Wobble Extension Set

[HaroRider]

Hey all, I want to get a wobble extension set (maybe even a wobble plus style). I currently have the HF set, but they keep turning and are starting to strip out my USA Craftsman sockets.

Is there any sets you guys can recommend without going professional tools?
I will if I have to, but just looking for a cheaper option first.

I kind of only want first hand experience with what YOU have and actually used.

Thanks, Tom

 

[M6erfan]

I use Ko-ken wobble plus style and they are fantastic.

I've never used them but Tekton offers wobble plus style. Silly cheap, made in Taiwan.

 

[txvwnut]

Snapon and Matco here and I prefer the Snapon’s.

 

[jumbojak]

I have a Gearwrench set in 3/8 that's not terrible but the quality varies from extension to extension. The 6" is great, but the longer and shorter ones aren't "cut" as well on the wobble and don't give as much of an angle as the 6" does. They feel a bit sloppy too, but I haven't broken one yet.

I also have one SK 2" in 1/4 drive that works well but isn't wobble plus. I bought that one in frustration with the wobble plus design but I'm leaning back towards the plus style now. The only place it's difficult to use wobble plus is directly overhead and I've gotten better about not leaning up on the ratchet when I have to go underneath.

My recommendation would be to get examples of both styles in the drive and length you use most and see what suits you. You could certainly make do with the Gearwrench set if you had to.

 

[bob15]

Snap On, SK and Wright for me. Try a single wobble plus extension first, before buying a whole set......I personally think they ****, they always seem to lock up at the wrong time.

 

[Wamsutta]

Snap-on for me. No complaints. They aren't wobble though.

 

[Ohmthis]

Which set of HF do you have? My dad has a set that just has CHINA stamped on them. They are a dull looking chrome. They aren’t very good at all. I bought a set for my buddy last year that are Pittsburgh Pro and they are bright chrome with knurling. They are pretty good. I use proto and they are really good. I agree with above, buy one and try before buying a whole set.

 

[coljar]

Mine are Snap-on. Honestly, I had to go look to make sure, so that tells you how often I use them, because I will avoid them if I can. I just never liked any wobbles, but there is that occasional situation. The 1" & 4" is the only ones I ever use.

 

[marineman]

I have several sets but by far recommend Toptul for the budget conscious. It's about as close as you can get to a snapon clone without a lawsuit. The knurling is a bigger pattern and shifted slightly from where snapon puts theirs, otherwise identical.

 

[HaroRider]

Which set of HF do you have? My dad has a set that just has CHINA stamped on them. They are a dull looking chrome. They aren’t very good at all. I bought a set for my buddy last year that are Pittsburgh Pro and they are bright chrome with knurling. They are pretty good. I use proto and they are really good. I agree with above, buy one and try before buying a whole set.

I got this set

https://www.harborfreight.com/9-pc-wobble-socket-extension-set-67971.html

With a small amount of force, they literally spin inside my sockets..I sometimes thing I stripped a bolt, but its just the extension spinning in my socket. I don't want to continue to use them because they will eventually start messing up my sockets.

 

[sberry]

I got some ATD from the parts store on sale, like 12$ for 3. They worked so well I got another. I dont always use them, mostly problem solvers.

 

[rooster4321]

I have the same HF wobble extensions although I never realized they were wobble extensions until I just saw the picture I have no complaints with these.

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

 

[HaroRider]

Hmm maybe my sockets are worn? lol

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have them from Craftsman, Kolbalt, and Snap on. They all seem to work pretty much the same. I use them quite a bit but, not for high torque applications though.

 

[jhn9840]

I got a Sunex 3/8 4 piece Impact wobble extension set, and a Craftsman 3/8 4 piece chrome wobble extension set. Both have worked with out any problems for a couple of years now. Both are under $25 on Amazon.

jhn9840
John

 

[Alpine4x4]

Snap On. I got mine on promo for under $90. Well worth it to me to have a tight fitting set with good tolerances when it comes to wobbles. They're great for snaking into hard to get spots.

 

[plinker]

For chrome, I have used S-K & Matco/Armstrong, both are nice, Matco has more knurling.

