Sockets without detent

[Kielbasavw]

So I've been sorting through all my sockets, and found most of my 1/4 drive sockets don't have a detent to lock itself on to ratchet/extension ect. There are a couple 3/8 too

Most of them are older craftsman and husky USA. And actually a couple of SK too.
Looking at part numbers of doubles I have, they match other sockets that have detents.
What gives? No detent is a terrible idea and they get stuck on the head of the bolt every time. And terribly irritating, especially when setting the timing on an Aircooled vw where the distributor clamp nut is right near the fan belt and way too close for comfort to go in and grab it with your hands.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Well, I am saving undesired tools to weld into a humanoid figure.. The plan is to name it "Old Ratchet ***" and mount him on a tree stump... Thinking those sockets would make good finger tips, toes, or teeth..

 

[Kielbasavw]

I was thinking of just taking them in and see if they will warranty em out.

 

[Vigo]

I like both of those options.

I recently added a $3 set of 1/4 drive thumbwheel bit holders to push an online order over $100 so i could use a $40 off coupon from Advance Auto. They came with no detent and it bothered me so much i actually drilled a hole in one of them to make it usable and gave the other two away. So basically put $10 of work into making 1/3rd of a $3 set usable. But i still appreciate the $40 i saved on the rest of the order!

 

[1950mercury]

Do they have the hole for the ball on the ratchet drive to go in. Ive necer seen them without the hole. They hold better than detents. I think all Cornwall sockets are like that. Alot of impact sockets are like that too

 

[Kielbasavw]

No holes no detents what so ever

 

[Codyyy]

They must not have thought of those situations at first when making the sockets. I know some of my old S-K sockets have extremely squared holes in them, making it difficult or otherwise impossible for a newer Craftsman ratchet to even snap into them. I couldn't imagine a worse situation than having a socket stick to the head of a bolt in a bad place. Sometimes though I test to make sure the socket stays onto the ratchet.

 

[1950mercury]

I was thinking of just taking them in and see if they will warranty em out.

Sounds like a plan to me...

 

[kctyphoon]

Do they have the hole for the ball on the ratchet drive to go in. Ive necer seen them without the hole. They hold better than detents. I think all Cornwall sockets are like that. Alot of impact sockets are like that too

alot of adapters use the holes on impact sockets to use with pin locks also.

 

[AmishFury]

i just checked a vintage SK set i had handy and yeah no detent

also i picked up a cheapo stanley set not too long ago and all the 1/4" sockets had no detents... the 1/4" extension in the set did all the 3/8" stuff did but not the 1/4" sockets

edit... also took a quick check of a craftsman set from the 90s... standard depth 1/4" no detent... deep 1/4" has detent... 3/8" and 1/2" have detent

newer SK and pittsburgh pro have them

 

[Kielbasavw]

Weird that its mostly a 1/4 problem. It's very annoying

Some of my deep 1/4s are with out detents aswell

 

[ajchien]

I've taken a Dremel tool with a ball shaped diamond bit and grinded a slot into a few inside walls. Problem solved.

 

[mailpup]

My set of Wright 1/4" drive sockets also does not have detents.

IMHO, I doubt that you can return your detentless sockets under warranty because there is no defect. They were designed that way.

 

[Wamsutta]

I was thinking of just taking them in and see if they will warranty em out.

I don't see why they wouldn't, especially since the latest production includes detents.

 

[Banjorear]

I was thinking of just taking them in and see if they will warranty em out.

I've been doing this over the summer. Same deal, found a bunch of old Cam sockets without detents. About 50 in total. I take 5-10 at a time and warranty them out.

 

[Tim37]

So your gonna swap USA made craftsman for chinese crapsman? I like the idea of a diamond burr and a dremel

 

[Fedwrench]

Things like detents in the socket's square drive is what separated great tools from lesser made tools back in the day. Your sockets without detents must be real old.

I don't see why a store would warranty them though. They're not defective, just an older model with fewer features

Good luck,

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Things like detents in the socket's square drive is what separated great tools from lesser made tools back in the day. Your sockets without detents must be real old.

I don't see why a store would warranty them though. They're not defective, just an older model with fewer features

Good luck,

I agree,, they were designed and built without a detent, and are not broken..

Not what warranty was intended for..

If it was: and I had a good set of older wrenches that were an inch shorter than current models; they should be replaced under warranty for a current set..

 

[Kielbasavw]

Never thought of a round burr on a dremel. Good idea. I could smash them with a hammer and return them... they are useless otherwise. And not sure where you guys are but my local sears have USA made sockets still.

I'll try the dremel trick first though. Nice call.

 

[bob15]

Never thought of a round burr on a dremel. Good idea. I could smash them with a hammer and return them... they are useless otherwise. And not sure where you guys are but my local sears have USA made sockets still.

Well, where are you? Fill out the location so we know.

And you taking a hammer and breaking them because you don't like the older design and want the newer.....that is the reason companies stop warrantying their items and require proof of purchase. In other words, you are abusing the system and will screw it up for everyone.

 

[Kielbasavw]

I said I could. Never said I would. California. Orange county and la area