Wobble Fix Extensions

[M635_Guy]

I'm interested in hearing from folks who have used them. I went down the Koken rabbit-hole a bit, and found out they're the inventor of the concept (an extension that can give 15° of wobble, but has a second position to work as a regular/fixed extension too). These days Snap On and Capri make them too.

Experiences with those three? Anyone else make 'em?

 

[ronkz650]

I have the nice Koken sets in 1/4" and 3/8" in wobble. I like the tools, but debated the standard extension vs wobble and kind of went against my gut instinct buying the wobble. My gut instinct was correct. I wish I would have got the regular extensions. I don't like the wobble, they go to wobble 95% of the time. I guess that doesn't ruin using them, they still do the job, but annoying as heck sometimes.

 

[Kuma601]

I have Craftsman that does that, it's ok, not enough wobble in theirs. I have Proto in fixed and wobble variants.

 

[Pexto]

I've got some of the Ko-ken wobble extensions. Overall, I like them. However, one thing to be aware of is that although they work quite well with Ko-ken sockets, they don't work as well with some other sockets.

The wobble function works fine with most any socket, but the fixed position is very loose with some sockets. It can be annoying to try to use it as a fixed extension and have it constantly fall off into the wobble position.

To summarize, they work great with the Ko-ken sockets they were designed to work with. But your results may vary when used with sockets that have slightly different dimensions.

 

[srs2000]

I don't yet have any experience with them but they are starting to pop up everywhere. They don't really seem to be named in a way that lets you know about it though.

Titan:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00265M8OS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TS6YDW1/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Gearwrench:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI93AW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Olsa:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KJ47DNT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Snapped-off]

Snap on has had the wobble plus for at least 10 years now.

I had a set but I didn't care for them as I found I'd click the socket onto the 2nd step when I wanted the wobble.

I prefer to have regular sets with a couple wobble added in.

 

[WWheeler]

These are definitely nothing new. The first 'wobble-plus' type extensions I ever bought were Tekton about 9-10 years ago. I luv them, so a year or two later I bought another set just like it. I don't suppose Tekton still makes/sells this set any more. I also now have some Snap-on and Craftsman wobble-plus extensions.

I'm very accustomed to quickly and easily being able to move the extension between straight and wobble and back while the socket is on a fastener as needed. Unless I need a locking extension (and Snap-on now makes a locking wobble that is high on my wish list) I almost never grab a regular extension any more. Wobble-plus are almost all I ever use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPUJLW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CS454]

I happily sold all mine and went back to dedicated fixed/wobble sets honestly.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I happily sold all mine and went back to dedicated fixed/wobble sets honestly.

That was my experience.

They're inherently weaker than straight extensions, thus I still need two sets. And wobbles do "wobbling" better than wobble plus.

 

[M635_Guy]

I've got some of the Ko-ken wobble extensions. Overall, I like them. However, one thing to be aware of is that although they work quite well with Ko-ken sockets, they don't work as well with some other sockets.

This is exactly my primary concern.

To summarize, they work great with the Ko-ken sockets they were designed to work with. But your results may vary when used with sockets that have slightly different dimensions.

Certainly a reason to consider finding a set of Koken sockets... lol

I have three main socket sets for 3/8" - Tekton, Icon and SK. I beat on the Tektons, really like the Icons and run the SK set when I want the beefiest socket and when I travel in my old BMW. That last bit is where I'm thinking the Wobble Fix seems like a nice thing - less to carry. I'm going to guess the Tektons are going to be sloppy in this application - they're fine sockets overall, but don't seem like they're made to tight tolerances. My SK and Icon sets seem much better, but I've spent a lot of time in Japan - if there's a spec, it's going to be hit for something like a premium tool.

Hmm...

 

[LXCam]

Snap on has had the wobble plus for at least 10 years now.

I had a set but I didn't care for them as I found I'd click the socket onto the 2nd step when I wanted the wobble.

I prefer to have regular sets with a couple wobble added in.

