Wobble extensions....what length if just buying one?

[chrisnazzy]

I've lived without wobble extensions in my toolbox for a long time. Recently there have been a few instances where one could have come in handy though.

I've decided that while I have no problem justifying the expense of Snap-on ratchets and drive tools, I don't feel I need complete wobble extension sets.

My initial thought was to purchase an 11" wobble extension in each of the 3 drive sizes. I decided against wobble plus because if I'm going to use a wobble extension I don't want to worry about accidentally engaging the square. In other words I want it to stay a wobble no matter what forces I'm exerting on it.

After checking out some Ebay listings and passing on a compete 1/4" set on the truck today, I decided to seek out some input here first.

So for those of you who use wobbles frequently, what lengths come in handy the most. Does it make sense to just have 1 size and if you could only have 1, which length would you buy?

Thanks!

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[P51Boilermaker]

Gosh, extension lengths are many for a reason. It's hard to pin down a general size you would use the most. It depends on what you're using them on. With aviation I find myself using 2" and 4" wobbles more than anything.

What you may get more use out of are universal and swivel sockets. They're easier to use in some cases because you can get more extreme angles. I have SO universal sockets and they're great. Not super loose and they're pinless so they won't come apart. Wobble extensions can be used straight or angled, depending on how the socket is situated. They can be frustrating to use if the socket snaps back to the straight instead of angled. Hope this helps!

 

[fdc319]

I'm only a shadetree user, but I have almost 30 years on a 3" 3/8 and 2" 1/2 drive wobble extension that I bought off a white truck when I was young and had disposable income. Unless you enjoy collecting tools(who doesn't), you can probably get by with just one decent size of each.

I use the 3/8" several times every month and to me it's the ideal length. Short enough so I can squeeze it in somewhere, and stable if I want to stack it on a longer extension.

While I don't use the 1/2" as often the 2" length has the same advantages I listed for the 3/8".

I used to have a 3 or 4" 1/4" drive wobble, but it went missing a few years back.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I can't imagine having just one wobble extension, but if I were to pick just one, I think you hit it on the nose with the 11". Something right around that length would probably give you the most bang for your buck. From there I would buy progressively longer, on up to 24" or perhaps 36". I find the wobbles are right in their niche with the long extensions. For shorter, while they're nice, you can always get away with a straight extension or a straight with a swivel. Swivels are much more manageable in the shorter lengths.

 

[Mr_B]

I would buy a set but from affordable brand, extension is a basic forged tool from cr-v steel rod cut to billets so no need go snapon like would with a ratchet, technical/accurate manufactured tool . I seem use 6" quite a bit but find 3" and 10" in my set very useful too.
The price of 3 11" from snapon will buy you a 9pc set in 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 in other good brands and still have new for old warranty too .

 

[anndel]

I have many sizes for 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives but for each, I seem to use the 6" extension the most. If short on funds, get the 6" in the 3/8'" drive.

 

[dnschmidt]

Time to visit Harbor Freight. They have a set of wobbles they always have on sale and they are not wobble plus as TOPTUL's are. You'll buy the entire HF set for the cost of one Snap-On wobble.

 

[toplessHO]

you guys all have the wrong approach
if you were to buy just one get the 1 inch
it will work on all your other extensions.

 

[toplessHO]

Time to visit Harbor Freight. They have a set of wobbles they always have on sale and they are not wobble plus as TOPTUL's are. You'll buy the entire HF set for the cost of one Snap-On wobble.

about the crappiest thing Ive ever used from HF
Well some tools from there are pretty sad but its close.
buy a good one you wont be disappointed

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

you guys all have the wrong approach
if you were to buy just one get the 1 inch
it will work on all your other extensions.

exactly this.
I have a pile of performance tool ones, and its been years since one broke.
I use them with the small M18 impact a lot too, match made in heaven.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Thanks for all the responses so far fellas. My idea to purchase just 1 size in each drive is more about practicality than $$. I don't owe my Snap-on guy much right now at all and today he offered me the 1/4" wobble set for $105 with a freebie bottle opener. I just couldn't pull the trigger. I just cant see needing 6 different lengths......plus my top drawer is full enough.

All of my extensions and drive tools are SO or USA Craftsman so I think I'll keep it that way. I figured I could pick up a newer style knurled 8" or 11" extension over on Ebay for under $20 ea. Maybe for 1/4 and 3/8 drive I should consider 2 lengths each.....maybe 2" and 11".

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[Mr_B]

^^ bulk of the short extension female drive joint close to socket tends impede it's usefulness for working at angles in tight areas .
Just buy a decent full set (3 each drive size) from whoever doing a good deal and has warranty, can't go total low cost **** as unlike standard extensions you do need decent material and machining or they don't work well and bust to easily . Doesn't mean need pay snapon prices for wobbles though .

