1/2 drive V. 3/8 drive?

[aar0s]

I have two 1/2 drives and was trying to think of a time i would need them over a 3/8 drive (just general work on my car) other than maybe busting lug nuts loose, would it be worth buying 1/2 drive sockets?
How often to you guys grab the 1/2 drive over the 3/8?

 

[tonydanzah]

suspension work, where you cant fit an impact

 

[Handyman163]

If I've got the room, the 1/2" just makes it easier because of the increased leverage from longer ratchet. Sometimes, with light stuff, 3/8 is the sure bet.

 

[bhowden]

I don't think I could live without both. If you are skimping a bit, I would buy only 6 point sockets for the 1/2" drive and would consider deep sockets. That way you have most bases covered. Only 3/8 and you will break a lot of tools. Tool sets are so cheap now it is hard to imagine how they make any money. I doubt if you will be able to come close to the cost of a complete set on sale if you are just buying sockets for an existing bar or ratchet.

Brian

 

[Grumpy365]

I use my 1/2" drive stuff 75% of the time. Working on this old steel, every bolt seams rusted or siezed.

 

[Kev442]

I use my 1/2" drive stuff 75% of the time. Working on this old steel, every bolt seams rusted or siezed.

+1
75% 1/2" six point on everything. Just needed a 1" socket last night, not something you'll find in 3/8ths!

 

[posaune]

+1
75% 1/2" six point on everything. Just needed a 1" socket last night, not something you'll find in 3/8ths!

Actually, I have a few 1" 3/8"dr sockets.

That said, I use 1/2" more than 3/8" but I can say exactly why. When I started buying tools, I wanted to have the most sizes covered so I bought 1/4"dr and 1/2"dr. They overlapped so I saw no reason to buy 3/8".

Now (20yrs later) I have a full complement of 3/8" stuff, but I have to consciously make the decision to use it before the others.

To answer the op's question, I think you'd find a lot of things easier (especially with suspension) when going up a drive size. I know I did when I discovered that I didn't have to use the 1/4" drive for 10mm bolts.

 

[Kev442]

Now that you mention it, I vaguely remember having a 1" in my Craftsman set. Someone stole it on me so many years ago, I guess I started thinking the sets ended just below 1".

 

[IONH]

I use my 1/2" drive stuff 75% of the time. Working on this old steel, every bolt seams rusted or siezed.

I'll +1 this as well.

Even if you just use the 1/2" to break a nut/bolt loose and then move on to the 3/8" to finish getting it off, the 1/2" still made the job a lot easier.

I bought a Craftsman "mechanics" set of tools a couple years ago which contained strictly 6 point sockets 1/4" through 1/2" and was pretty inclusive. I rarely need 12 point (only for engine head bolts and an occasional square head item I found around the house) so those you can buy as a one off as needed.

When I used to have cheaper sets which came with a bunch of 12 point sockets, they would often end up rounding over the item I was working on.

 

[Abbott]

I rarely use 1/2" drive. I would say;

65% 3/8"
30% 1/4"
5% 1/2"

 

[Scout Driver]

I work on a lot of old tractors. Fasteners are rusty, seized and can be a PITA in general. The 1/2" drive tools are used a lot. Like others have said, if you have the room to use them, the added leverage is always nice. The extra "tool strength" is an added bonus. No sense in breaking small tools on big jobs.

Scott

 

[Carnut12]

I use the 3/8 most of the time, not sure why, but I do.

 

[Art From De Leon]

I used 3/8" drive tools the majority of the time when I worked on JD tractors, disassembly and reassembly required 1/2", or 3/4" every now and then, but to work on the components, 3/8" would get you thru 99.99999 percent of the work

 

[gc11090]

It is all personal preference but it is always nice to have some 1/2"drive and a nice breaker bar for those stuck bolts. Me and my friend both have honda civic's and both started out with the c-man 263 piece tool kit. Even when we are doing the same job on our cars, I use mostly the 3/8" where he uses the 1/2". We talked about it once, and we determined it is just what feels right. But even I cannot go without having the 1/2". For the $40-$60 it costs for a set from sears I would definatly have to say go for it. At least give it a try and see if you like it. One thing that I would have to say is if you are getting either shallow or deep, I would go with shallow. The reason for this is because with a shallow socket you are less likely to round off the bolt under high torque situations.

 

[Skin]

i tend to be the same way. If the cheater bar, pry bar, or impact wrench come out i'll stick with 1/2". Everything else is 3/8 or a box wrench and a hammer and then the 3/8".

 

[Chris83]

I rarely ever use my 1/2" stuff at work unless i am doing suspension or brake work on larger trucks.. All my 3/8" stuff gets used frequently.

 

[ovilla]

Most of my 1/2" stuff is in deep impact sockets. I figure I can bust loose anything with my IR2135QTIMAX. I then like to use my 3/8 ratchet and sockets to put things back together. However, if I need to torque stuff down, then I break out my 1/2" torque wrench since it gives me better leverage when tightening things down (since it's got an 18" handle). Anyway, definitely get both. You don't want to be in the middle of a job and not have a large enough socket to get things done.

 

[nate379]

I use mainly 3/8", but I have a Snap On flex head extended length ratchet that I use.
A few days ago I misplaced that ratchet and I had to use my old CMan fixed head and it was like going back to VHS from Blue Ray

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

When working on stuff it all depends how much leverage is required. I cary a 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" kit with me in my truck at ALL times. Not a super great set but a Craftman set I picked up around a year ago in its own blowmolded case. STD & Metric, 6 & 12 point & deep sets.

