gator grip ?

[smokin1942]

Has anyone on the Forum any experience of the Gator Grip socket marketed by various tool suppliers?
I have considerable doubts about it - it looks like a good way of finally rounding off the remains of a butchered bolt head, but you never know . . .
Someone on here must have been tempted.
John

 

[classicalgreen]

did a quick online check for reviews. mixed responses. many claim is brilliant as a tool . drawback seem to be it can't handle high torques! otherwise seem to be a bit of a godsend when we have damaged nuts. bear in mind it will need a 'shape' other than round to enable any 'grip' to occur. i would consider using one as last resort before hacking off an offending nut/bolt with traditional means.

 

[unstable load]

many claim is brilliant as a tool . drawback seem to be it can't handle high torques! otherwise seem to be a bit of a godsend when we have damaged nuts.

Many can't be bothered to get the correct tool for the fastener they have.
If it can't handle high torques, then it is by default, not fit for purpose because the existing bolt would likely only get mangled if it was difficult to remove in the first place, meaning it is TIGHT, unless we go back to my first point. A tool that can't hack the torque will only add to the damage.
MAYBE worth having as an emergency thing, but my money is better spent on the best quality tools I can afford.......