I use the snot out of the Sunex impact wobble extensions in 3/8 & 1/2, they hold up well. I have broken the 3" 3/8 & 1/2, easy enough to warranty. I wish they made a 1/4 drive set.

I dont like the wobble plus style as it seems like the socket always get locked on straight everytime I dont want it to.

 

[anndel]

I have Snap-on wobble and non-wobble locking extensions in the shop. I also have Armstrong and Tektons in the trucks.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I actually have the harbor freight impact wobbles and they seem to work fine.

 

[oldwino]

Bought the HF set because I didn’t think I would use them much. I didn’t like the way they fit (only used 3/8” though). Bought two SnapOn 1” and stack them when I need extra wobble

 

[Ktfireman]

The $20 set at Home Depot is good for the price. (Husky)

 

[General Geoff]

I use Ko-ken wobble plus style and they are fantastic.

Ko-ken wobble-fix are the finest I've ever used. They click positively onto just about every brand of socket, the knurling is second to none, the matte chrome finish is superb. I have full sets in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive. Very strong too. You can click the socket down into a fixed, standard extension position as well.

http://shadowflareindustries.com/photo/_data/i/upload/2017/02/19/20170219190016-0433af6c-**.jpg

The 3/8" and 1/2" drive extensions are thinner along the shaft, giving a bit more clearance around obstructions.

 

[TwoInch]

I have a number of brands. My favorite are some old herbrands with a hex shaped outer ratchet end. Very cool design

But I use gearwrench wobbles more than any. They work really well with double detent USA craftsman and gearwrench sockets. They lock in the straight position very well on the craftsman sockets. Gearwrench sockets have relieved corners in the square drive, they wobble a bit smoother in my opinion than straight square broached drive like craftsman sockets.

But they work in all. And I haven't broken one yet.

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

 

[TwoInch]

Ko-ken wobble-fix are the finest I've ever used. They click positively onto just about every brand of socket, the knurling is second to none, the matte chrome finish is superb. I have full sets in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive. Very strong too. You can click the socket down into a fixed, standard extension position as well.

http://shadowflareindustries.com/photo/_data/i/upload/2017/02/19/20170219190016-0433af6c-**.jpg

The 3/8" and 1/2" drive extensions are thinner along the shaft, giving a bit more clearance around obstructions.

Those look nice!

I've been interested in trying some koken drive tools for some time. I need to order something instead of drooling over pictures forever

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

 

[Specracer]

One suggestion, avoid the ones that allow the socket to click up to a straight non wobble position. I find that the SO one I have (1/4") It always seems to work its way up, and the wobble is defeated.

as also suggested you do really need one for each size (1/4" 3/8" 1/2"). They can easily be coupled with the other straight extensions you already have.

The 3/8" SO I have I really like and use very often. I dont like universal joint sockets, this is a nice balance.

 

[Mr_B]

Yeah I do prefer wobble only over the wobble plus . Toptul are real nice extension and real product value (own some of them). Easy warranty can be plus on wobbles as you snap them pretty easy . Tekton worth a look if want easy purchase, warranty & not spendy .
You can also take yours back under warranty, maybe get store credit or swap to different extensions if moan enough .

 

[Qualitytools]

I have the same HF set you show, I have used them in tight or difficult to reach situations where a straight shot will not do. I don't use them often but have not had any issues, are you applying high torque to them? Or as you said maybe your sockets are worn?

 

[JJ99SS]

Those look nice!

I've been interested in trying some koken drive tools for some time. I need to order something instead of drooling over pictures forever

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

I have a Koken ratchet and love it. The knurling is amazing. I was going to buy their wobble set, but decided Tekton because of price. If I use this set a lot I'll likely upgrade to the Koken set. Their stuff is awesome, and I have quite a bit of it on my list.

It was one of the few times I went for price over what I know I wanted, but the Tekton seems nice, and I love their ratchets too. Also have their impact sockets...

 

[d.mcfarland]

I got this set

https://www.harborfreight.com/9-pc-wobble-socket-extension-set-67971.html

With a small amount of force, they literally spin inside my sockets..I sometimes thing I stripped a bolt, but its just the extension spinning in my socket. I don't want to continue to use them because they will eventually start messing up my sockets.

