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Milwaukee Ball Pin vs Pin

Nocturnal-G

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Can anyone tell me what the difference is since they are both pins?

I'm looking at the new Fuel 1/2 dr compact impact wrench. One comes with a pin and another with a ball pin.

I searched and couldn't find anything regarding the ball pin... The wrench is going to be automotive use. I don't feel like having sockets flying off by making the wrong choice or by going crazy trying to change a socket.

Thanks guys!
 
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Stooge

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i would assume they just worded it differently and the ball pin would be the standard ball detent vs the locking pin
 

NHBandit

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If you invent your own words how can you possibly expect to find anything by doing a search ? A pic of what the hell you're talking about might help.
 

OxJaw

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If you invent your own words how can you possibly expect to find anything by doing a search ? A pic of what the hell you're talking about might help.

He didn't make anything up, it's on milwaukees website, which he linked to.

The pictures are the same in both links. I would imagine the ball pin is like the ball detent on a ratchet.
 

ADSR

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Detent pin or hog ring clip.

The hog ring has much more torque i believe. (non compact)
 

'71 VW 1302

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Milwaukee used some ambiguous language. It's the same impact, with the same retention . One is a bare tool, the other is a kit.

Paul
 

BFBOB

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I looked at the links, and I'm confused too. The photos of the two are identical as far as I can see, and depict a pin retainer. but, the part numbers are different, 2655 and 2655b. The descriptions are different; the 2655 says "pin" retention; the 2655b says "ball pin" retention. I guess you/ll have to call Milwaukee customer support or try to find both on the shelf in a store.
 
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Nocturnal-G

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the gypsy

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From what I have read on GJ before the pin retention is great when working and want to make sure you don't lose the socket . eg: working very high up or when you do not need to change the socket often, on an assembly line etc.
 

APEowner

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A pin has a square end on it. When you install the socket you have to line it up with the hole in the socket and then use something to depress the pin in order to remove the socket. With a ball pin the socket clicks on and off like a typical ratchet.
 

lametec

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APEowner has it right. Pin retention requires you to push in the pin to release the socket. The ball pin (named so because it's not just a simple ball, it's a pin with a dome shape to the one end, making it appear to be a ball) works like a ratchet, just pull to remove socket.

2655B has a ball (pin) detent, 2655 has a pin detent.

Unless you really need the retention of a pin (i.e. working somewhere where dropping a socket would kill/injure people or damage equipment), the ball pin is the way to go.

Edit: Here's an MSPaint attempt at showing the difference between the pins.
 

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owenst7

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A pin has a square end on it. When you install the socket you have to line it up with the hole in the socket and then use something to depress the pin in order to remove the socket. With a ball pin the socket clicks on and off like a typical ratchet.

This. My dewalt came with a non ball pin. I ended up driving the roll pin out and removing it because it was so annoying...more so than just having sockets fall off.
 
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Nocturnal-G

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Well according to CPO, the ball pin is a ball detent.

I went with the pin instead of ball... Safety first.

Thanks to everyone for their insight... Hope this helps someone else who was confused as well.
 

ADSR

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I own the hog ring and it's a ***** to get the sockets off.
 

quad shop

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I would go with the ball or hog ring the pin detent is the most annoying thing ever. unless all you ever plan to do is put one socket on and leave it there for the rest of the tools life. my dewalt has the pin and I hate it thinking im going pull it out and take it to the grinder to make it round
 

owenst7

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I would go with the ball or hog ring the pin detent is the most annoying thing ever. unless all you ever plan to do is put one socket on and leave it there for the rest of the tools life. my dewalt has the pin and I hate it thinking im going pull it out and take it to the grinder to make it round
Agreed. It is extremely irritating to need three hands and a pick to install or remove a socket. Not to mention I've never had a socket fly off with a hog ring or ball pin in good repair. I'm more likely to slip and stab my left hand with the pick I use for the locking pin than I am to get hit in the eye with a socket the first time in my life that one flies off the anvil.
 
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