snap-on new flank drive xtra

[hautpot]

New sockets are coming out. Exterior has a groove to pull out of drive easier.

They say the inside has changed shape, but i cant notice. thats about it

 

[M6erfan]

Interesting.

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[L.Cheapo]

My understanding is they are to supplement current sockets, not replace them. Their fit is very tight, which would make it difficult to get them on fasteners enlarged by damage/corrosion.

Edited to add:

 

[Skin]

Instead of broaching flat walls they're lobed in a bit. Basically its MAC precision torque sockets without the teeth. I'll keep my turbo sockets.

 

[Tallpilot]

The idea is sound but it seems like a day late and a dollar short. We already have Irwin style rounded bolt extractors and when those can't get enough bite we have Astro flank bite. They are pretty though so who wouldn't want another $1,000 worth of sockets.

 

[Wamsutta]

Instead of broaching flat walls they're lobed in a bit. Basically its MAC precision torque sockets without the teeth. I'll keep my turbo sockets.

They've already been like that for several years now. I found a picture on the internet that shows it.

 

[ocloc24]

I'll probably pick up one set, seems like an interesting concept.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

The idea is sound but it seems like a day late and a dollar short. We already have Irwin style rounded bolt extractors and when those can't get enough bite we have Astro flank bite. They are pretty though so who wouldn't want another $1,000 worth of sockets.

What is the functional difference between the Irwin and Astro or versus a turbo socket? If you were going to buy one set for diy??

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[ocloc24]

What is the functional difference between the Irwin and Astro or versus a turbo socket? If you were going to buy one set for diy??

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The Irwin set would be considered a turbo socket. The astro flank bite is essentially the same both with the wrench and the socket it's just less aggressive "teeth". The astro looks a lot like the version harbor freight sells.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Matco non-slip impacts have a similar idea
80% rounded stuff, has 6 rounded teeth instead of flats. I imagine they'll be cheaper than these. But those aren't quite as thin as these , cool concept regardless.

 

[HaroRider]

I have the SK turbo sockets. They are good enough for my needs.

 

[Tallpilot]

The Irwin set would be considered a turbo socket. The astro flank bite is essentially the same both with the wrench and the socket it's just less aggressive "teeth". The astro looks a lot like the version harbor freight sells.

I think I would argue the Astro teeth are more aggressive. They are more expensive though because they sell skip sets so you need to buy both fractional and metric then double your cost if you want the wrenches as well.

The wrenches are a great idea though because we have all found a fastener that a wrench would fit on but a socket would not.

For a DIY out of the rust belt I would get the Irwin and call it done for about $50. In the rust belt the Astro collection might be worth it. I'm in Florida so don't ask me!

 

[ocloc24]

I think I would argue the Astro teeth are more aggressive. They are more expensive though because they sell skip sets so you need to buy both fractional and metric then double your cost if you want the wrenches as well.

The wrenches are a great idea though because we have all found a fastener that a wrench would fit on but a socket would not.

For a DIY out of the rust belt I would get the Irwin and call it done for about $50. In the rust belt the Astro collection might be worth it. I'm in Florida so don't ask me!

The astro/HF are more of a gentle squared edge, where the Irwin/snap on turbo are a sharp edge. Ask me how I know lol, I cut my finger on one of the turbo sockets once. Could've just been my set though

 

[Strouty]

The Astro "Flank bite" sockets work awesome. Irwin sets have way too many gaps, Turbo Sockets are better in that respect, but both will eat a bolt up and can actually make things worse in some situations. I have not tried the HF version of those, but I am interested in them and will be buying them. Astro are 1/2" drive and impact, HF are 3/8" drive and chrome.

 

[CobraRed]

The astro/HF are more of a gentle squared edge, where the Irwin/snap on turbo are a sharp edge. Ask me how I know lol, I cut my finger on one of the turbo sockets once. Could've just been my set though

Turbo sockets are definitely more aggressive, however that's not to say better. They are tapered so they are more likely to fit on a fastener that has become a 11.5mm from 12mm after corrosion, however that taper means a very small point of contact and they sort of have to be hammered on. Once and if they come loose, they basically machine down the rest of the fastener head into a perfect circle. So they either work or ruin your chances of removing without a drill bit entirely.

The flank bites are a straight broach, not tapered. So if they do not remove the fastener, you're usually still in the same place you started. One bolts that have very clearly been abused these work best, like on oil drain plugs I've found. One rusted nuts sometimes they work, sometimes the nut is not an actual size anymore and you almost need SAE and Metric sockets to find the in between sizes.

