Let's talk sockets: sizes and sets

[Sanderguy777]

Ok, I'll just start off by noting what has already been established: socket set manufacturers are a bunch of thieves and/or lazy bums.

I'm in the market for an impact socket set, but I can't find one that doesn't skip sizes. That seems to not be a thing Tekton does anymore and I was going to go with them since I have some points there.


Does anyone have a chart or list of EVERY socket size, so I can get them individually as I go? I looked online, but all I saw was a bunch of metric to sae conversion charts, and a couple very incomplete charts. I need the complete list if possible, but I'm wondering if it even exists (not like every company offers all the sizes even!)

 

[CallumRD1]

Ok, I'll just start off by noting what has already been established: socket set manufacturers are a bunch of thieves and/or lazy bums.

I'm in the market for an impact socket set, but I can't find one that doesn't skip sizes. That seems to not be a thing Tekton does anymore and I was going to go with them since I have some points there.


Does anyone have a chart or list of EVERY socket size, so I can get them individually as I go? I looked online, but all I saw was a bunch of metric to sae conversion charts, and a couple very incomplete charts. I need the complete list if possible, but I'm wondering if it even exists (not like every company offers all the sizes even!)

I'm not sure what you mean by "That seems to not be a thing Tekton does anymore."

Here's a complete set in 3/8" drive:
3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Impact Socket Set (72-Piece)IN1/4 - 1 in. MM6 - 24 mm$225 #SID91404

And in 1/2" drive:
1/2 Inch Drive 6-Point Impact Socket Set (87-Piece)IN5/16 - 1-1/4 in. MM8 - 32 mm$350 #SID92407

They also have every socket they make available for purchase individually.

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't think a list like you want exists. To see the sizes a particular manufacturer makes, you could visit their online catalog page. Proto, Tekton, & Snap on are probably going to have the widest selection of impact socket available off the top of my head. There may be others like Ko-Ken.

The other issue is what you're working on. vehicles & equipment is made to different standards. Asian vehicles are heavy into 10, 12, 14, 17, 19 fastener head sizes. Whereas, American branded vehicles seem to use whatever fasteners are on sale which leads to lots of 13, 15, & 18 mm sizes The Europeans have their common size standard too. You can probably search the forum for a better explanation of fastener head size usage.

There are many fine, quality, no skip sizes socket sets out there to choose from.

 

[Pinemarten]

Here is the link to Koken:

Ko-ken Tools the web

Ko-ken Official Site

www.koken-tool.co.jp

They make more sockets than you will need.................even if you are working on bridges and battleships!

 

[qqzj]

Ok, I'll just start off by noting what has already been established: socket set manufacturers are a bunch of thieves and/or lazy bums.

I'm in the market for an impact socket set, but I can't find one that doesn't skip sizes. That seems to not be a thing Tekton does anymore and I was going to go with them since I have some points there.


Does anyone have a chart or list of EVERY socket size, so I can get them individually as I go? I looked online, but all I saw was a bunch of metric to sae conversion charts, and a couple very incomplete charts. I need the complete list if possible, but I'm wondering if it even exists (not like every company offers all the sizes even!)

WHO established that?

 

[oldschoolcraft]

WHO established that?

Why would the World Health Organization be involved in hand tools?

 

[gleman]

Why would the World Health Organization be involved in hand tools?

After Pete Townsends problems maybe they needed to look for different lines of work.

 

[decableguy2000]

Sunex

 

[retDAC]

Ok, I'll just start off by noting what has already been established: socket set manufacturers are a bunch of thieves and/or lazy bums.

I'm in the market for an impact socket set, but I can't find one that doesn't skip sizes. That seems to not be a thing Tekton does anymore and I was going to go with them since I have some points there.


Does anyone have a chart or list of EVERY socket size, so I can get them individually as I go? I looked online, but all I saw was a bunch of metric to sae conversion charts, and a couple very incomplete charts. I need the complete list if possible, but I'm wondering if it even exists (not like every company offers all the sizes even!)

You said you're looking for an impact set but you did not specify what drive size. Since most impacts are 1/2" drive, I will warn you: Don't try to collect every size in 1/2" drive. There are too many. I started to do that once. You will waste a lot of money and time.
Start with 10mm and 3/8" (they don't reliably swap) and stop at 27mm or 1-1/16 (these do swap). You'll probably never need 23mm or the old 32nds sizes though.

Above maybe 24 or 27mm, you would be wise to only get what you actually need because that is where it gets expensive.

