3/4” Drive Size Strategy

[oldschoolcraft]

I have absolutely zero need for massive sockets. Home gamer, havnt worked on anything huge. But I want to expand my capabilities because I like to collect tools and I like to have the capability to do something even if I likely never will. I don’t necessarily need to be able to do it fast, but I want to be able to do it.

With that in mind, I’m thinking of buying some 3/4” drive sockets plus a 3/4” breaker bar and a 3/4” ratchet. Probably need maybe one to three extensions. Nothing crazy, except the price!

I’m not looking to make work faster, I’m just looking to make it possible. I never want to throw up my hands and say ”I can’t do it” even if it takes 10x longer than using the right tools.

With that in mind, what sizes should I start at? I have chrome 1/2” drive up to 1 1/2” / 25mm sizes. Does it make sense to overlap? or Do I just start where my 1/2” drive leaves off? is There any application in the 1” to 1.5” socket size where 1/2” drive lacks the torque?

How far up should I go? Proto Goes up to 2 3/8” and 60mm. If I have the money and space should I max it out? Or at a certain size, is it stupid to use 3/4” drive and I really do need to go to 1” drive? No plans of getting 1” drive at the moment. And probably never will.

 

[Jacobs976]

My 3/4 set goes from 5/16 to 2-1/2 in shallow, 3/4 to 2 in deep well. It's excessive but the smaller sizes are actually quite useful, moreso than the larger sizes, because they allow for more force than a 1/2 drive is suitable for.

Basically smaller sizes, 5/16 to 1-1/2, are actually useful regardless of intent while larger ones are only necessary for more specific work.

Also a long breaker is a must. A 4 foot breaker makes most jobs go a few days quicker with the stubborn bolts.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

My 3/4 set goes from 5/16 to 2-1/2 in shallow, 3/4 to 2 in deep well. It's excessive but the smaller sizes are actually quite useful, moreso than the larger sizes, because they allow for more force than a 1/2 drive is suitable for.

I’m no pro but I believe there’s torque specs for both the socket and also the fastener itself. So I’d assume that at a certain small size fastener, if you need more torque than a 1/2” drive can provide to break it loose, then you’re delivering more torque than the fastener can handle and you’ll snap the fastener

I’m no pro so that’s just my assumption. Reality and science don’t always align perfectly.

 

[rancherbill]

I needed a big socket so I got a 1/2" for stupid money. The next time I needed another size I bought a 3/4 set at Princess Auto (Harbor Freight) because the price of a set is only slightly more than the price of a couple of individual sockets that you get bent over because you are halfway through a job and have to shop at NAPA. I did not get a ratchet or breaker bar, I have an impact that supposedly is 500 ft pounds. If I ever needed it I would get a breaker bar and a pipe.

I have only used them on front end stuff on cars and my truck. You are not going to need a 60mm in a home shop EVER.

 

[Black300zx]

I know you say you just want to be prepared, but what kind of equipment do you have (or might have) that you think might need 3/4 drive? Farm equipment? Heavy equipment?

 

[u2slow]

Ive managed fine for 25 years with 1/2" drive and picking up the bigger sockets as needed. Always had a 3/4" adapter and a kick-*** (air) impact gun.

My wrenching is pickups, half thru 1 ton.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I know you say you just want to be prepared, but what kind of equipment do you have (or might have) that you think might need 3/4 drive? Farm equipment? Heavy equipment?

Have nothing. I just hate the idea that there’s stuff I can’t do. Within reason, of course. I try to gradually push the boundaries over time.

 

[Jacobs976]

I’m no pro but I believe there’s torque specs for both the socket and also the fastener itself. So I’d assume that at a certain small size fastener, if you need more torque than a 1/2” drive can provide to break it loose, then you’re delivering more torque than the fastener can handle and you’ll snap the fastener

I’m no pro so that’s just my assumption. Reality and science don’t always align perfectly.

It's not about torque but leverage, plus torque if it's bad enough. The larger socket and longer thicker handle makes for less input force and less flexing.

Basically the 5/16, for instance, is just a rust breaker. It lets you break the rusty bolt loose with no effort and limit the risks of shearing the bolt from impact or repetitive stress.

You will shear some bolts occasionally too though. If it's stuck enough you need to use 3/4 drive and actually put some effort in 50/50 the bolts going to shear. It's unavoidable at that point though. The injuries you'd receive when the bolt shears with the 1/2 drive and all the force you can muster is avoidable though.

 

[ecotec]

Unless you need them… my take is that they are worth having, but not worth paying for.

I would try to find a lightly used made in USA set for what the Harbor Freight set goes for. The 8pc set goes for $50. I would try to find a made in USA set for $50.

Once you find that, buy an imported 40”x3/4” breaker bar.

 

[jsmeece]

5/16 3/4 drive socket?

 

[ecotec]

5/16 3/4 drive socket?

He uses adapters.

