Complete Tool Set: What is it?

[kunkernator]

Alright, so here is my dilemma. I am in the process of acquiring a "complete" tool set. I have deep/shallow inch/metric 1/4'' sets, deep/shallow metric 3/8'', shallow inch 3/8'' and some shallow 1/2'' sockets. I know I will need deep inch 3/8'' sockets, and some more 1/2'', but me being a bit OCD, what sizes of everything would be considered a full set? In other words, will i need 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, etc....to be a full metric set? I have googled some of this and can't find a definite answer to what a "full set" would be considered. Also, the majority of my sockets are 6 point, should I invest in 12 point?

Any help is much appreciated, or if someone can provide me to a link.
Sorry if I worded my question a little funky, please ask for clarification if need be.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[2mJps]

You will never have a complete set until the day you dont need them any more.

 

[PT Doc]

Look at sears 299 socket set. That will tell you what is included and just go from there. There sizes that are not used so you will likely not have a full unbroken sequence of numbers.

 

[crewchief888]

dont forget a 5.5 mm....




i'm been wrenching on const eq for over 25 years at various dealerships on several brands of equipment.

i only use 8-10 sockets on a regular basis...

at home, 5 or 6 sockets take care of almost anything i work on.

 

[kunkernator]

Look at sears 299 socket set. That will tell you what is included and just go from there. There sizes that are not used so you will likely not have a full unbroken sequence of numbers.

Thank you, I did, that helps. As for 12 point, are they necessary?

 

[Rickster]

Go and buy Hanson socket trays for 6 & 12pts in every drive size (1/4, 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4) and both chrome and impact. Then when you've filled all the pegs, you'll pretty close to having a "complete" set of sockets... you know, except for the universals long and short, 4pts M&F, also Torx M&F, Hex heads long and short, crows feet, ...... ****, it never is "complete".

 

[smothers33]

there are 12 pt bolts out there although 6 pt is far more common. also a 12 pt will take off a 4pt or square bolt, those are even more uncommon expect for pipe fittings and such. I would reccomend getting at least a 3/8 drive set of 12 pt if you work on cars but unless you see a 4 or 12 pt theres no need for em

 

[Fedwrench]

It's an endless quest... like searching for bigfoot, noah's ark, world peace, etc.

As soon as you think you have a complete tool set, along comes a new type of automotive fastener requiring further investment in tooling. Torxplus for example.

A lot of what you buy for completeness depends on what you work on. For example, I work on a lot of GM vehicles so, I think a 15mm 1/4 drive socket is essential but, most manufacturers stop at 14mm.

Conversely, many people buy sizes like 20mm just to fill a peg on a hansen socket holder. Even though they will never use said 20mm socket.

Not wanting to start World War V over the merits of 6 point versus 12 point sockets, I will say that if you work with 12 point fasteners, then you need 12 point sockets. Otherwise, they're redundent and dust collectors but, that's just me.

How you use your sockets is another issue. I use larger 1/2 drive sizes solely on impact wrenches so, I really don't need 1/2 drive chrome over 24mm.

To me I would consider the following socket sizes complete:
Chrome:
1/4 drive:4,5,5.5,6-15mm shallow and deep
3/8 drive: 8-19, 21, 22, 24 shallow and deep
1/2 drive: 13-19, 21, 22, 24mm shallow

Impact:
3/8 drive: 8-19, 21, 22, 24mm shallow/deep
1/2 drive: 13-19, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36mm shallow/deep

Don't forget that you'll also need chrome and impact swivel sockets too.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Go and buy Hanson socket trays for 6 & 12pts in every drive size (1/4, 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4) and both chrome and impact. Then when you've filled all the pegs, you'll pretty close to having a "complete" set of sockets... you know, except for the universals long and short, 4pts M&F, also Torx M&F, Hex heads long and short, crows feet, ...... ****, it never is "complete".

You left out midlengths, line wrench crowsfeet, triple-squares, security torx...