I reach for the flank bites first, less likely to ruin my day.

 

[rmsg0040]

One design is for removing damaged fasteners

Mac, Matco, SO can be used as a regular socket as well as remove damage fasteners

 

[CR888]

There are many of these not quite 'extractor' sockets but a socket that is claimed to be used normally or for a rounded off fastener. I have extractor sockets and a ribbed Lok-on™ design. They are good but don't discard your regular 6pt/12pt for them. Having both is good, some of the ribbed designs will mark up a nice fastener compared to a regular socket IMO.

 

[Tallpilot]

The astro/HF are more of a gentle squared edge, where the Irwin/snap on turbo are a sharp edge. Ask me how I know lol, I cut my finger on one of the turbo sockets once. Could've just been my set though

The Astro "Flank bite" sockets work awesome. Irwin sets have way too many gaps, Turbo Sockets are better in that respect, but both will eat a bolt up and can actually make things worse in some situations.

Turbo sockets are definitely more aggressive, however that's not to say better. They are tapered so they are more likely to fit on a fastener that has become a 11.5mm from 12mm after corrosion, however that taper means a very small point of contact and they sort of have to be hammered on. Once and if they come loose, they basically machine down the rest of the fastener head into a perfect circle. So they either work or ruin your chances of removing without a drill bit entirely.

The flank bites are a straight broach, not tapered. So if they do not remove the fastener, you're usually still in the same place you started. One bolts that have very clearly been abused these work best, like on oil drain plugs I've found. One rusted nuts sometimes they work, sometimes the nut is not an actual size anymore and you almost need SAE and Metric sockets to find the in between sizes.

I reach for the flank bites first, less likely to ruin my day.

I think this sums it up best. Flank bite is squared off to really bite into the faster which I consider more aggressive. Turbo is sharper but that makes it less aggressive because if it doesn't bite enough material to overcome the resistance in the threads it machines off the remaining corners of the fastener.

 

[bimmer630]

One design is for removing damaged fasteners

Mac, Matco, SO can be used as a regular socket as well as remove damage fasteners

Yeah it seems that this thread is full of confusion. The new SO sockets arent similar to a turbo/twist/extractor socket, because they can be used to turn fasteners left AND right

 

[Strouty]

And just to make it clear, the Astro (presumably the HF) do go in both directions.

 

[Skin]

The astro/HF are more of a gentle squared edge, where the Irwin/snap on turbo are a sharp edge. Ask me how I know lol, I cut my finger on one of the turbo sockets once. Could've just been my set though

FWIW on the left aren't TurboSockets. TurboSockets is actually a brand manufactured by Hudson Bearing and sold through Blue-Point and SK. The Irwin/Craftsman ones are bigger and are made to be used with a wrench or ratchet and need some good working room. They don't come in incremental sizes other than mixing mm and standard. My set of 1/4" drive turbosockets are invaluable. A number of sizes step down in .25 increments so you don't have to worry about beating the hell out of the socket to get it on.

 

[Strouty]

FWIW on the left aren't Turbo Sockets. Turbo Sockets is actually a brand manufactured by Hudson Bearing and sold through Blue-Point and SK. The Irwin/Craftsman ones are bigger and are made to be used with a wrench or ratchet and need some good working room. My set of 1/4" drive turbo sockets are invaluable. A number of sizes step down in .25 increments.

My recent experience with the actual "turbo sockets" was trying to remove glow plugs from a 6.5 diesel and they would grab, then feel like they were turning, except I was really making the glow plug more round and smaller with each step down of the sockets.

I do not like the Irwin style.

 

[Dave455]

Hmm!

If these are basically sockets with a tighter tolerance than normal than what we are looking at is Snap On’s answer to KoKen Z Series / Zeal. Looks like they’ve tried to make them as thin walled as they can too, also like the Z series!

They won’t be for everybody (the above comments regarding rusted fasteners are perfectly valid, and most people will be better off with the regular) but plenty of folks like the Koken Z series (I like ‘em myself) so I think there’s merit in the idea!

 

[matt01073]

I bought a set of the metric deeps tuesday, my dealer had a trade in program, it took me about 3 times using one to know I want my old set back. Ill keep these and im sure they have a use, however they are no replacement for regular sockets as its hard to remove any bolt from them.