Same experience here. I’ve got a complete set and every once in a while it’s the perfect tool. But you need a lite touch to not seat the socket in the fixed position.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I had a set but I didn't care for them as I found I'd click the socket onto the 2nd step when I wanted the wobble.

My experience was exactly this. The socket would get fully engaged on the extension if it bumped something on it's way down to the fastener.... or if the fastener was a bit crusty or covered with undercoating. It's just not the best of both worlds.

When you grab an extension, you already know the ballpark of "how long" it needs to be. You should also know if you need a wobble. I just grab the right kind of extension.

-Ryan

 

[Walkers]

But you need a lite touch to not seat the socket in the fixed position.

I guess that knocks me out I guess.

 

[M635_Guy]

Same experience here. I’ve got a complete set and every once in a while it’s the perfect tool. But you need a lite touch to not seat the socket in the fixed position.

My experience was exactly this. The socket would get fully engaged on the extension if it bumped something on it's way down to the fastener.... or if the fastener was a bit crusty or covered with undercoating. It's just not the best of both worlds.

When you grab an extension, you already know the ballpark of "how long" it needs to be. You should also know if you need a wobble. I just grab the right kind of extension.

-Ryan

To clarify, was this with the SO Wobble Plus? I'd seen things elsewhere on the internet that the SO design wasn't as precise as the Koken. That, the price and the knurling would point me to the Koken if I'm going to spend real money.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I'll add another vote for NOT liking the feature for all the same reasons mentioned above. They are just 2 different tools for 2 different applications that cannot be combined into one.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

To clarify, was this with the SO Wobble Plus? I'd seen things elsewhere on the internet that the SO design wasn't as precise as the Koken. That, the price and the knurling would point me to the Koken if I'm going to spend real money.

I had the issue with Koken and snap on wobble plus.

 

[LXCam]

To clarify, was this with the SO Wobble Plus? I'd seen things elsewhere on the internet that the SO design wasn't as precise as the Koken. That, the price and the knurling would point me to the Koken if I'm going to spend real money.

No, Koken.

 

[dscheidt]

To clarify, was this with the SO Wobble Plus? I'd seen things elsewhere on the internet that the SO design wasn't as precise as the Koken. That, the price and the knurling would point me to the Koken if I'm going to spend real money.

I have a set of the SO wobble plus sockets, which I bought about 20 years ago. (Date code is 2003 on them). They work well with the SO sockets that I got at about the same time, no real problems with the socket moving from wobble to fixed, except when you put it on the extension. Other sockets are less reliable. Some work great, some don't. The failures are either the socket won't stay wobble when you want it, or won't stay fixed when you want that. I think it has to do with the size and shape of the relief for the ball detent. Which sockets do what seems random, some in the same set work, some exhibit one problem, some the other. I use the 1/4" drive ones all the time (almost exclusively). The 3/8", not so much, though I use the shortest one I have (1", I think) a lot, because I can push the socket where I want it easily, and I use a short extension a lot so I can spin the socket with my fingers.

 

[Davegvg]

I have the Koken spark plug kit with the dedicated torque wrench and wobble/lock.

The wobble & lock works fine for me.

The real win for Koken to me - is the thin wall of their plug sockets and holding clip.

 

[VolvoRyan]

To clarify, was this with the SO Wobble Plus? I'd seen things elsewhere on the internet that the SO design wasn't as precise as the Koken. That, the price and the knurling would point me to the Koken if I'm going to spend real money.

This was a long time ago. I forget who made the extensions I was using.... and what sockets I was using them with. Did SK ever make them?

I can see, depending on the use case, how these extensions might sing. They just didn't for me... at least not for what I was working on. That said, this stuff is always worth a try. Everyone works differently.

-Ryan

 

[rd65]

These are definitely nothing new. The first 'wobble-plus' type extensions I ever bought were Tekton about 9-10 years ago. I luv them, so a year or two later I bought another set just like it. I don't suppose Tekton still makes/sells this set any more. I also now have some Snap-on and Craftsman wobble-plus extensions.