You never needed a 40” breaker bar on a 5/16” socket?

 

[jsmeece]

He uses adapters.

You never needed a 40” breaker bar on a 5/16” socket?

"My 3/4 set goes from 5/16 to 2-1/2 in shallow." From Jacobs975 reply from above. Why would you need to use 3/4 drive anything on a 5/16 head fastener?

 

[ecotec]

"My 3/4 set goes from 5/16 to 2-1/2 in shallow." From Jacobs975 reply from above. Why would you need to use 3/4 drive anything on a 5/16 head fastener?

You wouldn’t… can you not understand sarcasm? I think that the guy mistyped something. People make mistakes every day.

 

[jsmeece]

You wouldn’t… can you not understand sarcasm?

Can you not understand "5/16" in reply #2 and #8.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Really recommend just buying as needed for infrequent use. I understand the desire to be prepared but these are unreasonably expensive and heavy and take up toolbox space quickly for a rarely used set. 3/4 sockets are the kind of thing where yes singles are expensive compared to smaller sockets, but the projects where you need them you’re working on parts or assemblies that cost an order of magnitude more to have someone else fix. The savings is in being able to do it yourself and paying $25 instead of $5 for a socket won’t stop it from being a great deal.

And on the other hand paying $350 for a box of sockets you’ll only ever use three of is a worse deal than just buying those three sockets even if the cost per socket is way lower.

 

[ecotec]

Can you not understand "5/16" in reply #2 and #8.

There is no way that he has a 3/4” x 5/16”. You know this… yet this is what you latch onto, and are not letting go.

Let it go.

Never happened… maybe once as a joke…

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Forget the ratchet and breaker bar. Get a pretty good sized compressor and a 3/4" impact driver. And a torch set. Then you'll be prepared.

 

[jsmeece]

There is no way that he has a 3/4” x 5/16”. You know this… yet this is what you latch onto, and are not letting go.

Let it go.

Found another DH on here, nice! So I guess posting SAE drive sizes really doesn't matter then. Carry-on.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Out of morbid curiosity I looked it up, for $12.28 you too could own a 3/4 drive 5/16 socket:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Standard-SAE-3-4-in-Drive-Spline-5-16-in-Shallow-Socket/1000159317?user=shopping&srsltid=AR57-fCfYCqSsErglNqkfys1V1_BrEumLUUaod8mugOKho0ldKWEWvcDCoo

 

[ecotec]

Found another DH on here, nice! So I guess posting SAE drive sizes really doesn't matter then. Carry-on.

So angry… you should get that looked at.

He probably meant 15/16”. My 3/4” sockets start at 1” in SAE.

 

[speed bump]

It's not really an application where spending money makes much sense unless you are doing a lot of a certain size. Buy a cheap set and when the 1/2 bar gets bendy grab the 3/4" stuff.

At the minimum I would have an 1-1/8, 1-5/16, and 1-1/2 in 3/4 drive under 1-1/2"

 

[Jacobs976]

5/16 3/4 drive socket?

He uses adapters.

You never needed a 40” breaker bar on a 5/16” socket?

"My 3/4 set goes from 5/16 to 2-1/2 in shallow." From Jacobs975 reply from above. Why would you need to use 3/4 drive anything on a 5/16 head fastener?

You wouldn’t… can you not understand sarcasm? I think that the guy mistyped something. People make mistakes every day.

Can you not understand "5/16" in reply #2 and #8.

There is no way that he has a 3/4” x 5/16”. You know this… yet this is what you latch onto, and are not letting go.

Let it go.

Never happened… maybe once as a joke…

Did make a mistake. Think I may have seen a military surplus 5/16 before on ebay and didn't get it but I'm probably mistaken.

Anyhow mines a 9/16, not a 5/16. Haven't used it in awhile but it did help out breaking up a bunch of rusty bolts so the explanation still stands.

 

[Ingram306]

I’ve pieced together my 3/4 impact stuff from Amazon warehouse and zoro, all proto and Williams stuff when it’s on sale. been very happy with it. My only regret is buying a 3/4 drive chrome set. Should have just bought all impact stuff and a ratchet/breaker. It seems like once you get into the larger fasteners the are less clearance issues that would require a chrome socket over an impact. Just my .02

 

[ecotec]

If you already go to garage and estate sales… that is the perfect place to buy 3/4” drive sockets… if you do not have an immediate need.

If you have an immediate need, that changes everything. I would add my vote to whoever said to buy the ones you actually need or buying a cheap set like Pittsburgh Pro.

 

[nadogail]

On rare occasions I have used 3/4" drive ratchets to work large gear pullers in an automotive shop.

I had no real need for a 3/4" drive socket set until I started working on large industrial molding presses in a rubber manufacturing plant. I found I just wanted the sockets and the long 1/2" Harbor Freight breaker bar with a Schedule 80 PVC pipe as a cheater worked fine.

