Williams USA Chrome Extensions vs. Competition

[The Critic]

Is there much of a quality difference between the Williams USA/Snap-On chrome extensions when compared against the usual Chinesium/Taiwan stuff?

I seem to wear out or break a few of the Chinesium chrome extensions every year, so I am curious if the Williams USA/Snap-On stuff holds up any better.

Thanks.

 

[CGarage]

Olsa tools has nice extensions. Their revised set is due out soon after re-design. I plan on buying a set.

 

[Steve_P]

What are you using that you break extensions?

I've never broken an extension- even with a Nitrocat 1250-k, which is one of the most powerful impacts available. For impact use, I have Sunex extensions.

The chrome Williams USA don't have any knurling on them, if that's important to you. Tekton offers nice chrome extensions, but their lengths are limited compared to SK, etc.

 

[The Critic]

What are you using that you break extensions?

I've never broken an extension- even with a Nitrocat 1250-k, which is one of the most powerful impacts available. For impact use, I have Sunex extensions.

The chrome Williams USA don't have any knurling on them, if that's important to you. Tekton offers nice chrome extensions, but their lengths are limited compared to SK, etc.

I sometimes break the 1/4" ones, but that is probably my fault due to misuse.

The male/female ends do tend to fit sloppy after a while. I am hoping that higher quality ones can improve in this area.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I sometimes break the 1/4" ones, but that is probably my fault due to misuse.

The male/female ends do tend to fit sloppy after a while. I am hoping that higher quality ones can improve in this area.

The main value of snap on over wiliams is thinner shafts. I too am an abuser of 1/4 extensions, snap on had worked well for me. Sk makes a quality extensions, as does proto. Variety of lengths, knurling placement, etc are the big separating factors in extensions. You can also buy spinner adapters to bypass knurling issues, but it's significantly less elegant and smooth to work with.

Is the sloppy fit a result of wallowed out drive ends due to impact drivers? Obviously you'll destroy things over time just yanking and hammering on stuff. Short answer is quality extensions are definitely different and superior to noname cheapo ones.

 

[drtyler]

I sometimes break the 1/4" ones, but that is probably my fault due to misuse.

The male/female ends do tend to fit sloppy after a while. I am hoping that higher quality ones can improve in this area.

Hazet seem to fit sockets the best. I really like the 1/4 and 3/8 extensions I have from them.

I think Williams are ok. I have had no issues with them.

The Proto I have hold up fine, but they allow sloppy socket fit. Almost like unintentional wobble extension, even with Proto sockets.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I think the warranty would pay for itself in this case, even given the higher initial investment.

 

[Mr_B]

you'll break a few 1/4 drive if using them on tight stuff in tight spaces regardless of brand.
complete cheap end best avoided but not much difference between better end taiwan and other top coo better end offerings.
If using them professionally can make sense go with something from tool truck with good rep who will warranty easily .
My MAC guy good and I got the 1/4 and 3/8 from him as like the 2 knurled sections and trust in his warranty cooperation .
Got a fair few taiwan ones under various brands and they all pretty good, best fit seems be usa german or japan top brands but if you use on impacts you going damage them and the socket drive squares pretty quick .

 

[dnschmidt]

If you're screwing up extensions then you're using chrome on an impact. Since 1/4" impact extensions do exist (I have Sunnex) why not use them and avoid the problem?

 

[mhejl]

The main value of snap on over wiliams is thinner shafts.

That's also a disadvantage over 10-11" - they turn into a torsion spring. I don't use my longer SO extensions when breaking bolts loose. I've even had my ratchets (dual 80s and others) flip direction when the bolt snaps loose. Was much worse with old 20-36 tooth ratchets.

Edit: I forgot I switched all my extensions to Koken recently. They step up the diameter in 3/8 drive starting at 300mm (12.5mm diameter). 250mm and below are ~9mm. 1/4 drive seem to be all the same diameter and I don't have any long 1/2 to compare.

