metric sizes to skip

[belvedere]

I'm building a 1/2" drive metric socket set (non-impact) from the SK SotM club. Which sizes over 19mm would you feel comfortable skipping? I have a couple in mind that I don't remember ever using, but I'd like to hear others' input.

I have American cars/trucks and Japanese motorcycles.

 

[anavrinIV]

Look at JIS, DIN, and ISO standards for bolt heads and see what doesn't show up in the lists. Usually 20mm is is missing, 21 and 22 are common, I have used both 23 and 24mm, then usually a jump to 27

 

[jgromada]

gotta get 'em ALL!

 

[Wrench97]

How big do you want to go?

20mm, 25mm& 26mm I don't recall ever using unless hammering on a 27mm rusted down that low...........32,34,36 I've used.

 

[rallenc]

This is Garage Journal. Blasphemous!!!! “Need” to 36 at least.

 

[anavrinIV]

How big do you want to go?

20mm, 25mm& 26mm I don't recall ever using unless hammering on a 27mm rusted down that low...........32,34,36 I've used.

Also 35 for axle nuts

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have everything up to 36 except 33 and 35. I am actually on the way to get a 33mm socket now to work on my dads Freightliner truck with. I’ve used all of them too including odd ones like 25 and stuff I use a 25mm on my classic beetle brake light sensors that go into the master cylinder. I use 23 for the differential plug on my Mazda. 20mm for 1980s and 90s Ford suspension. I actually don’t think I’ve used 26mm either. 29MM use on Dodge Axle nuts. 30mm 12 point on Toyota axle nuts. 31 I used on something’s axle nuts too don’t remember what vehicles that was. 34 also used I think on dually pickup axle nuts. I’ve used all the SAE equivalents too.


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[dr_clyde]

I don’t understand the logic of having an incomplete socket set.

You never know what you might need to wrench on in the years to come. It’s not like sockets are expensive or space intensive. A common set of 1/2” sockets takes up almost no room and is maybe a couple hundred bucks for a lifetime tool.

 

[Iowafox]

I don’t understand the logic of having an incomplete socket set.

You never know what you might need to wrench on in the years to come. It’s not like sockets are expensive or space intensive. A common set of 1/2” sockets takes up almost no room and is maybe a couple hundred bucks for a lifetime tool.

^^ Honestly I agree with this. I say start out with what you need then slowly fill in each missing socket. Go as big as you want. I must have a little OCD because my sockets have to have every size no skips that drives me crazy

 

[GrantCee]

Look at JIS, DIN, and ISO standards for bolt heads and see what doesn't show up in the lists.

That only works for bolts and nuts (not for purpose-made fasteners, like fill plugs and threaded retaining rings), and then only for those bolts and nuts whose manufacturers adhere to the standard (you'd be surprised how many don't — especially metric fasteners made in the U.S.)

Every time someone on GJ comes up with a list of "standard" sizes, others have come up with long lists of exceptions. I've run across so many myself that I don't dare have sets with skips.

 

[anavrinIV]

That only works for bolts and nuts (not for purpose-made fasteners, like fill plugs and threaded retaining rings), and then only for those bolts and nuts whose manufacturers adhere to the standard (you'd be surprised how many don't — especially metric fasteners made in the U.S.)

Every time someone on GJ comes up with a list of "standard" sizes, others have come up with long lists of exceptions. I've run across so many myself that I don't dare have sets with skips.

Understood, but if you are starting out looking to skip unnecessary sizes the standards are a good baseline. Obviously if you come across an odd size it becomes a necessary tool and will be acquired at the time.

Personally I don't like skips, my 1/4 and 3/8 are no-skip including a few small sizes I've never seen. My impacts have a couple skips (20mm, for example) but if I come across one I will buy it.

 

[pi_guy]

I don’t understand the logic of having an incomplete socket set.

You never know what you might need to wrench on in the years to come. It’s not like sockets are expensive or space intensive. A common set of 1/2” sockets takes up almost no room and is maybe a couple hundred bucks for a lifetime tool.

Take a deep breathe. Welcome to GJ if there is a cheap way to do something in the garage it gets top billing here.
Sockets are cheap in the scheme of things and being professional in front of a client can be an optional thing here.
Makes more sense to have what you might need where it should be on the rail, then wondering how your going to match that size.

