So, how often do you use your ¾ drive socket set?

[johndeereman]

I have a mix and match set of sorts sae only they work when i need them. But i am working on getting a complete 3/4'' impact set sae and mm deep and shallow, i'll use these with the service truck on the farm and fill in the gap's in the shop as the budget allow's.

 

[BJ42LX]

Not often. But when I need it, I need it.

I took the flange off a differential a couple weeks ago. You don't need heavy equipment to have uses for a 3/4" set.

 

[KZ1000J]

Don't own any.

Hardly ever use my 1/2 in.

Seems my 3/8 set is enough for the little that I do.

I did see some 3/4 stuff on CL yesterday...it did peek my curiosity but I'm not turnin' enough wrench to justify a purchase. I would like to get a better 3/8 ratchet though...my Craftsman just doesn't seem very good. The "clicks", if I can call them that just seem a little far apart.

 

[Ruger_556]

Couple times a week... I even have metric 3/4 sockets.

 

[cbacres]

I use mine mainly for pressing bearing races in.

 

[johndeereman]

Like BJ42LX has said "when you need them you need them" this is so true.

 

[southalabama]

I've never used mine. When lowes did the closeout on American made kobalt stuff a couple years ago I got a ratchet and nearly a complete set.

I'm in the list of people who had rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Also a fool and his money are soon parted may apply but since I got mine at 80 percent off I feel pretty good about having it "just in case".

 

[MN4x4]

I have used them for pulling heating elements on electric hot water heaters....

I thought i was the only one who did things like that? Seriously ... I did that back in May which was the last time I used my 3/4" sockets for anything.

 

[monomach]

I use mine several times a year. Usually on rusted up U-bolts, leaf spring shackle bolts, and other large suspension components.

I use those as a light appetizer for my sawzall. Gonna replace 'em when you remove 'em, anyway. Might as well make a three second cut instead of working up a sweat and pulling a muscle.

 

[greasemonkey44]

Every time I have to really break something.
Shear lugs, break axle u bolts, loosen impossibly tight bolte

 

[General Geoff]

I have used them for pulling heating elements on electric hot water heaters

Yep. I replaced the heating element on my decade old water heater, and when I twisted the flimsy valve stem 'socket' like a pretzel, I quit the subtle tactics and busted out the 3/4" drive socket set that had been collecting dust for years. Much satisfaction was had.

When you need it and don't have it...

 

[KinzeMech]

I use mine mainly for pressing bearing races in.

Every once in a while, I've been known to snap a ratchet into the back side of one of my brg race drivers, and turn a nut with it.

Joking aside, I bought a HF 3/4 socket set to use as driving punches for races and the like, so I wouldn't beat the chrome off my good craftsman 3/4" set.

I think the OP's best chance to move them without hassle may be GJ. As someone already mentioned, 3/4 deeps are rare, which has value potential there.

 

[zkling]

On average once or twice a month, depending. Mostly on machinery not auto. Had to break it out the other night to get a bottom bolt off a vise. Not sure if I would have $600 worth of 3/4 drive stuff sitting around unless I really needed it though.

 

[kiatech]

I cant imagine how you would keep your cool with that amount of money being owed. But you got a decent deal.

 

[wyo george]

I've had mine for 12 years now and I've used it approximately 8-10 times. For those 8-10 jobs though, I absolutely had to have the 3/4" set.

Now, at work I rarely use anything as small as a 3/4" drive....

 

[honcho]

I have a 3/4 breaker bar and 3 sockets. In 15 years, I have used them twice for the same job--installing ball joints on my truck.

ship it "Media Mail" (I won't tell)

Please, if doesn't qualify for media mail, don't misuse media mail. Break the set up into 2 or more flat rate boxes. You might be able to get all the sockets into one large flat rate, perhaps 2 flat rate and 1 non-flat rate for storage boxes, long breaker bar, etc....

Good luck and remember loaning money to family members is usually not a good business deal. Sometimes it's necessary to help family members. Indeed, it's often essential to help family members but repayment doesn't always happen. We can only hope that the help we give others, whatever form the help takes, is used wisely by those who receive the help.

"Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in" Robert Frost

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Not to heavy to ebay - there is a ton of 3/4" on ebay! - and it goes for its full value!

ship it "Media Mail" (I won't tell)

Flat rate shipping is the way to go. Sold my SAE 3/4" in a metal case and was able to squeeze it in one of the "Board Game Large boxes" and was able to ship it for around $14 IIRC.

 

[ATC]

I use those as a light appetizer for my sawzall. Gonna replace 'em when you remove 'em, anyway. Might as well make a three second cut instead of working up a sweat and pulling a muscle.

True for my street rides...but for my off road trucks, I'd rather not spend $60 on new hardware all the time

 

[TheGrooveking]

For me it all started when I was 8 years old staring at the huge largest Craftsman socket set, so things didn't seem right until I had them....

At home I have both SAE and Metric 3/4" drive sets, at work I have that and in deeps and then 1" drive, but then again I'm involved in industrial maintenance.

As I've always lived by....better to have and not need than to need and not have.