 

[spanimal]

That's also a disadvantage over 10-11" - they turn into a torsion spring. I don't use my longer SO extensions when breaking bolts loose. I've even had my ratchets (dual 80s and others) flip direction when the bolt snaps loose. Was much worse with old 20-36 tooth ratchets.

Edit: I forgot I switched all my extensions to Koken recently. They step up the diameter in 3/8 drive starting at 300mm (12.5mm diameter). 250mm and below are ~9mm. 1/4 drive seem to be all the same diameter and I don't have any long 1/2 to compare.

Not true.

I had a massive 1/2 inch extension probably at least 24 inches from Snap On, used a lot for gearbox bolts. This thing was a beast and never flexed under conditions I put it under.

This extension had a matte machine finish and not shiny chrome plated like the rest of their usual ones and no knurling. The thickness was...thick, much thicker than the typical extension lengths.

I also had a Hazet 3/8 extension of the same length...this thing was much thinner and to my surprise didn't flex under my usage conditions...other branded extensions much shorter would flex...you realise that metal ain't all the same when you used this extension. I learned to avoid stressing tools to flexion (although sometimes there is no choice).

I currently have a full set of 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 non wobble Koken extensions. And the 1/4 and 3/8 wobble fix (I avoid wobble half inches like a plague). The knurling at the square drive is the best thought out extension ever. But I haven't placed these extensions in an industrial usage scenario.

I also have a full set of 1/4 and 3/8 Snap On non wobble extension. And I am not saying the Koken is weaker, but I doubt they are stronger than the Snap Ons...the Snap Ons have more meat around the female square end than the Koken. (Same with sockets. Hazet and Snap On sockets have more meat at their square ends than Koken sockets, in general I love Koken for their quality and practicality, their tools should not be used beyond their intended design. Snap on and Hazet fit and finish and tolerance are inferior...but they are designed to be, on occasions, used beyond their intended use...so typical of Japanese design philosophy...like a katana blade vs European...battle axe).

Snap On doesn't **** around with metal strength.

True, lesser quality extensions will flex, but true industrial grade is a bit different.

 

[mhejl]

Not true.

I'm not sure your statement agrees with "modulus of rigidity" and "torsional stiffness" calculations for the higher-end tool steel alloys under discussion. Someone posted the gist of this previously in another thread somewhere with lots of scientific evidence - more than I care to waste my time on here.

Surprised me, too. My 3/8 250mm Koken extension has much more torsional stiffness than my 11" Snap On. I dumped the longer SO ones after getting the equivalent length Kokens. Even the SKs and Tektons were stiffer over 10" but they're all fat, even the short ones.

We do agree on the Koken knurling and I like how the shorter ones are reduced diameter (like SO).

Didn't SK (or Wright?) make a 24" or so 3/8 extension that was the diameter of a 1/2?

 

[AdAstra]

Deflection is geometrically and modulus of elasticity driven, the latter of which is (practically) the same for any variety of steel.

The torsional stiffness of any steel cylinder of a given length is only proportional to its diameter.

The quality of the steel has no measurable impact, as long as it doesn't permanently take a set or fracture.

Torsional stiffness goes with d^4 so very sensitive to diameter... a shaft that is 20% thicker will deflect half as much.... this might lead to the perception that material is higher quality, but it's all in the diameter.

 

[spanimal]

Very interesting guys. To summarise, there isn't much difference in tool steel and extension twist. It's more a function of diameter.

I never even used my regular Snap On extensions at around 10 inches yet. I might just put them on the market whilst the set is still unused.

Would be interesting to check the diameters between the Koken and Snap On equivalents...but Alas, I trust the guys that actually used them.

I am happy regardless...I have a full set of Koken extensions that are the bees knees in all parameters apparently.

 

[mhejl]

Would be interesting to check the diameters between the Koken and Snap On equivalents...but Alas, I trust the guys that actually used them.

SO: 10mm, all lengths (disclaimer - mine were mid 1980s vintage and I only still have an 11" left because Koken doesn't make a 200mm)
Koken 250mm (10") and under: 10.9mm
Koken >250mm: 12.5mm
SK, all lengths: 12.4mm

The only SKs I kept are locking; they had terribly inconsistent knurling and Koken's female-end knurling is way better (even compared to SO), IMHO.

