Recently looked at some of my sets and noticed the 14 piece snap on set has the 15/16 and 1 inch on top of the normal 11 but it also has a 11/32. Now my Craftsman organizers doesn't have a place for the 11/32 for 3/8 drive. The peg organizer I had didn't either. Now neither had the weird sizes, mainly x/32s in 1/4 and I believe only 1 1/2 socket that didn't fit into the standards. I'm wondering if anybody has actually used an 11/32 or know why it's not considered a standard in 3/8. Was confused about it since it's more in the middle than one end or the other.
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11/32 3/8 drive sockets
- Thread starter Jacobs976
- Start date
Not an answer, but I did like this socket.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ra...32-Deep-Socket-6-point-1940-USA-/373015872980
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ra...32-Deep-Socket-6-point-1940-USA-/373015872980
chevy302dz
Well-known member
Well they still produce them in 3/8 drive so there must be a use. However in my experience anytime I was dealing with something 11/32, 1/4 in drive was more than sufficient and 3/8 would have been overkill.
Not an answer, but I did like this socket.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ra...32-Deep-Socket-6-point-1940-USA-/373015872980
That's one of the old 9/32 drives, just a hair up from 1/4. Never looked at getting a 9/32 set before though. Crazy prices unless you find a set, probably partial, local. Then you still have to worry about losing a socket if you're like me and use the oldies. 9/32 would be good for small bolts for a little more torque than I'd like on a T72 but breakers or upscaling works fine enough.
driz
Well-known member
Recently looked at some of my sets and noticed the 14 piece snap on set has the 15/16 and 1 inch on top of the normal 11 but it also has a 11/32. Now my Craftsman organizers doesn't have a place for the 11/32 for 3/8 drive. The peg organizer I had didn't either. Now neither had the weird sizes, mainly x/32s in 1/4 and I believe only 1 1/2 socket that didn't fit into the standards. I'm wondering if anybody has actually used an 11/32 or know why it's not considered a standard in 3/8. Was confused about it since it's more in the middle than one end or the other.
I think there was one single bolt I ever saw that was 11/32. It had something to do with the carburetor on my Cessna . The only other place they might have hidden was the dash facia screws on GMs. They always seemed to scatter odd sizes under there like 9/32[emoji3064].
Both of those live in a tray in the backwaters of my tool box never seeing the light of day. They’re the red haired step kids of the tool world . That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
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Well they still produce them in 3/8 drive so there must be a use. However in my experience anytime I was dealing with something 11/32, 1/4 in drive was more than sufficient and 3/8 would have been overkill.
My one set is a 2016 so knew they made them still but like you said, overkill. Figured maybe more of a filler to make it feel like a better deal or something but it seems they're not even considered standard, at least to organizer makers, so they'd be more a hassle if you don't keep the set in the original plastic tray. Actually that might be part of it. Want the box to look nice and organized then go with all snap on drop in sets instead of a mixture of preferred brands. Wouldn't work too well for me though, personal boxes have practically every usa brand under the sun from 1930s all the way to 2020.
#8 nuts are 11/32
https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Nuts-Washers/US-Nut-Dimensions.aspx
I’ve seen that size in electrical related areas. 3/8 drive seems unnecessary as you would usually want 1/4” drive for access.
https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Nuts-Washers/US-Nut-Dimensions.aspx
I’ve seen that size in electrical related areas. 3/8 drive seems unnecessary as you would usually want 1/4” drive for access.
I think there was one single bolt I ever saw that was 11/32. It had something to do with the carburetor on my Cessna . The only other place they might have hidden was the dash facia screws on GMs. They always seemed to scatter odd sizes under there like 9/32[emoji3064].
Both of those live in a tray in the backwaters of my tool box never seeing the light of day. They’re the red haired step kids of the tool world . That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
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Need to check my misfits rack and see what I have on it. Have a whole rack of sockets that don't have any use or anywhere to go. My double squares get more use than any of them and I've only had to use squares for 2 projects and one was one single bolt and nut.
Edit: 1/4 drive 13/32, 15/32, 19/32, 11/32 3/8 drive short, plus 1-5/16 1/2 drive and 31mm 1/2 drive. 31mm probably isn't that odd but I only have the craftsman organizer to go off there beyond it not fitting in my metric carry rack. Also a set of 4 old stubby usa 1/4 sockets 1/4-7/16 which I kept around for no reason other than they might be useful if I ever need that ~1/4 less.
