1/2dr socket sizes- what's the limit?

[lightning02]

I'm in the market to up my range in 1/2dr socket. What size does everyone think is the limit where you need to step up to 3/4dr?

 

[plinker]

I have up to 36mm in 1/2 drive (1-1/2 in 1/2 drive as well), a typical 3/4 drive set would start at 19 or 27mm and go up. All depends on the amount of torque you need

I would say 10 to 24, 27, 30, 32 would cover most applications.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

When your drive square shears off.
I think the biggest 1/2 drive I use a lot is a 36MM

 

[malibu101]

Depends on what you're doing, space, torque, etc.

As an example- There's been a few times I was glad I had a 9/16" socket for a 1/4" ratchet.
And a few times for my SO FC936 which is a 3/8" drive in a 1/4" handle.

My largest 1/2" drive sockets are a 1 1/4" and 36MM.

 

[Dave455]

In metric, it's probably about 32mm.

To be honest, I'd rather be winding a 32mm nut with a 3/4 drive socket, but I find I need 1/2 drive up to at least 32mm for hub nuts, some of which you can't fit a 3/4 drive socket (well, my 3/4 drive) on.

It also depends how you work. If you're always at base, working from a big box, then you don't need much overlap between drive sizes. If you're working away from base, out of a portable box with, say, just 1/2 drive, then you probably need everything from 8mm to 32mm, or more!

 

[Ruger_556]

When you run out of power, sometimes it's a 3/4" socket and sometimes it's an 1 1/2" socket. I have 1/2 drive through 1 5/16" and 36mm, that accomplishes most things.

 

[Codejack]

I almost bought a 3/4" set today for a 19mm bolt.

 

[ex-x-fire]

They should expand the 1/2 socket sizes with all the powerful impacts, I'd like to see it go to 2" & 58-60mm. I think my largest is a 39mm 12pt axle socket.

 

[General Geoff]

They should expand the 1/2 socket sizes with all the powerful impacts, I'd like to see it go to 2" & 58-60mm. I think my largest is a 39mm 12pt axle socket.

There is a limit to how much torque a 1/2" anvil will bear before twisting off.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

1/2" drive, I have up to 36mm and 1-1/2". The 1-1/2" has been a constant use over the years for truck lug nuts, trailer ball nuts, some misc heavy equipment fasteners, etc.

If I can get away with hammering with a 1/2" gun or breaker versus dragging out the big air hose and 3/4" gun, I'm a happy boy.

The only sizes I currently run in 3/4" drive are 1-5/16", 1-1/2" (for the really stuck stuff), 1-3/4" and 2" (for 50mm Kubota diesel flywheel nuts). I'll buy more as I need them.

 

[Fedwrench]

If it has nuts and bolts with over 36 mm heads, i don't want to work on it any way.

Personally, i'd like to see 1/4 drive spark plug sockets instead of bigger 1/2 drive stuff.

 

[Tenex]

I thought about getting a set of 3/4 sockets and skipping 1/2 altogether, but the thing that stopped me is the lack of clearance and selection 3/4 ratchets.

 

[Finky198]

+1 on Up to 36mm (edit I have 38mm) and 1-1/2” i have em in both chrome and impact here plus a few large 12pts, But I also have 3/4 drive chrome 12pts from 19-42mm and 3/4” - 2 1/2” and some impacts. The cross over is nice but not necessary to such an extreme. I’ve only used the sub 24mm/1” 3/4 drive stuff a handful of times.

My most used large socket is 36mm

 

[derosa]

Like above I have a 36mm as my biggest, used a 36 for axle nuts and a 35 for crank bolt and in both cases felt that the 1/2 was right about its limit. If I ever need to go bigger then I'll buy 3/4" or hire someone else to do the job.

 

[lightning02]

so it looks like most of you guys go up 36mm.

should i get 6 or 12 point?

 

[Codejack]

so it looks like most of you guys go up 36mm.

should i get 6 or 12 point?

36mm is just the largest common axle nut size, at least for cars and light trucks

I've got almost entirely 6-point; I have a few 12-point in 3/8" drive, and a single axle nut socket (32mm I think?) in 12-point.

12-point obviously works on both, but there are arguments about damaging fasteners with them; but then, my wrenches are 12-point, and I use them on high torque bolts all the time without issue.

