Recommendations For A Extension Set

[Chamkila]

I need both 1/4" and 3/8" Drive

Must be knurlded and cheaper then 50 dollars

i dont want to buy gearwrench because i heard they are the same as harbor freight,

was thinking williams tools,

but i leave the floor open to suggestions

thanks

 

[GoFaster2]

I like my SK ones but I also have a set of HF that works great.

 

[back2class]

Go with HF. I have everything from Snap-ON to no-name taiwain ones and all work exactly the same and have never broken one. I have no real junk ones though, worst of them are nicely finished Tiawan type.

 

[bcradio]

Yup, HF extensions are great. There may be better ones out there for WAY more money, but they do not get the job done any better/smoother/faster. Even the locking ones and wobbles are great.

Don't get the old china made ones though as they are not near as good. Taiwan made is leagues better.

 

[1982fxr]

not quite what you asked, but I got some HF adapters that are completely useless. Worst **** I've ever seen. have no experience w/their extensions though

just re-read above post, maybe mine are old chinknese

 

[mypov]

I don't know how much they are, but I SERIOUSLY love my MAC extensions...they are made in USA, and are knurled in the middle of the extension, but also at the top where the ratchet enteres the extension - LOVE THIS! I am not going to say this is better than Mac's competition, but I do prefer these extensions to snappy's.

I also used my Mastercraft/Craftsman extension for years before upgrading - so, cheaper will work too, whatever you can afford.

 

[Monte]

Koken - if you like where the knurling is

 

[Obie]

I'll vote for Mac extensions as well. American made, very durable chrome, sockets really lock into them and so do ratchets, and the dual knurling can't be beat. I bought a bunch of Snap-On extensions before I got the Mac set for 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2", and now I don't even touch those, or any other brand for that matter.

 

[jtfc]

I currently have a hodgepodge of different extensions from harbor freight to snap on. I love the snap on extensions. But in all honesty I have a bunch of northern tool extensions that I keep grabbing time and time again. I bought a set of 3/8 cornwell extension last month out of the monthly flyer...avoid these like the plague they have the pin instead of a ball to hold sockets.HOLY ******* **** THAT IS ANNOYING.I finally just ground the pin down. Sorry about the last part but pinned anything ***** anyways get some mac socket extensions they seem to be the cats meow here on the forum. Just avoid craftsman and Napa extensions they are smooth and the detent ball seems to weaken fairly quickly.

 

[Obie]

I never understood how Craftsman could put knurling on their evolv extensions, but leave their standard ones bare. Its just annoying trying to use those.

 

[Chamkila]

thanks guys

 

[chappys4life]

Have you looked at the gearwench extensions they seem pretty nice.

 

[amolaver]

Koken - if you like where the knurling is

LOVE my koken extensions - wobble+ type and the knurling is fantastic. i do wish they had impact versions though. but for chrome extensions, they are the best i've used including SO/MATCO/GW and others. my sunex impact extensions are mostly wobble+ also, but no knurling - those are great too, but you get spoiled by the koken

ahm

 

[Chamkila]

wow hollly **** didnt know about these extensions. Both wobble and regular...........love them

 

[Chamkila]

where can i buy the knurled and wobble set in 1/4" for a good price?

 

[richfinn]

If you get a really long 3/8 extension go with Snap On as they dont flex/twist like the cheap ones do, and its a lot easier to judge if a fastener (think exhaust studs) is going to shear or break loose.

 

[Chamkila]

 

[twincam00]

Dont get craftsman, lack of knurling *****. SK's knurling has degraded a lot over the years, not grippy at all anymore

Personally I would recommend snap-on but thats out of your budget, maybe willams?

The old discontinued style Duralast extensions are EXCELLENT if you can find nos ones, they have a bulged end just like snap-on's

 

[Big Johnson]

Go with HF. I have everything from Snap-ON to no-name taiwain ones and all work exactly the same and have never broken one. I have no real junk ones though, worst of them are nicely finished Tiawan type.

I have to agree. I have snap on, craftsman, and HF, they work all the same. I suggest the locking extensions though.

 

[Ken81590]

LOVE my koken extensions - wobble+ type and the knurling is fantastic. i do wish they had impact versions though. but for chrome extensions, they are the best i've used including SO/MATCO/GW and others. my sunex impact extensions are mostly wobble+ also, but no knurling - those are great too, but you get spoiled by the koken

ahm

Why would an impact extension need knurling? lol

 

[Big Johnson]

where can i buy the knurled and wobble set in 1/4" for a good price?

I just bought the Hf set for 12.99 comes with three 1/4, three 3/8, and two 1/2 wobble extensions. They have warrantied wrenches that I found CUT IN HALF! I tried to warranty a breaker bar from my Snap on guy, I just bought $1,000 of tools from him btw, he wouldnt because I didnt get it from him. Had to give it to pops to warranty with his guy.

