nicks78camaro
Well-known member
I do as much small work as possible with 1/4, but all three drive sizes are necessary
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1/2 drive.... how important
- Thread starter bratwurst
- Start date
sberry
Banned
I am the other way, do as much as I can 1/2.
gtae07
Well-known member
Mostly I use 1/4 for my airplane, except for a handful of larger fasteners that need 3/8. I used a couple 1/2 sockets building the engine, but I stepped those down to a 3/8 torque wrench with an adapter.
When I work on the cars, it’s generally 3/8 unless that doesn’t cut it or the required socket needs 1/2.
When I work on the cars, it’s generally 3/8 unless that doesn’t cut it or the required socket needs 1/2.
Mick56
Well-known member
No matter what size ratchet you use, it's a far cry from what I had to use while growing up.
We lived in rural Wisconsin, the only socket set we had was 1/2. To change the direction on the ratchet, you had to pull out the square drive and put it in from the other side. That ratchet, I seem to recall it was a Husky, but that was a long time ago, that ratchet must have had 10 teeth. You needed about a 1/4 swing to catch the next bite.
We lived in rural Wisconsin, the only socket set we had was 1/2. To change the direction on the ratchet, you had to pull out the square drive and put it in from the other side. That ratchet, I seem to recall it was a Husky, but that was a long time ago, that ratchet must have had 10 teeth. You needed about a 1/4 swing to catch the next bite.
Started carrying only 1/2 and 1/4 in the service truck to simplify and lighten the load. With small head 1/2 ratchets like Powerbuilt and Carlyle, have gotten by fine. 3/8 stays in the shop. Plenty of spark plug and hex/torx sockets out there to make this work. On the impact side, use the DCF880 most of the time. Even though brushed, its compact. Only get the DCF899 out on the big stuff.
ssdave
Banned
Have to use 1/2" drive all the time, my 3/8" only goes to 15/16", plus need more strength and leverage even on 13/16 and 7/8 and 15/16" sometimes. 3/8" is a convenient tweener size, covers the overlap between 1/4" drive and 1/2" drive, but doesn't do the full job of either of them. I have and use all 3 drives (plus 3/4" drive) but would have a hard time getting by with just 3/8".
I use 1/4" and 1/2" a lot, prefer 1/4" when I can, but do use 3/8" with a stubby ratchet quite a bit, and on the bigger end, use it with an extra long ratchet.
I use 1/4" and 1/2" a lot, prefer 1/4" when I can, but do use 3/8" with a stubby ratchet quite a bit, and on the bigger end, use it with an extra long ratchet.
sberry
Banned
I wrecked a couple 3/8 ratchets in my early 20's. Had a helper a while back fooling with something for 45 mins, 36 inches away sits 1/2 drive and I do it in 36 seconds.
harley jim
Well-known member
I use 1/4 and 3/8 drive about half of the time and 1/2 and 1" drive frequently. My sockets go to 6". I cant do without the big stuff.
Plus the blue flame multi drive.
Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app
Plus the blue flame multi drive.
Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app
ez-duzit
Well-known member
Your ratchet drive size depends on the type of work you do.
sberry
Banned
I wrecked a couple 3/8 ratchets in my early 20's. Had a helper a while back fooling with something for 45 mins, 36 inches away sits 1/2 drive and I do it in 36 seconds.
If I was under a car full time would tailor a bit more, working out of a conventional box in a stall would have 3/8 impact in the most modern. All that shat put together wouldn't same me 5 minutes a week and be another layer of stuff. I should own 1 more impact than I do but I use all 1/2 and some air ratchet. I can manage well enough with 1 drive size in impact and makes portableor moving between projects easy.
I rely on duplication, need 2 and 3 of everything.
dadsEH
Well-known member
Just bought my first cordless 3/8th.
Fantastic.
Fantastic.
I agree with everybody who mentions what you are planning to work on.
I have 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 (+3/4 which I got as a deal which will eventually make it's trip here as it is with my friend 100 miles away)
I am a DIY guy who does some work here and there - thus not a pro working on heavy equipment, trucks, etc.
I used to use mostly 1/4 and 3/8. I picked up some extra 1/2 staff when I saw them for a good price on yard sales (have several ratchets, breaker bars, T-handles, most of SAE sockets and some Metric by now (not a complete set though))
This summer I was doing brakes. I am in the rust zone. I could not remove several bolts holding the caliper bracket from inside no matter how hard I tried. I even wacked the SO 3/8 breaker bar couple of time with a rubber mallet (just left couple of dings on the bar, could not even move the bolt). Eventually decided to try a longer 1/2 Craftsman =V= breaker bar. Better leverage and longer size compared to SO F-10-L . Did it relatively easily.
I am also slowly disassembling a very rusty jack (sorry for the ones who saw my earlier summer thread - no progress for now) - I do not even bother with 3/8: 1/2 breaker bar, 1/2 to 3/8 conversion piece and 3/8 sockets (I did not have some sizes in 1/2 drive which are 6 point)
I would recommend the following - if there is a chance you need to disassemble something rusty, stuck or large in the future, find yourself an extra 1/2 set and buy it when you see it for a great price at a yard sale or on CL. The set would not take much space, but can come very useful.
It's better having and not needing vs needing and not having... Hmm, that's how I ended up with 3/4 drive sets which I will most likely never use, but it would not hurt to have them since I got a great price...
I have 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 (+3/4 which I got as a deal which will eventually make it's trip here as it is with my friend 100 miles away)
I am a DIY guy who does some work here and there - thus not a pro working on heavy equipment, trucks, etc.
I used to use mostly 1/4 and 3/8. I picked up some extra 1/2 staff when I saw them for a good price on yard sales (have several ratchets, breaker bars, T-handles, most of SAE sockets and some Metric by now (not a complete set though))
This summer I was doing brakes. I am in the rust zone. I could not remove several bolts holding the caliper bracket from inside no matter how hard I tried. I even wacked the SO 3/8 breaker bar couple of time with a rubber mallet (just left couple of dings on the bar, could not even move the bolt). Eventually decided to try a longer 1/2 Craftsman =V= breaker bar. Better leverage and longer size compared to SO F-10-L . Did it relatively easily.
I am also slowly disassembling a very rusty jack (sorry for the ones who saw my earlier summer thread - no progress for now) - I do not even bother with 3/8: 1/2 breaker bar, 1/2 to 3/8 conversion piece and 3/8 sockets (I did not have some sizes in 1/2 drive which are 6 point)
I would recommend the following - if there is a chance you need to disassemble something rusty, stuck or large in the future, find yourself an extra 1/2 set and buy it when you see it for a great price at a yard sale or on CL. The set would not take much space, but can come very useful.
It's better having and not needing vs needing and not having... Hmm, that's how I ended up with 3/4 drive sets which I will most likely never use, but it would not hurt to have them since I got a great price...
1/2" and 1/4" are all I use unless there is a need they don't meet.
When I first got in the military, the standard general mechanic’s tool kit had only 1/2” and 1/4”. No 3/8”.
All depends on what you’re doing. I have from 1/4 to 3/4, 3/8 is used the most but depends on what I’m working on.