Socket sizes. Where to begin and stop

[Musicinabottle]

I ask this question because some things seem absurd. I have a 1/4 3/8 and 3/4 inch drive socket set. My 1/4 set goes from 5/32 to 7/16. My 3/8 set from 3/8 to 7/8 my 1/2 set from 7/16 to 1 1/4, the 3/4 inch set from 1 inch to 2 1/4.
Kinda thinking that the 1/4 inch set should end at 3/8. Anything bigger I could hit with the 3/8 set which in my opinion should top out at 3/4 and anything larger, hit it with the 1/2 inch drive and so on. So where do you draw the line? I'm just trying to get an idea of reasonable overlap on the sockets and over doing it or asking too much or too little of the ratchet.

 

[shawndp]

My 1/4 drive set goes to 9/16, but I would be just as happy with it going to 1/2. As for 3/8, maybe 1/4 to 3/4 . It all comes down to what you are using them on... I don't typically have a great need for SAE sockets because nearly everything I touch is metric (cars).

 

[claymont]

I ask this question because some things seem absurd. I have a 1/4 3/8 and 3/4 inch drive socket set. My 1/4 set goes from 5/32 to 7/16. My 3/8 set from 3/8 to 7/8 my 1/2 set from 7/16 to 1 1/4, the 3/4 inch set from 1 inch to 2 1/4.
Kinda thinking that the 1/4 inch set should end at 3/8. Anything bigger I could hit with the 3/8 set which in my opinion should top out at 3/4 and anything larger, hit it with the 1/2 inch drive and so on. So where do you draw the line? I'm just trying to get an idea of reasonable overlap on the sockets and over doing it or asking too much or too little of the ratchet.

I like overlap and multiple options for selection. My 1/4 goes to 9/16, my 3/8 to 15/16, my 1/2 to 11/2. Don't have any need for 3/4 any more, though I do have a 3/4 ratchet and a 1/2 to 3/4 torque multiplier and torque wrenches to 3/4. I sold off a good portion of my tools to the place I last worked. I had tooling to work on anything to a 2" bolt. Biggest thing I see now is a 1/2 bolt, occasionally 5/8 or 3/4 bolting. My most used set was the 3/8 socket set. I carried wrenches to go from 1/4 to 5/8 bolting in my tool bag. That bag and the 3/8 ratchet set would do about 75% of the work I would encounter.

 

[leakydiff]

My 1/4 set goes from 4mm to 13mm. 3/8 from 8mm to 21mm. 1/2 from 10mm to 30mm

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[ocloc24]

Obviously on a day to day basis you dont use 9/16 on a 1/4 ratchet, but when you have a 9/16 fastener cramped up against something and you can't get your 3/8 ratchet on it and with a wrench you can only get a sixth of a turn at a time... you'll be wishing you had a 1/4" drive 9/16 socket

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[JuliusPepperwood]

I bought craftsmans 272 piece mechanics set and I've never had to think about what sockets I need since.

 

[shawndp]

Not to derail the discussion, but do people actually use SAE sockets on a daily basis? I'm asking from an automotive perspective...

 

[MANelson85]

Not to derail the discussion, but do people actually use SAE sockets on a daily basis? I'm asking from an automotive perspective...

Almost everyday at work as an electrician. 7/16 for 1/4" hardware, 9/16 for 3/8, 1/2 for large conduit strut strap closure bolts and 3/8 for smaller straps

 

[californiaHank]

My 1/4 set goes from 4mm to 13mm. 3/8 from 8mm to 21mm. 1/2 from 10mm to 30mm

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That's pretty standard/reasonable/convenient. About the same as my sets.

If you've got all three drive sizes in your toolbox you can probably get by with less overlap. It depends a bit on what you're working on, and how you like to work. I almost never use anything bigger than 19mm on 3/8 drive and seldom use the 13mm and smaller sockets from my 1/2" drive set.

As for metric vs SAE - The boats I work on often have metric in the engine compartment and mostly SAE everywhere else. (Sailboats with small diesel inboards mostly.)

 

[TheGrooveking]

1 micron to 1 yard.

