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

[UglyViking]

I mean it sounds like you've pretty much made up your mind that you don't need 1/2", in which case I don't know why you'd hang onto it.

I personally try and get rid of everything that I don't need, because otherwise it's just taking up space and getting in my way. For better or worse I've found my 1/2" important enough to keep around, part of that may be just desire to have it, but it is pretty low maintenance and I've got the room.

 

[Skellyii]

1/4" drive = N scale
3/8" drive = HO scale
1/2" drive = O scale

When I was a kid, there was no Z scale, S scale, or G scale. Never heard of them.

Heck, I don't even remember N scale from when I was a kid. O was the big dog on the block and HO was just getting traction.
I guess that means I'm old.

 

[Skellyii]

Home gamer/Extended family mechanic, use mostly 3/8", 1/2" for suspension and larger work, 3/4" when all else fails. I've broken a few 3/8" breaker bars over the years, so I rely on my ancient SnapOn and Craftsman 1/2" bars when I need the extra ooomp.

 

[VolvoRyan]

1/2" extensions are much less twisty than 3/8".

For cars, you do need all three common drive sizes.

-Ryan

 

[DGersic]

Home DIY guy with cars here. For me, it’s not so much about the drive size, it’s about the torque I intend to put on whatever it is. Little stuff, low torque, I get the 1/4”. Most stuff, mid torque, gets 3/8”. Bigger stuff, lots of torque, gets 1/2”. Impact wrench, 1/2”. Smaller stuff that doesn’t need 1/2”, 3/8” impact ratchet.

In ratchets, I have several in each size, but my go to 1/4” is a long pattern SnapOn, my 3/8” is the HF comfort handle, and my 1/2” is a long SnapOn. The shorter 3/8” provides less torque to whatever it is, and prevents using a cheater. If I need more torque than the 3/8” handle can comfortably provide, it’s time to get the 1/2” stuff out.

I have a regular sized 3/8” Craftsman breaker bar. That doesn’t get a lot of use as a breaker, but it’s handy when I want a socket on something without ratcheting action. I have a 24” SnapOn 1/2” breaker, and the 24” Tecton 1/2” ratchet, handy for suspension stuff here in the rust belt.

There’s no hard and fast cutoff point. Mostly I’m aiming to not bust knuckles by applying too much pressure to an undersized wrench. Leverage is my friend.

 

[KnurledNut]

This is all I have left for 1/2".
Not sure what good it does me to keep it around.

Beyond that, I have a HF breaker bar and 21mm socket in the trunk of my car, and a few lug nut sockets in my automotive tool bag.

I don't have an 1/2" impact anymore and no intention of buying one either.

If you’re planning to do any mechanic work, I would at least keep the bare minimum.
The short ratchet, hog ring and pin extensions could go.
Having the long ratchet, sockets, adaptors, and a short/medium/long extension would give you a solid arsenal while take up less space.

That said, if I could only keep one 1/2 socket set, it would be my semi-deeps, not shallows.

 

[mopar66]

As a DIY I will work on anything and everything. Mostly my cars and trucks though. I find that I don't use 1/2 often. But it's nice to have it when I need it. I did sell off a bunch of duplicates and some truck brand stuff that I had picked up over the years at yard and estate sales. This is what I left. Mostly USA made Craftsman, some Sunex adaptors, and a few Wera sockets. Bought the Dewalt impact years ago. I only have one chrome deep socket. Sold off all my other chrome deep. I like to say I didn't downsize I repurposed funds. Even with my 1/4 an 3/8 torque wrenches it only takes up a relatively small 18" x 24" drawer. I also have a Tekton 24" breaker bar I keep in my truck for lugnuts. At one point I probably had 12+ 1/2 ratchets, 250 + sockets, and 20 extensions. Not a lot to some but more than I needed. I had thought about getting rid of one of the ratchets and the smaller chrome sockets. But no reason to. Not worth a ton of money and don't take up much space.

 

[AJHD]

That said, if I could only keep one 1/2 socket set, it would be my semi-deeps, not shallows.

