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Pipe Plug Sockets

D11RCD

COPPA Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2008
Messages
163
Location
Australia
Occupation
Diesel Mechanic
G'day all,
I'm currently servicing a lot of equipment and I know that the Caterpillar machines use "Pipe Plug" sockets. Just wondering if anyone other than Snap On make them of decent quality? What do you guys use?

Cheers
 

caterpillarmech

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2011
Messages
533
Location
Florence Texas
Occupation
Field Service Supervisor
Caterpillar uses 1/2", very few 3/8" and the rest are hex plugs. A good hex set and standard ratchets or breakers are all you need.
 

D11RCD

COPPA Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2008
Messages
163
Location
Australia
Occupation
Diesel Mechanic
Hello caterpillarmech,
That's what I am using currently, however I have been led to believe that using breaker bars/ ratchets in this manner (with the ball half out of the hole, due to the fact that it is a "pipe plug") results in costly broken tools. I probably should have made that clear in my original post. Please correct me if I am wrong though :)
 

kshansen

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
11,129
Location
Central New York, USA
Occupation
Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
Hello caterpillarmech,
That's what I am using currently, however I have been led to believe that using breaker bars/ ratchets in this manner (with the ball half out of the hole, due to the fact that it is a "pipe plug") results in costly broken tools. I probably should have made that clear in my original post. Please correct me if I am wrong though :)

I agree using the breaker bar or ratchet in the square hole plugs can lead to the damage you mention. I believe the square sockets I have are Mac.
 

lantraxco

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
7,704
Location
Elsewhen
Only if some ignorant Jack@ss has overtightened the plugs, or failed to use sealant or teflon tape. #2 permatex was a favorite for several decades, lol :rolleyes:
 

D11RCD

COPPA Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2008
Messages
163
Location
Australia
Occupation
Diesel Mechanic
Only if some ignorant Jack@ss has overtightened the plugs, or failed to use sealant or teflon tape. #2 permatex was a favorite for several decades, lol :rolleyes:
Yep, that ignorant "young chap" shall we say is the exact reason I'm asking this question. Just about everything I see has been overtightened or is otherwise far too tight.


Thanks for the replies guys, I've looked for Mac briefly but couldn't find much (in, or willing to ship too Australia) and also imperial-newton as suggested with similar results.

Personally I try and avoid Snap On tools like the plague. If I don't like the way a tool feels in my hand and I have to use it all the time it doesn't make sense to spend money on it IMHO. However they are the only ones who appear to make a male 1/2" drive 1/2" pipe plug socket.
 
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