Oh, and about a dozen slightly different permutations of wrenches!

 

[crewchief888]

You left out midlengths, line wrench crowsfeet, triple-squares, security torx...

Oh, and about a dozen slightly different permutations of wrenches!

the torture never stops

 

[DodgeMech]

If you're working on anything made after about the mid 90's (besides TJ Wranglers) you more than likely don't need any small sae sockets...only think we use standard on at work is for axle nuts on 4wd trucks and those are 3/4 drive...

 

[Skin]

If you're working on anything made after about the mid 90's (besides TJ Wranglers) you more than likely don't need any small sae sockets...only think we use standard on at work is for axle nuts on 4wd trucks and those are 3/4 drive...

Cant speak to the other two but Chrysler was still using a standard/metric mix on their pickus up to at least 6 years ago (limited to frames/suspension). They may even still be today.

 

[AndyA]

Almost all of my sockets are 6pt and I haven't been compelled rebuy the same sizes-drives to get 12pt ones.

Of course my boxed end wrenches and ratchet wrenches are 12pt so maybe I just reach for those and don't notice the missing 12pt sockets.

 

[DodgeMech]

Cant speak to the other two but Chrysler was still using a standard/metric mix on their pickus up to at least 6 years ago (limited to frames/suspension). They may even still be today.

Everything I've encountered suspension wise has been in. the 16 to 21 range...but no one on our shop has any small standard stuff so it could be slightly off...

 

[kunkernator]

I love the idea of the Hansen socket holders. Thanks a bunch!

 

[dsmnickk90]

Thank you, I did, that helps. As for 12 point, are they necessary?

5.5 is a common size. 12point is needed. Alot on head bolts, connecting rods and main studs. They also come in handy when using breaker bars.

 

[Gmonkee]

To be really complete you will have to find 1/8", 9/32", 7/16", 5/8" and 7/8" drive sets in low, mid, flex and deep as well as 6pt and 12 pts of all of them. In both metrics and SAE of course. Then the 3/4", 1" and 1-1/2" of course. If you do the math you are looking at thousands of sockets you will never use.

Then again you realize that most of this is already covered in 3/8" and halfer sizes and the rest are impractical and costly fluff. Get what covers your real life needs and use the rest of the money on other types like specialty tools.

I work on heavy equiptment as well as the occasional car and want for nothing with a few basic sets of SAE and metrics in the 3 common drive sizes, and a few nice wobble extensions.

 

[pipsters]

You're going to need SAE on anything home related. Pretty much everything on my house is SAE (HVAC, plumbing, etc.) and all of the old equipment I buy (power tools, vises, etc) are all SAE.

I have the Craftsman 299 pc socket set. I placed all the 12 point SAE 1/2" drive in a bag and store it on a shelf except for the sizes that the 6 point bolts don't cover. I use the 12 point 1/4" drive on my drill and keep the 3/8" 12 point bolts in my box.

I have all the metrics in my box (12 point 3/8" and 1/2") because you come across situations that have 12 point bolts. Inside engines, transmissions, flywheels etc.

 

[firebox40dash5]

If you're up for buying Craftsman, I bought #34142 (chrome all-6-point sockets and some wrenches) and a 3/8 & 1/2 impact set that they apparently discontinued now. They were bargains, I think I was under $600 for both. I've added tons of other tools, but virtually no sockets. I think I've added a 13/16" plug socket, and 1/2", 12mm, and 14mm 12-points for unit bearings, heads and such. Those 3 cover 95% of the 12-point fasteners I see, but I don't do much inside engines, or on Eurojunk.

 

[johnachak]

You said: "I think a 15mm 1/4 drive socket is essential but, most manufacturers stop at 14mm."

Why would a 1/4' drive 15mm be necessary when you have a 3/8" drive 15mm? I own and have worked on mostly GM's, I never used a 1/4" drive 15mm. What part calls for it?

 

[kiatech]

only time I ever see 12 points are on fly wheels.

