Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

I'm not particularly fond of Universals, but sometimes they save the
day.

I see they have a set of Impact Wobble Socket Extensions too, that
might be a better way to go. I really like my 3/8 standard drive wobble
extensions. Would like something beefier though for use with my 1/2
inch impact wrench.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67066.html

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

On 03/07/2012 10:40 AM, Leon Fisk wrote:
Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

I would NOT use this on an impact wrench. Too dangerous.
If you accidentally pull the trigger without the socket on a bolt, the
socket will fly off. Also they will go to about 90 deg. camming the
socket off the bolt.
You have to hold the socket to keep it on the bolt, your hands won't
like it :-).


http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

Use this one. It's designed for impact use.

I'm not particularly fond of Universals, but sometimes they save the
day.

I see they have a set of Impact Wobble Socket Extensions too, that
might be a better way to go. I really like my 3/8 standard drive wobble
extensions. Would like something beefier though for use with my 1/2
inch impact wrench.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67066.html



--
Gary A. Gorgen | "From ideas to PRODUCTS"
| Tunxis Design Inc.
| Cupertino, Ca. 95014

On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:19:00 -0800
"Gary A. Gorgen" wrote:

On 03/07/2012 10:40 AM, Leon Fisk wrote:
Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

I would NOT use this on an impact wrench. Too dangerous.
If you accidentally pull the trigger without the socket on a bolt, the
socket will fly off. Also they will go to about 90 deg. camming the
socket off the bolt.
You have to hold the socket to keep it on the bolt, your hands won't
like it :-).
snip

Appreciate the warning/opinion but you're about ~35 years too late. I
used to spin roller bearings on my finger with the air hose too... still
have a small scar on my finger from that ;-)

I've used this style on impacts before (all those years ago). You lose
a lot of the impact torque, but they do work and can solve some tricky
problems. A few reviews on the HF page say the above model holds up
pretty well but they don't have any comments on the other version,
which I have zero experience with.

I'll probably get one of the three items, maybe two. I really like
wobble extensions, but the angle of attack is quite a bit less.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

On 03/07/2012 11:44 AM, Leon Fisk wrote:
On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:19:00 -0800
"Gary A. wrote:

On 03/07/2012 10:40 AM, Leon Fisk wrote:
Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

I would NOT use this on an impact wrench. Too dangerous.
If you accidentally pull the trigger without the socket on a bolt, the
socket will fly off. Also they will go to about 90 deg. camming the
socket off the bolt.
You have to hold the socket to keep it on the bolt, your hands won't
like it :-).
snip

Appreciate the warning/opinion but you're about ~35 years too late. I
used to spin roller bearings on my finger with the air hose too... still
have a small scar on my finger from that ;-)

Lucky that's all you have.
I built a little demo box for that, very effective.
When you tell someone, not to do something, you know that is the first
thing they are going to do.

I've used this style on impacts before (all those years ago). You lose
a lot of the impact torque, but they do work and can solve some tricky
problems. A few reviews on the HF page say the above model holds up
pretty well but they don't have any comments on the other version,
which I have zero experience with.

I'll probably get one of the three items, maybe two. I really like
wobble extensions, but the angle of attack is quite a bit less.

I have been using an impact for 60 yrs. and never used a 3 piece
universal.
You might check how many other tool mfg. offer 3 piece impact universal.
I don't think there are many.

--
Gary A. Gorgen | "From ideas to PRODUCTS"
| Tunxis Design Inc.
| Cupertino, Ca. 95014

On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:16:15 -0800
"Gary A. Gorgen" wrote:

snip
I have been using an impact for 60 yrs. and never used a 3 piece
universal.
You might check how many other tool mfg. offer 3 piece impact universal.
I don't think there are many.

Mmm... the 3 piece in the link title is because it is for a set
containing 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch Universals. The 2 piece set contains
just 3/8 and 1/2 inch but they use a different design to achieve the
"universal" action. Not sure if you understood that or not...

I've looked at the one in question while at the sto

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

but that doesn't tell me how it will preform or hold-up for that matter.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

On Wed, 7 Mar 2012 14:40:20 -0400, Leon Fisk
wrote:

Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

I'm not particularly fond of Universals, but sometimes they save the
day.

I see they have a set of Impact Wobble Socket Extensions too, that
might be a better way to go. I really like my 3/8 standard drive wobble
extensions. Would like something beefier though for use with my 1/2
inch impact wrench.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67066.html

The second style, commonly called wobble sockets, are my choice. Good
quality ones will have a spring inside to hold the socket at an angle
to make it easier to place on a bolt in a tight location.

Andy

On Wed, 7 Mar 2012 14:40:20 -0400, Leon Fisk
wrote:

Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

I'm not particularly fond of Universals, but sometimes they save the
day.