 

[48548]

Koken or toptul

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[kctyphoon]

If you've gone this long without em, why not just get the HF ones and see how they work for you? If nothing else at least with them you'll get multiple sizes and you can decide if you wanna go premumium for your most used size after that. Honestly, I have no complaints about the HF models, even they're regular extensions. I'm not a mechanic, but they've worked fine for me. Even the 1/2" impact wobbles.

Here - 9 piece set with 1/4", 3/8", & 1/2" wobble extensions in various lengths for $15.. that's $12 after discount.. how can you loose?
https://t.harborfreight.com/9-pc-wo...971.html?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/

3/8" 3 piece impact set - $9
https://t.harborfreight.com/3-piece...065.html?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/

1/2" 3 piece impact set- $10
https://t.harborfreight.com/3-piece...066.html?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/

I've used the 1/2" ones with the big 1/2" high torque Milwaukee fuel, no issues. You can buy all of the above for $31 and get 15 wobbles, all warrantied for life. just sayin, not like your gonna use em everyday.

 

[gbh]

For me...3/8 Koken wobble head extension in a 75mm length (3 inch)

 

[d.mcfarland]

you guys all have the wrong approach
if you were to buy just one get the 1 inch
it will work on all your other extensions.

bingo

 

[WhiffySpark]

I would buy a set but from affordable brand, extension is a basic forged tool from cr-v steel rod cut to billets so no need go snapon like would with a ratchet, technical/accurate manufactured tool . I seem use 6" quite a bit but find 3" and 10" in my set very useful too.
The price of 3 11" from snapon will buy you a 9pc set in 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 in other good brands and still have new for old warranty too .

You say that but I've sheared the drive end off MANY cheap extensions. Zero of snapon

 

[WhiffySpark]

Gosh, extension lengths are many for a reason. It's hard to pin down a general size you would use the most. It depends on what you're using them on. With aviation I find myself using 2" and 4" wobbles more than anything.

What you may get more use out of are universal and swivel sockets. They're easier to use in some cases because you can get more extreme angles. I have SO universal sockets and they're great. Not super loose and they're pinless so they won't come apart. Wobble extensions can be used straight or angled, depending on how the socket is situated. They can be frustrating to use if the socket snaps back to the straight instead of angled. Hope this helps!

Swivel socket plus wobble extensions have saved my *** befor elol

 

[Wamsutta]

I always use long extensions with swivel sockets so I would imagine if I were to buy some wobble extensions, they'd be long too; probably 10 inches or longer.

 

[bsg1]

i've wound up with correct sets of Snap-on from separate swap meet purchases (one piece at a time). i purchased based on best deals first vs specific size searches.
having to make a choice, i'd buy short first. you can't make the long one shorter, but you can make the short one longer with an additional standard extension attached from the drive end.

 

[mrjaw14]

I tried to use a 1/4" drive 1" wobble extension to make a regular extension a wobble and the female end of the 1" wobble extension prevented me from getting where I needed to. For 1/4" I'd say get 6" or longer. For 3/8" a 1" wobble extension may work fine

 

[Jimmer411]

I have my height in 6" extensions and for everything else below 12" I have at least 4. I am not a pro but there are many cases where I have 3-4 ratchets around me

 

[Gmonkee]

Long time user of wobble plus but of all brands Great Neck.

Of the 3/8" the short 1" gets the most use and I sold the long 10" for never using it.
Stacking the short on a regular extension was the plan but real use is using the plus part of the wobble and not looking for more.

OP, I suggest getting the small drive size you use the most as W+ and W simple. Put them in use and choose for experience.

I did and the plus won. Others chose the opposite. Its a very personal liking thing.

 

[2manytools]

Buy this set from Sears. Problem solved. I've never seen it priced above $30. Has 3", 6" & 10" wobbles in 3/8", and 1.5", 3", 6" wobbles in 1/4". Also universal joints in both sizes, as well as all the other hex/torx bits & bobs.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have this Sears set, it works for me.

 

[nbpt100]

If you use them frequently stay away from the HF. I wore out a HF 1/4 drive wobble extension pretty quickly. It will not hold the socket any longer. I like the idea of that Sears set but it is pretty limited. No metric hex keys wrenches.

 

[bcradio]

If you've gone this long without em, why not just get the HF ones and see how they work for you? If nothing else at least with them you'll get multiple sizes and you can decide if you wanna go premumium for your most used size after that. Honestly, I have no complaints about the HF models, even they're regular extensions. I'm not a mechanic, but they've worked fine for me. Even the 1/2" impact wobbles.

