Socket size help

[nes999]

I was preparing my list for SK when it hit when I noticed some of their kits come with certain sizes and night not include a certain size.

Does anyone know where I can find a list that tells me what a full 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 set should include. I know 1/2 goes to at least 2inch. I realize I'll be buying a ton of sockets individualy. But hey I got the smarter half on board with the idea.

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[General Geoff]

SAE, metric, or both?


For SAE, 1/4" for the true purist could be as low as 1/8" and go up to either 9/16" or 5/8"
For metric, 1/4" would probably go from 4mm to 15 or 16mm, with 4.5 and 5.5mm along with full mm increments.

In 3/8", 1/4" up to 7/8" should be fine for SAE. 8mm to 21 or 22mm in metric.

For 1/2" in SAE, 3/8" up to 1-1/2 is more than enough for most folks. Bigger than that I'd just get individually when the need arises. Metric should go from 10mm up to 32 or maybe 36mm, with bigger sizes being acquired as needed. Anything above 24mm is usually just axle retaining nuts.

 

[nes999]

SAE, metric, or both?


For SAE, 1/4" for the true purist could be as low as 1/8" and go up to either 9/16" or 5/8"
For metric, 1/4" would probably go from 4mm to 15 or 16mm, with 4.5 and 5.5mm along with full mm increments.

In 3/8", 1/4" up to 7/8" should be fine for SAE. 8mm to 21 or 22mm in metric.

For 1/2" in SAE, 3/8" up to 1-1/2 is more than enough for most folks. Bigger than that I'd just get individually when the need arises. Metric should go from 10mm up to 32 or maybe 36mm, with bigger sizes being acquired as needed. Anything above 24mm is usually just axle retaining nuts.

I'm hoping for both

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[nes999]

Whoops I guess I got my answer!

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[Wakefield]

Probably such information is in the Wright or Snap On catalogs. At least the sizes they offer. Obsolete sizes such as 29/32" available in Wright?

 

[General Geoff]

Oh and with many newer cars, you can add specialty 3/8" super-shallow sockets designed for element-style oil filter housing caps, which are usually anywhere from 26mm to 32mm. A big 1/2" socket of that size often is too big to fit where it needs to go.

 

[nes999]

Probably such information is in the Wright or Snap On catalogs. At least the sizes they offer. Obsolete sizes such as 29/32" available in Wright?

I wouldn't need any obsolete sizes And the largest I would go is 2 inches because that's the largest socket ive needed.

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[General Geoff]

Also, what kind of work do you foresee using these sockets for? It could help to determine what sizes you're more likely to need.

 

[nes999]

I got the go ahead for "the most complete set I can make/buy." So I figure the best way to start is to figure out what sizes each drive comes in. So mostly general work, Ocassionally I have to work in heavy equipment or medium duty trucks but most of that stuff I already have.

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[General Geoff]

To be honest, the size range I gave earlier is still about what I'd put together. If you frequently need the bigger sockets, then go ahead and get up to 40mm and 2" in 1/2" drive. Otherwise, it comes down to having shallows and deeps, impact and chrome, and of course allen and torx sockets as well.


Oh and EXTENSIONS! You can never have too many extensions. I highly recommend Ko-Ken wobble-fix extensions, if you're not opposed to going outside of SK.

 

[bob15]

I wouldn't need any obsolete sizes And the largest I would go is 2 inches because that's the largest socket ive needed.

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Don't know of any American company that makes 1/2" drive chrome sockets larger than 1.5". Even when I need a 1.5" socket, I tend to reach for the 3/4" drive set and not the 1/2" drive set.....beefier socket and longer drive tool which equals more and safer torque.

Snap On, Armstrong, Proto, Wright all go up to 1.5" only. Even Bonney only went to 1 5/16".

For you to ask what socket sizes to buy, means you probably don't need them, and you could save a lot of money in not buying every size under the sun. What do you work on that makes to believe you would need a 1 3/8" or 36mm and larger sockets?

I would go up to 5/8" in 1/4" drive for solenoid nuts on starters, 7/8" for 3/8" drive and 1.25" for 1/2" drive. If you find in the future you need a bigger socket, get it then.

 

[nes999]

To be honest, the size range I gave earlier is still about what I'd put together. If you frequently need the bigger sockets, then go ahead and get up to 40mm and 2" in 1/2" drive. Otherwise, it comes down to having shallows and deeps, impact and chrome, and of course allen and torx sockets as well.

Yeah that list is what I'm going with to double check and see what I'm missing. Might as well take this opportunity to fill those pesky missing spots. I never knew 1/4 drive went down to 1/8. Do I need to get the set filled completely. However, I got the wifes blessing and I'm going to run with it while I can.

As for 3/4 drive, the company I work for provides us with a set of we need it. Its only me and one other guy working here so it's easy to tell who has it.

I probably should have prefaced this whole thread by saying this is for the house. Because I'm sick of taking tools home all of the time. SK day looks to have some good deals for the basics and I'll just have to fill in the missing ones from there.

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[nes999]

Don't know of any American company that makes 1/2" drive chrome sockets larger than 1.5". Even when I need a 1.5" socket, I tend to reach for the 3/4" drive set and not the 1/2" drive set.....beefier socket and longer drive tool which equals more and safer torque.

Snap On, Armstrong, Proto, Wright all go up to 1.5" only. Even Bonney only went to 1 5/16".

For you to ask what socket sizes to buy, means you probably don't need them, and you could save a lot of money in not buying every size under the sun. What do you work on that makes to believe you would need a 1 3/8" or 36mm and larger sockets?

I would go up to 5/8" in 1/4" drive for solenoid nuts on starters, 7/8" for 3/8" drive and 1.25" for 1/2" drive. If you find in the future you need a bigger socket, get it then.

You are right, I went to take a picture of it and it's 1.5". Must be all of the fumes today...

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[1950mercury]

I'd go to 1" on SAE 3/8 drive.... Esp of you are ocd and use Hanson trays

 

[sselander]

Something like this?

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[malibu101]

sselander- Do you know what the different shades of color mean?

 

[sk farmer]

sselander- Do you know what the different shades of color mean?

i would guess the predominant color is the most common and popular sizes for each drive size. the different colored sizes on the low side are not common and easily over torqued. the different colored sizes on the top side are also not common and the drive size is not typically heavy enough and a larger drive size should be used. that said. i have used 3/8 drive tools on a 3/4 inch socket with the use of adaptors.

 

[sk farmer]

sselander- Do you know what the different shades of color mean?

i would guess the predominant color is the most common and popular sizes for each drive size. the different colored sizes on the low side are not common and easily over torqued. the different colored sizes on the top side are also not common and the drive size is not typically heavy enough and a larger drive size should be used. that said. i have used 3/8 drive tools on a 3/4 inch socket with the use of adaptors. it is nothing more than a list of sizes and a simple guide. your experience may vary.

 

[Gogo300]

Here's the sk catalog. You can find the most complete set they offer from it.

http://www.skhandtool.com/products/catalog/skhtml/files/mobile/index.html#1