Snapon locking extensions; mini review!

[Tool Pants]

I bought the locking 1/4" adapter in the ebay link. Has Blackhawk on it but I have also seen SK. Stamped made in USA. $3.50 plus $3.00 ship. Even comes with a real USA Allen 3/32" wrench for the set screw. Another ebay seller has the same thing called SK for $19.99 plus $4.95 ship.

The design is identical to my Snap-On extension. I put in on a 1/4" drive spinner. I cannot pull a socket off.

There is a 3/8" version on ebay but it is 19.99 plus $4.95 ship.

 

[janarvae]

I've had the 10" Craftsman locking extension for a little over 2 months now and it just broke. Let me clarify, the plastic lever everyone is so afraid of breaking somehow detached and is nowhere to be found. I had to use a pick to depress the plunger thing inside the extension to save my stuck socket. It does lock very well - I'll just be bringing that one back soon and getting another. Before I do, I may take a picture of the spring, ball, and plunger in there and post here. I just hope it didn't fall down my intake runners on the vette!

 

[Tool Pants]

I have the version before the plastic sliding lever came out. It is a metal ball you push in. 3 piece 3/8" drive extensions. This works and has no plastic. I bought the set in the picture about 15 or so years ago. For some reason I have in my mind it was made by KD tools.

And before that there was another version Sears sold for a short time. Quick release/semi-locking extension. But that was about 30 years ago, and is another story.

 

[gotmud13613]

I have the version before the plastic sliding lever came out. It is a metal ball you push in. 3 piece 3/8" drive extensions. This works and has no plastic. I bought the set in the picture about 15 or so years ago. For some reason I have in my mind it was made by KD tools.

And before that there was another version Sears sold for a short time. Quick release/semi-locking extension. But that was about 30 years ago, and is another story.

I have this set in 3/8 & 1/2" I should have bought the 1/4" back in the day, There is no comparison between the older ones and the newer plastic buttons.

I bought all 3 of 1/4" during that $5 coupon rage, must be they saved a few pennys by using plastic

 

[billymade]

I must have had a premonition about the Craftsman versions breaking; I'm glad I took them back! Too bad the quality isn't there!

 

[TNToy]

I hate new beetles. Hate them.

Nothing wrong with the car, I just hate working on it.

 

[Fedwrench]

I've done the same thing with those inexpensive Blackhawk locking adapters and I really like them on spinner handles especially, my 2 foot long one.. The locking set screw of the SK adapters is concave on the end to fit against the detent ball better. I don't think it's a feature worth the extra money for the ones on Ebay but, it shows attention to detail from the manufacturer. Every once in awhile, the SK versions show up cheaper on Ebay but, they seem to be getting rare. The locking adapters if found cheaply, can breathe new life into all of those extensions left over from toolbox buys and sales laying around gathering dust. Your results may vary.

 

[bchee]

I bought the locking 1/4" adapter in the ebay link. Has Blackhawk on it but I have also seen SK. Stamped made in USA. $3.50 plus $3.00 ship. Even comes with a real USA Allen 3/32" wrench for the set screw. Another ebay seller has the same thing called SK for $19.99 plus $4.95 ship.

The design is identical to my Snap-On extension. I put in on a 1/4" drive spinner. I cannot pull a socket off.

There is a 3/8" version on ebay but it is 19.99 plus $4.95 ship.

thanks for the picts and info. I forgot that I had these on my watch list. I think I may get more than one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260299367149

 

[ImportTuner]

I just finished buying the VIM locking extensions with handles (after I missed the deal on our classifieds for the MAC) ... not bad for the price (got them on tooltopia.com)

 

[Tool Pants]

The set screw on this one is also concave. I put it on so that the set screw is 180 degrees off from the detent ball. I thought I might damage the ball or spring if the set screw went into the ball. Does not matter because I cannot pull the locking adapter off the spinner 180 degrees off.

Also tried it on a 1/4" drive ratchet. All but one of my ratchets in this size are Craftsman quick-release, so I put it on an old Snap-On to try it out that way.

Just wish I could find a 3/8" version for $6.50.

