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wobble socket suggestions

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hossmwp

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Hello everyone, I am having some trouble with my Craftsman 1/4 drive metric wobble sockets. I actually use the 11mm one frequently and it seems to wear out quickly. It just turns into a wet rag so to speak and becomes impossible to deal with. I take it back and argue with them and eventually get another. I am curious if anyone else has experience with SnapOn or Matco 1/4 drive wobble sockets. I am not looking for the adapters that convert regular sockets or impact versions.

I know some 3/8 drive wobble sockets or flex sockets have a set screw that can be used to adjust them.

Any help would be great. The last Craftsman is now dead again after removing 18 nuts. They arent over torqued or anything they just arent holding up to my expectation at all.
 
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kartracer55

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Nature of the beast, even my snap-on's do it. One thing I suggest is straighten-ing the socket out, and wrapping the mid section with electrical tape several times. Keeps them from getting floppy but allows them to flex.

It *****, but that's the way it is.
 
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eschoendorff

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Is there anyway that you can stick the ears of teh U-joint into a vise and put some more tension back into the thing?
 
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Deafautotech

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yeah my craftsman metric flex sockets does that way. it act as wear out quick... so i upgraded to snap on that i use a lot. i has 10mm 1/4dr flex socket and it is better and stay strong after used for like 50 times. but remember the tools will be wear and it still will get loose anyway...
 
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bchee

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you could add a spring around the joint, or some electrical tape. That's not ideal, but a cheap alternative.
Moparhound has some for sale in the classifieds that have the set screw to adjust the tension of the swivel - so they do exist. It looks like each socket has 2 set screws for both parts of the joint.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27393
 
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hossmwp

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Thanks guys. Actually your two suggestions are just what I did to complete the job. I used a few wraps of tape towards the end. Then when it was getting to frustrating I just gave it a "squeeze" in the vise. It seemed to help for a few minutes only.

I was curious if someone made one with a set screw that can be tightened to adjust the amount of tension. I tried using a 3/8 drive one but it was just to large to get into the area. Its a low torque application with a pretty tight work area.
 
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MAD

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My 3/8" drive Proto flex sockets have Allen socket head screws at the pivot points that allow for tension adjustment. I do not know if the 1/4" drive flex sockets are the same.
 
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eschoendorff

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hossmwp said:
Thanks guys. Actually your two suggestions are just what I did to complete the job. I used a few wraps of tape towards the end. Then when it was getting to frustrating I just gave it a "squeeze" in the vise. It seemed to help for a few minutes only.

I was curious if someone made one with a set screw that can be tightened to adjust the amount of tension. I tried using a 3/8 drive one but it was just to large to get into the area. Its a low torque application with a pretty tight work area.
Click to expand...

I think that Proto makes them like that. I also have a set of NAPA Evercraft Taiwanese specials taht have a screw.
 
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Fedwrench

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I have Mac versions with a setscrew that you can tighten. However, it's a vicious circle between socket flop and too tight and losing flexibility. A couple of other options maybe, use of a regular socket on a wobble extension and placing a o ring around the swivel joint to reduce socket flop. Lastly, I would strongly recommend the use of a Matco 1/4 drive 7/16 or 11mm impact swivel socket. Why Matco? because the Matco versions lack the pin retaining collar found on most impact swivel sockets which means the socket has a lower profile for improved access in tight areas. All chrome swivels flop after heavy use especially with air ratchets or cordless tools regardless of which truck you bought them from.:beer:
 
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Deafautotech

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eschoendorff said:
I think that Proto makes them like that. I also have a set of NAPA Evercraft Taiwanese specials taht have a screw.
Click to expand...

how do you like evercraft?? i has evercraft flex socket set (both sae and metric) and i already hate it but i left it at home so i dont bother it. because when i use it at work like 4 years ago, it already loose after use 2 times so i tight it up and it broke off really easy.. it pissed me off. so i brought it to home and took it to napa for warranty. then bought craftsman's flex socket set when they are on sale so it is use at my work...
 
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Merkava_4

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I'm gonna put my plug in for Snap-on universal sockets - I have a 1/4" drive set and they are excellent. Your results may very if you don't know what you're doing. :D
 
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Danglerb

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Merkava_4 said:
I'm gonna put my plug in for Snap-on universal sockets - I have a 1/4" drive set and they are excellent. Your results may very if you don't know what you're doing. :D
Click to expand...