Ditto. I have seen more sockets fly off at high speed with the 67986
style than the 67920 style, which is why I prefer the latter.


I see they have a set of Impact Wobble Socket Extensions too, that
might be a better way to go. I really like my 3/8 standard drive wobble
extensions. Would like something beefier though for use with my 1/2
inch impact wrench.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67066.html

I like wobble extensions, but they're for much tighter angles. I've
seen wobble extensions break at the thin portion, too.

All are Pittsburgh, so if you have an HF store local to you, go for
it. They're lifetime guaranteed and likely to last at least as long
as the Crapsman crap Searz sells.

--
Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.
-- Robert J. Sawyer

On Wed, 7 Mar 2012 17:10:28 -0400, Leon Fisk
wrote:

On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:16:15 -0800
"Gary A. Gorgen" wrote:

snip
I have been using an impact for 60 yrs. and never used a 3 piece
universal.
You might check how many other tool mfg. offer 3 piece impact universal.
I don't think there are many.

Mmm... the 3 piece in the link title is because it is for a set
containing 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch Universals. The 2 piece set contains
just 3/8 and 1/2 inch but they use a different design to achieve the
"universal" action. Not sure if you understood that or not...

I've looked at the one in question while at the sto

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

but that doesn't tell me how it will preform or hold-up for that matter.

I have a short-socket set made by Mac Tools which is that style, and
I've used them for 35 years. Fear not.

--
Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.
-- Robert J. Sawyer

In article ,
Leon Fisk wrote:

Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

I'm not particularly fond of Universals, but sometimes they save the
day.

I see they have a set of Impact Wobble Socket Extensions too, that
might be a better way to go. I really like my 3/8 standard drive wobble
extensions. Would like something beefier though for use with my 1/2
inch impact wrench.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...wobble-socket-
extension-set-67066.html

First, very little of what I do involves impacts, and like you, I'm not
crazy about universals in general.

However, even for hand use, I very much prefer the second (ball) type.

I have three;

1) A maybe 15 year old 1/2" drive Snap-On with almost zero use.

2) A 40+ year old 3/8" Craftsman[1] thats had tons of hard (hand only)
use/abuse... at least several times a month since new.

3) Last but not least, a 5 or 7 year old 1/4" Snap-On thats also seeing
moderate to heavy service.

They're great, wouldn't be without them! They don't have nearly as much
propensity to 'wind up' and walk sockets off bolt heads and nuts, and in
my experience don't become nearly as floppy, even after much use.

Like all universals, the straighter you can keep them in use, the better.

Remember, I've been talking hand use here. If your going to do a lot of
impact work, you'll probably be much happier with a set/s of universal
sockets. Yes, I know they cost mega bucks.

Erik

[1] Way back when (and maybe even today for some mfg's) they used to
tack weld the cross pin's of these type universals. I suspect that
cracking at the weld/s was an issue, as most now have swaged collars
retaining the pin.

My 3/8" joint is the older/cheaper welded type, and is much smaller in
diameter than all the collar types I've seen lately. The smaller
diameter has been just the ticket on more than a few occasions through
the years.

So far, it's hasn't cracked... don't know to attribute this to
exclusive hand use, luck of the draw, or both.

On 2012-03-07, Leon Fisk wrote:
Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

I'm not particularly fond of Universals, but sometimes they save the
day.

It looks to me as though the first style can drive at more
extreme angles, while the second style is shorter, so if elbow room is
at a premium, they would be preferred.

Also -- the first style goes on down to 1/4" drive, while the
second only handles 3/8" and 1/2" drive.

I see they have a set of Impact Wobble Socket Extensions too, that
might be a better way to go. I really like my 3/8 standard drive wobble
extensions. Would like something beefier though for use with my 1/2
inch impact wrench.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67066.html

Perhaps as restricted in angle capability as the second set --
or perhaps even more restricted.

So -- the question is -- how often do you need the greater angle
of operation? They are a lot less efficient at such angles anyway.

Good Luck,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

I was never a fan of the 3-piece universal joints, even for hand tool use..
and yes, I worked with tools for income for many years.

A powerful impact wrench, which generally always speeds up immediately when
the load is suddenly removed, is entering a potentially hazardous area..
hazardous to the user and anyone nearby, but also risking damage to someone
else's property.

The 2-pc sockets have less joints, meaning less loss of power, and they
don't have a position where they can lock.

The 3-pc universals or sockets are generally weaker and will throw parts or
sockets when they lock, or break, and/or cause the user to figure out a
better solution.
Using a universal joint also intrduces another sloppy joint in the power
chain when a socket follows.

All accessories used on air or electric impact tools need to have locking
pins to engage the next part (not ball and detent attachment), IMO, not just
because OSHA or other agency states it.

I have the ball-joint 2-pc sockets and also the 2-pc separate universal
joints which incorporate the locking pins, and no related injuries, so
there's that part of a debate.

