Professional Techs: SAE tools?

[GStaz]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I didn't find any threads.
I am (as some of you know) working on an Automotive Technology degree. As time passes, I am building a set of tools to bring with me to work after I earn employment as a tech. I previously worked at an auto body shop before starting school. I remember having to use SAE tools once in a while, but it was usually on something aftermarket, like a bed cover or other truck accessories.
What I am wondering is, how often do working auto techs (USA) need SAE tools? When I work on my own cars and do side jobs at home, I never use SAE tools. Should I not worry about stocking up on SAE items and focus my purchases on metric items? Perhaps just cover the very basics with SAE?
Thanks for your input!

 

[GoBlue]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I didn't find any threads.
I am (as some of you know) working on an Automotive Technology degree. As time passes, I am building a set of tools to bring with me to work after I earn employment as a tech. I previously worked at an auto body shop before starting school. I remember having to use SAE tools once in a while, but it was usually on something aftermarket, like a bed cover or other truck accessories.
What I am wondering is, how often do working auto techs (USA) need SAE tools? When I work on my own cars and do side jobs at home, I never use SAE tools. Should I not worry about stocking up on SAE items and focus my purchases on metric items? Perhaps just cover the very basics with SAE?
Thanks for your input!

Almost never. The only time i reach for a SAE is if im dealing with some aftermarket junk or a much older car...that and lawn mowers! In all seriousness i almost never use them for anything. The rub is that i run into them just enough that i need a full set. It ***** but its true.

 

[coldfusion21]

It all depends on what your working on I'd think. I'm no professional but if you worked on anything that came in I'd think you would need just as many sae tools as metric.

 

[Seanbev24]

I probably use an SAE tool once or twice a week. Most of my hand tools at work are Snap-On, but all the SAE stuff is Craftsman because I rarely use it but you have to have it, just in case.

 

[tjmonsen5]

Focus on quality brands for all of your metrics. Buy craftsman for SAE.

 

[seth_man]

you will use them from time to time but not very often, IMO you should concentrate your tool purchases on what your going to use, if you come across a need for SAE tools then get them, otherwise no reason to waste the money.

 

[wafrederick]

I do run into engines that have SAE bolts although they have mostly metric bolts,Chrysler does this with bell housing bolts for the 3.7,4.7,the 5.7 hemi.Four of the bolts are a 3/8 coarse and two are 7/16 coarse.GM does it half and half on the GM 3800s and driveshaft bolts in the trucks.

 

[crewchief888]

i work on const eq, i'm not an automotive pro.

most of what i see on my vehicles,
'00 GMC sierra,
'07 vue,
'88 s-10 blazer is metric.

construction eq is still a mix of mm & std.
i dont see that changing in the next few years.

 

[alvoski]

It depends on where you wind up working. I finished an autotech program 3 years ago and wound up working on diesel railroad locomotives. They are 99% SAE.

 

[blue302stang]

working for an armored truck company we have more SAE than mm, but i use both enough to require a full set of each.

 

[laskt9]

i just use craftsman for my SAE wrenches. i did run into one bolt on an isuzu trooper when doing shocks that made me wish i had a snap on or better quality wrench but its honestly not worth the money

 

[LAROKE]

No eurotrash fasteners on my trucks! (runnin' for cover in my Keds hightops).

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

as the old GM engines got phased out [3800, small block , 4.3 ] they are now 99% metric

 

[85camaro]

Focus on quality brands for all of your metrics. Buy craftsman for SAE.

 

[Spam16v]

What's SAE?

 

[kippieland]

that and lawn mowers!

I have almost all metric (can tell by may avatar) and I recently had my Cub Cadet lawn mower caught fire because of an electrical problem...I have had to buy more SAE just for that one piece of sh*t then I have ever used in my life. *****!
Good to hear that most cars are Metric...but my new SAE will gather dust.

 

[wafrederick]

The newer John Deere lawn mowers including the gator have metric bolts including the engine which have Kawasaki engines.

 

[90gt]

I use a 7/8" wrench on o2 sensors, thats about it.

 

[RKSpeed]

Almost never use SAE, workin on a buddys harley was the last time I had my hand on a SAE wrench

 

[diesel research]

I find that most automotive techs that have "switched fields" really don't know how to tell if a bolt is metric or SAE and just grab which ever metric fits the closest. Kinda makes me wonder what they were doing in the dealership?.....

 

[canuckian]

I'm not a pro and I seldom ever use a SAE wrench or socket anymore. Though I may be picking up a 72 chevy truck this week or next so I may have to blow the dust of my sae stuff soon!

 

[Honda 1]

For a good set of SAE tools at a reasonable price, the Craftsman tools will meet your needs without breaking your wallet!

 

[91turbogsx]

I 99.5% use metric. And I refuse to put SAE tools in my main toolbox. I'd get your Craftsman basic SAE set and concentrate on quality metric tools.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

What's SAE?

Standard, or fractional, 1/2 3/4, etc.

 

[tcianci]

What's up with you guys who look at SAE wrenches like they were some kind of plague? It's simply two different dimensioning conventions, with the SAE sizing becoming more rare in the automotive field. Those of us who are into hot rods, street rods and antiques are in exactly the opposite situation, where we use mainly SAE wrenches, but I have a full compliment of metric tools for my DD's and I don't look at them like I could catch a disease from them or something.

 

[chris142]

We seem to get lots of old cars and trucks where I work. I'd say that I use my SAE tools atleast once a day. Today I repaired a Radiator from a newer fire truck and it was all SAE stuff.

We see lots of hot rods, 70's Ford trucks, 70's Chevy trucks etc where I work.

 

[GoBlue]

My only gripe with SAE is that i learned to wrench on modern vehicles. I can look at a fastener and see what size it is so long as its metric. I can not do the same as well with SAE. One nice thing about SAE is that cars seemed to use less sizes in those days so you really didnt need as may wrenches, sockets, etc...

FWIW i have a SAE set to go along with every metric set i have...though they are seldom used.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i have a 3/8 wrench, a 7/16 wrench and a 5/8 wrench in my work box as well as a small set of 12 pt 3/8 SAE, 6pt sae and 1/4 6pt sae
i use them once a week for something; the 1/4 sae set the most

 

[dirtmister16]

im opposite of most people because i use standard wrenches sockets everyday. metrics are less common for me cept on some stuff on my truck.

oh and john deere mowers are mainly metric. kohler engines have metric, kawasakis are metric.

just random info.

i have less metric stuff then i do standard. metric is just not as common for me, but then again i don't work on all the new stuff either far as cars go.

 

[trboxman]

I can't live without either, my use is about 50/50 trending towards more metric as time goes on. I can recognize both by sight, but it certainly helps to calibrate my brain if I know it has SAE or metric before I get started.

 

[Spam16v]

Standard, or fractional, 1/2 3/4, etc.

Much sarcasm WASTED.

 

[chris142]

Today I did a lower intake manifold on a 2003 Impala with a 3.8L. Very common problem with these cars. Guess what size the lower intake to head bolts were?

3/8ths. My 10mm slipped on em, 3/8th fit perfect.