snap on extensions

[tmiller]

Im sure there may be a thread on this but im having trouble finding it...
im starting to move out the C-man stuff and get snappy stuff, have to say I love my first buy a FL80, looking at extensions now and dont get the difference between the Friction ball, locking, wobble and wobble plus... any one that can help me? i know im getting them with the knurled shaft on whatever i get because my hands are always covered in grease. Also any tips on how to keep the FL80 nice besides wiping it down with a rag after every use?
thanks

 

[bobcatdan]

No real reason to buy SO extenstons. Craftsman will do anything an extension will needed to do. I have the wobble plus which is a wooble that will lock solid. I like them, but there are pretty mix feelings with others here.

 

[toddacimer]

I really like the wobble plus extensions for when I want a wobble but if I don't need the wobble I use my regular extensions.

 

[jmm]

Detent = regular detent ball socket holding extension
Locking = think quick release ratchet; an extension with a quick release button
Wobble = allows movement on the socket end in the same way a universal joint does, about 15 degrees if memory serves
Wobble plus = same as wobble, but with two positions: wobble, push the socket on harder and it'll lock into place like a regular extension

Snap-On makes very nice extensions. Most of mine are Snap-Ons. Wobbles come in handy; I prefer regular wobble to wobble plus, since the socket is prone to snapping into place when you don't want it to. I've never used locking extensions. If your hands stay really greasy, maybe they'd be good for you.

A lot of guys here like Mac extensions for the knurling, though I've not tried them yet. Probably worth looking into at any rate.

 

[Nanashi]

No real reason to buy SO extenstons. Craftsman will do anything an extension will needed to do. I have the wobble plus which is a wooble that will lock solid. I like them, but there are pretty mix feelings with others here.

OK this is sort of true. My SO extensions take one heck of a beating I use them with my impacts and everything, try that with your craftsman then warranty it when it brakes.

The friction ball is a traditional ball in the had style locking the socket in place. The locking pin is a style that requires you to press the pin in to get the socket on or off. The locking pin is nice for universal sockets because it keeps them from flying off when you use it on an impact. Wobble extensions allow the socket to move a little side to side for hard to access bolts. Wobble plus is a combo of wobble and regular extensions. Wobble plus sounds great but there pretty bad they are weaker than the regular extensions and the wobble part is harder to get to work because once you apply pressure to the bolt the socket slips back off the wobble and into the regular end making the wobble not work.

 

[senor fozz]

i believe there is also locking wobble. SOme one mentioned it in a thread don't remember if they were SO though, i think they were.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have SO, Mac, Matco, craftsman, SK and Cornwell extensions. Never broke one by hand or on the impact. Minus the knurling, matco and craftsman are identical. Craftsman extension are one thing I haven't "upgraded".

 

[krdiesel03]

If it was me, I would upgrade other tools 1st, Extensions are about the same in strength.

 

[edcantu9]

OK this is sort of true. My SO extensions take one heck of a beating I use them with my impacts and everything, try that with your craftsman then warranty it when it brakes.

The friction ball is a traditional ball in the had style locking the socket in place. The locking pin is a style that requires you to press the pin in to get the socket on or off. The locking pin is nice for universal sockets because it keeps them from flying off when you use it on an impact. Wobble extensions allow the socket to move a little side to side for hard to access bolts. Wobble plus is a combo of wobble and regular extensions. Wobble plus sounds great but there pretty bad they are weaker than the regular extensions and the wobble part is harder to get to work because once you apply pressure to the bolt the socket slips back off the wobble and into the regular end making the wobble not work.

I have used my Cmans on impacts many years. Have only broke one and warrantied no problem.

 

[GTA Matt]

Its not necessarily the strength of the extension. I had craftsman extensions, didn't take long before they wouldn't hold a socket on the end anymore. I got the Mac set and haven't had a socket fall off the end since. Dropping a socket off an extension because the detent is worn when you are in an awkward position will do nothing but piss you off!

 

[teamarctic]

I have the wobble plus Snap Ons. I like them a lot, use them with impacts all the time and no problems at all. very nice to have 2 extensions in one tool

 

[bahcoswed]

I would say that extensions can be a big difference between brands...My koken woubble extension are perfect, my bahco is crappier! The wobbling are much better in koken!

 

[MLB0611]

I would not replace your craftman, I would how ever I would add extensions you do not have, like wobbles or wobble plus, I prefer the regular wobbles over the plus. Also look at the longer length extensions that snappy offers that cman doesn't like a 36inch 3/8 etc

 

[3baygarage]

I always enjoy the 4" and 11" Snap On in 3/8 drive. They make the sizes Craftsman doesn't have.

