Socket Set Size Charts

[gmwilkes]

Ok, i searched the Internet and couldn't find what I was looking for, so through some research of my own I came up with as thorough as a list as I could for socket sizes that span from 1/4" drive to 3/4" drive and compiled a small chart of both metric and SAE sockets that I may need at some point. There may be some that I'll never use or that they don't even make? But I wanted a list to build a Complete socket set to have in my box which I'll be buying soon, that will cover just about anything I may come across while working on my vehicles or anyone else's.

I've attached the charts in a photo form, but can generate and email PDF files if anyone is interested in copies? Let me know what you think.

 

[Tonellin]

I'd love to see the fastener that requires a 1/2 drive 10mm socket

 

[gmwilkes]

I'd love to see the fastener that requires a 1/2 drive 10mm socket

Agreed, but they're made and I figured it best to have more overlap between sets the better in case I need both to loosen a fastener or if I have someone else working with me and we both need the same size at the same time...

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I could swear I have seen 9mm 1/2" drive sockets, I may even own one. Completely useless though IMO.

 

[jakemac]

Craftsman had/has a 1/2dr 9mm socket (I have 2 that never get used)

 

[carcajou]

I have Proto up to 60mm in 3/4 drive. Lots of /32 sockets that you have missed.

 

[Sal Bandini]

You're missing the X.5 metric sizes, like 4.5, 5.5, 6.5.

 

[pi_guy]

You forgot 1/8

 

[bczygan]

How about 1" drive?

 

[smuro04]

Are we talking just chrome sockets specifically?

I just received my Gearwrench impact socket sets yesterday and included in the set are a shallow and deep 9mm socket. These are 1/2" drive.

For 1/4' drive sizes, I own 5.5mm, never had to use a 4.5mm (don't own), and the only 6.5mm Ive ever seen was in the HF 301 piece tool kit. Never had to use a 6.5mm either.

 

[damnesia]

Wow you put a lot of effort into this. I don't see the need for it, but nice work. That's gonna be a very expensive socket collection

 

[pozidriv]

I could swear I have seen 9mm 1/2" drive sockets, I may even own one. Completely useless though IMO.

In Europe, it's quite common to see 1/2" drive sets from 8mm to 32mm. Especially older ones, but they're still around:
http://www.avenue-online.co.uk/socket-set-12-21-pcs-ud-8-32-mm-122649-p.asp

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I will get in line to mention a 5.5MM


10MM in 1/2" drive is for shearing off *****-bolts.. make sure it is six point

Deepwell and standard depth, six point and twelve point will be added to the blend..

Then You can duplicate it all in impacts

Might have to think bigger about that tool box You are thinking about

 

[WhiffySpark]

I could swear I have seen 9mm 1/2" drive sockets, I may even own one. Completely useless though IMO.

I have one. I used it on vw clutches.

My 1/2 goes up to 38mm

 

[Corndoggeh]

You also forgot the 1/2" drive 53/64 !

 

[drtyler]

There is also a 3.2mm size in metric.

http://catalogue.facom.com/en/categ...it/r-1-4-drive-metric-6-point-sockets/r-3-2-3

 

[pi_guy]

Wow you put a lot of effort into this. I don't see the need for it, but nice work. That's gonna be a very expensive socket collection

He is just mentioning sizes.
What about deep, mid and extra short?
Then there is flex in deep and standard and 6 or 12 point.

I know have the top drawer of my krl1032 filled with sockets.....



Oh god what about the allen keys or square drive sockets

 

[jakemac]

And then there's....
Drag link sockets
Weatherhead sockets
Torx drive sockets
eTorx drivers
Crowsfeet

When will it all end ?

What about 9/32dr sockets

 

[gmwilkes]

Ok , this reply may be winded as I'm trying to reply to everyone that commented.

Damnesia: I put the work into it bc I got frustrated trying to find a complete list and figured that as a diy/shade tree mechanic it would cover most everything. And figured where better to share my work than here, where someone else may be looking for something similar and got as frustrated as me.

Carcajou: I listed the /32 sockets that I found to be most common and I know that there are some, but after 3/8 they seem to be few and far between and difficult to find although I know they're out there. This isn't a full comp list, just one that would be a complete set most would be able to have whatever they need except for a few vehicle soecific sockets in special rare sizes.

