Canadian Charlie
Banned
Just wondering what everyone mainly uses as his main drive in sockets. I have the 3 main drive sockets and mostly work with 3/8" drive with 1/2" comming in second and I'm using my 1/4" drive the least
1/4", 3/8" or 1/2" Drive Sockets
- Thread starter Canadian Charlie
- Start date
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
3/8... Unless your working on big diesels or tractors id imagine just about everybody is going to say 3/8. 1/2 is just overkill for so many jobs, and you cant get enough leverage with 1/4... 3/8 is the one size with the most extensive selection as well...
Jim
Jim
Runner94
Well-known member
I have all three sets but use the 3/8" set the most. But I do use the 1/4" set quite a bit also. I own Toyota so I am able to use the 1/4" drive set with metric sockets. A lot of 8 and 10 mm nuts and bolts. I use the 1/2" set when I work on brakes or the suspension.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
dink
Well-known member
1. 3/8
2. 1/4
3. 1/2
But sometimes I will use 1/2 instead of 3/8 just because they are there to be used
2. 1/4
3. 1/2
But sometimes I will use 1/2 instead of 3/8 just because they are there to be used
RWD
Well-known member
dink said:
My thoughts exactly! lol
Uncle Buck
Banned
I agree with the above,but would add this: It is suprising how many times a year I use 3/4 inch sockets for press fitting parts in the vise such as seals, or for other such oddball tasks. I have not used the 3/4 drivers in prolly 2 years or more. When you do need the might that 3/4 drive allows for there is absolutely no substitute!
dink
Well-known member
hholmberg said:
I call for a breaker bar
Uncle Buck
Banned
The 3/4 drive picks up where my 24" Snappy breaker ends! HOLY SMOKES, WAS THAT THING ON TIGHT OR WHAT!! 
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
I have gotten very lazy since the 600lb gun... if the gun wont do it the breaker bar sure as hell wont, although sometimes its good for holding the other end of the fastener
I dont own any 3/4 drive, overkill for my needs
I dont own any 3/4 drive, overkill for my needs
dink
Well-known member
kartracer55 said:
Its overkill unless your working on a dully or larger
Uncle Buck
Banned
The first place an application for 3/4 such as I described comes to mind is a stuck seatbelt bolt at the cab floor of my old 72 chev truck years ago. I dont know how many foot lbs my old burp gun is good for, but whatever it was capable of was not enough, so out came the 3/4 stuff. I have no idea what I would use a burp gun with that kind of torque for, but I would bet a gun with that kind of torque cost more than my whole set of USA 3/4 stuff!
Fast Orange
Well-known member
As a general rule,I always use the smallest drive that will do the job-best accessability and largest swing being the reason. I probably use 3/8" drive 90% of the time,with 1/4" and 1/2" making up the bulk of the rest. My 3/4" stuff doesn't get used a lot,but one ton and larger trucks,there are times when nothing else stands a chance of working.
As to the use and cost of a killer 1/2" gun,think of it as a poor man's 3/4" gun and in a much lighter package that doesn't need a giant compressor and 1/2" air hose.I'm shopping for an "animal gun" now,primarily for suspension and tire work on trucks. My old CP gun of unknown torque just doesn't cut it on 9/16" u-bolts on truck leaf springs,and a 3/4" ratchet gets heavy when you're cranking off 2" long nuts over your head that have been rusting together for the past 15 years-
George
As to the use and cost of a killer 1/2" gun,think of it as a poor man's 3/4" gun and in a much lighter package that doesn't need a giant compressor and 1/2" air hose.I'm shopping for an "animal gun" now,primarily for suspension and tire work on trucks. My old CP gun of unknown torque just doesn't cut it on 9/16" u-bolts on truck leaf springs,and a 3/4" ratchet gets heavy when you're cranking off 2" long nuts over your head that have been rusting together for the past 15 years-
George
gerry
Well-known member
When I was wrenching for a living I had 1/2" and 1/4" only. My Dad gave me a set of 3/8" and I said "what am I going to use this junk for?" Now 35 years later it works out like this 3/8-80% 1/4'-24% and 1/2" only on big stuff or when I'm ushing a torque wrench! Who'd ever thunk it?
Fast Orange: IR makes a 1/2" gun that has 1000 lbs of NBT (Nut Busting Torque) and is rated at 600 lbs of normal torque or whatever. I can't imagine there is a whole lot of anything you are gonna do that is gonna stop that gun. It's my next purchase since my $20 Blue Point AT-123 isn't liking me much anymore.
It depends on what you do with tools.
For farming
1/2 70% of the time. 3/4 20% of the time 3/8 10 % 1/4 Never the last wrench purchased 25 years ago still looks new.
At home
3/8 60% of the time 1/4 25% of the time 1/2 15% of the time. 3/4 Once a year.
When I first set up shop at the house in town. It took me a while to understand I needed different tools than I had used on the farm machines. I had too many large wrenches and not enough small or metric ones. Had to do some shuffling around to get the mix right.
For farming
1/2 70% of the time. 3/4 20% of the time 3/8 10 % 1/4 Never the last wrench purchased 25 years ago still looks new.