Here is a list of what swaps from 10-32mm (or 3/8 to 1-1/4) with the smaller first:
11mm & 7/16
15/32 & 12mm
15mm & 19/32
5/8 & 16mm
18mm & 23/32
19mm & 3/4
25/32 & 20mm
13/16 & 21mm
22mm & 7/8
23mm & 29/32
15/16 & 24mm
25mm & 1"
1-1/16 & 27mm
1-1/8 & 29mm
30mm & 1-3/16
1-1/4 & 32mm

The above is 1.76% or less difference IF everything is in spec. Above that you start rounding corners if much torque is required.
I prefer the smaller size normally. YMMV (paint,corrosion,swelling)

Oh they do make 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, and 22.5 for swelled lug nuts.

Conversion factor is 1" = 25.4mm.

 

[LXCam]

Sunex

Grey Pneumatic

 

[Sumboodie]

Depends what you work on.

1/2" drive? 3/4"? 1"?

Some of my bigger 1" sockets were a couple hundred each.

 

[merkyworks]

Koken impacts
1/4" = 4mm-14mm
3/8" = 6mm-24mm
1/2" = 8mm-41mm
3/4" = 16mm-70mm
1" = 17mm-100mm

pick you poison

 

[AEAdam]

 

[KnurledNut]

Grey Pneumatic offers:
1/4 drive:
3/16”, 7/32”, 1/4”, 9/32”, 5/16”,11/32”, 3/8”, 7/16”, 1/2”, 9/16”
4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm

3/8 drive:
5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16”, 1/2”, 9/16”, 5/8”, 11/16”, 3/4”, 13/16”, 7/8”, 15/16”, 1”
7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm

1/2 drive:
5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16”, 1/2”, 9/16”, 5/8”, 11/16”, 3/4”, 13/16”, 7/8”, 15/16”, 1”, 1-1/16", 1-1/8", 1-3/16", 1-1/4", 1-5/16", 1-3/8", 1-7/16", 1-1/2", 1-9/16", 1-5/8", 1-11/16", 1-3/4", 1-13/16", 1-7/8", 1-15/16", 2", 2-1/16", 2-1/8", 2-3/16", 2-1/4"
8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, 24mm, 25mm, 26mm, 27mm, 28mm, 29mm, 30mm, 32mm, 33mm, 34mm, 35mm, 36mm

 

[Fedwrench]

Nice chart!! perhaps someone should give it to US Automakers as, I run into many 15 mm hex head bolts that aren't flange bolts on late model vehicles.

 

[Schurkey]

Socket sets skip sizes because the skipped size is unpopular.

Translation: If they skip a size, you probably don't need it anyway.

If you do, buy the missing size and add it to the set.

Far as I'm concerned, the only sizes more useless than 16mm are 11mm, and the various SAE x/32 such as 11/32. (Although, I have had recent need of an 11 mm for the first time in ~thirty years.)



For the record, the size-range of some socket sets is crazy-wide. Who needs a 1/2" drive, 10mm socket? A 1/2" impact will tear the head off the bolt. 3/8" drive impact is more than adequate.

OTOH, who needs a 24mm impact socket in 3/8 drive? Anything that large needs a bigger impact wrench.

Those sockets, at the large end of the size-range for a drive size, are for tool-clearance issues. Those sizes at the small end of the range for a drive-size are for guys too cheap to buy the smaller ratchet or impact wrench.

 

[Sanderguy777]

I'm not sure what you mean by "That seems to not be a thing Tekton does anymore."

Here's a complete set in 3/8" drive:
3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Impact Socket Set (72-Piece)IN1/4 - 1 in. MM6 - 24 mm$225 #SID91404

And in 1/2" drive:
1/2 Inch Drive 6-Point Impact Socket Set (87-Piece)IN5/16 - 1-1/4 in. MM8 - 32 mm$350 #SID92407

They also have every socket they make available for purchase individually.

Ok, but I remember when they had a graphic that showed no gaps. That set looks oike it has all the pieces, but that used to be the norm for all their sets. Unless I missed something and they just dont make an 11/32nds socket with 1/2" drive.

 

[Sanderguy777]

You said you're looking for an impact set but you did not specify what drive size. Since most impacts are 1/2" drive, I will warn you: Don't try to collect every size in 1/2" drive. There are too many. I started to do that once. You will waste a lot of money and time.
Start with 10mm and 3/8" (they don't reliably swap) and stop at 27mm or 1-1/16 (these do swap). You'll probably never need 23mm or the old 32nds sizes though.

Above maybe 24 or 27mm, you would be wise to only get what you actually need because that is where it gets expensive.