Out of curiosity, what semi-deep 1/2" set do you have? Doesn't seem like too many options in 1/2" out there.
Snap On and Genius (on Amazon) are the two I found.

 

[CGarage]

I’d rather have it and not need it than not have it and have to replace it, especially at inflated cost decades after the fact.

 

[Hohn]

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.

It's load distribution. Those old two-bolt mounts also tended to crack and leak. The multiple smaller bolts are much better in that regard.
As much as we've made advances in materials, we haven't figured out now to make new aluminum stiffer than old. Or new steel stiffer than old. Since we're stiffness-limited, smaller fasteners and more of them is a more reliable way to go.


Next time you're on a plane, try to count the rivets you see holding things together.

 

[KnurledNut]

Out of curiosity, what semi-deep 1/2" set do you have? Doesn't seem like too many options in 1/2" out there.
Snap On and Genius (on Amazon) are the two I found.

The Snap-on set and I filled in sizes below that with Genius, iirc 10-14mm.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Just an example today, I did a lower ball joint on a 2017 truck. 100% 1/2 drive, impact guns and torque wrench.

 

[dchawk81]

Almost all of my 1/2" drive and all of my 3/4 & 1" drive stuff is impact so I usually mechanize that ish. But I do have some long handle ratchets and torque wrenches to use with them.

I don't think I could quantify "how often" but they aren't going anywhere.

 

[RAS61]

I’d rather have it and not need it than not have it and have to replace it, especially at inflated cost decades after the fact.

I agree with this, I don't use 1/2 often, but glad it's there when needed. Also don't understand folks talking about getting rid of 1/2, how much space does a set of basic metric and SAE sockets plus a ratchet take up? What do these folks do when they need to remove a tire, use the crappy short handled lug wrench that comes with the car? 1/2 is worth having for that reason alone

 

[CGarage]

I agree with this, I don't use 1/2 often, but glad it's there when needed. Also don't understand folks talking about getting rid of 1/2, how much space does a set of basic metric and SAE sockets plus a ratchet take up? What do these folks do when they need to remove a tire, use the crappy short handled lug wrench that comes with the car? 1/2 is worth having for that reason alone

I think they feel certain they can get away with having a few lug nut sockets on hand.

 

[chris142]

Everyday

 

[RAS61]

I think they feel certain they can get away with having a few lug nut sockets on hand.

I get the impression they plan to get rid of everything, maybe they plan to use 3/8 drive for lug nuts?

 

[CGarage]

I get the impression they plan to get rid of everything, maybe they plan to use 3/8 drive for lug nuts?

Not a good idea.
1/2” lug nut sockets and save a 1/2” breaker bar?
Or have a 1/2 impact wrench on hand?

 

[finn]

I didn’t own anything other than 1/2” drive until I was in my mid twenties when i inherited a 3/8” SK 3/8” drive set from my grandfather. 1/4” came sometime after that.

Now, I mostly use 3/8” and find that I reach for 1/4” more and more.

Battery impacts have taken over from ratchets to a large extent, but still require 1/2” for maybe 20% of the fasteners.

The “newer“ vehicles, as noted, use smaller metric fasteners, many of which are set up for assembly with power tools on the line, so that reduces the requirement for 1/2” drive tools, but Wheel lugs on the F600, F450, F350 etc still require 1/2”, especially if they have gone through a number of winters.

Most all my new purchases now are 1/4” or 3/8” drive..

 

[RAS61]

I use 1/2 drive on any hex over 7/8" because that's where 3/8 drive socket sets usually stop, and anything larger often needs the torque of 1/2.

Just last week when changing the oil of my wife's car (a Ford V6 Turbo) I even used 1/2 for the oil filter cartridge! The plastic filter cover takes a 27mm or 1-1/16" socket, so I used a 1/2 drive setup (socket, ratchet and extension) on this low torque application out of ease. Worked just fine and I didn't take up extra space in the tool chest with socket duplication.

 

[NoahG]

Honestly more and more these days. I’ve always been a 3/8” fan for general assembly, but as I’ve moved into more long term outdoor projects I’ve needed the power of 1/2” impact.

