1/2in drive deep and shallow sockets

[hand tools nerd]

I bought these sockets today and what other sizes would you guys recommend? O'Reilly's Auto Parts Powertorque socket sets
1/2 in drive deep 6 point metric 15mm 17mm 18mm 19mm 21mm 22mm 24mm
1/2 in drive deep 12 point SAE 9/16 5/8 11/16 3/4 13/16 7/8 15/16
1/2 in drive shallow SAE 9/16 5/8 11/16 3/4 13/16 7/8 15/16
1/2 in drive deep 6 point SAE 9/16 5/8 11/16 3/4 13/16 7/8 15/16
1/2 in drive shallow 12 point metric 15mm 17mm 18mm 19mm 21mm 22mm 24mm

 

[mike93lx]

Is that all you own? What will you be using them for?

 

[DAWrench]

If those are all chrome you have all or more than you really need in 1/2" drive. You probably could have gotten by without the 12 pts. I am guessing you already have a good assortment of 3/8 drive??

 

[hand tools nerd]

Is that all you own? What will you be using them for?

I only own those 1/2in drive sockets and a few others.

 

[hand tools nerd]

If those are all chrome you have all or more than you really need in 1/2" drive. You probably could have gotten by without the 12 pts. I am guessing you already have a good assortment of 3/8 drive??

I own only those in 1/2 in drive and a few others in 1/2 in drive and I own a good assortment in 3/8 and 1/4-in

 

[whateg01]

If that's all the tools you own, I would say you buy a ratchet.

Since we have no idea what you do or are going to do, buy everything, no skips in shallow, mid, deep, 12 point and 6 point. You'll need overlapping sizes in 3/8" and 1/4" drive as well. And every wrench size and end combination imaginable.

 

[hand tools nerd]

If that's all the tools you own, I would say you buy a ratchet.

Since we have no idea what you do or are going to do, buy everything, no skips in shallow, mid, deep, 12 point and 6 point. You'll need overlapping sizes in 3/8" and 1/4" drive as well. And every wrench size and end combination imaginable.

I will show you guys everything later

 

[whateg01]

Are you buying tools just to buy tools? Why is it so hard for people to say what they need tools for when asking which tools to get???

 

[mike93lx]

I only own those 1/2in drive sockets and a few others.

Two pretty simple questions...

 

[KnurledNut]

16mm.
And 27mm (or 1-1/16” which is basically the same) is common enough to recommend.

 

[hand tools nerd]

Are you buying tools just to buy tools? Why is it so hard for people to say what they need tools for when asking which tools to get???

For working on cars at the house personal and friends cars

 

[hand tools nerd]

16mm.
And 27mm (or 1-1/16” which is basically the same) is common enough to recommend.

Okay thanks

 

[hand tools nerd]

And on top of that the sockets that I bought today that are 6 point should I buy the 12 point variant just in case and then the 12 point sockets I bought today should I just in case buy the 6 point socket variant as well?

 

[hand tools nerd]

And then something else guys should I buy the sockets that are missing in between each of the sizes that came in those socket sets just in case and then die other sizes that are not included

 

[DAWrench]

And on top of that the sockets that I bought today that are 6 point should I buy the 12 point variant just in case and then the 12 point sockets I bought today should I just in case buy the 6 point socket variant as well?

One set of 12pt in chrome is about all you need for the few 12pt fasteners you will run across. I use 6pt impact sockets 99% of the time in 1/2" drive

 

[DAWrench]

And then something else guys should I buy the sockets that are missing in between each of the sizes that came in those socket sets just in case and then die other sizes that are not included

16mm maybe(or just use a 5/8) but the skips between the bigger metric sizes are rarely needed. Maybe a 27mm

 

[shoggoth80]

I personally try to avoid 12 point sockets, as my experiences with them when younger tended to involve rounding off fastener heads There's places where they're a good option. They index easier, they're thinner, and there's also the occasion where you run into an actual 12 point bolt. That being said, most of my chrome 1/2" drive sockets are still 12pt. Lol.

Everyone starts somewhere, and not everyone has the same background or knowledge base. Working on cars is a very broad statement. Most newer stuff is going to be primarily metric. American classics are going to be mostly SAE, and there's a fairly broad range of years that were transitional enough and you need both. Classic British cars/bikes? Whitworth. Different again. Working on European built stuff? Torx, E-Torx. I've seen some Torx+ on some newer heavy trucks. VW? Triple Square gets added to the mix etc. There's even spline headed fasteners, though the name escapes me.

This isn't meant to seem overwhelming. This is where more information helps us help you more effectively. The standard answer is "buy everything!" However it's far more reasonable to recommend things that will actually be useful to you, and not just waste your money. Now, there's nothing wrong with buying tools because you want to. Or because you might need a particular tool. It's more prudent to get it when you need it, but that's just whatever. Lol.

 

[hand tools nerd]

The main vehicles I work on at the house are a 2011 Lincoln MKX and a 2000 Toyota Celica GT and a 2005 Ford F-150 and then occasionally friends vehicles

 

[Dave455]

I’m not familiar with the vehicles you have, but generally, I’d echo the advice of others here and add the metric sizes of 16mm and 27mm. These are quite common.

