Stupid Craftsman Socket Question

[zendriver]

I'm sure I'm missing something and I've seen plenty of sockets over the last 50 years that I've not had this, that seem to function just fine.

What is the purpose of these notches - other than to make it impossible to attach 50% of the time?



Thanks

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[2ndGearRubber]

Double detent, a bunch of those Armstrong and craftsman sockets had it.

If they're impossible to attach, spray penetrating oil on the detent ball of your ratchet and move it around with pliers. I've used those craftsman sockets for years, never an issue. Just use the ratchets and they won't stuck like that.

 

[davewo]

It's not that they are physically hard to attach. The mysteriously useless detents just so happen to be the same size of the drive square. It makes attaching a socket by feel cumbersome. My pet peeve is when returning the socket to the rail, as once again, It will probably get caught up on the detents.

 

[zendriver]

It's not that they are physically hard to attach. The mysteriously useless detents just so happen to be the same size of the drive square. It makes attaching a socket by feel cumbersome. My pet peeve is when returning the socket to the rail, as once again, It will probably get caught up on the detents.

Rail is where it seems to be the most problematic


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[Wamsutta]

They are there to get you to quit buying Craftsman sockets.

 

[Lassen Forge]

If it was on the driver side, not the drive side, it's be to push in and release the spring-loaded lock from around the nut so the nut will turn...

 

[gtlaw]

Yeah they're rubbish. I pointed this flaw out a long time ago and it got all the 299 piece fan bois in an uproar.

 

[rsanter]

It’s a faster cheaper way to make the ball detent in the sockets.
It’s a double broach process

 

[Fedwrench]

It's a pis poor design that might save a few pennies during the manufacturing process. Unfortunately, it has also spread to new Dewalt sockets too.

 

[Citation]

... wrong thread ...

 

[kythri]

Yeah they're rubbish. I pointed this flaw out a long time ago and it got all the 299 piece fan bois in an uproar.

I wouldn't say we were in an uproar, just completely confused at how any of ya'll have a problem with these things.

Never had a problem getting them onto a ratchet, Snap-on or otherwise.

 

[Citation]

I have some Cman sockets with that type of detente and some that don't. I'm not sure I've noticed a difference when trying to put them on my ratchets.

 

[DSLTRK]

Only have a fitting issue with the 1/4" drive sockets. Clock them 45* and they get stuck on the ratchet anvil.

 

[Flyordie]

I've owned sockets with that detent design for years.. never an issue.

 

[ezover]

since all I have owned is craftsman, I guess I never realized I had a problem with them.

all we know is, at some time, some point in history, someone sitting behind a desk side this is the best ideal ever, on paper it works perfect.

 

[Finance Guy]

It's a pis poor design that might save a few pennies during the manufacturing process. Unfortunately, it has also spread to new Dewalt sockets too.

The one pictured is an old(er) Sears Craftsman socket ... I wonder if SBD has incorporated this design into their Craftsman sockets.

 

[Wamsutta]

Wasn't Danaher the company that started the whole double detent mess?

 

[sk farmer]

there was a reason for it but i don't quite recall what it was. there is a patent on it and i believe there was some sort of drive end that went with it but it never made production.

my google fu is weak today but it has been discussed here before, years ago.

 

[DaveInPhilly]

I have a newer USA made Craftsman set of 3/8 deep metric sockets that use that wierd detent. Most are fine, but the 19mm will only mount on my older Craftsman raised panel ratchet. I can't get it into my Cornwell or SK ratchets. It's kinda a wierd.

 

[usdemt]

Totally agree. I think I'm pushing against the ball detent and I'm trying to turn it into and 8 point drive. Just stupid.

One thing I can add to the socket tray issue is they slide onto the Ernst twist lock rails easily because of the shape. However some do not hold as tight as other socket brands I have.