SO Extension Question

[JDon99]

I have noticed that some of the newer SO extensions have a hole on the back side of the friction ball and some do not. I've seen more older extensions with the hole, but I have came across newer sets with it as well. Out of curiosity, what determines this, or have they stopped making them with the hole on the backside of the friction ball?

 

[JDon99]

Still curious about this...

 

[gungatim]

I have lots of items setup that way, mostly extentions, but I have a 1/4" drive snap-on driver, in black finish with black handle that has a male pin instead of ball, and also a 3/4 inch drive snap-on sliding T-bar setup that way as well...I assume at one time the pin type requiring a hole in the socket may have been more popular before the regular ball lock we are used to...

 

[arz71]

All of the ones do not have that hole for the ratchet. But most of all of mine are older 10 years+ or so. I like them without the friction location in them, makes them really wobbly.

 

[franzdom]

All of the ones do not have that hole for the ratchet. But most of all of mine are older 10 years+ or so. I like them without the friction location in them, makes them really wobbly.

You are talking about the female end, OP was asking about the male end.

 

[gungatim]

You are talking about the female end, OP was asking about the male end.

oh, missed that...I don't think I've ever seen the male end with hole opposite friction ball...so now I am even more curios...

 

[Arbybe]

Drill and tap with set screw to replace collapsed spring.....
OMHO

 

[shockwave]

I have a few 1/4 drive extensions like this but most are filled in now if you buy new and widens out just before male end

Have you looked for any casting marks from what year tool was made?

 

[newspeed]

I have a few extensions with the holes but they are all older. All the newer ones I have seen no longer have the hole. I assumed it was cheaper to manufacture that way. I don't think they serve any purpose.

 

[JDon99]

I have a few extensions with the holes but they are all older. All the newer ones I have seen no longer have the hole. I assumed it was cheaper to manufacture that way. I don't think they serve any purpose.

I have a newer 3/8 drive accessory set that has them. It's new enough to have a dual80 ratchet in it.

 

[Cope]

Maybe to lube the ball and spring? I never thought about it until I found some used extensions with stuck balls.

 

[JDon99]

Maybe to lube the ball and spring? I never thought about it until I found some used extensions with stuck balls.

That is what I always thought as well.

 

[plinker]

The hole was for removing a bad detent ball/spring with a punch, replacing them and then they'd re-stake the ball in place. More or less, Fewer warranty claims for sockets falling off & more work for the dealer to replace the detent.

That's what I read years ago anyway.

 

[90zcar]

Hey guys I came to the rescue here hopefully to clear up what the OP is saying with a picture

Here is a 1/2" drive 5" chrome extension. Don't have my chart to find the year.
Anyways if we look down here opposite side of the ball here is the hole that the op is talking about

And here's the ball side

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[90zcar]

If I shine a light inside u can see the spring



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[90zcar]

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[JDon99]

Having the ability to punch it out to repair makes sense. Thanks for the info fellas!

 

[90zcar]

Makes me wonder if the ones now are better or not?.....does this mean I can simply punch out the ball and warranty it for a new extension? Haha
I'm assuming u would punch it out the side the the ball rests on?


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[90zcar]

And it did!

I like the knurling on the new one much better!


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[Adam.C]

I would think you could trap grunge in a blind hole like that. The grunge could impede the function of the ball. Having a thru hole allows one to clean that hole throughly.

The ball looks like it's swaged in. Can't see an extension being repaired under warranty. I would think they would just replace whole extension.

My guess is it is there to avoid entrapping filth. May even be a FOD feature.

 

[90zcar]

Well when I showed the old extension to my snap on rep today he simply replaced it. He acted like there isn't any repair that goes on them anymore. Simply gave me the new style and threw the old "through design" in the bucket


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