At home
3/8 60% of the time 1/4 25% of the time 1/2 15% of the time. 3/4 Once a year.
When I first set up shop at the house in town. It took me a while to understand I needed different tools than I had used on the farm machines. I had too many large wrenches and not enough small or metric ones. Had to do some shuffling around to get the mix right.
l_bilyk
Well-known member
I think on a ratchet I use 3/8 the most.
But my 1/2" impact sockets are used most often on a gun..
But my 1/2" impact sockets are used most often on a gun..
Remi
Well-known member
I use 1/2 the most. Because I tend to do allot of suspension work. 3/8 comes in second. And 1/4 and 3/4 the least. I probably use the 3/4 only 2 or 3 times a year.
But now that I'm starting to buy air tools. I think going to be using 3/8 more than 1/2.
BTW I just picked up a IR 2135Qti (1/2 impact wrench), I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it is.
But now that I'm starting to buy air tools. I think going to be using 3/8 more than 1/2.
BTW I just picked up a IR 2135Qti (1/2 impact wrench), I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it is.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
iiibdsiil said:
Thats BS marketing... If you read thier little disclaimer it says it will loosen a nut tightened to 1000ftlbs in something like 6 or 7 seconds. Its actual torque is only 625 ft lbs. I found this out when I was shopping for a gun. Ive been happy with the thundergun, but I havent done anything too heavy duty with it. If your looking for a true monster gun, look at the CP 7750 ( I think) It has like 800ftlbs in reverse if your compressor can handle the 30cfm it needs. I played with one, very nice. I also used the newer IR titanium guns... running on unregulated air, the thing rips nuts off... I havent run mine over 100psi so I cant compare them. I use a 400$ snap on gun quite often and the 200$ thundergun kicks its ****.
Jim
Fast Orange
Well-known member
Thanks guys-
The CP 7750 and one of the IR Thunder guns (Titanium) are the 2 I've been looking at-they seem to be the highest torque available in 1/2". I seem to recall a CP that was basically a light 3/4" with a 1/2" mandrell,but I haven't seen one in a while.
I've got time before I make a choice anyway-between holiday bills and heating bills and tax bills,I may need all the dollar bills I can get-
George
The CP 7750 and one of the IR Thunder guns (Titanium) are the 2 I've been looking at-they seem to be the highest torque available in 1/2". I seem to recall a CP that was basically a light 3/4" with a 1/2" mandrell,but I haven't seen one in a while.
I've got time before I make a choice anyway-between holiday bills and heating bills and tax bills,I may need all the dollar bills I can get-
George
l_bilyk
Well-known member
kartracer55 said:
I think that's going overboard
All that extra torque is good for is breaking stuff
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
No, he said he wanted a monster gun. IF your working with bigger studs/bolts/nuts, that have been exposed ot the elements and corroded, all this power can be a big help. There is a reason for power regulators on guns... so you dont snap stuff. Alot of people simply get lazy and wind up snapping them. Hell, if I was determined, I could snap a good decent size stud, Its all about control and not overkilling it. Trust me on this one, as long as your not being an idiot with the gun and running it full bore to take off an M8 nut, then you want have problems
Jim
Jim
Coming off you ain't gonna break much anyways. Going back on is a different story. Most guns these days have a built in pressure regulator anyways.
And the marketing might be "BS" but if it breaks a 1000 ft/lb torqued bolt in 6 or 7 seconds it's more then my AT-123 gun will do EVER.
And the marketing might be "BS" but if it breaks a 1000 ft/lb torqued bolt in 6 or 7 seconds it's more then my AT-123 gun will do EVER.
Fast Orange
Well-known member
I think this "Monster Impact Gun" thing needs it's own thread- I've got a few observations and quite a few questions-plus we're totally hijacking this thread.
George
George
arthur1920
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2008
- Messages
- 89
Wimpy people like me always use 1/2 inch for the leverage. Except, in the last 10 years or so cars got so tight I can't fit 1/2 anywhere. I had a complete set of 1/4 inch sitting in the tool box for 30 years....never used them until about 5 years ago...and lately, I can't fit those in anywhere either.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
Whats with all this thread resurrection lately?!?!?!?!
ZRX61
Well-known member
aircraft: 1/4-3/8-1/2
bikes: ditto
cars etc: 3/8-1/4- 1/2
bikes: ditto
cars etc: 3/8-1/4- 1/2
Stuey
Well-known member
Dunno, but I've noticed it too.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Well, at least these folks read the archives. Better than re-rehashing the same things all the time.
speed bump
Well-known member
3/8" for most general engine, transmission and body work.
1/4" for most interior and alot of the body work
1/2" for most suspension and drivtrain work.
3/4" for the occasional thing that presents itself.
For industrial stuff
mostly 3/4"
for little stuff 1/2"
I can't even remember if we had a 3/8" set in the truck
1/4" for most interior and alot of the body work
1/2" for most suspension and drivtrain work.
3/4" for the occasional thing that presents itself.
For industrial stuff
mostly 3/4"
for little stuff 1/2"
I can't even remember if we had a 3/8" set in the truck