I have several sets of SAE sockets and wrenches when the need arises; but most of the time I am using Metric on cars. I feel like I am opening up a can of worms anytime I consider setting some funds to the side for SAE stuff; the question now is, I know I can't get away from SAE completely, but what would be your basic list of things to have in the SAE category in case the need ever arises?
Use mostly Metric, SAE is seldom-used (What would you recommend?)
- Thread starter winlinmac
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four.cycle
Well-known member
sockets from 1/4" up to about 1", wrenches same. covers pretty much anything you'll run into.
Add SAE Allen keys.
Thanks, should be sufficient with a 3/8" drive set, right?
American Locomotive
Well-known member
If you're just working on normal household stuff and lawn and garden equipment, that should be just about it. A lot of big agricultural/tractor stuff is still SAE, and would likely need bigger sizes.
Thank you for confirming that
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Actually I will add: Occasionally I run into the need for big SAE wrenches, and it's super annoying. I think you might want a 1". 1 1/16", 1 1/8" and a 1 1/4" SAE wrench as well.
CGarage
Well-known member
Most industrial applications in US are still Fractional / Imperial / SAE, I have 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch drive sets in Fractional / Imperial, in both 6 and 12 point chrome.
four.cycle
Well-known member
If you're working on old American made lawnmowers, 1" is as big as you're ever going to run into.
Only time I have to break out 1/2" drive on lawnmowers is to pull flywheels or blade hubs. Rest of it I do with 1/4" drive.
But @American Locomotive's suggestion of the larger wrench sizes (1" - 1-1/4") is a good one -
Of course, a gigantic adjustable will usually work.
Only time I have to break out 1/2" drive on lawnmowers is to pull flywheels or blade hubs. Rest of it I do with 1/4" drive.
But @American Locomotive's suggestion of the larger wrench sizes (1" - 1-1/4") is a good one -
Of course, a gigantic adjustable will usually work.
I will also point out that when you get into those size ranges and up, there are often metric equivalents that will interchange just fine.
Funny how folks worlds are different. I use SAE 10:1 over metric. My newer vehicles are, of course, metric but they are reliable enough that they don't require much wrenching. Everything else, however, is SAE. Mowers, Jeeps, etc. Anything i fabricate, build, or repair gets SAE hardware. I keep an entire cabinet of SAE hardware on hand, and one bin marked "Misc Metric."
ratcheting wrenches & hex keys for sure.
gtae07
Well-known member
Same, though I'm probably more like 30:1. Mostly I'm working on my airplane and almost everything is in inches. In fact the only metric hardware it has that I can think of offhand is on the alternators and the battery terminals.
Hardly ever have to touch the cars outside of tire rotation so the bicycles are about the only metric stuff I touch on even an infrequent basis.
I have lots of 1/4 drive SAE stuff and only a bit of metric.
Gangly
Well-known member
I work on all types of machinery, and find myself using SAE more often than metric, but everybody's hobbies and work are different.
A good starting point, especially if you aren't using SAE a lot, is to get a complete set of 3/8 inch drive SAE shallow and deep sockets, and a set of SAE combination wrenches from 1/4 to 1". In my opinion, ratcheting wrenches are super nice, but I'm not going to spend the extra $$$ on them if I'm rarely going to utilize them.
Stick with a good 3/8 drive socket set and a good wrench set, and be done.
A good starting point, especially if you aren't using SAE a lot, is to get a complete set of 3/8 inch drive SAE shallow and deep sockets, and a set of SAE combination wrenches from 1/4 to 1". In my opinion, ratcheting wrenches are super nice, but I'm not going to spend the extra $$$ on them if I'm rarely going to utilize them.
Stick with a good 3/8 drive socket set and a good wrench set, and be done.
dcg9381
Well-known member
Home-built or certified?
Modern vehicles, anything foreign, I know I'm working with metric. Domestic - seems to go either way. But yea, "modern" vehicles don't need much wrenching.
