Biggest 1/4in drive socket?

[krzyimprt]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums. I recently picked up a 1/4in socket set from tekton. At what point should a 1/4in drive set stop? I saw online they make 15mm and a very obscure 5/8. At what point should it crossover into 3/8? Will I regret not having a 15mm and 5/8? I'm a DIY guy and mostly do small engine repair and light automotive repair on my own vehicle. I looked online and I think SK makes a 17mm 1/4, That's just insane. IF I were to purchase these sockets should I go with shallow or deep? Thanks in advance.

 

[CGarage]

Depends on the torque spec of the bolt in my opinion. That said, the trick I learned on here is, say for a vehicle, 1/4” drive in the interior cabin, 3/8” drive under the hood, and 1/2” drive for under the vehicle. That is pretty accurate. With car manufacturers minimizing anything and everything under the hood, I suspect we will see larger 1/4” drive sizes popping up to address this and the associated access issues.

 

[AirMech#406]

I have no input on when a socket size should be a 3/8" drive, I will leave that to the engineers to answer. But I can tell you that if you plan on doing any suspension, hub/axle, or brake work it would behoove you to purchase a 3/8" set as well. you will need the 17, 18, 19, 21 for various fasteners.

As long as you dont have a GM vehicle you shouldnt need a 15mm

The GJ answer to "should i by x or y" is always "get both!" and that applies here. If you get a 3/8 set, get both deep and shallow, although you might start with shallow if you dont have the coin for a full set.

 

[krzyimprt]

I have no input on when a socket size should be a 3/8" drive, I will leave that to the engineers to answer. But I can tell you that if you plan on doing any suspension, hub/axle, or brake work it would behoove you to purchase a 3/8" set as well. you will need the 17, 18, 19, 21 for various fasteners.

As long as you dont have a GM vehicle you shouldnt need a 15mm

The GJ answer to "should i by x or y" is always "get both!" and that applies here. If you get a 3/8 set, get both deep and shallow, although you might start with shallow if you dont have the coin for a full set.

I have a master 3/8 set too.

 

[LXCam]

Should you go with shallow or deep?? Is this a serious question?


Not only are you going to have to go shallow and deep plus have the ever elusive 15mm AND 5/8” sockets


You’re gonna have to buy the mid length set too to hang out here.



Welcome aboard new guy

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Back in my grandfathers day, they only used 1/4 and 1/2" drives. After his garage burned down and then WWII he worked in a garage again sometime up until the 60's. The old trick was when you feel resistance, switch up. Generally a 13mm is about where I will switch up.

 

[Legion Prime]

Generally once a fastener got to 1/2" I usually grabbed a 3/8 ratchet. I did however get a shallow 9/16" 1/4" drive from the Mac dude. I had a pair of bolts I had to cinch down behind a bumper cover that I couldn't get a socket on from beneath so I'd slip the socket up top, stick a 1/4" extension through the hole in the bumper fascia and tighten it down with a wrench on the bottom. Worked a charm and I still have it but haven't used it in decades. LOL
If you have the larger sizes in 3/8 I wouldn't worry about getting them in 1/4 unless you have a specific need. By 5/8 I'd worry more about damaging my 1/4 ratchet.

 

[AirMech#406]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums. I recently picked up a 1/4in socket set from tekton. At what point should a 1/4in drive set stop? I saw online they make 15mm and a very obscure 5/8. At what point should it crossover into 3/8? Will I regret not having a 15mm and 5/8? I'm a DIY guy and mostly do small engine repair and light automotive repair on my own vehicle. I looked online and I think SK makes a 17mm 1/4, That's just insane. IF I were to purchase these sockets should I go with shallow or deep? Thanks in advance.

Ah my mistake! I misunderstood your post. You are asking if you should get the 15mm 1/4 drive and the elusive 5/8" 1/4 drive, right? Nah, I wouldn't bother if you already have a 3/8 set to cover those sizes.

 

[krzyimprt]

Ah my mistake! I misunderstood your post. You are asking if you should get the 15mm 1/4 drive and the elusive 5/8" 1/4 drive, right? Nah, I wouldn't bother if you already have a 3/8 set to cover those sizes.