TheGrooveking

 

[Oldsmobile]

Obviously on a day to day basis you dont use 9/16 on a 1/4 ratchet...

I'm doing a job right now and although I have multiple 9/16 options, the clearances and access are such that 1/4" drive 9/16" socket is the easiest to use. Best option. So yes, I agree that there SHOULD be some overlap between your socket sets. You won't know until you get into job X that the perfect combination of socket & ratchet is something you haven't engaged before.

 

[Gmonkee]

Only 3/8'' drive 8mm to 22mm. One great ratchet and 3 sizes of W+ extensions.

It does it all short of old rustbucket truck suspensions.

 

[leg17]

For inch sizes:
1/4 dr up to 1/4 nut i.e. 7/16
3/8 dr up to 1/2 heavy nut i.e. 7/8
1/2 dr up to 3/4 heavy nut i.e. 1~1/4
3/4 dr up to 1~1/4 heavy nut i.e. 2"
Think likely application.
I guess you could work out the metric equivalents.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Not to derail the discussion, but do people actually use SAE sockets on a daily basis? I'm asking from an automotive perspective...

Trucks, Heavy Equipment, Generators. Between those and older cars and pickups, I've used SAE daily since I started turning wrenches.

 

[MattVette89]

I think the Hansen trays have a pretty good representation. I use them, although I may not have the far ends of each tray filled.

http://hansenglobalinc.com/our-products/socket-trays/

 

[sberry]

The old Sears master sets have the right sizes. I do have a 9/16 in 1/4 drive but don't remember to use it and by the time I hit 3/4 I am in 1/2 drive if its possible. I am 1 actually uses 1/2 air ratchet. Its a lot sturdier when ued as a breaker and so much more power than 3/8.
There can be the special occasion but just dont find myself with a steady diet of ultra fussy fine stuff.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Re-Read Ocloc24's response to your question. Then remember Robert Duval's line in the miniseries "Lonesome Dove" - "It's better to have it and not to need it than to need it and not to have it." Ask any pro wrencher if he'd give up any "oddball" tool in his box - you'll get your answer.

 

[VintageOkieDriver]

The only problem with the all in one box is they do tend to be on the heavy side (at least for an old guy).

 

[Bluedodge]

What size sockets?
How big are your nuts?

 

[Gotcha640]

When we have friends over working on a car before a race or a truck before a trail ride, we might have as many as 8 people with a wrench in hand. Rather than keep 8 of each size, we can spread out using different size drives and box wrenches, and get a lot done quickly.

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.

 

[shawndp]

Trucks, Heavy Equipment, Generators. Between those and older cars and pickups, I've used SAE daily since I started turning wrenches.

Thanks for the explanation. The only time I ever encounter SAE is aftermarket hose clamps have 1/4 and 3/8 for licence plates, and the 3/8 hex bit for GM brake jobs...

 

[rhandwor]

On 1/4 drive nuts on some starters and alternators are 9/16 or 14mm. I use 1/4 drive for these nuts.

 

[jdlong]

I like as much overlap as practical. I sometimes run into the need for large socket on small ratchet in crammed spaces. Or small socket on large ratchet for more leverage. Oftentimes the convenience of needing only one socket tray and one ratchet size at hand when doing a multi bolt size task.

 

[nelstomlinson]

You want your square drive to be roughly the same size as the bolt it's turning. Much bigger and it's awkward and you twist off fasteners, much smaller and you break tools without breaking loose fasteners.

As others have mentioned it's good to be able to put a big socket on a small ratchet for low torque, low clearance applications.

 

[johninct]

I am glad I go up to 5/8" in 1/4" drive. Sometimes that is the only thing that will fit. I don't use those sizes every day but glad when I need them.

 

[colin39]

I go from a 4mm up to 100mm

 

[Al Borland]

You want some overlap, so if that 9/16" nut is in a tight spot, and your 3/8 ratchet and socket don't quite fit, you can use the 1/4" ratchet with a 9/16" socket, for example.
(without having to run out and get a 3/8 drive in a 1/4 body)

 

[Fretters]

Available sockets, space or how much grunt is required tend to be my reference points as to which I'll go with.

