Trying no 3/8 sets

[JazzBlueRT]

Just get Gator Grip and have a whole toolbox in your pocket. It really works, I saw the commercials.

http://www.asseenontv.com/gator-grip-universal-socket/detail.php?p=296303

But wait! There's more!!!!

 

[Codejack]

Just get Gator Grip and have a whole toolbox in your pocket. It really works, I saw the commercials.

http://www.asseenontv.com/gator-grip-universal-socket/detail.php?p=296303

But wait! There's more!!!!

Lol, I had one of those 20 years ago; they are utter ****

 

[hangfirew8]

You dont work on anything I work on so why should it matter I tell you what kind of equipment? You sound like my wife where I can't tell her a story about someone she doesnt know without telling her the names of everyone in the story.

I'm really sorry to hear your wife sounds like me, I wouldn't want to hear THAT voice come out of my wife. But you really should leave your personal problems off of GJ and focus on the tools and garages.

 

[Codejack]

Oh, wow, this idea has been completely abandoned.

Today, I had my 3/8" ratchet on a bolt that it barely fit on with a shallow socket, that I could then only reach by putting a flathead screwdriver on it (those knurlings are fantastic! ) and then I hit it with a hammer. (Honda timing belt)

1/4" wasn't going to hold up to that, and 1/2" wouldn't fit.

 

[colin39]

In all honesty, i dont think i have reached for a 3/8th drive tool in the last 2 years

 

[Codejack]

In all honesty, i dont think i have reached for a 3/8th drive tool in the last 2 years

What drive size do you have spark plug sockets in?

 

[unslow1]

Lol, I had one of those 20 years ago; they are utter ****

I saw one of those Gator Grip sockets in use a few years ago. The guy was using it on a cordless drill tightening wing nuts. The only other time I've seen it used was someone installing screw in hooks. Those are probably the only things that is good for.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

I've ditched the 1/4" drive, a 3/8" drive generally takes care of my smaller stuff.

 

[Codejack]

I've ditched the 1/4" drive, a 3/8" drive generally takes care of my smaller stuff.

I've got a flexhead 1/4" ratchet, u-joint, and 5 different extensions.

It simply makes the impossible possible; or rather, let's me not take stuff off that you are supposed to, to save time

I work on a lot of small stuff, though.

 

[cherrybomb]

I use 1/4 and 3/8 the most,my sockets I've built overlap into them,1/4 up to 15 mm,3/8to 1in.My 1/2 drive goes from3/4 to 1 and1/4.Depending on tightness and assessability ,overlap lets you handle most sitiuations,adapters,extensions and a 1/2 sliding tee handle ,Everybody's sitiuation is a bit different,I don't believe I want I to give up versatility.Hidden fasteners will always have to be carefully addressed.

 

[Al Borland]

You dont work on anything I work on so why should it matter I tell you what kind of equipment? You sound like my wife where I can't tell her a story about someone she doesnt know without telling her the names of everyone in the story. She wont take "they"s and "them"s.

...and she won't believe you work with Larry, Moe, Curly, Curly Joe, and Shemp??? You gotta learn to improvise.

 

[Gotcha640]

The rotating equipment shop I was in, almost all the guys had extensive sets of 1/2, a bit of 1/4, and adapters for 3/8 stuff. Fair sets of 3/4 stuff too. I got so used to carrying a 1/2 ratchet/extension/1 1/8 socket that when I went to swap the clutch in my car and pulled out my own 3/8 stuff it felt dainty.

 

[bsaint]

So its been a while and I'd like to post an update.

Its been a success ditching the 3/8 except for hex bit sockets. All the sizes I use need 3/8 drive. So I had to buy an adapter to go both ways. But instead of loosing the adapters, I just threw a 3/8 ratchet in the box.

Mind you I work on industrial machinery where space is usually plentiful.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Good to hear it's working out well for you. You whittled down 3/8" drive instead of eliminating it since you have bit sockets and a ratchet.

What's the biggest fastener size and/or the highest torque specs you deal with?

Curious how a good 3/8" drive set would have worked out. Sockets from 1/4" to 1" covers a lot of ground. I've had my 18" SO breaker bar break loose some lightly rusted 7/8" nuts and bolts to put it to the test right after I got it. Little flex and was long enough for good leverage. Then you can go all the way down to a 3/8" sq drive in a 1/4" ratchet body for light work. 3/8" is an extremely versatile drive size.

I'll keep all four of my drive sizes since I don't have any of the same constraints.

 

[jgromada]

LOL i read that title and intro from the OP and got me thinking I primarily use 3/8 for auto repair work (own cars). I reach for 1/2 drive on suspension work but rarely use 1/4".