Sal: I didn't include those few half sizes as I've never needed them, although I'm sure there's always a possibility and I would hope that this list would be a fantastic start for most and they could add those sockets as needed.

Pi_guy: same as above, I have never needed it and I don't know if I ever will. This covers the most used and is a straight complete list (minus the rarely if ever needed sockets)

Bczygan: I don't foresee needing 1" drive as I don't ever foresee working on anything remotely needing that big of a socket although I know it's out there.

Smuro: yes. This is primarily for just chrome although I'm sure impacts will come into play later on, but I don't have the current $ for an air gun and big enough compressor, and don't have a cordless impact yet and when I do, I plan to get a decent set of impacts and be done not try doing a complete set like this.

BDT/NWMN: see above about the .5mm sizes. I'll be investing in standard and deepwell (6point for the whole list and a decent set of 12 point but not comprehensive like the 6). And I'm getting the US General 44" bottom to start and may expand to the whole setup later if needed. The sockets will be in the top full length drawer with the 3/4 going into another drawer or in a case/bag and stored under until needed. This set of sockets will take quite a while to build im sure for $reasons and just to find all of them. Not gonna worry too much about matching every brand across the board, that would be a headache!

Pi_guy (again): I'll be buying sets of the mids and short but not trying to build a full list. Same for the flex.

Jakemac: I've got a craftsman but socket set that will cover most and I'll be buying a set of others like the etorx, crows feet, etc as needed and to have when needed when that time comes.


Thanks for the input guys. I'm hoping this may get stickied (although I doubt it will be seen as being so deserving but I know it could help quite a few people as they come seeking the same answers). Keep the replies coming but I hope my answers answered a lot of questions and comments about specialty sizes etc and the different types of sockets. This list is basic I know, but from my research (quite a few hours) and looking at various companies offerings, I feel I covered most everything the average diyer/ home mechanic will come across.

 

[pi_guy]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm hoping this may get stickied (although I doubt it will be seen as being so deserving but I know it could help quite a few people as they come seeking the same answers). Keep the replies coming but I hope my answers answered a lot of questions and comments about specialty sizes etc and the different types of sockets. This list is basic I know, but from my research (quite a few hours) and looking at various companies offerings, I feel I covered most everything the average diyer/ home mechanic will come across.

snap on catalog could have saved you a bunch of time?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I just bought a shallow 1/4 16mm from snap on. For shock bolt/nut on my Dodge 1 ton. Just access reasons.

 

[Adam.C]

Its better to go the other way around. Instead of looking at what manufacturers offer, look at what bolts are actually available. To do this, you need to associate the size of a bolt (typically the size of the shank, not the head) with the size of its head. For this you need to read all the bolt specs. And there are different specs for different countries and different kinds of bolts. Last, you want to look at what might be a "standard" torque for a given bolt size so you know if you have the correct drive size.

Generally speaking, Snap On's Dual 80 ratchets meet the minimum torque values below:
1/4" Drive 90ftlbs
3/8" Drive 250ftlbs
1/2" Drive 750ftlbs

I typically use the smallest drive size I can get away with. I also typically want 2X the capability in the ratchet system as the bolt requires. I may be willing to use a 14 or 15mm in 1/4" drive on an M10. But an M12 would be out of the question. Likewise, I think I have a 21mm in 3/8" drive, but its really not something I'd be anxious to use on a flange head bolt.

The chart below will tell you what sockets and wrenches you are most likely to use on cars/products of a given origin. Just be sure to read the notes. Both the Japanese and German stds are now obsolete. Whether we will see fastener head size changes soon or not is anyone's guess.

 

[gmwilkes]

snap on catalog could have saved you a bunch of time?

I used catalogs from multiple manufacturers but there is also individual sockets sold that filled some of the voids, particularly in the metric sizes and went beyond what snap on and others showed for those particular drive sizes and expanded the versatility of the individual drive sizes.

 

[gmwilkes]

Also, I included the time looking to see if another list had been done before making my own so as not to put the work in that someone else already has done.

 

[gmwilkes]

Its better to go the other way around. Instead of looking at what manufacturers offer, look at what bolts are actually available. To do this, you need to associate the size of a bolt (typically the size of the shank, not the head) with the size of its head. For this you need to read all the bolt specs. And there are different specs for different countries and different kinds of bolts. Last, you want to look at what might be a "standard" torque for a given bolt size so you know if you have the correct drive size.