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BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yes I’ve used it on my dads Freightliner the lights that run down the side are held with 11/32 bolts you can also use 9mm as they are the same but I have more 11/32 sockets than I do 9mm lol. I usually use it in 3/8 or 1/4 drive. Never use it any other time though.
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#8 nuts are 11/32
https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Nuts-Washers/US-Nut-Dimensions.aspx
I’ve seen that size in electrical related areas. 3/8 drive seems unnecessary as you would usually want 1/4” drive for access.
It'd make more sense in an electrician type set. Don't know if they make insulated 1/4 extensions and all but I've seen a good amount of the 3/8 insulated ratchets and extensions so in the event of a possible issue then it'd be useful to have. Only thing is snap on isn't in the electrician scene for the most part, haven't seen any at least.
Yes I’ve used it on my dads Freightliner the lights that run down the side are held with 11/32 bolts you can also use 9mm as they are the same but I have more 11/32 sockets than I do 9mm lol. I usually use it in 3/8 or 1/4 drive. Never use it any other time though.
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Seems like that'd be the only proper automotive place to use a 3/8 drive so far. I'd expect a trucker to have 3/8 and 1/2 for maintenance more than a 1/4 especially for external stuff. Last long haul guy I knew had the snap on 3/8 and 1/2 trays dumped out in a bag along with the lug sockets and a 40 inch breaker for his on site/highway repairs.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Seems like that'd be the only proper automotive place to use a 3/8 drive so far. I'd expect a trucker to have 3/8 and 1/2 for maintenance more than a 1/4 especially for external stuff. Last long haul guy I knew had the snap on 3/8 and 1/2 trays dumped out in a bag along with the lug sockets and a 40 inch breaker for his on site/highway repairs.
Yeah if I remember correctly in one of my many boxes of sockets that I have I have a 1/2 drive 11/32 socket I think it’s a Stanley brand I also have a 9mm 1/2 drive which is Stanley as well. My dad keeps very few tools in the truck I know he doesn’t have an 11/32 at all because we can never find them at the pawn shop anymore where I got all of mine at.
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Yeah if I remember correctly in one of my many boxes of sockets that I have I have a 1/2 drive 11/32 socket I think it’s a Stanley brand I also have a 9mm 1/2 drive which is Stanley as well. My dad keeps very few tools in the truck I know he doesn’t have an 11/32 at all because we can never find them at the pawn shop anymore where I got all of mine at.
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Pawn shop I stop at on my deliveries hasn't had anything of notice for awhile minus a $1 snap on 1/4 breaker which while I didn't have one in my shop I don't see it ever seeing a socket. Rest has been overpriced chinese and no name stuff that's already one foot in the grave. Got a whole load of drivers and don't see anything 1/4 needing torqued more than a ratchet or driver. eBay's been kinda good for the cheap tools, going out of season now but spring to summer there's always something on there. Got another odd ball ratchet for $10 shipped a few weeks ago. Granted it's usefulness is far less than the 11/32 3/8 drive socket. Lowell No.43 2-3/8 hex drive 26 inch long semi submersible ratchet. You can find the nuts to turn with it but it's impossible to find anything to put the nuts on. Unless you're working on a skyscraper pretending it's the 1950s or work with very large water systems. It's made for the water systems of course, a loose bolt is the least of your worries if you're in 4 feet of water a few dozen stories up.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Pawn shop I stop at on my deliveries hasn't had anything of notice for awhile minus a $1 snap on 1/4 breaker which while I didn't have one in my shop I don't see it ever seeing a socket. Rest has been overpriced chinese and no name stuff that's already one foot in the grave. Got a whole load of drivers and don't see anything 1/4 needing torqued more than a ratchet or driver. eBay's been kinda good for the cheap tools, going out of season now but spring to summer there's always something on there. Got another odd ball ratchet for $10 shipped a few weeks ago. Granted it's usefulness is far less than the 11/32 3/8 drive socket. Lowell No.43 2-3/8 hex drive 26 inch long semi submersible ratchet. You can find the nuts to turn with it but it's impossible to find anything to put the nuts on. Unless you're working on a skyscraper pretending it's the 1950s or work with very large water systems. It's made for the water systems of course, a loose bolt is the least of your worries if you're in 4 feet of water a few dozen stories up.
