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Hand tools

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AEAdam

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May 27, 2023
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So what I forgot to mention is there is one socket that I'm missing from a tool set that I got as a hand me down which had a bunch of other sockets missing that I already replaced and the same thing for wrenches but there's only one socket that I need which is at 9/16 should I get it in a shallow or deep and what about 1/4 or 3/8 drive?
9/16” is the max size in 1/4” drive. Some manufacturers stop 1/4” drive at 1/2”. Therefore, I’d advise a 3/8” drive if that’s your only 9/16”.

I typically default to shallow or semi deep sockets, rarely choosing a deep. I think of deep sockets as shallows with a built in extension. I use them more for knuckle clearance than thread clearance, if that helps.

Wish everyone like you had a Dad to teach them all this. For me it was my next door neighbor. You can read about him in my profile. I wish my kids were interested in learning this stuff. Unlike me, their cars all just start (thanks to me) every time they climb in one. I started wrenching because I didn’t have that luxury when my Dad died. All sorts of things just stopped working when my Dad died (he was 61, I was 19). Dads are like that.
 
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ecotec

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Oct 5, 2010
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5,458
As an electrician, the 9/16” is probably my most often used socket and wrench size. It is the size used on 3/8” hardware.

The second most used size, for me, is 3/4”. It is the size used on 1/2” hardware.

If you get socket trays for shallow and deep, you can slowly fill in the sizes that you do not have.

If you have garage sales and estate sales in your area, you can find common tools for pennies on the dollar. I started carrying my wallet while I walk the dog, because I kept passing garage sales and did not have money with me.
 
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Sal Bandini

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Joined
Aug 30, 2012
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995
So what I forgot to mention is there is one socket that I'm missing from a tool set that I got as a hand me down which had a bunch of other sockets missing that I already replaced and the same thing for wrenches but there's only one socket that I need which is at 9/16 should I get it in a shallow or deep and what about 1/4 or 3/8 drive?
Just go to Home Depot and get one of each in 3/8 drive.

$2.99 for the shallow and $5 for the deep. Way too much overthinking here.

Welcome to GJ btw
 
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Yoji

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Mar 16, 2025
Messages
20
Here's an update on everything from smallest to biggest
Adjustable 15mm wrench
3/8 combination wrench
7/16 combination wrench
1/2 combination wrench
9/16 combination wrench
5/8 combination wrench
8mm and 9mm ratching combination wrench
10mm combination wrench
12mm combination wrench
13mm combination wrench
14mm combination wrench
15mm combination wrench
1/4 or 3/8 drive sockets
All of my sockets are shallow unless spark plug sockets
3/8
7/16
5/8
11/16
3/4
9mm
10mm
11mm
13mm
14mm
15mm
16mm
17mm
19mm
5/8 spark plug socket
13/16 spark plug socket
4mm
4.5mm
5mm
5.5mm
6mm
7mm
8mm
9mm
10mm
11mm
12mm
13mm
5/32
3/16
7/32
1/4
9/32
5/16
11/32
3/8
7/16
15/32
1/2
 
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