 

[Snakebyt]

A GJ member that wants less tools instead of more tools... what is this madness??

Me personally, i use 3/8 more than anything

 

[CR888]

There is good reason for ALL drive sizes, they all have unique advantages in certain areas. If you don't need a drive size in the work you do that's cool, but it doesn't mean others don't.

 

[BigBoreFan]

I work on dirt-bikes. I use 1/4 most of the time. I do use 3/8 and 1/2. I could get away with no 3/8s.

 

[Tonyuk]

I use the main 3 drive sizes often, however for hand tools i definitely use 1/4" and 3/8" the most, 90% of my impact tools are 1/2".

 

[Professional Tool User]

It really depends on your application. I can probably go without a 3/8 dr if I wanted to as the smallest vehicle I work on is a light duty pickup.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I wish there was a 1/2 drive conversion for 3/8 Dual 80 ratchets. I think I could almost get away with a 1/2, 1/4 drive only set for what I do if I had a good 3/8 sized ratchet that could use 1/2 sockets.

Not quite the same as it adds a little length to the socket. They work well though without having to own an additional ratchet.
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[65k10]

Not quite the same as it adds a little length to the socket. They work well though without having to own an additional ratchet.
<a href='https://postimg.cc/image/s2v4s406n/' target='_blank'><img src='https://s19.postimg.cc/75ywng25v/Sleeve_1.jpg' border='0' alt='Sleeve_1'/></a>

How well do the magnets retain the socket? That concern has kept me from trying those type of adapters. If it's decent, I wouldn't mind giving them a chance.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

How well do the magnets retain the socket? That concern has kept me from trying those type of adapters. If it's decent, I wouldn't mind giving them a chance.

Mine hold the socket just fine, never had one fall off yet. I have seen some other sets that had two magnets each, Don't know how well they retain a socket though.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Me personally, i use 3/8 more than anything

As an American, me too. Europeans hardly use it though.

 

[Tom White]

I sort of do that. I have a small hand carry toolbox filled with 1/2 drive tools only, wrenches, pry bars, hammer, and other common tools I know I can make use of when doing simple maintenance or repairs on my farm equipment.

For the most part it works perfectly fine and allows me to have a small enough box that can come with me almost anywhere I'm working. However, since the only work I do is on my own equipment...

Similar situation here. If I have to do anything to my brush cutter (adjust or change the tail wheel, or remove the cutter blades for sharpening) I need the half-inch. Need to change an old damaged lift pin? Half-inch works. Wouldn't really want to use smaller ones. Even for removing the blades on the riding mower the half-inch is the tool of choice for me.

 

[R_einan]

Odd thought... I’m not sure I could live without 3/8, I use that most often! The majority of my mechanical tools work if on my wife’s classic cars or on my Harley, 3/8 just seems to be the perfect balance between ease of access and torque for most fasteners I deal with. I could probably live without 1/4 with the exception of some hex/torx drive pieces.

 

[WWheeler]

I've seen Blackhawk had a 7/16″ dr line of ratchets and sockets that supposedly were meant to replace the need to for both 3/8" and 1/2" dr. Were there any other brands that did the same? I dunno. I don't guess it caught on though. Would have been perfect for this thread.

 

[bsaint]

Good to hear it's working out well for you. You whittled down 3/8" drive instead of eliminating it since you have bit sockets and a ratchet.

What's the biggest fastener size and/or the highest torque specs you deal with?

Curious how a good 3/8" drive set would have worked out. Sockets from 1/4" to 1" covers a lot of ground. I've had my 18" SO breaker bar break loose some lightly rusted 7/8" nuts and bolts to put it to the test right after I got it. Little flex and was long enough for good leverage. Then you can go all the way down to a 3/8" sq drive in a 1/4" ratchet body for light work. 3/8" is an extremely versatile drive size.

I'll keep all four of my drive sizes since I don't have any of the same constraints.

The biggest fastener is probably 2-1/2" I use a 1" dr socket set for.

 

[Tonyuk]

As an American, me too. Europeans hardly use it though.

We use it plenty over here, its the most common hand tool size i use, followed by 1/4 then 1/2

 

[dnschmidt]

I think impact wrenches, and specifically cordless impact wrenches pretty much killed 1/2" drive. One guy mentioned changing his lawn mower blade required 1/2" drive. Not if you're using a Milwaukee Fuel 3/8" impact to take it off it doesn't. I don't struggle with nuts and bolts using hand tools I use super powerful cordless and if that doesn't work even more powerful air impacts (e. g. Aircat 1250K). If that doesn't work you don't need 1/2" you need 3/4" and a ten foot breaker bar.

