Sockets and wrenches on the 1/32nd interval

[Jim C.]

About thirty years ago, when I decided to do some mechanical restoration work on an old Corvette, my dad bought me a 200 piece set of Craftsman hand tools that included mostly sockets, a few ratchets, and several wrenches. Over the years I've used just about every one of those tools except four of them. The set came with an 11/32" combination wrench, and three 1/2" drive sockets that included 19/32", 21/32" and 25/32" sizes. I can't recall ever using the sockets or the wrench.

I'm not a pro mechanic and my experience is limited to only a few mid 1960s Corvettes and several old woodworking machines. Those sizes must have had some uses, otherwise, why were they produced? I guess I just never ran across a need for one. Does anyone use sockets or wrenches sized on 32nd intervals? If so, I'm curious to know what application they're used for. Thanks.

Jim C.

 

[airbuff101]

Jim,
Those sizes were common in the first half of the century, both automobiles and machine tools. By the mid-50's or so most were rarely used in manufacturing anymore but the tool producers still offered them for a couple decades more here and there.
Usually 1950's and earlier toolsets will have at least a few of those sizes included.
Rob

 

[speed bump]

Lots of 9/32 and 11/32 nuts and bolts out there. I ran into a 17/32 a while ago but other than that fairly slim.

 

[matthew]

I believe 11/32" is the wrench size for #8 screws, so it's not all that rare although most of the time people probably use a socket on those rather than a wrench.

Some of the smaller 1/32" interval sizes also get used - I know my father always kept 9/32" around for at his work. Larger 1/32" interval stuff is probably not that useful anymore...

 

[Skin]

from my experience oddball standard sizes that still exist are usually a precursor to modern tamper proof fasteners. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ZRX61]

Those odd ones show up on old aircraft.

 

[bgott]

11/16'' was used a lot on older Chrysler products. 11/32" is used on a lot of older GM. My 1/2" drive standard hand set that I inherited from my great uncle has 64ths in it.

 

[Jim C.]

I did a little checking and found that Craftsman still offers the 1/2" drive, 12 point, 19/32", 21/32" and 25/32" sockets through it's on-line catalogue. I can't imagine Sears is selling too many of those, but they're still available.

 

[Scout Driver]

I have used my 19/32" wrench to work on a vintage Winchester bicycle. Others have said that they have used 19/32" tools on old bikes also.

My Rays socket set from the 1920s is entirely in increments of 32"s.

Scott

 

[moparmuscle88]

19/32's is a 15mm almost exactly, 21/32's is also pretty damn close to 17mm

my thought is that as metric fasteners became more widespread, the 32's were eliminated because the metric equivalent worked fine.

think this way, a guy encounters a 19/32's on a car. he believes it looks like a 9/16's, so he tries that socket... too small, he then reaches for a 5/8, which is too big, logically hes going to reach for a metric socket and see what fits assumig it must be metric 15mm fits, and he takes it apart whatever

that would be my approach to the issue, and companies took those odball sizes out of the sets once they started selling more metric tools

 

[Gregg33]

I have used an 11/32" a couple times (forget what for) and they were incl. in some newer wrench sets I have, the other **/32" sockets and wrenches all have come with old used tools I bought and I never use them. But damn is that old Blackhawk 25/32" socket pretty to look at. Definetly the oldest virgin I ever had lol.

 

[2oolhound]

11/16'' was used a lot on older Chrysler products. 11/32" is used on a lot of older GM. My 1/2" drive standard hand set that I inherited from my great uncle has 64ths in it.

How about some photos of those 64th designations! I've never seen any before.

 

[spongerich]

I use my 16/32 and 8/32 sockets and wrenches almost every day.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Mercury outboards are loaded with 9/32" heads.

 

[Lump]

If I remember correctly, one specific application for 11/32 was the inner stud on Chevy starter solenoids. (The one closer to the block when installed.) Many electrical connectors on GM cars used that size. I've had to change a LOT of those over the years, and today older cars are the only cars I am willing to and/or capable of working on. So I still end up using them from time to time.

 

[Lump]

How about some photos of those 64th designations! I've never seen any before.

As it turns out, right when I was reading this post, I realized that I had just happened to have an odd little old ignition wrench lying here by my computer. I had been planning to photograph it and ask Garage Journal members if they had ever heard of the brand "AKE". It is marked "USA", which surprised me.

Anyway, in case the photo is too hard to see, it has 13/64 on one end, and 15/64 on the other. I think have other tools in fractional 1/64 sizes, but I'm not positive of that.

 

[Jim C.]

Some good information. Thanks. I've got several small 1/4" drive sockets that are on 32nd intervals, as well as several ignition wrenches and allen wrenches which I do occasionally use. I was mostly interested learning what some of the larger size sockets, like 19/32", 21/32", etc. were used for since I've never used them. Sounds like bikes, old cars and old aircrafts were some of the most frequent uses. Thanks again for your responses.

 

[GrantCee]

I have a 25/32 socket in my Proto 1/2 kit, and I actually used it for the first time a couple of years ago. It was on an old Case tractor, but for the life of me I can't remember just which bolt.

