How often do you reach for 1/4" deep sockets

[Pontiac787]

I've never owned a set of 1/4" deep sockets and I can't say that I've ever missed them. I'm interested to hear the kinds of jobs where folks find them handy.

 

[abvw]

Deep every time, unless clearance and obstruction dictate otherwise.

 

[bobcatdan]

Generally always grab deep well in any drive size unless there is a reason to grab a shallow.

 

[mcmtech]

Used to use them all the time, bought a set of mid depth a year or so ago, and now it's extremely rare I use a deep socket or even standard depth for that matter.

 

[R_einan]

Almost never; I can't honestly remember the last time I used one.

 

[Packard V8]

Yesterday; used a 3/8" to remove and install the spindle lock on a Black & Decker Wildcat 9" grinder.

jack vines

 

[Cope]

On a regular basis. I have shallow, mid and deep, and I find that I use all three about the same amount of time.

 

[Know Wosad]

Used to use them all the time, bought a set of mid depth a year or so ago, and now it's extremely rare I use a deep socket or even standard depth for that matter.

Thats me. I grab the rack of mediums first, every time. I also grab my extra long wrenches first and adjust accordingly from there.......too damn many tools

 

[dnschmidt]

When you can buy a set at Harbor Freight for $10 why worry about it.

 

[CoogarXR]

When you can buy a set at Harbor Freight for $10 why worry about it.

That's what I did. It's not like I'm going to be delivering wall-splitting torque to a 1/4 socket. HF will do. They are actually pretty nice.

 

[Trey T]

I use the deep some times but a few times, I prefer to have mid-size socket instead.

 

[drink]

I have a 16 piece set of SAE Craftsman 3/8" drive standard depth sockets with case in my tool drawer I use the most. They range in size from 1/4" thru 1" and they usually do the job.

However, I do use both 1/4" drive standard and deep socket sets a lot. They get used in the shop and in the field. Several of my portable tool boxes have 1/4" drive sets in both SAE and metric.

My Craftsman 16" tool box has rails in the bottom of the box with both SAE & metric deep socket sets. I like using them with a spinner and a ratchet.

Another example would be my Allen 57 piece socket set. I added sets of deep SAE & metric sockets to the hidden compartment. It has been a good set of tools to use when I need a set on the go quickly. A 1/4" drive ratchet and a 6" extension were added to the compartment to make the set more useful.

It seems like no matter how many tools you have you will end up needing more tools to get a job done properly. So far I would have to say I use full sets of 1/4" & 3/8" drive sockets the most. However, I do use 1/2" drive sockets and larger as needed. The larger drive sizes have more leverage but they don't always fit where the fasteners are located.

 

[bonneyman]

Deep every time, unless clearance and obstruction dictate otherwise.

This!

Plus, if a deep is broached all the way, wear at the end can be fixed by grinding it down until it's past the bad part. The "deep" gets shorter all the time, but you might get 5 or 6 more usage out of the socket.

 

[General Geoff]

Deep every time, unless clearance and obstruction dictate otherwise.

This. Default is to grab the deep socket.

 

[nikh]

I would say it depends on what you are working on. Wrenching on cars, I am almost always using 3/8 or 1/2 drive, and then it is dependant on the situation if I use shallow or deep. Working on aircraft, it is almost exclusively the 1/4 drive set due to access and relatively low torque on the fine thread fasteners. Both shallow and deep 1/4 drive sockets live on the same rail so they always come out together.

 

[Roberts210]

Only when removing battery hold-down nuts.

 

[sberry]

They are a part of most mechanics sets. Mids are not. They would certainly be worth a HF set parked just in case, I use them and prefer with air ratchet.

 

[pi_guy]

When you can buy a set at Harbor Freight for $10 why worry about it.

I guess it is always good to put some probability of error in every job you do.

I know it just small nuts so why does it matter with the quality of tools you use. But as a commercial that runs on CBS newsradio 88 mentions the quality of the job starts with the quality of tools you use.

