WTF? I've never seen THIS before....

[Oida!]

Milling through the bin of sockets, as is my custom during my infrequent visits to the local pawn shop, I happen across this...


I'm thinking this little guy wasn't manufactured correctly, but I thought I'd let y'all chime in.

 

[rlitman]

What am I missing? Looks like a normal swivel (ball end) hex to me.

 

[Bill Bowman]

It's a ball socket, as mentioned.

 

[bob15]

What is wrong with the socket?

 

[PassnThru]

Look at your ball end hex wrenches.

 

[Richard Cranium]

nothing strange here, keep moving.

 

[scissorman]

Like others have said, it's a ball hex socket bit.nothing new but they sure have their place where I work.

 

[coljar]

What am I missing? Looks like a normal swivel (ball end) hex to me.

There must be something else the OP is talking about, but I don't see anything out of the ordinary.

 

[PassnThru]

There must be something else we're missing the OP is talking about.

Not necessarily - I've never seen one before either - didn't even know they ever made them. But I understood it quickly because of my exposure to other tools.

OP - don't take the flack personally - it's a tough crowd sometimes

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've never seen one either but it was my first thought when I looked at the pictures.

 

[jabberwoki]

I`ve not seen one before either but now I need the entire set.

 

[thdewey]

I have hex ball T handle tools so I've something like it.

**Hex Ball tools are used when you've got an odd angle that require a hex tool.

 

[PelicanPines]

I truly hate ball end hex "keys"... hate... yes, hate.

Every time I counted on them... something broke and made things MUCH worse.

But who is the manufacturer on those... where can I get a set?

 

[Wamsutta]

In tight clearance situations, I'll break the bolt loose with a stubby L-key and then spin the bolt out with a long T-handle ball hex from an angle. Those short ball hex socket drivers make absolutely no sense to me. In order to clear an obstruction from an angle, you need a long bit.

 

[PassnThru]

I've never seen one either but it was my first thought when I looked at the pictures.

They are usually longer - because the socket is just the holder - that looks like one piece. Definitely unusual.

 

[CJM8515]

I think the OP is saying he hasnt ever seen one chrome like that. least thats my thought

 

[KnurledNut]

If you find out who manufactured them incorrectly, i have a set i need to warranty.

 

[WWheeler]

Who makes them?

 

[Oida!]

Gents -

As you might have guessed, I am a beginner, taking my first steps in the long journey to "tool wisdom".

Once again, I have learned something from GJ.

You guys are great. I mean it sincerely when I tell each of you that I respect your feedback...for you are helping this ignoramus be a little bit more like you everyday.

Cheers!

 

[McFarmer]

A ball end is for when you don't have clearance for a regular tip isn't it ?

Looks like being on a socket would restrict the clearance advantage.

 

[WWheeler]

A ball end is for when you don't have clearance for a regular tip isn't it ?

Looks like being on a socket would restrict the clearance advantage.

Yeah, but I was thinking more about the ability to use those on a wobble end extension. I could see where the combo might let you get to some hex bolts that otherwise you might have to take something else apart just to get to it.

I'd like to add a set to my warchest. I'm curious who makes them.

 

[coljar]

I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, but I'm pretty sure I've got a set of them that I've had for a long time. I don't recall ever using them, even in my auto shop days in the 1980's.

 

[6PTsocket]

I truly hate ball end hex "keys"... hate... yes, hate.

Every time I counted on them... something broke and made things MUCH worse.

But who is the manufacturer on those... where can I get a set?

Sometimes you can get a square end allen in there but have very little swing. In that case you can crack the screw loose or do the final tightening with the regular allen but quickly run the screw in and out with the weaker ball tip tool. Sometimes there is no option but the ball end and that is where buying better quality pays off

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[davethorik]

It's unusual to me only for the fact that hex bit sockets traditionally have a replaceable bit that is fastened into a socket with one of a few different methods like set screws, roll pins, or simply press fit. Some, like Bondhus, have detent ball equipped bits and are thusly held into a corresponding sized socket you presumably already own.

Now that I think about it, I've never seen a socket exactly like that. Even my old Proto 1/4 torx bit sockets have replaceable bits. That is unusual because it is machined from one piece, and is super stubby.

I may have missed it but what brand? I think it's kinda neat if it held up. Ball end hex tools obviously will strip before conventional hex ends, but that is the price you pay for increased access and angle.

Edit: I have found that while ball ends are handy, I only really use them for certain things. My go to Eklind .05-3/8" sae set and 1.5-10mm metric set are normal end. I do have separate individual ball end hex keys in a few sizes...smallest being 3/8" And 10mm, smaller than that and too easily snapped. I don't use really any metric sizes larger than that for now, but I have Bondhus ball ends in 7/16, 9/16, and 5/8 that are great. I'd like to get one in 1/2 as that is my most used size, and possibly a 3/4 if they make it. I think the larger sizes is where ball end truly shine.

 

[WWheeler]

Does anyone knows a brand that makes these?

I can definitely use these on a regular basis, but can't seem to find them anywhere. I've long wanted a ball-end on the short-side of a set of L-shaped hex wrenches for the same reason. Would save me a lot of time on some of the machines I work on.

Edit: How about what are they called?

I've went 10 pages deep into searches for 'stubby ball end hex socket' and 'stubby wobble end hex socket' and come up empty.

 

[22george]

I couldn't find them either

 

[franzdom]

Very very cool variety of hex socket!

 

[anndel]

1/4 in drive ball end hex wrench.