Ratchet Extensions That Don't Twist

[Zewnten]

Hey Garage Journal Forum,
Have another question for ya. I am in need of some 3/8 long extensions, about 18" and longer. I'd prefer locking, but I am looking for some that won't twist when breaking a bolt free like the cheaper ones I have. The cheap ones don't stay twisted but they do turn about a quarter turn before the bolt will start moving. Other than the tool truck brands are there any other companies to look at?

 

[noid]

What brand/type are you using now?

Torsion on the extension bar isn't lost energy; its just a delay until the full force is applied at the bolt end (we are talking milliseconds here). So getting new extensions wont allow you to apply any more torque to the fastener.

If it bothers you, or you don't have the swing angle, have you thought about going up a drive size, atleast for the extension? Try using a 1/2 extension with adapters on your 3/8 ratchet.

 

[VinceG]

go to a pawn shop or ebay and buy used Snap-on

 

[Swingpress]

3/4" extension with an adapter is about your only solution without getting into something that is stupid expensive.

 

[Olafur]

Hey Garage Journal Forum,
Have another question for ya. I am in need of some 3/8 long extensions, about 18" and longer. I'd prefer locking, but I am looking for some that won't twist when breaking a bolt free like the cheaper ones I have. The cheap ones don't stay twisted but they do turn about a quarter turn before the bolt will start moving. Other than the tool truck brands are there any other companies to look at?

China or Snap On doesn't matter.

Both made of steel with very similar properties in this regard. What dictates twist is; diameter and length. Period.

 

[ijroorda]

I think my dad has some long extensions left over from his auto tech days that are the thickness of 1/2" drive extensions, but with 3/8 drive ends. I want to say maybe they're Mac brand, but not sure; in any case, they're probably 30 years old so may not be a current product. I'll try to check with him and see.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Impact and thicker extensions will tend to twist less.
As said above, as long as they spring back its not a defect.

 

[Zewnten]

The reason I don't like the twisting is the 'snap' they have when they spring back at the same time the bolt breaks free. My coworker has snap on, mine are cheapo harbor freight and tapping the extensions you can hear the hardness difference and his don't twist at all or at least it is so small as to be negligible, even his 30" 3/8 extension doesn't turn as far as mine do.

 

[ken w.]

I think you answered your own question. HF twists and SO doesn't. I think my SO extension also has a bit of a snap when breaking bolts loose. I don't think your going to get rid of that. I have noticed that when it does snap my ratchet will flip directions once in a while.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Buy snapon. Hf will break eventually. I’ve sheared gearwrench too.

My 36 extensions are locking cornwells. They flex but never break. A lot of times I use the 3/8 extension with a 3/8 swivel socket. Than a 1/2 air gun on it for trans bolts. No issues

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Mac used to make an extension adapter, 1/2" extension with 3/8" drive male end. I have chrome SO 24" and 36" extensions and those can twist quite a bit before the bolt comes loose. I know what you mean about the "snap".

 

[Wamsutta]

Get some USA made Williams or PROTO.

 

[Mr_B]

one of those things where snapon can make sense if very specific design features required .
They not that expensive new if got bit of history with your snapon dealer or look online and easy found used pretty cheap .

 

[bob15]

The cheap ones don't stay twisted but they do turn about a quarter turn before the bolt will start moving. Other than the tool truck brands are there any other companies to look at?

How much torque are you applying to get an extension twisting? I don't think I've ever seen an extension twist 90° and then go back to 0°.

 

[IMStuner]

Hey Garage Journal Forum,

Have another question for ya. I am in need of some 3/8 long extensions, about 18" and longer. I'd prefer locking, but I am looking for some that won't twist when breaking a bolt free like the cheaper ones I have. The cheap ones don't stay twisted but they do turn about a quarter turn before the bolt will start moving. Other than the tool truck brands are there any other companies to look at?

Are these impact extension or the chrome one?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lbhsbz]

How much torque are you applying to get an extension twisting? I don't think I've ever seen an extension twist 90° and then go back to 0°.

I've got about a 3' long snap on 3/8" extension that I've twist past 90° plenty of times when removing bellhousing bolts....of course I'm using a 24" breaker bar to drive it. It has never stayed twisted, although when it does break loose, the whole assembly blows apart and something usually lands on my head.

 

[ssdave]

I actually prefer the ones that twist, I like the "feel" they give for how the fastener is reacting. I like the reduced diameter Proto and Snap-on ones for this reason. However, I also have both Proto and SK ones that don't have reduced diameter, as well as some Snap-on. The ones that I think twist the least are the SK ones. Although both the Proto and Snap-on are similar to the SK in torsion twist. Like someone said before, mostly it's just the diameter of the rod they're made from, although cheap ones can have steel that has a lower strength.

 

[finn]

I've got about a 3' long snap on 3/8" extension that I've twist past 90° plenty of times when removing bellhousing bolts....of course I'm using a 24" breaker bar to drive it. It has never stayed twisted, although when it does break loose, the whole assembly blows apart and something usually lands on my head.

Wrong tool.

You should be using 1/2” drive tools for that.

No wonder there are so many warranty ***** fests on this site.

 

[Sycan]

Wrong tool.

You should be using 1/2” drive tools for that.

No wonder there are so many warranty ***** fests on this site.

Not really, I have a snap on extension that is about 30" long made especially for bellhousing bolts. 1/2 female end and locking 3/8 male end, usually with a wobble socket. The extension and wobble **** up so much of the impacts power that I usually put the mg725 on it to remove the bolts. Nothings getting damaged, no failures.

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[lbhsbz]

Wrong tool.

You should be using 1/2” drive tools for that.

No wonder there are so many warranty ***** fests on this site.

