Recommend a 1/4 Drive Universal Joint

[Merkava_4]

I was changing out an A/C compressor last night and was wishing I had a 13mm and 15mm swivel socket in a deep configuration; problem is, no one makes such an animal in 1/4 drive. Snap-on only has them in 10mm and 12mm. I suppose I could use a 3/8 drive swivel socket with a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter and then a 1/4 drive extension, but I'd still prefer all 1/4 drive if at all possible.

I know these things are not created equal; some makes will allow you to have a greater angle of deflection than others.

Here are just a few manufacturers off the top of my head:

Snap-on
Cornwell
Mac
Matco
Armstrong
Williams
Blackhawk
Proto
S-K

Don't suggest for me to go to Harbour Freight either because it's not gonna happen; only American made tools for this old boy.

 

[NYEngineer]

I have Snap On and Cornwell tools. I could swear I have up to 15 mm in quarter inch drive swivel. I can check my catalogs and get part numbers for you if they do indeed exist.

 

[punisher]

Snap-On goes to 15mm in 1/4' drive impact swivels. Just a suggestion, get impact swivels whenever possible. They don't bind at higher angles, and they don't flop around like chrome swivels do. Handy for getting them into tight spaces. The only drawback of impact swivels is they are larger in diameter.

 

[Merkava_4]

NYEngineer:
punisher:

There's plenty of swivel sockets available in 1/4 drive 13mm & 15mm, but not in deep. The deeps come in handy for nuts that are threaded onto studs. I can go up to 3/8 drive for the 13mm and 15mm, but there was this one nut in an 8mm that fastens a small cable onto the starter motor. The 8mm size is not available in a 1/4 drive or 3/8 drive swivel socket deep; hence, the thought of using a 1/4 drive universal joint with an 8mm socket.

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^The nut here that mounts the compressor hose onto the compressor's mounting stud was a 15mm. I was able to get a 15mm box end wrench in there, but it would have been nice to have a 1/4 drive for snugging it up first.

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^These 13mm nuts that mount the compressor onto its mounting bracket were easily
accessible with a box wrench, so no 1/4 drive is necessary there.

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^These starter cables are sort of in the way of routing the compressor hose. I was able to get to them with a 1/4 drive deep socket and short extension, but a very long extension with a deep swivel socket would have been ideal.

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I equate long extensions + swivel sockets to cruise missiles, because they both hit their targets from a longs ways off.

Do either of you guys have a recommendation for a 1/4 drive universal joint?

 

[andyd]

Merkava look for 5/16 instead of 8mm. In a 6 point, you wont know the difference. My 1/4" u-joint cost me 2$. It has held up well. But I did buy 2

 

[SixPak]

When I worked as an Auto Mechanic a few years back, I always preferred Mac tools line of universal impact sockets because they had a slimmer profile which got them into places none of the other ones seemed to fit into.

just my $.02

 

[Chris142]

Quote:

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Cornwell



Don't suggest for me to go to Harbour Freight either because it's not gonna happen; only American made tools for this old boy.

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I bet that 90% of the stuff on the Cornwell truck is made overseas. I just bought a ratchet wrench set from them and it's made in Tiawan.

Same with the Blue Point stuff on tne Snap-On truck.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

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I bet that 90% of the stuff on the Cornwell truck is made overseas.

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^But is CORNWELL labelled on those items? Hopefully not.

Quote:

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I just bought a ratchet wrench set from them and it's made in Tiawan.

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^Again, hopefully CORNWELL is not labelled on that ratchet set.

 

[kelpie]

I just got a Blue Point oil filter wrench for the little GM filters and it is made in USA. So not all Blue Point tools are foreign. If you get a swivel universal adapter, wrap it with electrical tape to restrict movement of the universal. This keeps it from popping off the bolt or nut so easily.

 

[Chris142]

Quote:

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Quote:

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I bet that 90% of the stuff on the Cornwell truck is made overseas.

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^But is CORNWELL labelled on those items? Hopefully not.

Quote:

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I just bought a ratchet wrench set from them and it's made in Tiawan.

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^Again, hopefully CORNWELL is not labelled on that ratchet set.

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Yes it says Cornwell right on them. Also says "Tiawan" on em too.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

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Yes it says Cornwell right on them. Also says "Tiawan" on em too.

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I'll have to inspect their tools with close scrutiny before I buy anymore tools from them.

 

[NYEngineer]

I did just purchase a very complete 1/4" drive set made by Gearwrench. The ratchet and sockets are very high quality. I use it with my Snap On extensions and universals. I believe it also has a lifetime warranty. It was 99 bucks.

 

[paulo57509]

Quote:

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I was changing out an A/C compressor last night and was wishing I had a 13mm and 15mm swivel socket in a deep configuration; problem is, no one makes such an animal in 1/4 drive. Snap-on only has them in 10mm and 12mm. I suppose I could use a 3/8 drive swivel socket with a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter and then a 1/4 drive extension, but I'd still prefer all 1/4 drive if at all possible.

I know these things are not created equal; some makes will allow you to have a greater angle of deflection than others.

Here are just a few manufacturers off the top of my head:

Snap-on
Cornwell
Mac
Matco
Armstrong
Williams
Blackhawk
Proto
S-K

Don't suggest for me to go to Harbour Freight either because it's not gonna happen; only American made tools for this old boy.

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I assess the quality of universal joint/sockets by looking at the pins holding the joints together.

Some universals use roll pins. Some use solid pins.

Because I sometimes abuse universals by locking them over themselves and using them as a sort of breaker bar

I would think that the solid pin design would work better for me.

That said, I have a full drawer full of Craftsman universals with roll pins that thus far, have taken a beating and have remained tight; they don't flop around from their own weight.

No, I'm not the type that would take an abused tool and expect replacement just because Craftsman offers no-questions replacements. That's not the way it works in my book!

 

[NYEngineer]

HAHA!! I know this is off topic, but this ties into what Paulo is saying. One time years ago, I needed a 1 3/8 box wrench to adjust the fan belts on a Cummins 1710. The Snap On guy didn't have one nor did anyone local. One of the guys working for me had a Craftsman 3/4" drive set. He gave me the 1 3/8 socket based on the promise I would replace it. I cut it in the chopsaw so I had a 1 3/8, 12 point ring about 5/8 thick. I welded a handle to it and had a wrench. I took the remaining very shallow socket to Sears to BUY a new one. The guy handed me a new socket and said see ya later. I said no, I cut that in a saw. I want to pay for it. He wouldn't take my money.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

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Some universals use roll pins. Some use solid pins.

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You're right, and some use a little set screw type thing that can back out after awhile. MAC and PROTO use that type. SNAP-ON and CORNWELL use the solid pins, which pretty much last forever.


NYEngineer: That's a good story.