 

[Tonyuk]

I think impact wrenches, and specifically cordless impact wrenches pretty much killed 1/2" drive. One guy mentioned changing his lawn mower blade required 1/2" drive. Not if you're using a Milwaukee Fuel 3/8" impact to take it off it doesn't. I don't struggle with nuts and bolts using hand tools I use super powerful cordless and if that doesn't work even more powerful air impacts (e. g. Aircat 1250K). If that doesn't work you don't need 1/2" you need 3/4" and a ten foot breaker bar.

I dont think it's done that at all, the majority of electric impacts i see are the same tool if you buy the 1/2 or 3/8 model just with a different anvil, the 1/2 always seems to have a bit more power too and that size of the sockets arent that much different. I prefer 1/2 myself for the majority of the time.

 

[bsaint]

1/2 sockets can handle more force than a 3/8 socket. Doesn't matter if you drive it with a 3/8 or 1/2 drive.

 

[Indexmill]

Getting rid of 3/8" socket set is utter insanity. 1/4" and 3/8" will cover nearly all of your needs except maybe suspension work in the rust belt.

Don't throw away your 1/2"' set; just don't carry it all the time or keep in in valuable real estate. You can always go fetch it. Get a 3/8" in a 1/4" body ratchet and keep the reducers.

 

[bsaint]

Getting rid of 3/8" socket set is utter insanity. 1/4" and 3/8" will cover nearly all of your needs except maybe suspension work in the rust belt.

Don't throw away your 1/2"' set; just don't carry it all the time or keep in in valuable real estate. You can always go fetch it. Get a 3/8" in a 1/4" body ratchet and keep the reducers.

So far its worked out great. For my machinery, small fasteners are for covers and panels, anything above 9/16 is a major bolt where a 3/8 ratchet wont work anyways.

 

[dnschmidt]

TonyUK you misunderstood my comment. I mean 1/2" drive hand tools. 1/2" drive hand tools have in my opinion been rendered unnecessary by cordless and air powered impact wrenches. If I can't move it with 3/8" drive hand tools I'm reaching for the impact. If a 1/2" impact will not move it a 1/2" drive hand tool surely isn't going to either you're going to need to go to 3/4" hand tools in that case.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

My impact is 1/2" drive. I still use my 1/2" drive ratchets, breaker bars, and sliding T handle. My 1/2 drive tools are not leaving my box any time soon.

There are more 1/2" drive tools available today than there was was just 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[Finky198]

To both your comments if you work on lots of things especially rusty ones you still need both hand chrome and impact tools. Their have been a number of times my 1/2” 2135 IR impact has not worked and I’ve needed to use a 36” 1/2” breaker bar to break a bolt or nut loose. At least a dozen times. I just got a SO 24” breaker bar.... chrome still has its uses.... not everything is accessible by impacts regardless of the power source...

I was out in the field yesterday working on a project f350 and I brought a set of 3/8 impacts sae/met, a set of lug nut sockets, (3 ratchets + 36” breaker bar) both 3/8”, 1/2” drive stuff, But of course the cordless 3/8 impact, drill, and sawzall, came with as well and were a time saver.

It’s about doing more with less (in terms of tools), but it all depends on the job... Sometimes it 1/4” other times it’s 3/4” chrome those aren’t going anywhere either... but more often then not when outside the shop I pick 2-3 drives sizes and go to it...

 

[CR888]

I wouldn't want a breaker bar above 15-18" in 3/8 drive for tough stuff. My 1/2" tools aren't going anywhere either, but I get where other folks are coming from. With new hi torque impacts and modern cars using smaller fasteners, 1/4" & 3/8" can handle most tasks for sure. I just find when I get past 80ftlb 3/8" feels a bit anemic.

 

[bsaint]

As of 6/8/2020, I havent needed a 3/8 set in my tool box since this post and I still do the same type of work.


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[bsaint]

Good to hear it's working out well for you. You whittled down 3/8" drive instead of eliminating it since you have bit sockets and a ratchet.

What's the biggest fastener size and/or the highest torque specs you deal with?

Curious how a good 3/8" drive set would have worked out. Sockets from 1/4" to 1" covers a lot of ground. I've had my 18" SO breaker bar break loose some lightly rusted 7/8" nuts and bolts to put it to the test right after I got it. Little flex and was long enough for good leverage. Then you can go all the way down to a 3/8" sq drive in a 1/4" ratchet body for light work. 3/8" is an extremely versatile drive size.

I'll keep all four of my drive sizes since I don't have any of the same constraints.

My largest fastener is probably a 1-1/2” dia bolt.


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