 

[tonyciambrone]

4-15mm 7-22mm 10-36mm

 

[WildwoodChuck]

I'm just trying to get an idea of reasonable overlap on the sockets and over doing it or asking too much or too little of the ratchet.

Google Tech school required tool lists, If you are just starting out or just getting back into mechanic wrenching then chances are between 5 schools 90% of the tools they require are going to be the same, start there. Then get Tool Catalogs and compare starter sets, socket runs will probably be the same. Then buy as needed.

I bet aside from the very few special cases, we all either started out with minimal sets and built on them or had a Tech School required tool list and grew our collections as time went on.

 

[Strouty]

1 micron to 1 yard.

TheGrooveking

Don't laugh, I have hex end socket inserts from 1/8" up to 2 inch.

My actual sockets stop at 3 1/2"

 

[BK13]

At least in 1/4" and 3/8" drive sizes, if it's available, I want it. I don't work on enough big stuff to go crazy with 1/2" drive sockets, mainly just suspension work on my Jeep and Expedition.


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[WildwoodChuck]

...3/8" drive sizes, if it's available, I want it....

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Yes!

I noticed a 32mm std 6pt impact on 3/8" drive at Autozone the other day. I plan on getting it for the axle nut on our 05 Grand Caravan. I used a 12pt 3/4" drive when I replaced the drivers side wheel bearing.

I have been building up on my 3/8" drive, Metric Matco impact sockets (pawnshop), SAE Sunex (Summit Racing).

 

[thatguysb]

yall are weird, i rarely need anything bigger than a 22mm on 3/8 and thats only because they tend to use 22mm alot on jap stuff. especially on PS pumps with banjo fittings.

32mm 3/8? noonoo

 

[PelicanPines]

yall are weird, i rarely need anything bigger than a 22mm on 3/8 and thats only because they tend to use 22mm alot on jap stuff. especially on PS pumps with banjo fittings.

32mm 3/8? noonoo

My mother had me tested... yea... no argument.

I am not a car guy but wrench enough to have a memory of a 9/16 that I couldn't get a 3/8 drive in... I happened to have a 1/4 drive in that size and somedang wouldn't you know... it fit in there. It was more an issue of the ratchet but still...

so you need every size in every drive size you can get

 

[matthew]

My rule of thumb is I don't consider a socket set complete until it goes from the drive size up to twice the drive size. So a 1/4 set would go 1/4 to 1/2 (and 6mm to 13mm), a 3/8 set from 3/8 to 3/4 (10mm to 19mm), etc.

I'd consider things outside that range as nice to have, but not essential. At least for me as a DIY'er. I don't think I've ever used my 3/8 drive 6mm socket. I've rarely used the 8mm, but would probably be fine if I only had that in 1/4 drive.

 

[Firebrick43]

Why do car guys think they are the center of the world? There are a lot more things that ratchets are used on than cars. Sockets sets are sold to the mechanics on tractors/construction equipment/air planes/industrial machinery/

All have different needs.

Tool companies thankfully sell to all of us (with expanded sizes and both sae/metric) and not just car guys.

 

[nelstomlinson]

My rule of thumb is I don't consider a socket set complete until it goes from the drive size up to twice the drive size. So a 1/4 set would go 1/4 to 1/2 (and 6mm to 13mm), a 3/8 set from 3/8 to 3/4 (10mm to 19mm), etc.

My inch drive set goes up to 2", but so does my 3/4" drive set. I figure beyond two inches, sockets and wrenches are too crazy expensive to try to have complete sets. I have about 100% overlap between the two sizes. I only use the 1" drive stuff when I need the extra torque (very rarely) or when I need the extra clearance when I'm using the socket as an adapter in my press.

 

[Musicinabottle]

well, I'll keep things as they are then. From the input, it sounds like I've got a fairly decent balance.

 

[nelstomlinson]

well, I'll keep things as they are then. From the input, it sounds like I've got a fairly decent balance.

More tools is usually better. If you already have them, by all means keep them.