Opinion Requested on Quick Release Extension Bars

[DadsTools]

I'm thinking of buying a set of 3/8" and perhaps 1/2" quick release extension bars. Aging hands are making sockets more difficult to pull off the bars. Here's what I'm looking for:

1. NOT Craftsman
2. DIY grade for occasional use--no need for pro quality
3. As per above, looking for fairly inexpensive, not hi-end stuff
4. If Asian, Taiwan preferred over China
5. Must have recesses in female drive end for ratchet stud detent ball

Found a 5-pc set of 3/8" and 1/2" on the bay (two separate packages in one deal, one for each drive size), called Michigan Industrial (Mit) but don't know anything about them. Of course, no COO on the front of the packages.

Any recommendations? Thanks.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Locking extension bars? SK and proto come to mind. Various imports seem to rebrand similar options, sunex and gear wrench both make them.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Locking extension bars? SK and proto come to mind. Various imports seem to rebrand similar options, sunex and gear wrench both make them.

I have Proto and like them. Were cheap with a Zoro coupon

 

[u2slow]

I find I can always get sockets off extensions.... but ratchets are where I need/want the quick-release. The skin on my hands is too dry and slick for grip.

The locking extensions I have feature the fatter slide collars, so they don't fit in tight spaces as well. I rarely use them.

Now wobbly extensions... I use those all the time.

 

[jkesselr]

I am going to make a suggestion you don't want to consider. I am a diehard snap-on and, to a lesser degree, MAC, Proto, SK, etc. user and I have a set of the Craftsman locking extensions I love. If you are buying chrome extensions, I do not know of any others that offer the clearance that the Craftsman ones do. I am sure someone will post a link for similarly profiled ones, but I love that there is a small "button" you slide, rather than a collar or a button that sticks out 1/8" to 3/16". On the Craftsman, it really sticks out no further than the shaft of the extension. I am not a fan of Craftsman, especially since they went offshore, but this is one place I would make an exception - although I would try to find USA versions of them. Sorry to be "that guy" that tells you to buy what you don't want, but I truly believe you should reconsider. Just my $0.02...

 

[purplezr2]

I like my Williams ones that I got from zoro

 

[metaleltr]

The only ones I have are Gearwrench. They get the job done fine.

 

[redmondjp]

I am going to make a suggestion you don't want to consider. I am a diehard snap-on and, to a lesser degree, MAC, Proto, SK, etc. user and I have a set of the Craftsman locking extensions I love. If you are buying chrome extensions, I do not know of any others that offer the clearance that the Craftsman ones do. I am sure someone will post a link for similarly profiled ones, but I love that there is a small "button" you slide, rather than a collar or a button that sticks out 1/8" to 3/16". On the Craftsman, it really sticks out no further than the shaft of the extension. I am not a fan of Craftsman, especially since they went offshore, but this is one place I would make an exception - although I would try to find USA versions of them. Sorry to be "that guy" that tells you to buy what you don't want, but I truly believe you should reconsider. Just my $0.02...

+1 on this. I remember having to buy one of these, in order to successfully change the spark plugs on a roommate's car (all of my cars were old American non-hemi V8s where there was no deep well into the cylinder head). Still use it today, 30 years later!

 

[SeisMec]

The only button type locking extension I've used didn't use a ball for the detent - it was a diamond point on a wonky, levered strip of metal - it sucked big time. It belonged to somebody else and not even a manufacturer name on it as I recall.

Anyway had to hunt up a picture of the Craftsman. Here is one.

 

[jimmyin3D]

The sunex locking impact extensions are great. They come in a set of 3 sizes in a portable case for both the 3/8 and 1/2 drive sizes. I believe they were about $30-$40 for the 3/8 and about $50 for the 1/2.

Very simple pull down collar on them and Sunex will warranty them if they ever break.

 

[DadsTools]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

The seller got back to me and told me they do have the recesses inside the female drive end for the ratchet stud ball. I also found out that MIT is the previous name for Tekton, which gives me some idea of the source. They are similar to the Craftsman except that the slide-back switch is not inside a recess but is on the outside of the shank. I can't imagine that, in most cases, the diameter of the socket won't extend beyond the height of the switch, so if the socket clears the entry space, so should the switch.

BTW, my adversity to Craftsman is not so much what the quality might be, and so on. I just don't buy Craftsman hand tools, nor do I have any in my boxes. It's a personal thing with a story behind it. I have Craftsman tool boxes, but they're not hand tools. I have a Craftsman lawn tractor. I have a Craftsman table saw (wish I had gotten something else in retrospect, but was on sale). And I think a power drill somewhere. But I don't buy or use Craftsman hand tools.

In any event, I just could not turn down the price: three different lengths for 3/8", 3", 6", and 10", + two 1/2" 5" and 10", all brand new in original retail packages for $24.95 delivered. How can I not try them out at that price? I have no need of professional grade tools, as a pro mechanic might use these more in a day than I will in a month or more.

I'll let you know what they're like when I get them in and check them out. Thanks again.

 

[mr.lemons]

I wouldn't worry too much about clearance issues with locking collars unless designs vary a lot between brands. Usually the collars are less than a mm wider than the smallest socket you can fit on the extension.

 

[WinMod21]

~ I'll let you know what they're like when I get them in and check them out. Thanks again.

I recently saw an Armstrong 11-936 3/8" Drive 6" Locking Extension w/locking collar, but I think it was approx $17 w/shipping. Looks like you've already found that length, but pm me if you're interested in the Armstrong.

That's a pretty good deal on those Michigan Industrial/Tekton's. I have some Craftsman's that look just like those.