YMMV

 

[lightning02]

i have 6 and 12 point in 1/4dr and 3/8dr as i deal with both but im thinking of going with just 12 point for add on 1/2dr stuff so ill have everything covered (axle nuts and whatnot). im needed 28mm to 36mm and whatever in SAE which it seems like most go to 1-1/2. these sockets are huge and take up alot of room so was wanting to only get one or the other when it came to 6 or 12 point

 

[Olafur]

Judging by destructive tests the 1/2" square drive on ratchets and breaker bars gives up the ghost at 7-800lb/ft. Perhaps some can go a bit higher but since tests are few and far between it's difficult to know.
Some of the German manufacturers post 650Nm as max on their 3/4" to 1/2" reducers, probably to be on the safe side of things. (I keep coming back to these numbers in my head when I see 1/2" impact wrenches advertised well north of 1000lb/ft.)

So basically a 200lb guy standing at the very end of 3 foot cheater pipe has reached the limits of most current 1/2" drive tools. And actually one shouldn't go this far (600lb/ft) if you want your tools to last.

Regarding sizes you can run into this limit in head sizes down to 24, 22mm, even 19mm. On the other end of the spectrum you are sometimes working on much larger sizes where 1/2" drive will do just fine.

Judging by socket sets available it seems Europe draws the line at 32mm for 1/2" drive. Still, larger sizes are available.

 

[Codejack]

Judging by destructive tests the 1/2" square drive on ratchets and breaker bars gives up the ghost at 7-800lb/ft.
...
So basically a 200lb guy standing at the very end of 3 foot cheater pipe has reached the limits of most current 1/2" drive tools.

<-- 250lb, had to stand on a 2' breaker bar today to get a bolt loose; at least north of 400lb-ft.

I destroyed an extension (2, actually), but the breaker held up.

 

[Finky198]

You can always get chrome in 12pt and impacts In 6pt....

We have had about 220+ on the end of the Snap on 3’ breaker bar a few times that’s around 600+ Lbs. It quite unnerving.

 

[Olafur]

<-- 250lb, had to stand on a 2' breaker bar today to get a bolt loose; at least north of 400lb-ft.

I destroyed an extension (2, actually), but the breaker held up.

My Aircat1250K didn't budge brake caliper bolts on O&K dump truck few weeks back. So I resorted to my 24" Toptul breaker bar since I didn't have 17mm hex bit on hand for 3/4" drive.

I got the bolts loose and the bar survived - barely. The square drive cracked behind the pin joint. Still works so to speak but I clearly found it's limits.

Haven't twisted many 1/2" extensions over the years, you might look into getting better extensions. Anything Taiwan seems to work fine these days.

 

[WittHay]

Working on equipment, i don't have 1/2" above 1 1/8" or 30mm in chrome. 12-point works well in larger sizes for breaker bars. Most 3/4" drive sets come in 12-point and they seem to work

Impacts you can probably go up to 1 1/2" or 36mm. Even with a thicker 1/2" breaker like the Snap-on SN36, the bar flexes to much on larger socket sizes to be useful

 

[Olafur]

You can always get chrome in 12pt and impacts In 6pt....

We have had about 220+ on the end of the Snap on 3’ breaker bar a few times that’s around 600+ Lbs. It quite unnerving.

Indeed. Standing on something with at least 3/4" drive end is somehow much more comfortable.

 

[Finky198]

12-point works well in larger sizes for breaker bars. Most 3/4" drive sets come in 12-point and they seem to work

Impacts you can probably go up to 1 1/2" or 36mm. Even with a thicker 1/2" breaker like the Snap-on SN36, the bar flexes to much on larger socket sizes to be useful

Indeed. Standing on something with at least 3/4" drive end is somehow much more comfortable.

All Very true

 

[disston]

I use my 36mm in half in. regularly. But it's not a high torque application. It's not size but torque that counts here.

