Quick grab socket set.

[SK-Mike]

Making up a small quick grab socket set (3/8 drive). I have a Lisle 3/8 magnetic socket carrier, it holds both shallow and deep sockets.

Should I carry 3/8 Metric Shallow on one side and 3/8 Metric deep on the other?

OR

3/8 Metric Shallow with 3/8 SAE Shallow.

This is just for a quick grab to keep in my truck and quick around the house jobs, NOT a Pro Mechanic shop 8 hours a day thing. I still have my tool chest with my regular sockets in the garage for more in depth work.

The sockets I use most are Metric, seems like I rarely ever need an SAE anymore, but I also rarely ever use a deep socket. Having both Met. and SAE would offer more versatility in one easy to carry holder. If you had to pick which way would you set up the Lisle socket holder?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

My grab and go set has been a Semi-deep 3/8" Metric on an Ernst rail for a while now. Originally had Snap-on, but sold them and replaced with Gearwrench. They're perfect for about 90% of when I need a 3/8" socket, where my shallows were too shallow, and the deeps were just too long. Something to consider.

 

[Billythekid1]

Semi deep here but deeps if u don't have semi

 

[kts]

My grab and go set has been a Semi-deep 3/8" Metric on an Ernst rail for a while now. Originally had Snap-on, but sold them and replaced with Gearwrench. They're perfect for about 90% of when I need a 3/8" socket, where my shallows were too shallow, and the deeps were just too long. Something to consider.

+1 to a semi-deep 3/8" set for a quick grab and go. I also have a set of the Gearwrench semi-deeps on the rail they came with and they have been very handy in and out of the house when I'm away from the garage.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I would just stick with all metric... That will cover you on 98% of nuts & bolts you come across, metric or SAE... The only time I really bother to bust out an SAE set is when it's something real OLD and I know it's SAE, or I'm trying to get the tightest fit possible because something is rusty and doesn't want to move.

 

[M6erfan]

For quick grab n go, I vote for shallows with a 3" and/or 6" extension. No deeps...

 

[MattPersman]

I would just put the siZes on you use a lot. For me it's 7,8,10, 11, 13. Maybe t20, t25. Then variations of those sockets. But Then again I typically reach for 1/4 drive first. I have a rail set up like that.


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[SK-Mike]

Semi deep, hadn't even thought of that, and most common sizes, that's another good idea.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'll vote for semi-deeps, and popular sizes

 

[Yarpo]

My grab and go set has been a Semi-deep 3/8" Metric on an Ernst rail for a while now. Originally had Snap-on, but sold them and replaced with Gearwrench. They're perfect for about 90% of when I need a 3/8" socket, where my shallows were too shallow, and the deeps were just too long. Something to consider.

Which set did you buy? I was looking at this one, its been sitting in my amazon cart forever and for the price I think I'm going to do it. I've always been a fan of gearwrench tools, just curious what set you got and how you like it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00829RMAM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Which set did you buy? I was looking at this one, its been sitting in my amazon cart forever and for the price I think I'm going to do it. I've always been a fan of gearwrench tools, just curious what set you got and how you like it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00829RMAM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's the set I replaced my Snap-on set with, and I am extremely happy with them. I bought the Snap-ons used for like $120 and sold them for about the same, then bought the GW set for $30ish shipped. The quality is excellent.

I found the included 15" socket rail too long unless you plan on adding extensions, adapters or spark plug sockets to the set. I have mine on a trimmed down 12" Ernst rail.

 

[Bob275]

SK-Mike,

I'm surprised with your username, you don't just get one of these...

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-94549.aspx

I have one and use it all the time for jobs on the go.

 

[drtyler]

The deep sockets come in handy sometimes, especially if you don't have an combination or box wrench.

Had to help a buddy change a thermostat once, and a deep socket was only way to get the nuts loose on thermostat housing.

The SK set linked above (94549) is hard to beat for all that it includes at that price.

 

[PJNJ]

I have both the SK set listed above and Gearwrench metric mid-depths in 1/4 and 3/8. Both of them are very good socket sets. But for a grab-and-go set to stay in the truck, I would get the Gearwrench mid-depths in SAE and Metric and put them on the Lisle socket holder you have. For the price you can't go wrong and I have beat on them pretty good and they have held up. They have worked on most of the fasteners I have come across. I also like the knurling to help turn the socket sometimes. And if something happens to them (like they somehow disappear), you haven't lost much money.

The SK sets, though portable, stay in the garage for regular use.

 

[Rarified27]

That's the set I replaced my Snap-on set with, and I am extremely happy with them. I bought the Snap-ons used for like $120 and sold them for about the same, then bought the GW set for $30ish shipped. The quality is excellent.

I found the included 15" socket rail too long unless you plan on adding extensions, adapters or spark plug sockets to the set. I have mine on a trimmed down 12" Ernst rail.

Love the labeling on the Ersnt rail- do you know the model number for the rail in the picture? I'd like to get the same one.

 

[Infinia]

grab and go kits are my favorite tools
I have one of each in all drive sizes 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, just for metric.


Here's my 3/8 19pc 6pt shallow and deep. Not my best tools, ratchets or sockets ! Just small self contained set.
Note to OP, I bought this set on sale , for under the price of your holder do-hicky thingy. It's very compact plus I get a free ratchet, extension, and universal

 

[drink]

I have a 16 piece SAE Craftsman standard set of sockets that sits in my pliers drawer in my workshop. The sockets range from 1/4" thru 1" in size and it has a 3" and 6" extensions. A lot of my equipment is still SAE so I find myself reaching for these qite often. If things require deep I have a 28 piece Craftsman set with deep sockets.

If I am on the go in my truck I grab a small box of Craftsman tools with rails of SAE and metric sockets. It works on a lot of stuff, doesn't weigh much, and does not take up much room.

When I work on my metric car I grab my Allen 57 piece socket set with deep rails of 1/4" drive sockets in the storage compartment.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Love the labeling on the Ersnt rail- do you know the model number for the rail in the picture? I'd like to get the same one.

Ernst #8418 - 13" Blue rail with twist lock clips.
http://www.ernstmfg.com/store/p/162-13-Socket-Organizer-w/Twist-Lock-Clips-Blue.aspx

I'm very happy with the labeling stickers that come with them, I've taken to using a tiny dab of super glue gel on the back to keep them from peeling off. So far, it's worked great.

 

[bonneyman]

Semi deep here but deeps if u don't have semi

I don't own semi deeps but I use my deeps more than my shallows.

 

[drink]

Craftsman used to have mid length sockets but I have not found any for about 10 years. SK had some in their catalog.

It seems like no matter what I do I always need either a deep or shallow socket to be able to fit properly.

 

[T45]

Modern applications don't have any exposed threads for the most part. Too much expense, excess weight, and space to have that designed in. This is a perfect quick go kit layout, IMHO

[you can replicate the tools selection in your favorite brand of course.]