Haha yeah. At my pawn shop I’ve found lots of extinct brands so I always pick those up and Craftsman USA I find a lot of along with Snap-on and Mac and Matco. I never find ratchets there that aren’t stripped out or cheap. I just ordered a ratchet from Capri for $16 from their Christmas sale so I am excited to use that and see how it does.
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Haha yeah. At my pawn shop I’ve found lots of extinct brands so I always pick those up and Craftsman USA I find a lot of along with Snap-on and Mac and Matco. I never find ratchets there that aren’t stripped out or cheap. I just ordered a ratchet from Capri for $16 from their Christmas sale so I am excited to use that and see how it does.
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Alot of my oldies are all from buying my big box from a guy out of Michigan. Guys uncle had no organization but he supported indestro, new britain, and sk enough to make and loose multiple sets. Plus one single snap on socket in the lot for good measure. Never see anything name brand at the pawn shop unless it's in a display with retail pricing and enough scratches to be a step from a satin finish. Actually just got myself a new ratchet in the other day from Amazon, Williams long 36 tooth 1/2. Was watching an auction on ebay and it went past retail so instead of a used one that looked like it rode in a bag of sockets down a dirt trail for a living I got me a new one. Used the snap on version minus the long handle so I already know I like it. Still hunting some 1/4 ratchets for now though. Waiting till after Christmas to see about the Titan gearless 1/4 and 3/8 set. Not expecting much but I go for a good mixture of designs and sprag bearings sound interesting. Plus I'm running out of room in my ratchet drawer.
ssdave
Banned
......
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BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Alot of my oldies are all from buying my big box from a guy out of Michigan. Guys uncle had no organization but he supported indestro, new britain, and sk enough to make and loose multiple sets. Plus one single snap on socket in the lot for good measure. Never see anything name brand at the pawn shop unless it's in a display with retail pricing and enough scratches to be a step from a satin finish. Actually just got myself a new ratchet in the other day from Amazon, Williams long 36 tooth 1/2. Was watching an auction on ebay and it went past retail so instead of a used one that looked like it rode in a bag of sockets down a dirt trail for a living I got me a new one. Used the snap on version minus the long handle so I already know I like it. Still hunting some 1/4 ratchets for now though. Waiting till after Christmas to see about the Titan gearless 1/4 and 3/8 set. Not expecting much but I go for a good mixture of designs and sprag bearings sound interesting. Plus I'm running out of room in my ratchet drawer.
Yeah I have found lots of Duro and Duro-Indestro along with tons of other brands as well. And Snap-on too my pawn shop doesn’t really care about tools they care mostly about firearms and jewelry and stuff like that so they give me the tools at an extremely low price. If you are looking for a good ratchet in my experience Capri is really good and they are having a Christmas sale right now I got mine cheaper than you can get them at Harbor Freight for and it’s a great ratchet.
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Yeah I have found lots of Duro and Duro-Indestro along with tons of other brands as well. And Snap-on too my pawn shop doesn’t really care about tools they care mostly about firearms and jewelry and stuff like that so they give me the tools at an extremely low price. If you are looking for a good ratchet in my experience Capri is really good and they are having a Christmas sale right now I got mine cheaper than you can get them at Harbor Freight for and it’s a great ratchet.
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I'll check Capri out. With the 1/2 and 3/8 ratchets I have a good variety of coarse and fine tooth then some round heads and 3/8 drive flex heads too. Looking at adding a bent handle flex for 3/8 but 1/4 I only have one ratchet in my box right now. It's a snap on T72 so it's a good one but it's my only group that's less than 5 other than 3/4 which isn't used too often but I am hunting for an sk round head to go with my snap on GL72T kit too, maybe a williams too for the I beam handle. Basically no reason other than to have some different looking stuff to mess with and some might work better for various purposes. Actually use a mac 3/8 to work on all my ratchets, fits good for a pseudo palm ratchet with the bit sockets.
speed bump
Well-known member
Old Ford interiors have a lot of 11/32. I have a 3/8" 11/32 but generally I am grabbing a 1/4" in that size.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'll check Capri out. With the 1/2 and 3/8 ratchets I have a good variety of coarse and fine tooth then some round heads and 3/8 drive flex heads too. Looking at adding a bent handle flex for 3/8 but 1/4 I only have one ratchet in my box right now. It's a snap on T72 so it's a good one but it's my only group that's less than 5 other than 3/4 which isn't used too often but I am hunting for an sk round head to go with my snap on GL72T kit too, maybe a williams too for the I beam handle. Basically no reason other than to have some different looking stuff to mess with and some might work better for various purposes. Actually use a mac 3/8 to work on all my ratchets, fits good for a pseudo palm ratchet with the bit sockets.
