Who Makes Drill Socket Adapters in the US?

[priceman1414]

Is anyone aware of a manufacturer that still makes these in the US, for a decent price?

I've been searching around for a while and haven't found much. What I have found is the typical "Chinese **** that snaps or rounds out after a few uses," according to reviews.

I did find this GJ thread - http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126780
- but It didn't really yield much.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

ps. If I can't find anything US-made, I may go with some Makita bits, which did seem to get really good reviews on Amazon.

 

[metaleltr]

I would try Apex.

 

[priceman1414]

Thanks, metaleltr

Two helpful links for anyone else interested.

http://www.apexpowertools.com/catalog_pdf/pdf_pages/TC100_29-30.pdf

http://apexbits.com/hex-power-drive-with-1-4-square-extension.aspx

I'll let everyone know if/when I get them and what I think of them.

Still open to other suggestions if anyone has any.

 

[kingston]

Apex

 

[LXCam]

I have apex and a set from Milwaukee. Both have not had any issues. Ive also had some cheap stuff that died horrific deaths.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I use those cheapos--at $4/set you can afford to use them for light duty stuff. I buy actual nut drivers for $6 each for driving Tapcons and such.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Well the price on these isn't the best but SO makes a set of these adapters.

 

[six206]

I have Dewalt ones and have never had a problem. I mostly use the 1/4 with my cordless impact, nothing really bigger.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Long before these things were available commercially, I made one by taking a 3" extension, cutting the end off it and grinding/filing 3 flats on the shaft.

 

[brokeguy]

snap off

 

[CWP1616L]

Apex is the absolute very best. The quality is excellent.

You can get them at MRO tools.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Apex is the absolute very best. The quality is excellent.

You can get them at MRO tools.

Freakin' sweet. I've been using Milwaukee with good luck, but those look even shorter on top of being US made.

 

[KinzeMech]

I've used the no name cheapies, and been unable to break them. Even taking lugnuts off wheels with a 1/4" electric impact, and they haven't broke yet.

If someone finds a USA made version, I'd love to know how good they are about growing legs and walking off. That's the only complaint I've had with the cheapies.

 

[priceman1414]

While I was looking at the various APEX adapters available, I noticed some of them use a 'pin' instead of a ball to hold the socket. What's the advantage of using a pin over a ball?

I was planning on getting mine with a ball anyway, but I'm just curious about the pin.

 

[KinzeMech]

Sometimes, depending on the design of the pin, the socket will not pull off unless the pin is depressed with a tool through the hole in the side of the socket.

 

[jmm]

I've never used anything other than 1/4" drive, but I like my Craftsman adapter just fine. I use it with a 10.2 volt Makita impact driver. I've had the same one for about 2 years now. Don't use it often, but when I'm rebuilding parts at work, it gets used for hours on end for a few days at a stretch.

 

[CWP1616L]

The pin lock assures that the socket will never fall off under any circumstances. It requires a socket with a side lock hole like you would find on an impact socket. You release the socket by pushing on the pin with a pin punch. Definitely one of those application specific arrangements.

 

[Ben Buck]

I have several, purchased from A T & G in Arkansas. I don't know if they are still in business, but I've had no issues with them, and their other products.

 

[dr_clyde]

I can vouch for makita bits. They hold up.

 

[Steevo]

http://www.montanabrandtools.com/

 

[senor fozz]

If you use 1/4" a lot. Snap on makes a great one with the locking head found on their locking extensions. Pricey(~$25), but worth it when using magnetic sockets.

 

[truckdriver]

Makita is not made in the USA, as the OP asked. I am not 100% sure of Apex since APEX/Cooper has moved many operations overseas. SO is still made by Zepher in the USA. I have some older Apex and it is just like Zephyr, top notch stuff. I don't however like the locking pin in Apex hex to square adapters.

 

[Mandres]

I bought 2 dewalt ones to drive lag bolts with my cordless driver. They were only like $4 each so I got a spare in case it didn't hold up. The spare is still sitting in the box unopened so far.

 

[priceman1414]

Just ordered the Apex ones. I'll let you know what I think of them when they arrive.

Only thing worth noting is that Apex (and MRO tools) require a minimum of $35 to order, and if you order the 1/2 3/8 & 1/4 with 1/4 hex, your total is slightly below 35, so I ordered some tamper-proof torx bits also (I bought a bosch made-in-china set at lowes a while ago for $8.00, most bits were fine, but one had the hole off center, so I ordered that size from apex and the T-40 that wasn't in the kit).

 

[submariner]

I use Snappy Tools drill socket adapters. I believe they're made in the USA but only come in a set. It was purchased from Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000Y8RIIK/?tag=atomicindustr-21

Manufacturer's (lousy) website: http://www.snappytools.com/

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I know you guys will disagree, but i've used my tekton branded ones in the shop on my bosch ps21 as well as guys with a snap on drill and they've held up fine. I keep mine oiled so they don't rust, but other than that they've held up fine.

 

[kingston]

Just ordered the Apex ones. I'll let you know what I think of them when they arrive.

Only thing worth noting is that Apex (and MRO tools) require a minimum of $35 to order, and if you order the 1/2 3/8 & 1/4 with 1/4 hex, your total is slightly below 35, so I ordered some tamper-proof torx bits also (I bought a bosch made-in-china set at lowes a while ago for $8.00, most bits were fine, but one had the hole off center, so I ordered that size from apex and the T-40 that wasn't in the kit).

You should be very happy. I've been using the same Apex 1/4" hex to 3/8 Square Drive w/ detent pin for 15 years.