After that, it’s a question of how big you want go go, and what you think you might need. In 1/2” drive I have metric sockets in 30 and 32mm as well, and it’s surprising how often I need those.

I wouldn’t bother buying both 6 point and 12. One or the other is generally fine, unless you specifically encounter 12 point fasteners, which are out there.

If I’m using SAE, I quite often need a similar size range - say up to 1 1/4?

 

[zimman]

I bought these sockets today and what other sizes would you guys recommend? O'Reilly's Auto Parts Powertorque socket sets
1/2 in drive deep 6 point metric 15mm 17mm 18mm 19mm 21mm 22mm 24mm
1/2 in drive deep 12 point SAE 9/16 5/8 11/16 3/4 13/16 7/8 15/16
1/2 in drive shallow SAE 9/16 5/8 11/16 3/4 13/16 7/8 15/16
1/2 in drive deep 6 point SAE 9/16 5/8 11/16 3/4 13/16 7/8 15/16
1/2 in drive shallow 12 point metric 15mm 17mm 18mm 19mm 21mm 22mm 24mm

Lifetime guarantee.
Zim

 

[KnurledNut]

The main vehicles I work on at the house are a 2011 Lincoln MKX and a 2000 Toyota Celica GT and a 2005 Ford F-150 and then occasionally friends vehicles

You’ll need a 12mm 12-point for the driveshaft bolts on that truck. They can be quite stubborn because of factory loctite. Heat helps soften it. Wrenches are an option but I nearly bent my extra-long zero-offset last time. I didnt have a socket with me, which would have been helpful. Ended up beating my good standard length Snap-on wrench with a hammer and leaving beauty marks all over it. Gotta do what you gotta do sometimes when itinerant.
There are also special swivel sockets available for impact use just for driveline work, but somewhat pricey.

Also if thats a 5.4L you’ll need a 9/16” spark plug socket.

 

[yatg]

24" breaker bar
1/2" drive extensions, at least 3" and 6"

25/32" socket (just in case)

 

[mike93lx]

I would wait to see what you come across. If you are OK with the oreilley's sockets, you can always swing over and grab more when needed.

 

[KnurledNut]

I would wait to see what you come across. If you are OK with the oreilley's sockets, you can always swing over and grab more when needed.

BLASPHEMY!

 

[hand tools nerd]

Let me get a better picture of my socket sets today like I've already said which here's a not so good picture I took a while back

 

[hand tools nerd]

And then on top of that I'm thinking about buying more socket sets in 1/4 and 3/8

 

[mike93lx]

And then on top of that I'm thinking about buying more socket sets in 1/4 and 3/8

If you just want validation to buy more tools, we got you.

Just need to know what we are solving for

 

[DAWrench]

And then on top of that I'm thinking about buying more socket sets in 1/4 and 3/8

Some mid length 3/8 drive socket sets might be a good choice. Don't think you are gonna find them at O'Reilly's but HF does. Maybe add a couple swivel sockets in your most commonly used sizes. What does your wrench selection look like?
You will find out you will use about 10% of your tools 90% of the time. If you look at what most mechanics have in their roller cart vs their big box you will get a idea what you really need.

 

[hand tools nerd]

I will put the attachments to them

Some mid length 3/8 drive socket sets might be a good choice. Don't think you are gonna find them at O'Reilly's but HF does. Maybe add a couple swivel sockets in your most commonly used sizes. What does your wrench selection look like?
You will find out you will use about 10% of your tools 90% of the time. If you look at what most mechanics have in their roller cart vs their big box you will get a idea what you really need.

 

[hand tools nerd]

Some mid length 3/8 drive socket sets might be a good choice. Don't think you are gonna find them at O'Reilly's but HF does. Maybe add a couple swivel sockets in your most commonly used sizes. What does your wrench selection look like?
You will find out you will use about 10% of your tools 90% of the time. If you look at what most mechanics have in their roller cart vs their big box you will get a idea what you really need.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I like 1/2 chrome shallow metric 6 pt and 1/2 deep impact SAE and metric.

 

[shoggoth80]

So with the F-150, if it's similar enough to the 2000 Explorer (we have fleet vehicles based on those at work), you're gonna want a 12 point 12mm if you need to drop the drive shaft for anything. We tend to use 1/2 deep, but I've also used 3/8 deep to get the job done. Shallow and an extension for clearance would probably be just fine as well.

Power Torque stuff tends to be perfectly usable. I've got some in my own box. Lifetime warranty. Easily available if you've got an O'Reilly near enough. They have some pretty slick low profile stuff too.

 

[DAWrench]

Power Torque stuff tends to be perfectly usable. I've got some in my own box. Lifetime warranty. Easily available if you've got an O'Reilly near enough. They have some pretty slick low profile stuff too

Totally agree on the their low profile 1/4 drive sockets. I use them all the time and you can't beat the price. Those and the stubby 3/8 drive ratchet wit the square drive on the handle

 

[AEAdam]

I recommend you take all those sockets back and ask for a refund or store credit, then do a search or post a new help needed and let us help you prioritize. I have practically no 1/2” chrome. You really don’t need it. You are wasting your money buying 1/2” chrome from an auto parts store.

