Question about wrench sizes in sets

[mtds]

When SAE open end and box end wrenches are sold in sets, sometimes the sizes are consecutive, like 1/2x9/16, 5/8x11/16, 3/4x13/16, etc. Then some other sets seem to mix the sizes on a particular wrench so that a 3/4 may not have at its other end a 13/16 or an 11/16. Is there a reason or pattern or standard for this practice? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[TwoInch]

i see no patterns. it can be a pain in the *** tho, sometimes you get doubles of certain sizes, or a double and a gap. craftsman box sets are like this from what i have seen

 

[TwoInch]

also happens the same with metrics.

 

[OEXL16B]

You mean like this?

 

[HaroRider]

Boy that is annoying.

 

[OEXL16B]

Out of that list, you could build 2 different sets depending on how you want them sized.

 

[Carguy99]

Its the hotdog , hotdog bun thing. drives me crazy

 

[Hetman]

i see no patterns. it can be a pain in the *** tho, sometimes you get doubles of certain sizes, or a double and a gap. craftsman box sets are like this from what i have seen

And that's the reason I prefer combination wrenches.

 

[jjjrmx5]

The higher the price and quality of the set, the more inclusive they tend to be.

Usually.

Some like to leave gaps so you have to buy open stock for fill ins and smaller sets cost less money to buy until the buyers realizes the shortcomings. Some mfgrs are such poor planners with poor marketing that they just don't make certain sizes assuming that no one needs them.

You gotta do your homework before you buy. Plain and simple.

 

[mtds]

You mean like this?

No, OEXL16B, in that example the openings are always 1/16" apart. I'm asking about sets where the difference end to end is larger than 1/16". Thanks for the reply, though, and if you know why Snap-on provides their particular selection, I'd be interested in hearing.

For my work, I start my OE and BE sets with 1/2x9/16 and work up from there. I use a wide variety of 7/16, so I keep them separate; with 1/2" and larger I can get by with an open end, a combination, and an offset box for each size up to 13/16. After that the choices thin out.

 

[Provincial]

In standard hex fasteners, the common sizes are:
t
Thread Dia. -- Hex Size
1/4------------------- 7/16
5/16-------------------1/2
3/8--------------------9/16
7/16-------------------5/8(bolt) 11/16(nut)
1/2--------------------3/4
9/16------------------13/16(bolt) 7/8(nut)
5/8--------------------15/16
3/4--------------------1-1/8
1----------------------1-1/2

Notice that the only odd sizes are the 7/16 and 9/16 bolt/nut combinations. I think this is why you see DBE wrenches with different size combinations when one end is one of these sizes. I have DBE wrenches that are 3/4 by 11/16, 3/4 by 5/8, 3/4 by 13/16, and 3/4 by 7/8!

Jock

 

[mtds]

In standard hex fasteners, the common sizes are:
t
Thread Dia. -- Hex Size
1/4------------------- 7/16
5/16-------------------1/2
3/8--------------------9/16
7/16-------------------5/8(bolt) 11/16(nut)
1/2--------------------3/4
9/16------------------13/16(bolt) 7/8(nut)
5/8--------------------15/16
3/4--------------------1-1/8
1----------------------1-1/2

Notice that the only odd sizes are the 7/16 and 9/16 bolt/nut combinations. I think this is why you see DBE wrenches with different size combinations when one end is one of these sizes. I have DBE wrenches that are 3/4 by 11/16, 3/4 by 5/8, 3/4 by 13/16, and 3/4 by 7/8!

Jock

I think Jock has answered my question. If I was working on a bolt with a 7/16 thread diameter, with its 5/8 bolt and 11/16 nut, my 5/8x11/16 wrench wouldn't do me much good. However the pair of open ends pictured below would do the job. Thanks for answering my original question. I think some of the other contributions have elements of truth in them as well!