New HF store, impact wobble extension comparison.

[plinker]

So the one not so local city I frequent had gotten a Harbor freight store within the last month apparently, saw it by chance heading back out of town so I thought I'd check it out having never been in one. No rubber/china smell like what is reported, may be too new? They seemed to have a reasonable selection of stuff in stock.

Anyhow, I had a co worker that had some of their impact wobble extensions, and I knew they were decent in 1/2dr. I had bought Sunex wobbles since that was a better option for me. So while I'm looking around I see the 3/8 drive ones and note they have a 1-3/4 with the set, so I picked one up. Has 1-3/4, 3", 6" in the HF set, vs. Sunex having 3", 5" 10" & 15". Both sets seem to compliment each other pretty well with the various sizes and I use the **** out of the 3" Sunex's. Both brands are made in Taiwan, albeit they are not from the same OE based on how the drive square is cut. I probably will pick up another set for spares.

I also saw a socket cap set and got it as well since the KD set I have has a broken 1/4 drive unit.

 

[KnurledNut]

Never fooled with any HFPP extensions. But that short one sure looks handy. $10 for the set and a ton of good reviews.

 

[Jlarson]

We beat on the HF extensions pretty hard. Eventually we beat the squares off but they serve well. I've rouned up a couple short 1/2" wobbles but I keep one on my mid torque 24/7 so It gets the miles on it.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I've had good luck so far with my HF wobbles in 3/8 and 1/2. Handy and have held up to the big Milwaukee so far.

 

[rcbk00]

Impact extensions (both standard and wobble) are one of those things that Harbor Freight does well for the money.

 

[DerekV]

I've had good luck so far with my HF wobbles in 3/8 and 1/2. Handy and have held up to the big Milwaukee so far.

Same

I’ve hammered on the HF 1/2” wobble extensions with my high torque more than a few times and I’m always surprised they didn’t break

I use them more than regular extensions, especially the 3”

 

[Mr_B]

Most of the Taiwan impact socketry is good and lot of great prices via different retail branding .
Tends do as good as or better than lot of top brand names & considering aggressive output of modern air and battery impacts it pretty impressive what 2 to 4 bucks a socket/extension gets you .

 

[M635_Guy]

The Sunex definitely went through a bit more refinement (most of my impact stuff is from them), but the HF impact stuff seems to be well-regarded.

 

[javyLSU]

I've owned that Pittsburgh impact 3/8" wobble extension set for a few years now and would agree with OP's comments... No complaints, they haven't let me down yet. And for the price I paid, it's an absolute home run.

 

[qqzj]

Can these wobble ones be used as non-wobble if you push it inside a bit more?

 

[DerekV]

Can these wobble ones be used as non-wobble if you push it inside a bit more?

Yes

 

[javyLSU]

Can these wobble ones be used as non-wobble if you push it inside a bit more?

I don't think my Pittsburgh impact wobble extensions work like that - the "wobble+" type of functionality requires a square shape behind the wobble gaps for the socket to engage, and I don't remember mine having that functionality like my chrome Wobble+ extensions.

 

[bwringer]

Yep, the Taiwan stuff is great!

Impact extensions and many impact tools in general are consumables, not heirlooms you pass to your great-grandkids unscathed. They eventually wear out, no matter where they were made or the brand or cost.

 

[02camaro86]

i wasnt super impressed with the chrome wobbles, yea they worked but socket retention even new was terrible imo. but they did work and were cheap so i guess they are worth it if you have low expectations.

 

[javyLSU]

i wasnt super impressed with the chrome wobbles, yea they worked but socket retention even new was terrible imo. but they did work and were cheap so i guess they are worth it if you have low expectations.

Agreed, I went Snap-on for my chrome wobbles...

 

[DerekV]

Yes

I don't think my Pittsburgh impact wobble extensions work like that - the "wobble+" type of functionality requires a square shape behind the wobble gaps for the socket to engage, and I don't remember mine having that functionality like my chrome Wobble+ extensions.

Ok, interesting find @qqzj - I just went out to the garage to double check and it looks like it depends on the socket. Again, 1/2” drive here. All of my Pittsburgh Pro and 99% of my other Taiwan impact sockets function like a wobble plus. My 16mm deep impact Kobalt (Taiwan), Sunex impact universal joint (Taiwan), Carlyle impact extension (Taiwan, and 15” FWIW), and Williams USA impacts do NOT function like a wobble plus.

Weird.

For me, most of the time they are able to lock straight like a regular extension as most of my impact socketry just so happens to work that way with them.

 

[javyLSU]

I wouldn't expect the "wobble+" function to be of much importance on an impact extension, as they wouldn't stay in the locked/straight mode very long when getting hammered by an impact wrench...