How often do you use 1/2" sockets/ratchets?

[AJHD]

As the title says... How often do you use 1/2" sockets/ratchets? What are you working on? I'm curious to see how your experience differs from mine.

As a mechanic, both at home and professionally, other than for lug nuts and when I worked for Caterpillar, I rarely use 1/2" sockets or ratchets ever.
To be honest, I have 3/8" sockets up to 24mm already and I could get away with 3/8" for lug nuts too.
I was never the suspension guy in the shop and when I did work on suspension components in the shop (or at home), I've rarely had the need for anything larger than what 3/8" could provide even if I was working on a truck.

I don't have even own a 1/2" impact anymore, no plans or desire to buy one, and I've sold most of my excess and larger tools including all most all of my 1/2" since leaving CAT. In fact, I don't have much 1/2" left but 2 ratchets and some sockets + extensions. That's about it.

Anyway... I've been thinking it's time to ditch 1/2" entirely and sell off what I have left.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Constantly, but it's because most of what we have has been neglected/is ag equipment or machinery. But on passenger cars and light duty trucks I almost exclusively use 3/8" stuff.

 

[dnschmidt]

I agree. One of life's great mysteries to me is why the rest of the world primarily uses 1/4" and 1/2" socket stuff instead of 3/8". I found this out when selling TOPTUL as they have everything in the world for 1/4" and 1/2" but their 3/8" lineup is far sparser. If you're working on Ag, construction machines, heavy equipment or semi's 1/2" probably is the way to go. But for automotive it's 3/8" moving toward 1/4". The Japanese are the primary drivers of this. Whereas on a 1955 Chevy you had two big assed bolts holding something on on a modern car you've got 10 10mm bolts doing the same thing. Evolution I suppose.

 

[bonneyman]

I'd keep those stray pieces of 1/2" drive stuff. You never know when you're going to need that little extra umpf.

I do most of my work with 1/4" and 3/8" drive. But have a fairly complete set of 1/2" SAE and metrics stuff. Comes in handy on occasion.

 

[zmotorsports]

I use mine quite a bit actually. I work on a wide range of things, but automotive wise, I would say I use my 1/4" and 3/8" much more than 1/2" drive however, I am a firm believer in using the correct tool (and size of tool) for the job at hand. When I get to suspension work, while much of it can be done with 3/8" tools, the larger 12-14mm bolts and up, axle nuts, tie rods, etc. I use my 1/2" tools. When it comes to working on our coach's chassis or suspension 1/2" is the norm and occasionally even 3/4" drive tools.

 

[nh_yota]

I don't do a ton of mechanical repairs these days so on the odd occasion that I need to use a ratchet on my truck it's usually brake and suspension work where 1/2" is needed for torque. I'd say I use my 1/2" more often than 3/8", and I almost never use 1/4" stuff.

For general home repairs a 3/8" ratchet covers 95% of my needs.

 

[liliysdad]

Quite a bit, and I have no heavy or ag equipment. My primary tool use is automotive, and most of that is pre-80 American stuff. 1/2 gets used on all sorts of things; Crank bolts, suspension bolts, pinion nuts, lug nuts, bumper bolts, etc......

Honestly, I probably use 3/8 the least. 1/4 drive handles a lot and big stuff gets 1/2.

 

[Callelle]

Fairly often in the HD diesel repair world, but less often than one would think. 3/8 is still the go to.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Usually only with lugnuts and suspension stuff. Still wouldn't get rid of them.

In all actually, I bought a cheap set of 3/4" when I bought the JD 1025R. Nothing fancy but less than $100 set. Still in the case.

 

[mike93lx]

Not a lot. 3/8 ratchets are more comfortable to hold and lighter weight, plus cover a huge range of sizes. I dislike using 1/4 because of how small the ratchets and sockets are and only grab them when I need to

I have a 1/2" high torque impact but have been really enjoying my 3/8 Dewalt stubby. So much lighter and more compact

 

[logical]

I use it on big stuff, 3/8 on medium stuff, 1/4 on small stuff. If I didn't already own full sets of all 3, I might think about it but I can't see not having 1/4, and like the larger, longer ratchets and breaker bars that come in 1/2 if doing suspension work.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I moved all of my 1/2" drive sockets, ratchets, etc. to the bottom drawer of my roll-away. I have not used anything except the flip lug nut sockets in years.

Probably too old (weak) to crank on any suspension bolts anyway. I only have a mid-torque 1/2" impact which is plenty for tire rotation.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Any time a wheel comes off. Other than that, torquing things above 3/8 capacity (~120ft/lb), most fasteners above m10 if I'm using an impact sockets in general.

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

I use 1/2" (including torque wrench) for lugnuts and brakes. Just doesn't feel right to use 3/8". If I was still doing it every day I'd opt for the lightest option though.

