Roberts210
Well-known member
I use 'em all the time.
Sae, what's the point?
- Thread starter buffalobill
- Start date
I too have a '75 J10.
I like that show especially since Edd always tries to explain how things work (even taking the time to take apart non-working parts to show) and how to do the repairs he is making on the cars. I noticed he seems to use Teng tools in the Euro shop (though I recently saw that he was using them in the episode on the Porsche 912e in the California shop). Last season, I saw he was using Craftsman tools in the California shop.
AviationTech
Well-known member
I agree, my entire roll away at work is SAE, only metric in it is some hex keys and a set of 5 - 13mm sockets for French, Canadian, or British aircraft manufactures such as Dassault, Bombardier, or Hawker which I've found subcontract out the manufacture of component assemblies and parts to other vendors, especially cockpit or corporate jet interior furnishings. They like using metric set screws for some reason, while the rest of the jets hardware is SAE, go figure. I guess were in the minority because of our career choice.
MarcSeattle
Well-known member
Funny how Boeing has so many international suppliers but still uses inch tools.
The other funny thing is how everyone still refers to inch tools as SAE when the actual Society of Automotive Engineers went metric about 20 years ago (research, standards, etc.)
The other funny thing is how everyone still refers to inch tools as SAE when the actual Society of Automotive Engineers went metric about 20 years ago (research, standards, etc.)
MushCreek
Well-known member
I rarely use my metric stuff, but keep them just the same. Modern cars are way above my pay grade to work on.
disston
Well-known member
As long as I'm still alive and own tools I'll own SAE.
joel63
Well-known member
^^^^^^^^^^ Me too.
I like that show especially since Edd always tries to explain how things work (even taking the time to take apart non-working parts to show) and how to do the repairs he is making on the cars. I noticed he seems to use Teng tools in the Euro shop (though I recently saw that he was using them in the episode on the Porsche 912e in the California shop). Last season, I saw he was using Craftsman tools in the California shop.
There have been a couple threads about this show. Ed uses Snap On in his home shop and used those tools in the first episodes. Teng and Craftsman feature obviously in the show, tho its mere speculation as to whether they are proper supporters - i.e. donated tools etc.
I think the point of the show is that a cheap ******* in the UK can make a few quid doing repairs. Note that there's never any accounting for Ed's time (like Gas monkey garage does). So I take the choice of budget tools is to encourage the viewers that you don't need Norm's garage to build a shelf. And I think that's pretty cool.
Back to the OP - if the SAE tools we were talking about were all newish Snap On, then yes I'd say sell and replace them with something cheaper if fixing cars is the reason you bought them.
FWIW - my car fixing box is 99% metric. I have a set of SAE ratchet wrenches, flare nut wrenches, some allen bit sockets and 1/4" and 3/8" shallow chrome and some impacts. That's it.
In my machine shop/home box, I have Snap On industrial finish SAE (wrenches, sockets, extensions, ratchets) that I use for fixing mowers, my mill, etc. Snap On is an unnecessary luxury for these tasks. I see so little mm in my home shop (only stuff I buy from HF) that when I do encounter metric (bicycles etc) I just use my old Craftsman and they work perfectly fine.
So it all depends on what tools we're talking about.
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Scout3918
Well-known member
i'm keeping both. I use more Metric now but still SAE useful around house etc.
smokeyburb
Well-known member
Because you wouldn't want to confuse an SAE 1/2" (measured across the flats of a nut) with British Standard 1/2" (measured by bolt diameter). Both measured in inches but very different indeed.
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Still used in the construction industry every day. As a general contractor I can't even begin to tell you how many thousands of 1/4x20 and 5/16x18 bolts I've used. I've got an old Craftsman 7/16x1/2 DOE wrench that lives in my tool belt. Outside of imported electrical components and light fixtures I can't remember ever running across metric on the job.
M_George
Well-known member
I would advise at minimum keep the basic SAE. 3/8 socket set, box wrenches, etc.
For me, I have the space so I'm keeping all of mine. Still use them from time to time.
For me, I have the space so I'm keeping all of mine. Still use them from time to time.
Would you prefer calling them imperial sizes?
67King
Well-known member
I have always called them "standard," though the US based SAE did establish the standards. I don't believe that metric fasteners were established by SAE.
I would agree with you; I normally refer to them as standard and metric. However this post questioned SAE so all of us have been saying SAE.
fatfillup
Well-known member
i didn't read all the posts but I still sell more SAE then metric,,,,,,,,,,,just not to auto mechanics. I deal with a lot of heavy equipment and truck guys and they still use a lot of sae.
