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3/4” Drive Size Strategy

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ThePostman

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2020
Messages
416
Location
Virginia
You should try the Lisle harmonic balancer sockets.
On the Honda 3.5, sometimes, they come right out, but most of the time you use a fairly cheap tool attached to a breaker bar butted up against a control arm that keeps the crank from spinning, then put said Wright 6425 in there with a 3/4" drive 19mm, and it comes right out.
 

BarrelRoll

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2006
Messages
415
Location
Alaska
For years working on junk at home I had a couple 3/4 drive sockets with an adapter for pinion nuts.

I work on anything without wheels or tracks at a gold mine for a living these days. I have a GP 3/4" shallow set from 3/4"-2 1/2", my 1/2" sockets go to 1 1/2". I almost never use my 3/4" stuff unless the fastener is bigger than 1 1/2". I do find my self using my 1 5/8", 1 7/8", 2" and ocasionaly bigger than 2" sockets. I'm glad my setup goes bigger than 2", I don't believe I've ever used my 3/4" sockets smaller than about 1 1/8". I find when fasteners get this big using standard sockets on metric fasteners isn't a big deal. If I buy a deep well 3/4" set I'll buy a metric set so I have both standard and metric. The one time I had issues using standard on metric was a 1 7/16" wrench on a 36mm nut though I'm not convinced I wouldn't have been cutting it off if I had a 36mm wrench on hand. I haven't run into a situation where I've needed a chrome 3/4" socket and would just buy an impact set.

Vevor makes a decent looking GP knock off made in China set going up to 2 1/2" that would be prefect for your desire.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NK1QN6F/?tag=atomicindus08-20

As far as drivers go I have a IR composite impact (top of the line when I bought it), gear wrench 3/4" ratchet, a couple impact extensions, impact wobble, 3/4" male to 1/2" female adapter (I use this all the time) and 3/4" female to 1/2" male adapter, and a snappy 3/4" 36" breaker bar after an operator broke my Icon (i've been keeping my eyes pealed for a snappy 3/4" ratchet head and shorter handle). A good 3/4" impact is nice to have when something won't move. Most stuff that truly needs a 3/4" socket is probably tight enough you are going to want a good 3/4" impact. An cheap ratchet and good breaker bar would be the direction I would go.

If you wait long enough you can usually find 3/4 drive stuff pretty cheap used or on e-bay.
 
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ThePostman

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2020
Messages
416
Location
Virginia
For years working on junk at home I had a couple 3/4 drive sockets with an adapter for pinion nuts.

I work on anything without wheels or tracks at a gold mine for a living these days. I have a GP 3/4" shallow set from 3/4"-2 1/2", my 1/2" sockets go to 1 1/2". I almost never use my 3/4" stuff unless the fastener is bigger than 1 1/2". I do find my self using my 1 5/8", 1 7/8", 2" and ocasionaly bigger than 2" sockets. I'm glad my setup goes bigger than 2", I don't believe I've ever used my 3/4" sockets smaller than about 1 1/8". I find when fasteners get this big using standard sockets on metric fasteners isn't a big deal. If I buy a deep well 3/4" set I'll buy a metric set so I have both standard and metric. The one time I had issues using standard on metric was a 1 7/16" wrench on a 36mm nut though I'm not convinced I wouldn't have been cutting it off if I had a 36mm wrench on hand. I haven't run into a situation where I've needed a chrome 3/4" socket and would just buy an impact set.

Vevor makes a decent looking GP knock off made in China set going up to 2 1/2" that would be prefect for your desire.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NK1QN6F/?tag=atomicindus08-20

As far as drivers go I have a IR composite impact (top of the line when I bought it), gear wrench 3/4" ratchet, a couple impact extensions, impact wobble, 3/4" male to 1/2" female adapter (I use this all the time) and 3/4" female to 1/2" male adapter, and a snappy 3/4" 36" breaker bar after an operator broke my Icon (i've been keeping my eyes pealed for a snappy 3/4" ratchet head and shorter handle). A good 3/4" impact is nice to have when something won't move. Most stuff that truly needs a 3/4" socket is probably tight enough you are going to want a good 3/4" impact. An cheap ratchet and good breaker bar would be the direction I would go.

