Socket Drive Adapters: Which sizes/types?

[dchawk81]

What could you possibly be doing that requires a 1” gun driving a 5.5mm? Is this a “I could in theory” or “I do”. No judgement btw.

I get it that these are tools and we love tools. This seems one of the most skippable tools

I'ma let you wonder.

 

[cannuck]

I'm looking at you Subaru plugs on the left bank.

When I am in Paris, I usually stick to looking at touristy things.

I have one step up and down adapters in each size socket drawer, but the only ones that get used much at all are the 3/4 to 1/2 impact (my go to tool for removing wheel nuts and bolts is a 3/4 red) and 1 to 3/4 for big torque wrench and breaker bar (no 1" ratchet and few 1" sockets). Have most larger sizes in impact only. The one I thought I would use a lot is the 3/8 to 1/4 for my M12 ratchet, but it is actually a bit too powerful for 1/4 sockets (seats fasteners to about 16 lb/ft - perfect for 8mm or 5/16, but way overtorque for 6mm and 1/4 in stuff that it gets used extensively with.

 

[Blackmarket]

Here’s my 2 cents. Just an opinion. If you think you’re going to use them often or for big jobs, buy better quality. I have broken many adapters at the most in opportune times. Which has also inflicted major pain an injury. I stopped buying the cheaper ones and purchased better quality and haven’t had any problems.

 

[WWheeler]

I have them all but rarely use any except for the 3/4 to 1/2 adapters that I keep on 3/4" breaker bars in the kits in each of our vehicles.

I started doing that after I broke a 1/2 breaker bar trying to break loose some obviously overtorqued lugnuts on a van for a family I tried to help on the side of the interstate one afternoon. I tried to go into full powerlifter mode and the Harbor freight 1/2" breaker bar wasn't up to the task. The ears on the anvil-head had started to spread a little and the bolt sheared off and I went flying. The tires looked new and the dad said he had just had them put on before their trip, so whatever shop he went to must have given it way too many ugga duggas. We did wind up getting them off though when another guy in a truck also stopped to help had a large 4way that he had to literally stand and bounce on one side while I lifted the other and just barely got those last couple to budge, bending his 4way in the process.

Since then I've used the 3/4 breaker bar & a snap-on 3/4 to 1/2" adapter to change out a few tires in similar situations. Never any that were that damn tight but even if and when I might I know I aint got enough beans left in me to break the tools I'm using.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I like the idea of using them as micro extensions. Makes me wonder why they don’t make micro extensions?

 

[Tallpilot]

I like the idea of using them as micro extensions. Makes me wonder why they don’t make micro extensions?

Like these?

Tekton

Snap-On has a similar product in wobble plus that is often useful.

I use a 1/2" to 3/4" to put 3/4" drive sockets on my high torque. It has plenty of power. Going that direction rarely breaks.

 

[Pexto]

I'm looking at you Subaru plugs on the left bank.

When I am in Paris, I usually stick to looking at touristy things. ...

I thought that was pretty funny, but then I'm a little gauche sometimes.

 

[Wakefield]

I have them all but rarely use any except for the 3/4 to 1/2 adapters that I keep on 3/4" breaker bars in the kits in each of our vehicles.

I started doing that after I broke a 1/2 breaker bar trying to break loose some obviously overtorqued lugnuts on a van for a family I tried to help on the side of the interstate one afternoon. I tried to go into full powerlifter mode and the Harbor freight 1/2" breaker bar wasn't up to the task. The ears on the anvil-head had started to spread a little and the bolt sheared off and I went flying. The tires looked new and the dad said he had just had them put on before their trip, so whatever shop he went to must have given it way too many ugga duggas. We did wind up getting them off though when another guy in a truck also stopped to help had a large 4way that he had to literally stand and bounce on one side while I lifted the other and just barely got those last couple to budge, bending his 4way in the process.

Since then I've used the 3/4 breaker bar & a snap-on 3/4 to 1/2" adapter to change out a few tires in similar situations. Never any that were that damn tight but even if and when I might I know I aint got enough beans left in me to break the tools I'm using.

Is that the GLAS1F ?

 

[garfunkle24]

When I am in Paris, I usually stick to looking at touristy things.

That went straight over my head. That happens sometimes.

 

[WWheeler]

Is that the GLAS1F ?

It's a GLA62A on a 3/4" Craftsman slider with a black pipe cheater slid over it for good measure.



It stays in my truck's roadside kit with a 5pc set of 1/2"dr flip impact sockets, 2-ton scissors jack, blackjack tire repair kit, Viair 400P-RV 12v compressor, tow straps, 3/8 & 1/2dr sockets & ratchets, metric and sae wrenches, 6 way screwdriver, crescent wrench, vise grips, razor knife, poncho, reflective vest, road hazard triangles, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, etc. ....

The setup in my boy's suv is similar. It's a 3/4"dr breaker bar, don't remember the brand, with a cheater pipe and I'm pretty sure the same snap-on 3/4" to 1/2" dr adapter, and it's kept in his somewhat similar but smaller roadside kit I put together for him several 's ago.

 

[assassin10000]

They do exist, but they are extremely rare. Popping a 1/2" socket onto a 1/4" ratchet seems to make a lot more sense to manufacturers as it's far more common than the opposite, but still an uncommon adapter. Personally I'd never use a 1/2" socket on a 1/4" ratchet but could imagine using a 1/4" socket on my 1/2" sliding handle and extensions (I have plenty of those) for hard to reach places.

I specifically bought a 1/4" to 1/2" adapter for use on 1/2" sockets when needing to measure rotational torque (diff setup, rebuilding steering racks, etc.)

 

[Wakefield]

It's a GLA62A on a 3/4" Craftsman slider with a black pipe cheater slid over it for good measure.



It stays in my truck's roadside kit with a 5pc set of 1/2"dr flip impact sockets, 2-ton scissors jack, blackjack tire repair kit, Viair 400P-RV 12v compressor, tow straps, 3/8 & 1/2dr sockets & ratchets, metric and sae wrenches, 6 way screwdriver, crescent wrench, vise grips, razor knife, poncho, reflective vest, road hazard triangles, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, etc. ....

The setup in my boy's suv is similar. It's a 3/4"dr breaker bar, don't remember the brand, with a cheater pipe and I'm pretty sure the same snap-on 3/4" to 1/2" dr adapter, and it's kept in his somewhat similar but smaller roadside kit I put together for him several 's ago.

That one looks something like a Wright I have that fits on Wright's slider bar to make a crank style lug turner.
The Snap On one I have has a removable (with some difficulty and a pin punch) square.

 

[Samuel D]

That went straight over my head. That happens sometimes.

The “left bank” is the part of Paris south of the Seine river (the left side as you look downstream). Historically it was associated with various intellectual, counterculture, and artistic types who moved there for cheaper rent (it’s not cheap anymore obviously).

Pexto’s subsequent joke was a play on gauche meaning socially clumsy in English but left in French.

(I used to live in Paris.)

 

[garfunkle24]

The “left bank” is the part of Paris south of the Seine river (the left side as you look downstream). Historically it was associated with various intellectual, counterculture, and artistic types who moved there for cheaper rent (it’s not cheap anymore obviously).

Pexto’s subsequent joke was a play on gauche meaning socially clumsy in English but left in French.

(I used to live in Paris.)

Thank you! Today I learned.....!

 

[AEAdam]

I like the idea of using them as micro extensions. Makes me wonder why they don’t make micro extensions?

They do. some people call them deep sockets.

seriously I have never needed my 3/8” deeps. I have semis I use a lot, but never my deeps. But they are handy as mini extensions.