Mixing SK and Snap-On Socket Set Parts

[Chris0]

I want to get some universal joints to use with my sockets, which are all SK. I read good things about the Snap-On universal joints, so I was thinking about getting those. However, I came across a post that claimed the engagement point on different brands of sockets are different, the implication being that you shouldn't mix brands across a socket set.

Can anyone confirm or deny this, in general or specifically for SK and Snap-On?

 

[Hiball]

I will deny.

 

[Neggy]

I have been mixing brands for years, Craftsman U joints, SK sockets, Snap On ratchets.....never a effn issue in 40 years

 

[AceofSpad3s]

People say many silly things to justify their purchases, never heard such a thing.

 

[Neggy]

and unless you are really going to use them every day (at which point you want a socket with a swivel built in) you are never going to need SO quality or price

I have a set of SK swivel sockets btw and they are good value if you use them frequently, I have never broken one and some are 35 years old

 

[FMB4]

However, I came across a post that claimed the engagement point on different brands of sockets are different, the implication being that you shouldn't mix brands across a socket set.

Utter and complete nonsense. Period.

 

[Al Borland]

Beware!
Mixing tool brands can cause a rift in the time-space continuum.
This may lead to temporal fluctuations and subspace anomolies.
Werner Von Braun wrote EXTENSIVELY on this subject, as did Einstein and Edison.

 

[Tools4Me]

Mixing brands is rarely a problem. Some brands will fit each other nice and snug, others will have a little bit of rotational or in and out play, but functionally they all work together well. I have a bunch of different brands of sockets, ratchets, swivels, extensions, etc. Some old, some new.

I don't know if I even could make a ratchet, extension, swivel, socket combination for use, composed of all the same brand. It would probably be hard for me to make a working socket combination out of tools produced in the same decade.

I have only run into three issues with interchangeability over the years-

I used to own a couple vintage 1/4" drive SK extensions that had the male square drive tips formed very shallow compared to all my other 1/4 drive stuff. The extensions wouldn't go deep enough into many of my more modern sockets, so the ball detent wouldn't engage with the socket properly. I sold them off to solve that problem.

Some of my 1/4" drive wobble extensions don't work well with all my sockets. The wobble will occasionally want to pop out of the socket if I'm using the wobble near full tilt and I'm not applying a bit of pressure to keep the socket on the extension at all times. I'm slowly changing out those wobbles.

I have a couple vintage tools in 1/2" drive that had the original male square drive ends formed too perfectly square. The outside edges weren't beveled down enough for the tools to engage all my sockets and extensions, because some of my older sockets have slightly rounded female square corners (not off-corner engagement or the stress relieved corners you often see now). I filed down the corners of the male square drive a little bit to slightly increase the bevels and now everything works. Easy fix.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I own both SK and snap on sockets and ratchets - and they're 100% interchangeable. As they are will all other brands I own.

 

[Shelbylex]

Warning: mixing Snap On and SK creates Snaps Kon!

 

[Chris0]

Thanks all for the responses. It sounds like I can safely put that idea in the debunked column.

 

[Bubba Fett]

There is a reason drive sizes have become standardized. Some are better than others, obviously, but that doesn't mean it won't fit. Mix and match 'til your heart's content.

 

[finn]

Only problem I ever had was a set of TSC house brand extensions wouldn’t fit any of my sockets. Not SnapOn, SK, Craftsman, Husky or others.

They went back to the store

 

[Ohmthis]

If this were the case, then why would there be a standard for drive sizes? Each manufacturer would have their own drive and each would tout theirs as the best! I just PM, craftsman, proto, OEM sockets on a snap on ratchet last night. I didn’t get hurt, nor did I hurt any of the fasteners. I hope you find what works for you.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Long as they’re all the same drive size they’ll interchange and work fine. Someone was pulling your leg or outright lying to you.

