Metric or SAE

[Skrillaman44]

Metric

 

[Conductor562]

+1 for Proto

I was in your position once. I really wanted to convert every tool I owned to Snap-On. At the time I was single, childless, and making good money, so it was entirely feasible for me to do so. My dad encouraged me to consider something less expensive and bought me a 1/2" Proto ratchet to try. I guess his plan worked because today probably 80% of what I have is Proto and I have no complaints at all. They aren't going to be as flashy as Snap-On, and they sometimes aren't all about fit and finish, but they are as tough as it gets in most cases.

 

[Inkncraig]

Now the question is flex or locking flex ratchets? Or should I just stick with regular ratchets?

I have two flex, one long handle and one short handle. Along with a rigid short. All of them (3/8) 80 tooth snap on. I also have the long handled 1/2" flex. I turn wrenches as my profession, so having the tools I need to get the job done. Is priceless

 

[Chadwilliam1]

Real men Have both. I am OCD so when I buy one I buy the other. Even though everything about SAE makes me angry.

 

[larryq]

When did US car manufacturers switch from SAE to metric, and what was the response at the time?

 

[metaleltr]

Around 1985 metric began appearing, I have seen standard fasteners on cars up until the early 90s.

 

[silentpoet]

The big transition came in the 80s. With some changes before that on some things. For some reason I want to say 1976 on GM stuff has some metric fasteners but I may be pulling that out of my donkey.

 

[shoturtle]

I'm a bit confused about which is the best way to go.

I will be recieving the student discount on snap-on, about 50-60% off list. Would you still recommend other brands as Armstrong, Proto, Williams, l=...??

look at the price of a armstrong standard maxx ratchet with the 88t at harry epstine's compare that to the price of the dual 80. You will see the price difference. And the armstrong 88t is the same gearing as the matco. An excellent fine tooth ratchet just as high quality as the snap on.

wrenches I prefer proto over Armstrong, just personal preference.

 

[NiteWolf]

I can say i have a 76 chevy truck and its all ASE. with that being said most of my tools are metric but that cause all the rigs i have had other then the chevy haven been metric.
84' VW on up.

 

[Conductor562]

Real men Have both. I am OCD so when I buy one I buy the other. Even though everything about SAE makes me angry.

I'm the same way. I got the Proto ASD combo's in metric and then I had to have the SAE's to match. Nothing wrong with my pre-ASD black Proto set, they just didn't look right next to my spectacular satin ASD's Before anyone tells me how stupid I am for replacing a perfectly good set of combo's, please understand that I am very aware that I have a problem

 

[85camaro]

I'm a bit confused about which is the best way to go.

I will be recieving the student discount on snap-on, about 50-60% off list. Would you still recommend other brands as Armstrong, Proto, Williams, l=...??

Proto, Armstrong, and SK are exceptional tools. They are just as good and long lasting as SO. In fact, Proto and SK were always very prevalent in professional shops.

 

[FLRover]

Out of all of the drawers on my Classic 78 this is all I use for SAE. I use my British Whitworth tools more than SAE.

 

[byoungblood]

When did US car manufacturers switch from SAE to metric, and what was the response at the time?

It actually began back in the early 70s during/after the first oil crisis when some of the US manufacturers started borrowing engines or entire vehicle designs from their overseas divisions. So you'd end up with metric used on the engine, and maybe the transmission, while everything else would be SAE.

I had an 81 Mustang 2.3L that was one of those mixed vehicles, then by the time I bought my 88 5.0, it was probably 95% metric. Usually it was odd things, like the alternator hold down bolt, that would still be SAE, while the bolts holding the bracket to the engine itself would be metric.

 

[maddawg308]

Most of the stuff I work on are older vehicles, and military trucks from the 1980s and before. Since that time frame still used predominantly SAE, that's mostly what I have. I do have a set of metric, but they don't get used much.

 

[atwageman]

I'm OCD when it comes to sockets. Got everything in metric and SAE in both 6pt and 12pt. **** load of sockets.........

 

[Conductor562]

I'm OCD when it comes to sockets. Got everything in metric and SAE in both 6pt and 12pt. **** load of sockets.........

When it comes to tools it's better to have too much **** than not enough I always say