Used sockets for numerous other little tasks, sockets work great in press needs, including putting a threaded rod and pulling things together. If you don't have it you can't use it. Used sockets as stands when measuring parts there has been a few other uses over the years. Sliding a socket over a wire and using a magnet to pick it up on other side. But not being a tool minimalist having more gives you more flexibility. But as I am finding out in my aging that formula car and ski racing no longer have the popularity they once enjoyed and beginning to wonder how much professionalism has exited the mechanical arts.

 

[Strouty]

The way I look at it, the only sizes I would skip in Metric are the sizes that have an SAE equivalent and I own that SAE socket size.

 

[joel63]

I have everything up to 36 except 33 and 35. I am actually on the way to get a 33mm socket now to work on my dads Freightliner truck with. I’ve used all of them too including odd ones like 25 and stuff I use a 25mm on my classic beetle brake light sensors that go into the master cylinder. I use 23 for the differential plug on my Mazda. 20mm for 1980s and 90s Ford suspension. I actually don’t think I’ve used 26mm either. 29MM use on Dodge Axle nuts. 30mm 12 point on Toyota axle nuts. 31 I used on something’s axle nuts too don’t remember what vehicles that was. 34 also used I think on dually pickup axle nuts. I’ve used all the SAE equivalents too.

Just never know what you might see on any job.

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I don’t understand the logic of having an incomplete socket set.

I tried it once; needless to say, it didn't work.
Never again!

You never know what you might need to wrench on in the years to come. .

^^^^^^

Skip sizes at your own risk.

 

[PugetDude]

^^^^^^

Skip sizes at your own risk.

Size DOES matter.

 

[chohdog]

I work on Japanese cars but also have an OBS Chevy. Most Japanese stuff is 8,10,12,14,17,19,21. However, the OBS (and most American trucks these days) are a combination of metric and standard. My Chevy has required recently: 11,15,23.

My point? If you can afford it, just be as complete as you can.

 

[anavrinIV]

I work on Japanese cars but also have an OBS Chevy. Most Japanese stuff is 8,10,12,14,17,19,21. However, the OBS (and most American trucks these days) are a combination of metric and standard. My Chevy has required recently: 11,15,23.

My point? If you can afford it, just be as complete as you can.

Or like my TJ that had standard hardware on the drivetrain, metric on the body, and allen, torx, AND e-torx holding the transmission to the engine.

Having a wide assortment of tools was a necessity to do anything on it.

 

[GarageGuy89]

skip the 10mm...you'll lose it anyways.

 

[Iowafox]

Or like my TJ that had standard hardware on the drivetrain, metric on the body, and allen, torx, AND e-torx holding the transmission to the engine.

Having a wide assortment of tools was a necessity to do anything on it.

I was going to say something similar how even on todays modern cars you still need Standard stuff. Due to the drivetrain hardware.
I personally really like having both sets at the ready as you never know when a Standard bolt will randomly say hello friend

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I was going to say something similar how even on todays modern cars you still need Standard stuff. Due to the drivetrain hardware.

I personally really like having both sets at the ready as you never know when a Standard bolt will randomly say hello friend

Yep exactly. I was working on a Honda for my friend the other day and it has a bunch of aftermarket parts on it and all were SAE like 11/16 and 3/4 and 3/8 and stuff lol. Luckily I carry standard and metric with me at all times.


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[B_Bimmer]

If I ever couldn't finish a project because I didn't have a socket I would feel as though I failed life.

 

[byoungblood]

I don’t understand the logic of having an incomplete socket set.

You never know what you might need to wrench on in the years to come. It’s not like sockets are expensive or space intensive. A common set of 1/2” sockets takes up almost no room and is maybe a couple hundred bucks for a lifetime tool.

I see the logic up to a certain size, maybe up to 24mm. For home wrenching, buying everything up to say, 36mm with no skips, is probably a waste unless you happen upon a set dirt cheap. I've got multiple larger sockets sitting in my box that have never turned a single fastener in 20+ years, I only have them because they were given to me.

For the professional wrench turner, sure. You never know what is going to come through the door.

 

[blarf]

Also 35 for axle nuts

30 & 36 mm (12 point) and 43 mm (6 point) for the axles here. Why the hell would I want a complete set of sockets up to 43 mm that I'm never going to use? Past 19mm I'd only buy the sizes I knew I was going to need. Bolt Depot has the standard sizes listed:

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Bolts/Metric-Bolt-Head-Size.aspx

If you want extra sockets buy those sizes.