I'm very accustomed to quickly and easily being able to move the extension between straight and wobble and back while the socket is on a fastener as needed. Unless I need a locking extension (and Snap-on now makes a locking wobble that is high on my wish list) I almost never grab a regular extension any more. Wobble-plus are almost all I ever use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPUJLW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Not a huge fan of this type of wobbler, as they age they get loose and lock when you want the wobble.

 

[rd65]

Why buy a whole set when you can just use a 1" wobble with more extensions added as needed?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Why buy a whole set when you can just use a 1" wobble with more extensions added as needed?

Because the female/male interface is thicker than the diameter of the extension shaft, causing interference issues. That and the additional slop of a second male/female connection.

 

[M6erfan]

I have the Ko-ken sets of wobble/fix. Like others here, I don't love them. I prefer regular fixed or dedicated wobble extensions. I don't think the is a Ko-ken issue, but the nature of the beast. Love my Ko-ken regular extensions though

 

[jacked_72]

I had to check the date on this thread to see if it was an old thread or if something new was invented in wobble extensions. My set is probably 10 years old and came from Harbor Freight. You push the socket on all the way and its fixed. Don't push it on all the way and it wobbles.

 

[charbar]

I have some of the Snap-Ons and Im not a fan. The socket either wobbles when you don't want it to or gets locked all the way on when you want it to wobble. I have yet to find a situation where one of these extensions saved the day and I wrench professionally.

Few years back I 'won' a set of 1/4" wobble extensions from my Snap On guy and he looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if I could trade them for the regular non wobble set.

 

[M635_Guy]

I really appreciate the insight folks!

 

[nbpt100]

worth owning. They have made my life easier many times. They do wear due to the friction they experience. You may want to buy those with a good warranty and just keep replacing when they wear out.

 

[garfunkle24]

I'm also in the camp of having dedicated regular and wobble extensions. Wobble plus SEEMED like a good idea but are a PITA to use.

 

[Wrench97]

I have the older Snap On wobble set they come in handy in some spots but if I had to do it over I wouldn't own them.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I had and then dumped my wobble-plus extensions for the same reasons as most of the guys here. It was impossible to keep the extension from wobbling when bumping into stuff. I prefer dedicated standard/wobble extensions.

 

[M635_Guy]

If the tool starts to fail to perform correctly due to normal use (i.e. wearing out under normal, non-abusive use) , I wonder how Koken handles their warranty...

 

[AEAdam]

I’m in the minority. I like them. It’s a good design, works as intended. I don’t find they change settings inadvertently.

When lacing an extension into some blind area where the socket could change from wobble to flex, I use lock wobbles or plain locking extensions.

 

[M6erfan]

If the tool starts to fail to perform correctly due to normal use (i.e. wearing out under normal, non-abusive use) , I wonder how Koken handles their warranty...

The problem is from new, not due to wear and tear.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have wobble/fixed and do not like them for wobble. Pushing just the slightest bit causes the extension to lock down on the socket. I like dedicated wobble only and fixed only.

 

[Andy1234]

I have a MAC set that I bought off of a MAC tool truck back in the 90's; they've been used extensively and have held up well, and they're quite handy.

 

[DemoFly]

When I built out a portable toolbox for roadside, I initially thought I could save space and weight by having wobble plus extensions only.

That was revision 1. Revision 2 is locking extensions and universal joint adapters.

 

[ronkz650]

I wish my Koken problems was the wobble getting locked in the straight position, as 95% of the time I don't need or want wobble. The Koken go to wobble 95% of the time. Even using Koken sockets this happens. Actually most the short Zeal series Koken are too short to lock the extension straight. You are stuck with wobble. Annoying, but that's life. I knew when I bought the 2763/3763 sets, I should have bought the 2760/3760. I debated which sets to buy and went against my better instinct unfortunately.

 

[M6erfan]

@M635_Guy if you decide to go with traditional fixed extensions, check out the offerings from Mac Tools. Great quality and nice knurling on the female drive end and shaft.

 

[yellowbox]

i got them when snapon came out with em , hardly ever use the wobble feature ,
still have em , but kinda a waste of money its one of those gimmick things