Great. I don’t have any SK ratchets but have been impressed with their sockets and other tools too. So I would not be afraid to use their ratchets. One thing I like about Capri is they give you points to use towards other stuff too on your next purchase or if you have enough you can get stuff free with the points. I don’t know if they offer a bent handle one or not.
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Great. I don’t have any SK ratchets but have been impressed with their sockets and other tools too. So I would not be afraid to use their ratchets. One thing I like about Capri is they give you points to use towards other stuff too on your next purchase or if you have enough you can get stuff free with the points. I don’t know if they offer a bent handle one or not.
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Sk round heads are top of the line. At least the older models that have been around forever. Haven't looked at their newer stuff. I have the older round heads and they're nice to use and maintenance. I aways look at maintenance as a purchase point since I work around alot of dust sometimes. Some of the round heads from other companies uses a heart spring and those aren't as fun to maintenance, gotta line it up and get it in the right spot or go through all the steps again. Sk is a core with a lever built in, gotta put the selector plate on right which isn't hard to do since it doesn't turn over unless it's in place and it's done. Oiling or greasing can be done without disassembling the core normally too on round heads so there's never a reason to disassemble the core unless it's been sitting and grease is caked up in the selector rod chamber. Only had that happen with an indestro 3/8 though and it's more of an unexplained mystery as to how it even ended up in there. My smallest sk, a 1/4 thumb ratchet with same core as the normal ratchet, had sat for probably as long as indestro has been out of business and was completely seized but once the retaining ring was popped off it was just some scraping, oil, and some teasing before it worked like new. Other sizes only needed scrapped and oiled before they were ready to work again when I got them. For some reason they all came with motor oil and purple metallic paint chips inside. Think the guy used used motor oil that was contaminated with the tiny chips. My preference is chip free but I guess it'd look neater when the ratchet leaks out all over.
I have SK 11/32" in both six point and twelve. I can't say that I remember ever using either. The 12 point came on a like new used set I bought. My obsession demanded I have the 6 as well.
I'm not sure they even make it anymore. I can't find it on their website and the paper catalog I have only lists it in 6. I've made some dumb tool purchases in my life. That 6 point socket is one of them.
I'm not sure they even make it anymore. I can't find it on their website and the paper catalog I have only lists it in 6. I've made some dumb tool purchases in my life. That 6 point socket is one of them.
#8 nuts are 11/32
https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Nuts-Washers/US-Nut-Dimensions.aspx
I’ve seen that size in electrical related areas. 3/8 drive seems unnecessary as you would usually want 1/4” drive for access.
10-4 Electric motor nuts are 11/32". Use them alot to mount motors to support brackets, like condenser fan motors. Would usually use 1/4" drive, but around an A/C unit 3/8" drive is pretty useful, so, having a 11/32" in 3/8" drive would be solid user. Just to minimize tools carried up and down a ladder.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sk round heads are top of the line. At least the older models that have been around forever. Haven't looked at their newer stuff. I have the older round heads and they're nice to use and maintenance. I aways look at maintenance as a purchase point since I work around alot of dust sometimes. Some of the round heads from other companies uses a heart spring and those aren't as fun to maintenance, gotta line it up and get it in the right spot or go through all the steps again. Sk is a core with a lever built in, gotta put the selector plate on right which isn't hard to do since it doesn't turn over unless it's in place and it's done. Oiling or greasing can be done without disassembling the core normally too on round heads so there's never a reason to disassemble the core unless it's been sitting and grease is caked up in the selector rod chamber. Only had that happen with an indestro 3/8 though and it's more of an unexplained mystery as to how it even ended up in there. My smallest sk, a 1/4 thumb ratchet with same core as the normal ratchet, had sat for probably as long as indestro has been out of business and was completely seized but once the retaining ring was popped off it was just some scraping, oil, and some teasing before it worked like new. Other sizes only needed scrapped and oiled before they were ready to work again when I got them. For some reason they all came with motor oil and purple metallic paint chips inside. Think the guy used used motor oil that was contaminated with the tiny chips. My preference is chip free but I guess it'd look neater when the ratchet leaks out all over.
