Imperial sockets

[yasha32]

this is directed at the working auto techs out there, or those with some knowledge of the business. I'm currently running most of my tools out of my service cart, including the imperial (American, standard whatever you call them) sockets. I never use them so I want to get rid of them, but before I do I want to check around to see if anyone has had a practical use for one yet, or a reason to hold onto them.

Thanks!

 

[cowboy73]

I'm not an auto tech, but I would never get rid of them. You just never know when you might need them. You could take them out of your cart and store them someplace else.

 

[yasha32]

It has just been bothering me in general, they take up space and I haven't had to use one yet. I feel like turning them to cash would be a good choice, but like you said I may need one... I just don't know for what, everything seems metric.

 

[vssjim]

depends what you work on doesn't it?

 

[Altec]

I wouldn't keep them in my service cart, but id never get did of them.

 

[Greatbear]

My suggestion is to get a portable tool box big enough to hold your SAE sockets, wrenches and the like, put the stuff in, and set the box aside somewhere handy. While you might only run across metric fasteners in your everyday work and your own vehicles, there might come a day you will have a chance to work on some pre-80s American car, a trailer, farm machinery or what have you. Unless you are in Europe where most everything is fairly new and totally metric, you might be glad you've held onto the SAE sized stuff.

 

[Bam!]

yasha32 do you work in a dealer or small shop?

I've personally found that the SAE sockets/wrenches can occasionally come in handy with the occasional worn/rusted fastener. I guess on that note I should be asking where you work to. Working up where salt is used heavily on the roads in winter provides a challenge when working on older vehicles. If you don't have to face that kind of environment then...

I'd have to side with Greatbear though and hold on to them. Because "you never know".

 

[Philbert]

If you do any home repairs in the states sometimes SAE is good for plumbing fixtures or other around the house stuff. I've used a SAE deep socket to get out a shower fixture.

 

[Outlawmws]

My suggestion is to get a portable tool box big enough to hold your SAE sockets, wrenches and the like, put the stuff in, and set the box aside somewhere handy. While you might only run across metric fasteners in your everyday work and your own vehicles, there might come a day you will have a chance to work on some pre-80s American car, a trailer, farm machinery or what have you. Unless you are in Europe where most everything is fairly new and totally metric, you might be glad you've held onto the SAE sized stuff.

And emphasizing the point about if you change jobs you may need them later...