I have deep in 12 and 6 point in 1/4 and I reach for them often, as much of what I do has studs.

 

[creativecars]

Modern vehicle... yes deep 1/4" drive, some 3/8" drive.
I can disassemble half the vehicle with a 7,8,10,11,13mm deep sockets so that is usually 1/4" drive. The rest of the time 3/8" deep and suspension/drivetrain is the only time to break out the 1/2" and that too I usually go with deep. Unless something is limited space wise, then it usually requires a universal. And I only use impact universals even when wrenching by hand.

 

[jidonsu]

I happen to use a 1/4 deep socket to remove some interior bolts the other day on my car.

 

[bcradio]

used regularly

 

[theoldwizard1]

Never. I don't own them.

It has never been an issue because my 3/8" drive sockets go pretty small.

 

[gungatim]

use mine all the time. prefer a deep to a short with an extension. never understand these threads about why you would ever/never need 1/2" drive, or 1/4" drive, deep, non-ratcheting wrenches, or why would I need SAE sizes, etc.

the bigger your tool selection, the easier it is to work on stuff...

 

[L.Cheapo]

Virtually never. My 3/8" drive deep sockets start at 3/8" and 10mm, anything smaller than that a nutdriver will usually do the deed.

 

[zeke markham]

I work on aircraft, I only need them for 2 jobs, 7/16th for band clams on bleed ducts and 3/8th for intake cowling bolts.

 

[Superbec]

I think once in ten years or so .

I own a few but they sit somewhere on a shelf.

I don't have 3/8 deep other than spark plug specials.

I would buy only 1/2 deep ones , they actually make sense

I pretend to fix stuff to get money from people , most of the times stuff actually works after it leaves my shop .

 

[Super Mech]

At least 20 times a day. I'm not kidding.

 

[md21722]

Been using them for as long as I've been working on stuff, both inches and metric.

 

[nbpt100]

When it comes to 1/4" drive I rarely use the deep sockets unless I have to. For years I never even owned a metric deep 1/4 drive socket set.

Nice Set Drink! That is, the Allen tool set.

 

[jdlong]

Frequently. The stick through on nuts is often too far for shallow. Deeps usually eliminate extensions.

 

[moon_tanner]

I use my 1/4" set for all top and exterior motor work.

1/2" is used for chassis.

3/8 it for 15mm - 19mm.

Vehicles: 1994 Jeep Cherokee, 2009 Jeep Patriot, 2010 Toyota Prius

 

[Whchua]

I used it frequent in interior work

 

[chris142]

Deep every time, unless clearance and obstruction dictate otherwise.

x2..

 

[ge.raam]

I use them every day to build/take down fixtures: Chinese craftsman in sae and metric. 2 years so far have not cracked/chipped and I use it with my makita impact driver.

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[Derek420]

I rarely use 1/4 ratchets I can say that much I just use adapter but I usually use 3/8 set because they go to 4 mm and 9/32 or smaller in sae when I use my 1/4 I like deeps instead of using extensions it makes it easier and gives more torq but prefer shorts most of the time unless I need an extension. I use 1/4 for top of engine sometimes but like I said I perefer 3/8 and my opinion semi deep is best.

 

[shockwave]

Almost always go for the deep sockets unless clearance is an issue for me it's always a deep 10 or universal 10 for most jobs

 

[FigureItOut]

When I work on-site usually the only sockets I carry are a 1/4" deep set, plus 7mm-12mm in shallow.

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[B_Bimmer]

Every, single, day.

 

[avmaine]

use of them on master control panels for equipment.

 

[nbpt100]

Almost always go for the deep sockets unless clearance is an issue for me it's always a deep 10 or universal 10 for most jobs

I have seen people use the term "Universal" several times in this thread.

I thought I knew a lot about tools but I am not sure what people are meaning in the context of a deep or shallow socket. Do they mean a pass through socket?