Do I need SAE tools?

[Gmonkee]

A set of combo wrenches to 3/4" and a 3/8" socket set in regular depth.

That covers most needs and costs little. Don't be without. SAE entirely.

 

[drink]

I say yes to being prepared with both SAE and metric tools. Some of the stuff I work on is garden tractor related so I use a lot of SAE tools there. If I work on a newer type car I will use metric so I have both.

 

[Jim C.]

It all boils down to the type of work you do.... Based on my interests I'm usually tinkering with old USA made cast iron and steel "stuff" so SAE tools are mandatory in my shop. I hardly ever use metric sizes....but I still have a good collection of basic metric tools just in case. I think any serious DIYer or professional needs a good selection of both SAE and metric sizes.

Jim C.

 

[RM209]

I like to recommend new adults to get SAE in vintage US made tools, as you can do this for really cheap getting used older tools in great shape. You can get them at garage sales or at Ebay auctions or Craigslist. Brands like US Craftsman, Proto, Blackhawk, Husky US (made by New Britain), Walden, Indestro-Duro, Wright, and a favorite, SK. You can get these tools used but in good shape for less than new Husky or Kobalt or Craftsman made in China. For metric, may still want the same vintage US made tools, as quality is much better, but you wont' get the latest inventions like the flank loading in wrenches or sockets that the modern designs would have. That is a little thing to me and not too important really. Once you try some good SK sockets, there is no going back to anything lesser. 60's vintage or newer SK are all great. Snap-on is fine of course or Williams (US) but you pay much more for that, which isn't worth it to me. - Paul

This. You can find some great deals on C-L or at estate sales on god quality SAE sets.

RM209

 

[davethorik]

This. You can find some great deals on C-L or at estate sales on god quality SAE sets.

RM209

x2, I bought an older set of Mac full polish sae combos off ebay for cheap. Ended up selling to a friend who became a Mazda tech. He says he doesn't use them a lot but the dealership he works at gets a lot of older, us made vehicles in for trade/repair, and he is definitely glad he bought them.

 

[kiatech]

Never used them working on cars, use them all the time working on semi trucks.

 

[KenC]

You need both, for Some American Equipment

 

[shoggoth80]

Depends on what you work on. I almost ditched all my SAE, because at home I pretty much don't use it. Some of the socket sets I have came with SAE in them. I kept those for the rare occasion I need something in factional. At work is a different story. I get a mish mash of stuff. Some cars are transitional, in that they have SAE and metric. It's good to have both, but keep the SAE to the basics.

 

[KnurledNut]

Repaired a van mount carpet machine that had metric fasteners on the powerhouse and SAE for all the bolt on mechanicals, controls, lines and frame.

 

[RedneckWelder]

For modern auto use you can almost certainly slide by with just a set of the basics and they don't have to be Snap On by any means.

 

[stevenhs]

Yes, once in the while you will need it

 

[fourjeepin]

Re: Home Depot Clearance Thread 2015

Im just a home DIYer type. But i went with a bit fancier stuff in metric. Then just went with more basic stuff for SAE. For car work its been almost all metric, but around the home i find plenty of SAE stuff

Yep, home and old cars (in my case, Jeep).

 

[BioNerd]

Does Wright still sell more SAE than metric?

I have a set of wright grips, for old cars with old fasteners. 3/8 drive harbor freight short and deep sockets and their stubby ratchet wrenches, craftsman pro flare nut wrenches.

 

[mailpup]

You never know where SAE will turn up. Recently I was replacing a harmonic balancer on a GM 3.4 L engine and while the center crank bolt had a 15mm hex, the tapped holes in the balancer that are there for puller tools were not metric but 3/8" x 16. The bolts for that usually have 9/16" hex heads.

 

[cludwin]

If you don't do lots of work on stuff that is has lots of SAE fasteners (old cars), you could probably just get away with 3/8" drive.

For example you could have a full set of 3/8" drive sockets SAE in chrome but ignore 1/4" and 1/2" drive.

Then get a cheap set of cman USA SAE wrenches and you are good.

 

[cludwin]

If you don't do lots of work on stuff that is has lots of SAE fasteners (old cars), you could probably just get away with 3/8" drive.