 

[Chris83]

For me personally replacing my extensions was one of the last tools I upgraded to snap on. I had used craftsman for the last 8 years but now they don't hold the sockets very well as the wobble has worn out. I'd suggest upgrading sockets first to a higher quality brand and go from there.

 

[DTB]

I upgraded the most common used extensions to Snap On from Craftsman because they seemed to hold the socket on better than the Craftsman did.I just opted for the friction ball extensions.I'm not much on wobble extensions.

 

[djwyman]

I am in the process of upgrading from Craftsman to Snap On as well and I just ordered the 3/8 and the 1/4 general service sets that are just the ratchets, extensions, and universals. only reason I went this rought though was because I only had 1 or 2 extensions per size so I needed extensions and ratchets and wanted better universals. Besides that 1/4 drive handle looks like it will come in quite handy for small fasteners.

 

[CWP1616L]

It's not just about strength. Snap-on extensions fit the socket better and fit the square drive better. For the amount of aggravation they save you, I think they're worth the price.

 

[joel63]

I am in the process of upgrading from Craftsman to Snap On as well and I just ordered the 3/8 and the 1/4 general service sets that are just the ratchets, extensions, and universals. only reason I went this rought though was because I only had 1 or 2 extensions per size so I needed extensions and ratchets and wanted better universals. Besides that 1/4 drive handle looks like it will come in quite handy for small fasteners.

You've made an excellent choice towards upgrading your tool box.

 

[bob15]

I have a lot of Snap On extensions, both "regular" and wobble, with a couple "plus". I'm not a huge fan of the "plus" because it will lock into a regular straight extension, many times at the wrong moment. Stick with regular or wobble.

I would like to you to look at the Mac extensions. With Mac, you get the knurling in the same spot as Snappy, but also on the "fat" part of the extension on the female end. That makes a big difference! I'm not sure if Mac's 1/4 and 1/2 drives have the extra knurling, but with the 3/8" drive, it makes life nice.

bob

 

[Chuck122]

I have SK extensions and i was never aggravated by them. While it is true that nice exgensions will fit the socket better, if you have crappy sockets it won't do **** for you. As far as strength goes, impact rated extentions exist and if you are breaking an extension, you are probably using too small a drive size. Or you have crappy extensions that are made out of cheese.
Unless you have no other immediate tool needs, I'd buy some nice extensions. If you need sockets, wrenches or whatever, skip the extentions

 

[djwyman]

You've made an excellent choice towards upgrading your tool box.

Thanks I am pretty excited about getting them. I can't wait to use those dual 80 ratchets instead of the craftsman ones I have. also I am really excited to have the knurling on the extensions as there are many times I use the extensions to turn bolts...that is something the cheap Chinese extensions even do, why is it craftsman don't?

 

[shockwave]

I would look for some used extensions from snap on if you do not get a discount as they do fit tighter than my matco sets do. Sk and Armstrong are good choices aswell

 

[MattPersman]

Most times for 3/8 hand applications I use the snap on locking extensions they hold the socket on no questions asked. That is the set I would get first to use with the fl80 ratchet.

 

[1950mercury]

if it was me i would buy locking chrome...i love mine..how many times does a socket fall off of your extensions...esp if the socket lands on grass or narnia...it can be a ***** to find them..i hardly ever use non locking and if i do i will use my crapsman,cornwell,matco, sk etc..wabbled are nice to have once in a blue moon.

 

[shockwave]

the biggest benefit of locking extensions will be when you are changing plugs in akward positions with extensions. And a worn out ball will be tough to get the socket out

 

[amlv20]

In my opinion through wasting money and expierancing wobble,wobble plus, and friction rings.dont go with any of those three.wobles didn't help me and would drop sockets or just get really loose.there is one bolt I can think of that would need a wobble extension were a regular extension and swivle socket won't work besides that I've never needed them.the snappy 3/8 impact friction ring extension set I have *****.it will not grip onto any impact sockets, that all slip of or fly off very annoyingly.the only sockets it will hold are chromes that I will not put under that load.honestly no snap on extension I have is superior to the other Mac and matco extensions I have, they all do the same thing.the macs have a nice knurl on them though.....

 

[LUKE221]

I always enjoy the 4" and 11" Snap On in 3/8 drive. They make the sizes Craftsman doesn't have.

That is one of the many reasons that i use Snap on extensions. Try finding a craftsman 18" extension

 

[racin72charger]

I have regular 3/8 Snap-on friction ball extensions I bought when I was an apprentice. I added a short wobble extension to my set so I could make any length extension a wobble, why buy a complete second set of extensions? I also have 1 locking extension, the type with a spring loaded collar that pulls down to release the socket, it's a Matco impact type. I've never been a fan of the wobble plus type extension.