It has been a very good investment, as it has 99% of what I will need for projects.

Now as far as air wrenches, I only have a 3/8" drive. But really close (next time I swear at a larger stuborn bolt) at buying a decent 1/2" impact and socket set. 18 mile drive to my fathers is getting costly every time I need to borrow his. This will be this spring when I go to sharpen the blades on my mower.

 

[aar0s]

Thanks for the responses guys! Ive got a box that i keep in the truck that has a small set of 1/2 drive stuff so if i get in a bind in the garage i can go out to the truck and get those but id like to keep that stuff in the truck where i know where its at in case i break down.
maybe i can use the extra 1/2 drive that i have for trades or something.

 

[mustangmccance]

I use my 3/8 for most things but the main thing I would add is that the ratchets are the real problem. I have broken two 3/8 ratchets due to trying to loosen a nut that didn't want to loosen. so now if I have to strain very hard I break out the 1/2 stuff. my main issue is that my favorite ratchet that i just broke is a snapon ratchet I got as a gift when I was 18. I loved that ratchet and used it for most everything. it is now needing replaced most of my tools are craftsmen and they are ok. but whenever I grabbed for a ratchet the snapon one was always my first choice.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I cant imagine not having a full set of each...

 

[MattT]

my main issue is that my favorite ratchet that i just broke is a snapon ratchet I got as a gift when I was 18. I loved that ratchet and used it for most everything.

Chances are they'll just drop in a repair kit unless you broke the ratchet body. I've busted the ratchet mechanisms on plenty 1/4 and 3/8 drive ratchets on stuff I really should've used the next size up for and Snap-on just rebuilt 'em. I tend to use the lightest drive size I think I can get away with unless it's suspension work where I know 1/2 drive will be needed at some point. Now I'm getting back into shadetreeing I'm building up a set of 3/4 too.

 

[Chris83]

I have noticed lately that I have broken way more snap on sockets than I have ever broken craftsman's they are all 3/8'. also shattered a mac 1/2" drive ratchet once working on the rear brakes of an F450.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

If it would twist a 3/8ths x 12 inch extension, you need to go to 1/2 inch. If it would strain a six inch extension, you are way over the limit for 3/8.

1/2 inch is a quantum leap stronger than 3/8, and usually you will break a 1/2'' breaker bar before anything else will break. At that point you should already be using an impact gun. If you haven't got air, the electric jobs do fine on most things, and are highly reccomended.

Many years ago, I broke my 1/2 inch breaker bar standing on a four foot piece of pipe, trying to loosten a big nut. I put the engine into a truck and took it to a friends garage where he zipped it off in seconds with an air impact. In fact I had broken TWO 1/2 inch bars that day. Impact guns make many jobs pathetically easy.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

What I learned that day was that there is always a correct tool for the job, even if you don't know about it yet.

 

[woody 73]

Amen Daniel Dudley Words from my Fathers mounth.....

 

[mustangmccance]

Chances are they'll just drop in a repair kit unless you broke the ratchet body. I've busted the ratchet mechanisms on plenty 1/4 and 3/8 drive ratchets on stuff I really should've used the next size up for and Snap-on just rebuilt 'em. I tend to use the lightest drive size I think I can get away with unless it's suspension work where I know 1/2 drive will be needed at some point. Now I'm getting back into shadetreeing I'm building up a set of 3/4 too.

I know that they will fix it, but I am not sure how to get it to them to get it repaired. I am not a full time mechanic so the snapon guy doesn't just stop by occasionally like he used to do at my dad's shop. and there isn't a store. I probably just need to go to one of the mechanic shops locally and ask for the local guys phone number. one of these days I will.

 

[BackTracker]

i rarely use 1/2" drive. I would say;

65% 3/8"
30% 1/4"
5% 1/2"

+ 2

 

[aar0s]

I know that they will fix it, but I am not sure how to get it to them to get it repaired. I am not a full time mechanic so the snapon guy doesn't just stop by occasionally like he used to do at my dad's shop. and there isn't a store. I probably just need to go to one of the mechanic shops locally and ask for the local guys phone number. one of these days I will.

Ive found out when the truck is in my town after i get off work and usually meet him at a shop. we've got a good rep here, he's like clockwork. Id bet there is some kind of dealer locator on the snap-on site.

 

[crewchief888]

What I learned that day was that there is always a correct tool for the job, even if you don't know about it yet.

my thoughts too

i work on construction eq for a living, 90% of the time i grab 3/8 drive, or a comg wrench to break things loose, then zip it off with a 3/8" gun.
i have 1/2" and 3/4" guns, breaker bars, and sockets if i need them.

 

[jvitez]

85% 3/8's
10% 1/2
5% 1/4

I bought a cheapie Chinese air 1/2 impact and deep impact sockets, and they opened up a whole new world! Until I spent 5 min at max air pressure beating the snot out of a suspension bolt that still wouldn't give Went to a local garage, they zipped it off in 3 sec with their pro grade impact. Wouldn't even take any money for it. I caught a sale at Rona and bought a Porter Cable 1/2 in impact gun for half price. It goes to 400 ft lbs. I'm now invincible!!!