They are ALL excellent if they aren't used. ;)

Well used they all seem to get wiggly. Heat shrink tubing, electrical tape, maybe some of that new self fusing tape. How about smacking the end of the pin with a punch to expand the end and tighten it?

If you want less movement, why not use a wobble extension and a normal socket?
 
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billymade

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Maybe we mean "floppy"; it keeps falling down into whatever direction it is in? It gets really frustrating to use; especially in a tight, limited access area in a engine compartment or something like that...
 
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Merkava_4

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I really don't understand all this wiggly floppy talk - I just put the flex socket on a long extension and hook it on the bolt head - no problems. :dunno:
 
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MAD

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Merkava_4 said:
I really don't understand all this wiggly floppy talk - I just put the flex socket on a long extension and hook it on the bolt head - no problems. :dunno:
Click to expand...

A wet noodle flex socket is even worse than a floppy flex head ratchet. The socket will often just flop over under is own weight when you just about get it on the bolt. If you can guide it on with your hand, it is not a problem, but in a tight spot it is extremely frustrating.
 
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autoace

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Merkava_4 said:
I really don't understand all this wiggly floppy talk - I just put the flex socket on a long extension and hook it on the bolt head - no problems. :dunno:
Click to expand...

I agree, just put it on the extension, and spin the extension a little, as you engage the socket.
 
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eschoendorff

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MAD said:
A wet noodle flex socket is even worse than a floppy flex head ratchet. The socket will often just flop over under is own weight when you just about get it on the bolt. If you can guide it on with your hand, it is not a problem, but in a tight spot it is extremely frustrating.
Click to expand...

It must not bother him - remember, he likes those floppy head MAC ratchets.


The Evercraft flex sockets that I have are no better or worse than any other Taiwanese flex socket. I am glad, though that I bought them on sale and did not pay full price for them though!!!!!
 
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hossmwp

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Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. I am going to take a look at the Snap On and Matco offerings in 1/4 and see if they have the set screw to adjust them. I am using specifically the 11mm often and its also on a 6 inch extension so its not a simple task to get it positioned onto the fastner as the Craftsman versions wear out.

I have seen the ones from Matco that are listed in the classified and would have bought the entire set if they were the 1/4 ones I need.
 
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MAD

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hossmwp said:
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. I am going to take a look at the Snap On and Matco offerings in 1/4 and see if they have the set screw to adjust them. I am using specifically the 11mm often and its also on a 6 inch extension so its not a simple task to get it positioned onto the fastner as the Craftsman versions wear out.

I have seen the ones from Matco that are listed in the classified and would have bought the entire set if they were the 1/4 ones I need.
Click to expand...

Why not try the Proto?
The 1/4" drive 11mm is #J4811M

http://www.stanleyproto.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=1%2F4+IN+STD+UNIVERSAL%2FFLEX&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=J4811M&strSiteName=PROTO&strDefaultCatalog=PROTO&SDesc=1%2F4%26quot%3B+Drive+11mm+6%2DPoint+Metric+Universal+Hand+Socket

MSC sells it for $16.62

Search the part # if this link does not work.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/GSDRVSM?PACACHE=000000079744512
 

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Danglerb

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I've been using Snapon flex sockets as pictured in the post before this one, and the socket part goes where gravity wants it to go. I was using one on the end of a 18" extension to reach a bolt on a fuel tank support, and each time any part of the socket touched the bolt it would just flop over. All I needed was 20 degrees or less of flex, so I should have been using a wobble extension and a plain socket, but nobody in that shop has wobble extensions in 1/4 drive or that long and I was too lazy to get the right combo for 4 lousy bolts.

Heat shrink does the same as tape over the joint, makes a springy limited range of motion. I'm thinking that fancy self fusing tape might work great.
 
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AutoTech

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hossmwp said:
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. I am going to take a look at the Snap On and Matco offerings in 1/4 and see if they have the set screw to adjust them. I am using specifically the 11mm often and its also on a 6 inch extension so its not a simple task to get it positioned onto the fastner as the Craftsman versions wear out.

I have seen the ones from Matco that are listed in the classified and would have bought the entire set if they were the 1/4 ones I need.
Click to expand...

I can tell you that snap on doesn't have the set screw to tighten up when they get loose!
 
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