 

[firebox40dash5]

You said: "I think a 15mm 1/4 drive socket is essential but, most manufacturers stop at 14mm."

Why would a 1/4' drive 15mm be necessary when you have a 3/8" drive 15mm? I own and have worked on mostly GM's, I never used a 1/4" drive 15mm. What part calls for it?

Boatloads of underhood stuff that's easier to get to with a 1/4" head. Through I've wanted one more with Chryslers than GMs. GM makes me wish for a flexy 7mm Gearwrench more.

 

[Mastermind]

needed a 12 point 13mm the other day on a caliper bolt, got by with a 1/2, but did help to justify the 12 points need a home in the work box.

 

[Maexle]

imho there is no such thing a s a "complete tool set" for one a leatherman is a complete set, for another one a garage full of tools is not complete. Depends o the work / projects you plan on using the tools for and how professional you want to use it.

5 sockets a good ratchet, a nice set of pliers and 2 screwdrivers cover 90% the jobs.

But, good tools last for generations and never loose their value.

A good basic set and then grow from there with quality tools, step by step.

 

[RCStocker]

dont forget a 5.5 mm....




i'm been wrenching on const eq for over 25 years at various dealerships on several brands of equipment.

i only use 8-10 sockets on a regular basis...

at home, 5 or 6 sockets take care of almost anything i work on.

Or the 4.5 , 6.5, 6.2, and other odd ones. I have them.

There is no such thing as a complete set. I got my first tool box in 1955 and have been collecting ever sense. I have 81 machines and tens of thousands of tools and there is so much I don't have it drives me crazy. LOL

 

[Link-Belt]

Then there are the Max access or whatever they are called.

Sent from my SCH-R720 using Tapatalk 2

 

[shoturtle]

metric 1/4 should cover 4-14 with 5.5, 3/8 should go from to 6-19mm with 3/8, and 1/2 should go from 8-27mm to be complete with both 6-12pt.

 

[dsmnickk90]

metric 1/4 should cover 4-14 with 5.5, 3/8 should go from to 6-19mm with 3/8, and 1/2 should go from 8-27mm to be complete with both 6-12pt.

1/2" needs 30mm , 32mm, 34mm, 35mm and 36mm for axle nuts

 

[shoturtle]

That size I would go with 3/4 over 1/2 dr

 

[dsmnickk90]

That size I would go with 3/4 over 1/2 dr

I think 3/4" drive is over kill. For some really rusted axle nuts I can see it helping but 9 outta ten times 1/2" gets em loose. Those sizes you could get away with impact only too if you wanted.

 

[shoturtle]

at 34 and up, it is not easy to fine them in 1/2 dr at times. And they get super expensive in 3/4 dr.

 

[Fedwrench]

The responses to the Op's post illustrate that there isn't such a thing as a complete tool set, only just a complete for now set.

 

[shoturtle]

The responses to the Op's post illustrate that there isn't such a thing as a complete tool set, only just a complete for now set.

Very true, after the standard and deep sockets, you then have the flex sockets, spline, etorx, then the bits sockets in hex, torx, xzn, torx plus. With every new design fastener, you need to grow. Not to mention the impacts in the respective sizes.

 

[dsmnickk90]

at 34 and up, it is not easy to fine them in 1/2 dr at times. And they get super expensive in 3/4 dr.

Armstrong has them and the price isnt to back at all. Cheaper than getting a 3/4" ratchet breaker bar and impact gun.

 

[shoturtle]

good know that armstrong covers up to 36mm in 1/2. Most other brands have them in 3/4 or even 1" drive.

 

[dsmnickk90]

good know that armstrong covers up to 36mm in 1/2. Most other brands have them in 3/4 or even 1" drive.

Yeah Armstrong has pretty much every size for each drive size. Craftsman goes to 30mm then jumps to 36mm. I've become a big Armstrong fan lately and love that their whole line is USA made. Recently they have stopped making a few things but over all I'd buy from them over anyone else.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

When you have EVERYTHING you need you are half way there...