TheGrooveking

 

[Lippyp]

Yeah I had to borrow a set from a neighbour to undo the hub nut on my blazer, wouldn't use it often but when you need it you really need it!

 

[diggerrick]

I dunno, Perhaps I'll just sell it. Yes that is a GJ sin, I know, but there are so many tools a man can possibly use.

Not a sin at all - that's why there's a Classifieds section here.

 

[APEowner]

I don't use 3/4" drive very often, maybe 3 or 4 times a year, but when you need it you need it. My 3/4" set is the only off brand off shore tool I own. I don't work on the big stuff were big fasteners have a ton of torque on them and the tolerances on large size hexes are pretty forgiving so I can get away with that. I don't trust the ratchet so most of the time I use an adapter and my big 1/2" Snap-On ratchet.

 

[Art From De Leon]

and the tolerances on large size hexes are pretty forgiving

You have discovered what the tool companies don't want you to know.

 

[Southernbuild]

Honestly, for general car / household maintenance I'd say your set is massive overkill, and selling it to fund more needed tools, would be a better move.

SAE 3/4 is common / cheap. Metric and the deep sockets is where the value should be.

That being said, at work I need 3/4 tools occasionally, and I've been looking for some 3/4 metric sockets, so if you want to sell off some or all of the set, let me know once you get back.

 

[FMC1959]

I bought a PRC Alltrade special from TS years ago, something like $69. Used it twice and for me it paid itself off with those 2 times. Like everyone else says, when those rare occasions come up, having them puts a real smile on your face

 

[DRhodes]

It's sad I have a complete set, and only seem to break them out when I need to replace an element in the hot water heater.

 

[Kev442]

I would have bought one long ago if the sae sets started at 3/4" so I could use it on lug nuts.

 

[KinzeMech]

1/2 to 3/4 adapters are readily available, and don't twist off all the time.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I use mine almost every day at work, pulling and setting mold dies. I have a cheap unmarked 3/4 Dr ratchet and 3) sk 3/4 Dr sockets. 1 1/8, 1 1/2, 1 3/4. Also have a 3" extension. Just used my 1 3/4 today and had to use a 5' cheater bar to accomplish 644ft/lb., only to have to remove them (8 of them) not 20 minutes later. We have shop air I might invest in a 1/2 ir and 1/2 impacts, and only use the 3/4 Dr tools for backup.

 

[barneyim26]

hell, id buy that off you i already have a china set but yours is usa and a real full set with shallow and deep.


i use mine 2-3 times a year, but soon will be working in a ag shop and i know ill use the hell out of a set like that.

 

[toolslut6.0]

I use mine quite a bit. I only have metric deeps and standard shallows. Seems like I use them more for seal drivers and stuff like that though. Even bearings.

 

[Toymeister]

I cant imagine how you would keep your cool with that amount of money being owed. But you got a decent deal.

Have you heard the saying that marital bliss has a price? Yes sometimes this means baling the dead beat out. Nice guy but zero money skills. Stopped their foreclosure in 2004, I'll never do that again!

 

[CoryZ]

I would have bought one long ago if the sae sets started at 3/4" so I could use it on lug nuts.

They do make 3/4 sockets for 3/4 drive.

http://www.zoro.com/i/G5087844

 

[greasemonkey44]

Heck I have 17 mm and 18 mm 3/4 sockets too; sometimes things are crazy tight or cross threaded and it's easier to break the bolt

 

[Kev442]

I know I can fill in a set with 3/4 and 13/16. The flip side is I have never needed anything over 1 1/2, so everything bigger is a waste for me.
If a manufacturer would have a different set that started at 3/4 and went to 1 3/4, I think it would sell well. Tekton are you listening?

In the meantime, I will just keep on seeing how much flex there is to a HF 1/2 breaker bar.

 

[KinzeMech]

Why does someone need a 3/4" drive set if not working on sizes over 1 1/2"? My chrome and my impact socket sets in 1/2" drive each go all the way up to 1 1/2"

 

[Art From De Leon]

Why does someone need a 3/4" drive set if not working on sizes over 1 1/2"? My chrome and my impact socket sets in 1/2" drive each go all the way up to 1 1/2"

Which is just the opposite of my question as to why anyone would 'need' a 3/4" drive socket to remove automotive lug nuts.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Why does someone need a 3/4" drive set if not working on sizes over 1 1/2"? My chrome and my impact socket sets in 1/2" drive each go all the way up to 1 1/2"

Exactly, especially since most 3/4" breaker bars and ratchets are only 19 inches or so in length, and you can get 1/2" drive breaker bars and ratchets up to 36 inches in length.

 

[KinzeMech]

Which is just the opposite of my question as to why anyone would 'need' a 3/4" drive socket to remove automotive lug nuts.

Are you sure it's not the same as the question?

The gist of my point was 1/2" drive equipment is good for fasteners up to that size. I read your point regarding lug nuts to also be suggesting 1/2" drive stuff would be generally sufficient.

 

[NFH2740]

If you drive a 3/4 ton or larger pick up, you will use some of the sockets for chassis work.

I own a custom harvesting operation with one Deere 7950 and five Kenworth T880s. My 3/4" drive is used fairly often, along with a couple 1" drive impacts.