Mix and Match Wrench Set

[guitarbutt]

To keep a full set of metric and of SAE wrenches, does anyone use the "equivalent" size to fill in a missing spot?

For example, if you don't have a 5/16 wrench, do you throw an 8mm so you can complete a set and have a full sizing range?

OR

Do you combine metric and SAE into one large set, small to large based on actual size rather than just marked metric or marked sae?

For example, I have the HF extractor sockets in both measurements. Instead of having two rails of them, I put them together, so I have metric and SAE together, in order of "real" sizing rather than just their marked sizes: 5/16, 8mm, 9mm, 3/8, 10mm, etc

I have a gathering of loose miscellaneous wrenches and I'd like to put them to use in a set rather than waiting to someday find the missing sae and missing metric pieces

 

[demarpaint]

I don't use "equivalent" sizes. If I need a size I buy it. I just filled two size voids this month.

 

[bob15]

I buy the correct size tool to fill the void. It is poor practice to fill the void with an incorrect sized tool as it can and will lead to failed fasteners.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I keep my metric and sae separate. The only “equivalent” i do is when im working on an old car and the size is like a 19/32 that I don’t have or its extremely rusty then I will use a metric but otherwise i really hate when people say a 1/2in and 13 are the same. They are close, not the same but they might work.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

If you have to carry your tool box half a mile across a parking lot then six industrial floors up, you damm well would pack equivalent. And leave the rarely used ones behind. The four metric ones that aren't , and worth packing are 10mm,17 mm,21mm and 30mm.
19mm and 3/4 ", 9/16" and 14mm, 24mm and 15/16"and 27mm and 1 1/16". 30mm is 1 3/16",but 1 3/16" is an odd size.

 

[unslow1]

The only ones I've ever done that with are 8mm-5/16 and 14mm-9/16. That was in a mobile set to carry less.

 

[gigamel]

I would never buy a 16mm if I had the 5/8"

 

[EricS]

If you have to carry your tool box half a mile across a parking lot then six industrial floors up, you damm well would pack equivalent. And leave the rarely used ones behind. The four metric ones that aren't , and worth packing are 10mm,17 mm,21mm and 30mm.
19mm and 3/4 ", 9/16" and 14mm, 24mm and 15/16"and 27mm and 1 1/16". 30mm is 1 3/16",but 1 3/16" is an odd size.

You forgot 8mm = 5/16"

Interesting how all the equivalents are 16ths

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I never thought about 8mm and 5/16", in industry it was just used for hose clamps and a nut driver was preferred . The other one forgotten is 13mm and 1/2". 13mm makes a sloppy 1/2"

At home with my big tool cabinets I use the correct size, but packing was a very different story.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

My multiple wrench sets are complete, with their "normal" sizes.

 

[guitarbutt]

So many sizes are "close enough", but several are only 0.00x different, so they're essentially the same. To minimize volume and make use of what you already have is why I'm inquiring about this topic. Obviously you wouldn't want to use "close enough" when making a living, but for tightening things around the house and yard, I see this as a good use

 

[gigamel]

What is your limit? In my experience it's around one percent or less.

5/16 = 8mm, 7/16 = 11mm, 1/2 ≠ 13mm

 

[Kscardsfan]

I’ve never found a reason not to add more tools to my collection. What you’re describing is a foreign concept to me. I have full sets of SAE and metric in 12 and 6 point in my combo wrenches and sockets.

 

[Rabid Badger]

You forgot 8mm = 5/16"

Interesting how all the equivalents are 16ths

Don't forget 19mm and 12/16.

 

[pizza]

i'm looking forward to the day we only need metric.

 

[lardy1]

I don't do it unless rust or something out of the ordinary calls for it. But, considering how close some of the sizes are, I wonder if properly marked but poorly manufactured tools might be as far off as the other standards "equivalent". I'm old enough to remember when cheap wrenches and sockets were often so tight or so sloppy that the "equivalent" may have been as close or closer.

 

[EricS]

Don't forget 19mm and 12/16.

Once had an apprentice give me a measurement of 4and 7/12

 

[seber]

I would never mix for any reason. If I'm working on metric then I want metric tools. Working on inch, I want SAE tools. The chance of a sloppy fit ruining a fastener or the socket is just not worth it.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I don't do it unless rust or something out of the ordinary calls for it. But, considering how close some of the sizes are, I wonder if properly marked but poorly manufactured tools might be as far off as the other standards "equivalent". I'm old enough to remember when cheap wrenches and sockets were often so tight or so sloppy that the "equivalent" may have been as close or closer.

I’ve used some tools like what you’re describing. A crescent wrench or a pair of vise grips would’ve been as good a fit as those cheap *** wrenches.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have a metric 10-19mm set of wrenches I may add a 5/16" so it's basically 8, 10-19 coverage. ( < 10mm is not made in a matching mm wrench. )

Also, I couldn't find the 19mm for that set for a while, and I had used a 3/4" that otherwise matched. I'll admit, I *had* to get the 19, so I kept an eye on the `bay.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have separate sets of each both at home and work and use both extensively especially working on old stuff. Their are some sizes that are not close at all like 3/8 you could not sub for a 10mm or you couldn’t sub 11/16 for 17 they aren’t close enough but they are the closest to those sizes. In my opinion if you are just using yours at home you could use the 5/16 in place of 8 their is no real difference in those two same with 16mm and 5/8 but I have several of each size I own and own complete sets of both. I don’t group the sets together each set has their own wrench rack and set on different sides of the drawer so I can just grab the one I need and use it. As far as brands go yep I mix those I only have two sets of matching brand wrenches the rest I just pieced together at the pawn shop I have no problem with that but if I put SAE and Metric together yeah I’d have a problem.


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