 

[dnschmidt]

I think I know why 1/2" drive is not as popular as it once was. Drum roll please: Impact Wrenches. Rather than reach for 1/2 drive I reach for 1) Astro Nano, if that doesn't get it 2) Milwaukee Gen 2 Mid-Torque, If that doesn't get it 3) Milwaukee High Torque and if that doesn't get it 4) THOR. If that doesn't get it **** IT I GIVE UP.

 

[Steve_P]

For me, automotive stuff, 1/2" is for lugnuts and suspension; and obviously something rare like a damper bolt. Otherwise, there's not much that's over 17mm; at least on stuff that I work on. I rarely use a 1/2 ratchet - it's typically impact gun with 1/2. I'm sure I have at least 2X as many 1/4 ratchets, and 2X 3/8 ratchets as 1/2. Agree with what other said not understanding how 3/8 drive isn't more popular in Europe. I probably have 5X more 1/2 impact sockets and extensions than 1/2 chrome.

 

[mike93lx]

I think I know why 1/2" drive is not as popular as it once was. Drum roll please: Impact Wrenches. Rather than reach for 1/2 drive I reach for 1) Astro Nano, if that doesn't get it 2) Milwaukee Gen 2 Mid-Torque, If that doesn't get it 3) Milwaukee High Torque and if that doesn't get it 4) THOR. If that doesn't get it **** IT I GIVE UP.

Make it liquid at that point

 

[ItsNemo]

All the time, it's just more comfortable leaning into a 1/2" drive ratchet when removing anything that's over say 75ft-lbs like in the suspension/chassis side of things on a vehicle. Could my 3/8" long reach do it? Yeah...but I can feel the bit of flex in it compared to the 1/2" (and this is with decent Gearwrench ratchets).

Also find it handy doing something as simple as brakes, I can leave the sockets on the ratchets and use 3/8" for the caliper pins and 1/2" for the caliper brackets without swapping anything.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

If you count hex bit sockets and breaker bars, then all the time at work. I don’t know when I last used an actual 1/2” drive socket - chrome or impact.

 

[BrandonV]

Quite a bit, and I have no heavy or ag equipment. My primary tool use is automotive, and most of that is pre-80 American stuff. 1/2 gets used on all sorts of things; Crank bolts, suspension bolts, pinion nuts, lug nuts, bumper bolts, etc......

Honestly, I probably use 3/8 the least. 1/4 drive handles a lot and big stuff gets 1/2.

I've noticed this a lot in Europe. 1/4 & 1/2 only.

 

[MattV]

I use 1/2" about 1/3 of the time I need a socket...then again, the other 2/3 is 3/4", so I'm a little out of the norm.

 

[cvairwerks]

I used the 1/2" stuff quite a bit on my trucks, as there are many things that I have to be in a very twisted or out of shape position to access them. It's often easier to grasp and manipulate the bigger ratchet for those times. I can't count the times I've needed to manipulate the ratchet with it held between the first joint of my index finger and the next two fingers. Way hard to do with the 3/8ths and 1/4 stuff at times.

 

[u2slow]

I would say my usage is:
1/2" = 50% of the time
3/8" = 25%
1/4" = 25%

It varies a bit with the job at hand. I have several 75-93 dodge trucks and a 05 Jeep.

 

[Sumboodie]

Often. 3/4" and 1" less often.

 

[AJHD]

I moved all of my 1/2" drive sockets, ratchets, etc. to the bottom drawer of my roll-away. I have not used anything except the flip lug nut sockets in years.

Probably too old (weak) to crank on any suspension bolts anyway. I only have a mid-torque 1/2" impact which is plenty for tire rotation.

Yeah, I'm more or less in the same boat. Outside of when I was at CAT and lug nuts, I can't remember the last time I needed a 1/2" socket.
I've also got some physical issues that limit my ability. I use a power tool whenever possible.

But overall I find it interesting that you guys seem to be split between personal preference and a need for the job/what you're working on when it comes to using 1/2" or not.

I see the logic in skipping 3/8" and going with 1/4" and 1/2", but I've found that 3/8" can just about cover anything I need it for (automotive) down to 7mm and up to 24mm. I do have 1/4" but it's only used when space limits my access to 1/4". Similar to 1/2" which I find is generally too large for small spaces found in anything automotive made in the last 20 years and especially newer cars with more **** shoved into a smaller space.

 

[Dave455]

Use it all the time.

Vehicles, machine tools, general use. Don’t know how folks survive without.

Are you really going to take off an overtightened or rusted wheel bolt using 3/8 drive? Why make work even if you can?

What about a 32mm hub nut? What about all those rusted suspension nuts?

1/2” drive tools are the standard for engineers for a very good reason. Sure, if you’ve got a small vehicle you can probably survive without, but you will be limited as to what you can do.

