Snap on wrench with other brand sockets

[Jammez]

Hi Folks

Odd question.

I have a mix of tools like most people but as somethings die in my socket set I've been replacing them with Snap On items. Nothing major at this stage but I recently purchased a 1/4 inch wrench to replace the Halfords one that gave up. When using it with the Halfords sockets the sockets just drop out? Is there something different in the way Snap On sockets are held by the wrench? I don't yet have any 1/4 snap on sockets so I can't see what it's like with those.

Anyone experienced the same issue?

Cheers

James

[DuraAce]

Depends what you've bought.... Post a few pictures then it's much easier to explain.

[InitialDave]

It sounds unusual. While the detent action on the retaining mechanism varies between brands, I've never found a combination of socket and ratchet brands that would just fall off unless something was broken.

[Collectingbrass]

If you've still got the Halford's one (I can't be the only one who never chucks anything out) it might be worth seeing whether it's covered by their life time guarantee.

[Grumbly]

Snap on 1/4 ratchets should be fully compatible with Halford's or indeed anybody else's 1/4 sockets. All my ratchets are Snap on and work perfectly with a mixture of many different sockets acquired over the years.

Worth checking that the small ball bearing in the drive can move freely in it's bore.

[Darkslider]

As said definitely an issue with that individual ratchet, I've got half a dozen different brands of ratchets, extensions and sockets and the only time sockets ever fall off is when the little spring loaded ball bearing in the ratchet driver has failed.

[steveo3002]

ive got snap on and many other brands of ratchet and sockets , they all interchange and work fine together

[Jammez]

Thanks guys, I'll give it another inspection tonight as I'm assuming there's a problem with it. I've had it a while, I'd just assumed it was a compatibility problem but I have 3/8's stuff that's fine.

[Jammez]

Update on this.

Turns out I'd bought a Hi-Lok version without realising which is designed for aerospace type fasteners!

Note to self - always read stuff properly before buying!

I'm going to see if it possible to swap out the mech for a normal ratchet type with the sprung loaded ball.

You live and learn......