How much do you use 1/2" drive sockets?

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have a hole in my collection for a set of chrome 1/2" drive deep metric sockets. As I have been looking for a set I have come across a lot of people who seem to only use 1/2" drive sockets on impact guns. I find this odd as I even have purchased a 3/4" drive set as I run into some larger stuff on occasion. I was on a Snap On truck the other day and the dealer said he doesnt even carry chrome 1/2" deep metric sockets as nobody uses them?

I'm not a professional, but I work on a lot of offroad stuff and my daily driver is an F350. These trucks are half SAE and half MM, so they require a full box of tools. I never have broken one of my sockets or ratchets (I did break my friends HF 3/8" breaker bar once) as I always reach for a bigger drive size if I start pulling hard. I would rather grab something bigger than bust my knuckles when a tool brakes. So how much do you use your 1/2" drive sockets?

 

[Lexus]

Mainly use 17, 19, and 21mm in 1/2, other than that its 1/4 and 3/8 that I use most.

 

[monomach]

I just use impact sockets on a ratchet if I need a 1/2" and don't feel like grabbing a gun. I can count on one hand the number of times the additional thickness meant that I couldn't fit the impact socket where it needed to go.

 

[unslow1]

I use them all the time on brakes and suspension. Mostly for breaking things loose. I also use impact sockets on regular ratchets. Less 6 pts to buy.

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

I only use 1/2 in when doing tire rotations on my own personal car. At work I never use them, I have no need for them at work. I only use 1/4 and 3/8.

 

[balane]

Very few chrome 1/2" drive sockets in my box but lots of impact ones. Never once has it caused me a problem but I do have a thin wall set of lugnut sockets that get used. To help offset this I've run all my 3/8" drive chrome socket sets to as large a size that I could find.

 

[BK13]

I only use 1/2 in when doing tire rotations on my own personal car.

Mostly, yep.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I use mine but not near as much as my 3/8 sockets. I got by for awhile using 1/2 to 3/8's adapters.

 

[markduncan93]

Rarely. I think I have four 1/2" drive sockets in my tool cart. Plus most of the 1/2" drive size sockets I also have in 3/8" and with long handle 3/8" ratchets, don't really need 1/2" stuff. But I'll have them when I do need 'em.

 

[Flivver250]

Not a lot, I use the 1/2 deep standards more. But it is still worth having a set. I rarely use 1/4 drive, but just bought a set, just in case.

 

[BearCuda]

Yeah, I use my 1/2 impact sockets for all of my half inch needs, gun and ratchet. I hardly ever touch my chrome half inch unless it's a tight access area.

 

[fxgmech]

I use 1/2" drive every day at work but it's determined by the size bolts I'm working on. I use a rule-of-thumb: up to 3/8" or 10mm bolt shank size I grab 3/8" drive; up to 1/2" or 12mm I grab 1/2" dr; and so on, usually on an impact wrench, smallest first unless I already know better.
Tough fasteners that don't break loose then tell me to escalate to a larger drive, but sometimes it's better to break out the heat instead of more bolt-breaking torque. (I drill out less broken bolts that way.)
I use mostly impact sockets and very few chrome or oxide coated non-impact. And if I need a short extension I'll grab a semi- or full-length deep socket instead to get max impact effect. During the constant pull of elbow grease the extension or other adapters won't make a noticeable difference, though.
Of course you'll always need deep sockets for the nuts over long threads.

 

[richfinn]

I only have a set of metric standard 1/2 sockets because they are 12 point and I might use one very occasionally to torque a flywheel bolt or get in somewhere an impact is too chunky for.

 

[androy]

I have a complete set of metric deep chrome 1/2 drive , use it some times but i could also use impact socket on a ratchet if i didnt have them..

 

[WWIIjeep]

I was on a Snap On truck the other day and the dealer said he doesnt even carry chrome 1/2" deep metric sockets as nobody uses them?

I'd agree with that. I can't remember the last time I used a 1/2" deep metric socket, but I hardly ever use anything metric anyway, since I mostly work on ag equipment and older full-sized trucks.

I use 1/2" drive almost as much as 3/8" drive, and a fair amount of 3/4" drive and sometimes even 1" drive, especially impact sockets.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

I love 1/2 in sockets and I use them whenever I can. I have big hands and they just are "my size" I have to be careful not to over torque things.

 

[kts]

As others have said I also used my 1/2 impacts on a ratchet for a long time. I picked up a 1/2 chrome set a few months ago since I ran into more and more cases where I needed the extra leverage of 1/2 (I was worried a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter would break) and it was a tight space where my impacts didn't fit.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I have a complete set of metric deep chrome 1/2 drive , use it some times but i could also use impact socket on a ratchet if i didnt have them..

This....Yupp, I have them...Do I reallty need them? Not really....I do use my HF thin walled impact's when taking off lug nuts....I'll have to look at them, as I really don't know if I have actually used them...I proabably have used a few, but it has been a long time...

 

[LeGarage]

I only use 1/4" and 1/2". Occasionally 3/4 for axle nuts etc.
I don't even own a 3/8" ratchet or sockets as I see no use for them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Not very often. The majority of my 1/2" drive stuff came in the 300 piece set my parents bought for me when I first got out of the Marines. I've added a few pieces as time went on from sales or as needed.