 

[lardy1]

I have a 70's era set of Wright sockets, breaker, tee bar and ratchet in a nice metal box that just collects dust. I don't feel guilty because it came with my wife and I actually do like knowing they're there if I should need them. I doubt I would buy them though. I've seen them around flea markets, etc. If you're the type that enjoys the hunt, they can be found.

 

[65k10]

It's not really an application where spending money makes much sense unless you are doing a lot of a certain size. Buy a cheap set and when the 1/2 bar gets bendy grab the 3/4" stuff.

At the minimum I would have an 1-1/8, 1-5/16, and 1-1/2 in 3/4 drive under 1-1/2"

I like this advice. Maybe toss in a 30mm. Spending money on a nice 24" long 1/2 ratchet along with the select few 3/4" drive tools you might need would probably be the way to go if you aren't working on bigger equipment.

 

[WWheeler]

I have a 70's era set of Wright sockets, breaker, tee bar and ratchet in a nice metal box that just collects dust. I don't feel guilty because it came with my wife and I actually do like knowing they're there if I should need them. I doubt I would buy them though. I've seen them around flea markets, etc. If you're the type that enjoys the hunt, they can be found.

Every wife should come with a 3/4" dr socket set.

 

[Wrench97]

Large trucks, equipment, and farm tractors is all I have ever used 3/4" drive or larger on. even spring ubolts on pickup's will come off with a good 1/2" impact gun if they don't your going to cutting them off and replacing anyway.
Save your money you don't need them.

 

[CoogarXR]

I use my 3/4 stuff more often than I thought I would. I use it around the house too. I used it for changing the heater elements in my water heater, and for breaking loose a stuck gas valve in my furnace.

 

[Zewnten]

Why are is there a new "should I buy 3/4 dr sockets for laughs" thread instead of the OP reading through the dozen or more of them already asked?

 

[jblnut]

I use 3/4" drive very often in my farm shop and 1" drive maybe 4x a year. I can say for certain that a 30mm Craftsman 3/4" drive socket and breaker bar will withstand my 280lb self bouncing on a 6' pipe to loosen lugs on our combine

I also use the 3/4" drive 7/8" socket quite a bit as it always feels like I'm going to twist the 1/2" breaker bar into a horseshoe when taking tires off our Deere wagons.

I say buy them. Better to have a hundred tools you don't need than to need one you don't have.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

For what he said on other reasons than “ I want it” Harbor Frought will be fine

 

[PlanB]

As a home gamer, i get expanding the tool collection beyond strictly reasonable.

If you're in Canada try stalking the Princess Auto surplus section. IIRC they 've had lots of 3/4 drive sockets there in the recent past.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Personally, I would get a used 3/4” US made set if possible. For example, Blackhawk made nice 3/4” so let’s and I have seen sets go for $100. Otherwise, I would get a Harbor Freight set and replace the ratchet with a quality used one off of EBay.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

As a home gamer never thought about 3/4 drive, I have a 15+ year old PU truck and a SuperDuty Van in rust belt, the Snap on 24 inch 1/2 drive breaker bar or Dewalt impact wrench have not failed me yet but the 3/4 drive may be easier. Of course I have the torch and plenty of PB blaster as well.

 

[Garcky]

If you don't have an immediate need, watch for a used set. They show up at flea markets and farm sales and auctions fairly often. Just keep an eye out. Usually, prices are way, way lower than New.

That's where my set came from. A farm estate sale. I paid $75 for a complete SAE set, including ratchet, breaker bar and extensions. Used rarely.

 

[LWB]

The fact that you’ll likely never use them and you collect tools screams vintage to me. Find a really nice vintage set and display it.

 

[Pinemarten]

If you are on a budget, and just want to be prepared, I'd get one of those SAE/Metric 13 piece 3/4 drive socket sets off of ebay. You'd have the most commonly used sizes. A HF ratchet would get you by. You can always upgrade or add to it over time, from yard sales.

 

[ThePostman]

Wright 6425, a ratchet and breaker bar all in one. I don't use it often, but it is definitely useful and doesn't let me down when needed. What you're using it on is either going to come loose, or shear off. I have had 4ft of schedule 40 pipe on it too. Most common uses for me are crankshaft pulley bolts, truck suspension bolts specifically older Toyota camber/caster adjustments, and believe it or not the occasional camshaft pulley bolt. If you have a Rural King around, they sell some impacts by Crimson that are pretty beefy and cheap. My Snap-Ons were surprisingly "cheap" at about $35 a piece. The smallest socket in 3/4" I own is a shallow Snap-On 17mm, that was used for said camshaft pulley bolts on I forget what, I think some Toyota where the camshaft pulleys have to come off so you can take some shield off to get to the upper water pump bolts. The ratchet mostly hangs out with a 1/2" adapter on it, but sometimes you need as much torque as you can produce, hello Toyota Tundra 2wd front hub locknuts, if you know, you know.....