How often are hex bit sockets over 10mm-3/8 used

[toolaholic]

Hi all, I never realized until looking at kits on amazon that you can get hex bits to 7/8 and 22mm. How often are they used? Titan 16141 9-Piece Low Profile Impact Metric Hex Bit Socket Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CGZOBW/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Titan 16131 Hex Bit Socket Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MWRBXM/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Titan 16140 9-Piece Low Profile Impact SAE Hex Bit Socket Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MVBCO0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BiggityBen]

i use 1/2 and 3/8 all the time for electrical related work. output lugs on generators mostly.

 

[M6erfan]

I use 17mm, required on BMW belt tensioners

 

[dsaabm]

Common on heavy equipment but not so much on automotive

 

[toolaholic]

I have up to 10mm in a Williams kit. Found a gearwrench 12mm and a craftsman 14mm impact. So I’m guessing that’s big enough. 17,19 and 22 I could acquire gradually.

 

[setfocus]

Newer Grand Cherokee caliper slide pin bolts are 11mm and that's all I can think of for domestic cars. Some VW/Audi axle to hub bolts are a bigger allen head, probably some other german ****

 

[brollona]

I'm currently maintaining MAN HIMSEN diesel generators and I have couple plugs on casings for oil filters that require larger hex keys. I don't remember now is it 14 or higher. Also on, these engines have some plugs that require custom 3/4 sockets which are something like 40mm. Didn't used them yet.

I must admit that I like working with bigger stuff.

 

[vssjim]

11 12 14 17 popular if you work on modern cars that are eurotrash or 11mm is on FCA caliper pins.

 

[tdkkart]

Had lots of socket heads 3/4+ in the machine shop, especially old equipment.

 

[Lprock]

10mm-19mm common on modern tractors for plugs.

 

[Firebrick43]

Had lots of socket heads 3/4+ in the machine shop, especially old equipment.

+1, in machine tools, the use of hex headed bolts is uncommon, almost everything is allen headed bolts. Some of our larger machines have 40K lbs fixtures and they are all bolted down to the x axis or rotary table with 3/4 or 7/8 allen headed bolts. Alot of mid size is 14mm, 17mm, or 1/2"

For ever i wondered why manufactures had 7mm allen socket in a set as I had never used one. Well now I have a machine that I service regular that exercises my 7mm quite frequently.

 

[flying eyeball]

front motorbike axle (jap)

 

[Squankum]

17mm = VW 020 transaxle drain, fill plugs

14mm = Mercedes diff drain, fill plugs

(Mind you, some might say my cars are old.)

 

[gatlibs]

Drain and fill plugs for transmission and transfer cases on Keeps (Cherokees-xj and wranglers-tj).

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

My old (1979) FIAT 124 Spyder used a 12mm hex key on the oil drain plug. That was a rare tool to find back then!

 

[Alfisti]

17mm on Hewland g/box rain plugs and 14mm of Ducati front axles.

 

[tdkkart]

My old (1979) FIAT 124 Spyder used a 12mm hex key on the oil drain plug. That was a rare tool to find back then!

I still have the one that fit the X1/9 I had in high school.

 

[bwringer]

12, 14, 17, 19, and 22 are found on motorcycle axles.

The impact hex set from Harbor Freight is very nice quality, but only goes up to 19mm. For 22, I make do with a 7/8" coupling nut, but at some point I suppose I should buy a proper bit.

 

[Dave455]

Like a lot of these things, it depends what you do.

A lot of the bigger sizes are used on machine tools, both inch and metric, depending on the machine. If I’m working away from base, the hex bit sockets are probably the most portable tools to deal with these.

Automotive? I’ve certainly used 14 and 17. Maybe not as often as the smaller sizes, but I’ve certainly needed them.

In the U.K. a lot of safes are secured to concrete with massive cap screws, and I’ve needed sizes up to 5/8 to remove and re-install these. You pretty much need a ratchet and hex bit, unless you like a lot of winding - 4 inch screw, or longer, are common!

 

[InjectorService]

I'd get the larger of the sets. For me its one of those things I use once in a blue moon, but man am I happy when I do have them!

 

[1foxracing]

12, 14, 17, 19, and 22 are found on motorcycle axles.

The impact hex set from Harbor Freight is very nice quality, but only goes up to 19mm. For 22, I make do with a 7/8" coupling nut, but at some point I suppose I should buy a proper bit.

Just buy one of these, stick it in the axle and you can use a socket or wrench on the opposite end.

 

[DFB]

Just buy one of these, stick it in the axle and you can use a socket or wrench on the opposite end.

Ya that what we use at motorcycle shop for too...those odd jobs we get

OP I have mostly standard hex all the way up to 3/4" in my own tool box

Cant say I use them that often and 3/8" and under is much more common but they are there if and when I need them.

Good price on what ones you linked though. I do like that stubby set.


I have longer tip in impact style along with the older style chrome socket ones but none go that big

 

[bonneyman]

An old guy at the hardware store told me - for large/odd size allen fasteners - he recommends getting grade 8 bolts in the hex size you need and locking two nuts onto it. You then have a place to put your wrench/socket/impact.

Haven't tried it yet but he was one smart man and I trust him.

 

[Tallpilot]

https://cloud1.shopsite.com/donofish/product451.html

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I've occasionally used some of the large size. I don't recall where.
I have also double nutted a bolt. Used the bolt head in the hex socket and a wrench on one of the nuts to turn it.