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

[wolf_from_wv]

Usually most of the time I work on vehicles... I start out with 3/8, but something is always rusted and needs broken loose.

 

[Murphy4570]

1/2" drive chrome sockets? Very very rarely do I use them. Impact sockets are usually used at that size with air tools.

Once in a while chrome sockets do come in handy for tight clearance stuff. I just used a 1 1/4" shallow 1/2" drive socket a few days ago to R&R the oil filter cap on a four banger car that had a cartridge style oil filter. Couldn't fit a deep impact socket (with ratchet of course), but the chrome shallow one did!

 

[MN4x4]

I like my 1/2" stuff...but I tend to work on older 3/4 ton and up diesel equipment. My Kubota, of course, is all Metric. Like most here I tend to grab the impact stuff first, because I use an impact wherever I can to remove fasteners. I always start them by hand on the way back in, even if I end up impacting them.

I almost never use my 3/8" stuff, but I use my 1/4" stuff a LOT! If I had to guess I'd say I use 1/2" 55% of the time , 1/4" 30% of the time, and 3/8" 15%.

 

[aoleg]

I use metric 1/4" exclusively (although I do have a set of 3/8" just in case). But then again, I don't work on cars - just doing stuff around the house, assembling/tightening furniture (using hex bits with a 1/4" square adapter), overhauling the bicycle etc.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Not as often as I would like to admit.

Doesn't justify me ordering a 12 point metric set. But my OCD and empty Hansen slots does!

My 1/2 drive Impact see more work then regular sockets.

 

[jontorres4741]

Im not an expert mechanic and a DIY. Im also building up my tools little by little. I have been in the same situation trying to decide if buying the 1/2 inch ratchet and set is worth the investment. I think like many comments Ive seen here that it might be best to just buy an impact gun and sockets if really want to have a 1/2" set.

I don't think I would buy the 1/2" set because if one needs the torque then Id use my 3/8 breaker bar and/or longer ratchet. I think it makes sense to have the 1/2" ratchet and set when trying to take down larger sockets when doing axles and other similar large bolts. If one truly needs it at the moment maybe borrowing it from a friend and or seeing if the auto parts store can rent it for the day. After you have used it and feel convince then I wouldn't buy a set. Id buy just what you need for your car. Don't buy the whole set.

Overall I think what I might do is buy an impact gun from Harbor Frieght and buy the impact sockets from Tekton on Amazon. Again Im just a DIY and don't need anything expensive. Tekton has a the always guarantee for their warranty and have seen good reviews with the HF cordless impact gun done well.

Hope this helps...and thank you all for the comments. I almost went out to buy a full 1/2 inch set but after much research and reading these comments Im saving that money to buy a decent 1/2" impact gun.

 

[Olafur]

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?

I use 1/2 impact sockets most days. And frequently 1/2 drive chrome as well. However in the past years I have not yet run into a situation where I needed deep 1/2" chrome. I have a decent set of them somewhere deep down in my toolbox collecting dust.

 

[matthew]

I don't have any 1/2 metric deeps, but I do miss having them every time I torque lugnuts.

I basically prefer to use a deep socket instead of an extension when I need a little extra knuckle clearance. A little more rigid and easier to keep the torque wrench or ratchet straight when there's just a socket rather than a socket and an extension.

I should probably just buy a couple of individual sockets in a couple of sizes.

 

[Snakebyt]

dont have any silver 1/2 sockets in my box, all 6pt impact sockets

 

[Crazyjake8493]

The only 1/2" drive sockets I own are impact, both deep and standard length. Never found a need to have chrome 1/2" as well.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Under 21MM I just use deep chrome 6pts. Every once in awhile I feed one to my big Milwaukee gun.

 

[thatguysb]

The only chrome 1/2 sockets i have are a 21mm, 17mm 12pt for flywheel bolts and a couple 12pt.

95% is impact sockets and i use it for suspension bolts alone. Cant do much with a 1/2 ratchet in the engine room of a modern car.

 

[Codejack]

The only 1/2" drive sockets I own are impact, both deep and standard length. Never found a need to have chrome 1/2" as well.

Heh, my latest set is impact in both 1/2" and 3/8"; thin wall impacts kind of make chrome redundant, and you can get a cheaper brand and still have a tough socket.

 

[JohnDeere1]

I use 1/2 deep impacts if I need 1/2 deep but have chrome shorts in metric and sae rest is all impact it saves space and I prefer to use my impacts saves the wrists.

 

[geartow]

for the most part everyday but only 3 sizes all 12 point : 12mm. 1/2 and 3/8 . those remove 99% of the drive safts on commercial trucks

 

[General Geoff]

I have shallow 1/2" chrome sockets in both metric and SAE, but the deeps I only have in black oxide/impact.

I use the chrome shallows surprisingly often.

 

[TonyCH]

When I was younger the 1/2" socket kit was all I had. I thought bigger was always better. Later on I have realized smaller is usually better as in most cases space is an issue. So, nowadays I rarely use 1/2" if 3/8" is sufficient. Well, the only place I reach for the 1/2" stuff, by default, is suspension work.

So, a rough estimate: 1/2" 20%, 3/8" 70% and 1/4" 10% of the time. Oh, maybe the 3/4" few times a year also

 

[M_George]

I use them whenever I need to break lose a rusty tight bolt. Also, I've never broken a 1/4 or 3/8 ratchet. Still using the SK sets I bought back in the 70's.

 

[Finky198]

I used 1/4" and 3/8" the most, but 1/2" and 3/4" drive are still needed very often.

In 1/2" drive I have 6pt impacts in shallow and 2 sets of deep in both SAE and Metric. 6pt impact thin wall lug sockets, 6pt impact axle nut sockets, Then 6pt chrome in shallow/deep in SAE and Metric. And finally 12pt shallow in SAE and Metric. I'm covered from 1/2"- 1-1/2" 13mm - 38mm. Which is plenty considering I can go up to 3/4" (chrome or impact) or larger if need (impacts only).

I use the SAE shallow and deep chrome the most out of the sets.
Next would be the typical lug nut sizes in both reg and thin wall impacts.
Least use are the shallow 12pt SAE/Metric but I've been screwed without them so....

I agree with you op. I prefer to go up a drive size. I'm not a big guy plenty strong but I'm not getting younger either so using brains not Braun... long ratchets require less effort...

 

[skruft]

I use 1/2 often for large or stuck bolts. It would probably possible to have only 1/2 impacts and use them with the ratchet. I have to remove a bumper shortly and will probably use 1/2. I try to avoid impact, maybe more than most people.

Long ago when I was a youngster, and there was far more room to work in cars, I saw people use 1/2 alone, because the size range is so great.