Yeah I’ll have to try the round head ones out. I’m not a fan of the new sealed ratchets from some of these companies I like the ones you can re grease and everything like you mentioned. Maybe I can use my 11/32 on one lol.
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joel63
Well-known member
10-4 Electric motor nuts are 11/32". Use them alot to mount motors to support brackets, like condenser fan motors. Would usually use 1/4" drive, but around an A/C unit 3/8" drive is pretty useful, so, having a 11/32" in 3/8" drive would be solid user. Just to minimize tools carried up and down a ladder.
I've always carried a 11/32 nut driver for a/c work.
Works well for my uses.
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MikeF2316
Well-known member
I've only ever seen 11/32 sockets in 1/4 drive. And in wrenches too. Since I rarely work on SAE stuff anymore, I haven't used any of it in years.
Yeah I’ll have to try the round head ones out. I’m not a fan of the new sealed ratchets from some of these companies I like the ones you can re grease and everything like you mentioned. Maybe I can use my 11/32 on one lol.
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Speaking of disliked ratchet designs, the indestro 1/4 pear heads are the worst to maintenance. Have one in my office that's still in pieces because the spring and ball won't go back in. Need like 6 hands in the space of half of one and a vice to put it back together if the pawl pushes out during reassembly. Have no clue how they were assembled because of it. Plus a spring clip holds everything in place and they never want to go on the pawl first try. 1/2 model wasn't as bad but still has the issue of needing more hands than you should have. Normally you can use a little screwdriver and work the ball down and shove the pawl in but those models have a oversized selector built into the pawl so nothing fits down the back and getting the ball down from the front at an angle isn't too imaginable. 1/2 I had to use my finger to depress the ball then a screwdriver to switch out then to another screwdriver down the front before it went back together. Doing the same on a 1/4 doesn't even seem possible.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Speaking of disliked ratchet designs, the indestro 1/4 pear heads are the worst to maintenance. Have one in my office that's still in pieces because the spring and ball won't go back in. Need like 6 hands in the space of half of one and a vice to put it back together if the pawl pushes out during reassembly. Have no clue how they were assembled because of it. Plus a spring clip holds everything in place and they never want to go on the pawl first try. 1/2 model wasn't as bad but still has the issue of needing more hands than you should have. Normally you can use a little screwdriver and work the ball down and shove the pawl in but those models have a oversized selector built into the pawl so nothing fits down the back and getting the ball down from the front at an angle isn't too imaginable. 1/2 I had to use my finger to depress the ball then a screwdriver to switch out then to another screwdriver down the front before it went back together. Doing the same on a 1/4 doesn't even seem possible.
Wow that’s a really messed up design there.
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Wow that’s a really messed up design there.
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Yeah only ratchet that looks neat and is an oldie but I'll stay away from, at least in 1/4. That's the main thing I'm worried about with 1/4 stuff, the design being almost impossible to maintenance. An open faceplate is a must on pearheads with the tiny tolerances and the pin and spring types are alot easier than ball and spring too. No shooting a ball across the room with them. Actually have one single bearing left over from something I've worked on I think. Everything always works as intended so no clue where it came from. Might just be from a carts swivel wheel assembly but probably won't ever know. Might just be one of those things that are summoned into existence when you clean too.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yeah only ratchet that looks neat and is an oldie but I'll stay away from, at least in 1/4. That's the main thing I'm worried about with 1/4 stuff, the design being almost impossible to maintenance. An open faceplate is a must on pearheads with the tiny tolerances and the pin and spring types are alot easier than ball and spring too. No shooting a ball across the room with them. Actually have one single bearing left over from something I've worked on I think. Everything always works as intended so no clue where it came from. Might just be from a carts swivel wheel assembly but probably won't ever know. Might just be one of those things that are summoned into existence when you clean too.
Yeah. I haven’t rebuilt any vintage ones so luckily didn’t have to deal with that.
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