My switch over to 1/2DR chrome used to be at the 15/16” mark but I’ve noticed in the past year that’s moved down to 3/4”

 

[dnschmidt]

It's load distribution. Those old two-bolt mounts also tended to crack and leak. The multiple smaller bolts are much better in that regard.
As much as we've made advances in materials, we haven't figured out now to make new aluminum stiffer than old. Or new steel stiffer than old. Since we're stiffness-limited, smaller fasteners and more of them is a more reliable way to go.


Next time you're on a plane, try to count the rivets you see holding things together.

Nah. I'll be too busy counting the number of bolts holding the doors/plugs on.

 

[Hannahranga]

Undoing stuff rarely, especially as I'm looking at a 3/4 impact. Doing stuff up more frequently as 3/8" torque wrenchs don't go much past 100lbf

 

[sparky 1971]

Not very often, but still often enough to have sets that go from too small for a 1/2" drive up to 1-1/2" and 38mm.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I use a LOT of 3/8 impact sockets. They either go on my DeWalt 12v impact, or on 3/8 extension on an adapter in the end of a 1/2 mid torque. The smaller size of the 3/8 is often pretty useful. My 3/8 swivel impacts get a lot more use than my 1/2 versions.

I've used 3/8" impact sockets on a 1/4" impact driver with an adapter before, for certain tasks. If I'm using an impact wrench I'm dealing with larger or stubborn fasteners and I always want a bigger anvil size for that.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

I just bought a 1/2inch T55 to do rear bearings in my C4. Besides that, it is mostly for lugs and suspension work for me.

 

[liliysdad]

I've used 3/8" impact sockets on a 1/4" impact driver with an adapter before, for certain tasks. If I'm using an impact wrench I'm dealing with larger or stubborn fasteners and I always want a bigger anvil size for that.

I use impacts for all kinds of stuff that isn’t stubborn….its just faster and easier.

 

[Pinemarten]

I use 1/2" for suspension and large size engine stuff. I don't get rid of any tools (this is GJ after all).
My son-in-law can inherit all my tools when I'm gone. I bet he will keep the 1/2" and 3/4" drive as well................he works on diesel stuff!

 

[msharley]

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.

Lug nuts, equipment (at times need to take stuff apart so as to weld on it)

Use 3/4" fairly often.

 

[threewood]

Automotive suspension components is about all for me.

 

[babyseal]

If you were really determined to minimize, you could cut your tool kit down to a single small entry level tool box, couple jack stands, and a small floor jack, just like I had as a 17 YO Private in the Army...and break tools and parts, bust your knuckles, and be forced to rush to the store and pay top dollar when you find out you need a tool you don't (or no longer) have. Just like I when I was young, starting out, and building up my tool set. Been there, done that, don't see a point in going through it again. Don't need the pennies on the dollar used tools bring, can certainly spare the small amount of space they take up.

Tools, are why we have garages. Then when we fill up the garage with tools...build another one so we can actually work on something. Rinse and repeat as needed.

 

[CGarage]

The problem is you asked the question wrong.

1) You should have asked first: What do you work on?

2) How often do you use 1/2” or larger drive size?

 

[BDT/NWMN]

My projects vary from toy trains, lawn equipment and cars to class eight trucks and ag equipment. I have numerous socket sets in all five drive sizes, along with ratchets, breaker bars, impact wrenches, air ratchets, 3/8" battery powered impact, torque multipliers, torches and grinders. I seldom exceed 75 foot-pounds of torque when using 3/8" drive hand tools, so mostly use 1/2" drive when torquing lug nuts. 1/2" drive impacts are used on most suspension work on cars; or any bolt 1/2" diameter or larger; regardless of what it is on. I also avoid using the David and Goliath routine when struggling with the 1/2" drive, as that's what the bigger stuff is for.

 

[F-22]

I'm from Europe. Only got 3/8" a couple years ago. Never really felt much need for it as you can do everything with 1/4" and 1/2" and you can almost always be sure the 1/2" will not break or flex on automotive work.