 

[spanimal]

SO: 10mm, all lengths (disclaimer - mine were mid 1980s vintage and I only still have an 8" left because Koken doesn't make a 200mm)
Koken 250mm (10") and under: 10.9mm
Koken >250mm: 12.5mm
SK, all lengths: 12.4mm

The only SKs I kept are locking; they had terribly inconsistent knurling and Koken's female-end knurling is way better (even compared to SO), IMHO.

My Snap Ons are fairly recent, but they look identical to my mid 2000s snap on extensions I used to use from memory.

Koken knurling is undoubtedly the best knurling possible. Had I known more about Koken back in my day, I would have selected Koken quick release knurled ratchets to put into use. I did have a single long 1/4 10mm Koken socket that was semi permanently attached to my Hazet 1/4 ratchet.

Baffling that everyone copied the wobble fix extensions and no one copied the knurling thing.

 

[Mr_B]

My Snap Ons are fairly recent, but they look identical to my mid 2000s snap on extensions I used to use from memory.

Koken knurling is undoubtedly the best knurling possible. Had I known more about Koken back in my day, I would have selected Koken quick release knurled ratchets to put into use. I did have a single long 1/4 10mm Koken socket that was semi permanently attached to my Hazet 1/4 ratchet.

Baffling that everyone copied the wobble fix extensions and no one copied the knurling thing.

Lot of things done by Koken baffling it not copied/inspired concepts, good knurling is good tooling & more expense and process effort than most seem willing input.
SnapOn never been much into ergonomics of socketry or ratchets .
MAC done some extensions with 2 knurl bands, one on female square and one short distance below it, not as deep as Koken Knurl but good effort and some of my preferred extensions when working in confined areas doing the 3 finger poke around or any situation bit oily/greasy .

 

[ecotec]

These guys pretty much nailed it.

I will add… if you have one job, whatever it is, that is repeatedly damaging extensions… you should find that particular extension size and length in the HD version.

If you look at my picture, normal extensions are on the top and the HD extensions are on the bottom.

 

[Mr_B]

^
As above, plenty good extensions around at all price points but the ones you pushing to max buy best and possibly with usable warranty if you going warranty it enough be viable benefit .
design features such as knurling plating texture and socket square fitment going narrow down options for those with particular preferences but the choices are pretty large as is the price ranges ...

 

[CGarage]

Olsa tools has nice extensions. Their revised set is due out soon after re-design. I plan on buying a set.

I just ordered a set from Olsa....They are back on Amazon.

 

[Citation]

SO: 10mm, all lengths (disclaimer - mine were mid 1980s vintage and I only still have an 8" left because Koken doesn't make a 200mm)
Koken 250mm (10") and under: 10.9mm
Koken >250mm: 12.5mm
SK, all lengths: 12.4mm

The only SKs I kept are locking; they had terribly inconsistent knurling and Koken's female-end knurling is way better (even compared to SO), IMHO.

I'm not certain the modulus of elasticity would actually be the same for all these alloys of steel but lets assume it is. How much stiffer would each of those be vs the 10mm OD SO. I mean what's an extra 0.9mm going to get right? Note this ignores length. Stiffness based on length is simple, all else equal, 2x the length = 1/2 the stiffness.
SO (baseline) 100%
10.9mm 141%
12.5mm 244%

Clearly small increases in diameter make a *big* difference in stiffness.

I figured this would help illustrate AdAstra's point.

It's also worth noting that, ignoring the use of impact wrenches, the torsional flex of the tools do not impact how much torque makes it to the fastener. The extension acts like a spring in line with the torque load. So yes, you have to wind up that spring a bit but once you do, the force on both ends of the spring is equal. The torque in is the torque out. You just might have to turn the handle an extra degree to get there.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

The Snap-on 1/2 drive set is really nice compared to the Craftsman Chinese made ones, the Craftsman are now my backup or door stopper.