Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches.

Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches.

      Project Farm on YouTube

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      We're fans of vintage tools and stress testing here, making this entry by YouTube's Project Farm right up our alley. This YouTuber examined some classic socket wrenches (including a Snap-On that seems to be nearly a century old) to see how they measure up against their modern counterparts. He put all six through a series of tests to evaluate their performance and how well the vintage tools have endured over the years.

      He begins with a swing arc test to determine the rotation gained with each turn of the wrench. The pricey modern Snap-On emerged as the top performer, needing just over 20 clicks to achieve a full rotation; the SATA and 1980s SK lagged behind with 24 clicks each, while the GearWrench came in fourth with 23.9 clicks. The host noted that the GearWrench seems to have lost some efficiency since he first bought it.

      Superior wrenches provide better rotation per click, and their tightness ensures they consistently engage with the fastener on each lever pull. Both the GearWrench and vintage SK Tools struggled in this test due to extra slack.

      Next is the “back drag” test. If you've ever experienced a socket wrench slipping backward while tightening a loose fastener, you're familiar with this issue. Less back drag is preferred. The vintage Snap-On performed exceptionally well, showing half as much back drag as its new equivalent, while the battered SK Tools wrench improved to second place. The modern GearWrench finished last.

      The following test evaluates how easily the direction of the wrench can be switched, indicated by the force needed to toggle the gearbox. A lower force yields better results; however, I’d caution that this can be problematic in tight spaces where the toggle can be accidentally shifted. The results mirror those of the back drag test, with the vintage Snap-On in the lead and the GearWrench far behind.

      Afterward, a dimensional comparison rewards sockets with shallower head designs that fit into tighter areas. The modern wrenches performed well, thanks to years of design advancements, but the vintage Snap-On still claimed second place, albeit narrowly.

      Next up is the failure load testing, which may not be for the faint-hearted. If mechanical breakage makes you uncomfortable, you might want to skip ahead to our summary, as the failure rate in this component is zero.

      To assess the failure load, each wrench is attached to a strain gauge and subjected to pressure using a breaker bar. It's tough to watch these old wrenches exceed their limits, and the aftermath photos reveal how dramatically some failed. Not every wrench shattered parts, but modern engineering won this test hands down; all the newer wrenches significantly outperformed their vintage counterparts by a large margin.

      If this glimpse into vintage tool testing hasn’t quenched your curiosity, there’s much more available. The video proceeds to assess vintage adjustable wrenches against modern ones (using a different testing method, of course), and Project Farm has evaluated a variety of tools, from cable ties to budget automotive floor jacks. If it’s something you might need for your garage, there’s probably a test for it on that channel.

Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches. Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches. Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches. Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches. Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches. Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches. Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches.

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Observe a century-old Snap-On outshine contemporary socket wrenches.

Are they still manufactured the same way as before? This YouTuber contrasts various old wrenches with contemporary alternatives.