Metric or SAE

[Lurch67]

I'm a DIYer and have a serious case of Snap-on envy. Based on the boards, the majority agree Snap-on wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are best. Should I purchase Metric only or both SAE and Metric for auto repairs?

 

[metaleltr]

If you work primarily on vehicles newer than the early 90s I would say to invest in quality metric and keep lower end stuff around for the occasional SAE.

 

[joedodge]

If your not a pro turning wrenches every day I'd save the money and buy gear wrench

 

[Lurch67]

I'm not a pro but don't have too many bad habits. I should go for the gear wrench, but its christmas.

 

[woody 73]

you would be better buying the metric because all the cars today take metric and to help your wallet just a little don't forget the other brands such as sk,proto,wright,matco,mac,etc. I think you will find just about every tool box inside most garages carry every name not just snap on.

 

[Kaervak]

Another vote for just metric. The only thing in my garage that have any SAE fasteners on it is my lawnmower and wood chipper and they're both from the early 80s. Everything else is metric. Probably the only SAE stuff you'll find on a new car is 5/8 for the spark plugs and 5/16 for GM side post battery terminals, which you can use an 8MM on. There's probably something I'm missing, but I think that's kinda it for SAE stuff on cars now-a-days.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I own an old Mustang and everything at work is big sae. My new cars don't need work. I forget sae is a dying breed.

 

[silentpoet]

SAE if it is older, Metric if it is newer. My project car is a 68 caddy so I focus on SAE stuff. Especially 1/2 inch. Old GMs have ton of 1/2 inch nuts and bolts. I keep a ratchet or two with a 1/2 socket on at all times.

 

[HaroRider]

I barely use SAE, but sometimes aftermarket parts are SAE, and sometimes tools are SAE as well (A puller for example may be sae at the hex)

I think in this day and age you are fine with just metric. I have them both just in case, and they have came in handy. If I had to do it again I would have done the same thing.

However if I was buying snap-on I would have purchased bare minimum. All my stuff is Craftsman, so it didnt really drain my wallet.

I have just about every wrench and socket Craftsman made and I probably spent around $500 for all of it.

 

[CWP1616L]

Start with metric first and get the extra long set.

OEXLM710B on special for $495.

 

[nanofrog]

I'd say Metric as the primary set these days, and SAE if needed (less expensive if you do as others have mentioned).

Don't have much Snap-on (inherited what I do), as I'm not willing to spend what Snap-on wants for their tools. Can't justify paying that much for stuff I don't use daily.

As at least one other has mentioned, Gearwrench is decent in my experience (most recent is an SAE Flex ratcheting wrench set to accompany the Metric set I already had for working on the mower). Made the job a lot easier than past attempts with standard wrenches.

 

[camarotoolman]

Its getting to the point that I can't sell sae tools. Once in while somebody wants a 1/2 wrench, but thats about it.

 

[Sureshot]

I am very shocked at the responses. Canada is metric but I still use SAE way more. Maybe I buy more USA made than my southern neighbors?
I would be looking at a set of each but not Snap On unless you are overflowing with cash or like to keep up with the Jones. They are top quality. But unless that is how you make a living it is overkill. IMHO of course.

 

[Ironhorse]

Go with Metric First then SAE...It really depends on what your working on. All my bikes and cars at home are SAE...but eveything I work on that is not mine is Metric.

 

[Lurch67]

I'm going with all metric sockets and wrenches.

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

 

[RECox286]

When I started cranking wrenches back in the Jurassic period,

metric was available for those "alien" cars, and you only needed

2 or 3 sizes for most applications. I think I had one metric adjustable

wrench that sorta did everything. However, these days you will

be better off with metric sockets and wrenches, and you may

only need 2 or 3 SAE sizes on occasion.

Uncle Bob

 

[Skin]

I am very shocked at the responses. Canada is metric but I still use SAE way more. Maybe I buy more USA made than my southern neighbors?

For vehicles essentially everyone has gone metric. The only stand-out is big trucks and some frame/suspension components on pickups (at least as of a few years ago) will be standard.

If its not for vehicles but rather for outdoor power equipment, plumbing, and appliances then I agree standard is more useful. Still worth having at least 8, 10, 12 and 14mm even then though.

 

[Lurch67]

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

 

[Skin]

most useful in my opinion is a standard 3/8" ratchet in the 8-10" range. Other than that the answer is "all" to be prepared for anything .

 

[firebox40dash5]

I am very shocked at the responses. Canada is metric but I still use SAE way more. Maybe I buy more USA made than my southern neighbors?
I would be looking at a set of each but not Snap On unless you are overflowing with cash or like to keep up with the Jones. They are top quality. But unless that is how you make a living it is overkill. IMHO of course.

You sure you're not in Cuba? Hell, most American stuff has been primarily metric for almost 3 decades now.

My boss has about the worst selection of SAE tools I've ever seen... a set of 1/2" impacts, combo and line wrenches, and one set of 1/4" deep sockets. He was a one-man show until I started working with him last summer. If he can get by with that little, and no one to borrow from, they're not very important. I've got a decent assortment (full selection of sockets, flex Gearwrenches and regular combo wrenches) but honestly 90% of the time I'm using them, it's not on a car, it's on something around the shop... air lines, plow pumps, lifts, etc. Most tools that are supposed to be SAE you can get away with using an 11/13/14/16/19mm on anyway.

I would buy some, but I wouldn't spend SO money on it, unless you're a little OCD like me and can't stand mismatched stuff.

