Fractional Spanners

[Rosso]

Hi,

I'm a mechanic in Europe. As most of you will know we use metric sizing.

I've found recently i've been working on US imported stuff like Jeep's, Ford F250's etc.

I don't have any fractional stuff so i have had to borrow spanners (wrenches) but im looking to buy my own set.

I literally have no idea what size range i need though in fractional. I've until two weeks ago never used fractional stuff.

Can anyone give me an idea what size range i need for engine bay work and suspension work etc.

Thanks

 

[WhiffySpark]

Jeeps you can get by with 3/8 drive size fractional.

Anything half way modern is about all metric. Very few fractional sizes.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

You should be able to get by with a 1/4-7/8 set. although I frequently use 15/16" and 1"

Most sets will be in increments of 1/16", wrenches that end in 32" are not all that common expect for 11/32" and it's only used occasionally on automotive.

I think as far as sockets you should start out with a 3/8" drive set, and go from there if you need larger sizes buy just what you need in 1/2"

 

[gdocktor3]

I agree with all that. 5/16-1" would be a good start maybe even up to 1-1/4". I've never owned a jeep, but hear they're loaded with torx. Hope you have a good torx set.

 

[JJThrasher]

3/8"-1" should serve you well. Any larger than that and you can probably get away with a near sized metric in a pinch.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Fwiw I dont have any fractional 1/2 inch except a 7/8,15/16/, and a 1. Might have a 1 1/16 not sure. Very uncommon these days

 

[theoldwizard1]

US cars and light trucks have been using metric sized fasteners for over 25 years.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

US cars and light trucks have been using metric sized fasteners for over 25 years.

About time too!

 

[Jeeper]

In my experience, 1/4 all the way up to 1-1/8". Pinion nuts always seem to be 1-1/8. The pitman arm nut is usually 1-5/16" but you can get away with a 34mm if I remember right.

 

[IUEC Medic]

I would get wrenches from 1/4" thru 1" to start. (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1")

And a 3/8 socket set with short/deep sockets the same sizes as the wrenches.

Probably a 1/4 socket set up to 9/16, with some of the more obscure sizes included. (5/32, 7/32, 9/32, 11/32)

Plus an SAE hex key set.

 

[Wes J]

3/8 - 15/16 would be a good start. If you have a full set of metrics and are on a tight budget, you can skip 7/16 (11mm), 5/8 (16mm), 3/4 (19mm), 13/16 (21mm), 7/8 (22mm), and 15/16 (24mm).

So now you really just need 3/8, 1/2, 9/16, and 11/16. That's only 4 wrenches.

 

[gasman23]

Jeeps you can get by with 3/8 drive size fractional.

Everyone in this topic (and on GarageJournal in general) seems to have a favor with 3/8 drive over 1/2" drive.
But 3/8" drive is really not that common in Europe.

Especially if you start working on brakes, suspension, undercarriage etc, those fasteners are usually corroded and seized because of the salt in the winter and the rest of the beautiful Scottish climate
I would prefer 1/2" over 3/8", just my 2 cents

 

[Wes J]

There is a place for all drive sizes. If you went to a heavy equipment forum, you might find that guy there use 1" drive more than anything else. If you go to a small engine or moped forum they might have nothing but 1/4 drive tools.

I use 3/8 the most I suppose, but I could not live without 1/2 drive tools. Brakes and suspension definitely require 1/2 drive.

 

[Dave455]

Rosso - you must have been working in some sort of 'main dealer utopia'!

Down here in Sussex about 1/3 of what I work on has A/F sized fasteners, and that doesn't include the 'classics', that's just the old cars! There's no shortage of Whitworth stuff to fiddle with either...!

Anyway, back on topic - for engine bay work, 3/8 to 3/4 will generally suffice. Once you start on suspension have a look at the largest hub nut you will need to shift, and that'll probably be the biggest size you need!

Bear in mind that U.S. vehicles, unlike A/F sized British ones, use fasteners from the smaller 'numbered' series too, so you may have to invest in some small sized A/F sockets/wrenches, which are generally rarer than hen's teeth in the. U.K. outside the aviation world!

