Too difficult to pull the socket off the SO ratchet

[volunteers]

Tried my first SO F80, it's very difficult to get the socket off.
The other brand quick release ratchets are very good design

 

[billymade]

If you have never used a non-quick release ratchet; it is definitely different from those and when they are new, can be hard to get off. The square drive part; maybe mis-machined (quality control issue)... I have had rebuild kits that weren't right and had to have them replaced. You might look to see if the drive is square, see if anything is causing the socket to bind, try different sockets or have a new rebuild kit put in it.

 

[Ed_EOD]

I had that problem when I used craftsman sockets. The newer craftsman have a retarded double indent that locked them onto the ratchet. That is what started me on snap-on sockets.

 

[rockchucker]

Better too tight than falling off. I really enjoy the quick release Ratchets. You have to keep them clean and lubed a touch more but well worth it.

 

[volunteers]

aha, the socket I used on Snap-on ratchet was a Craftaman 3/8''

I had that problem when I used craftsman sockets. The newer craftsman have a retarded double indent that locked them onto the ratchet. That is what started me on snap-on sockets.

 

[Farmer Joe]

When I changed the retaining ring on my impact wrench, it was very hard to get the socket off. A co worker of mine said he always sprays it down with a lubricant for a few days of regular use and it gets it all nice and loosened up. It worked for me too, might work for your ratchet situation too, just spray the square drive with a generous amount of lube as you use it

 

[Skin]

I had that problem when I used craftsman sockets. The newer craftsman have a retarded double indent that locked them onto the ratchet. That is what started me on snap-on sockets.

Never understood the complaint about the detent. It takes no more effort to pull a Cman socket off than it does a MAC or SO. The detent closest to the opening is there to assist in putting a socket on [and it works] it does nothing to make the socket harder to remove. I use all 3 brands and never once understood that complaint about Cman sockets. If anything i'd say the truck brands are just a tad bit harder to remove, at least when new.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

aha, the socket I used on Snap-on ratchet was a Craftaman 3/8''

Craftsman double slot will do that. That's why I hate them.

 

[gregthor]

X3 on the lube, that will help alot, they ship these bone dry.

My son bought a new Craftsman socket set a few months back and had to return one socket because the machining was goofed up and the socket wouldn't go on the rachet. Is it one socket or all of them that is hard to use? The new craftsman sockets had burrs in the square hole and chrome seemed to build up on the burrs but wore off fast. It is sooo disappointing to get a new tool and not be happy!!!!!

 

[fr0mastaj]

Never understood the complaint about the detent. It takes no more effort to pull a Cman socket off than it does a MAC or SO. The detent closest to the opening is there to assist in putting a socket on [and it works] it does nothing to make the socket harder to remove. I use all 3 brands and never once understood that complaint about Cman sockets. If anything i'd say the truck brands are just a tad bit harder to remove, at least when new.

X2 on this. As far as I can tell, the second detent is just a guide for the ball on the ratchet end? Its does not have any locking properties.

I notice no diff pulling an SO or cman socket off my f80...

 

[Wakefield]

Are black or Impact sockets easier to pull off because of not having slippery chrome?
If I am feeling generous towards a new tool or extension with a drivesquare I might put a socket halfway on so that the little ball is pushed down and visible and then put a drop of light oil on it so that the oil goes down under the little ball when I take the socket off.
Some 1/4" drive stuff I have seems too easy to pull things off. (Might not stay on)

 

[Skin]

Put a knurled extension on first if you have butter fingers, makes things easier. Impacts may or may not have just a hole in one side to lock on so in any other orientation they'll just fall off. Some 1/4" stuff, especially imported, doesnt have any detents in the drive end so they too will fall off.

 

[tbobbo]

I have never had a problem pulling sockets off a ratchet. I HATE quick release ratchets and for no good reason. I just hate them. The only time I have ever had a problem is when I used a socket for hammering on. (bad idea)

 

[Wakefield]

I have never had a problem pulling sockets off a ratchet. I HATE quick release ratchets and for no good reason. I just hate them. The only time I have ever had a problem is when I used a socket for hammering on. (bad idea)

Drive squares on quick releases I have seen or own are hollow. (The plunger goes through there)

 

[Toolhorder]

Lots of opinions on these. As a pro wrench I never have a problem getting sockets off no matter what brand they are. I have both quick release and regular and I usually don't choose them for the quick release feature or not. I usually grab the one with the handle length I want more than anything. Guess I'm just not that picky or I'm more worried about beating the flat rate time.

 

[JeremyManning]

If you send me your ratchet I'll work it in for you no charge

 

[CHRIS LUCKYMAN]

Might look into working on hand strength.

 

[cundifc]

Might look into working on hand strength.

Lol

 

[mrholeshot]

 

[GoBlue]

X2 on this. As far as I can tell, the second detent is just a guide for the ball on the ratchet end? Its does not have any locking properties.

I notice no diff pulling an SO or cman socket off my f80...

