Wobble extensions?

[54FordPanel]

Ever since I got some wobble extensions for my sockets, I never use my regular ones. I love the little angles I can turn stuff at, very forgiving.

They don't wear out sockets faster, do they?

 

[dgreen1069]

I never thought about the wear issue, but I am curious about wobbles. I need to buy a few longer extensions and I'm trying to decide whether I should go with standard or wobble extensions. Not trying to hijack your thread, but wouldn't mind a bit of advise.

 

[Super Sport]

I love my wobbles. I use them almost exclusively now that I have some as well.

I highly doubt they would wear the sockets any differently, but I could be wrong.

 

[Rico.]

I'm sure that if there was any significant or extra wear on sockets from using wobbles
it would be common knowlege by now. They have been around for ages.

Personally, I like to use regular extensions. I just love the very solid feeling of a well
made ratchet, extension and socket when they click together and feel like one tool.
I also feel like I have more control with them and will only break out a wobble when
I need to clear an obstruction.

The thought had occured that there may be a benefit to using wobbles though.
The slight up/down left/right movement we all must get from time to time when
working a ratchet would not be transfered to the fastener when using a wobble
so it would keep the socket square on the fastener and reduce any slips or other
problems.

I'm sure the effect would be miniscule, but for those of you that like to use
wobbles it's nice to know that their is a befefit... If my thoughts are true that is..

 

[jeremy v]

I also love using wobbles and find them very valuable, but I really only use them when they are necessary, not all the time.

In my experience with using regular and impact wobbles, it has been the wobble extensions themselves that wear or deform over time, not the socket square drive. Either the outside corners start to deform from the torque stress and loose fit (just like a bolt head that has rounded out from a sloppy fitting socket), or a slight distortion or deformation messes up the operation of the wobble's detent ball over time. Even those issues were only with a cheap set I bought (to try them out) a long time ago just to see if I used them enough to make it worth investing in better quality ones. I have heard of others having the whole wobble head shear off at the thinnest point of the shaft on cheaper wobbles, but I have not experienced that issue.

I would be a little surprised from an engineering perspective if a wobble extension ever wore down a socket square drive, because a socket is very well supported inside the square drive corners compared to the wobble extension's outside corners, so I would think the wobble end would deform, round out, or self-destruct long before the socket itself would have issues.

 

[redline380]

My buddies mac wobble extensions allow to to press the socket on harder and the wobble goes away. Pull the socket out a hair and it becomes wobble. Are they all like this?

 

[ChevyEFI]

no redline, they're made by some makers without that feature.

 

[gsmornot]

My buddies mac wobble extensions allow to to press the socket on harder and the wobble goes away. Pull the socket out a hair and it becomes wobble. Are they all like this?

Not sure about all but the ones I have from Craftsman, Kobalt and Gearwrench do it. First click is wobble, second is solid.

 

[humpdawg]

My buddies mac wobble extensions allow to to press the socket on harder and the wobble goes away. Pull the socket out a hair and it becomes wobble. Are they all like this?

I didn't know mac made those. They sound like snap on's wobble plus. I have a 3/8 and 1/4 set, very handy. Much better than regular wobble extensions if you ask me.

 

[shockwave]

Wobble extensions are great in tight spots but I try and use straight vs wobble unless I have to as I usually go to my swivel sockets before my wobble extensions. But the heads of the extension wear out faster and they do not like high torque as less metal to work around

 

[superautobacs]

the wobble-plus (two-stage) types can be a cure or a chore, depending on the situation. They are frustrating when they slip into the fixed position when you DONT want it to. Like those situations when you have to apply some foward pressure against the fastener. In such situations, the standard wobble is gold.

With my 1/4" wobble extensions, I see the wear to be more prominent. The chrome has chipped on the corners, but I just take it to the bench grinder and use a wire wheel to removw any offending flakes.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Ever since I got wobbles, that's all I use...unless you're talking lots of torque or on a gun...then I also have the HF impact wobbles if i need them.

IME they make (almost) every project faster.

 

[gbh]

Ever since I got some wobble extensions for my sockets, I never use my regular ones. I love the little angles I can turn stuff at, very forgiving.

They don't wear out sockets faster, do they?

So, it's not just me?

 

[sberry]

They are cheap and they are simple and they work. I got an ATD set for 12$ and they were so good that next time the sale flier came around scored another set. I dont use them every time, I use the nearest one usually, if I need an edge look around till I find one.

Same theory with my snapon end wrenches, I got a set of FD way back in the day and on the outside chance I got something really boogered I am not cutting off for some reason I will look up the correct wrench, its really rare though, I would feel a loss and want to replace those 6 or so if I didnt have them, the other 99.8 or so I can use any wrench in general provided its long enough. About 99% of the bolts we face,,, like most people are not at an ultimate tightness, lots of locktite on fasteners these days.

 

[billymade]

These crazy tight engine compartments; definitely seem to require wobbles now! I find the wobble/non wobble adjustable ones to be frustrating; as they seem to switch over to non wobble when you don't want them to! I only have one however; it is toptul so, I'm sure there are better ones out there... is this a issue with the other brands?

 

[54FordPanel]

Thanks for the info guys. Nice to know the wobble extension wears out, and not the socket.
And I found out about the 2-stage kind, didn't know about those.
Looks like I'm not the only one that really likes them.

