Socket sizes. Where to begin and stop

[disston]

If you have the space, I'd have 1/8 to 1 in 1/4, 1/4 to 2 in 3/8, 1/2 to 3 in 1/2 and 3/4. If you work alone on a lot of the same stuff with limited space next to a shop, I'd keep the common stuff and buy as needed.

The only 1/8 dr sets I'm aware of are SO and I didn't think there were that many sizes. I've never seen 1/4 above 9/16. Not sure what you said for 3/8. 1/2 gets thin above 1 1/4, nothing near 3 but I guess that one could be. Where, what brand, of these sockets are these?

I see no purpose to over sized sockets. A 1 socket on a 1/8 ratchet, or breaker bar, is not safe, may break. Just use the right tool.

 

[ocloc24]

The only 1/8 dr sets I'm aware of are SO and I didn't think there were that many sizes. I've never seen 1/4 above 9/16. Not sure what you said for 3/8. 1/2 gets thin above 1 1/4, nothing near 3 but I guess that one could be. Where, what brand, of these sockets are these?

I see no purpose to over sized sockets. A 1 socket on a 1/8 ratchet, or breaker bar, is not safe, may break. Just use the right tool.

I also wanted to say something but I thought this was either trolling or someone who can't type. I know for a fact there's no 1in 1/4" drive or 1/8" socket. It was hell trying to find a 5/8" 1/4" drive socket for my tray

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[cherrybomb]

There has been some really good stuff here.On the over lap sitiuations.I would always be sure to use the larger tool at least to get the fastener loose,especially thinking of the 1/4 ratchet as being somewhat fragile,not a good idea to break fasteners loose with.

 

[bob15]

The only 1/8 dr sets I'm aware of are SO and I didn't think there were that many sizes. I've never seen 1/4 above 9/16. Not sure what you said for 3/8. 1/2 gets thin above 1 1/4, nothing near 3 but I guess that one could be. Where, what brand, of these sockets are these?

I see no purpose to over sized sockets. A 1 socket on a 1/8 ratchet, or breaker bar, is not safe, may break. Just use the right tool.

Many companies (Snap On, SK, Proto, etc) are now making 1/4 drive, 5/8 sockets. I use them on older Delco starter's solenoid nuts. Very handy.

 

[Gotcha640]

The only 1/8 dr sets I'm aware of are SO and I didn't think there were that many sizes. I've never seen 1/4 above 9/16. Not sure what you said for 3/8. 1/2 gets thin above 1 1/4, nothing near 3 but I guess that one could be. Where, what brand, of these sockets are these?

I see no purpose to over sized sockets. A 1 socket on a 1/8 ratchet, or breaker bar, is not safe, may break. Just use the right tool.

I also wanted to say something but I thought this was either trolling or someone who can't type. I know for a fact there's no 1in 1/4" drive or 1/8" socket. It was hell trying to find a 5/8" 1/4" drive socket for my tray

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Like a crappy engineering department, I just spec em, you deal with finding em!

I wasn't thinking about what's available or what made sense, mostly just saying since we're playing "what if", may as well have all available. Sure, a 1/4 drive will break its own head off on a 1 inch bolt if you put a 3 foot pipe on it. Yes, a 3/4 breaker bar with a 3 foot handle might possibly break a 1/4 bolt with just the weight of the tool.

Most of the pros I know in industrial repair shops (Houston ship channel) have as complete a set of 1/2 inch and 3/8 inch drive stuff as they can find, usually all deep, usually all impact rated, the shop owns the 1 inch drive stuff but the mechanics might keep a breaker bar and a couple of commonly PITA size sockets. Don't worry too much about overlap as you only need to break loose one bolt at a time, and that equipment is designed with repairs in mind, so there are rarely clearance issues.

 

[WildwoodChuck]

...I know for a fact there's no 1in 1/4" drive or 1/8" socket. It was hell trying to find a 5/8" 1/4" drive socket for my tray

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Where do you get your facts?