Wrenching on trailers and that sort of things seems to be more common for me. That's SAE and sometimes into "large" sizes on axle nuts and other stuff.
If a 16mm fits, I realize it's probably SAE... Probably.
Get that tools that work for you. Eventually you'll end up with both sets of tools. Under 1", shouldn't be that big of a deal long term. It's all about the "odd" things that you need like shorty wrenches, thin sockets, etc... that's what makes it expensive... One shot (job) tools.
I don't work with a lot of Imperial fasteners, but I would definitely recommend a good set of allen keys.
Most hex fasteners can fit an adjustable wrench or a "close enough" metric socket in a pinch but there really is no stand-in for properly sized allen keys.
Most hex fasteners can fit an adjustable wrench or a "close enough" metric socket in a pinch but there really is no stand-in for properly sized allen keys.
gtae07
Well-known member
Homebuilt. But even the big certified jets at work are pretty much all inch hardware, outside of a couple specific vendor-supplied components.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Nuts on #8 screws are typically 11/32" hex size so handy to have one of those, not always in sets, too.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
While I would agree with the above (and especially the allen keys as I find more SAE then metric here), I would personally add a 1/4" set, because of small fasteners, such as hose clamps, bits that normally one uses with screwdrivers (sometimes sockets work better), etc.
That is kind of like the old half moon wrenches (obstruction wrenches). I never found use for that many, so when I found a Snap on 5/8, 9/16 $1, I bought it as I remember doing old car starters, and have still have a few old cars I had worked on over the years.
That is kind of like the old half moon wrenches (obstruction wrenches). I never found use for that many, so when I found a Snap on 5/8, 9/16 $1, I bought it as I remember doing old car starters, and have still have a few old cars I had worked on over the years.
The Quinn 3/8" Master Socket Set was recently on sale for $65, full SAE sockets 1/4" to 1", shallow and deep, no skips. And metric 6mm - 24mm, also shallow and deep. Plus a surprisingly decent 90T sealed head ratchet (believed to be identical to the Gearwrench 90T), plus extensions and universal.
Add to that a set of no skip SAE polished wrenches for $25 and some SAE hex keys for $10, and you would have an incredibly complete very decent quality SAE tool setup for $100, with. full set of metric sockets as a bonus!
Review of the Master Socket Set here:
Add to that a set of no skip SAE polished wrenches for $25 and some SAE hex keys for $10, and you would have an incredibly complete very decent quality SAE tool setup for $100, with. full set of metric sockets as a bonus!
Review of the Master Socket Set here:
Ok, but you are in a different universe than most of us. As I'm sure you know, 99% of all fasteners used on USA sold passenger vehicles in the last 30+ years are metric. The only ones I've encountered that aren't are the seat belt anchor bolts. Yes, my ancient lawn mower is inch sized fasteners. And yes, I'm sure inch fasteners on heavy trucks still exist today. And on airplanes, battleships, space stations, nuclear reactors....... And I use inch tools around the house on various things. But not on any of my vehicles that were built in the last 50 years
I don’t much care to work on vehicles new enough to be metric. I like my universe.Ok, but you are in a different universe than most of us. As I'm sure you know, 99% of all fasteners used on USA sold passenger vehicles in the last 30+ years are metric. The only ones I've encountered that aren't are the seat belt anchor bolts. Yes, my ancient lawn mower is inch sized fasteners. And yes, I'm sure inch fasteners on heavy trucks still exist today. And on airplanes, battleships, space stations, nuclear reactors....... And I use inch tools around the house on various things. But not on any of my vehicles that were built in the last 50 years
Gangly
Well-known member
I've pulled engines and transmissions from Ram, GM, Ford, etc. ranging from mid 1990's to 2020's. There is definitely an ongoing transition to metric, but there are still quite a few SAE bolts to removeOk, but you are in a different universe than most of us. As I'm sure you know, 99% of all fasteners used on USA sold passenger vehicles in the last 30+ years are metric. The only ones I've encountered that aren't are the seat belt anchor bolts. Yes, my ancient lawn mower is inch sized fasteners. And yes, I'm sure inch fasteners on heavy trucks still exist today. And on airplanes, battleships, space stations, nuclear reactors....... And I use inch tools around the house on various things. But not on any of my vehicles that were built in the last 50 years
