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shorter 1/4 hex bit to square drive socket adapters

Zaylor

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Jan 17, 2012
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Having trouble finding this. Can anyone help me out? Seems like a no-brainer product to me.

Shorter bit adapters for tight spaces. Like this:

1-4-hex-socket-adapter-3-8-square-drive-30mm.jpg


Just as short as possible. And hopefully with a power groove, so I can use it with one of these :thumbup:

shc-917562_yk_ml.jpg
 
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Zaylor

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Yes, I could lathe some out, but would rather find a source to buy them. And having lathed bits in the past, the material is too hard and you usually end up loosing the heat treatment in the process.
 
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Zaylor

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Look at vim there is a lot of passthru bit ratchets availble that I use for tighter spaces

Also can't find any in a size other than 1/4" square.

It seems that they are available in 1/4 with many sets, but no 3/8 or 1/2 :shocking:
 

CutterFarms

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Since they don't have the groove to lock them in a 1/4" impact I'd think you could just cut a set down for a few bucks, unless I'm missing something
 

shockwave

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With bits it's only 1/4 and 5 1/6 on bits and 1/4 is king for standard with all cordless impact drivers and 5/16 bits are usually for hand impacts due to torque

What are you going to be using these for? Because vim makes 5/16-1/4 bit ratchet which I use all the time and great

And bits are versitile but limited compared to bit sockets for application aswell
 
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Zaylor

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Thanks everyone.

I am still not seeing anything available as I described. Looks like I will be doing some surgery, bit by bit.
 

gdocktor3

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Connecticut
OP if you take the part numbers from the links above, you can find them cheaper. I quickly looked, because I would like some as well, and Zoro seems to have the lowest prices. These short adapters would work great with my 20v Dewalt impact driver. I don't own a cordless 3/8" impact wrench and using my 3/8" pneumatic is a hassle. I use my 20v impact driver to zip fasteners on, then sock down with torque wrench.
https://www.zoro.com/apex-socket-ad...h7OzX_GRqzkGzsK_AkhWAaArhM8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
 
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bmwpowere36m3

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I've seen the short ones: Apex, Zephyr, etc.. make them. I don't believe they come with a power groove as their meant to be used with cordless drivers, not impact drivers.
 
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FigureItOut

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Wamsutta

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Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup:

You're Welcome, but all you have to do is download the Apex catalog and keep it on your hard drive. Then whenever you need something, look up the part number in the catalog and then Google the part number for a source. :dunno:
 

DFB

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So did anybody get some of these short Apex adapters? Or buy them from an alternate source than MRO. That $50 min purchase is show stopper for sure

I have a need for some in all drive sizes for use with my Milwaukee 12v right angle impact driver (why they didn't offer this tool with an anvil drive option is beyond me) but I would like the socket to be in close to the locking collet as possible to avoid clearance issues on some of my jobs.

Any feedback to share?
 

Tdo

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Have you seen the Milwaukee branded ones? Those are the shortest ones I have been able to source out and includes the 1/4, 3/8, and even 1/2 adapters
 

DFB

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Curious if the Dewalt DW2542 adapter is any shorter than a Milwaukee, those I have in 3/8 and 1/4 sizes. Approx 2 inch total length.

I also have the Tekton nut drivers. Too bad with those they are limited to the maximum sizes of 7 1/6 and 12mm. They are by far the shortest of the hex shanked nut drivers I've seen. The 7/16 is only 1 1/4 inch long when installed. The Milwaukee adapters extend out to 1 3/4" with a 7/16 shallow socket (craftsman) and doesn't matter if its the 1/4 drive or 3/8 they end up both the same.


Just some FYI's here using those tekton nutdrivers several of them will not lock in my older Milwaukee M12 2462 impact driver. I think it's the 10mm and 7mm for what it matters. They will lock in the Fuels both 12v and 18v but only if you raise the collet when installing them...opposite of the way its supposed to work and for some reason they wont catch with the push insert. All of them work just fine with my 1/4 hex drive screwdrivers.

You can lock in a standard 1 inch bit with the Milwaukee's Don't know if it is that way with other brands too. Bit needs to have the groove around it. Makes a very slight countersink in drywall when setting screws :D

Maybe I will try notching a groove in a very short 1/4 socket adapter.
 
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Mastermind

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Ypsilanti, MI
I saw an Irwin one on the snappy truck yrs ago and grabbed it. About an inch to 1 1/4" total length, has a lock groove. 1/4 drive square. No issues with it in my 14.4 or 20v impact, mostly used in my 7.2v screw gun.
 

Voi

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Western South Dakota
Curious if the Dewalt DW2542 adapter is any shorter than a Milwaukee.

I have some Dewalt adapters and they are a bit longer than my Black and Decker adapters which are supposedly about the same length as the Milwaukee ones.

It's possible my Dewalt adapters are not the 2542 set. I'll look for one this weekend and see if it's stamped with a product number.

I also have the Tekton nut drivers. Too bad with those they are limited to the maximum sizes of 7 1/6 and 12mm. They are by far the shortest of the hex shanked nut drivers I've seen.

I just looked up Tekton nut drivers and noticed they have sets with and without the power groove. Power groove being this type:

41OShX2smiL._SX300_.jpg


Is that the type that doesn't always lock in your impact driver?

I have a very short set of nut drivers with power groove. It's an inexpensive brand Menards carries. Low quality and not impact rated so I try to use them only when I need the shorter length.
 
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