Ditch the SAE?

[shoggoth80]

So, I am working on consolidating (finally) my tools. I went through a brief period of acquisitions and upgrades a few years ago. This was largely because of what and where I found myself working.

Now, where I work, tools are issued, and I use SAE often enough (I work mostly on semi-trailers). At home... not so much. My cars are imports, and not vintage, and the closest project I have to a vintage car or motorbike uses metric (old Kawasaki and a VW trike). So, the instances where I would use SAE are slim to none outside of work.

Space is at a premium in my house. Looking for thoughts from the hive mind. I am tempted to move the SAE stuff along. Problem is that they are decent stuff... old USA made raised panel C-man, and Armstrong.

The hoarder/packrat in me wants to hold on to them, the pragmatic side of me says eliminate the chaff.

Tough call.

 

[lilredex]

Easy call if you are eighty years old...........dump them. But if not, keep them, it will be a long time before SAE fasteners disappear.

 

[Kent_B]

Metrics prevail on all our cars, but the tractor is all SAE and a good share of the yard equipment is as well. I'm still using mine.

 

[RedF]

Box 'em up and put them away. There will come a day that you will need/want them. Especially if you get rid of them!

 

[Davefr]

So, I am working on consolidating (finally) my tools. I went through a brief period of acquisitions and upgrades a few years ago. This was largely because of what and where I found myself working.

Now, where I work, tools are issued, and I use SAE often enough (I work mostly on semi-trailers). At home... not so much. My cars are imports, and not vintage, and the closest project I have to a vintage car or motorbike uses metric (old Kawasaki and a VW trike). So, the instances where I would use SAE are slim to none outside of work.

Space is at a premium in my house. Looking for thoughts from the hive mind. I am tempted to move the SAE stuff along. Problem is that they are decent stuff... old USA made raised panel C-man, and Armstrong.

The hoarder/packrat in me wants to hold on to them, the pragmatic side of me says eliminate the chaff.

Tough call.

If all you will ever work on at home is two metric based vehicles then ditch them.

However SAE stuff is very common around the home.

I can't image not having SAE.

 

[dr_clyde]

Keep them. Most household hardware, industrial machinery, plumbing fixtures ect still use SAE. Not going away anytime soon.

 

[PureLeaf]

Keep them. Most of your home appliances, lawn mowers/yard equipment, nuts/bolts around the house, plumbing etc is SAE. You could ditch them and save a tiny bit of space, or come across a job that needs that 1/4 inch wrench you threw away, and you'll have to buy a new one.

 

[jd_1138]

You don't have to waste space in your toolbox for them, but I'd definitely keep them. Replacing them will cost a lot more than you can sell them for.

Plus it's a pain in the **** to have to run to the store to get a 1/2" wrench or socket if you suddenly need one.

 

[doan]

Tools that are not used or seldom used can be stored much more compactly than the stuff you want easy access to. Pack your SAE stuff away in a sturdy box and see how long you go without needing SAE.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

So many things use SAE fasteners. Couple that with the very small volume of space required to stash away a couple of sets of wrenches/ratchets.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

So many things use SAE fasteners. Couple that with the very small volume of space required to stash away a couple of sets of wrenches/ratchets.

Appliances need sae sometimes, my dryer had sae nuts holding on the back cover and I think my fridge had sae for the door bolts, but it was almost 9 months ago so it have been metric.

 

[theoldwizard1]

All my appliances and most of my outdoor lawn equipment uses SAE.

 

[shoggoth80]

Some good points there. We have enough lawn equipment to keep that in mind. Though 11mm = 7/16", 13mm = 1/2", 14mm = 9/16', 19mm = 3/4", 25mm = 1" approx. I know there is probably more "close enough" crossover than that.

Keeping the wrenches takes little enough space, as does the 1/4" and 3/8" sets. The 1/2" is kind of obnoxious and large... and isn't anything to write home about quality wise (just HF stuff). But the 1/4" and 3/8" drive stuff is older Stanley and Thorsen, not the greatest, but not the worst.

