Sk X frame ratcheting wrenches

[Tool Life]

Is it worth getting the SAE set of the SK X frames I ask this because there is only like a 7pc set of the SAE while other's have like a 10 to 12pc. I have the Metric set but think I should go with another brand on the SAE.

 

[CR888]

Oh deah.. some sizes can be switched like 5/8" & 8mm or 19mm & 3/4" but you really want SAE wrenches if that's what your working on and same for metric. Their IS a valid reason tool co's produce both. But as I said 'some' can be interchanged

 

[matt_i]

Should I get the SAE set or no?

If you care about what you're working on and have the application for the SAE wrenches, then heck yes. Why would anyone want to make a career out of passing down rounded off nuts and bolts?

I recognize the 9/16" and 14mm as very close and I've used the 1/2" pounded onto a rusted, rounded 13mm many times as a "rescue tool" but that's about as far as I'm willing to go.

Otherwise said, If I know within the limits of reason & experience, which fastener system is used on a machine or vehicle, I'll never grab the opposite tool....

 

[CR888]

The OP's profile 'Tool Life' states he is a mechanic by trade....maybe its his 1st day ...gawd-elp-uz.

 

[dthor68]

Tool Life, if you are only working on foreign cars than you can get away with just metric. However, they still use some SAE stuff on domestic cars. I would recommend using the right tool for the job. If money is the issue just buy the cheaper Husky, Kobalt, Craftsman, Pittsburgh stuff for the SAE fittings.

 

[Handyandy23]

I have SAE wrenches, but basically just one full set of regular length combo wrenches, and one set of stubbies. Metric wrenches, on the other hand, I have combo, stubby, ratcheting, flex head ratcheting, XL straight beam ratcheting, and a large size set.

If you're working on cars made in the last 20 or so years then there will be very little SAE. It's definitely smart to have the basics in SAE for when you need it, but I wouldn't necessarily go overboard with high end wrenches like the X-Frame's unless you really work on SAE stuff regularly (or have money burning a hole in your pocket).

90% of the Snap On and other tool truck branded tools I see for sale in local classifieds is SAE, because some numb-skull noob tech spent thousands on high end SAE tools that they never use. And of course they always want to recoup 80%+ of what they paid the truck for them.

 

[American Locomotive]

If you only work on Japanese and European vehicles or equipment, you will never need SAE tools. Most American cars made after ~2002 or so (basically as long as the engine isn't a 350 Chevy, Ford 302 or a Chrysler 318/360) are just about completely metric as well.

SOME SAE sizes "cheat" well with metric. 5/16" and 8mm are nearly identical. 3/4" and 19mm interchange just about perfectly as well. 9/16" and 14mm usually work fine with each other (but not always).

Beyond that, things get a little iffy. 11mm fits 7/16" pretty well, but it's a little snug the other way around. 13mm 6 point sockets will just about always work on 1/2" hardware, but 12 points will slip sometimes, and 1/2" sockets will rarely fit 13mm bolts. The biggest show stopper is that there isn't a good interchange with 3/8" (one of the most common SAE sizes). 10mm is too big, 9mm and 8mm are too small.

 

[toolaholic]

I used the 1/2 inch behind my toilet to tighten tank. It was tight between the toilet tank and wall.

 

[Fedwrench]

This is Garage Journal where people obsess over empty hansen socket pegs even though they will never use that socket size.

However, you can answer your own question by thinking about how often you reach for an SAE wrench while you work. do you only want tools that you regularly use or are you building a collection to gather dust

On a side note, could the money spent on an SAE X Frame wrench set be better used to get something that you really need or would use more often?

 

[bonneyman]

If you care about what you're working on and have the application for the SAE wrenches, then heck yes. Why would anyone want to make a career out of passing down rounded off nuts and bolts?

I recognize the 9/16" and 14mm as very close and I've used the 1/2" pounded onto a rusted, rounded 13mm many times as a "rescue tool" but that's about as far as I'm willing to go.

Otherwise said, If I know within the limits of reason & experience, which fastener system is used on a machine or vehicle, I'll never grab the opposite tool....

Agreed.

Thankfully, my "rescue" attempts have not required me to do any welding yet!

 

[Ign]

Oh deah.. some sizes can be switched like 5/8" & 8mm or 19mm & 3/4" but you really want SAE wrenches if that's what your working on and same for metric. Their IS a valid reason tool co's produce both. But as I said 'some' can be interchanged

5/16" and 8mm

 

[jgromada]

I started out in the early 80s with a full Craftsman set that included both SAE & Metric. The metric side has been replaced/expanded/etc. over the years since virtually ALL cars are now metric. I don't really work on classic US cars so the only use the SAE tools see is random stuff around the house. I can get by with what i have.

But if you have a need for SAE buy some and use those. You can generally find a lot of SAE tools for cheap as lots of people are getting rid of stuff (yard sales, online etc)

 

[Tool Life]

That's not what I meant.

 

[jimmyin3D]

That's not what I meant.

Go with another brand, if you don’t have any SAE wrenches stick with a USA brand that’ll get you from 1/4-1” and get them in combination wrenches. That should cover your needs.

If you already have SAE combos and want to supplement them with a ratcheting wrench set the SK’s should cover you.

 

[BarryWells]

I spin more bolts on machinery than auto and most machinery( worth a damn) is USA/SAE. Therefore I have anything imaginable. Even some Whitworthless since I toyed with some of the Brit garbage way back when.

 

[Tonyuk]

SAE for working on modern vehicles?

Get a cheap set.

I never use mine anymore, not in the past 5 years atleast.

Even better, ask the place you work to buy in a few sets and share them.

 

[dnschmidt]

If a ratcheting wrench is not reversible and the box end offset that's a no go. Therefore, the S-K's are to me useless in either metric or SAE.

 

[Handyandy23]

If a ratcheting wrench is not reversible and the box end offset that's a no go. Therefore, the S-K's are to me useless in either metric or SAE.

The box end isn't offset on the X-Frames though

 

[Rabid Badger]

If a ratcheting wrench is not reversible and the box end offset that's a no go. Therefore, the S-K's are to me useless in either metric or SAE.

X-Frames aren't offset.

 

[dnschmidt]

That's exactly why I stated that they are a no go for me.

 

[Rabid Badger]

That's exactly why I stated that they are a no go for me.

Ah, I see what you were saying now.

 

[Handyandy23]

That's exactly why I stated that they are a no go for me.

Are you talking an angled offset? Why would you want that on a non reversible ratchet end? Wouldn't that put your wrench at opposite angles depending what way you're turning?