 

[Houdini5150]

Eh just do stuff at home, mainly use the 3/8 and 1/4 set. The 1/2 I don't really use other than Lug Nuts.

 

[sz0k30]

1/2" is the first ones I reach for probably at least 90% of the time. 1/4" maybe 7% and 3/8 the rest.

 

[cherrybomb]

I use 1/4 and 3/8 mostly, but being in the rust belt,their gets to be certain situations where 1/2 drive should be used,and I'm happy to keep some basics around.

 

[reader2580]

As a DIYer and a sometimes mechanic on my vehicles I use 1/2” drive about a third of the time. My 3/8” collection doesn’t go all that big. I have no powered ratchets or smaller impact wrenches. (I have a 1” impact, but too big for anything besides truck tires.). I have a coach bus with big and tight fasteners so I use 1/2” there.

I started with a Craftsman set in 2002 and that is what I mostly still use. I should buy a long handle 3/8” ratchet for more leverage.

 

[cosmokenney]

I decided to get every size in both regular and deep sockets from 8mm up to about 32mm in impact sockets. Since I am still using a 1/2" air impact and don't want to spring for a quality electric impact I find myself using 1/2" ratchets a lot mostly with my impact sockets. But, I also have a set of non-impact 1/2" and 3/8" and 1/4". The 1/2" tools generally are for working on my jeep. Whereas for my mini cooper and motorcycles its all 3/8" and 1/4". Especially since one of my favorite tools right now is my air ratchet that is 3/8". And I have a craftsman 1/4" impact gun that I got just before they went full china. Has been going strong on the same battery for at least 10 years.

 

[cannuck]

my crossover point is M10 - 3/8 fasteners. When it goes to 1./2" so does my ratchet. Same at 3/4 - last fastener I tend to use with 1./2 drive. So, yes, I use my 1/2" staff a fair bit and exclusively on car and litle truck wheels. I only go to 1" on the really big stuff on heavy equipment. On the other end M6 or 1/4" is crossover for 1/4 to 3/8

 

[ecotec]

Rarely.

I use 3/8” drive the vast majority of the time.

I would say that I use 1/4” drive about 1/10th of the time.

 

[jttc09]

I work on our farm equipment as well as a small fleet of Toyota and ford pickups. Anything in cab and most motor stuff gets 1/4 almost everything else gets 1/2. When I work on the pickups it’s almost exclusive 3/8. I don’t know why it’s that way I don’t do it on purpose to use only 3/8 on the pickups but it just seems to work that ways. I really started using 1/4 more than 3/8 when I bought a Milwaukee ratchet and impact in 1/4. I have a 3/8 ratchet and impact as well but always catch myself reaching for the 1/4 first ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ anything on an implement gets 1/2 or 3/4 and the big Milwaukee impacts

 

[jblnut]

I by far use 1/2” sockets the most in the farm shop. 3/4” is a close second with 3/8” being a close third. I have 1/4” stuff but rarely use it. Sometimes to take panels and other stuff off but rarely for more than stuff I don’t have access to with the 1/2” stuff.

I recently acquired a 3/8” impact and have used it a bit and so far I like it. I have waaaay more 1/2” drive socket stuff so I may just have to look at more 3/8” stuff now. Another perfectly valid reason to buy more tools is okay with me !!

 

[Rinspeed]

I use 1/2" more than 1/4" that's for sure.

 

[shanny19]

Suspension, Timing Belts, Tires

I'm looooooving my new Tekton super long 1/2" ratchet.

You can't come on GJ and talk about ditching 1/2"
Sounds like you need advice on which entry level 3/4" set to get???

 

[BWWgarage]

Home diy here:
1/2” lug nuts, Jeep stuff (rock sliders, hitches, etc)
3/8” f150/jeep simple stuff (oil change, etc), dirt bike wheel axels and frame stuff
1/4” dirt bikes for torquing forks, suspension, etc
I use motion pro socket t handles most (dirt bikes)

 

[KnurledNut]

The large diameters of 1/2 and 3/4 drive sockets are good for pressing/pulling bearings, seals, bushings, pulleys, gears, shafts, hubs, sleeves, collars, etc.

 

[Mike S.]

As a home DIY mechanic, I could probably get away with 3/8" 90% of the time. All of my ratchets are 90T or more, so I'll switch to a 1/2" if I start to feel like I'm wrenching on it too hard. I usually buy my tools from companies that have good warranties, but I also don't like to abuse my tools. I don't want break something if it only takes a minute to walk over to the toolbox and grab the 1/2".

When it comes to impacts though, I almost exclusively use the 3/8" mid torque. I have a 1/2" high torque, but that thing is so big and cumbersome that I rarely ever pull it out of the drawer.