As said here:

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

That's how I use them too.
1/4" for up to M6, rarely M8.
3/8" from M6/M8 up to M10 and rarely M12
1/2" from M10/M12 onto the ~27mm size, sometimes also the 30mm or 32mm but at that point I prefer to grab my 3/4" set.

 

[AEAdam]

I think the question you should be asking is “how often do you use 1/2” drive and what manufacturer made your 3/8?”

Objectively, there is a small subset of bolt heads over 19mm where size and torque demands 1/2” drive. Below 19mm, and maybe down to 12 or 13mm most of us have a choice.

If you have high quality ratchets, extensions, and sockets, my guess is most people will choose the smaller, lighter drive.

The reason people did not use 3/8” drive and chose 1/2” instead in the past was because our ratchets were weak. 3/8” ratchets couldn’t be made long because a reasonable umph would strip them. So if you needed length and strength you HAD to choose 1/2” drive. It wasn’t a personal preference. It was physics and manufacturing technology that drove the decision.

I personally have a big kit of Snap On 3/8” drive with lots of ratchet, socket, and extension choices. I have sizes from 8-21mm which covers 90% of the sizes most passenger vehicles have. So yeah, that’s what I use. If I had Pittsburgh sockets and the cheap composite ratchet, I’d use 1/2” drive more. Make sense?

The answer depends on what you have in your tool kit, and what is available to you.

If you want to limit your number of socket sets, buy high quality sockets, ratchets, and extensions.

 

[AEAdam]

A little bit more: I would say the exact same thing about 1/4” drive. Using craftsman for years, I never touched 1/4” drive. The sockets were loose fitting and the short ratchets reversed under load.

Now with Snap On 1/4” and a bigger selection of longer 1/4” ratchets, I find myself pushing that drive more and more. I will readily attack a 13mm bolt with 1/4” drive. I’ve got ratchets long enough for that to be comfortable and I’m learning to trust the drive.

Physics wise, smaller drives, lighter ratchets are faster and typically have lower back drag. So if you can engineer strength into your smaller drives, that becomes an advantage mechanics will learn to exploit.

 

[cannuck]

I think some confusion thread because people are calling socket size "bolt" size. An M10 hex head cap screw/bolt, for instance could have 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18mm head for socket. We are a bit spoiled over here where a 3/8 NF or NC hex bolt will almost always use a 9/16 socket unless and extra heavy nut.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Make it liquid at that point

Can't be stuck if its molten

 

[zmotorsports]

I think some confusion thread because people are calling socket size "bolt" size. An M10 hex head cap screw/bolt, for instance could have 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18mm head for socket. We are a bit spoiled over here where a 3/8 NF or NC hex bolt will almost always use a 9/16 socket unless and extra heavy nut.

Agreed. When I made my comment earlier about 12-14mm bolt size and up, I was talking the bolt size, not the head size which would be usually 17mm head size and up. In reading through the thread I was getting the impression many were talking about socket size (bolt head). Maybe it's my Industrial Maintenance background or something else, but I have always tried calling the sizes out by bolt size and not head size. When we'd call out on the radio for a coworker to bring a 1/2"-13 bolt by 2" long to where we were working, I wanted a half inch bolt, not a 5/16 bolt that took a 1/2" wrench.

 

[Hohn]

I've only recently start using more 3/8, as I always preferred 1/2". My logic was to use the beefiest and most robust setup that had small enough sockets to do the work.

But with more underhood work and less under-vehicle work, I’m now on the page of using the smallest tool and drive that has the sockets big enough. I still dislike the feeling of 3/8 on larger sockets for the same reason I hate 1/4 for 12mm, it feels too small.

Perhaps that’s why I was enthusiastic about the low profile Tekton ratchet that is 3/8 drive on a 1/4 body. It’s superbly useful underhood. My favorite ratchet by far for all those little 12mm and 10mm heads under the hood.

I suppose once we finish moving everything underhood to a million little m6 bolts, then 1/4 drive will fully displace 3/8. But I mostly never use 1/4 drive except for bit sockets in particular sizes.