Yep, that's exactly what Im asking.

 

[BlackHorseSaga]

I've never had an issue using 1/4" up to 15mm. MAC doesn't sell their socket sets up to 15mm, only 14mm, so you have to get the individual shallow/deep separately.

Considering Snap-on and MAC ratchets are good for over 100 ft/lbs on their 1/4" drive ratchets, 1/4" could be considered the new 3/8".

Anytime I can use a 1/4" drive body instead of a much heavier 3/8" ratchet I will. It's smaller, and it's faster.

My 3/8" set goes down to 6mm also.

 

[Fedwrench]

It all depends on what you work on but, I doubt if you will miss not having a 1/4 drive 15mm socket.

As for the shallow/deep debate, it depends on your budget. If you can't afford the master set pictured, run with shallow first and get the deep sizes as needed. You may want to consider getting a semi deep or mid length set instead of the deep length. I find them to be more useful. Keep in mind that in 1/4 drive shallow sockets, most US made sockets are 7/8 in length overall, while most Asian made 1/4 drive shallow sockets are one inch long overall.

 

[m6z]

I wouldn't bother with those larger 1/4 sizes. I've got them and have never used them.

Your 1/4 set should cover everything you're going to want to use 1/4 drive on.

Adding Tekton's 3/8 master set would pretty much cover everything you're going to encounter on passenger cars since it goes up to 1"/25mm.

 

[Black300zx]

Since you have a full 3/8 set, the only reason I'd grab those is if you ever plan to throw the 1/4" set in your car to take on a trip for emergency work AND you know your vehicles and toys uave those size fasteners.

At 14mm I almost always grab for 3/8 drive

 

[silkman]

There is sufficient crossover between sizes, typical 3/8 is 6-22mm. My rule is if it fits, I use the largest size. Many times I will undo a 13mm nut with a 1/2 ratchet well, because its easier. Use what you like with order of 6point socket ->closed side of combi wrench ->open wrench

Another tool rule (sort of)
1/4" for bicycle
3/8" motorcycle
1/2" car
3/4" truck
1" ship

 

[CGarage]

Considering Snap-on and MAC ratchets are good for over 100 ft/lbs on their 1/4" drive ratchets, 1/4" could be considered the new 3/8".

Well said. I find myself using 1/4” drive the vast majority of the time, even when tinkering under the hood of my vehicles. With miniaturization so in-vogue, 1/4” really IS the new 3/8”.

 

[ecotec]

I have up to 16mm in shallow and 15mm in mid length and deep.

I do not have any 5/8”.

 

[ecotec]

Well said. I find myself using 1/4” drive the vast majority of the time, even when tinkering under the hood of my vehicles. With miniaturization so in-vogue, 1/4” really IS the new 3/8”.

CGarage nailed it. The Snap-on 1/4” ratchets have crazy specs these days. They probably have specs near or at what a 70’s or 80’s 3/8”ratchet can take.

If I feel like I am pushing my luck, I move up to 3/8”.

The 15mm is perfect for GM oil drain bolts. That is a pretty low torque application. I do not think that I have ever used the 16mm. Someone on GJ had one in the tool arrival thread… so I bought a couple.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have a few 1/4 15mm sockets. I used the shallow once well I should say a coworker used it once on a belt tensioner and snapped my ratchet drive off haha. It’s the only thing that would fit because he didn’t have a serpentine belt tool. Haven’t found a use for one since then but I do have it because I hate having blank spots on my tray haha. I haven’t gotten the 5/8 1/4 drive yet but you might make me buy it now haha. 3/8 is my go to drive and always has been it’s 3/8, 1/4 and then 1/2 for me.

 

[autobon7]

I usually go to 3/8 drive when I hit 12-13mm. Crazy to see some manufacturers have 8"-12" long 1/4" drive ratchets. My longest 1/4" ratchet is 7" long.