For example you could have a full set of 3/8" drive sockets SAE in chrome but ignore 1/4" and 1/2" drive.

Then get a cheap set of cman USA SAE wrenches and you are good.

 

[Mhyde52]

As an equipment manager at a golf course, I have the joy of using both Sae and metric tools on almost every piece of equipment we own. Off the top of my head, i can only think of 6 pieces that DON'T have an Asian engine, drivetrain or hydraulic part in an American tool or vehicle. Some days it's bizarre how many different sockets and wrenches you need to drag out to tackle a simple repair.

Sae and metric everything for me.

 

[nbpt100]

From the 80s through the 90s most American cars used both SAE and metric fasteners as the industry was transitioning to be all metric. I found the last SAE sizes used on cars were flair nut fittings like brake line fittings and also bleeder valves. If you buy a replacement battery clamp it may very well be SAE.

Lawn and garden equipment made in USA is still SAE. You may get a USA machine with an Asian engine. The Engine is metric and the rest of the machine is SAE.

When it comes to industrial machinery most every one made in the USA is SAE or a combination of both. I worked for a machine manufacturer that was trying to go metric on screw sizes back in the 90's. The steel, alum and plastic etc. were still sold in English units. For example steel plate was 1/2" thick and not 12 mm thick. As a result of this experience I became conditioned to think in both metric and SAE.

The OP's question was very well answered here many times over.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Don't bother buying with buying SAE tools unless you want to work on heavy equipment, medium/heavy duty trucks, or in a construction trade. As for Snap on tools, most basic tools like wrenches, screwdrivers, and sockets can be had for a lot cheaper elsewhere. I would buy a few of their ratchets, anything where safety is a concern (swivel impacts etc), specialty tools that no one else has, and consumables that break easily and no off the truck option warranties (drill bits, taps and dies, air hammer bits etc.).

 

[Bert_]

I don't even have good metric tools, just cheap junk because I don't use it that much. I still get pissed when I grab a couple SAE wrenches and the bolt turns out the be metric.

Farm equipment still uses a lot of SAE and it's common for people to use some machinery that is 20-30+ years old. Several mechanics around that stay busy working on equipment that is no newer than the mid 90's

 

[Psychwarfare]

Yes to SAE, but whether or not you go SO would depend on level of discount.

I encounter a ton of SAE as an advanced weekend warrior but that's because I restore old cars, and there are a fair number of fasteners around the house.. I wouldnt invest heavily in SAE barring a certainty that I'd be doing industrial/restoration/etc work on the daily.

A nice mid-level set of combination wrenches, sockets, etc should cover a lot of ground.

Good luck with school!!

 

[gtsgarage]

My buddy gave me a lot of his SAE stuff as he works only on metric modern cars. I’m a vintage car guys so I love my SAE stuff although I have been adding metric.

 

[2mJps]

When i started out 30 years ago i bought a set of metric wrenches and a rail of 3/8 metric sockets. I thought thats all i will ever need this metric stuff isnt going to catch on.If i was starting out today i wouldnt buy alot of sae tools.

 

[theoldwizard1]

When i started out 30 years ago i bought a set of metric wrenches and a rail of 3/8 metric sockets. I thought thats all i will ever need this metric stuff isnt going to catch on.If i was starting out today i wouldnt buy alot of sae tools.

About the only things I use SAE tools on are older outdoor equipment and "home" projects.

Except for maybe a lug nut here and there, I'll bet I have not used a 1/2" drive SAE socket in over 20 years, maybe 30 !

 

[Blind1]

if you're going to work on Briggs & Stratton or Tecumseh engines you will need SAE. And yes, B&S is still building engines with 1/4-20 and 8-32 fasteners.

Just tore mine down today and had to break out the SAE.

 

[Farmall450]

There have been a million threads on this but the end result is yes, you need both.

 

[CR888]

After reading some post advising that I don't need them, I gathered all my SAE tools and tossed them in the bin. GJ always knows & has my best interests at heart.

