Author Topic: Broken Socket (Read 8073 times)

sign216 · « **on:** October 12, 2016, 07:29:07 PM »

I broke a socket adapter, 3/8 to 1/4 drive. This was changing the oil on my wife's Miata (there's a cover plate that's got to be removed). Couldn't believe it. I think the adapter was part of a no name socket set I bought in college from another student for $7.50 (approx.).

After all these years I guess I got my money's worth. Looking for a Craftsman to replace it, but man, the Harbor Freight version is dirt cheap, and made of chrome-vanadium alloy steel.

Not sure what this all proves.....

oldbike54 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2016, 07:33:49 PM »

Don't own a Miata ?

Dusty

charlie b · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:08:59 PM »

Get a 1/4" drive handle and extension :)

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:12:14 PM »

you don't need a hose clamp on the cover plate?

Triple Jim · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:20:44 PM »

Quote from: sign216 on October 12, 2016, 07:29:07 PM

...Harbor Freight version is dirt cheap, and made of chrome-vanadium alloy steel.

They couldn't say it if it wasn't true.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:26:19 PM »

Quote from: Triple Jim on October 12, 2016, 08:20:44 PM

They couldn't say it if it wasn't true.

24K plastic ?

Dusty

cloudbase · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:34:05 PM »

The Chinese have that steel making thing pretty well figured out.

OlDogface · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:56:05 PM »

Skip Craftsman and stop at Lowes for a Kobalt replacement. The price is decent, Lifetime guarantee, and you won't have to buy a complete set of stuff you don't need to get one adapter.

racasey · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:34:10 PM »

It proves the old adage, "you will never have enough money to afford cheap tools".

Ciao,
Dick

pete mcgee · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2016, 04:46:02 AM »

If you must buy a cheap replacement, don't buy anything not made in Taiwan, china is still crap, USA is good as is Europe but you will pay for those.
Also the right tool for the job will prevent breakages.
Cheers

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2016, 11:39:17 AM »

Well, I'm a tool guy, and I've shown my preferences many times. You buy good tools once. They won't break and injure you. Oh, never mind.. no need to list all the reasons to buy good ones.

sign216 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2016, 01:26:43 PM »

You are not seeing the forest for the trees.

The dirt cheap socket lasted 30 yrs. And people are saying it was money wasted? A poor college student (like me 30 yrs ago) couldn't afford Snap-on and Matco.

Yes, I'd rather replace it with a vintage USA made Craftsman, and that's what I'm looking for now. But there is a place for tools of all value.

lost · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2016, 01:36:54 PM »

Quote from: sign216 on October 12, 2016, 07:29:07 PM

I broke a socket adapter, 3/8 to 1/4 drive. This was changing the oil on my wife's Miata (there's a cover plate that's got to be removed). Couldn't believe it. I think the adapter was part of a no name socket set I bought in college from another student for $7.50 (approx.).

After all these years I guess I got my money's worth. Looking for a Craftsman to replace it, but man, the Harbor Freight version is dirt cheap, and made of chrome-vanadium alloy steel.

Not sure what this all proves.....

Try E bay from the comfort of your chair.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l2632.R3.TR5.TRC2.A0.H1.X3%2F8+to+1%2F4+adapter.TRS0&_nkw=3%2F8+to+1%2F4+adapter&_sacat=631

Lannis · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2016, 01:39:18 PM »

Quote from: sign216 on October 13, 2016, 01:26:43 PM

You are not seeing the forest for the trees.

The dirt cheap socket lasted 30 yrs. And people are saying it was money wasted? A poor college student (like me 30 yrs ago) couldn't afford Snap-on and Matco.

Yes, I'd rather replace it with a vintage USA made Craftsman, and that's what I'm looking for now. But there is a place for tools of all value.

I suspect, however, that by the time a guy has a Moto Guzzi, he is WAY past the time for buying cheap junk tools that will snap under strain, even though that was all we could afford when we were 19. And that would include most of the guys on this list, I'll wager. I got rid of the last of mine some years back.

I've never made it to "Snap-On" level, but I have lots of Craftsman and Kobalt and Klein tools. Even at that, I have a couple of bent screwdrivers, a corroded socket, and a broken ratchet handle that need to go back to Sears for new ones when I remember to do it ....

Lannis

rboe · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2016, 01:50:09 PM »

3/8 to 1/4 adaptor is just asking for trouble (even though I have one). Try to find a socket in 3/8" drive that will for the access plate or stick to 1/4" drivers.

I'm impressed that adaptor lasted 30 years. :)

ken farr · « **Reply #15 on:** October 13, 2016, 05:06:09 PM »

Quote from: rboe on October 13, 2016, 01:50:09 PM

3/8 to 1/4 adaptor is just asking for trouble (even though I have one). Try to find a socket in 3/8" drive that will for the access plate or stick to 1/4" drivers.

I'm impressed that adaptor lasted 30 years. :)

....what he said....

Waaay back in my youth, I used a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter, to tighten a fastener.....

....didn't end well.

kjf

lucian · « **Reply #16 on:** October 13, 2016, 05:25:10 PM »

Come on Joe ,you know you shouldn't have put that three foot pipe on the ratchet handle.

sign216 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 13, 2016, 06:59:49 PM »

Quote from: lucian on October 13, 2016, 05:25:10 PM

Come on Joe ,you know you shouldn't have put that three foot pipe on the ratchet handle.