 

[nbpt100]

I will speak to the small engine work.........1/4" drive is perfect for small engine work. I would get both shallow and deep. The deep allow you to avoid having to grab an extention. My go to is a deep if I need it or not. Up to 13 mm and 1/2" is fine. If you want to go to 14mm or 9/16 have at it. I do most of my small engine work with 1/4. Probably 90%. A good 1/4 nut driver or a roto ratchet can help you go faster. A wobble extension can be a time saver. I may use 3/8 on the head bolts but the torques are low. I do not have a 1/4 torque wrench. 3/8 drive for the larger hardware on the rest of the machine, Mower blades, Wheel bolts, snow blowers and lawn tractors. A lot of SAE is out there on small engine and ODPE. It has been a crawl to metric. You will need Torx too. Expecially if you work on 2 cycles. Do not get a set that skips the T27. They come up on chain saws.

Not a lot of money to get a decent 1/4 drive set in shallow and deep plus a few accessories like extensions, ratchet, Bit adaptor, torx, nut driver etc.

That Tekton set the OP has up on his post is a great starter set. It should cover a lot. It has the bit adaptor and nut driver included. He can add accessories as the need arises.

Good Luck

 

[CGarage]

I usually go to 3/8 drive when I hit 12-13mm. Crazy to see some manufacturers have 8"-12" long 1/4" drive ratchets. My longest 1/4" ratchet is 7" long.

It’s all about ease of access.....

 

[CallumRD1]

I'll add that larger 1/4" drive sockets can be very useful for clean/new production work where torque values are lower than with crusty automobile fasteners. I use my 9/16" socket all the time on 3/8-16" fasteners and 14mm socket on M10 fasteners all the time. It's nice to be swinging a lighter, shorter tool when you're running in a longer bolt/nut with minimal resistance.

 

[Snapped-off]

I think there's a ¼" 17mm. You definitely need to get that.

 

[MooseCustomMotors]

Probably depends on what you work on, but a 1/4” impact and a 14 or 15mm isn’t a bad combo. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a need for a 5/8 in 1/4 though.

 

[AA/FC]

I have both 5/8" and a 15mm in 1/4 drive...... only because I had to fill the pegs on my Hansen socket trays. However, I will say that once I bought those sockets, it has been very nice having them. I find myself using them all the time. Believe it or not, I noticed them hanging on the hook at my local Autozone parts store in the Duralast tool brand. Until that point, it was the only time I ever saw those obscure sockets in a retail store. This was probably 12-15 years ago so they may not have them today.

 

[Xcursion88]

Being in the automotive business I can tell you my crossover of items.
I'm located in the rust belt thus I'm reliant on 1/2" drive stuff.
If I were in Florida or Arizona as example I'd use 1/4" drive up to and including a 9mm

10mm - 15mm 3/8" drive

17mm onward 1/2" drive

Where I'm at 1/4" drive seldom gets touched unless it's a clearance issue.

I even use 3/8" dr stuff down as low as 7mm and 5/16"

Good luck

 

[CS454]

Gedore 17mm

Gedore K 20 17 Impact socket 1/4" 17 mm

6199140 Gedore K 20 17 Impact socket 1/4 17 mm - high quality German engineering at the lowest price. Free same day shipping available.

www.kctool.com

 

[JradM]

According to most of the advice in this post, I'm doing it wrong.

I organize my sockets on Ernst socket trays by drive size. I like having a wide spread so I don't have to go switch to the other set unnecessarily. If you're always working in a shop next to your chest of sockets, it probably doesn't matter as much. But if, like me, you sometimes grab a tray and go work somewhere else - then it's nice to have a big spread.

3/8" is my go-to size. Therefore it spans from 5mm to 24mm without skips (and a few larger than that, with skips).

5mm is well within traditional 1/4" territory - but you throw a 3/8" 5mm socket on a Proto J5248s, Wright 13430 or SK 45173, no one is the wiser (those are all ratchets with 3/8" drive squares in 1/4" ratchet bodies).





Likewise, a 24mm socket on a Proto J5250XL can handle a fair bit of torque.



I don't use 1/4" drive near as much as 3/8" so my set isn't quite as broad - only up to 14mm. I'd definitely buy a 15mm if I saw one though, and keep going up...

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have both 5/8" and a 15mm in 1/4 drive...... only because I had to fill the pegs on my Hansen socket trays. However, I will say that once I bought those sockets, it has been very nice having them. I find myself using them all the time.