Would I get rid of them, nope, atleast I have them if I need them.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I don't even own a 3/8" ratchet or sockets as I see no use for them.

What?????? Most of my ratchets, extensions, sockets are 3/8.... I feel like I just stepped into the Bazzaro GJ tool section...

 

[basspro]

Im kinda like LeGarage. I use 1/4" and 1/2" the most. Depends on what you work on.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I use 1/2" drive every day at work but it's determined by the size bolts I'm working on. I use a rule-of-thumb: up to 3/8" or 10mm bolt shank size I grab 3/8" drive; up to 1/2" or 12mm I grab 1/2" dr

So confused. I use 3/8 up to 19 or 20 ... never a problem.

 

[skinnymoose]

I primarily use 3/8. I have 1/2 impact sockets that I`ll use on a ratchet if I need to. 1/4 with a small ratchet when I`m afraid of breaking something.

 

[Farmall450]

Mostly, yep.

Same. I do use them on plows, etc

 

[tez929rr]

1/2 impacts on lug nuts and tractor (I had a to buy a 3/4 drive set for some of the tractor stuff, and it's a small tractor).

1/2 chrome sockets, mostly motorcycle suspension and oil drain plugs (6 point).

 

[Flatintoone]

At work (lots of agricultural and construction equipment), 1/2 is used all the time. To be fair, I'm not so sure how often deep metrics are used.)

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

More often then not. Mainly on lug nuts and caliper bracket bolts. Stuck bolts. Chassis.

 

[wmartin]

What?????? Most of my ratchets, extensions, sockets are 3/8.... I feel like I just stepped into the Bazzaro GJ tool section...

There's a lot of metric sets that are 1/2 + 1/4.

Like so:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C13DE20/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My guess is that it's not an uncommon model in Europe.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

There's a lot of metric sets that are 1/2 + 1/4.

Like so:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C13DE20/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My guess is that it's not an uncommon model in Europe.

I have a lot of 1/4 and 1/2 drive sockets, but I use 3/8 the most...I was quoting the below quote....

I only use 1/4" and 1/2". Occasionally 3/4 for axle nuts etc.
I don't even own a 3/8" ratchet or sockets as I see no use for them.

 

[tez929rr]

There's a lot of metric sets that are 1/2 + 1/4.

Like so:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C13DE20/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My guess is that it's not an uncommon model in Europe.

That's interesting. I usually reach for 3/8 drive first, and it seems like almost all the stuff I see for sale like hex key and torx are 3/8. I notice that kit doesn't list a 1/2 to 1/4 adapter, which it seems like you would need, but it looks like it has one in the picture.

 

[mds47588]

A 1/4" drive will pretty much take off every nut and bolt and fastener on the airplanes that I work on. One of the few exceptions that come to mind is I will use a 1/2" to break the spark plugs loose.

On the other hand, I do a fair share of tinkering with my vehicles all the preventitive maint, so I do keep metric and standard sockets and wrenches.

 

[DieselSaves]

At work (lots of agricultural and construction equipment), 1/2 is used all the time. To be fair, I'm not so sure how often deep metrics are used.)

I use the deep 1/2 metric stuff mostly to gain clearance for my knuckles when pulling parts off. Saves grabbing a short extension. I'd guess I go for deep metric sockets at least half the time.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

It's interesting to hear people's preferences. I'll probably end up buying the 1/2" metric set I mentioned in the origional post as I see more and more vehichles going metric. Even if they don't get a ton of use, they will look nice in the box and save me the occasional trip to Auto. Zone on a Sunday night when I need a socket. My deep metric impacts are rather thick, so I don't use them unless needed.

 

[SMKS]

I have a full set of metric and SAE chrome sockets, and they rarely are used. Sometimes they're used on suspension projects.

I use my 1/2" drive impacts much more than my 1/2" drive chrome sockets.

 

[Adam.C]

1/4" drive inside the car.
3/8" drive in the engine bay
1/2'" drive for suspension, brakes, and all impact gun stuff.

I do not have 1/2" chrome at present and don't miss it. I use old craftsman "AIR" impacts. Only time I have used deeps (which aren't as stiff as shallow impacts) was for lugs. I needed them only to avoid marring the wheel with the gun or ratchet. They have these nice deep impacts for lugs with plastic on the outside to avoid marring the rims. That may be all you need for deeps.

 

[carterbeauford]

all the time! plenty of 3/4" and bigger nuts and bolts on these things.

 

[Mavawreck]

May have been mentioned - but I've owned several euro cars where impact sockets were too wide to remove counter sunk lug nuts on factory alloys. Chrome sockets did the trick. Also for turning over engines via the crank pulley nut on the end of a breaker bar.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

That's interesting. I usually reach for 3/8 drive first, and it seems like almost all the stuff I see for sale like hex key and torx are 3/8. I notice that kit doesn't list a 1/2 to 1/4 adapter, which it seems like you would need, but it looks like it has one in the picture.

Yupp, me too....1/4 is for when a 3/8 is too big, and 1/2 is for when I need more torque (and/or bigger fastners)....

 

[e30bradley]

I use half inch drive pretty often.