 

[Skin]

My recent experience with the actual "turbo sockets" was trying to remove glow plugs from a 6.5 diesel and they would grab, then feel like they were turning, except I was really making the glow plug more round and smaller with each step down of the sockets.

I do not like the Irwin style.

If there is severe corrosion I find that you often need heat. Took this out a couple days ago holding on a bracket in a hellish location. It was 10mm, ended up using a 9.25 socket.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

If there is severe corrosion I find that you often need heat. Took this out a couple days ago holding on a bracket in a hellish location. It was 10mm, ended up using a 9.25 socket.

And people claim 12 point works fine in the rust belt.

 

[Tallpilot]

I bought a set of the metric deeps tuesday, my dealer had a trade in program, it took me about 3 times using one to know I want my old set back. Ill keep these and im sure they have a use, however they are no replacement for regular sockets as its hard to remove any bolt from them.

Thank you. That is the kind of first hand feedback we need.

 

[Tonyuk]

I cant remember the name that they give them, but Facom sell impact sockets with fatter lobes instead of the more flatish sides found in regular sockets, i've got a few and they work great on rusty fasteners;

Spline sockets also work better than standard 12 point for that sort of stuff, although for larger fasteners it makes less of a difference.

 

[gtlaw]

GP does that in 1/4" and koken sells a set in 3/8". They turn out to be pretty annoying because the fastener is always stuck in them.

 

[hautpot]

those are Surface drive sockets.

 

[ocloc24]

My driver just got these in today. I might pick up one set

 

[ReggieR]

I have the SK turbo sockets. They are good enough for my needs.

Same. Never had an issue. Most of mine are six point sockets but even 12 points never give me a problem. Slow down. Hit the head of a tough or corroded bolt in the center of the head with a large punch and a hammer to shake things up a bit. If it wont budge you have bigger problems that may require some heat etc. Penetrating oil is under-rated but you can not be in a hurry as most flat rate guys always are. Too many power tools are in use today. I want to feel that bolt break loose ( or break)

 

[MattPersman]

I bought a set of the metric deeps. I’ll take any advantage I can if a bolt is worn or rusty. I’m definitely a sucker for any of the “rounded” socket styles

Haven’t used them yet doubt they will be everyday sockets just live in my epiq till I need to try them out

I have the matco, Mac and now the snap on xtra

60 bucks off for a trade in of any **** sockets known to man. Yes sir why not


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[L.Cheapo]

Jermey just did a good quick vid of these sockets.

 

[Wamsutta]

Jermey just did a good quick vid of these sockets.

Is that black chest he has at home a Snap-on box?

 

[L.Cheapo]

Is that black chest he has at home a Snap-on box?

Yes, looks like a KRL1232 in black with black trim.

 

[donpauli2]

All of you commenting , it’s like this brand or that brand, need to remember. Those other brands are clones of the original “ flank Drive “ after the patent ran out. This is a tighter tolerance version of the original that grips further back on the flats. Many of the other socket versions for rounded fasteners have an “ extracter “ type broach that pulls the socket down onto the fastener by force.


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[rmsg0040]

- disappointing

- mac PT

 

[WWheeler]

- disappointing
[..]

Not a very good test there. There's a big difference between a true (real-life) 'rounded' fastener with the corners damaged from someone using the wrong or poor fitting tool or whatnot, and a fake one that's had the corners grounded off with a grinder. The 'real-life' rounded fastener will still have most of that extra meat there, just mishapen, for the right tool to still be able to grab onto whereas once ground off it's just gone.

He'd have been better off to replicate a 'real-life' situation to round the fasteners with a pair of vice grips set not quite tight enough or a wrench or socket that's one size too big.

That said, the tightness of fit for the flank drive plus on an undamaged fastener makes me wonder how well it will fit, if at all, on a 'real-life' damaged fastener. Seems a bit too gimmicky especially for the prices snap-off is asking.

 

[Wamsutta]

- disappointing

Not a realistic test. A rounded off nut is a nut rounded off by a socket, not a grinding disc.

A more realistic test preparation would have been to use a hand file to round off the corners to more mimic the condition of the nut if it were rounded off by a socket or a 12-Point wrench.

Keep in mind that when hexagonal nuts get rounded off, they get rounded off because they have been severely weakened by corrosion. And when they round off, they are not going to be losing anywhere near the same amount of material that a grinding disc would take off.