3/4" Drive metric, does anyone use large sets regularly?

[alinc100]

Hi All,
Came across a set of Wright 3/4" dr sockets,on FBM ,that appear to be NOS. Amazon pricing is about $900 for the set. Are these useful in today's world? Deisel Mechanic? A quick look show the set runs from 19mm to 60mm with some skips.

 

[mcj115]

As a homeowner I only have two 3/4 sets.....one cheapie China set in imperial sizes, and one SK set circa WWII surplus alos in imperial. I bought he Chinese set for axle nuts and such, then I ran across the SK set for $50 on craigslist and could not turn down a USA made set for cheap.

When it comes to lager sizes I interchange SAE where there is metric hardware....there is enough forgiveness in the larger hardware. Now granted I am not in heavy equipment torqueing things to 300+ ft/lbs. For me it all comes down the the intended use of the set and also the deal you can get on a set. Heck if I were to stumble across a USA made metric set for $50 I would probably get it, for $200 plus...I would pass; that is just me personally.

 

[whitesco]

I bought a 3/4" drive socket set (SAE only) for use on an old motorhome. I've yet to actually use any but have been looking at metric sizes simply because it bugs me not to have them, and the fact that if I don't I guarantee you I'll need them. Or at least that's what I tell myself. HJE has a 3 pc Wright set for $40 (32, 41, 50) or a 24 pc set for $785. Both 12 pt. The latter is a LOT of money to spend for "just in case" so I can't really justify buying that for now but if you're in the market it seems less that the Amazon price.

3/4" Drive 24 Piece 12 Point Standard Metric Socket Set #624

3/4" Drive 24 Piece 12 Point Standard Metric Socket Set #624

www.harryepstein.com

 

[ecotec]

I have some cheapo 6pt Taiwan 3/4”and have been amending them with estate sale onesie twosie sockets that I find for a dollar or two (mostly Wright and Snap-on 12pt).

I think that they are worth having, but not worth paying for… I would have a different view if I was a heavy equipment mechanic or had my own earth movers or agricultural equipment.

For the average DIY person, I would say buy the specific sizes for the vehicles/equipment/RV that you have and amend them with individual sockets, sets, extensions and adapters that you find for little or nothing. I would not mind finding a USA 3/4” torque multiplier at an estate sale… but I would NEVER buy one retail, even on a huge discount… I could never justify it…

I paid retail for the 40” breaker bar.

Am I ever going to use this extension… probably not… mostly it just keeps my garage from floating off into space… you guys do know that garages have to be weighed down… for safety…

 

[Zewnten]

Are you a heavy duty mechanic or a flipper?

 

[alinc100]

Are you a heavy duty mechanic or a flipper?

A flipper.

 

[ecotec]

A flipper.

Okay… I thought that you wanted to buy a set for yourself…

I have no idea on what sells and doesn’t sell…

 

[cavalry]

90% of the time a SAE set will be close enough for metric in the large sizes. It its that tight, its not likely you are taking it off with chrome sockets anyway.

 

[BarrelRoll]

I work on mining equipment without wheels or tracks (crusher, mill, ect.). A lot of our equipment is metric, my 3/4 drive set is a GP 3/4"-2 1/2" 6pt shallow SAE. At those sizes it's close enough, the shop has some metric sockets though often times they are interchanged. I'd like a deep well set and might pick up a deep set in metric just so I have metric 3/4" drive sockets though it's not a cheap set or something I'm in a hurry to do.

 

[Zewnten]

I work on mining equipment without wheels or tracks (crusher, mill, ect.). A lot of our equipment is metric, my 3/4 drive set is a GP 3/4"-2 1/2" 6pt shallow SAE. At those sizes it's close enough, the shop has some metric sockets though often times they are interchanged. I'd like a deep well set and might pick up a deep set in metric just so I have metric 3/4" drive sockets though it's not a cheap set or something I'm in a hurry to do.

Pretty simialr for me. Last set of fairly complete chrome metrics from wright went for $250 from 19mm to 75mm or whatever the equivalent of 3" in metric is.

 

[CoogarXR]

As a homeowner I only have two 3/4 sets.....one cheapie China set in imperial sizes, and one SK set circa WWII surplus alos in imperial. I bought he Chinese set for axle nuts and such, then I ran across the SK set for $50 on craigslist and could not turn down a USA made set for cheap.

This is almost my deal too. I bought a 3/4" drive 6-point Chinese set about 25 years ago. It's been totally fine, even whaling on it, cheater-pipes and all. Never broke the ratchet or any sockets.