Gangly
Well-known member
Double post, sorry.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
If you’re really cheap and want your SAE stuff covered: adjustable wrenches in 6”, 10”, and 15” (a 12” would be great but we’re being cheap here; I often find adjustable pliers will work in more spots than the plier wrench), a set of 3/8” mid length sockets from 1/4”-15/16”, add a 1 1/16”, 1 1/8” and 1 1/4” in 1/2” sockets for the oddball assembly stuff, and add the common sizes in 1/4” (like 5/16”, 1/4”, 3/8”, 11/32” etc.). Throw in a couple of common size slight offset box wrenches and long/stubby hex keys and you’ll be good to go. Down the road buy a cheap mix set of hex bit sockets and you’ll be covered for the real basic stuff and you won’t be out much money. Lots of guys do something similar at work and we work on SAE 8:2 to metric.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
And one more thing and what I am telling my niece who is getting into tools, look at garage/estate sales for SAE, as there is a lot of it out there.
I gave my niece a set of metric offset DBE wrenches, from HF. She will end up with my better stuff soon enough, but now she is mostly practicing/working on home stuff. I have bought some SAE stuff (like DOE wrenches), over time, and am trying to help her based on my experiences and old timer knowledge that I wish I had listened to a long time ago (start with DBE and DOE wrenches, then add on as needed).
I also know a lot of old timers (my grandfathers, the WWII generation), would have not sets, but tools that would be bought as needed. So I have told her to not worry about matching SAE stuff, as she will also get a lot of that, that some goes back to her great grandfather, while others I bought, and some will go to a nephew. (siblings farm) I have enough they will each get some, then can swap, or help each other, etc. as needed.
I am not expecting good results of my next scan personally, so I am planning on a big pre estate sales (decent amount of power tools, some hand and specialty stuff, things like some of my pullers going to a friend working on a project vehicle, and others going to an old mechanic friend. General tools, plumbing stuff, house type stuff, going to nieces and nephews , etc.
I gave my niece a set of metric offset DBE wrenches, from HF. She will end up with my better stuff soon enough, but now she is mostly practicing/working on home stuff. I have bought some SAE stuff (like DOE wrenches), over time, and am trying to help her based on my experiences and old timer knowledge that I wish I had listened to a long time ago (start with DBE and DOE wrenches, then add on as needed).
I also know a lot of old timers (my grandfathers, the WWII generation), would have not sets, but tools that would be bought as needed. So I have told her to not worry about matching SAE stuff, as she will also get a lot of that, that some goes back to her great grandfather, while others I bought, and some will go to a nephew. (siblings farm) I have enough they will each get some, then can swap, or help each other, etc. as needed.
I am not expecting good results of my next scan personally, so I am planning on a big pre estate sales (decent amount of power tools, some hand and specialty stuff, things like some of my pullers going to a friend working on a project vehicle, and others going to an old mechanic friend. General tools, plumbing stuff, house type stuff, going to nieces and nephews , etc.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
Oh, and one more thought I had.
Years ago, in the hardware store, I learned the thread size of a bolt, the average head size was just shy of twice that size bolt. In my nieces and nephews lifetimes. towards when they have kids, I expect a lot more of SAE type of fasteners, will end up with metric size heads, but we will keep/still have SAE thread sizes.
Yet another reason to focus more on metric. I wouldn't be surprises that plumbing flares, being the hold out.
Years ago, in the hardware store, I learned the thread size of a bolt, the average head size was just shy of twice that size bolt. In my nieces and nephews lifetimes. towards when they have kids, I expect a lot more of SAE type of fasteners, will end up with metric size heads, but we will keep/still have SAE thread sizes.