 

[MJD1]

I would be much more concerned about off center broaching and improperly painted surfaces on the inside of SK sockets.

 

[DAustin]

I'm glad I didn't hear about this problem 50 years ago, it would have keep me up nights worrying if I was using the right combination of ratchets, ext. bars and sockets

 

[FMB4]

The SO tools might wince a bit while the SK tools might grin some. But they'll get along just fine. It's after the honeymoon that the arguing begins. Opps, wrong topic.

 

[f121]

I have had this occasionally. Most stuff just works fine and I regularly mix at least three different brands of socket, extension, ratchet, but one combination I have doesn't engage properly.

Obviously it hasn't impacted me enough to be able to remember which combination it is

 

[DAustin]

I have had this occasionally. Most stuff just works fine and I regularly mix at least three different brands of socket, extension, ratchet, but one combination I have doesn't engage properly.

Obviously it hasn't impacted me enough to be able to remember which combination it is

Made in India - the rest of the world.

 

[quickfarms]

Step off of the tool truck and get yourself back solid ground!

that sounds like the utter nonsense that comes out of a tool truck salesman’s mouth

my tools are mostly craftsman with a little bit of every other brand mixed in and they range in age from new to very old and they are very interchangeable with a few quirks mainly in my 3/4 drive stuff

swivels serve a purpose but since I bought 1/4 and 3/8 drive swivel sockets the swivels have not left the tool box. Most of my swivel sockets are Astro brand purchased off of Amazon because they were the only ones who had them in stock

 

[nadogail]

In the words of my High School PE Teacher, in 1953, "If you believe everything you hear you will be Howling at the Moon and hauling in your Bath Water"

 

[ChevyEFI]

I don't have anything to add on the detent locations.

I did have a knurled SO spinner knob that wasn't a good fit for an SK 1/2 breaker. Seldom needed application, so I moved on.

 

[Bubba Fett]

...Each manufacturer would have their own drive and each would tout theirs as the best!...

There was a time when this was the case.

 

[Kscardsfan]

There was a time when this was the case.

Honestly, a part of me wishes the Blackhawk 7/16 drive would’ve caught on.

 

[PZ 1]

What do you mean by the engagement point being different?

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I would be much more concerned about off center broaching and improperly painted surfaces on the inside of SK sockets.

Ain’t that the truth.

OP, the only issue I’ve had is that some brands of sockets or extensions will be more loose when mixed with other brands.

 

[Kent_B]

the fasteners will never know the difference

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

you already have good sockets. no need to waste money, unless you want to.

 

[mr.lemons]

Not with those brands, but yes I've had issue mixing brands. It's most noticeable with quick-release ratchets. Sometimes sockets or extensions don't lock on properly. I've also had sockets of the same brand as the ratchet not lock on properly, so it's probably down to inconsistencies rather than brand. Thought it must be quite common. Guess I've been unlucky.


Edit, found pics. Palmera (Spain) extension wouldn't lock onto any of my ratchets. Had to dremel the retention cutouts.

 

[joseywales]

I can confirm, mixing sockets can be an issue. I have Craftsman, Snap-op, SK, Gearwrench, etc. AND, despite my always putting them back in their proper spot, they're never together. They obviously don't comingle well, thus they move about, after I specifically put them back where they belong. It's the only explanation I can think of. No we know. Thanks OP.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’ve never had issues with mixing anything. I’d say 90% of my sockets don’t match never an issue mating them with a ratchet or extension or spinner handle of another brand. Now I have had really cheap sockets fall off extensions or ratchets because there was no cut outs for the detent ball to go in the socket.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

only issue I had was when craftsman had double retention slots on their sockets.

 

[johninct]

Now that I think about it, I think some of my 40 year old Husky sockets won't work with my Snap-On wobble extensions.

 

[wafrederick]

Some applications,the universal socket cannot be too tall.One is to a couple oil pump bolts in the Chrysler 3.6 without pulling the upper oil pan