Here - 9 piece set with 1/4", 3/8", & 1/2" wobble extensions in various lengths for $15.. that's $12 after discount.. how can you loose?
https://t.harborfreight.com/9-pc-wo...971.html?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/

3/8" 3 piece impact set - $9
https://t.harborfreight.com/3-piece...065.html?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/

1/2" 3 piece impact set- $10
https://t.harborfreight.com/3-piece...066.html?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/

I've used the 1/2" ones with the big 1/2" high torque Milwaukee fuel, no issues. You can buy all of the above for $31 and get 15 wobbles, all warrantied for life. just sayin, not like your gonna use em everyday.

Agree here. My HF extensions have been great. Great price as well.

 

[kctyphoon]

If you use them frequently stay away from the HF. I wore out a HF 1/4 drive wobble extension pretty quickly. It will not hold the socket any longer. I like the idea of that Sears set but it is pretty limited. No metric hex keys wrenches.

9 piece set for $12 after discount.. so you're out $1.33 on a lifetime guaranteed tool that probably paid for itself on the first bolt it removed.

 

[Stevenn1]

I have only bought 1 of each drive size in the shortest length. Add regular extensions to the one as needed. It's worked for me.

 

[Mr_B]

You say that but I've sheared the drive end off MANY cheap extensions. Zero of snapon

I have a 9pc draper expert set that done 2 decades service and only broke the long 1/4 as was using it in scenario where 3/8 would of been better choice all but for space .
I/m not recommending 15buck HF chrome chinesium junk but with budget of a good 120bucks you can buy very decent extension sets no bother .
While a lot of snapon is excellent and a smart buy I don't find extensions a smart buy from snapon unless on a promo price or free set with bigger order .
SK would be good USA made option and seen 3/8 and 1/4 sets for about 50 bucks and 1/2 about 65bucks .
Jeremy v in above post quite a workable way in most scenarios but I do prefer a full range of sizes for maximum flexibility and never left struggling .

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have a 3/8" Snap On set. They work pretty good. I'm satisfied with them. I got them on a deal though. But my brother-in-law bought the short 3/8 drive one just so that way he can attach another extension to it if need be. I can say if I bought just one it wouldn't be 11". It'd probably be a 6" or 4" as I seem to use those more often.

As far a brand. If you want Snap On get Snap On. I won't tell you what brand to get. There's a lot of options out there. SK makes them. I've seen good reviews on those. My Matco guy sells a bunch of Sunex. He says he never has to warranty any. As far as that goes I've even seen good reviews for Gearwrench. I know my local CarQuest sells quite a few of those as well. So you've got lots of options. I just know know that I personally would go some where in the middle. I usually don't always go the most expensive route. But I can also say I rarely go the cheapest route either.

 

[Ridwaan Gallow]

I only have 1 wobble..

I wont mention brands..

Its a 2'' & i use it quite a bit..

why only 1?

Cos if i need a longer 1, i connect it to another extension..

Thats just ''my'' opinion..

Feel free to discuss it but please dont fight me on it..

 

[sberry]

Back in the day bought set from ATD for 12$, worked so well bought another set.

 

[wjamyers]

bingo

durr.... why didn't I think of that?

I bought all of the HF ones.

 

[sberry]

Extensions seem to survive. I have only broke one or 2 over the years and have a couple that came from those 40 pc 5$ Jap or Taiwan sets before China even back in the day. They have taken some serious beating.

 

[APEowner]

My go to 3/8" ratchet is my Snap-On Dual 80 flex head and I use it with a 3" wobble most of the time. In fact I store it with the extension on it.

 

[tvtaurus]

Just get these. You could always upgrade later. They havent let me down; don't use them with an impact.

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

 

[PJNJ]

I have the Gearwrench 1/4 and 3/8 wobble plus sets. They have worked just fine for me over the last few years. In fact, they are usually my go-to extensions.

You can get them both from Advance Auto for $26.59 if you use coupon code "savings" in the checkout cart. Very good deal.

 

[sberry]

Personally would buy a modest set, a cheap set with lots of pieces and find out the 2 or 3 you really like and buy upscale as needed.

 

[sberry]

One of my super skill sets is to figure out how to do it with as simple wrench as I can, I can really make it with combo and simple extension socket length set. I tend to use more exotic tools as problem solvers. I could probably get some use for ratcheting wrenches but the other 98 common bolts I really need it for is rather minor. Same for impact universals.
As much as I like cheap eventually a serious mechanic has a collection, its not always the best or sometimes it is. I got a set of Snapon 6 pt flanks drive, I bought them new when I was 20 and lost a couple. I replaced them at about the original cost of the 6 piece set. They have paid for themselves, I still find an occasion in the shop where it is the perfect thing, I manage them about like tubing wrenches.