I've never had Snap-On money, so my old tool collection was a hodgepodge of random cheap tools. By far, I liked the Tekton tools in the bunch for price/quality, so when I lost all my tools, I just placed a big order with Tekton to replace them all. In the process, I picked up 1/4" and 3/8" extensions in chrome and 1/2" impact extensions, three lengths each.
My professional, in-depth, scientific review is: They're extensions. When used between a ratchet and socket, the socket is definitely further away from the ratchet, so job one done right there. I haven't broken one yet, even hitting the longest chrome 1/4" extension with an impact driver.
Alright, smartassery aside, I'm curious: what, aside from being less fragile, would make one extension better than another? They seem like pretty featureless sticks of metal to me, and I've never cared what brand is in the drawer. I'm picky about ratchets and spanners and screwdrivers--things you hold in your hand--but not extensions.
Socket retention, having cheap ones that the sockets fall/come off easily gets to be a pain, and rigidness or less twist under heavy load. I actually have one that has a twist in it.........................
the 2 posts above re: flex are good reminders - if you use one with a torque wrench that matters
I have and use them. Compared to my Snap-on extensions, they flex a bit more but works well for the price.
I have to inquire about this...you are saying that the use of an extension affects the value applied by a click wrench?
I'm not sure how that's possible in a near-static moment balance between the fastener and the clicker...but would like to learn.
A lot of the extensions with better torsional stability are actually smaller diameter .I have to inquire about this as well. If we agree that the extension is made of "steel" then it all has the same Young's Modulus 30 x 10^6 psi for elastic deformation, no matter what type of exotic steel or heat treatment is used.
If the geometry is different in the driveshaft then this will definitely affect rotary compliance....but that would suggest that the SO has a larger OD in the shaft...
The fastener rotation stalls while the extension is torsionally loading and rotation of fastener will likely be less for same torque setting,
it bigger issue on digital angle torque ...
not always the case as if your regular torque setting falls a little after an extension flex point it will effect actual final rotation of the fastener, smooth movement without stall gives most accurate result, a long extension with lot of torsional movement slows or causes momentary stall of fastener which can alter actual rotation degrees of fastener for a given torque setting to some extent .It's ONLY an issue with angle torque...with regular ol' torque settings, doesn't matter how much the extension twists as long as you can get to your spec, in the end the torque is applied to the fastener at the correct value. Only a problem if the extension twists so much that you lose clearance to turn the wrench or it breaks.
I have to inquire about this as well. If we agree that the extension is made of "steel" then it all has the same Young's Modulus 30 x 10^6 psi for elastic deformation, no matter what type of exotic steel or heat treatment is used.
If the geometry is different in the driveshaft then this will definitely affect rotary compliance....but that would suggest that the SO has a larger OD in the shaft...
not always the case as if your regular torque setting falls a little after an extension flex point it will effect actual final rotation of the fastener, smooth movement without stall gives most accurate result, a long extension with lot of torsional movement slows or causes momentary stall of fastener which can alter actual rotation degrees of fastener for a given torque setting to some extent .
not always the case as if your regular torque setting falls a little after an extension flex point it will effect actual final rotation of the fastener, smooth movement without stall gives most accurate result, a long extension with lot of torsional movement slows or causes momentary stall of fastener which can alter actual rotation degrees of fastener for a given torque setting to some extent .
I think Snap On is actually slightly thinner than old Craftsman but turns up larger at the stress points near male end may be different (fatter) on the longer extensions
the Modulus for elastic deformation (twisting like a torsion spring under torque) is that Modulus really the same for all kinds of steel? Say Snap On's or KoKen's secret formula alloyed and treated steels vs. Harbor Freight's Chinese Special Bargain?