Here is a list of what swaps from 10-32mm (or 3/8 to 1-1/4) with the smaller first:
11mm & 7/16
15/32 & 12mm
15mm & 19/32
5/8 & 16mm
18mm & 23/32
19mm & 3/4
25/32 & 20mm
13/16 & 21mm
22mm & 7/8
23mm & 29/32
15/16 & 24mm
25mm & 1"
1-1/16 & 27mm
1-1/8 & 29mm
30mm & 1-3/16
1-1/4 & 32mm

The above is 1.76% or less difference IF everything is in spec. Above that you start rounding corners if much torque is required.
I prefer the smaller size normally. YMMV (paint,corrosion,swelling)

Oh they do make 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, and 22.5 for swelled lug nuts.

Conversion factor is 1" = 25.4mm.

Thanks! Great info. I was trying to "collect them all!" However, that sounds like a fool's errand.

Socket sets skip sizes because the skipped size is unpopular.

Translation: If they skip a size, you probably don't need it anyway.

If you do, buy the missing size and add it to the set.

Far as I'm concerned, the only sizes more useless than 16mm are 11mm, and the various SAE x/32 such as 11/32. (Although, I have had recent need of an 11 mm for the first time in ~thirty years.)



For the record, the size-range of some socket sets is crazy-wide. Who needs a 1/2" drive, 10mm socket? A 1/2" impact will tear the head off the bolt. 3/8" drive impact is more than adequate.

OTOH, who needs a 24mm impact socket in 3/8 drive? Anything that large needs a bigger impact wrench.

Those sockets, at the large end of the size-range for a drive size, are for tool-clearance issues. Those sizes at the small end of the range for a drive-size are for guys too cheap to buy the smaller ratchet or impact wrench.

I get that they skip unpopular ones, but I work hotel maintenance, so I never know what kind of idiotic size I'll find (several I've seen don't fit sae OR metric well, and idk if that's because I'm missing a size, or because it's just THAT badly made.)

Do 1/4" drive sockets make any sense for car maintenance? I feel like I could save money there since I only ever use an impact driver at work, but I feel like 3/8 is the low end of useful, at least outside tiny spaces.

 

[merkyworks]

@Sanderguy777 valid point on wanting no skip sets. I thing we get a little narrow focused on impact sockets and only thinking about automotive application.

 

[liliysdad]

Do 1/4" drive sockets make any sense for car maintenance? I feel like I could save money there since I only ever use an impact driver at work, but I feel like 3/8 is the low end of useful, at least outside tiny spaces.

1/4 drive is invaluable. I’d be more likely to ditch 3/8 or 1/2 (not both) than 1/4”.

 

[AEAdam]

Nice chart!! perhaps someone should give it to US Automakers as, I run into many 15 mm hex head bolts that aren't flange bolts on late model vehicles.

Thank you. It was fun to make. I printed a copy and stuck it inside the lid of my roll cart.

Please reference note 1 for the source of 15mm bolt heads.

 

[Pinemarten]

11/32 is a common nut size on a #8 bolt/screw.

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/printable-tools/US-Nut-Size-Chart.pdf

There is no rational reason to be using a 1/2" drive impact or regular arm twisted 1/2" drive tool on anything that size. Mechanic's feel is a thing! Learn to sense when you are about to twist off a fastener and thereby screw yourself.

 

[Sanderguy777]

11/32 is a common nut size on a #8 bolt/screw.

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/printable-tools/US-Nut-Size-Chart.pdf

There is no rational reason to be using a 1/2" drive impact or regular arm twisted 1/2" drive tool on anything that size. Mechanic's feel is a thing! Learn to sense when you are about to twist off a fastener and thereby screw yourself.

The reason I'd be looking at it is that I can have one set of sockets and not need to bother with this or that adapter. I don't want to carry 40lbs of gear, so I was trying to find the one kit i need. But it sounds like 3/8 is the best one for me.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Great chart! This explains why I see 17, 18, and 19mm on bellhousing bolts on the same make/model.

Though, nearly all M6 hex head flange bolts I see are 10mm.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

What sizes is Tekton missing in their sets?

-Ryan

 

[AEAdam]

The reason I'd be looking at it is that I can have one set of sockets and not need to bother with this or that adapter. I don't want to carry 40lbs of gear, so I was trying to find the one kit i need. But it sounds like 3/8 is the best one for me.

If you are in hotel maintenance looking to reduce the number of tools you carry, and encountering a wide range of fastener sizes, I’d recommend a Knipex pliers wrench. I can’t imagine what you would be doing that requires sockets let alone impact sockets. If you can be more specific, we could potentially be more helpful.

 

[Pinemarten]

For hotel maintenance, I would think a set of shower valve sockets would be far more useful than a set of 1/2" drive impact sockets. I would also think the hotel won't have the OP work on the HVAC system, or elevator of the hotel. So we are probably discussing small plumbing, curtains are stuck, or loose hinge type issues.

If I'm wrong, maybe the OP will weigh in with a typical issues list.

