School Me on Ratchet Extensions

[Joel 67]

I am considering getting a few new ratchet extensions and I am wondering if wobble and/or locking extensions are worth the extra spend? Do you more often use a wobble or standard extension? When (if ever) do you use a locking extension?

 

[jshillin]

I am considering getting a few new ratchet extensions and I am wondering if wobble and/or locking extensions are worth the extra spend? Do you more often use a wobble or standard extension? When (if ever) do you use a locking extension?

I have both and use the wobble's on occasion, but not that often. If nothing else, just get standard extensions and a 1" wobble that you can put on the end of your regular extensions when you need them.

 

[krusty the clown]

get them all.......better to have and not need than need and not have.

 

[pmohr]

I like the locking extensions for work deep in the engine bay or when anything relatively heavy is on the end of the extension (oil filter claw, rarely an axle nut socket, other large sockets, etc). Never used a wobble extension, but hell until a few weeks ago I'd never seen either locking or wobble extensions, never had a need for them.

 

[Joel 67]

get them all.......better to have and not need than need and not have.

Spoken like a man with an unlimited budget! I've been on tool bender the last few weeks and am trying to slow my purchasing.

 

[krusty the clown]

Spoken like a man with an unlimited budget!

well, i don't have an unlimited budget but i do have excellent credit with the snap on guy that and i have been buying tools for 30+ years

 

[Red Green]

There are a time when they are great. Once and a while they are a nuciance. If you are working on a budget I would get the locking ones first. I have a 1/4 C-man set they are ok for the money.

 

[48548]

I have extensions that do both, push them in and the lock straight and pull them out some and they wobble, and also locking and regular. Mike Wren can make a you a deal on all types if you don't mind toptul. You can get every type you want for 100.00 in all three sizes. I do have about 50 extensions at this point and still want a few more, but I have all types and finishes... I think if you can afford it a variety would be nice. Also toptul makes all types wobble(that can also be used as normal when pushed in all the way), regular and locking and they are all pretty affordable to really cheap. I think I got one of all he had at one time for 100.00 or so for about 25 or so extensions of all sizes.

 

[Merkava_4]

Just regular straight extensions are fine.

If you can't go in straight, use a flex socket on the end.

Locking extensions are for girly men.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Locking extensions are for girly men.

Merk you ever tried removing a socket from an extension with greasy oily hands? locking extensions makes it very simple.

 

[48548]

Just regular straight extensions are fine.

If you can't go in straight, use a flex socket on the end.

Locking extensions are for girly men.

If that is true what does that say about people who use quick release ratchets?

 

[Danglerb]

9 pc wobble set from HF is $10 on sale, the 1/4 drive 8 or 12 inch extension almost lives on one of my ratchets. Turns a normal socket into sort of a universal, but less range easier to control. HF quality is no issue, its a wobble, so can't put any real torque on it anyway.

All my extensions hold sockets well, so locking not really and issue for me.

 

[48548]

Here some of the toptul at the top and from the locking adapters down are proto's. The toptul were about 20 or so with shipping for the 1/4.

Here are some more toptul

If money is no object, I would get the wera zyklops like the ones in the these pictures. Locking and nice plastic to hold that spins while you are using them. When you have them locked you can't remove the socket, then you push the to green and they work like a normal extension.

 

[Elroy]

get them all.......better to have and not need than need and not have.

What he said

 

[greenreese]

An extension is such a simple thing, why make it so complicated?

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I've used wobble extensions, on things where I needed just a little offset. (didn't have to use a full blown wobble)
An example, is some transmission pans, have brackets that get in the way. Using a wobble extension, allows me to get that little bit more. I agree the 1" is the best value (use on the end of another) but I have bought them cheap enough.

Locking extensions on the other hand, anything past 10", or in area's where I don't want to drop sockets (removing a plenum, hose clamps in out of the way area's, transmission bolts for clutch replacement). These are great. While I like and use the Craftsman ones (good for my needs), if I were to recommend any to anyone, I would say 3/8" or larger, ONLY buy IMPACT rated ones. My 10" Craftsman 3/8" gets used in those through the top of the valve cover foreign tuneups, otherwise I grab an impact rated.

