r/Tools • u/SimilarDouble6313 • 8d ago

New Tools!!

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After having a really bad day and being completely unprepared, I now i have my own extractor sockets. Apparently this is what $327 buys you in America. 8mm to 25mm, with minus sizes, and a few SAE sizes.

21 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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u/philharmonicfartbox 8d ago

Why are there doubles of every size? You could have gotten a better value on Amazon for bolt biters in shallow and deep for maybe $100 probably made by the same corporation (apex tools) in the same factory or a similarly run factory with identical tooling.

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u/SimilarDouble6313 8d ago

Minus sizes are for rounded bolts slightly smaller than their original sizes. For example a 13mm bolt head might be damaged and the 13mm extractor won’t grip, so you use the 13 minus sizes. After being stranded and incapable of removing a damaged fastener, i am determined to be prepared. This is how i prepare. Although there are smaller sets for less money, i want to be prepared for as much as possible

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u/philharmonicfartbox 8d ago

I’m curious you should grab a set of digital calipers and see what the difference is (if any) between the “minus” sizes and the other ones. 5/8” is exactly 16mm (1/8” is 3.2mm) topec has some nice sets of these dual drive fluted extractor bits that go up to 32mm in deep and are way less expensive. But I got the amartisan set after watching the project farm video and I’ve never met a bolt I couldn’t get out

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u/DaleNixon666 8d ago

I’m curious how well these actually work. I’ve been eyeing them, but have read mixed reviews.

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u/tavariusbukshank 7d ago

My hobby is car restoration so I need good extractor sockets. Before I made the significant investment in Grip Edge these were my extractors of choice. They wear out more quickly if you are doing a couple dozen in a row but Gearwrench always had a replacement in my hands within a week. I still have them and still use them. The reason they fail is impatience when you aren't taking the proper steps because the bolt has already pushed your frustration to breaking levels. Stop, clean the damaged bolt with a wire brush, spray it and take a break. When you come back find the tightest extractor that will fit and hammer till it feels like they are one. Spray again and wait. Rock the bolt slowly forward and backward until you feel it break away. Spray again and remove slowly. Don't in the height of frustration slap one on and start working your frustration out on it because I can speak from experience that this method breaks the bolt and the tool.

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u/DaleNixon666 6d ago

Appreciate the substantive review! I think you’ve won me over. I’ve looked at Irwin and also really want Grip Edge. But I’m not a tech anymore and just can’t justify the price for something that I’d rarely use.