What are SAE sockets used for?

[Charles (in GA)]

I have 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets in the following sizes 15/32, 19/32, 21/32, and 25/32 plus offset box wrenches in 19/32 and 25/32. I do not recall ever using these sizes other than to pound the socket onto a rounded off bolt with a hammer. Just out of curiosity I would be interested in knowing where these sizes are used. I have run across fasteners with 11/32" and smaller wrench sized heads that were a /32" denomination but I can't remember ever using the larger ones

Prior to the Second World War, fastener sizes in 32's was quite common. I think the necessity of war time production required fewer sizes and they went by the wayside. On the opposite end of the spectrum, old Ford tractors were built with hex nuts that were almost all 1-1/16", no matter what size thread on the inside. This allowed farmers to have one tool to fit everything.

Wait till you encounter Armstrong and Whitworth sized if you really want to get confused.

Charles

 

[Major Ramifications]

As far as fasteners, I absolutely prefer metric. Call it inexperience with standard, but if I put a 12mm socket on a bolt and it's slightly too small it's a lot easier to grab the next size up (13mm) rather than figuring out what the next size up in standard is (7/16" to 1/2" in this case). That said, for projects where I'm building something, I usually get standard hardware simply because there is usually a better selection, it's less expensive, and it gives me a chance to wipe the dust off my standard tools and use them so their purchase feels worthwhile

I am kind of surprised to hear that SAE fasteners are more plentiful and cheaper up there in Canada, too. The hardware store I deal with has about five times more SAE fasteners than they do metric. And the SAE's are way cheaper.
I still think that the metric system is far superior. Everything is based on the simple concept of ten.
This really hit home when many years ago I was a shop manager of a CNC graphics company. The new kids coming out of college who had never gotten their hands dirty knew absolutely NOTHING about our fractional inch system. I had to produce teaching materials and have mini classes to, basically, teach them to read a ruler. Even they could have understood the metric system.

 

[Junkman]

Prior to the Second World War, fastener sizes in 32's was quite common. I think the necessity of war time production required fewer sizes and they went by the wayside. On the opposite end of the spectrum, old Ford tractors were built with hex nuts that were almost all 1-1/16", no matter what size thread on the inside. This allowed farmers to have one tool to fit everything.

Wait till you encounter Armstrong and Whitworth sized if you really want to get confused.

Charles

During the Second World War, the US Government spec-ed all fasteners to be of a different size than what was generally considered standard. The fastener sizes were odd ball, along with the number of threads per inch and the diameters were also "bastardized". This was done to keep any equipment that might have fallen into the enemies hands from being repaired. The same exists today in many countries that product military equipment. You need specialized tools to work on the vehicles.

 

[boiler7904]

From a building construction stand point, almost all fasteners in the US are SAE unless it is being built of imported components such as a specialty curtain wall system. Specialty hardware such as cabinet hinges, drawer slides, etc. are a mix depending on the manufacturer.

 

[eschoendorff]

I still think that the metric system is far superior. Everything is based on the simple concept of ten.
This really hit home when many years ago I was a shop manager of a CNC graphics company. The new kids coming out of college who had never gotten their hands dirty knew absolutely NOTHING about our fractional inch system. I had to produce teaching materials and have mini classes to, basically, teach them to read a ruler. Even they could have understood the metric system.

Yes... thank you! Someone understands....

 

[wilbilt]

I have generally used SAE/USS a lot more than metrics, but that is changing.
I don't have a problem with the metric system, but don't like the spin that US manufacturers have put on it. Oddball head sizes, thread pitches, etc.
When's the last time you measured your tire pressure in Kilopascals?

Now that my daughter is home with her "flaming lemon" Mitsu Lancer, I guess I'll have to dust off the metrics and fill in those sizes I'm short on.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

When's the last time you measured your tire pressure in Kilopascals?.

What horrible numbers to work with, pounds provides a range of numbers, increments actually, that are workable, Kp's don't and neither do Bars.

Charles

 

[CarpenterJC]

Alot of SAE is still used on HD Trucks/Tractor Trailers...I have more SAE in diff drives up to a set in 3/4" drive than I do metric.

JC

 

[bluesman2a]

Never work metric unless it's on the DD's. On my '68 M-715 (military) I can pretty much take the whole truck apart with a hand full of wrenches. Gimme a 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16 and 3/4 and I'm pretty well set to take it down to the component parts

 

[thefairlaneman]

SAE or metric.......every mechanic that does real repairs needs both and when he needs one he doesnt have he goes out and buys it. you see there are 2 types of mechanics,,,those of us who can fix the problems,and those (most people) who just mess............