 

[scottmlew]

Assuming that either a wobble extension or a universal socket (or adapter) will physically accommodate getting the socket on the nut, I think that wobble extensions are a lot easier to use (specifically, to get the socket on the nut). I've used Cman, Cornwell, and SO wobble extensions, and by far my favorite is the SO wobble plus. I still like to have plain extensions, but I find that the SO wobble plus extensions work in 99% of the cases. I would avoid Cman "wobble plus" extensions; they don't wobble that well and are incompatible with many socket styles. The Cornwell wobble extensions are great if you want a wobble-only extension.

I don't use locking extensions much, but when I do use them, I appreciate the extra security they offer...I would look for a set opportunistically, and pick them up when you get a great deal.

 

[DHCrocks]

wobble is great for those situations where you just can't get a straight shot and just a couple of degrees will do it. It's more compact then a flex socket so it'll get into tight spots.

But I would recommend you just get to wobble extensions not the wobble+. the wobble plus acts as a wobble but if you push the socket in then it turns into a regular extension. This ***** big time, I can't count the number of times I was trying to get the socket on the bolt and then before you know it...it's locked and you need to pull it back out to reset it. In this situation I think dedicated tools are a must. get wobbles, get standard and get locking. you'll put them to use and save a hella lot of time and frustration.

 

[superautobacs]

wobble is great for those situations where you just can't get a straight shot and just a couple of degrees will do it. It's more compact then a flex socket so it'll get into tight spots.

But I would recommend you just get to wobble extensions not the wobble+. the wobble plus acts as a wobble but if you push the socket in then it turns into a regular extension. This ***** big time, I can't count the number of times I was trying to get the socket on the bolt and then before you know it...it's locked and you need to pull it back out to reset it. In this situation I think dedicated tools are a must. get wobbles, get standard and get locking. you'll put them to use and save a hella lot of time and frustration.

Frustration quickly sets in when that wobble-plus feature really becomes a negative feature.

That's not to say that a tool box shouldn't have a wobble-plus extension. I'd have one at the bare minimum (a short one). To alleviate such frustrating moments, you best off having a standard wobble extension (a short one at bar minimum).

I like the fact that a locking 1/4" and 3/8" extension adaptor like the one posted by 48548 would make any length extension into a locking extension.

 

[John the theologian]

48548, Am I understanding you correctly that the short Proto locking extensions "convert" standard extensions into locking extensions? I see the advantage of locking extensions, but if I understand you correctly you don't need a whole set.

 

[Mike83]

The craftsman locking extensions are not that expensive and despite the plastic lever they will last long enough, they you just get them replaced. The lever is very low profile which I also like. Mine are getting a bit chewed up but they still work well. The 3/8" hold better than the 1/4".

I picked up a 5 or 6 pc set of SK wobble extensions for about $60 on Amazon. They are nice for cases when you need to crank on a bolt but can't get to it head on. I would not want to use a universal socket in that case.

 

[48548]

48548, Am I understanding you correctly that the short Proto locking extensions "convert" standard extensions into locking extensions? I see the advantage of locking extensions, but if I understand you correctly you don't need a whole set.

Those adapters I got, will make a regular extension a locking, but they need to be screwed on with a set screw, so it kinda makes them permanant in my eyes. I got them to add to some of the 1/4 as the locking are harder to get in 1/4 and the 4 locking proto's I have only came in two lenghts.

 

[speed bump]

I would avoid wobble plus like the plague. I got a set of the Toptuls and I hate the wobble plus feature the only reason these extensions haven't been given away or put in the travel box is that I haven't found a replacement set cheap enough yet. Personally I would get the SKs because they have the best knurling.

Locking extensions are very handy when you have to reach into a blind hole or something especially on bigger sockets. I have one in 1/2" and ill probably pick a 3/8" as well. I would probably only get the locking extensions in 10+" lengths though.

 

[Joe69]

I use my wobble extensions from time to time, but I've never used a locking one. Never saw the need.

Joe

 

[Big Bad Jon]

Just regular straight extensions are fine.

If you can't go in straight, use a flex socket on the end.

Locking extensions are for girly men.

Those locking extensions are hard to polish aren't they Merk?