 

[chappys4life]

I have snap ons and craftsman but not impressed either way.

 

[amolaver]

Why would an impact extension need knurling? lol

err, because before i apply a few hundred lb/ft of torque to a fastener, i want to make sure it is threaded on squarely. or, after the impact breaks a fastener free, i may want to remove the last few threads by hand so i don't lose a nut or bolt in the bowels of whatever i'm working on.

ahm

 

[DaniM]

I am kind of surprised that you are prefering HF over Gearwrench. Gearwrench is an outstanding, well made brand. I do not have any HF but I heard they were cheaply made, throw away tools. For my own education, please explain why you do not like gearwrench.

Thanks

 

[kippieland]

I have some great Williams for Taiwan. Got them cheap off of ebay and have great Knurling. I also have a Wright wobble that I REALLY love but lacks the Knurling.

 

[chappys4life]

I have some great Williams for Taiwan. Got them cheap off of ebay and have great Knurling. I also have a Wright wobble that I REALLY love but lacks the Knurling.

Are the williams not usa made? They look exactly like my snap ons

 

[vga]

I just loaded up on a Proto Locking 3/8 extensions set last month and am very happy with them.

 

[Ken81590]

Are the williams not usa made? They look exactly like my snap ons

Williams and Blue-point are the same ****, both Tiawan IIRC.

 

[franzdom]

Williams and Blue-point are the same ****, both Tiawan IIRC.

You are only partly correct, much of Williams is USA and is mentioned in their catalog as such.

 

[bcradio]

I am kind of surprised that you are prefering HF over Gearwrench. Gearwrench is an outstanding, well made brand. I do not have any HF but I heard they were cheaply made, throw away tools. For my own education, please explain why you do not like gearwrench.

Thanks

Please explain why you are so quick to spew stuff a product that you "heard" was "throw away". Maybe try out their extensions, see if they fall short in any way and report back.

 

[TwoInch]

I am kind of surprised that you are prefering HF over Gearwrench. Gearwrench is an outstanding, well made brand. I do not have any HF but I heard they were cheaply made, throw away tools. For my own education, please explain why you do not like gearwrench.

Thanks

your own education would involve spending a COUPLE bucks, and finding out if they are junk as you have heard. i have a few of their extentions, and i am absolutely pleased with them. have had zero issues. will they stand the test of time? dont know. but they have been worth the few bucks spent, a couple times over by now. i own extentions from craftsman, cornwell, snap on, mac, HF, proto, SK, and probably a few i dont remember right now, the HF work pretty much the same as most. and for tons less dough.

a lot of harbor freight stuff is pure junk, and some is totally usable, mid range quality stuff at good prices. take trip down to your local HF and grab a couple extentions, and maybe a few of the cr-mo impact sockets, and see if the stuff is junk. you might be suprised.

 

[Big Johnson]

Please explain why you are so quick to spew stuff a product that you "heard" was "throw away". Maybe try out their extensions, see if they fall short in any way and report back.

I can't stand it when people listen to opinions from others who haven't used the tools; its like racism. Just because HF sells some junk, doesn't mean everything is; they have hundreds(maybe thousands) of different companies who actually make their products. There is no HF manufacturing facility. HF sells stuff manufactures make just like snap on, mac, ingersoll rand does. I wonder who makes the snap on cordless that says china on it. The professional line of tools Hf offers is like bluepoint at 1/4 the cost. The price of gas goes into figuring out the final price for snap on tools, even blue-point. If HF drove to your house in a diesel powered monster, do you think the price might change?

 

[Lone_Wolf]

I don't want open new topic for something similar. I want to buy flexible extension for 3/8 ratchet. Only thing I care is that is USA or German made, used or new, doesn't matter. Can you recommend or offer something to me? I am looking for something like this:

 

[TwoInch]

interesting concept.

 

[Chamkila]

I don't want open new topic for something similar. I want to buy flexible extension for 3/8 ratchet. Only thing I care is that is USA or German made, used or new, doesn't matter. Can you recommend or offer something to me? I am looking for something like this:

Craftsman makes nice ones

 

[TheGrooveking]

I just loaded up on a Proto Locking 3/8 extensions set last month and am very happy with them.

Where did you buy them? and was the price competitive?

TheGrooveking

 

[Monte]

Hazet maybe ?

 

[chappys4life]

You are only partly correct, much of Williams is USA and is mentioned in their catalog as such.

Very true which I know its hit and miss so you have to pay attention. Are their knurled ones USA made need to get some 1/2" extensions and dont feel like paying snap on prices.

 

[kippieland]

Very true which I know its hit and miss so you have to pay attention. Are their knurled ones USA made need to get some 1/2" extensions and dont feel like paying snap on prices.

Its not as hard as you imagine. The price difference between the two COO is big. The Taiwan have Knurling as well. Like I said, my Taiwan work just as good as my USA made Wright....after all they are just extensions.