Funny thing, I hired an auto mechanic back in early 2000's for my pressure washer shop and he didn't own any SAE tools
edit: Trucks and equipment have more and more metric as time goes by, but you have to realize, there are a lot of old trucks and equipment out there that will be around for a long time.
Funny thing, I hired an auto mechanic back in early 2000's for my pressure washer shop and he didn't own any SAE tools
edit: Trucks and equipment have more and more metric as time goes by, but you have to realize, there are a lot of old trucks and equipment out there that will be around for a long time.
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MikeF2316
Well-known member
I like how KBC Tools does it. Fractional and Metric. But convention here is SAE, so that's what I use.
drink
Well-known member
I try to keep a mixed set of tools with both SAE and metric tools. Metric has been around a long time and it looks like more stuff is being made with metric fasteners. So far I have read a lot of posts from people that are auto mechanics and they seem to be pretty solid on metric tools. I work on a variety of stuff and currently I have had a pretty big demand for SAE hand tools. This day in time I would have to say it is good to have both SAE & metric hand tools to be able to work on whatever comes into play.
At one stage there were a bunch of archaic threads all done in inch sizing...The main difference being no longer obvious to us today. Back then some standards measured by the thread size and some by the width of the fastener head (similar to say m12 vs 12mm in metric).
Thank god we can not worry about these distinction any longer.
Now we get to squint & guess between hex, torx and tripple square
No, joke I was helping a customer in the store and he was trying to remove a standard allen bolt with a tripple square. I understand confusing torx, torx plus, and tamper proof torx. But really. They ate nothing alike. Lol.At one stage there were a bunch of archaic threads all done in inch sizing...The main difference being no longer obvious to us today. Back then some standards measured by the thread size and some by the width of the fastener head (similar to say m12 vs 12mm in metric).
Thank god we can not worry about these distinction any longer.
Now we get to squint & guess between hex, torx and tripple square
Oldsmobile
Well-known member
Plumbing fittings for air lines and things, actual plumbing fixtures, some home appliances. Here or there on a car..which is super rare (Aftermarket stuff mostly). Lawn mower, misc bolts that I buy at the hardware store are often times SAE.
My SAE set is bought and paid for.. Craftsman USA, so I really don't see a need in getting rid of it. Its there if I need it.
My SAE set is bought and paid for.. Craftsman USA, so I really don't see a need in getting rid of it. Its there if I need it.
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FigureItOut
Well-known member
Funny this came up, I've been getting by fine with only impacts in 1/2" standard, and deep well at that. Today I was wishing for standard depth and decided I'll pick up a set.
I didn't think of that, that's another good reason not to get rid of SAE especially 3/4"
I have 1/2" (Craftsman), 3/8" (Craftsman Industrial) and 1/4" (Mac Tools) SAE socket and wrench sets (Proto and Mac Tools) but not planning to buy additional standard sizes. I occasionally need SAE wrenches for plumbing work around the house but nothing for the car.
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I would find a place to store the SAE tools away, because the moment you sell it, yol'll need it. Most of my SAE wrenches are in the bottom drawer, in the back of one of my boxes.
Every once and again, I need them.
I would keep them. They don't eat much, and they don't need refrigeration. No worries
Every once and again, I need them.
I would keep them. They don't eat much, and they don't need refrigeration. No worries
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shockwave
Well-known member
I seem to grab more sae stuff for odds and ends like pullers dies and fitting on heavier tools
While mostly use metric sae can work wonders on rusted fasteners like 1/2 over 13mm more so than you might think
And sometimes a sae counterpart is available in size you need vs metric like 24mm or 15/16 for example
While mostly use metric sae can work wonders on rusted fasteners like 1/2 over 13mm more so than you might think
And sometimes a sae counterpart is available in size you need vs metric like 24mm or 15/16 for example
Local
Well-known member
Anybody ever use a 25/32 socket? I have a few odd balls and don't think I ever used them.
derosa
Well-known member
Sae hasn't been used on cheap bicycles in 30+ years, 20 years of fixing them and I've seen more with british standard then I have sae. Right now the clinic I run has a lot of cheap junk and really old bikes lying around, we have two with British sizing and nothing with sae. We also don't have tools for either and will send both bikes off for scrap.
I hardly ever use sae, drive Mazdas, a Volvo and a Yamaha for my tinker toys, and even my newish bandsaw and planer have metric fittings. But my older wood tools, random kids toys, parent's four wheeler and other random happenstance call for it just often enough that I while I would never bother upgrading my craftsman sockets like I did for metric. I do run across it often enough to have finally bought a set of wrenches.
Why is this an either or? Is someone putting a gun to your head and demanding that you sell of your SAE wrenches and sockets?
KBC divides it into fractional, machine screw, number, letter, decimal, dowel pin, and metric, depending on what exactly you're talking about.
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