Similar experience for me. I have both sizes in shallow and deep at home an work. I use them quite often and happy I have them.

In terms of drive size, it depends on a couple of things. Torque required and space constraints are heavily considered as to what drive size I use on a particular fastener.

I can't answer if someone else would miss having any kind of tool. That's something only each of us can answer for ourselves. Other than the customary GJ answer of more tools are better of course.

 

[bob15]

I guess I'm the opposite of seemly everyone on the thread who owns a 5/8" socket in 1/4" drive as I use and like mine. Best place and usage: older Delco starters (not just on cars, but Ag and industrial equipment as well) on the 5/8 nut used to hold the battery cable on. The 1/4" drive being smaller is great for getting in there easier and less chance of over-tightening and cracking the solenoid due to the smaller handle.

 

[Komet]

I've never needed, nor do I have 15mm and 5/8 in 1/4 drive. However, I have used my 9/16 and 13mm in 1/4, so it just depends on how tight of a space you need to work in. Personally, I prefer 3/8 drive when you get into those sizes, so I can apply the least amount of force at the handle to prevent getting in a fistfight with solid steel.

 

[metaldad]

Should you go with shallow or deep?? Is this a serious question?


Not only are you going to have to go shallow and deep plus have the ever elusive 15mm AND 5/8” sockets


You’re gonna have to buy the mid length set too to hang out here.



Welcome aboard new guy

in 6 point and 12 point. 8 point where available. swivels where available. standard, semi deep, deep. chrome and impact

 

[CJM8515]

i cant even recall the last time i used a 15mm on a 1/4 drive ratchet. if your one of those tool polishers who must have every size buy one, but typically not needed

 

[spanimal]

I have a few 1/4 15mm sockets. I used the shallow once well I should say a coworker used it once on a belt tensioner and snapped my ratchet drive off haha. It’s the only thing that would fit because he didn’t have a serpentine belt tool. Haven’t found a use for one since then but I do have it because I hate having blank spots on my tray haha. I haven’t gotten the 5/8 1/4 drive yet but you might make me buy it now haha. 3/8 is my go to drive and always has been it’s 3/8, 1/4 and then 1/2 for me.

I never had a serpentine belt tool. I always just used an 18inch 1/2 inch breaker bar with a twelve point socket for clearance and reach for untensioning belt tensioners.

13mm is as high as I would go on a 1/4 drive. 15mm was generally half inch territory for me. A standard 3/8 inch ratchet was about 7-8 inches and was generally of little use...once we move to longer handles that shuffles the equation a fair bit.

But a battery impact with a square adaptor opens a whole new world and I had wanted a 16mm 1/4 socket for that unit...I resorted to a hex to 3/8 and used a 16mm on that.

Well now they make battery impacts with square drives in all sizes...an impact 1/4 inch up to 16mm would come in very handy.

 

[spanimal]

I've never needed, nor do I have 15mm and 5/8 in 1/4 drive. However, I have used my 9/16 and 13mm in 1/4, so it just depends on how tight of a space you need to work in. Personally, I prefer 3/8 drive when you get into those sizes, so I can apply the least amount of force at the handle to prevent getting in a fistfight with solid steel.

Great post. I don't see the point of trying to undo the biggest bolt with the smallest ratchet possible. It's the other way around. Fit the biggest drive size you can to avoid uncontrolled energy explosions. When undoing something, a person should be in full control of their balance and posture...to avoid having a fistfight with solid steel as you put it, or being attacked by your own tools.

 

[AirMech#406]

Yep, that's exactly what Im asking.

Sorry for the confusion at first! Yeah, I see no need for a 15mm or 5/8 1/4" drive unless you run into a very unique restricted-access situation, which for most casual DIY stuff should be extremely rare.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

OP nice set from Texton. My 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 drive socket sets overlap, have not used 15mm in 1/4 drive. I probably will never use it it came with the SO set. Home gamer so will not see as much as a Professional. Use 1/2 drive set most of the time, used 1/4 drive for home repairs and inside the vehicle, use 3/8 drive the least. My combo wrenches and breaker bar sees a lot action.