Generally speaking, Snap On's Dual 80 ratchets meet the minimum torque values below:
1/4" Drive 90ftlbs
3/8" Drive 250ftlbs
1/2" Drive 750ftlbs

I typically use the smallest drive size I can get away with. I also typically want 2X the capability in the ratchet system as the bolt requires. I may be willing to use a 14 or 15mm in 1/4" drive on an M10. But an M12 would be out of the question. Likewise, I think I have a 21mm in 3/8" drive, but its really not something I'd be anxious to use on a flange head bolt.

The chart below will tell you what sockets and wrenches you are most likely to use on cars/products of a given origin. Just be sure to read the notes. Both the Japanese and German stds are now obsolete. Whether we will see fastener head size changes soon or not is anyone's guess.

I understand what you're saying, I wasn't necessarily looking for what size fastener I would use each one on, but more so creating a list covering the sizes that each drive offered and then would apply it as necessary. Like in some cases, a 1/2 in drive with a 10mm socket may be useful when shearing off a bolt to get to where one can drill out the actual shaft of the bolt and retap if needed where as a 3/8 or 1/4 in drive may not provide that needed torque. But then again that's a pretty extreme circumstance.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have an 11/16" 1/4" Armstrong.

 

[WWheeler]

Haven't really looked to hard at all of it but noticed right off the bat the metric 3/4 dr in the chart starts at 26mm. My 3/4" dr set starts at 19mm

 

[Cope]

I'd love to see the fastener that requires a 1/2 drive 10mm socket

I had one, on a 1980 Dodge Aspen AC compressor. Broke four 3/8" 10mm trying to remove it. Snap-on 1/2" impact socket did the job.

 

[gmwilkes]

Haven't really looked to hard at all of it but noticed right off the bat the metric 3/4 dr in the chart starts at 26mm. My 3/4" dr set starts at 19mm

Thank you for your input, I'll modify my chart to reflect this (and post updated copies at a later time)

 

[bixxjs]

What about Whitworth sizes,a lot of hydraulic and water fittings in industrial application are strange sizes.

 

[gmwilkes]

What about Whitworth sizes,a lot of hydraulic and water fittings in industrial application are strange sizes.

This is primarily for auto mechanic work (diy level not professional) but I understand that there will always be sizes I don't have.

 

[DFB]

Geez I have Klutch impact set that has 9mm 1/2" shallow

 

[WhiffySpark]

I highly doubt you'll neeed anything over 1/2

 

[Keel]

I could swear I have seen 9mm 1/2" drive sockets, I may even own one. Completely useless though IMO.

These small 1/2 drive are for 3 things
1)snapping off a bolt.. great for junkyard crawls, were the sae won't fit from rust and you need to hammer it on..
2) when you use a gas wrench to heat and try to slowly work the bolt back and forth, it takes longer to get the heat to the ratchet as that causes the oil/grease to flow out of ratchet head..
3) torque wenches..

 

[hoston23]

i own a 1/2 drive 1 5/8 socket, its even a snap on lol

 

[carcajou]

I know you are trying to be helpful by making this chart, and i can see some benefit to it for collectors, but unless you include every size available past and present it won't be all it could (should) be. Then i could see a sticky in your future.

 

[rhandwor]

I have a 8mm deep 1/2 drive socket never used.
I have a 6.3mm socket which I use.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

3/8" drive sockets go down to 5/32" and 4mm (Kobalt)

1/4" drive sockets go down to 3/32 and 3mm

 

[theamcguy]

Nice work as usual things like this are a work in progress. You can take the suggestions here and add them to your chart.

 

[jl4c]

The chart below will tell you what sockets and wrenches you are most likely to use on cars/products of a given origin. Just be sure to read the notes. Both the Japanese and German stds are now obsolete. Whether we will see fastener head size changes soon or not is anyone's guess.

This is an interesting chart. You've noticed I'm sure that it's kind of arbitrary to which standard a manufacturer choose to adhere. For instance, I have a Honda Pilot that has a 12mm oil drain plug. According to JIS B1180 it should have a 17mm head, which it does. However, the lug nuts are 14mm and have a 22mm head, which corresponds to the German DIN 933 standard.