 

[Tanro]

If it were me I would skip on regular snap-on extensions. I have C-Man and Kobalt regulars, few GP impact extensions, and pittsburg wobbles. To be real honest, the Kobalt and Pittsburg seem to hold sockets much better than snapon extensions (I have moved everything but my 1/4 short to snapon sockets).

 

[Adam.C]

I would like to have them all. The right extension can really make a job easier. Right now I have mixed sets of wobble plus and regular friction ball extensions. I got them all used but in really nice condition.

No wobble will be as stiff or strong as a regular extension. Snap On are well known for their strength and stiffness, so I would recommend Snappie for wobbles at least. The other thing to think about is the fact that different manufacturers place their friction ball and recess for it in different spots. So Mac or Matco may fit Snap On sockets like snap on extensions, or they may not. I know Snap On and craftsman aren't really compatible, especially 1/4" drive.

 

[n8n]

The one thing I dislike about c'man extensions is their lack of knurling. I really like the few SK extensions that I have, for that reason. If I had to buy new ones knowing what I know now I'd probably be tempted to try some of the Ko-Ken "wobble-fix" ones.

 

[chadster1]

A piece of trivia few know about the Snap-on 3/8 extension set. You can combine any of the extensions and the overall length will not equal any other extension in the set.

I personally prefer the wobble plus because it seems like the hold the socket better than the regular wobble and I like the ability to press and lock into place. It's really a personal preference.

I would upgrade your extensions last. I personally would upgrade my sockets before I upgraded my extensions. You will see more of a benefit to the sockets than you will the extensions. Keep your eye out for any of the BOGO deals on the truck. Those are usually the best deal. Sometimes they have socket and extension deals so if you can find one of those, you can kill two birds with one stone.

 

[Adam.C]

The one thing I dislike about c'man extensions is their lack of knurling. I really like the few SK extensions that I have, for that reason. If I had to buy new ones knowing what I know now I'd probably be tempted to try some of the Ko-Ken "wobble-fix" ones.

I think too much is being said about the knurling. I think the chief advantage of the knuring is twofold. You can palm the head of the ratchet and spin a bolt in or out by twisting the extension. The other is you can touch the extension when you ratchet to increase back drag for ratchets that have high back drag. If you have a low back drag ratchet, the knuring is decidedly less helpful.

Given the choice between extensions with knurling, and extensions without, I would alway choose the knurlling. But I wouldnt select one brand over another for this. One layer of sport tape would do basically the same job.

 

[stage20]

wobbles are really nice to have. ive got a few of the wobble plus and if you really need to hold the socket on the bolt, chances are the wobble will lock on you.

im a fan of the mac extensions. they have a heavier knurling than snap on.

 

[n8n]

I think too much is being said about the knurling. I think the chief advantage of the knuring is twofold. You can palm the head of the ratchet and spin a bolt in or out by twisting the extension. The other is you can touch the extension when you ratchet to increase back drag for ratchets that have high back drag. If you have a low back drag ratchet, the knuring is decidedly less helpful.

Given the choice between extensions with knurling, and extensions without, I would alway choose the knurlling. But I wouldnt select one brand over another for this. One layer of sport tape would do basically the same job.

It's not a *huge* deal, but given the choice, I'll pick the SK extension rather than the C'man one next to it. Now my 6" is a Snap-On with no knurling and as you say, it's fine for most uses when used with a good ratchet.

Extensions are one of those deals where if it does the job "acceptably" and doesn't break, it's fine details and personal preference that make the difference as to what's best for you. Now I have had some cheap no names that snapped off at the drive end when actually used in anger, but haven't ever broken a SK, Snap-On, Proto, Williams, or even USA Craftsman that I can recall. I'm certain about the first four, it's possible I have broken a Craftsman one and forgotten about it because I've used so many of them.

 

[arz71]

Snap-On has the broadest selection of wobble and/or extentions overall.

Like Snap-On wrenches they fit in places and have better steel quality some of mine are knurled as well.

 

[LUKE221]

You would be better off getting a snap on set of screwdrivers or sockets or a ratchet before dropping big bucks on an extension. Just sayin but a craftsman extension would be just fine. Gott a be very selective when on the tool mans truck

 

[ttpete]

If you're going to use long extensions with an impact, be sure to get full diameter ones. A 1/2" drive full diameter one will be about 5/8" in diameter. Skinny extensions work like torque sticks and wind up instead of transmitting full torque.