 

[eschoendorff]

I just finished buying the VIM locking extensions with handles (after I missed the deal on our classifieds for the MAC) ... not bad for the price (got them on tooltopia.com)

Those are the ones taht I have. Very nice.

 

[Elroy]

After reading this post several week ago, Elroy has been keeping his eyes open for some locking extensions. Picked up these 3/8" drive Blackhawk examples today. Now Elroy is not a fan of Taiwan made tools but at $15 for the set it was a deal Elroy decided to take.

 

[bchee]

hey elroy where did you get them?

I believe you TWIST the knurled part, instead of pull it back. Is that right?

 

[Elroy]

hey elroy where did you get them?

At a local tool supply company called Southern Tool Supply They're open like 8-5 M-F only so Elroy seldom has the opportunity to stop in. They also had S-K versions where the ring pulls back to unlock. They were like $25 EACH and they didn't have any of the short version in stock.

I believe you TWIST the knurled part, instead of pull it back.

Is that right?

YES the knurled ring is rotated to actuate. The ring is detented in both the free and lock positions where the S-K where spring loaded in the lock position. These Blackhawks can be operated with one hand where the S-K's require two. Couldn't beat them for the price.

 

[eschoendorff]

At a local tool supply company called Southern Tool Supply They're open like 8-5 M-F only so Elroy seldom has the opportunity to stop in. They also had S-K versions where the ring pulls back to unlock. They were like $25 EACH and they didn't have any of the short version in stock.



YES the knurled ring is rotated to actuate. The ring is detented in both the free and lock positions where the S-K where spring loaded in the lock position. These Blackhawks can be operated with one hand where the S-K's require two. Couldn't beat them for the price.

Taiwan or not, those look to be a solid design!

 

[bchee]

The locking "nub" sticks out quite a bit and locks really well; the socket is not coming off! These nubs remind me of those irritating impact extensions that you usually have to "push in" to remove the socket.

do you guys think they are all the same across the three truck brands? I wonder who the OEM is?

Not trying to beat this thread to death, but I noticed most of the locking extensions use balls, instead of the one billymade shows, a "nub" as he describes it.

I think I would have more confidence that the nub would hold the socket better.

Matco and Mac have the same nub on their impact extensions, but not the chrome ones. As far as I can tell, SK uses a ball detent, not a nub.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Taiwan or not, those look to be a solid design!

I echo this, they loook very good to me as well, quite impressed. You can't argue with the price either!

Man Elroy, you need to be a professional photographer or something. I would put you up against about anyone for crisp clear close up pics! As I think about that you have not been honing your pic skills on Mrs. Elroy have you?

 

[Elroy]

Well the Christmas spirit is alive and well at good ol Southern Tool. Stopped by this afternoon before they closed for the Holidays and they had a bunch of "stuff" on sale for 88 cents each.

Picked up ANOTHER one of the locking ball extensions posted above along with both of these little fellows:

Notice anything missing on this "LOCKING" extension??

There is NO detent ball as it uses a wedge to retain the socket. For $.88 Elroy can't beat it especially considering that it has zero identification on it. No China USA or Taiwan. Just chrome and I tell ya what, you can't pull a socket off it and it appears flawless.

Never seen an extension like it. Well ya have now.

 

[TireTracks]

OH noooo. Vdub beetles.

No offence but i'm not a fan. My drivers ed school had 2 beetles and a rabbit.
I'm 6ft and they would have 2 students and a instructor in the car., i would end up sitting sideways looking at the floor because the legroom in back is too small, and my head hit the window.

I did really like driveing the golf. It felt faster than you would think. And plently of head/legroom!

 

[superautobacs]

Interesting...a complete no-namer tool.
First time for me to see one like that.

Nice bargain score!

[EDIT]
This reminds me...
I scored a couple adaptors that are pinned onto the extensions for cheap too. It was a Hastings brand that used a Taiwanese extension and the US locking adaptor. Something like $5 for the 7" long 3/8" version and around $4 for the 5" long 1/4" version.

 

[Elroy]

Can't tell ya where the Volkswagen post came from but for 88 cents each Elroy will take them:

A S-K , another locking Blackhawk , a pair of 1/2" locking no name "chrome vanadium" and an Allen.

Can't beat that VW deal with a stick