what size sockets for sets?

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

I am starting to organize my new toolbox and have a question about sockets. I have a lot of random sockets and want to put them into sets so I can make some custom rails to keep them organized in my box. I will only need 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive and plan on doing a set of deep and shallow for each sizeet but I cant find anything on what sizes to use for full sets. So does anyone have any suggestions on what size sockets to get for each drive size? thanks.

 

[littlekillertoad]

Well, if you wanna go whole hog and you don't know what exactly you'll be working on, I'd recommend getting a set of hansen socket trays and try to fill 'em up. It'll be a fun hour or two and it's a great way to visually see what you're missing.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

Well, if you wanna go whole hog and you don't know what exactly you'll be working on, I'd recommend getting a set of hansen socket trays and try to fill 'em up. It'll be a fun hour or two and it's a great way to visually see what you're missing.

Thats basically my plan. I got the box and tools for free but I'm still on a budget and cant really afford the hansen trays but I plan on making some like them out of wood. I just want to get an idea of what the full sets will look like before making the custom racks.

 

[Rickster]

What about 6 point and 12 point??... Impacts??

 

[Charles (in GA)]

It seems as if you are asking the smallest and largest sizes normally used in a particular drive size. This is difficult to say, but, for instance, 1/2 drive usually goes from about 9/16 to 1-1/4" in sixteenths. Some sizes such as 1-3/16" usually gets skipped. Spend some time with tool catalogs and see what they generally offer in sets, to get an idea of sizes included.

Charles

 

[MattT]

I start 3/8" at 10mm and 3/8". 1/2" at 14mm and 9/16". Don't see any reason to go lower. On the upper end go as large as you can on 1/4" and 3/8" and just buy what you need north of 24mm and 1" with 1/2".

 

[DrkMtnDew]

1/4'' Dr.- 3/16'' to 9/16'' & 7mm to 15mm
3/8'' Dr.- 5/16'' to 1'' & 10mm to 19mm
1/2'' Dr.- 3/8'' to 1-1/4'' & 10mm to 27mm

the are common set sizes that i've seen on most tool trucks, catalogs, online, etc. a good assortment of shallow, deep, and a couple of extensions will be a good start. hope this helps.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

Every level of use brings a different set of needs. Are you a weekend warrior with a common ford truck or a jaguar in the garage? Do you or will you spin wrenches for a living? And on what? Its just too hard to answer a question like this with no background info.
We love pics too!

Brian

I will be using the set for a lot of different things, but more for in my free time. Its gonna be the start of my first real set so I know I will probably accumulate more tools in the future. I will be working on lawnmowers, snowblowers, air compressors and cars foreign and domestic. As for the pics I will try to get some up soon. I dont have all the tools in the box yet but I think thats part of the fun.

What about 6 point and 12 point??... Impacts??

I forgot to mention that my final plans are to have 1/4. 3/8, 1/2 drive in standard and metric, both 6 pt and 12 pt plus impacts.

It seems as if you are asking the smallest and largest sizes normally used in a particular drive size. This is difficult to say, but, for instance, 1/2 drive usually goes from about 9/16 to 1-1/4" in sixteenths. Some sizes such as 1-3/16" usually gets skipped. Spend some time with tool catalogs and see what they generally offer in sets, to get an idea of sizes included.

Charles

yeah thats basically what Im looking for to get an idea of what to build for my peg rack. Basically the possible sizes I would come across for the smaller projects Ill be doing. I may just go to sears and write down what sizes are on the hansen trays and go from there. The catalog idea is good to.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

I start 3/8" at 10mm and 3/8". 1/2" at 14mm and 9/16". Don't see any reason to go lower. On the upper end go as large as you can on 1/4" and 3/8" and just buy what you need north of 24mm and 1" with 1/2".

1/4'' Dr.- 3/16'' to 9/16''
3/8'' Dr.- 5/16'' to 1''
1/2'' Dr.- 3/8'' to 1-1/4''

the are common set sizes that i've seen on most tool trucks, catalogs, online, etc. a good assortment of shallow, deep, and a couple of extensions will be a good start. hope this helps.