I will say, the bolts on the Miata oil filter (10mm I think) were really tight. The previous mechanic probably used an air wrench and torqued them too tight. I never could have removed them with a small 1/4" ratchet.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #18 on:** October 13, 2016, 07:01:00 PM »

Quote from: Lannis on October 13, 2016, 01:39:18 PM

I suspect, however, that by the time a guy has a Moto Guzzi, he is WAY past the time for buying cheap junk tools that will snap under strain, even though that was all we could afford when we were 19. And that would include most of the guys on this list, I'll wager. I got rid of the last of mine some years back.

I've never made it to "Snap-On" level, but I have lots of Craftsman and Kobalt and Klein tools. Even at that, I have a couple of bent screwdrivers, a corroded socket, and a broken ratchet handle that need to go back to Sears for new ones when I remember to do it ....

Lannis

Agreed. All my airplane tools are Snap On or Matco. They are about the only ones that are delicate *and* strong enough to do the job. Many, like the later Craftsman, HF, etc. are designed with big radii, thick walls, etc. to make warranty. You can't get them in to tight places, and they'll round off the thin bolt heads of AN fasteners.
The antique (50s) Craftsman tools are a different thing altogether. Nice stuff, if you can find it.

Noguzznoglory · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2016, 07:05:24 PM »

The cheap stuff from 30 years ago was way better than the crap being dumped over here now

Lannis · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2016, 07:14:42 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on October 13, 2016, 07:01:00 PM

The antique (50s) Craftsman tools are a different thing altogether. Nice stuff, if you can find it.

Yes, and occasionally I'll find one in a box of "odds and ends" at a swap meet or yard sale that someone missed. It's worth looking - such assortments have usually been picked over by someone in the family who knows what to look for, but not always!

In the last box I rooted through, I found a beautifully modified Whitworth open-end wrench that had been machined to fit old BSA axle nuts, which suits my old BSAs perfectly. It was of German make and had "Franz" vibra-tooled onto it. I'd love to know where Franz worked ....

Lannis

jbell · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2016, 09:49:59 PM »

Aha! 3/8 to 1/4 adaptor??? That's the automatic torque overlimiter working as it should. A finely engineered tool indeed.

rboe · « **Reply #22 on:** October 13, 2016, 11:36:07 PM »

Honda had a closed box end wrench with a long handle and offset end for torquing down the lock nuts on V45's and V65'. 10mm. I lost it (long story) and I greatly miss it. Good tolerances, great strength and huge leverage. if you can find it I highly recommend it.

Tom H · « **Reply #23 on:** October 14, 2016, 02:09:30 AM »

On the good vs cheap tools debate.

On all of my bikes I have a "kit" of tools that are needed for most any on the road repair. The kits are made up from not "cheap" $1 bargain bin tools, but a few steps up. If the bits get lost or stolen, I'm not out much. They have helped me out of a jam more than once. I would not like to use them for a daily use, but in a pinch they work fine.

At home I have a set of Craftsman tools for the most part with other brand specialty tools. For the home I don't mind spending extra.

But, I did pick up a 1/2" drive extra large inch size dirt cheap socket set from a swap meet vendor many years ago. The ratchet is long gone, but the sockets are still being used when the special size is needed. Many can be used for metric when a large size is needed. wouldn't want them for everyday, but work in a pinch.

So I'm trying to say, there is a place for cheap tools and a place for great tools. But also a place for a decent set of cheap tools if that's all you can afford at the time.

JMHO,
Tom

wrbix · « **Reply #24 on:** October 14, 2016, 04:31:15 AM »

I peruse this site from time to time....good source for used SnapOn, MAC, Matco, etc:
http://www.eastcoasttoolsma.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_81

sign216 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 14, 2016, 08:01:44 AM »

Quote from: wrbix on October 14, 2016, 04:31:15 AM

I peruse this site from time to time....good source for used SnapOn, MAC, Matco, etc:
http://www.eastcoasttoolsma.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_81

Bill,

Thanks for that. They're local to me, and would make a great ride.
A new source of tools is always a worthy destination.

Joe

Penderic · « **Reply #26 on:** October 15, 2016, 01:57:45 AM »

My problem: Where'd that tool that I sometimes use go?!

My tools like to take long walks and often end up in the strangest places ...

Rotten Ralph · « **Reply #27 on:** October 15, 2016, 06:49:40 AM »

Quote from: sign216 on October 12, 2016, 07:29:07 PM

I broke a socket adapter, 3/8 to 1/4 drive. This was changing the oil on my wife's Miata (there's a cover plate that's got to be removed). Couldn't believe it. I think the adapter was part of a no name socket set I bought in college from another student for $7.50 (approx.).

After all these years I guess I got my money's worth. Looking for a Craftsman to replace it, but man, the Harbor Freight version is dirt cheap, and made of chrome-vanadium alloy steel.

Not sure what this all proves.....

I'm wondering how much the socket was used in all of that time.

Farmer Dan · « **Reply #28 on:** October 15, 2016, 08:09:11 PM »

I would just weld the two broken pieces together and get back to work.

sign216 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 16, 2016, 07:12:27 AM »

Quote from: Rotten Ralph on October 15, 2016, 06:49:40 AM

I'm wondering how much the socket was used in all of that time.

Actually it was used quite a bit. My main ratchet is 3/8", but I ended up with a bunch of 1/4" sockets for the small to medium stuff. I need to switch to 3/8" sockets.

I'll get a Harbor Freight adapter this morning (I like the chrome-vanadium alloy) but I'm still looking for a vintage USA-made complete Craftsman set.

News:

Author Topic: Broken Socket (Read 8073 times)

oldbike54

oldbike54

Penderic