If you wait long enough you can usually find 3/4 drive stuff pretty cheap used or on e-bay.
I'm assuming they broke the 3/4" Icon breaker bar? If so, what was the part that gave out? Just curious as I was looking at one of those for when I get a no exclusion coupon to throw in the trunk of my wife's car that we usually take on long trips....
 

APEowner

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
4,167
Location
Sunny, New Mexico
I generally buy expensive, quality tools. Mostly Snap-On. My one major exception is my 3/4" socket set. It's a cheap, generic made in China set that I think I picked up at a swap meet somewhere. My thinking is that in the large socket sizes there's enough material that they'll hold up to limited use just fine regardless of how crappy the steel is and that I'll use them so infrequently that the poor fit and finish won't bother me very often. I don't think I've ever used the ratchet that came with the set. I use an adaptor and my 1/2" drive Snap-On ratchet with the 24" long handle or my 1/2" impact gun. That's worked for me for over three decades.
 

BarrelRoll

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2006
Messages
415
Location
Alaska
I'm assuming they broke the 3/4" Icon breaker bar? If so, what was the part that gave out? Just curious as I was looking at one of those for when I get a no exclusion coupon to throw in the trunk of my wife's car that we usually take on long trips....

Yep, they broke the 3/4" breaker bar, I'm guessing there was a large pipe involved. If I didn't live 500 miles from a harbor freight it wouldn't be a big deal to warranty it. It was broken attempting to get stuck bolts a 1,300ftlb 3/4" gun can't always break free. I thought I had a picture of it though I can't find it. When I found it the end was broken off and gone and the handle had a nice bend to it. They thought it was a company tool and gave it no mercy. For something you propose It's probably not a bad tool.
 

RPH

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2006
Messages
4,190
Location
Michigan Thumb
I have a cheap Chinese set from 35 years ago. Most of the use has been for driving bearings and seals on the press.
Few times I do use them as sockets it’s on old tractors. I did buy the tekton 3/4” breaker bar that’s 40” long.
Nice tool, better feel than a pipe over short handle!
 

Downwindtracker 2

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
1,715
Location
BC
I have absolutely zero need for massive sockets. Home gamer, havnt worked on anything huge. But I want to expand my capabilities because I like to collect tools and I like to have the capability to do something even if I likely never will. I don’t necessarily need to be able to do it fast, but I want to be able to do it.

With that in mind, I’m thinking of buying some 3/4” drive sockets plus a 3/4” breaker bar and a 3/4” ratchet. Probably need maybe one to three extensions. Nothing crazy, except the price!

I’m not looking to make work faster, I’m just looking to make it possible. I never want to throw up my hands and say ”I can’t do it” even if it takes 10x longer than using the right tools.

With that in mind, what sizes should I start at? I have chrome 1/2” drive up to 1 1/2” / 25mm sizes. Does it make sense to overlap? or Do I just start where my 1/2” drive leaves off? is There any application in the 1” to 1.5” socket size where 1/2” drive lacks the torque?

How far up should I go? Proto Goes up to 2 3/8” and 60mm. If I have the money and space should I max it out? Or at a certain size, is it stupid to use 3/4” drive and I really do need to go to 1” drive? No plans of getting 1” drive at the moment. And probably never will.
I used 3/4" drives at work, the company supplied them. For home, when I needed it I bought a Taiwanese ratchet and 1 5/16" socket . It was for the trailer hitch ball. The next one was a 1 1/2" socket for the trailer bearings. These two sockets were by far the most used at work. I checked the clearance tables and now have a complete set. Mostly American made with the odd Taiwanese sneaking in. There may even be two sockets of the same brand !
 
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