5/8 Drive Proto Sockets

[Grasseth]

I found three Proto impact sockets, the guy wanted 3 dollars a piece. I bought them with out looking to closely, thinking they were 3/4 in impacts. I was wrong they are 5/8 inch drive, how common are these? These are the only 3 I have found. They are sweet looking sockets, but I have no ratchet for them, at least not yet. Now I kind of want one.

Grasseth

 

[David W]

I have never heard of that size before. These sockets are either really old and rare or perhaps they started out life as 1/2" drive and have gotten worn out and then reamed out to that size.

 

[Grasseth]

They are in really good shape, I have worn out many of sockets, that is now what these look like. I have found that snap on made 5/8 in drive, here is the link. But I have found nothing about Proto doing it.

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/index.php?page=socket_sets/F5-8inchdrive/5-8inchdrive

I have never heard of that size before. These sockets are either really old and rare or perhaps they started out life as 1/2" drive and have gotten worn out and then reamed out to that size.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I wouldn't say they are rare but they are uncommon. I believe Snap On as well as other tool companies still make 5/8" drive tools. I find them from time to time but never buy them for the same reasons you stated.

 

[Bjkearns]

I would be looking for adapters up to 3/4 or down to 1/2

 

[unslow1]

Proto

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PR...cm_sp=IO-_-IDP-_-RR_VTV70300505&cm_vc=IDPRRZ1

 

[Provincial]

Rumor has it that the utility companies liked 5/8" drive because it cut down on pilferage of tools. Many of the ones I have seen are 8-point sockets for square nuts.

 

[Murphy4570]

5/8 drive is an old standard dating back to the 1920's. I have some Snap-On sockets in that drive size. There was also 7/8 drive and a couple other oddball sizes back then. It wasn't until after WWII that the tool industry settled with 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" drive sizes.

You can still get adapters to use the old drive stuff, so it isn't completely worthless nor useless anymore.

 

[Outlawmws]

Proto

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PR...cm_sp=IO-_-IDP-_-RR_VTV70300505&cm_vc=IDPRRZ1

That one goes the wrong way? "Impact Socket Adapter, Drive Size (In.) 3/4, Size 5/8" Female x 3/4" Male, "

 

[Outlawmws]

And if it's Proto it's not Extremely old (> 1948)

 

[Scotsman1886]

I have two 5/8" drive Williams extensions in my Williams collection. They are listed as impact tools in the 1940s catalog I downloaded.

 

[TDLMOMOWERS]

When I worked as a truck mechanic for a large corporation, we had a group tool box for impact tools and large size tools. We had a complete set of impact sockets in 5/8 drive and a 5/8 impact wrench. I think they were Williams brand. I think Grainger still lists some 5/8 stuff in their catalog.

 

[Grasseth]

Its very interesting stuff. I will probably end up keeping them, just because they say proto. I am weird like that. Well unless someone needs them, or would like to trade for something. But it is kind of cool to have some sockets from those odd ball sets. I now have 1/4, 9/32, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, and 1 drive stuff. Though no ratchet or breaker for the 5/8.

 

[Provincial]

I have a Snap-On breaker and extension for 5/8" drive. It came in a large lot of stuff I acquired years ago.