I suppose what I would really like to get my hands on are some decent socket trays/cases. Organize everything so it packs down. Lol. It would be nice to have a case for my 1/4" deep well stuff, and all my 3/8" drive, and some decent wrench rolls. Got a friend who wants to do a leatherwork workshop in a few weeks... maybe I can just make some of this stuff. Lol.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

All my appliances and most of my outdoor lawn equipment uses SAE.

How old is your lawn equipment? I had to replace the auger engagement cable on my snow blower and it was all metric, not sure about my lawn mower or tractor though.

 

[AA/FC]

Yeah, most things today are metric, but I couldnt imagine getting rid of my SAE tools..... or any tools for that matter. In fact, I have recently purchased (within the last 9 months) several complete wrench and socket sets from the Snap On truck. Even at SO truck prices I still make sure when I buy a metric set of something, I also buy the matching SAE set too. I've said it before and I will say it again..... "I don't need to use a tool every day for me to justify owning it"

KEEP YOUR SAE TOOLS! Just because you dont have a use for them today, doesnt mean you wont need them down the road. You'll be glad you still have them, one day.

 

[woody 73]

I am thinking along the lines of Murphy's law something like...

The Day you get rid of them will be the day you need them!

Your call.

 

[jakemac]

I just did some work on an 8yo Briggs & Stratton, and had to switch back and forth between SAE and Metric. Keep them nearby, you'll still need them.

 

[Tinner]

Some good points there. We have enough lawn equipment to keep that in mind. Though 11mm = 7/16", 13mm = 1/2", 14mm = 9/16', 19mm = 3/4", 25mm = 1" approx. I know there is probably more "close enough" crossover than that.

It might look close enough looking at a decimal chart. However that doesn't take into account manufacturing tolerances and clearances of fasteners and tools. You will find occasions when close enough isn't.

 

[Farmall450]

If all you will ever work on at home is two metric based vehicles then ditch them.

However SAE stuff is very common around the home.

I can't image not having SAE.

Agreed, super common. When you buy a lawn mower and nothing fits you'll know why.

 

[bcradio]

I think a better thread for you is toolbox organization and maximum space utilization

 

[Ign]

Yep, if you 'wheel and you only 'wheel with Yotas, then metric is all you'll need on the trail.

If you ever want to fix the cute neighbor girl's wheelbarrow or lawn mower, you'll feel pretty dumb when she sees "all your tools" but you have to tell her you don't have the tools for that.

IOW, fractional is still out there! As a machinist I still tap and build everything for myself with fractional. It's what I learned with (WAY back in 2007/2008 before the world went metric LMAO) and I'm most comfortable with it, plus I have two 72 hole bins full of it!

edit: hell, I ditch most of the crappy metric hardware that comes with HF junk and swap it for fractional from my bolt bins, as I did just today with my HF side cabinet!

 

[Jim C.]

I use SAE tools all the time. As a serious DIYer and a lover of old USA made cars and machinery, I can't imagine not having them.

Jim C.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

It might look close enough looking at a decimal chart. However that doesn't take into account manufacturing tolerances and clearances of fasteners and tools. You will find occasions when close enough isn't.

Glad you mentioned that, the tolerances can vary ALOT. I was looking at my sk 9/16 wrenches and I noticed that both of them have slop on bolt. One is almost has 1/16 of inch of slop between it and the fastener, but the open end has opened up a bit. But my old lectrolite one still has quite a lot of play, I cannot imagine how much it would be with using metric on sae.

 

[Ign]

Glad you mentioned that, the tolerances can vary ALOT. I was looking at my sk 9/16 wrenches and I noticed that both of them have slop on bolt. One is almost has 1/16 of inch of slop between it and the fastener, but the open end has opened up a bit. But my old lectrolite one still has quite a lot of play, I cannot imagine how much it would be with using metric on sae.

Fastener hex sizes vary a good bit too. Most are at least 15 thou (1/64") under nominal, measured across the flats.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Fastener hex sizes vary a good bit too. Most are at least 15 thou (1/64") under nominal, measured across the flats.

Thanks, I forgot to mention that as well, the bolt I was using was one a cheap one from hd so I doubt that helped much.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Pack them into a hand box, and stick in a closet or under the work bench. You just never know when you may need them. Also the re-sell prices on SAE are kinda low. Good for those of us that are still buying and using them, but not good for anyone trying to thin they tool collection.