Off the top of my head, you need a basic set of shallow impacts and a battery impact gun. Then I strongly recommend a long 1/2” drive ratchet like a SHLF80A.

Then cheap 3/8” drive metric sockets, and a decent long flex ratchet. Buy a bunch of extensions including wobbles.

high quality Combination wrenches - Icon would probably be fine, but you can do better
Ratcheting screwdriver and bits
couple pairs of pliers, nothing special
hose clamp pliers
prybars, hammer, plastic prybars
DMM, code reader

 

[shoggoth80]

I recommend you take all those sockets back and ask for a refund or store credit, then do a search or post a new help needed and let us help you prioritize. I have practically no 1/2” chrome. You really don’t need it. You are wasting your money buying 1/2” chrome from an auto parts store.

Off the top of my head, you need a basic set of shallow impacts and a battery impact gun. Then I strongly recommend a long 1/2” drive ratchet like a SHLF80A.

Then cheap 3/8” drive metric sockets, and a decent long flex ratchet. Buy a bunch of extensions including wobbles.

high quality Combination wrenches - Icon would probably be fine, but you can do better
Ratcheting screwdriver and bits
couple pairs of pliers, nothing special
hose clamp pliers
prybars, hammer, plastic prybars
DMM, code reader

To add to this, if money is tight, there's extensions that serve as both wobble, and will work as a fixed. They have a short squared base. Snap on calls them wobble+ I think. Other makers probably call them something else. Very versatile, and if you can only spring for one set in a given size, get those.

In a similar vein, rather than spend for impacts AND wobble impacts... Buy an adapter, and you can turn your impact sockets into wobbles. Older style u joints break in my experience.

Battery impact gun, and driver ARE game changers in regards to convenience and speed. What I will say, is if you are new to this (and I don't know if you are)... Walk before you try and run. You can use impact sockets on a ratchet, and be no worse for it (all my 1/2 deep are impact). Some folks might just prefer doing it by hand, and there's no foul in that either. BUT if you are newer to this, get a feel by hand before you start gunning stuff.

Wrenches. There's a billion different ones out there. You can do alright used with a bit of luck. Or at least you could a few years ago. Lots of new options out there that are decent for the money. Lots of variants that will come in handy, but for starters keep it to a solid combo wrench set.

 

[atikovi]

I bought most of my socket sets 20 to 30 years ago, and Craftsman with lifetime warranty from any Sears store, of which there were half a dozen within 20 minutes of me. We all know how that turned out, but that's a discussion for another topic. As for sockets, I have many of those mentioned so here is my take. There is no need for 1/2 inch drive sockets 22 mm or less, and my 1/2 inch drive impacts cover pretty much anything above 22 mm. I do have a few oddball sizes like 41 mm, but you buy them as you need them. My 3/8 drive sockets go up to 22 mm in shallow or deep, so don't remember the last time I used a 1/2" drive socket that small. As for SAE, I can't remember the last time I used ANY SAE tool.

 

[KnurledNut]

I recommend you take all those sockets back and ask for a refund or store credit, then do a search or post a new help needed and let us help you prioritize. I have practically no 1/2” chrome. You really don’t need it. You are wasting your money buying 1/2” chrome from an auto parts store.

Off the top of my head, you need a basic set of shallow impacts and a battery impact gun. Then I strongly recommend a long 1/2” drive ratchet like a SHLF80A.

Then cheap 3/8” drive metric sockets, and a decent long flex ratchet. Buy a bunch of extensions including wobbles.

high quality Combination wrenches - Icon would probably be fine, but you can do better
Ratcheting screwdriver and bits
couple pairs of pliers, nothing special
hose clamp pliers
prybars, hammer, plastic prybars
DMM, code reader

Return unpackaged sockets that have been handled and clipped on socket rails?

 

[hand tools nerd]

Return unpackaged sockets that have been handled and clipped on socket rails?

All the sockets I bought the packaging is thrown away but I still have the receipt and they're still on the socket rails

 

[hand tools nerd]

I recommend you take all those sockets back and ask for a refund or store credit, then do a search or post a new help needed and let us help you prioritize. I have practically no 1/2” chrome. You really don’t need it. You are wasting your money buying 1/2” chrome from an auto parts store.

Off the top of my head, you need a basic set of shallow impacts and a battery impact gun. Then I strongly recommend a long 1/2” drive ratchet like a SHLF80A.

Then cheap 3/8” drive metric sockets, and a decent long flex ratchet. Buy a bunch of extensions including wobbles.

high quality Combination wrenches - Icon would probably be fine, but you can do better
Ratcheting screwdriver and bits
couple pairs of pliers, nothing special
hose clamp pliers
prybars, hammer, plastic prybars
DMM, code reader

All the sockets I bought the packaging is thrown away but I still have the receipt and they're still on the socket rails

 

[atikovi]

Buyer remorse should not be a valid return reason. It raises prices for everybody. If you don't need them, sell them.