Mine are awful too. Like the metal was not right from the get go.

Best advice is get the impact extensions from Harbor Freight. They seem to be from a whole different manufacturer. Much better quality.

I actually have the harbor freight impact wobbles and they seem to work fine.

 

[plinker]

Mine are awful too. Like the metal was not right from the get go.

Best advice is get the impact extensions from Harbor Freight. They seem to be from a whole different manufacturer. Much better quality.

One of the guys I worked with had the impact wobbles from HF, no issues with them that I know of.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have a lot of wobbles, here's my take - Non-wobble plus is generally the way to go, especially if you're trying to work the socket onto a rusted fastener.



- SK are my favorites, 3/8 and 1/4, no failures I remember, and it's been a few years.

- Snap ons 1/4s are wobble plus, very nice, better knurling than SK. No failures yet (recent acquisition)

- Koken 1/4 have top notch knurling, but I had one snap on my m12 ratchet (warrantied via Franks Tools), and then a detent ball failure on another. Current plan is to just use them until they fail and throw them away. Hopefully I just got a bum set, I really like them aside from those two issues. I like a lot of Koken stuff, I'm just not sold on extensions.

- Gear wrench 1/4 is probably the best value, has poorer angle than the others. You're not going to be cranking on them with long ratchets, but they do work. I snapped a few of these off, then went to SK.

- Craftsman 3/8, got a discounted set to meet a free shipping requirement. Purchased them for home use as I figured they would die a quick death at work. They have maybe 10 degrees of angle, if that. I would avoid; I'm hoping to relief cut them with a grinder for some workable angle.

- Harbor Freight 1/2 and 3/8 impact. I recently purchased a sunex set as the ends of my 1/2 drive set look like they're starting to wear, after 4 years of use. Made a lot of money with these, and they cost nothing. I would recommend these in general. I would have just got another set for the eventual failure of my current set, but the Sunex were Amazon Warehouse Deals for a similar cost.



I think that's all the brands I have, everything but the craftsman lives at work. Gearwrench has been retired and should really come home. Frankly, I often abuse my 1/4 extensions, SK has been great to me. I baby the Kokens, which failed under average use. Snap-on have the least likely-hood of being detached from a socket which sticks to a fastener. Sometimes you just need to hit stuff with the wire wheel before it goes back in or the socket is never coming off.

 

[1950mercury]

Just picked up some locking wobble extensions. They are my favorite

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have never had one fail any other way than snapping the drive nub where it necks down. I have a pile of Performance Tool ones I got at closeout. I think I slightly prefer them over the one SO I have, better knurl for hand spin. They see a lot of use with the small impact.

 

[jallyn]

Nepros makes them in 1/4 and 3/8 drive. Wobble-plus and shortest available, which can come in handy. And you can always put on the end of your regular extension to make longer so you don't have to buy a full set of wobble extensions, just the shortest...

Scroll down just a bit for 3/8 wobble-plus and u-joints:
https://www.nepros.net/?cat=2&grp=9&sub=37

Scroll down just a bit for 1/4 wobble-plus and u-joints:
https://www.nepros.net/?cat=2&grp=8&sub=28

 

[M6erfan]

Those look nice!

I've been interested in trying some koken drive tools for some time. I need to order something instead of drooling over pictures forever

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

Frankstools is having a 15% off sale right now...

 

[nbpt100]

my only experience is with the HF set. I use the 1/4" alot on my small engine work. The others I hardly use. I had one 1/4 "wear out such that the sockets kept falling off. HF replaced it with out any hassle.
Some of the stories from others make them sound like a **** shoot. My advice is bring a couple of sockets with you and try them out at the store.
These are also my 1st extensions with a knurl. I have come to like the knurl. I think every extension should have a knurl.

 

[unslow1]

I have a few different brands. The Gearwrench work fine but the Snapon wobble-plus are my favorite.

 

[Moose97]

I've got the same HF set and I love them. I've had no issues at all. Like someone else said, sounds like a crapshoot.

 

[farooq12]

HF set also worked for me..