using a convetial non locking extension bar.Used a 13mm matco chrome universal socket on a Cornwell locking extension bar in 1/4 drive to get to the distribitor lock down bolt for on a vortec 350.Beats losing a $40.00 socket.
Never knew such a thing existed.
I know, I was just going to comment how this site makes me need tools I never knew existed.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
One you use one, they are quite handy, and once you use a mac or Snap-On locking extension, the Craftsman and others using the less than heavy duty plastic lock button are tossed to the back of the box or sold.
I'm dying to get my hands on the new S-K locking extensions and check the quality out as I really want a set for my home box.
http://www.skhandtool.com/products/sockets-ratchets/product.aspx?ID=4846&view=view
Several years ago I had a co-worker that got mad at the Mac driver so traded all his Mac tools in for Snap-On equals. After taking the set of 1/4" drive Macs like the above in on trade, my Snap-On drive walked down about 50 yards to me and asked I i wanted the full 1/4" drive set (was 4 pieces) for $75 that was traded in. I passed like a dumb **** and then many months later bought another set that came my way for more money.
They are hard to come by used but are worth every penny.
Last edited:
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
I have a few from SK. They lock, and freakin HARD! they use a collar...
dwm
Well-known member
I don't think those are new in the sense of being a new product for S-K. I have those plus the 25.5" one and I think they're about 10 years old. They're good quality.
I really like the ones I have from Link Tools (other than the bling finish), but I got mine for a song compared to their normal retail prices.
The VIM screwdriver-handled ones are very handy for some tasks. I have several sets of them because I like them so much; some have sockets attached all of the time for particular tasks.
I also like the Weras, even though they're the button type. I like them for the speeder sleeve when I'm using one with a Zyklop.
rockchucker
Well-known member
I use these and they are pretty good. Not the end all be all but they work. The only issue is that the lock gets in the way if you are trying to push the Socket towards what you are loosening and turning it at the same time. Not a huge deal though.
Here...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943345000P?mv=rr&isABTestAvl=true
Here...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943345000P?mv=rr&isABTestAvl=true
dankicksass
Well-known member
VIM is ok in my book. I bought some direct from VIM, some from Tooltopia, I think they're $15 for a pair in 3/8.
rockchucker
Well-known member
There are a plethora of companies that make them also...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?vName=Tools&viewItems=50&keyword=locking+extensions
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?vName=Tools&viewItems=50&keyword=locking+extensions
dodge610
Well-known member
HF has aluminum locks on theirs...
What is the part nos. for the HF sets 1/4,3/8,and 1/2 sets if you have them thanks.
I do know the part # for the HF 3/8" set. Just bought the set for a buddy for Xmas.
HF Pittsburgh Pro # 67976
Gets you 3", 6", 10", and 18".
I never would have dreamed I'd like these as much as I do! I didn't know about locking extensions until I ran into all you freaks, and now that I've got them, regular extensions irk me. Can't believe I spent 25+ years with regular extensions. (Esp. retrieving spark plug sockets again... and again...)
Also, the knurling is a nice feature, too.
The HF ones have metal barrel collars. Kobalt's looked cheap and plasticky and the same with Sears.
$19.99, got mine recently for $17.99 during the recent sale.
Made in Taiwan, or as I call it, "the good China."
Last edited:
mister_two
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2011
- Messages
- 50
I believe this is the 3/8" set I bought from HF. I got it primarily to change spark plugs, I really only needed the 6" one. It worked fine (locked) for the sparkplug socket but I notice on some other sockets it doesn't lock tight. 
I believe this is the 3/8" set I bought from HF. I got it primarily to change spark plugs, I really only needed the 6" one. It worked fine (locked) for the sparkplug socket but I notice on some other sockets it doesn't lock tight.
Hmmm... probably depends on the indentations inside the square drive. If there's no pocket for the ball to go into, then I guess the sliding lock can't lock.
The vast majority of my sockets are Craftsman, FWIW.
VIM is ok in my book. I bought some direct from VIM, some from Tooltopia, I think they're $15 for a pair in 3/8.
Oh, and I bought something like this at O'Reilly's. Just one in 3/8", $10.99ish, made in Taiwan, dunno if it is VIM. Just brought this up to mention that mine has a 3/8" square drive hole in the top of the handle which can make it, too, a kind of locking extension, and not just a way to get that 17mm nutdriver you always dreamed of.
dodge610
Well-known member
Hey thanks a lot entered your part no. it took me too the 1/2 lockable ones too. Still on sale got myself a set of each they must not have them for 1/4 did not see them thanks again.
tpolley
Well-known member
Hey thanks a lot entered your part no. it took me too the 1/2 lockable ones too. Still on sale got myself a set of each they must not have them for 1/4 did not see them thanks again.
i was looking for the 1/4 set, too. i don't think they make them in 1/4 since their 1/4 sockets don't even have the detent for the locking ball.
WOPR
Well-known member
Does anyone know if the button on the Stahlwille extensions are metal?
Does it matter? Its a crummy design. The button gets pressed against obstructions and releases the socket.
yes they are metal
I have these Husky Pro's (Taiwan) with a metal button and a rubber collar to protect the button when locked. Smooth action but of course prone to dirt in the mechanism due to the design. Needed a good flushing when I got them. Haven't used them in cramped spaces yet though.
Attachments
WOPR
Well-known member
Thank you for the help!
To contribute some myself: i have a few of the Blue-Point locking extensions linked to earlier:
and they work very well. I don't think you could ever remove the socket without pulling the collar.
Thank you for the help!
To contribute some myself: i have a few of the Blue-Point locking extensions linked to earlier:
and they work very well. I don't think you could ever remove the socket without pulling the collar.
Old S&K are the same and Armstrong I think are to.
rockchucker
Well-known member
Oooh never seen those. They look like a really great design.
Nearest HF had the 3/8" but they were out of the 1/2"
NT had a set (button on the side, all metal) in 1/2"
I haven't found a 1/4 set yet, but I will if I can.
The HF set works pretty well, haven't used the 1/2 set from NT yet.
Thanks to Squankum for the heads up on the HF set
Decent set for the $14.39 I paid
Sometimes they allow the 20% off coupon with sale items, sometimes not, but, I got lucky.
NT had a set (button on the side, all metal) in 1/2"
I haven't found a 1/4 set yet, but I will if I can.
The HF set works pretty well, haven't used the 1/2 set from NT yet.
Thanks to Squankum for the heads up on the HF set
Decent set for the $14.39 I paid
Sometimes they allow the 20% off coupon with sale items, sometimes not, but, I got lucky.
TDWendt
Well-known member
Wish I would have known of these before I ordered a set of standard impact extensions.....well an excuse to buy more lol
JeremyManning
Well-known member
blackhawk makes a nice set, made in Tiawan