 

[Gary S]

I own an old Mustang and everything at work is big sae. My new cars don't need work. I forget sae is a dying breed.

I'm in a similar situation. I own an old Camaro and drive some other old vehicles. They are SAE, so I own SAE tools. The newer vehicles I've owned were metric, but they were disposable vehicles not worth working on, so I seldom have any use for metric tools.

SAE vehicles you keep and repair for decades. Metric vehicles you use once and throw away like toilet paper.

 

[Jim C.]

........Based on the boards, the majority agree Snap-on wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are best........

If you say so.

 

[shampoop]

If your not a pro turning wrenches every day I'd save the money and buy gear wrench

+1 for sure.

 

[Lkdelta]

I'm going with all metric sockets and wrenches.

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

you'll need a flexible ratchet frequently, at least in 3/8".
I can't remember the last time I had to reach in the SAE drawers

For DIY, you'll need some pliers, long needle nose,regular needle nose, combination slip joint
water pumps.
Assortment of different cutting pliers.
screwdrivers
hammers and mallets... inc rubber or plastic
maybe save some of that S.O money... for the extras that get the whole job done

For getting thru this weekends motor project, here
The flex 3/8d ... is an S-K and ...
The flex 1/2d... is a craftsman.

 

[shoturtle]

Go with Armstrong or Proto if you want a high quality without paying a super premium if you are not a pro. Snap on are nice, but I would not say they are the best, there are others that are it's equal form the USA.

And since you are in the USA, while cars are more metric now a days. All the nuts an bolt around the house are still mostly SAE, so you will need SAE. With Proto and Armstrong you can get great quality for both.

 

[hifi_hokie]

SAE vehicles you keep and repair for decades. Metric vehicles you use once and throw away like toilet paper.

 

[hifi_hokie]

If you're a DIYer, you're likely going to use your tools for more than just auto repair.

Get both.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Go Snap-On for Wrenches and Ratchets. Start with the regular ratchets, they have a nice set of all three sizes (RAT936).

I started out buying a set of Snap-On SAE & Metric 3/8 shallow sockets. Love them, but even with my 50% student discount they were not cheap. If you want to get Snap-On sockets without the price, look into Williams USA. EXACT sockets as Snap-On, just with a different logo stamped into them (my 1/4 deep set even had a Snap-On socket mixed in when I got them ).
http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.com/30/home.htm

ZTSupply on here/ebay sells sets, and MROCenter carries everything in the Industrial catalog (although their website is **** and they take a long time to ship).

Here's some motivation:
My first Snap-On purchase:

Snap-On socket mixed in with the Williams USA set

SAE & Metric Williams USA sets, shallow & deep for less than one Snap-On set.

 

[CWP1616L]

If you want to get Snap-On sockets without the price, look into Williams USA. EXACT sockets as Snap-On, just with a different logo stamped into them

^^^This!

 

[wvrrcarknocker]

Go with Armstrong or Proto if you want a high quality without paying a super premium if you are not a pro. Snap on are nice, but I would not say they are the best, there are others that are it's equal from the USA.

^This
Every Armstrong or Proto tool I own rivals the Snap-On that i've paid out the nose for, for 35-50% the cost, and I learned this the hard way. ( I do wrench for a living and have a regular Snap-On driver)

 

[Lurch67]

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=...??

 

[nanofrog]

From what I understand reading other threads, the Snap-on discount isn't actually that high (indicated ~35% real world IIRC), so the other brands recommended could still come in under what you'd pay for the Snap-on equivalents (i.e. stuff that sells for 50% of Snap on prices would still be a 15% savings with your discount on Snap-on).

Worth checking out IMHO.

 

[ecally]

I seem to use SAE on most small engine work, except for Honda, and my lawnmowers, snowblower, chainsaw and weed whacker aren't all that old. If working primarily on newer cars buy metric first, but at least I find myself using SAE on a regular basis.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

get metric, Sae makes me angry. But you need both.

 

[CWP1616L]

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=...??

50-60% off the Snap-on list price is about the same as Proto regular price.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Figure out what you will be working on. Good chance you'll need both

I have a small 4x4 garage and what comes in my shop is typically older vehicles, so I primarily use sae tools. I do have metric tools for the toyota or suzuki sammy that comes in, but it's not as extensive as my sae.

 

[matthew]

If you really really want some Snap-On, I'd ignore the wrenches and sockets and start by buying a ratchet and ratcheting screwdriver. It'll get you your fix, those will get used all the time so are sort of almost justifiable, and you can judge from there if you want to spend big coin on the rest of it...

 

[CWP1616L]

At 50% off, now's the time to be buying 1/4 drive swivel sockets. They are some of the most expensive tools Snap-on makes.

 

[2oolhound]

I don't have any dual 80 ratchets but I will be buying one eventually.

After working over 20 years as a pro photographer I encountered countless diy'ers with better equipment than I had. Many doctors, engineer's and other higher paying professions allow folks to buy much better gear than I could afford so if I see someone who wants Snap-On I say have at her! They're for you and you don't have to justify your choice to any nay sayers who don't think you're the right class to own such tools. Me, I love Snap-On but I buy mainly used when I find a bargain at this stage of my life. Whether they are the best of not is up for debate (regularly) but there's no disputin, they're dam fine tools.

 

[cide1]

I use metric and SAE about the same amount, working on old bikes, old cars, new cars, and around the house.

I prefer flexible ratchets, but own a number of all styles.

I buy my snap on stuff on eBay for the most part, paying 30-40% of list price.

I also love the 3/8" mid length sockets.