All of the replys helped me out alot. I think I know where to start building. Now I just have to narrow down what Im goona do for the rails. Thanks everyone for the fast replys btw

 

[Rickster]

I don't use a lot of metric working on my older cars so I'll keep my recommendations to SAE. I'd go with 1/2 dr sockets 1/2 up as far as you can. 3/8 dr I'd say 3/8 through 7/8 plus a 15/16 spark plug socket. 1/4 drive is 1/2 down as far as you can. 1/2 dr should be OK in 6 pt, 3/8 dr 12pt & 6 pt, 1/4 dr in 6pt. I'd opt for a set of 3/8 dr 6pt swivels and some deepwell and short impacts also.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

At a minimum you need:

1/4 in. Drive:11 6 pt. standard sockets (5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and9/16 in.); 12 6pt. metric sockets (4, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14mm); 10 12pt. standard sockets (3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and9/16 in.); 10 6pt. deep standard sockets (3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and9/16 in.); 11 6 pt. deep metric sockets (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14mm); 10 12pt. deep standard sockets (3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and9/16 in.)

3/8 in. Drive: 13 6 pt. standard sockets (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, and 1 in.); 17 6pt. metric sockets (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22mm); 5 8pt. standard sockets (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2 in.); 13 12 pt. standard sockets (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, and 1 in.); 15 12 pt. metric sockets (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21mm); 11 6 pt. deep standard sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, and 1 in.); 11 6 pt. deep metric sockets (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19); 11 12 pt. deep standard sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, and 1 in.); 13 12pt. deep metric sockets (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22mm)


1/2 in. Drive:15 6 pt. standard sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8, 1-3/16, and 1-1/4 in.); 14 6pt. metric sockets (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22mm); 6 8 pt. standard sockets (7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, and 3/4 in.); 19 12 pt. standard sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 19/32, 5/8, 21/32, 11/16, 3/4, 25/32, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8, 1-3/16, 1-1/4, and 1-1/2 in.); 24 12 pt. metric sockets (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 ,28, 29, 30, 32, and 36mm); 11 6 pt. deep standard sockets (1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, and 1-1/8 in.); 9 6 pt. deep metric sockets (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21mm); 18 12 pt. deep standard sockets (7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8 and 1-3/16 in.); 15 12 pt. deep metric sockets (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 27mm)

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

At a minimum you need:

1/4 in. Drive:11 6 pt. standard sockets (5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and9/16 in.); 12 6pt. metric sockets (4, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14mm); 10 12pt. standard sockets (3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and9/16 in.); 10 6pt. deep standard sockets (3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and9/16 in.); 11 6 pt. deep metric sockets (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14mm); 10 12pt. deep standard sockets (3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and9/16 in.)

3/8 in. Drive: 13 6 pt. standard sockets (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, and 1 in.); 17 6pt. metric sockets (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22mm); 5 8pt. standard sockets (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2 in.); 13 12 pt. standard sockets (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, and 1 in.); 15 12 pt. metric sockets (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21mm); 11 6 pt. deep standard sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, and 1 in.); 11 6 pt. deep metric sockets (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19); 11 12 pt. deep standard sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, and 1 in.); 13 12pt. deep metric sockets (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22mm)


1/2 in. Drive:15 6 pt. standard sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8, 1-3/16, and 1-1/4 in.); 14 6pt. metric sockets (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22mm); 6 8 pt. standard sockets (7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, and 3/4 in.); 19 12 pt. standard sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 19/32, 5/8, 21/32, 11/16, 3/4, 25/32, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8, 1-3/16, 1-1/4, and 1-1/2 in.); 24 12 pt. metric sockets (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 ,28, 29, 30, 32, and 36mm); 11 6 pt. deep standard sockets (1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, and 1-1/8 in.); 9 6 pt. deep metric sockets (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21mm); 18 12 pt. deep standard sockets (7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8 and 1-3/16 in.); 15 12 pt. deep metric sockets (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 27mm)

Thanks. thats exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Rickster]

1/2 in drive 3/8 socket?? Could just say "all of them".

 

[MattT]

1/2 in drive 3/8 socket?? Could just say "all of them".

Exactly. The smaller sizes are a waste of money and space

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

I think I'll follow the sizes that are on the hansens trays and go from there. Im hoping to to start sorting through the box of sockets I have tomorrow and pulling sets so I can start working on the racks maybe tomorrow or this weekend. I already finished the wrenches today.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

I decided against building my own socket racks because I was able to find some like the harbor freight ones, except they are longer and the sockets will all fit better. I just ordered the rest of them so they should all be here by monday. The 1/2 drive setup I already did works out great. Also here is a picture of the tool box.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

That's a good sized box.

 

[littlekillertoad]

Nice. that puts my box to shame. Good luck collecting sockets!

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

That's a good sized box.

yeah it is. When we brought it home my mom came out and said she knew I said it was a big toolbox, but she didnt think it would be that big.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

Nice. that puts my box to shame. Good luck collecting sockets!

thanks. once I get the organizers it should go pretty quick. There are a lot more sockets then I originally thought there were so I shouldnt actually need to buy that many to complete the sets.

