Spark Plug Sockets- How Many is Too Much?

[Techniker]

So I'm beginning to think that I have a problem...

I've found a great deal on a set of spark plug sockets (the kind with extensions built into them). Unfortunately, I am starting to think that I am getting out of control with my tuneup tools. I have regular spark plug sockets in every size, flexible spark plug sockets, spark plug sockets w/ long swivel extension (the Duralast ~10" ones), flexible wire extensions that I bought specifically for tuneups (those rear bank plugs can be a pain).

So my question is, should I get the 6" spark plug sockets as well? Will I ever have a need for them over my regular swivel spark plug sockets with an extension or my 10" spark plug sockets? How many is too many?

In truth, I'll probably buy the set anyway, I'm just looking for reassurance for my addiction.

Thanks,
Techniker

 

[djkeev]

Do you have space in your tool box still?
If so, you're golden! Always good to have the right tool on hand for a given situation!

If you're full, time to consider a bigger box or to start weeding out the "nice to have but don't really need it" tools.

My problem is that there isn't much that I need in the way of tools. I was just in a tool store today for work, I can purchase whatever I want price be damned, but nothing spoke to me. Nothing said that life would be better for me if I took it home.

How Depressing..............

Dave

 

[Danglerb]

I've got a set of the Snapon with builtin extensions, only other I am looking for are spark plug starters, softer plastic holder things with better feel for the threads to start the plug in the hole.

 

[Techniker]

Do you have space in your tool box still?
If so, you're golden! Always good to have the right tool on hand for a given situation!

If you're full, time to consider a bigger box or to start weeding out the "nice to have but don't really need it" tools.

My problem is that there isn't much that I need in the way of tools. I was just in a tool store today for work, I can purchase whatever I want price be damned, but nothing spoke to me. Nothing said that life would be better for me if I took it home.

How Depressing..............

Dave

I do have some room for hand tools left (bigger problem is that the automotive specialty tools take up so much room). Alas, I am adding my second sidebox onto my HF box and they've changed the style on me! I have the heavy duty powder-coat box and they've now made it a shiny, thinner-gauge metal so my box will never match now! I've kind of sunk into a depression over it this week since I found out.

I'm also planning on buying another roller service cart this week.

I think what bothers me the most is that I have so many tools that are now almost repeats, but still different enough that I wouldn't consider my set complete without them (e.g. conventional serpentine belt tool versus Gearwrench-style ratcheting serpentine belt tool and now these spark plug sockets). I don't like redundancy.

-Techniker

 

[Buckgnarly]

Better to have and never need, than need and never have!

 

[Techniker]

I've got a set of the Snapon with builtin extensions, only other I am looking for are spark plug starters, softer plastic holder things with better feel for the threads to start the plug in the hole.

That's the set I'm looking at. Are they the 6" style? What do you think of them compared to the 10" style?

I also have the spark plug starters you're talking about- they're nice, but in truth I never really use them. On flat-rate pay, I don't even feel the need to reach the extra two seconds it would take to use them. I feel that the feel you get from hand-threading the plugs in with the extension socket is good enough to know you haven't crossthreaded them.

 

[Seanbev24]

My opinion is since spark plugs can be such a ***** to get to on certain vehicles, you can't have too many spark plug sockets as long as they're different shapes and sizes.

 

[djkeev]

If you"ve got a use for them, get them. It is amazing how a tool that is just a "little" different from a tool that for all purposes appears to be similar can work in a situation that the other tool won't work in. Just that 1/4" of space can make all the difference in the world sometimes. The thickness of the socket wall, the pivot angle of the extension, the fine clicks of a ratchet all make a major difference on rare occasions. But when that rare occasion happens and you don't have the tool?? EERRRRRR!!!!!!

Dave

 

[Techniker]

If you"ve got a use for them, get them. It is amazing how a tool that is just a "little" different from a tool that for all purposes appears to be similar can work in a situation that the other tool won't work in. Just that 1/4" of space can make all the difference in the world sometimes. The thickness of the socket wall, the pivot angle of the extension, the fine clicks of a ratchet all make a major difference on rare occasions. But when that rare occasion happens and you don't have the tool?? EERRRRRR!!!!!!