Yet another reason to focus more on metric. I wouldn't be surprises that plumbing flares, being the hold out.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
For home gamers, 1/2" drive ANYTHING is overkill ! Unless you are going to work on vehicle suspensions.
The exception is lug nuts !
bwringer
Well-known member
I had to work on a Harley last year, and found that I had to beef up my inch **** drawer with hex (allen) keys and long bits, and a few long Torx bits I didn't have.
I end up using mostly 1/4" drive sockets on motorcycles and small outdoor equipment, but I have all the inch **** sockets (regular and deep) and wrenches in 1/4, 3/8" and 1/2" drive up to about an inch, and wrenches up to 1-1/2" or so.
As stated, you probably only need to go bigger than about 1" for tractors and heavy equipment. Let the farm store keep these in stock for you until you need them...
Oh, and I have a big wrench with whatever the sizes are that are used on trailer balls.
I end up using mostly 1/4" drive sockets on motorcycles and small outdoor equipment, but I have all the inch **** sockets (regular and deep) and wrenches in 1/4, 3/8" and 1/2" drive up to about an inch, and wrenches up to 1-1/2" or so.
As stated, you probably only need to go bigger than about 1" for tractors and heavy equipment. Let the farm store keep these in stock for you until you need them...
Oh, and I have a big wrench with whatever the sizes are that are used on trailer balls.
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
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Home gamer here grab 1/2 drive first or power tools unless obvious 1/4 drive is needed vehicle interior or home repairs. Getting older and weaker.
finn
Well-known member
All my modern vehicles are metric, but I rarely have to touch them. That’s the point of owning them. The 19 year old Ram I sold last year needed metric tools to change the battery and brakes, but that’s about the only few tools it needed.
Same with the 19 year old Super Duty I sold this year, although I think I changed shocks on that somewhere along the line on that one.
My old hobby cars on the other hand are SAE, and require a lot of wrench time, so my hand tool priorities lean towards SAE tool acquisition because of that one factor.
Same with the 19 year old Super Duty I sold this year, although I think I changed shocks on that somewhere along the line on that one.
My old hobby cars on the other hand are SAE, and require a lot of wrench time, so my hand tool priorities lean towards SAE tool acquisition because of that one factor.
I’d just grab Tekton or Icon up to 3/4” tbh
if you need bigger than order a tekton single wrench and wait a few days because at those sizes they get bigger and more expensive so keeping around a bunch of tools you prob won’t use isn’t worth it
if you are using bigger than 3/4” you probably already know it
if your cousin brings a 75 buick to your house and says he needs help working on it and you wind up needing a 1 1/16 tool you got time to order it and wait since your going to need to find parts anyways
i would just go 1/4 shallow set and then 3/8 up to 3/4” in either semi deep or get shallow and deep for sockets
then go from maybe 3/8” to 3/4” in combination wrenches
hex keys
you should be good to go honestly
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Last edited:
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I work on a 2 ton grain truck and rarely need to get above 3/4-13/16. Dad's tractor for some reason gets bigger than I thought it would. Most everything starts at 9/16 or 5/8"
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
So if you rarely use SAE, then clearly you need to buy more stuff that uses it so you have an excuse to own more wrenches and sockets.
mngundog
Well-known member
Yes the auto universe is a different, in our processing plant, 99% of all fasteners we work on are standard, we buy fasteners by the ton.Ok, but you are in a different universe than most of us. As I'm sure you know, 99% of all fasteners used on USA sold passenger vehicles in the last 30+ years are metric. The only ones I've encountered that aren't are the seat belt anchor bolts. Yes, my ancient lawn mower is inch sized fasteners. And yes, I'm sure inch fasteners on heavy trucks still exist today. And on airplanes, battleships, space stations, nuclear reactors....... And I use inch tools around the house on various things. But not on any of my vehicles that were built in the last 50 years
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
How dare you prove that SAE is still relevant lol.