 

[KnurledNut]

39mm 12 pt (Toyota)
46mm 6 pt (BMW)

 

[crewchief888]

my 1/2" drive sockets go to 1 1/2" 6 pt impact, (1 1/4" 6pt chrome, and a few select 12pt deep)

3/4" dr starts at 15/16 deep chrome 6pt, 17mm allen and goes up to 2 1/4" mostly chrome 12pt.
the only 3/4"dr socket ive ever broken was a matco 1" 12pt impact, in defense of the socket, i did have a 4X torque multiplier and 6' of pipe on the ratchet before the socket split in 2 pieces....

 

[bcradio]

39mm 12 pt (Toyota)
46mm 6 pt (BMW)

You have a 46mm 1/2dr. Socket?

My biggest is 38mm and 1 1/2

 

[plinker]

Judging by destructive tests the 1/2" square drive on ratchets and breaker bars gives up the ghost at 7-800lb/ft. Perhaps some can go a bit higher but since tests are few and far between it's difficult to know.

Kid where I worked wanted to borrow a 5/8 hex bit in 1/2 dr, gave it to him and a bit later head an ow, followed by a string of four letter words. He was using it with a 3/4 torque wrench adapted to 1/2 and the adapter sheared off.

If he would have said what he was doing I had a 5/8 hex bit in 3/4 drive (shop did too). This was on a steering gear box that has the pitman arm torqued to 350lb, IIRC.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

My biggest is 36 because that what my moms Tahoe and my jimmy use for the front shafts. Just changed mine last night. I think the limit is when half inch breaks. When you break it go and pick up a 3/4 drive for it

Sent from my P027 using Tapatalk

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I use a 1-1/2'', 1/2'' drive chrome and impact all the time. Thats about the limit I would suggest. Thats really pushing it already. I use that with my aircat mini 1/2'' impact for speed or sometimes to break the bolt/stud loose believe it or not. I dont recommend using chrome sockets on impacts as ive had a few blow up on me but sometimes if you do this kinda stuff every day you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[GTO]

36mm for my wifes DD Jeep Grand Cherokee wheel hubs...

 

[Codejack]

Haven't twisted many 1/2" extensions over the years, you might look into getting better extensions. Anything Taiwan seems to work fine these days.

These were both Taiwan; one was cro-moly impact rated. They didn't twist, the anvils broke off.

They were long, though, and that was a lot of torque.

 

[Olafur]

These were both Taiwan; one was cro-moly impact rated. They didn't twist, the anvils broke off.

They were long, though, and that was a lot of torque.

Ok, that was a bit surprising. Come to think of it my experience with Tw extensions is limited to regular chrome (v.) Since I have been on the lookout for impact extensions I should probably look elsewhere. US, Germany or Japan.

 

[Yarpo]

These were both Taiwan; one was cro-moly impact rated. They didn't twist, the anvils broke off.

They were long, though, and that was a lot of torque.

You break more tools than anyone I know

You need a torch and an impact gun, I don't think I ever find myself standing on anything anymore @ work or at home since I bought my impact. The whole process of impacting with heat is a force to be reckoned with

 

[wolf_from_wv]

I think I have a 1/2" drive 2.75" hub socket, but it might be 3/4"...

 

[Fireball027]

My biggest 1/2" impact socket is 44mm for dodge axle nuts and then I also have a 1/2" drive 1-7/8" (inner diameter) snap on tie rod socket that often sees my impact gun

 

[Codejack]

You break more tools than anyone I know

I'm getting better!

These were actually the first of my HF tools that I have broken, and they warrantied them without complaint. I buy everything under my phone number, so they don't even ask for the receipt.

You need a torch and an impact gun, I don't think I ever find myself standing on anything anymore @ work or at home since I bought my impact. The whole process of impacting with heat is a force to be reckoned with

I had already soaked it with liquid wrench, heated it with a torch, and hit it with an impact gun (allegedly 450lb-ft). No dice.

I wound up having to stand on a 2' breaker bar.

 

[Ktmrider83]

This is my current set. I use the 36mm often with no issues on 1/2" drive.

While we are on sockets I've never used this SO socket for anything but random jobs on the press..why is so shallow,about 6mm..

 

[Al Borland]

36 mm and 1 5/8 are my biggest "Useful" 1/2" drive sockets. I've got a coffee cup size satin chrome socket that's 1/2" drive somewhere, but have never used it. Picked it up out of debris on a factory demo probably 20 years ago because it looked funny. It tapers down to the drive.