I just bought this cheap socket set and it includes a plastic disk with teeth around the edge...?

Question

...that has a square hole in the middle to fit over the driver head. What is this for? to keep dirt/grease out of the driver mechanism or something?

Also for all you serious mechanics out there :)- what problems am I going to encounter for buying the ultra-cheap set instead of paying 10x more for a nice set?

Answer 1

Cheap doesn't equate with poor quality all the time. I bought a Buffalo Brand socket set thirty years ago and still use it. Never had one strip or crack. I have had Snap-on and Proto break. The plastic piece allows you to turn the socket in a tight place until you need the leverage of the handle.

Answer 2

Cheap Socket Sets

Answer 3

The device that came your ratchet is for griping and turning the socket or extension attached to it. Normally is used to spin a nut or bolt manually ( by your fingers ), until you get tension or resistance to what your taking off and tightening on. The best rule of thumb with tools are,if your going to use them a lot, then pay a little more for them. If your just needed then for small occasional projects like once every few years, stick with cheap stuff.

Answer 4

You use that little item as a hand assist in tightening the nut or bolt until it's ready to accept the force of the ratchet against it. Most bolts or nuts don't face much resistance at the outset, and trying to use a ratchet immediately on a nut or bolt while loose is actually a lot more work than just putting the ratchet with socket on and turning (with the item you are describing) using your fingers. Once it's loose, you use the ratchet handle and the extra force it allows you to apply.

Answer 5

That doodad is a speed ring. It lets you turn the socket without twisting the wrench like when starting a nut. For most jobs you'll be fine. Heavy duty work they may not hold up. I ahve one of those cheap sets of tools for general work and minor repairs. I keep it in my truck and a set in the wifes car.

Answer 6

it is to help start the bolt or nut as it will be too loose to use the socket to begin with as for the cheap set go ahead and use it but be care full the cheaper set do bend and break easier and do not carry the lifetime warranties the good ones do

Answer 7

if the teeth are different thicknesses around the rim it might be a gapper for spark plugs....use it to make sure your timings not firing wrong...as to buying a good set anyhing tha says craftsman is all right with me