 

[back2class]

I say skip the 12pt. I would however get a FULL set of 12pt in 1/2 drive. That would be 3/8-1-1/4 & 8mm-32mm. That way when you have a need for 12pt come up (and it will from time to time) you will have it.

I keep 6mm-22mm and 5/16-1" on my 3/8 shallow sockets since I use those the most.

That is the beauty of Good old Craftsman sockets. Not gona break the bank to have the few above and below 10-19mm when you need them.


If I could have only one set, I would rather have a Craftsman 6-21mm set over a snap-on 10-19. I would rather have a very good quality tool at the ready than not have a superb quality one.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

What brand is that? It has a nice arrangement of drawers on the bottom box.

Oh, and pics of what you got organized?

Its a husky and its 64 inches tall. I will try to have some pics up of the wrenches organized tomorrow or friday.

I say skip the 12pt. I would however get a FULL set of 12pt in 1/2 drive. That would be 3/8-1-1/4 & 8mm-32mm. That way when you have a need for 12pt come up (and it will from time to time) you will have it.

I keep 6mm-22mm and 5/16-1" on my 3/8 shallow sockets since I use those the most.

That is the beauty of Good old Craftsman sockets. Not gona break the bank to have the few above and below 10-19mm when you need them.


If I could have only one set, I would rather have a Craftsman 6-21mm set over a snap-on 10-19. I would rather have a very good quality tool at the ready than not have a superb quality one.

After looking through the majority of the sockets I have, I will end up with 1/4 6pt shallow and deep sockets for metric and sae, 3/8 drive 6pt and 12 pt in both deep and shallow for sae and metric, and 1/2 drive 12pt deep well in sae 6pt and 12pt in shallow for sae and metric.

I will then start looking to buy some 1/2 deep sockets for the metrics. I still have to go pickup the impact sockets to see whats in that box. I hope to have all the sockets organized by tues or weds next week. I'm kind of organizing and filling the box on a budget, but it definitly helps that I already have a lot of the stuff to work with.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Thanks. thats exactly what I was looking for.

Get em here:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935299000P

I bought that set a few years ago. Its very complete and I feel it's a bargin. It usually goes on sale around the holidays.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

Get em here:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935299000P

I bought that set a few years ago. Its very complete and I feel it's a bargin. It usually goes on sale around the holidays.

that does look like a nice set. I should already have pretty much everything I need, but I will keep this set in mind.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

Here are some pics of the wrench drawer that I already organized. Im thinking about starting another thread for organizing my box on the budget.

 

[Wrenchette]

RbrtAWhyt - that is an awesome list.

Personally, I don't feel a complete set of MATCHING sockets is needed. I have found a fun way to kill time and get great, cheap, U.S.A. made sockets going through pawn shop loose tool bins. Often, a Snap On or other great brand gets tossed in and they usually won't even look when you take them up to the counter. All our sockets are a totally eclectic collection, but the most used sockets are Snap On, most of which I have found in bargain bins. Matter of fact, i found a set of 12 point 3/8s drive deep metric Wrights (8-18mm) in a bargain bin the other day and didn't have to bat my eyes to get them all for $5! No point in having all shiny, matching socket sets personally.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

RbrtAWhyt - that is an awesome list.

Personally, I don't feel a complete set of MATCHING sockets is needed. I have found a fun way to kill time and get great, cheap, U.S.A. made sockets going through pawn shop loose tool bins. Often, a Snap On or other great brand gets tossed in and they usually won't even look when you take them up to the counter. All our sockets are a totally eclectic collection, but the most used sockets are Snap On, most of which I have found in bargain bins. Matter of fact, i found a set of 12 point 3/8s drive deep metric Wrights (8-18mm) in a bargain bin the other day and didn't have to bat my eyes to get them all for $5! No point in having all shiny, matching socket sets personally.

I also dont feel that the sockets have to match. The majority of the sockets I have are SK and craftsman, but I have a feeling I will need some more to finish sets, so it will be whatever is affordable at pawnshops, garage sales, etc. (preferably US made though)

 

[hdpusher]

I also dont feel that the sockets have to match. The majority of the sockets I have are SK and craftsman, but I have a feeling I will need some more to finish sets, so it will be whatever is affordable at pawnshops, garage sales, etc. (preferably US made though)

How bout it. My tool box looks more like an orphanage for tools rather than the pics in the catalogs.

I also used the HF socket organizers and I've had hour of fun reorganizing my sockets and draws. The only two problems I've noticed when you fill it with the larger sizes they all dont fit in the tray and the sizes dont always match up.