pugglewuggle
Well-known member
Which one does everyone like? I've never used either. Is there an advantage of one over the other?
Snap On Impact Extensions/Universal Joints - Ball vs Pin
- Thread starter pugglewuggle
- Start date
I think he means pin socket retention versus ball. I like the ball, since I have to change out sockets all the time and don't generally use an impact at heights.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
For universal joints, for 3/8 drive you're fine with ball. Usually it isn't spinning hard enough for the socket to fly off on you. For 1/2 drive, I definitely want a pin. The socket can easily fly off on you and get you hurt. As for extensions, I'd go with ball unless you are dealing with something where you cannot afford to have the extension disconnect from the socket. Magnetic extensions are another option.
OP
pugglewuggle
Well-known member
So just how aggressively can/do these things fly off, especially with a Swivel or a u joint?
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2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
If you're free-spinning the gun with a socket on a detent ball universal joint, they can get flung off. It's rare, but it happens, usually when you try to go full power then slip off a fastener and the socket whips around.
Most people I know just grind the pin off their snap on universals, no retaining method at all. I only use the ball style (hate pins). It's really not that common for me as I have 2 sets of impact universals.
CrazyTools
Banned
It's really hard to beat their quick release locking impact extensions. This is what I use.
https://store.snapon.com/Extensions...Impact-Extension-Set-3-1-2-5-10--P640865.aspx
For their universals I haven't had any issues with retention, so I use the ball version.
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ken w.
Well-known member
I prefer the ball over the pin. Generally a socket will fly off if it slips off the bolt head. It happens sometimes. Having experience using an impact wrench helps to prevent this.
Finky198
Well-known member
My 1/2 impact swivel is the welded style Snap On with the pin retention. It can be a life saver and a pain in the *** at times, I also have a sunex ball type that came with one of their kits. Best of both worlds if I could pick one.
I have to say The snap on pin type is hard to beat its safe and well made. No worries about really hammering on it, or wrecking something with flying sockets.
I think most of my impact extensions are hog ring or ball retention. I have yet to by any locking ones...
I have to say The snap on pin type is hard to beat its safe and well made. No worries about really hammering on it, or wrecking something with flying sockets.
I think most of my impact extensions are hog ring or ball retention. I have yet to by any locking ones...
CrazyTools
Banned
I have a 2" one with a pin and it takes me ten minutes to get it off the socket even with the right size punch to push on it. =\
Wrench97
Well-known member
The only time I like the pin retainers are on 3/4" and 1" sockets/extensions/torque wrenches, like when torquing main bearing bolts under a Cummins or Cat...............
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
Let's just say if the socket flies off and hits your safety glasses, even that may not be enough to protect your eyes. If you are impacting something with the swivel and the socket slips, it will fly off.
ken w.
Well-known member
If it flies off and hits you , you'll say bad words.
All the snap on extensions I've seen are with the snap ring, tried to buy Mac ones and they are just pins and my matco guy says they are going to the pin style to.
I prefer the ball types, I have chrome locking extensions which are great but not when changing sockets repeatedly.
I prefer the ball types, I have chrome locking extensions which are great but not when changing sockets repeatedly.
OP
pugglewuggle
Well-known member
All the snap on extensions I've seen are with the snap ring, tried to buy Mac ones and they are just pins and my matco guy says they are going to the pin style to.
I prefer the ball types, I have chrome locking extensions which are great but not when changing sockets repeatedly.
Do you mean locking as in the little sleeve that locks or with the pin you need the punch to release?
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From what my dealer made it sound it's where you need a small punch to release, there's times it would be nice but not for my usual use.
The chrome locking ones I have are the sleeve type but can run into access issues.
Last edited:
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,094
if i need to use long extension, i prefer pin style. for general use, ball style.
Ign
Well-known member
REVIVAL
It's apparently normal for IP82 swivels to just have a thru hole and no pin or ball? What am I not understanding?
It's apparently normal for IP82 swivels to just have a thru hole and no pin or ball? What am I not understanding?
Wrench97
Well-known member
The socket has a grove around it you slide the pin in and a oring rides in the groove to hold the pin in.
We used them on the 1" impact tire gun, 1 had a 1 5/16" socket the other a 1 1/2" socket the only time they came off the gun was when the socket or the gun was wore out.
We used them on the 1" impact tire gun, 1 had a 1 5/16" socket the other a 1 1/2" socket the only time they came off the gun was when the socket or the gun was wore out.
putergod
Well-known member
I know this is an old thread, but just throwing my $0.02 into the pot...
I own a bunch of Proto "pinned" impact extensions, universals, and adaptors, and I badly wish I had bought the ball type. The pin type is a pain in the buttocks if you change sockets even semi-often. If you're using the same extensions, adapters, and sockets throughout the job you're doing, then the pin type is the better type as it has a more secure retention. I mainly use them for working on cars, and the pin type ***** for that application, because it's a pain to change.
I own a bunch of Proto "pinned" impact extensions, universals, and adaptors, and I badly wish I had bought the ball type. The pin type is a pain in the buttocks if you change sockets even semi-often. If you're using the same extensions, adapters, and sockets throughout the job you're doing, then the pin type is the better type as it has a more secure retention. I mainly use them for working on cars, and the pin type ***** for that application, because it's a pain to change.
Wrench97
Well-known member
About the only thing they are great for is impact swivel socket on the end, keeps them from flying off of they pop off the bolt...
Stick-man
Well-known member
I also hate pins, I prefer the ball. Back when I was an auto mechanic, you really had to watch for guys with Ingersoll-Rand impact wrenches. If guys were not careful, sockets would be flying quite often. One thing I really preferred about my Snap-on impacts, was that the anvil was longer, and therefore would hold the socket much better. I can literally put a universal socket on my 1/2" gun and let it freespin, and it won't come off. I always hold it, but it can. The Ingersoll couldn't hold a regular socket. I imagine the same held true for my Snappy impact extensions with the ball. I never had one fly, but again I always have a hand on it. The impact I actually tried on purpose and it wouldn't come off.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Get a pin punch the same diameter as the hole in the socket. Way more convenient that way.