 

[Lump]

Some good information. Thanks. I've got several small 1/4" drive sockets that are on 32nd intervals, as well as several ignition wrenches and allen wrenches which I do occasionally use. I was mostly interested learning what some of the larger size sockets, like 19/32", 21/32", etc. were used for since I've never used them. Sounds like bikes, old cars and old aircrafts were some of the most frequent uses. Thanks again for your responses.

The MAIN reply I should have given, I suppose, is "OLD STUFF". You frequently find those larger "32" sizes in old sockets and wrenches. Indeed, when you find REALLY old sockets in an old tool box, the odds are much higher that it may be a 32nd increment size. I have long assumed that the reason is that these tools were never used as often as the other sizes, and simply survived the decades better.

 

[Jim C.]

19/32's is a 15mm almost exactly, 21/32's is also pretty damn close to 17mm

That quote got me to thinking...... About two years ago I bought a 1952 Delta Heavy Duty wood shaper and did a complete mechanical overhaul on the machine. During the course of taking the machine apart, I ran across a jam nut that was used to apply drive belt tension between the motor pulley and the cutter spindle pulley. Based on its position within the machine, the jam nut could only be turned with a wrench. My 13/16" wrench was just a little to big and my 3/4" wrench was too small and didn't fit over the nut. As a result, I pulled out my 20mm wrench and it seemed to fit perfectly. The nut was DEFINITELY original to the machine and I recall thinking it was strange that Delta would use a metric nut on a 1952 machine.

Based on the quote above, I figured that the jam nut in question had to be a size that was on a 32nd interval. So, last night I did a little wrenching and removed that jam nut. I dropped it into my 25/32" socket and it fit like a glove. It also fit perfectly into the 20mm socket. You guys were right!!! Larger sized sockets on 32nd intervals were used on "old USA made stuff" to include a 1952 Delta HD shaper. Hmmmmm..... Now I need to find a 25/32" open end wrench!!! Thanks again for your responses.

Jim C.

 

[Lump]

Larger sized sockets on 32nd intervals were used on "old USA made stuff" to include a 1952 Delta HD shaper. Hmmmmm..... Now I need to find a 25/32" open end wrench!!! Thanks again for your responses.

Jim C.

Ha! Very cool observation, Jim. No problem on the 25/32 wrench. I have several old ones around my shop. I'll check to see what brands/styles I have in that size. ----LUMP

 

[honcho]

Today I picked up a bunch of old sockets at my local thrift shop and among the collection was a 31/32" 1/2" drive, 12 pt Williams socket. I don't know if I'll ever use it but if I get rid of it I know I'll need it 100x over.

 

[Jim C.]

Hey Lump,

I'd appreciate that!!! It just doesn't seem right to turn a vintage 1952 SAE nut with a relatively current 20mm wrench. If I have to, then it's better than nothing, but if you have a USA made extra 25/32" wrench laying around, I'd be interested. Thanks.

Jim C.

 

[Wrenchette]

I use my 16/32 and 8/32 sockets and wrenches almost every day.

 

[lbgradwell]

I have the following sizes in wrenches and/or sockets:

5/32"
13/64"
7/32"
15/64"
17/64"
9/32"
19/64"
11/32"
15/32"
19/32"
21/32"
25/32"

The 5/32", 7/32", 9/32" & 11/32" sockets are 1/4"-drive and all these sizes were still included in a Craftsman set bought in 1987.

 

[Jim C.]

The 5/32", 7/32", 9/32" & 11/32" sockets are 1/4"-drive and all these sizes were still included in a Craftsman set bought in 1987.

I got the same 1/4" drive sockets in my Craftsman set from the early 1980s, and I have used all of them at one point or another, although not often. My set also came with three 1/2" drive, 12 point sockets (19/32", 21/32", 25/32"). I was really interested in learning more about what those larger sizes might have been used for. I've discovered that just about any USA made car, machine, etc., made prior to the 1960s might have used nuts and bolts that were sized in 32nd increments. Like I said in an earlier post, I very recently discovered a 25/32" jam nut on my 1952 Delta wood shaper. A few guys have mentioned having some larger sockets in 64th increments. Pretty cool!!! I can't say that I've ever seen a larger size socket in a 64th increment. That's a really precise tolerance for a socket. I hope somone will post a picture. Interesting stuff!!!

Jim C.

 

[lbgradwell]

My set also came with three 1/2" drive, 12 point sockets (19/32", 21/32", 25/32").

My 15/32", 19/32", 21/32" and 25/32" sockets are from an older German Matador set; although my 1987 Craftsman set was very large, it contained no sockets in 1/2"-drive in 32nds...

So maybe these sizes were dropped from Craftsman sets somewhere between the early 1980s (when you bought your set) and 1987 (when I bought mine)..?

 

[rwhite692]

Those odd ones show up on old aircraft.

And also on a lot of old bicycles.

 

[Jim C.]

So maybe these sizes were dropped from Craftsman sets somewhere between the early 1980s (when you bought your set) and 1987 (when I bought mine)..?