 

[dallastide]

I have Tekton's 3/8" chrome set and 1/2" impact set. No skips in either.

 

[Sanderguy777]

If you are in hotel maintenance looking to reduce the number of tools you carry, and encountering a wide range of fastener sizes, I’d recommend a Knipex pliers wrench. I can’t imagine what you would be doing that requires sockets let alone impact sockets. If you can be more specific, we could potentially be more helpful.

We put up signs, change gate hardware, and do other things. Most of what we do could be done with a wrench well, but some things would take more time with that pliers wrench than they're worth. The impact aspect is more of a contingency plan if I need to use my impact driver than a daily need.

 

[Sanderguy777]

For hotel maintenance, I would think a set of shower valve sockets would be far more useful than a set of 1/2" drive impact sockets. I would also think the hotel won't have the OP work on the HVAC system, or elevator of the hotel. So we are probably discussing small plumbing, curtains are stuck, or loose hinge type issues.

If I'm wrong, maybe the OP will weigh in with a typical issues list.

Definitely no hvac or elevator stuff LOL.

Hinges, window stops (the sclamps that keep people out, or in, depending on the floor), appliances, room ACs, and a whole lot of other random things.

This set is more for "in case" situations, than for daily use. I just like to be prepared.

 

[Sanderguy777]

I have Tekton's 3/8" chrome set and 1/2" impact set. No skips in either.

Ok, thanks! How many pieces in the sets? And is there any reason I'd need a 1/2" set for basic auto maintenance (changing oil, tires etc)?

 

[Schurkey]

Do 1/4" drive sockets make any sense for car maintenance? I feel like I could save money there since I only ever use an impact driver at work, but I feel like 3/8 is the low end of useful, at least outside tiny spaces.

Dashboard/instrument cluster, interior door work (window motors/regulators, some trim panels. Getting assemblies broken-down for repair of circuit boards--cruise control modules, windshield wiper motors and controls.

Yeah, 1/4" drive is very needed in the automotive world.

is there any reason I'd need a 1/2" set for basic auto maintenance (changing oil, tires etc)?

Suspension/steering will be heavily dependent on 1/2" drive. Most folks would remove/install lug nuts with 1/2" drive.

But for me, 3/8 drive is by far the most-used.

 

[merkyworks]

Know what you mean, I prefer 1/4" drive for spark plug changes

 

[theoldwizard1]

Sunex

I have Sunex. I had to add 4 sockets to my 3/8" deep set to get to 1". At least they are all the same brand. No 3/8" drive 1/4 deep available, but I would probably never use it anyway.

 

[theoldwizard1]

But for me, 3/8 drive is by far the most-used.

All of my 1/2" drive sockets, both chrome and impact, standard and deep, SAE and Metric are in the bottom drawer. I use flip sockets for log nuts.

Any DIYer starting out I would recommend skipping 1/2" drive except for lug nuts. Buy the HF oversized breaker bar and a torque wrench.

 

[dallastide]

Ok, thanks! How many pieces in the sets? And is there any reason I'd need a 1/2" set for basic auto maintenance (changing oil, tires etc)?

This is the 3/8” set that I have. Paired with a torque wrench it will cover 95% of basic auto maintenance. I only really use the 1/2” impacts for tire rotations. And probably will use them for suspension work eventually. I basically never use 1/4”.

 

[ChevyEFI]

66070 and M799 flip socket sets and a GDX 18V-1860 driver
You'll cover a lot of ground, 1/4 - 7/8," and 8-15mm without carrying a no skips set.

 

[AEAdam]

Ok, thanks! How many pieces in the sets? And is there any reason I'd need a 1/2" set for basic auto maintenance (changing oil, tires etc)?

No, not necessarily. These are the impact sockets every maintenance guy should have.

I didn’t poke around, but I’ll bet there are bigger sizes available for these. Your drill driver/ impact driver has got to be an essential tool.

I would like sets of these myself if anyone has any recommendations. (Not recommending this particular brand) I think for home maintenance there are some great tools available for not much money. If you could get a set of Allen’s and torx of these, that would be great.

My advice is to resist the cost, weight, and clutter of sockets, ratchets, extensions as long as you can. If you aren’t doing vehicle maintenance, maybe put them off. When you feel you would benefit from sockets, start with ratcheting combination wrenches first.

 

[ChevyEFI]

AEA, if you're running shallow head sheet metal screws, the Malco C-RHEX line covers 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8, and is cleanable magnetic.

 

[AEAdam]

AEA, if you're running shallow head sheet metal screws, the Malco C-RHEX line covers 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8, and is cleanable magnetic.

Thanks. Looks like Sunex has a big set? Prefer one including 9/16” and at least 13mm. Sunex has 14mm but only 1/2”