Question about Snap on cylindrical socket retainers

[MachineTech]

I have several of these older ratchets and extensions that have a round shaft instead of a ball to retain the socket or whatever. I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about. I was told by my snappy dealer that anything with those was manufactured for military use. Is this true? What years were these manufactured? If you can get a socket on them it sure is a bi*ch to get off again...especially if it's an older socket with the hole in the side. I have these in 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive. Is that the only drive sizes these were made in?

 

[nissan_crawler]

I don't know if it's true or not, but I've had a few tools that way. I sand it down, then use a file to round it off. No more problems.

 

[Merkava_4]

That's called a "Pin Lock" as opposed to the more common "Friction Ball" retainer. You just need to get you a set of sockets that have the side hole.

 

[MachineTech]

Yep, I got enough vintage sockets with the hole in the side to fill a tool box. I never use them with the pin lock design though because of the pain in getting them on and off. Why were these made? Was my dealer right in saying these are manufactured for military use? And what years were these made?

 

[nissan_crawler]

i don't know about the military part, but it's so they can't come apart unless you use a pick or something. It keeps sockets from falling into bad places. It was common in aviation. I sanded all mine into a ball though. The last thing I want to do in a tight place is fumble with a pick and some sockets to change them.

 

[Merkava_4]

A pin punch the same size as the side hole is the easiest way to depress the pin for removal of the socket. I recommend keeping the pin punch "on your person" while using drive tools with pin locks.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I recommend sanding it into the shape of a ball and not having to carry a pin punch.

 

[Merkava_4]

I recommend sanding it into the shape of a ball and not having to carry a pin punch.

That would require "altering" the tool from its original design; my OCD would have a field day with me if I did that.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I think your dealer is smoking something. You can still buy pin style wobbles, and those are my prefered ones for impact sockets. (where I use deep sockets and a wobble instead of buying a deep set for the rare use)