 

[gdocktor3]

Each size has a time and place. My go to is a 3/8" snap on flf80. It's longer then my 1/2" s80, but shorter than a 1/2" flex head, so it works pefectly in most situations.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Everyone in this topic (and on GarageJournal in general) seems to have a fovor with 3/8 drive over 1/2" drive.
But 3/8" drive is really not that common in Europe.

Especially if you start working on brakes, suspension, undercarriage etc, those fasteners are usually corroded and seized because of the salt in the winter and the rest of the beautiful Scottish climate
I would prefer 1/2" over 3/8", just my 2 cents

Ysll also drive on the wrong side of the road and pronouce things funny

 

[Dave455]

Everyone in this topic (and on GarageJournal in general) seems to have a fovor with 3/8 drive over 1/2" drive.
But 3/8" drive is really not that common in Europe

3/8 drive is very popular in the U.K. (and I'd agree that it's probably more popular than in Europe) but there is a reason for that!

Historically, our socket sets were hex drive (7/16 I think) and the parts were quite hefty compared to modern 3/8 drive. When square drives became the norm, the same forgings were used to produce 3/8 square drive, but it, and the other drive sizes, were always more solid than their foreign counterparts for this reason!

3/8 has always been the most popular size for motor mechanics, but 1/2 inch was always favoured by 'general' engineers!

It all depends on what YOU work on. I know a guy who works on railway loco's and uses 1/2 inch drive for electrical connections!

 

[wolf_from_wv]

US cars and light trucks have been using metric sized fasteners for over 25 years.

Though, not exclusively metric...

 

[bobcatdan]

For wrenches I would go 1/4" to 1 1/4" 1 1/16" is 27mm, 1 3/16" ( many set skip this size) is 30mm and 1 1/4" is 32mm. If you run into these sizes a lot, then effectively gives you two wrenches for the given size. As for sockets, find a 3/8" set that runs from 1/4" to 1". Most coverage and you can always adapter up or down a drive size.

 

[jakemac]

Answering the question of what you need should be simple. Make a list of the tools you've been borrowing from other mechanics and that will tell you what you need to buy. Done.

 

[shockwave]

Generally it's good to keep sae set around for rounded fastners aswell and 1/4-1 1/4 is a good broad range for some heavy duty stuff like f250 k2500 applications

 

[BK13]

Rosso - you must have been working in some sort of 'main dealer utopia'!

Down here in Sussex about 1/3 of what I work on has A/F sized fasteners, and that doesn't include the 'classics', that's just the old cars! There's no shortage of Whitworth stuff to fiddle with either...!

Anyway, back on topic - for engine bay work, 3/8 to 3/4 will generally suffice. Once you start on suspension have a look at the largest hub nut you will need to shift, and that'll probably be the biggest size you need!

Bear in mind that U.S. vehicles, unlike A/F sized British ones, use fasteners from the smaller 'numbered' series too, so you may have to invest in some small sized A/F sockets/wrenches, which are generally rarer than hen's teeth in the. U.K. outside the aviation world!

I don't know if I'm happy that I have no need for Whitworth or not. I keep eyeballing those KoKen BSW universals.... LOL

 

[Dave455]

I don't know if I'm happy that I have no need for Whitworth or not. I keep eyeballing those KoKen BSW universals.... LOL

Yeah, me too! And I have a set of Britool ones already...!

 

[Rosso]

Hi,

Thanks for all the input, lots of useful info.

I know US vehicles have been using metric stuff but as said it's not only metric or only Fractional it's a bit of both. For example a set of power steering pipes on a Jeep today, the nut at the steering rack was a 13/16. The smaller pipes i was able to get away with using a 13mm wrench.

I also worked on a classic Mini today and it was the same some metric some fractional.

Certainly never been in a main dealer I get to work on all the **** nobody else wants to

 

[Wes J]

21mm will work on 13/16 with no problems. Going the other way can sometimes be a little tight.