Snap On 9/32 drive question

[mdoolittle]

Ok, I have been digging through my auction totes this weekend and came across some Snap On sockets. These appear to be 9/32 drive. The question I have is on the manufacture of these. This particular socket looks to have been "modified" by someone to make it thinner walled. It is stamped m-12 Snap-On 3/8. Looked inside the socket and saw something interesting. How in the world are these things made? It appears the sides are folded on the inside?

 

[wafrederick]

It is probally obsolete and get credit from any Snap On dealer.There have been some oddball drive sizes.I have a 1 1/4 Cornwell socket in 5/8" drive and 5/8" drive is pretty much obsolete

 

[mdoolittle]

Yeah manufacture dates 1931 - 1942. Not looking to credit this, just wondering how they are made.

 

[hguerrero]

i'm sure any of the snap-on collectors on here can chime in with an accurate answer.

 

[wrenchr]

Hot forged I think, they use a cold forging process now. Again not 100% though

 

[snapmom]

Its been ground down.

 

[bgott]

They used a broach to form the inside.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broaching_(metalworking)

 

[mdoolittle]

It looks like if you took a toilet paper roll and cut 6 slits in the end and then folded them over onto each other to close up that end. Yes, this socket has been "modified" (ground down) to make the wall thinner. Doing this obviously weakened the socket and it is broken in several spots.

 

[rsanter]

to make the hex shape, they drill a round hole to eliminate the majority of the metal they will not need. then the shape is broached into it. the metal 'curls' you see in the bottom are the excess or remaining meterial that got displaced

bob

 

[mdoolittle]

OK, I understand now. I haven't ever seen that before in a socket. This must be something that is normally cleaned out. Thanks for the info!