Can't fit 1/2" gear...which is why I use 3/8" stuff. I rarely break or warranty anything.

 

[lbhsbz]

Not really, I have a snap on extension that is about 30" long made especially for bellhousing bolts. 1/2 female end and locking 3/8 male end, usually with a wobble socket. The extension and wobble **** up so much of the impacts power that I usually put the mg725 on it to remove the bolts. Nothings getting damaged, no failures.

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Got a part number on that extension?...I want one.

 

[Sycan]

Got a part number on that extension?...I want one.

I'll check tomorrow

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[American Locomotive]

Some twist is normal with long extensions. If you get a long enough extension, you could easily get a full turn of twist without it breaking

I've never had any problem with any 3/8" extension I've used. Including Craftsman (USA) , Snap-On, SK, Koken, etc... I've seen lots of cheap HF 3/8' extensions with the drive ends twisted 45° (or clean off), but never on a "brand name" extension.

 

[Snakebyt]

My 1/2 extensions are from the parts store, just because we get several deliveries from them a day, and if i break one i have have a new one in hand within a few minutes, and since we do enough business with them they trade them out no questions asked, for the most part they handle any abuse i have thrown at them

 

[Rubiman14]

I have a few Snap-on long extensions. Always do their job. Never owned a locking extension, gotta try one i guess.

I have a love hate with my long wobble extensions. I’m hard on them though. Probably go through 3-5 wobbles per yr lol.

 

[bushmechanic]

I love the heck out of my HEXtensions. Someone here made them, actually. Their company is called Logica Tool, and there's a thread buried somewhere here about the product's development.

Just put a boat-load of force on two yesterday more than once with no observable ill effects; more force than I'd normally use on an extension, actually. I just wanted to get the job finished and wasn't about to **** around.

Sure thought I was about to break those bolts, which isn't normally something you run into when you start stacking extensions. Usually they'll twist just enough to warn you.

These buggers are like removing the limiter from a car. You want to snap that bolt? Go right ahead. They're pretty solid, at least in my relatively infrequent use at this point.

They're great; especially when you get a wrench on them. One of the best... Uhh... Whatever I paid for them that I've ever spent. I don't remember now.

 

[noid]

http://logicatool.com/store.html

They look to cost a pretty penny.

 

[bushmechanic]

http://logicatool.com/store.html

They look to cost a pretty penny.

They're worth it. The first time you drop a wrench on one, you'll "get it".

It's kind of like the first time you got your paws on a flexible ratcheting wrench.

 

[maxcarp709]

Got a part number on that extension?...I want one.

I have an old one from MAC or Cornwell I would be willing to part with. I broke plenty of bellhousing bolts loose with it and an ancient CP 734 impact. I have a couple of Cornwell swivel sockets to go with it 9/16.and 5/8

 

[ca90ss]

https://store.snapon.com/Adaptors-Extension-Industrial-1-2--Adaptor-Extension-1-2-Internal-drive-x-3-8-External-drive-36--P631537.aspx

 

[crackit]

I've never had any problem with any 3/8" extension I've used. Including Craftsman (USA) , Snap-On, SK, Koken, etc... I've seen lots of cheap HF 3/8' extensions with the drive ends twisted 45° (or clean off), but never on a "brand name" extension.

I've broken a Craftsman =V= 3/8" extension. It shattered into pieces.

 

[Finky198]

https://store.snapon.com/Adaptors-Extension-Industrial-1-2--Adaptor-Extension-1-2-Internal-drive-x-3-8-External-drive-36--P631537.aspx

Just so people know they are not impact rated although they are black like most impact tools. It’s stamped right on the extension. Do not impact. With a maximum torque rating..

I’m not saying I don’t use an impact on them, but be careful as it not designed for it. And if you twist it into a pretzel good luck with warranty...

 

[Sycan]

Got a part number on that extension?...I want one.

It's actually blue point,

IMSFXL33

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[lbhsbz]

Thanks!

 

[Zewnten]

OK seems there isn't a middle of the road option price wise. I fully expect to remove be able to use a 3/8 ratchet to remove a bolt a 6 sided 14mm socket fits without going to 1/2 but maybe that's just me.

 

[Zewnten]

Sorry the above comment was cut in half and was about the warranty complaints comment. I will look to Snap on then, I have to say the pliers I got from them are the best I've ever owned but the 1/4 ratchet is very sub part for anything coming off a tool truck, so I tend to be cautious of just going with their name.

 

[kythri]

OK seems there isn't a middle of the road option price wise. I fully expect to remove be able to use a 3/8 ratchet to remove a bolt a 6 sided 14mm socket fits without going to 1/2 but maybe that's just me.

It seems your only issue is that the extension is twisting.

You haven't claimed they broke, and you admitted they returned to form.

So, by that, you've been able to remove bolts, yeah? The twisting extensions haven't prevented this, have they?

I mean, if you really want to buy an extension that won't twist, more power to you, your money, your choice...

 

[Aqua-Andy]

https://store.snapon.com/Adaptors-Extension-Industrial-1-2--Adaptor-Extension-1-2-Internal-drive-x-3-8-External-drive-36--P631537.aspx

The problem is this is a 3/8" diameter extension with a 1/2" female drive on the end. I have used one for years and have gotten more than 1/4 turn of flex out of it. And yes you feel it when the bolt finally comes loose. The Mac version is the diameter of a 1/2" extension with just the end 3/8", so much less flex in the shaft.

 

[2oolhound]

Yeah but... 3/8 diameter over 30" length compared tom1/2" can mean you can get a socket on it or not. Most transmission guys I know use 3/8".

 

[WhiffySpark]

Wrong tool.

You should be using 1/2” drive tools for that.

No wonder there are so many warranty ***** fests on this site.

Not really.