What's the deal with socket adapters?
- Thread starter hscai
- Start date
cvairwerks
Well-known member
Use them all the time. There are places my 1/2” drive ratchet or breakbar won’t fit while using 1/2” drive sockets. They will fit with using 3/8” with an adapter.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
The 1/2" square is about 2.5. as strong as the 3/8" square.
Nothing wrong with using em, just don't be surprised when they break.
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RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Reducers just tend to shear sooner or later. Many are not warranty eligible.
Htscheg
Well-known member
Use mine all the time, especially when Torqing fasters
Use mine fair bit, sometimes as best socket option differing drive size to best ratchet/extension size, sometimes as gives best height for working scenario .
Buy decent ones, cheap ones are useless, I got some old beta and they held up better than other main brands I owned .
Buy decent ones, cheap ones are useless, I got some old beta and they held up better than other main brands I owned .
APEowner
Well-known member
They're perfectly acceptable to use but like all tools they don't have a brain so you must use yours.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I use them often and have never had a problem.
I use them for adapting the socket I want to use to a 1/2" impact. I don't have a 3/8" impact so the adapter is a must. My sacrificial 3/8" socket set might hate it, but I don't do it that often.
I use them for adapting the socket I want to use to a 1/2" impact. I don't have a 3/8" impact so the adapter is a must. My sacrificial 3/8" socket set might hate it, but I don't do it that often.
Michael_in_DE
Well-known member
I've really only broken a couple of tools in my life using them for their intended purpose. a 1/2 to 3/8 impact adapter was one of them. I was only using it on a weak dewalt 3/8 impact too. BUT I was using a chrome socket, and it WAS a cheap no-name chinese (probably) adapter. It has since been replaced with a nice williams adapter, which is much thicker-walled and a lot nicer.
Says whom?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I really can't remember anyone ever telling me not to use an adapter but, I could have missed the memo.
The 1/2 drive female by 3/8 drive male adapter is probably one everyone should have. If you're starting out and don't have 1/2 drive sockets, it allows you to use your 3/8 drive sockets with say a 1/2 drive breaker bar. If your tight on space, perhaps you can get by with a single set of sockets.
Now, sometimes common sense isn't common so, you might hear someone complain about the poor quality of a failed fill in the brand name, adapter that sheared off while using a 2 foot breaker bar with a jack handle slid over it.
if used properly, adapters are a worthwhile addition to your tool lineup.
The 1/2 drive female by 3/8 drive male adapter is probably one everyone should have. If you're starting out and don't have 1/2 drive sockets, it allows you to use your 3/8 drive sockets with say a 1/2 drive breaker bar. If your tight on space, perhaps you can get by with a single set of sockets.
Now, sometimes common sense isn't common so, you might hear someone complain about the poor quality of a failed fill in the brand name, adapter that sheared off while using a 2 foot breaker bar with a jack handle slid over it.
if used properly, adapters are a worthwhile addition to your tool lineup.Professional Tool User
Well-known member
Ideally, you don't need to use them if you have all the socket you need in various drives. They can cause clearance issues. They will also break if you really beat on them. Certain tool brands like Proto don't cover reducers or so I've been told.
For years I only had a 3/8 drive torque wrench, so I commonly used 3/8 to 1/2 and 3/8 to 1/4 adapters. The only one I’ve ever broken was a 3/8 to 1/4 that was in one of those cheap socket sets that includes both drive sizes but only a 3/8 ratchet.
dede2897234
Well-known member
hscai,
Recently, I had to remove a T-30 screw holding the rear brake rotor on a 2012 Chevy Cruze. I was using a 15", 3/8" drive Ko-ken breaker bar and an OTC 2-piece, 1/4" and 3/8" drive Torx bit socket set.
Unfortunately, the OTC T-30 bit socket was 1/4" drive. I had to fit a 3/8" x "1/4" socket reducer adapter on the Ko-ken breaker bar. The T-30 screw on the brake rotor came out easily. Beforehand, I sprayed the screw with Kroil penetrant and hit the bit socket with a ball peen hammer with the socket inserted in the screw.
Dave
Recently, I had to remove a T-30 screw holding the rear brake rotor on a 2012 Chevy Cruze. I was using a 15", 3/8" drive Ko-ken breaker bar and an OTC 2-piece, 1/4" and 3/8" drive Torx bit socket set.
Unfortunately, the OTC T-30 bit socket was 1/4" drive. I had to fit a 3/8" x "1/4" socket reducer adapter on the Ko-ken breaker bar. The T-30 screw on the brake rotor came out easily. Beforehand, I sprayed the screw with Kroil penetrant and hit the bit socket with a ball peen hammer with the socket inserted in the screw.
Dave
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Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
They add some versatility to your socket and drive tool combinations. Sure the reducers can sheer off the drive square and I've done it my self a few times in the past. I do use them less now that my sockets sets are more complete (thanks Hansen trays!). They still are a time saver at times though and I'm glad I have them.
Plus, without them how could you have these extremely useful combinations.
<a href='https://postimg.cc/image/gdr546jin/' target='_blank'><img src='https://s19.postimg.cc/9aj9oke37/Sleeve_2.jpg' border='0' alt='Sleeve_2'/></a>
<a href='https://postimg.cc/image/m8b4y9k67/' target='_blank'><img src='https://s19.postimg.cc/k3qrx6ijn/BS2.jpg' border='0' alt='BS2'/></a>
You just never know when you need the extra torque of a 40" breaker bar on that 1/8" fastener!
Plus, without them how could you have these extremely useful combinations.
<a href='https://postimg.cc/image/gdr546jin/' target='_blank'><img src='https://s19.postimg.cc/9aj9oke37/Sleeve_2.jpg' border='0' alt='Sleeve_2'/></a>
<a href='https://postimg.cc/image/m8b4y9k67/' target='_blank'><img src='https://s19.postimg.cc/k3qrx6ijn/BS2.jpg' border='0' alt='BS2'/></a>
You just never know when you need the extra torque of a 40" breaker bar on that 1/8" fastener!
Mr.Nutcase
Well-known member
I have used a reducer to use a 3/8 swivel socket on 1/2 extension.
Gives better acess
Gives better acess
Good chatter fellas. Learned a bunch and turns out I just need a brain. Who makes the best brain? Snap-on?
Just saw a bunch of posts on various websites that were highly dissuasive of using the thing.
Dave, exactly the kind of work I'm trying to do. Good to have assurance!
Mr. Ratchet, that's hilarious. Made my night lol
Just saw a bunch of posts on various websites that were highly dissuasive of using the thing.
Dave, exactly the kind of work I'm trying to do. Good to have assurance!
Mr. Ratchet, that's hilarious. Made my night lol
APEowner
Well-known member
Snap-On makes the most expensive brain. Whether it's the best or not is up for debate. Some people think that the Harbor Freight ones are just as good.
Bad Eye Bill
Well-known member
Same here, they're disposable tools as far as I'm concerned. I have a good supply of them and they really don't break that often, if they do, just grab another and carry on.
anndel
Well-known member
wolf_from_wv
Well-known member
Speaking of... Who makes the adapters in the first picture?