 

[reivertom]

The thought of getting rid of ANY of my tools makes me shudder......

 

[shoggoth80]

Sure, until you are fighting for space and organization. I'm going to get rid of some of the cheaper metric stuff that I have in excess. Mostly HF stuff on that end. Some of it will get bundled into basic car kits, some of it??? Dunno yet.

I'm not a fan of getting rid of tools. I am a fan of trying to keep things organized and compact. I'm still rocking the plastic carry box that I had as a teen. Hell, I still have some of those tools too. Perhaps a larger box, with better storage options... but that is neither here nor there for the moment.

 

[Schurkey]

BIGGER GARAGE. Problem solved.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I just upgraded to 3/8" air hose and Milton Hi-Flo fittings. You guessed it...all SAE.

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

The thought of getting rid of ANY of my tools makes me shudder......

+1. I even keep broken tools... never know..

 

[ibedayank]

Not sure what he is complaining about I have Metric SAE and whitworth in my box. And I use them all.

 

[dutchgray]

I wouldn't get rid of my SAE stuff and I'm in a fully metric country, but there is still enough uses for it around. The OP probably could lose the 1/2" drive stuff if its only HF stuff and he isn't going to be using it on a tractor or classic car, but even then your only saving the room a couple socket rails take up.

 

[rob1200]

I wouldn't get rid of my SAE stuff and I'm in a fully metric country, but there is still enough uses for it around.

There's no such thing as a fully metric country. I assume you own sockets and ratchets. What is the drive size? 1/4-inch drive, 3/8-inch drive, 1/2-inch drive, 3/4-inch drive... those are not metric

 

[Adam.C]

I don't understand the all or nothing answers. Keep 3/8-7/8 wrenches and 1/4-7/8 shallow sockets in 3/8" drive. Dump everything else.

All I have in my main box are these plus bit sockets and SAE Allen keys. The wrenches are ratchet combos FD+.

I have a set of 1/4 drive shallows and deeps that I can't part with. I have a set of craftsman impacts that I don't think I've ever used. I don't believe I've ever owned a car with SAE hardware.

 

[Adam.C]

I wouldn't get rid of my SAE stuff and I'm in a fully metric country.

Not even close to a fully metric country. Older British cars are a mess of different fasteners. Germany and Switzerland are much closer to fully metric.

 

[shoggoth80]

I like old British stuff, I don't own any though.
There are factors leading to my decision to try and trim it down.
1.My hand tools are in the basement. We haven't built a garage yet.
2. Literally, I am still using the tool box I had when I was a teenager. I'm surprised it's lived this long.
3.Space is finite. My basement is jam packed with yard tools, fasteners, my tools, a bunch of older woodworking stuff, sanders, saws, drills etc. A lot of that we sort of inherited from my wife's side of the family.

It's good to have when we need it. A lot of that lives on shelves. My tools are overflowing my box. Sure, a larger chest would be a good answer... but I still would only want to fill it with stuff I use.

I asked for hive mind input. And it seems the census is to packrat stuff. Lol. Problem is that we have 3 generations of packratting that we are slowly attempting to deal with. I have direct control over my own stuff. Lol. As better stuff comes in, cheaper stuff goes out. That is my MO. I've given tools away to guys who were in my tech school class (for the little time I was there...work became far more important, and a LOT more lucrative quick enough), because they were 18, 19, and had nothing at all. Gotta start somewhere.

I would like to build a better road kit, just because I don't like taking my better tools into pick and pull yards... so that is a good way to repurpose my cheaper metric stuff, and my cheaper screwdrivers.

I know the best answer is upgrade boxes, and work out a space for it. Hanging onto unused stuff is part of how this household became such a mess to begin with though. Lol.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

A few years down the road; you may find yourself with a different job where your sae will be needed... Keep yourself equipped and ready...

 

[shoggoth80]

Oh no, I have no plans of changing jobs anytime in the near future. I like what I do, I like my pay, and I like my benefits.

 

[Flivver250]

If you ever decide to work on cool cars you will need SAE.