Then a friend of mine's husband died, and she let me pick over his toolbox. Among other things, I brought home a 3/4" USA mixed set (Cornwell, SK, Craftsman, etc). All 12-point.

Yes, it drives me nuts to have 2 SAE sets an no Metric, but I have yet to actually need one. Any big bolt I have needed to turn, one of my SAE's fit it. So I do look for Metric sets, and I hope I can find one cheap one day just to have it. However, the reality is, my OCD needs it way more than my toolbox does.

 

[whitesco]

However, the reality is, my OCD needs it way more than my toolbox does.

Soooo much this, it drives me crazy for any 'set' not to be complete whether I'll ever use it or not.

 

[DAustin]

I got a 36mm and a breaker bar for working on VW Beetle rear axle nut.

 

[silkman]

I hope I can find one cheap one day just to have it. However, the reality is, my OCD needs it way more than my toolbox does.

I think that they are worth having, but not worth paying for…

Some truths spoken there.

I was offered a 3/4" metric set for 35eur and I passed, because I knew I would never need it. And you don't need snap on quality on a 3/4" set because try as you may you will never break something or round a nut.

 

[johninct]

I have found that some manufactures used bolts that, if you need a 3/4" metric size will cross over to SAE.

 

[Olafur]

Are these useful in today's world?

Yes.

 

[AdAstra]

Metric to Inch interchange chart with goodness-of-fit ratings!

I have been developing this for my own use in building smaller/field tool sets, and have decided to release it.

Conclusion: most sizes from 27 to 55 mm are fairly interchangeable. The tolerances of the specific tools and fasteners will also matter, depending on the direction of interchange.

 

[RedneckWelder]

As a heavy equipment mechanic I have but do not use a set of chrome 3/4 drive sockets but I do heavily use 3/4 and 1” drive impact sockets since 95% of the time you are using the impact or HYTORC for this stuff. I only have and use SAE in large sockets and wrenches because for those drive sizes you don’t need metric like you do for the smaller drives.

 

[Shocker]

I have quite a few 3/4 drive pieces. I need to check but I have a brand new Armstrong chrome metric socket set.

I am going to get a bus. A full size short bus. Bluebird or Thomas. Convert to an RV.

 

[richfinn]

I have a telescopic 3/4" breaker bar and a handful of metric impact sockets for busting loose tight van/truck lug nuts.

Probably made in China (company issued)

If I worked on trucks or heavy equipment all the time I would probably buy Ko-ken impact sockets and a 3/4" air impact

 

[alinc100]

Thanks all for the info. I'm going to pass for now, thats a bit of coin to drop, and speculation is not a very high return.

 

[freebirdwelds]

I use my 3/4" Tekton Impact socket set all the time, I have both the SAE and Metric sets. Even with my 40" x 1" breaker bar w/1" - 3/4" adapter and Aircat 1778 3/4" impact they have yet to fail me. But it is a big investment to start so unless you need them all the time. I'm a heavy equipment repair welder and use them a lot.

 

[vanapplebomb]

Mostly for trailer hitches and axle nuts. I do a fair amount of work with air cooled VWs and buggies, so the 36mm nut gets a fair amount of use. I always use a 3/4 impact used to remove the nuts, and a 3/4 extendable handle ratchet and torque adapter to tighten. Lots of use out of that combo. Now I just need a 46mm socket for late VW busses…

 

[Lucid Moments]

I have one 3/4" socket for trailer hitches and I use it with an adapter and either a 1/2" ratchet or impact and I only have that because when I bought it the store didn't have that size in a 1/2" drive.

 

[bigfunwmu]

My 3/4 set probably sees more use as drivers in the arbor press to install seals, bearings, and bushings than bolts or nuts. Handy set to have though.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

I’ve got 4 or 5 3/4” sae sets. All USA made. All chrome. 3/4” impact standard and deep USA made. Most go 3/4-2” with a few larger. Maybe 2 3/8”. Also have full chrome metric std. length up to 50mm. Metric impact to 50. Believe they are Armstrong. Used almost daily for years on heavy equipment. If I needed anything over 46 mm or 2” I got out the 1” drive. They went out to 3 1/2” No chiwaneeze **** either.

 

[ecotec]

Some truths spoken there.

I was offered a 3/4" metric set for 35eur and I passed, because I knew I would never need it. And you don't need snap on quality on a 3/4" set because try as you may you will never break something or round a nut.

I would have bought a set for that price.