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Socket Set Size Charts

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gmwilkes

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Mar 17, 2014
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Nice work as usual things like this are a work in progress. You can take the suggestions here and add them to your chart.



They are, and my intent was to primarily cover the basics (obviously every single size imaginable i.e. /64 was not listed because I've never personally encountered them and I don't know how likely they are to come into play on a vehicle) but I'll be adding some suggestions to my list. I felt like it was a good overall list for the average guy who doesn't have the need or want to get much more than what's listed unless necessary. I've needed a 3/4 drive before working on my truck for the axle nut. And I could care less about if this becomes a sticky, but thought it might be useful. I'll be posting an updated list with some .5mm added and some other additions, but I don't see the overall need to list every rare size imaginable. But thank you for the overall feedback from you and everyone else. Even if nobody else uses it, it'll be a good start for the sockets I need to get my collection started.
 

drink

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Some of the others have been discussing some rare socket sizes in other discussions like 5/8" 1/4" drive sockets. I have noticed how Snap-On and Armstrong made 11/32" sockets in the 3/8" drive size. You might find both of their catalogs interesting and might try downloading a copy of SK's catalog also.

http://cms.armstrongtools.com/WebShareNFS/drupal/files/images/multisite_catalog/IHT_Catalog.pdf

http://cdn.coverstand.com/12149/242949/900b5957b2947b85e79e60f684a898c543e19069.13.pdf

Wright probably has some neat stuff to read about also.
 
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gmwilkes

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Thanks. I'll take another look at those and see if I missed something when looking for sizes. Fwiw, the snap on catalog was not very iPhone friendly. Sk not so bad. I'll be modifying this in due time. But I'll be keeping the initial list for my own personal reference for building my box set up.
 

caltemus

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The original chart looks like an excel spreadsheet. Would you be willing to share the .xls/.xlsx file?
 

Mr. Tool

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gmwilkes, PM sent.

Thanks for posting and sharing! :thumbup:

Ok, i searched the Internet and couldn't find what I was looking for, so through some research of my own I came up with as thorough as a list as I could for socket sizes that span from 1/4" drive to 3/4" drive and compiled a small chart of both metric and SAE sockets that I may need at some point. There may be some that I'll never use or that they don't even make? But I wanted a list to build a Complete socket set to have in my box which I'll be buying soon, that will cover just about anything I may come across while working on my vehicles or anyone else's.

I've attached the charts in a photo form, but can generate and email PDF files if anyone is interested in copies? Let me know what you think. 2a7fd652a03ce9a8197be6f3292f8ce3.jpg24888e869577aee8a9ef6c42a007a985.jpg
 

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gmwilkes

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The original chart looks like an excel spreadsheet. Would you be willing to share the .xls/.xlsx file?



I can email a copy to you, it was made using Numbers on my IPhone but I can export it as an excel spreadsheet if you'd like?
 

taumac

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Nice job on the list. I just got on a Craftsman max access set that has 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5. I never use them much. Only time really never uses them was when adjust headlights. They might not be something use everyday but handy when needed. I always wondered myself since 1/4 drive goes to 4 to 15mm and 1/2 drive can go from 10 to 36mm if you could just go without the 3/8 drive? Same would apply the standard sizes to. Just basing idea off your list and overlapping your showing. I guess actually doing that would be base off availability.
 
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anurag1990

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Nice job on the list. I just got on a Craftsman max access set that has 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5. I never use them much. Only time really never uses them was when adjust headlights. They might not be something use everyday but handy when needed. I always wondered myself since 1/4 drive goes to 4 to 15mm and 1/2 drive can go from 10 to 36mm if you could just go without the 3/8 drive? Same would apply the standard sizes to. Just basing idea off your list and overlapping your showing. I guess actually doing that would be base off availability.

+1 to that. 3/8" drive socket set can be easily skipped.
 
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gmwilkes

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3/8 covers a good variety of sockets and will be my starting point the overlap provides for the added or less needed torque and fitting into spaces that may not be available for 1/2in drive.
 
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taumac

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3/8 covers a good variety of sockets and will be my starting point the overlap provides for the added or less needed torque and fitting into spaces that may not be available for 1/2in drive.



Oh I agree. Just depends on what you're working on and what kind of access you have.
 

nes999

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Personally I'm just now learning to use smaller sized ratchets. I grew up learning to use 1/2 drive first and if you couldn't get the ratchet to fit (or you didn't have the socket size) then go to 3/8 and so on. I have used my 1/2 drive 9mm and 10mm a ton. A while back my snap on dealer was talking about how many of the young guys on his route don't have 1/2 drive. But the new ratchets seem to be able to handle the abuse.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
 

joel63

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Snap on makes a 1/4 drive 16 mm shallow. ---->TMM16

From what I was told, it was used on GM starters solenoids.

Not sure if it's still needed. :dunno:
 
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ToolHoarder

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Nice work on this. I am organizing my tools in a new box and deciding what socket organizers to use. I want to make sure I have all the sizes covered. I also know that I have missing sizes in different ratchet size and point configuration. I was looking for exactly what have created so I can inventory all my sockets, then go online or to Sears etc. to fill in the missing sizes and even expand on some I never had.

Newly married with step kids, I need a better way to control my inventory around sticky hands when I'm not around.

I would be interested in the .xls file it you have it handy.
 

Empty Pockets

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Nice work on this. I am organizing my tools in a new box and deciding what socket organizers to use. I want to make sure I have all the sizes covered. I also know that I have missing sizes in different ratchet size and point configuration. I was looking for exactly what have created so I can inventory all my sockets, then go online or to Sears etc. to fill in the missing sizes and even expand on some I never had.

Newly married with step kids, I need a better way to control my inventory around sticky hands when I'm not around.

I would be interested in the .xls file it you have it handy.

Lock your box when not around
 

gearhead1

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I'd love to see the fastener that requires a 1/2 drive 10mm socket

When I was a mechanic in the military, we would have 1/2" drive and 1/4" drive sets and that was it. Due to the overlap, no 3/8" drive needed. Eliminated weight and space.

At home, I primarily use 3/8" drive, but I understand the the benefits of overlap in certain conditions.
 

drink

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When I was a mechanic in the military, we would have 1/2" drive and 1/4" drive sets and that was it. Due to the overlap, no 3/8" drive needed. Eliminated weight and space.

At home, I primarily use 3/8" drive, but I understand the the benefits of overlap in certain conditions.

There have been times when I wondered which drive size to keep and which of them to skip. Afterwards I realized I needed all of them so I put together a set with 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 3/4" drive sizes. Sometimes I had a 9/16" deep 1/2" drive socket but the socket was so large it would not fit in the place the fasteners were located. Other times I needed a 9/16" deep 1/2" drive socket to get the leverage to loosen some fasteners. I use all of my drive sizes but I do reach for 3/8" drive sockets a lot.
 

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nbpt100

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I find myself using 1/4" and 3/8" drive the most. When I get up to 19mm or larger I go to 1/2" drive. The only exception is if I need a ton more leverage. Also, I do have a cheater pipe for my 1/4, 3/8 ratchets and breaker bars in those sizes.

Having the smaller size often makes it easier to get around an engine compartment or any tight space.
Depends on what you are use to and what you work on.
Nice job with the organization! I appreciate your desire and willingness to put complete and comprehensive sets together.

There are also safe overlaps between metric and SAE which you can leverage. For example 5/16 = 8mm and 3/4 = 19mm.
There was a thread on this with a lot of the safe substitutes listed.
 
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