non adjacent sizes on same wrench, why?

[a52-830]

ok, so consider these wrench sets:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F512HOU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F512F4M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

both tekton double box flex head wrench sets, one metric, and one SAE.

the SAE set is has, as an example, 5/16 x 3/8, and 9/16 x 5/8. adjacent sizes at the ends of the wrench.

the metic set has 8 x 10mm, 9 x 11mm, etc. not adjacent sizes.

hell, this set:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007WQQMUW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

a gear wrench set, has these sizes:

19 x 21, 16 x 18, 15 x 17, 13 x 14, 10 x 12, 9 x 11

there is one, in the middle, that *jumps* to adjacent, and then they go back to evens and odds.

ok, so why do the metrics seem to often do evens and odds, rather than adjacent?

 

[gdpolk]

I've noticed the same and wondered the same several times. In my mind it would make the best sense to go in numerical order then line them up in the box so all the odds and all the even sizes are on the same side like this:
8x9
10x11
12x13
14x15
16x17
18x19
20x21

as opposed to
8x10
9x11
12x14
13x15
etc

 

[four.cycle]

no idea on the "why" part, but it certainly isn't exclusive to metric.
here's a 1/2" x 3/4" Fairmount double-end box wrench:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5811795#post5811795

my Indestro Super metric open-ends run:
40607 - 6mm x 7mm
40809 - 8mm x 9mm
41011 - 10mm x 11mm
41213 - 12mm x 13mm
41415 - 14mm x 15mm
41617 - 16mm x 17mm
41819 - 18mm x 19mm
and then
42022 - 20mm x 22mm
42123 - 21mm x 23mm
42426 - 24mm x 26mm



go figure!

 

[Finky198]

its def more common in SAE bolted connections

I always thought cause some times the heads on the bolt is smaller (5/16) and the nut the next size up (3/8) or vise/versa and having wrenches skip allows you to use
a 5/16 and 3/8 at the same time....

thus not requiring a second set of wrenches... Maybe????

 

[alfazer]

I like that arrangement of non adjacent sizes. Can't remember ever using a 9 and not often an 11mm so it just stays in the drawer.
8 and 10mm are very common on any metric cars and bikes.
12 / 14 are great for Toyota. Maybe all Japanese.
13 / 15 together and 16 / 18 are great for VW Audi.

 

[M6erfan]

^^+1^^

 

[gdocktor3]

I could be making this up, but I thought on my old truck the leaf spring shackle bolts had 13/16" heads with 7/8" nuts. Or vica versa. Can't remember. Heck, maybe it was 18mm and 19mm... Either way I'm almost certain it was something like that. If this was the case, having two "consecutive" (better word) sizes on one wrench would not work. I would only assume that was also the case back in the day and it just stuck as an industry standard.

 

[PelicanPines]

Non adjacent sizes always annoy me as well... but I have severe wrench OCD.

 

[honcho]

I could be making this up, but I thought on my old truck the leaf spring shackle bolts had 13/16" heads with 7/8" nuts. Or vica versa. Can't remember. Heck, maybe it was 18mm and 19mm... Either way I'm almost certain it was something like that. If this was the case, having two "consecutive" (better word) sizes on one wrench would not work. I would only assume that was also the case back in the day and it just stuck as an industry standard.

I believe gdocktor3's response, quoted above, is correct.

Non-consecutive sizes allow you to use two wrenches out of a set to remove or tighten a nut/bolt combination. Allows a wrench set to do more things without requiring duplicative wrench sizes or a socket set.

 

[Fedwrench]

I also agree with Gdocktor3's response so, the motion is carried

Seriously though, with modern metric stuff you can cut the number of wrenches you use in half by skipping sizes. I mean 8x10, 12x14, & 17x19 can fit a lot of fasteners on an Asian made vehicle. You can add the 13X15 & 16x18 for the GM/Ford/Mopar odd stuff too. I would not want adjacent sizes on my double box end wrenches but, that's just me.

 

[monkeyspanners]

Have a few 13 x 17 wrenches, suits the m8 and m10 thread sizes which are common here.

 

[Tedley]

Here's a set of four "ratcheting" wrenches sizes
10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 17-19
I had just noticed that the other day and thought I was missing one but the package lists only those four as complete. They are stainless steel and I've never really noticed this style of ratcheting wrenches before. Are they typically used for something in particular?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Tedley]

Here's a set of four "ratcheting" wrenches sizes
10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 17-19
I had just noticed that the other day and thought I was missing one but the package lists only those four as complete. They are stainless steel and I've never really noticed this style of ratcheting wrenches before. Are they typically used for something in particular?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[gdocktor3]

Well, although I never heard of that brand until now, a quick search shows the sae wrenches are also consecutive/adjacent. Why? I'd say because you Usually don't use two "ratchet" wrenches on one fastener. Unless of course you are a "few" members on here. Then you might...