 

[BlackHorseSaga]

Being in the automotive business I can tell you my crossover of items.
I'm located in the rust belt thus I'm reliant on 1/2" drive stuff.
If I were in Florida or Arizona as example I'd use 1/4" drive up to and including a 9mm

10mm - 15mm 3/8" drive

17mm onward 1/2" drive

Where I'm at 1/4" drive seldom gets touched unless it's a clearance issue.

I even use 3/8" dr stuff down as low as 7mm and 5/16"

Good luck

I'm noticing that now that my 3/8" sets go up to 27mm I use my 1/2" tools extremely rarely (with the exception of my digital torque wrenches). It's all situational.

I took a crank bolt off the other day with this and a hammer:

 

[nbpt100]

I understand the tight space issues and the desire to not over torque and break anything. Who doesn't? To really need the 5/8 and 15mm in quarter drive is a rare need. If you want it fine go buy them. There are other tools to help with tight spaces like stubby ratchets, flex head stubby ratchets, extra shallow sockets, ratcheting box wrenches and Serpantine belt tools. I own some of these tools and they have tons of uses. I have Never needed larger than 13mm or 1/2" in 1/4" drive. Larger sizes are a convenience.

I know some people will never need a Serp. Belt tool. They can access everything well on thier vehicles. I once owned a Mercury Sable and the Serp belt tool was a must. No standard socket and breaker bar would fit in the required space. I have used it in other tight space applications as well a few times. Were there other ways to get it done? Yes. It was what I had at the time and it worked. That is all that matters.

My point is there are many ways to attack these problems and the 5/8 and 15mm 1/4 drive is one of many. For sure, Not the only. They are cheap enough and the upside is greater than the down side for a mindful person. For a novice or someone who tends to be a bit spacey, they may be an invitation to break something.

Yes good thread. I think this is a new topic. At least as far as I can recall during my 10 years +/- of reading threads here.

 

[DadsTools]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums. I recently picked up a 1/4in socket set from tekton. At what point should a 1/4in drive set stop? I saw online they make 15mm and a very obscure 5/8. At what point should it crossover into 3/8? Will I regret not having a 15mm and 5/8? I'm a DIY guy and mostly do small engine repair and light automotive repair on my own vehicle. I looked online and I think SK makes a 17mm 1/4, That's just insane. IF I were to purchase these sockets should I go with shallow or deep? Thanks in advance.

I'm in the DIY camp too. I don't think you'll "regret" not having those 5/8 or 15mm in a 1/4" drive. It sounds as if you might feel your set would not be complete without them, and so in that case you might buy them just for peace of mind, pride of ownership, and confidence that your set will handle whatever you might encounter. If that's the case, I'd buy them for those reasons. For example, 1/4" drive SAE sets typically max out at i/2 sockets. I have several sets of of these in various locations on the farm and truck, and I bought 9/16" sockets for all of them. I added them mainly to satisfy the feeling that I have that size if I ever need it, almost like completing the sets that the mfrs failed to do. But in all the years I've had them, I think I used one only once, and then it was a matter of convenience at the moment, so I didn't really need it. But it sure feels cool when I open any of those sets and think to myself "Man, I got that 9/16" socket in this set too." The emotional satisfaction is definitely worth having bought them, even though none fit into the case "trough" compartment dedicated to the standard sockets that already fill them.

From a practical viewpoint, I think those oversize sockets would be more like a specialty tool for those rare instances where a 3/8" drive just won't work, like for those specific jobs where you have to buy the specific tool for it. I personally have never encountered one where a 5/8" or 15mm on a 1/4" drive was the only way to fly and nothing else would quite do. I was recently working on a small device on my bench that had a variety of fasteners both hex and hex key. The 1/4" drive was much easier to work with while a 3/8" would have been bigger and more cumbersome getting around it. I had one fastener that required a long shank hex key bit socket, but I only have these longs in 3/8" drive sockets. I just got a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter (which I also have in every 1/4" set) so I could continue to use the smaller, lighter 1/4" ratchet. I can't think of a single instance I've encountered where this adapter would not serve perfectly for using these 'oversize' sockets in the normal 3/8" drive with a 1/4" ratchet--that's precisely what they're made for.

If you go for those bigger sockets, might as well get them in both standard and deepwell sizes. Why not?