1/4 or 3/8 Inch Drive
- Thread starter bspearson
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dan1120
Well-known member
Should have made this a poll instead.
Definitely 3/8's. Im a car and light truck mechanic.
Definitely 3/8's. Im a car and light truck mechanic.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
If working on electronics, appliances or automotive interiors, then 1/4". For std. household repairs and automotive work, 3/8". For breaker bar, large fastener and heavy duty work 1/2" or 3/4"
This is like asking a chef does he/she use a frying pan, saute pan or deep dutch oven more. It's all about the right tool for the right job. That is unless you're frugal, poor or foolishly daring.
This is like asking a chef does he/she use a frying pan, saute pan or deep dutch oven more. It's all about the right tool for the right job. That is unless you're frugal, poor or foolishly daring.
Seanbev24
Well-known member
As a pro car and light truck mechanic, I'd say I use 3/8" 60% of the time, 1/4" and 1/2" each 20%. I use my 3/4" set to drive seals and press bearings lol.
Givl Reggin
Banned
It wasn't too many years ago that 1/2" drive was consider the 'professional's choice' - 3/8' was mainly aimed at the homeowner market, and 1/4" was considered 'hobby' grade. The big stuff, 3/4' drive, was almost exclusively used on construction sites and farm/industrial settings
My grandfather worked for Douglas Aircraft and retired in 1965... his only complete socket set was 1/2" drive, with about 6 3/8 drive sockets throw in and no 1/4" stuff. How little tools he had would amaze most guys today, those sockets along with a Whitworth socket set (1/2" drive) and combination wrenches up to 1-1/2" was about it, plus a few mallets, screwdrivers and pliers... pretty standard stuff. His tool 'collection' would comfortably fit into about 3 shoe boxes. I don't think there are many mechanics that can say that today!
Boy, things have sure changed... today, 3/8" drive is by far the 'mechanic's first choice' with 1/4" drive being long ago taken out of the 'hobby' category and into the professional workplace a very close second.
Now on to the *real* questions...
The right tool for the right job in the kitchen really isn't a necessity... anything with a 'bottom' and 'sides' that can hold water can be used for frying, braising, sauces. I have been camping and the only 'pot' we take along is a 12qt aluminum roaster - it was my grandmother's grandmother's and must be 150 years old - I have used it to make poached eggs, bacon, fried fish, chili, popcorn, etc. It is seldom the idea pan and the depth of the sides often gets in the way, but in the end; it works!
A lot depends on what you cook, but I would say that a frying pan is probably by far the most used item in any kitchen, maybe 20x more often than the saute pan, and the dutch oven is a pretty specific item, primarily reserved for braising tough meats and the occasional stews/soups. I would say a stock pot used for blanching vegetables and cooking pasta sees 5x more action than a dutch oven.
honcho
Well-known member
3/8" mostly, but 1/4" is coming up fast mainly because so many things I work on have surprisingly low torque limits and my internal torque sensor isn't very well calibrated.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
Thusly, I can stab and kill you or any intruder with the 17 knives I keep in my kitchen.
But....
The point is, a paring knife would be far less effective then a 12"chef's knife if dispatching and gutting you. A k-bar would be better, but that gets us out of the kitchen then, doesn't.
U answered a question with a non-answer.
As did I.
Right tool for the right job, but in a pinch, any tool will do if ur ingenious enuff. Kudos.
Glad to see the cooking crowd is as passionate about their tools as the wrenching crowd.
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You've probably got that one backwards. I reckon 3/8" drive tools started out in the pro market and migrated to diy'ers.
Anyways back to the original question I use 3/8" drive the most then 1/4" followed by 1/2".
powertrip
Well-known member
Threads like this and the "who makes the best tools" type thread are a complete waste of page space. Arent we all tired of this ****?
I prefer 1/4" and 1/2" to 3/8" drive. If I'm working on an engine or other relatively delicate equipment, 1/4" works well. When I do suspension stuff, I reach straight for 1/2" and sometimes wish I had 3/4".
I have very complete sets of 1/4" and 1/2" as a result. However, I do have 3/8" drive tools due to the variety of specialty tools available in that size, like hex bits, torx bits and sockets, etc.
I have very complete sets of 1/4" and 1/2" as a result. However, I do have 3/8" drive tools due to the variety of specialty tools available in that size, like hex bits, torx bits and sockets, etc.
ZRX61
Well-known member
1/4in.
speed bump
Well-known member
Depends on the job
At work 70% half inch, 25% 3/8", 2% 1/4", and 3% 3/4"
At home probably mostly 3/8" followed by 1/2 or 1/4 based on the job
At work 70% half inch, 25% 3/8", 2% 1/4", and 3% 3/4"
At home probably mostly 3/8" followed by 1/2 or 1/4 based on the job
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
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3/8 drive most, but can't live without 1/4 drive.
Bran Diezel
Well-known member
punkenduro
Well-known member
3/8" probably 40%, 1/4" 35%, 1/2" 25%.
why such high 1/4" usage?
this (not my pic by the way but same color as mine), with a 1/4" drive bit, such a time saver. if i cant tighten/loosen it with that, its time for the 3/8" ratchet/impact.
why such high 1/4" usage?
this (not my pic by the way but same color as mine), with a 1/4" drive bit, such a time saver. if i cant tighten/loosen it with that, its time for the 3/8" ratchet/impact.
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kxxr
Well-known member
It's too bad you couldn't post this at the top of the thread, then I would not have had to read this far for you to tell me whether or not it was interesting.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
1/4" anywhere I can, then 3/8" if that doesn't do it then the 1/2" . I do collision repairs and the mechanical repairs on those cars as well. With so many tight spaces on todays cars, 1/4" are my first choice.
Gregg33
Well-known member
3/4" a Chicom set I got for free that collects dust
1/2" I use mostly on race car suspension
3/8 for race car driveline and small repairs on my Jeep
1/4 for fragile race car stuff like carbs, intakes any other smaller bolts into aluminum and stuff around the house like assembling furniture etc.
1/2" I use mostly on race car suspension
3/8 for race car driveline and small repairs on my Jeep
1/4 for fragile race car stuff like carbs, intakes any other smaller bolts into aluminum and stuff around the house like assembling furniture etc.