HF oddest size skip set

[Kurt4440]

Dear Kurt:

There is no "mount Snap on". If I've done that to you, made you feel inadequate, I apologize.

No need to apologize, I should be the one to apologize.
Sorry, I shouldn't poke at other members.

FYI, I don't feel inadequate because I doubt that you have a set of Armstrong Eliminator low profile hex bit sockets that are perfect for doing brakes on BMW's.

 

[scottybk]

Here is another example of poor and odd size skipping/size selection:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-impact-swivel-socket-set-7-piece-67908.html

We have 10, 11, 12, 13 14, 16, and 17.

This set would make a lot more sense if they dropped 16 and 17 and added 8 and 9, or 8 and 15.

I would love to know who makes these decisions and why.

 

[DAustin]

On ebay there are a couple of Fuller Tool sets made by KTC that are 7,10,11,12,14,15mm. Looks like later on they changed the mix to 7,10,11,12,13,14mm.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

We have 10, 11, 12, 13 14, 16, and 17.

10 M6
11 M7
12 M8 JIS
13 M8
14 M10 JIS
16 M10 ISO
17 M10 DIN

Seems pretty reasonable and hits a price point.

This set would make a lot more sense if they dropped 16 and 17 and added 8 and 9, or 8 and 15.

8mm with a 3/8" impact?
9mm non standard
15mm flange nuts

 

[Pinne]

...enormous sets and I think it's wasteful. I really don't want to store 5,6,7mm 3/8" sockets in my box...

This is the part that I think is a bigger issue.

I don't want skips within a reasonable range - might not use 15mm often but when it's needed, it's needed.

What I don't want is a 6mm 3/8" drive socket...or a 24mm. Those sizes don't make sense and just take up space in a much sillier way than a traditional 10-19mm no skip wrench set

 

[American Locomotive]

A 13 and 18mm skip is just crazy. Those are super common sizes on European and Domestic metric-fastened vehicles. Even 16mm is pretty common.

 

[terrific]

I wish I lived in a place where 13mm and 1/2" fasteners could use the same tool.

In desperation, I once removed a 13mm fastener with a 1/2" wrench by mashing the chamfer into the head. It wasn't on very tight, I guess!

 

[DAustin]

A 13 and 18mm skip is just crazy. Those are super common sizes on European and Domestic metric-fastened vehicles. Even 16mm is pretty common.

But not on Japanese cars and bikes.

 

[L.Cheapo]

In desperation, I once removed a 13mm fastener with a 1/2" wrench by mashing the chamfer into the head. It wasn't on very tight, I guess!

One time when I was young and poor I didnt have the proper size hex bit or key to change the fluid in my transfer case. The biggest size hex key I had plus a flat blade screwdriver jammed in with it worked!

 

[cgrutt]

One time when I was young and poor I didnt have the proper size hex bit or key to change the fluid in my transfer case. The biggest size hex key I had plus a flat blade screwdriver jammed in with it worked!

I made an inner tie rod insert larger with a file last year because the kit I bought from HF didn't include size needed for one of our vehicles. Suppose you just do what you got to do sometimes to get the job done.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

That reminded me of an ad I saw recently on Facebook, a complete waste of box space just for the meme. I guess if you really need to twist the heads off some small fasteners these would fit the bill

Found a use! Lol

M10 x 45mm TITANIUM studs. Subaru manifold. 6mm hex on end | Titan Classics

titanclassics.com

 

[Sumboodie]

I get the German fan bois all riled up by using SAE on my VW and Merc when they cross... like lot of 16mm, which 5/8" fits.

 

[Sumboodie]

That reminded me of an ad I saw recently on Facebook, a complete waste of box space just for the meme. I guess if you really need to twist the heads off some small fasteners these would fit the bill

I think I've used 6mm, dunno on 7. 5 is fairly common. And 5.5... or 7/32, though that's more an oddball. 1/8, 3/16, and 1/2" 17mm, 1/2", etc.

Why would they be adding 6 and 7, it for a specific vehicle or equipment?

 

[E46 Tony]

I think I've used 6mm, dunno on 7.

They're reasonably common sizes but I can't think of an application where I would want to bang on them with a 3/8 drive impact.

 

[545_days]

I like no skip sets for three reasons:

1. It is nice to be able to glance into my tool box and tell if a tool is missing.

2. I can grab a set of sockets or wrenches and carry them to the work without having to go back and fetch SAE equivalents for skipped sizes from my box.

3. I often work on Italian cars and swear the Italians select fastener sizes at random. I am always running into hardware with nonstandard sizes.

I have filled in all my skips, but I am not otherwise OCD, so I'm OK with having a variety of tool brands and manufacturers mixed in a "set".

 

[DAustin]

I like no skip sets for three reasons:

1. It is nice to be able to glance into my tool box and tell if a tool is missing.

2. I can grab a set of sockets or wrenches and carry them to the work without having to go back and fetch SAE equivalents for skipped sizes from my box.

3. I often work on Italian cars and swear the Italians select fastener sizes at random. I am always running into hardware with nonstandard sizes.

I have filled in all my skips, but I am not otherwise OCD, so I'm OK with having a variety of tool brands and manufacturers mixed in a "set".

You are always going to need the size you don't have with you- Austin's Law.

 

[AEAdam]

I like no skip sets for three reasons:

1. It is nice to be able to glance into my tool box and tell if a tool is missing.

2. I can grab a set of sockets or wrenches and carry them to the work without having to go back and fetch SAE equivalents for skipped sizes from my box.

3. I often work on Italian cars and swear the Italians select fastener sizes at random. I am always running into hardware with nonstandard sizes.

I have filled in all my skips, but I am not otherwise OCD, so I'm OK with having a variety of tool brands and manufacturers mixed in a "set".

The first one is more a function of the organizer than the set. If you have a 3/8" socket holder and it's got a spot for 20mm, that, in my opinion, is the root cause of my "no skips" disagreement. Don't buy tools you don't need to fill the holders.

Agree on points 2 & 3.

I'll say one more thing on this subject. For SAE, I have an old "industrial finish" set that has 32nds sizes. It's a lot of sockets. And I think 1/4" -1". Wait here's a picture:


It's the set running vertically at the LHS. I look at those sockets and have absolutely no idea which one is 7/16". There are too many sockets! I think a BIG part of the issue with "no skips" is the holders. Could also be 12pts.