Least used metric wrench sizes

[Atlascycle]

Looking to buy a good metric wrench set, a couple of the sets that i am looking at have a big difference in the included wrench sizes, one set is 7mm-32mm but is only even sizes, the other is 7mm-24mm but includes all sizes in between, I could piece the larger sizes that i know that i need if i go with the 7-24 set but i am wondering how many of the metric sizes are actually used.

Thanks for any input,

Jason

 

[Steevo]

It is going to depend a lot on what you work on. American cars, German cars, Japanese cars, motorcycles, etc.
I'd go with the 7-24 complete kit, and add others as needed.

 

[Trey T]

most use metric size combo wrench for me: 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19. Standard combo set and ratcheting would get the jobs done properly.

For anything 17mm+, most of the time, it's air tool.

I work on **** vehicles only.

 

[Vinny]

On VWs I mostly use 13, 15, 17, and 19. A few 8s. If you will be messing with them, most top strut nuts I've encoutered are 22mm.

 

[Griff93]

I use 7-19, 20(Chevy fuel filters and some Jaguar), 21, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 36 for working on Euro and American cars.

 

[Joe Mamma]

Looking to buy a good metric wrench set, a couple of the sets that i am looking at have a big difference in the included wrench sizes, one set is 7mm-32mm but is only even sizes, the other is 7mm-24mm but includes all sizes in between, I could piece the larger sizes that i know that i need if i go with the 7-24 set but i am wondering how many of the metric sizes are actually used.

Thanks for any input,

Jason

I wouldn't skip any sizes. You might feel bad paying for all of them now. But you'll be really angry if you need one later and don't have it.

Joe Mamma

 

[Atlascycle]

My Current preferred brand is Armstrong, my local Fastenal gives me a good deal normally and will handle the warranty. I am an industrial maintenance mechanic so no Cars unless i take the tools home to work on something.

I will probably just get complete set to 24 and Fill in the rest as needed.

Thanks for the Opinions everyone.

Jason

 

[DoyleDee]

Look into the prices of individual wrenches... the smaller ones are much cheaper- then compare the sets and get what you want.
I like having a full set, but having to buy larger wrenches is expensive... if you get the set that is missing small wrenches buy that it and then get the missing wrenches.
You will generally come out cheaper that way.

 

[evildky]

get the set and expand as needed, mazda, ford, gm all seem to like to use 13 mil, i've only run across a handfull of 11's (nissan), and then you get in the hub nut and crank pulley sizes, 27,32,34,36

 

[bimmer630]

Get everything except 23mm, 25mm, 26mm, maybe 28 if they even make it. land rover lugs are either 27 or 29, but thats one of the only times ive used the 29

 

[Freeborn John]

16mm is the red haired step child of the spanner world, I seriously wonder if a fastener that size exists...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

16mm is the red haired step child of the spanner world, I seriously wonder if a fastener that size exists...

Don't work on modern German cars, eh?

I've worn most of the chrome off the business ends of my standard 16mm.

 

[Brentocool]

Toyota.... 8/10/12/14/17/19/22/24

 

[Freeborn John]

Don't work on modern German cars, eh?

I've worn most of the chrome off the business ends of my standard 16mm.

One lives and learns...
I've not worn the factory packers fingerprints off mine!

 

[archirelic]

Don't work on modern German cars, eh?

I've worn most of the chrome off the business ends of my standard 16mm.

It's just a bad deal that a lot of wrench sets I've been looking over exclude the 16mm!

 

[Wakefield]

Does 16mm work on 5/8ths as well as 19mm works on 3/4ths?
Is my Jeep supposed to be 19mm. lugnuts or are they really 3/4"?
I suppose there is a slight difference to small to see? Better a little tight than a little loose?
If you don't have a size someone will put it on a car like 23mm.

 

[zmotorsports]

I use 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 the most. The others that I use once in a while are 20, 21, 22 and 24. I have a 6, 7, 11 and 23 but I very seldom use them. On the large sizes you can usually get away with the SAE as they are fairly close.

Mike.

 

[dave26]

It all depends on age and model. Everyone gets the same problem, the more sizes you have the less you might need.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I use everything in my 10-19 set on a regular basis except the 18mm.

I use everything in my 8-22mm 3/8 drive socket set except 9mm and 18mm.

I work on a wide variety of lawn mowing and turfgrass maintenence equipment.

 

[Spyder994]

16mm is the red haired step child of the spanner world, I seriously wonder if a fastener that size exists...

My Saab uses tons of 16 mm and 18 mm.

As others said, get set that covers all sizes. 99% of my automotive work experience is with Swedish cars, but I have used every size wrench from 7 mm all the way to 21 mm. I imagine that German cars are much the same.