Dave

That's the truth- I wasn't planning on needing a serpentine belt stretch fitting tool for a few more years, but then last week I had a car come in that required one- I had to place the stretch fit belt in a way that I am not exactly proud of.

Now, thoughts on indexible pry bars? I have a regular set but also have a 24" indexible pry bar (bought when there was a stuck axle in a Toyota Camry and I needed the tool- haven't needed it since).

-Techniker

 

[toolmaker1]

Too many tools Better be careful you can be burned at the stake for saying such things around here

 

[bobcatdan]

You can never have too many tools, but ask youself this, how often do you change spark plugs? I'm a pro mechanic, mostly diesels and between the couple of gasser I see a year and my two personal vechicals, I change maybe four sets a year. For me, just the basic style spark plug sockets have been all I have ever need, even for my 3v 5.4L in my F150.

 

[Techniker]

You can never have too many tools, but ask youself this, how often do you change spark plugs? I'm a pro mechanic, mostly diesels and between the couple of gasser I see a year and my two personal vechicals, I change maybe four sets a year. For me, just the basic style spark plug sockets have been all I have ever need, even for my 3v 5.4L in my F150.

I'm a part-time mechanic, full-time student (medical student actually). I probably change spark plugs at least once a week (considering I only work one or two days a week ).

 

[JASTECH]

I still have my S-K plug sockets and one for the peanut plugs. Liked the S-K for it's checkered finger grip. Still have the indexing tools too somewhere. Do you guys index your plugs?

 

[bobcatdan]

I remember being showed how to index plugs 10 years ago, thats about it.

 

[Techniker]

I still have my S-K plug sockets and one for the peanut plugs. Liked the S-K for it's checkered finger grip. Still have the indexing tools too somewhere. Do you guys index your plugs?

Heck no, nobody does that- labor times tend to be ridiculous as it is, much less without creating additional work for a customer who isn't going to notice an already questionable/negligible difference in performance. No OEM specifies it either (aside from the Honda Insight, but that's a lean-running engine as it is).

-Techniker

 

[fivespdcat]

I still have my S-K plug sockets and one for the peanut plugs. Liked the S-K for it's checkered finger grip. Still have the indexing tools too somewhere. Do you guys index your plugs?

I don't, but the way we do it is with different thickness copper washers as opposed to a huge lot of spark plugs... I also don't use a "tool" unless I can't see the plug in the bore.

 

[Tunger]

I've only got a few Plug sockets, but there have been times I wished I had a larger assortment. As for the plug starters, I've never seen the need for them, an 8" chunck of fuel hose works great and is practically free.

 

[eljefino]

If you can get a socket with built in extension it sure beats having the extension fall off leaving the socket there gripping the plug with its little rubber doohickey, then you have to chase it down with a needlenose pliers.

or I'm doin' it wrong.

 

[kartracer55]

I prefer the 6" style to the build in swivel extension styles. It is my go to for most small 4 cylinders.

 

[Deafautotech]

Better to have and never need, than need and never have!

AHEM!!!!!! that what i has to do...

 

[Steevo]

I don't understand the question.
Define "too much"?

 

[Jawn]

I didn't know they made spark plug sockets with built in extensions.

I just recently got a couple of the ones with built-in U-joints and I must say they are nice to have. A built in U-joint with maybe 6-10" of extension beyond that would be frickin' awesome.

 

[Don 18]

I just fired off a couple emails for quotes on some Koken Zeal low profile spark plug sockets as seen here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1744535&postcount=73

You are welcome!

 

[greasemonkey44]

i have 5 or 6 5/8 in my work box; prefering magnetic with a locking 6" extension lately

 

[Guns R Tools]

Not only you need different length, configuration but different sizes as well.
Manufactures are coming out with new size plugs, I think some are 14 mm, some 12 points.
So, keep buying.