Carlyle S14004 (NAPA)

 

[PJNJ]

I also wanted to say something but I thought this was either trolling or someone who can't type. I know for a fact there's no 1in 1/4" drive or 1/8" socket. It was hell trying to find a 5/8" 1/4" drive socket for my tray

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Where do you get your facts?

Carlyle S14004 (NAPA)

Better add to the list SK tools 40904 1/8 six point socket and Snap On 1/8 -
https://store.snapon.com/Shallow-inches-chrome-Socket-Shallow-1-8-6-Point-P630995.aspx

And SK makes a 5/8 1/4 drive socket - SK 40920.

 

[ocloc24]

Where do you get your facts?

Carlyle S14004 (NAPA)

I own several 1/8" 1/4" drive sockets I was saying I know for a fact there isn't a 1" socket in 1/4" drive or 1/8" drive

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[WildwoodChuck]

Proto 4720A (Amazon)

 

[ocloc24]

Better add to the list SK tools 40904 1/8 six point socket and Snap On 1/8 -
https://store.snapon.com/Shallow-inches-chrome-Socket-Shallow-1-8-6-Point-P630995.aspx

And SK makes a 5/8 1/4 drive socket - SK 40920.
[emoji481]

I actually have SK for my 5/8 1/4 drive shallow and blue point for my 5/8" 1/4" drive deep

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[ocloc24]

Not uncommon

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[NutsOut]

3/8" drive go from 5/16 to 13/16 or 7/8
1/2 drive go from 3/8 - 1 1/4
Each has a purpose and over stressing the ratchets is human error in my personal experience.

 

[WildwoodChuck]

Aside from the 1/2" drive deep sockets 12 point SAE and deep 6 & 12 point metric I have all of the Craftsman 299 piece socket set.

Short or standard depth

My 1/4" 6 point SAE run 1/8"-5/8" I have 12 point 3/16-9/16"

My 3/8" 6 point SAE run 3/16", 7/32", 9/32", 11/32", the regular 1/4", 5/16"-1" + 1-1/16" (1-1/16 is a Craftsman sensor socket) impact 6 point run 5/16"-1"

My 1/2" 12 point SAE run 3/8"-1-1/4" plus 1-1/2" impact 6 point SAE run 5/16"-1-1/2" (missing 1-3/8")

3/4" drive is just a mess because I got them as needed, as lots or on sale.

I have metric sockets too, I don't remember off the top of my head where they start and stop. The only 1/2 drive deep I have is 15mm 12 point

 

[packet]

I get every size they'll make. I've never regretted buying a full set.

1/4 I have 3-14mm
3/8 I have 6-22mm
1/2 I have 8-36mm

I hate running in to a random size that I don't have and having to wait a week for a socket to show up. Generally speaking, when I need something, I'll just buy the full set as well. Needed to remove a circlip recently and my old pliers were ****. So, I bought the full set of 8.

 

[turnthewrench]

Hopefully, the OP has a good idea of where to stop now.

How 'bout a "full" set of each and call it a day?

 

[Codejack]

I'm setting up a new tool kit, and I have been agonizing over this question (among others) for a week, now. Mine needs to be portable, too, so I really need to limit my selection.

More from happenstance than anything else, this is how my current planned socket set is looking:

1/4": 3/16" - 9/16", 5mm -14mm

3/8": 5/16" - 7/8", 10mm - 19mm

1/2": 7/16" - 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 10mm - 22mm, 27mm, 32mm, 36mm

1. That's how the sets work out

2. That's pretty good overlap without being stupid, although I am planning on both deep well and 12 point 3/8" sets.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

8 and 1/4 are are worth having in 3/8, I even use them in 1/2 sometimes.

 

[jeejay]

 

[PartsGuy27]

I work on mostly cars/motorcycles so 85% of my stuff is in metric.

1/4" drive 4mm - 15mm
3/8" drive 6mm - 19mm
1/2" drive 8mm - 36mm

Shallow/mid/deep sets for all

 

[Cope]

Many companies (Snap On, SK, Proto, etc) are now making 1/4 drive, 5/8 sockets. I use them on older Delco starter's solenoid nuts. Very handy.

I wish you hadn't mentioned this.