I think I got my set in 1982 or 1983. If you go to the Craftsman tool web site and do a little searching around, it appears that Sears still offers the 1/2" drive, 12 point sockets in 19/32", 21/32" and 25/32" sizes. They're $3.99 each. I don't know when they were dropped from specific sets. However, I would imagine if you bought one of Craftsman's all inclusive socket sets, you'd still get those three sockets too. In the very recent past, I've seen sets that supposedly included all SAE and metric 1/2" drive sockets. They'd probably be in that set. I've seen similar sets in 1/4" drive and 3/8" drive too.

Jim C.

 

[Lump]

Hey Lump,

I'd appreciate that!!! It just doesn't seem right to turn a vintage 1952 SAE nut with a relatively current 20mm wrench. If I have to, then it's better than nothing, but if you have a USA made extra 25/32" wrench laying around, I'd be interested. Thanks.

Jim C.

Jim,
I dug out three of these 25/32 wrenches for you last night. I may have others...but who knows? LOL.

Anyway, all three are double open end style wrenches. I have one Plomb, one Blue Point, and a very old heavy duty Merit brand. PM me if you would like one of them for your old saw blade nut.

Thanks!

 

[toolmaven]

I found this in a search for 32nds sockets. I'm going to risk waking the dead here. I recently found an old-ish Williams 31/32" socket in 3/4" drive, I've also seen it 1/2" drive. Anybody know what this beast is for? As for the smaller ones, remember there are also thing like switch locknuts in vintage electrical work, and odd custom fasteners in other electromechanical stuff. At one time Bonney made a 13/32" x 15/32" O.E. wrench for the electronic trade. I have one.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I found this in a search for 32nds sockets. I'm going to risk waking the dead here. I recently found an old-ish Williams 31/32" socket in 3/4" drive.

I have this socket also, H-1231. It is in my ¾ Williams set but I think I added it to the set, possibly found it at the flea market. No telling what needed a 31/32 socket, prior to WWII there was lots of hardware in 32'ed increments, but the war simplified everything for the sake of production.

Charles

 

[Lump]

Some of the antique cars used the 32 and 64th size fasteners on engine components, (like main bearing caps, etc) presumably to keep people from tampering with those components at home, and/or to cause people to buy tools from the auto mfrs.

 

[BeachBoy]

I use my 16/32 and 8/32 sockets and wrenches almost every day.

ninja edit: just noticed this post was from 2011 hehe

 

[bgarrett]

19/32's is a 15mm almost exactly, 21/32's is also pretty damn close to 17mm

my thought is that as metric fasteners became more widespread, the 32's were eliminated because the metric equivalent worked fine.

think this way, a guy encounters a 19/32's on a car. he believes it looks like a 9/16's, so he tries that socket... too small, he then reaches for a 5/8, which is too big, logically hes going to reach for a metric socket and see what fits assumig it must be metric 15mm fits, and he takes it apart whatever

that would be my approach to the issue, and companies took those odball sizes out of the sets once they started selling more metric tools

I've never encountered that kind of thinking. A guy working in SAE is going to grab a metric? really? I have about 50 American made cars,newest 1966, 15 Cushman scooters, 4 real Indians from the 30s, 8 Harleys from the 40s and it would never occur to me to try a metric wrench on any of them.

 

[03protege]

I've never encountered that kind of thinking. A guy working in SAE is going to grab a metric? really? I have about 50 American made cars,newest 1966, 15 Cushman scooters, 4 real Indians from the 30s, 8 Harleys from the 40s and it would never occur to me to try a metric wrench on any of them.

My cousin has a 2002ish Mustang and the drivetrain uses one standard and the chassis uses another. I can't remember which was metric and which was SAE.

While I agree that the vehicle manufacturers would have never though about doing this in the earlier part of the century (what the hell is a millimeter?) I feel pretty confident in saying as metric tools became more prevalent tool manufacturers used this compatibility to help streamline their product lines.

 

[jwsia]

I've got a 31/32 in one my 1/2 sets, I have always wondered what equipment it was needed on

 

[toolmaven]

I just found a pretty nice 25/32" x 31/32" Armstrong black carbon steel wrench. I don't really need it but it has TWO of those old-timey sizes. I have been putting together a pseudo pre-war kit of carbon steel wrenches and wood handle screwdrivers. These categories are among my few "collector" rather than "user" tool groups. Although if I ever need a 31/32" I'll have it now. I might put up a picture once I get the minor rust and major greasy crud off of it.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

My cousin has a 2002ish Mustang and the drivetrain uses one standard and the chassis uses another. I can't remember which was metric and which was SAE.

While I agree that the vehicle manufacturers would have never though about doing this in the earlier part of the century (what the hell is a millimeter?) I feel pretty confident in saying as metric tools became more prevalent tool manufacturers used this compatibility to help streamline their product lines.

Although this doesn't have anything to do with metric wrenches, almost every spark plug made in the last 100 years has had metric threads. Probably has something to do with Albert Champion having started his business in France before founding both AC and Champion in the US.

 

[altersaddle]

My incomplete set of right-angle open end wrenches has a 7/32 and 11/32:



The Blue Point DOE has a 19/32 end.

I'm sure I have some 64ths fractional sockets, but I'm pretty sure they are all tiny.