 

[Trey T]

be careful of your unit. 13mil is not = 13mm but rather 0.013inch

mil= thousandth of inch

get the set and expand as needed, mazda, ford, gm all seem to like to use 13 mil, i've only run across a handfull of 11's (nissan), and then you get in the hub nut and crank pulley sizes, 27,32,34,36

 

[TjoFrasse]

Definitely get the full range set. You can run into them all. Even if they're not standard on a vehicle you never know what previous owner can have put on. I'd say 7-22 and 24, 27, 30, 32 is a good range to have from my experience.

 

[bimmer630]

16mm is the red haired step child of the spanner world, I seriously wonder if a fastener that size exists...

???? the 14mm is the red haired stepchild, at least in my last 10 years working for BMW

 

[filtered]

I'm no mechanic but I own 6-32 no 28 or 31 though. You never know when you'll need them. Like tie rod ends, or jam nuts on heim joints.

 

[TjoFrasse]

???? the 14mm is the red haired stepchild, at least in my last 10 years working for BMW

14mm is common on japanese cars.

 

[Virgil Cain]

Yes, 14mm is very common on almost anything from Japan.

I work on German and Japanese cars, and the only size I can't ever remember using is 20mm, but I'm sure something uses that size.

 

[jim2664258]

If we are voting for red-haired stepchild sockets, my vote goes for 18mm.

 

[Graymills - Craig]

Looking to buy a good metric wrench set, a couple of the sets that i am looking at have a big difference in the included wrench sizes, one set is 7mm-32mm but is only even sizes, the other is 7mm-24mm but includes all sizes in between, I could piece the larger sizes that i know that i need if i go with the 7-24 set but i am wondering how many of the metric sizes are actually used.

Thanks for any input,

Jason

Complete 7-24mm. With German cars, I find a fair number of odd metrics. And, other than a 32mm for the fan, I rarely use anything over 24mm anyhow.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

If we are voting for red-haired stepchild sockets, my vote goes for 18mm.

Same as 16mm, all over German cars. VW and Audi in particular.

 

[wafrederick]

I work on mostly GMs,Chryslers and Fords using 8mm,10mm,13mm,15mm and 18mm most of the time.Use 21mm,24mm too.7mm is the same as 9/32 size wise,same with 5/16" and 8mm.1 1/4 and 32 mm are the same size too.

 

[astroboy]

Toyota.... 8/10/12/14/17/19/22/24

You are correct about these sizes. Once in a while 21mm is also needed. The larger sizes are needed infrequently.

 

[purplezr2]

16mm is the red haired step child of the spanner world, I seriously wonder if a fastener that size exists...

VW/audi ****** bolts, and upper control bolts are 16mm.

 

[JSBriggs]

FWIW, I don't think I've ever used my 7MM.

-Jeff

 

[greasemonkey44]

ive used every thing except 9mm
i used 16 on a ford powersteering line once
and i used a 20 today on a gm fuel filter
i use 18, 17, 15, 14, 13, 12, and 10 daily and i service american, jap and euro; but you always need the other sizes, just a question of when
your best off getting a complete kit; it saves so many headaches of not having a fifteen mm or w/e

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

16mm is the red haired step child of the spanner world, I seriously wonder if a fastener that size exists...

nissan has **** load of them........

 

[DarrellK]

I work in the collision industry on about every make out there. I use 7-24(all of them), 27, 29, 32 all the time. It really depends what you are working on. I would rather have it in my box when I need it, than be losing money while I chase a tool truck down.

 

[Brentocool]

10/12/14mm are huge on Jap cars!!

 

[diesel research]

I did a little time in an industrial setting. The common presumption was any mechanical hardware was SAE and the software/electronic side was probably metric.

That is NOT the case as I found. Catepillar tracks (heavy duty conveyor belt based off of D4 dozer pattern) designed in france, fasteners made in italy/france, along with hydraulic motors from sweden/germany, and electric train motor from south africa, there were plenty of metric fasteners in the sub-1" category all over the place.

Never really could tell, a lot of trial and error and memorization.

 

[davesnothere]

Get everything except 23mm, 25mm, 26mm, maybe 28 if they even make it. land rover lugs are either 27 or 29, but thats one of the only times ive used the 29

You use a wrench for lugnuts?

 

[theoldwizard1]

most use metric size combo wrench for me: 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19. Standard combo set and ratcheting would get the jobs done properly.

For anything 17mm+, most of the time, it's air tool.

I work on **** vehicles only.

Ford oil drain plug is 15 mm.

Personally, I have never used my 16 mm. Craftsman does not make a 1/2" drive, 6 point deep 16mm. (I know, who cares...)