 

[Y00PER]

Of course you NEED them, even if you will never use them ��

 

[mowersplus84]

I work on a lot of Old Briggs, Tecumseh ,Wisconsin and Onan Engines, old Johndeeres, Simplicity, Bolens and Wheel Horse so I use SAE pretty extensively

 

[logical]

One way to go is to scour Ebay for NOS SAE Proto sets. They seem to show up frequently and many come in metal cases that are great for repurposing. It's a relatively cheap way to get decent quality SAE sockets but you also get a decent ratchet and extensions/etc. for when you need a spare or extra. A 1/4 set like this can be well under $200. That isn't dirt cheap but a good value when compared to what you'd spend to have a spare ratchet, extensions, breaker, T and screwdriver style driver, flex extension, U joint, I think I even see screwdriver sockets, and the case.

 

[428PI]

My son is a mechanical engineer at Spirit where they do mostly Boeing work and all their tooling is SAE.

 

[nbpt100]

After reading some post advising that I don't need them, I gathered all my SAE tools and tossed them in the bin. GJ always knows & has my best interests at heart.

You know what free advice is worth?

My son is a mechanical engineer at Spirit where they do mostly Boeing work and all their tooling is SAE.

Is that so it is harder for the Chinese to copy?

 

[Handyfarmer]

I still use SAE 80% of the time, but have had to duplicate the metric stuff the last 20 years, as more and more the stuff is the metric ****, even now have to have two sets of bolts in bins,
bought my first, metric 3/8 sockets in early 1970's was hard to find, indestructo set, for my honda 90 trail bike, and that was enough until about the late 90's early 2000. then I started to expand my metric side of tools,

 

[23ford]

I would buy SAE because this metric thing is just a fad these younger people are going thru....haha

 

[sk farmer]

you still need sae. i just bought a compact utility tractor that is all metric. guess what? the snowblower and finish mower i bought at the same time? you guessed it, sae. i bet the hydraulic hoses and lines on the loader are all sae vs. metric as well.

 

[Shane6377]

It really depends on what you will be working on. There are plenty of SAE fasteners out there especially outside of automotive work.

I don't know what kind of a discount you get with Snap On but there are plenty of good tool brands out there. If you plan on being in the automotive trade and expect to have a Snap On dealer then maybe. Brands like Proto, SK, and Wright are top quality and cost less than Snap On... probably even with your discount.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[M6erfan]

So far this thread is a mix of YES, NO, & MAYBE.

Clear as mud, right?

Do you or will you NEED SAE tools? Hmmm, let me get my crystal ball and take a look....

I would recommend you keep a basic set of SAE wrenches and sockets around. If you can get S-o at the same price as Williams USA or SK then go for it. If not, just get some Williams USA or SK.

I RARELY use my SAE, just collects dust 99% of the time, but I'm glad I have them when I need them.

 

[bmwrd0]

I worked commercial AC for a while - all SAE. I worked for AT+T for years after that - all SAE, but they supplied all tooling. Now that I have sold my bikes and moved away from being a tech, I almost never use metric. I never liked working on my daily driver but I still do things on it, and that is the only time the metric comes out. Everything else is SAE.

Oh, I have a Peugeot bicycle that is metric. My other bicycles are Whitworth.

 

[Magnum440d100]

I’m a tool junkie. I say buy them. Don’t want to be working on something that bubba worked on before they traded it in, and out the wrong fasteners in.

Perfect example is a 2000 impala I bought for the motor. Put the motor in my 2004. Then found a smokin (literally) deal on a motor and trans for the 2000. Put the 2000 back together, had a massive vacuum leak at the intake. It had been “rebuilt”. Bubba put the wrong fasteners on the intake, and the heads didn’t fully make contact... yup. They were SAE where the originals were metric.

I ended up going to the pick a part and tearing down a motor for the bolts....

Damn skippy I was glad to have the SAE tools....

But I already had them because I have 60’s/70’s American cars.


If I were starting today in the auto repair industry, YES. Buy the tools. Buy mid/upper quality or buy with warranty. Buy tools that you will keep forever but may never use, but guaranteed, you WILL need them eventually. Especially if you’re working in trade ins (even if they’re a few years old). Don’t underestimate “my brother is a mechanic” or “boyfriend” or “uncle” etc.....

 

[OHMS LAW]

I started automotive and now I’m in heavy truck. You actually need both. 1/2 impact shallow and deep SAE and 3/8 metric and sae