Much of the experience with my ball-joint type drive accessories was in a
lower power range of a 3/8" drive impact, for rapid removal of auto body
sheetmetal or used without universals for various trim panel fasteners.

Utilizing a control valve at the air inlet of an impact driver will allow
the user to limit the maximum speed of the air motor if the fastener or
drive accy suddenly disengages.
This feature is also helpful for detecting a fastener that is frozen, which
may just snap unexpectedly with full power applied.

When using 1/2" drive accessories in general, and with a ball-joint
universal, I always wear leather gloves and pay strict attention to what's
taking place at the fastener.

YMMV.. as well as the perceived usefulness of your eyes and fingers.

--
WB
..........


"Leon Fisk" wrote in message
...
Harbor Freight offers two versions of Universal Impact Joint Sets. The
first style, Item 67986 I am familiar with. Been using that style for
years in my hand sets. The second one, Item 67920 I am not. Any
advantages to the second version. Stronger, work better, horror
stories...

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67986.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

I'm not particularly fond of Universals, but sometimes they save the
day.

I see they have a set of Impact Wobble Socket Extensions too, that
might be a better way to go. I really like my 3/8 standard drive wobble
extensions. Would like something beefier though for use with my 1/2
inch impact wrench.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...set-67066.html

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

On 03/07/2012 01:10 PM, Leon Fisk wrote:
On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:16:15 -0800
"Gary A. wrote:

snip
I have been using an impact for 60 yrs. and never used a 3 piece
universal.
You might check how many other tool mfg. offer 3 piece impact universal.
I don't think there are many.

Mmm... the 3 piece in the link title is because it is for a set
containing 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch Universals. The 2 piece set contains
just 3/8 and 1/2 inch but they use a different design to achieve the
"universal" action. Not sure if you understood that or not...

I did miss that. But...
The 3 piece set has 3 piece universals and the 2 piece, has 2 piece
universals.
I have never seen a 1/4 inch impact wrench.
Would be a cute tool to have though.

I've looked at the one in question while at the sto

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...set-67920.html

but that doesn't tell me how it will preform or hold-up for that matter.



--
Gary A. Gorgen | "From ideas to PRODUCTS"
| Tunxis Design Inc.
| Cupertino, Ca. 95014

On Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:05:36 -0800
"Gary A. Gorgen" wrote:

snip
I have never seen a 1/4 inch impact wrench.
Would be a cute tool to have though.

HF carries several 1/4 Air Ratchets, no experience with them though...

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qua...nch-91002.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qua...nch-93821.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-prof...nch-68428.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qua...nch-34900.html

And they have an inline Air Screwdriver, but it uses a 1/4 hex drive.
Adapters to 1/4 square aren't hard to find. I've looked at it, but
didn't want to pay full price for it. The one time I had a nice
discount coupon for it ($9.99) they didn't have any in stock. I even
asked about it, employee didn't believe they had any such thing until
I showed him the coupon. He managed to find the shelf tag, where they
were suppose to be...

http://www.harborfreight.com/reversi...ver-90059.html

They had a pistol handle (drill shape) air screwdriver too, but I
didn't come across it just now while researching this post.

I'll thank everyone for there help/opinions here. I'll probably get the
67920 version, if they actually have any in stock. I was leaning that
way anyway, just didn't have any experience with that design. Thought
it looked better though, for the application. I don't have any
particular need for it right now, just want it on hand for the day
I do

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

In article , says...

On Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:05:36 -0800
"Gary A. Gorgen" wrote:

snip
I have never seen a 1/4 inch impact wrench.
Would be a cute tool to have though.

HF carries several 1/4 Air Ratchets, no experience with them though...

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qua...nch-91002.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qua...nch-93821.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-prof...nch-68428.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qua...nch-34900.html

A ratchet's not an impact wrench. It's intended for spinning nuts down
quickly, not for removing tight ones.

And they have an inline Air Screwdriver, but it uses a 1/4 hex drive.
Adapters to 1/4 square aren't hard to find. I've looked at it, but
didn't want to pay full price for it. The one time I had a nice
discount coupon for it ($9.99) they didn't have any in stock. I even
asked about it, employee didn't believe they had any such thing until
I showed him the coupon. He managed to find the shelf tag, where they
were suppose to be...

http://www.harborfreight.com/reversi...ver-90059.html

They had a pistol handle (drill shape) air screwdriver too, but I
didn't come across it just now while researching this post.

I'll thank everyone for there help/opinions here. I'll probably get the
67920 version, if they actually have any in stock. I was leaning that
way anyway, just didn't have any experience with that design. Thought
it looked better though, for the application. I don't have any
particular need for it right now, just want it on hand for the day
I do

I don't use them heavily but so far they've worked for me.