 

[tbobbo]

I hate you, really I do...............sorry I am a tool junkie and it could never be enough. If I was in your situation you would see me on a episode of hoarders............except my house would be caved in due to the weight of the tools I would hoard. I have a decent set, enough to fill my 55 top and botttom and my tool cart and some things at home. That said if I could I would buy more!

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm still holding out for 1/4 drive models.

 

[stricht8]

Better to have and never need, than need and never have!

spoken like a true tool nut

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I have a rack with about eight spark plug sockets of different sizes and types, but I have several boxes of sockets that are put away that I don't use anymore and I am sure there is at least 20 or so in those. I am thinking about looking into the magnetic ones now.

 

[ajchien]

I'm a part-time mechanic, full-time student (medical student actually). I probably change spark plugs at least once a week (considering I only work one or two days a week ).

Dude. How on earth are you holding a part time job in med school? Aren't you in the hospital 80 hours a week being a scut monkey for some sleep deprived intern doing 100 hours a week?

 

[Hawk321]

Well, show us your stuff.

 

[JASTECH]

I guess the work ethics are very different from the past. It seems like most live by the Flat Rate and no extra unless it's in the book and charged for. I do understand the shop owners as i'm there too. Anyways, don't know why Mfg's don't suggest indexing and supply a tool to the market.
Yes, I used copper washers back then too, I only needed the RED marker. We use to make our own IT's out of aluminum tap it, etch the confirmed plug's cylinder onto it. Then it goes fast. Now with them new fangled multi-Neg. straps? Would "assume" no indexing needed? I can be learned so give it to me!

 

[Techniker]

I guess the work ethics are very different from the past. It seems like most live by the Flat Rate and no extra unless it's in the book and charged for. I do understand the shop owners as i'm there too. Anyways, don't know why Mfg's don't suggest indexing and supply a tool to the market.
Yes, I used copper washers back then too, I only needed the RED marker. We use to make our own IT's out of aluminum tap it, etch the confirmed plug's cylinder onto it. Then it goes fast. Now with them new fangled multi-Neg. straps? Would "assume" no indexing needed? I can be learned so give it to me!

I wouldn't say it's work ethic. The OEMs don't even specify it. It would also help if there was any strong evidence, or any evidence at all really, that in your standard engine indexing spark plugs made any difference whatsoever. Nothing in the automotive engineering or mechanical engineering literature supports it. The only support for it comes from self-appointed experts on racing forums who claim that their cousin's dog's 1983 Ford ****** noticed better acceleration after he did it.

Without evidence, it's merely dogma. I would love to see studies if anyone has them available though.

 

[geologist]

Time = Money

Frustration = High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure = Less Time

Less Time = Less Money

Plus, being dead ***** (or maybe it doesn't, depending on your philosophy of the cosmos).

That's good enough for me. If it will save me 5 minutes of time and the frustration associated with a tricky job, it's worth it. I would rather not fret on the "What if? situation... "What if I had this tool?... Oh wait, I do!"

 

[Techniker]

Time = Money

Frustration = High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure = Less Time

Less Time = Less Money

Plus, being dead ***** (or maybe it doesn't, depending on your philosophy of the cosmos).

That's good enough for me. If it will save me 5 minutes of time and the frustration associated with a tricky job, it's worth it. I would rather not fret on the "What if? situation... "What if I had this tool?... Oh wait, I do!"

Thanks, that's the way I need to think of it; especially everytime that pesky voice of reason creeps into my head and tries to convince me that I don't need to spend more money on tools!

You all will be pleased to know that I ended up picking up a Snap-On, never before used, magnetic 5/8" spark plug socket with 6" swivel extension, as well as a 13/16" magnetic spark plug socket of the same type, and a deep spark plug socket all for a crisp $15. Ironically, the ratcheting serpentine belt tool cost me more and in all only ran me $50!

Let the jealousy ensue,
Techniker