 

[superautobacs]

Commonly used sizes for import cars:

Asian:

8 x 10
10 x 12
12 x 14
14 x 17
17 x 19
19 x 22


European:

9 x 11
10 x 11
11 x 13
13 x 15
16 x 18
19 x 21

 

[a52-830]

here's a 1/2" x 3/4" Fairmount double-end box wrench:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5811795#post5811795

as the thread speculates, likely specially made for a specific application.

my Indestro Super metric open-ends run:
40607 - 6mm x 7mm
40809 - 8mm x 9mm
41011 - 10mm x 11mm
41213 - 12mm x 13mm
41415 - 14mm x 15mm
41617 - 16mm x 17mm
41819 - 18mm x 19mm
and then
42022 - 20mm x 22mm
42123 - 21mm x 23mm
42426 - 24mm x 26mm



go figure!

now *that* would drive me batshit. i might have to replace them with something that made more sense.

it is interesting that the number series dramatically changes too. were the three larger wrenches bought a long time after the sub 20mm ones? maybe they converted their style over later, because of whatever the reason is . . . . .

 

[Wamsutta]

It's so you can look at the wrench without reading the size markings and tell which is which.

 

[a52-830]

Have a few 13 x 17 wrenches, suits the m8 and m10 thread sizes which are common here.

sure, specialty wrenches made for a specific purpose seems smart, and reasonable. but how would you like a 6 piece set where the ends were random?

or was that how Lucas made wrenches?


(sorry, restraint is not one of my well known qualities)

 

[KnurledNut]

ISO 1085 gives the international size pairing standards.

 

[gdocktor3]

It's so you can look at the wrench without reading the size markings and tell which is which.

Exactly. Which is also how I organize some of my stuff. Instead of 6 small items right next to each other, I'll alternate small large small large. Example would be nuts, bolts, screws, nail, etc in the compartments in my drawers. It makes quick and easy identification instead of having to examine each one first.

 

[four.cycle]

it is interesting that the number series dramatically changes too. were the three larger wrenches bought a long time after the sub 20mm ones? maybe they converted their style over later, because of whatever the reason is . . . . .

Bought all of them at the same time when I was in high school to work on my French 10-speed. Not a clue on "reason why".

Here's a set of four "ratcheting" wrenches sizes
10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 17-19

I have to wonder if that might be related to what I commonly see on older US-made 3/8" drive metric socket sets listed on Ebay - they'll skip 18mm.

 

[a52-830]

ISO 1085 gives the international size pairing standards.

and there is why the internet runs on TCP/IP and not CLNP/TP4.

note that the ISO document you reference is not available to look at, you need to pay for a copy. most, if not all, ISO (international standards organization, for those of you who arrived late) standards are "pay to play" documents.

the reason the internet exists as it does is that IP (internet protocol) documents are available for free, to anyone who wants to read them.

in the early 1990's, when i worked in a shop that wrote TCP/IP programs, we bought a complete set of the ISO documents for networking. they took over 7 feet of shelf space. my TCP/IP documents took 4 inches of shelf space. imagine which set were easier to use . . . . .

 

[Sine Swept]

I have a set of Gray double open ended wrenches, what strikes me as odd is there are 2 24mm ends in the bunch.

 

[colin39]

My latest facom set is the same i had to buy and od spanner for one size gggggrrrrr so annoying
11-13
13-15 just to get a 15

 

[Outlawmws]

its def more common in SAE bolted connections

I always thought cause some times the heads on the bolt is smaller (5/16) and the nut the next size up (3/8) or vise/versa and having wrenches skip allows you to use
a 5/16 and 3/8 at the same time....

thus not requiring a second set of wrenches... Maybe????

An attempt to do this^^^ once in a while you see a DOE or DBE with a BIG jump and was probably made for a piece of equipment.

But may nut/bolts have the same size, so I suppose they figure you would have one set of wrenches, and a socket set...

There was a reason I deliberately bought 2 sets of combos and sets of sockets when I first started to buy my own tools...

 

[Gmonkee]

An odd or uncommon gap -usually- indicates a specific use like a military vehicle tool kit. All odds or evens rather than consecutive numbers is sort of a mystery but one of two possible ways to fit in a range of sizes.
I prefer odds/evens in metric as I will work Euro and Asain any given day and this reduces the tools on the floor.
-
The missing 13/14/15/16/18 mm gaps reflects more where the set came from in the world. I usually fill gaps with used **** up to 22 mm for my work.'