 

[Arne73]

I managed to break a socket using a wobble extension. I hadn't noticed it was a wobble until I was trying to figure out how I did it.
I use wobble extensions and find they are very useful but only when I need them.

 

[supra90turbo]

Use quality wobble plus extensions. I bought a set at hf to try, and they are hilariously easy to break.

I got one Kobalt at Lowes as a replacement, and I'm happy with it.
Decent quality, fairly cheap, and they can take some pretty good torque.

 

[zakmartin]

Wobble extensions are great in tight spaces, but if I want to get a lot of torque into a nut or bolt, I stick with the straight extensions. To me, they just feel like they do a better job seating the socket (especially if I'm using a deep socket).

 

[Squankum]

I don't compare my wobble extensions to straight ones. I compare them to dicking around with a U-joint adapter. They're a whole lot better than that thing!

Sometimes you'd want a wobble socket or U-joint socket etc etc, but man, wobble sure works in a lot of situations.

My first wobble ext. was made by Wright, bought from Imparts 20 years ago. Awesome piece, nice chrome, still solid.

 

[dirtydogintex]

~10yrs or so on an O'Reilly sale priced set of 3/8" chrome Mr Goodretch wobbles
no appreciable wear on extensions or sockets AFAICT

same for Northern Tool 1/4" and 1/2" chrome

all aka cheap chicom?

wobbles used almost exclusively now except when a helluva lot torque's (cheaters) is fixin to be dispensed

 

[jeff g]

These crazy tight engine compartments; definitely seem to require wobbles now! I find the wobble/non wobble adjustable ones to be frustrating; as they seem to switch over to non wobble when you don't want them to! I only have one however; it is toptul so, I'm sure there are better ones out there... is this a issue with the other brands?

Hi
Yes i have Halfords made in the UK, they never work for me.
I will be looking for wobble only next.

jeff

 

[mayhemman]

wouldn't give you 2 cents for any wobble extension. i have one short 3/8" i think its a ace brand.

idk how i got it, but i hate that thing. always pulls out and wobbles instead of staying locked straight. i prefer standard extensions, or even locking to that thing. ill take universal sockets or a u joint anyday of the week.

 

[MG44]

I have a few sets of 3/8" and a SnapOn 1/4 set and a single 1/2" short wobble.

I like them all, I paid a pretty penny for the snapon set, if i recall around 120dollars. I use the snapon 1/4 ones a few times a week at work, but they are probably my least favorite. I wouldn't spend the money on them if I did it all over again, but i needed a 1/4 wobble, tool man was here, and i had my debit card so i went with them.

 

[mrjaw14]

I have a question for those of you who have wobbles. I have most common sized regular extensions and want to get into wobbles. I would prefer to not have to buy a 3-5 pc set of wobbles. Would it work well if I just got the 1.5" Wobble extension and if I need a longer one "double up" with a regular extension, or would that be to sloppy, or too large to fit where you guys are using your wobbles?

 

[MG44]

Mrjaw I have a few sets of wobbles in 3/8 size, and the duralast set from autozone is very well made and i believe under $20, it gives you different lengths.

A short wobble would be okay on the end of an extension, but for $20, get a few sizes.

 

[dirtydogintex]

I have a question for those of you who have wobbles. I have most common sized regular extensions and want to get into wobbles. I would prefer to not have to buy a 3-5 pc set of wobbles. Would it work well if I just got the 1.5" Wobble extension and if I need a longer one "double up" with a regular extension, or would that be to sloppy, or too large to fit where you guys are using your wobbles?

sure
doubtful
usually not

I started w/a single short wobble per size but have found it simpler/easier to have different length wobbles instead....

 

[FiendFX]

why dont just use a flex adaptor with extension instead?

 

[bobbyrae]

I bought a 3 piece set of 1/2" impact wobble extensions. I rarely need wobbles (or u-joints) but when it comes to impact sockets and extensions, the separate wobble joints are usually just monstrous, so these things are a dream come true in that situation.

I can't see spending the bucks to buy any more of them though.

 

[CD1]

I'd rather use a u-joint or flex socket than a wobble extension.

 

[wjamyers]

love love love em

 

[bcradio]

love love love em

couldn't agree more... they are 110% better than a flex socket/U-joint if you only need a slight angle. The VAST majority of the time this is the case.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I bought a cheapo set years ago...(JC Whitney I believe.) I really only use them when needed...90% of the time I just grab a standard extension...They are cheap, but they have lasted me probably 25-30 years..

 

[wjamyers]

The funny thing is, I bought mine recently unknowningly at HF when I was gearing up to replace my rear axle seal on my '99 4Runner.


I thought this was just a standard set of extensions:

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-wobble-socket-extensions-67971.html

I successfully tackled the axle seal job due, in large part, to the solid tool choices I made thanks to GJ posts as well as the confidence it gave me knowing I had this resource available 24/7 (along with http://www.toyota-4runner.org).

Anyway, got my new extension set home, found out on first use that they wobbled, and was immediately impressed with how much easier they seem to make nearly every little nut and bolt. the knurling on the end next to the ratchet is damn handy for getting things started and finished also.

THEN I read about how awesome are the wobblies here and I have to agree. Damn, I love this place.

My garage is still a holy mess but I'm getting stuff done. Will post a write up on my GJ odyssey one of these days.