X3 for me. Snap on makes both standard and quick release i think. Try the other.

 

[WRX/Z28]

Tried my first SO F80, it's very difficult to get the socket off.
The other brand quick release ratchets are very good design

My girlfriend has the same problem.

 

[Ed_EOD]

If I had to guess, the Craftsman double detent is designed to work with a quick release ratchet since that is all they sell. I would also be inclined to think it is cheaper to produce that way.

When I got my first SO ratchet I put a newer Craftsman 10mm and had to use pliers to get it off. If it was a bigger size or a deepwell I could get them off, but the small shallow ones just didn't have enough to grip on.

 

[GoBlue]

Maybe this is why they are called Snap-on lol

 

[Ed_EOD]

Just went and dug out a Craftsman double detent socket to try again. After two years or so of that being my go to ratchet, it still is a pain to get that 10mm Craftsman off. If my hands were greasy, I'd be using the pliers still. No problem with older Craftsman, Snap-on, or Wright though.

 

[shampoop]

I have no problems removing sockets from my snap on ratchets. Even if they're covered in oil, grabbing them with a rag is plenty of grip (which is exactly what I'd do anyway to clean them off). Quick releases are nice until you get into tight spaces, then they can be annoying. In daily use I never get annoyed by not having quick releases. Although it would be nice to have a standard and quick release version of every ratchet I own, it's just not worth it.

 

[kythri]

a quick release ratchet since that is all they sell.

They actually sell, or have sold, a few different models of non-quick-release ratchets, including the latest "Premium" jobs.

They also still sold, until recently, the round head "full polish" machined-finish deal that has no quick release.

The "double-detent" sockets attach/remove just find from those ratchets, and from a handful of other non-Craftsman non-quick-release ratchets that I've got.

 

[Wakefield]

Better a little stiff to get it off rather than it falls off on its own.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

just pull on it harder, it'll come off. i use the Cman's too, still no issue.

 

[bigbob302]

I have a hard time getting clan sockets off my so and Matco non quick release ratchets but it has nothing to do with strength I just can't get ahold of em with greasy hands as well as I can a SO socket. Clan has a smoth socket and SO has a step on the socket. Makes it alot easier to grab em

 

[Benji]

I have a hard time getting clan sockets off my so and Matco non quick release ratchets but it has nothing to do with strength I just can't get ahold of em with greasy hands as well as I can a SO socket. Clan has a smoth socket and SO has a step on the socket. Makes it alot easier to grab em

That's what I found with my Snap On rachets and Cman sockets too hard to grip to get off when their dirty.

 

[bigbob302]

Sorry using an iPhone and auto correct changed cman to clan

 

[bgott]

I have a Mac plastic tool cart. when my sockets stick on the ratchet and my hands are too greasy to get a hold of them I whack the ratchet over the edge of the cart, socket down and in the cart. The socket comes right off and the plastic doesn't mar the ratchet at all.

 

[frothygnome]

Just rebuilt my Snap On F80 ratchet and had issues removing the double-detent style Craftsman sockets.

I oiled the detent and depressed it with some vise-grips and left it that way for about an hour. That helped a good deal.

I then snipped a small portion from a ball pen cap (the underside is curved which helps it stay positioned), placed that on top of the detent, and depressed it with the vise-grips for a second round.

I now have zero issues removing the Craftsman sockets.

 

[Cope]

Vintage Proto is notorious for loose connection between ratchet and extension, and sockets are far from tight. I have a Snap on 3/4" to 1/2" male adapter that is damned tight on some sockets, but OK on others; it isn't a matter of strength, the tolerances are just different.

 

[1950mercury]

I had that problem when I used craftsman sockets. The newer craftsman have a retarded double indent that locked them onto the ratchet. That is what started me on snap-on sockets.

I never realized this until this weekend. I had to put a trans in a 99 Ford superduty, and had a friend helping me. I noticed every time he went to take a socket off a fl80 he was using a screw driver to pry it off. Switched to a different brand socket set and the problem went away..

The cman double detent sockets we were using were from a 10-15 y/o set (non etched)I bought and never used until a bought a red hf cart a week ago. Hopefully they break in?

 

[Jarhead0408]

I can handle them just fine, but if my hands are oily I have to use a small screwdriver.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I never realized this until this weekend. I had to put a trans in a 99 Ford superduty, and had a friend helping me. I noticed every time he went to take a socket off a fl80 he was using a screw driver to pry it off. Switched to a different brand socket set and the problem went away..

The cman double detent sockets we were using were from a 10-15 y/o set (non etched)I bought and never used until a bought a red hf cart a week ago. Hopefully they break in?

Those double detents are the reason I no longer recommend Craftsman sockets... They are a pain to get off my ratchets also.

 

[Wamsutta]

Those double detents are the reason I no longer recommend Craftsman sockets...

Same here.

 

[Olafur]

Thankfully Snappy makes QR ratchets so we are all good.

 

[1950mercury]

Thankfully Snappy makes QR ratchets so we are all good.

I'll have to get one