What would a bare minimum SAE + metric 1/4" socket set contain?

[Macchina]

Like many of you, I have hundreds of sockets. Short, long, a few lengths between, SAE, metric, specialty, etc....

As an engineer, DIYer, and personal car wrencher I probably actually use the same 8 sockets each year.

If you were to pick the 10ish most common 1/4 drive standard length sockets on both SAE and metric, up to 5/8" or so what would they be? Please note if 2 sockets are close (like 5/16" and 8mm) don't double up. This set would be used in the house (electrical, plumbing, assembly) and anywhere on a car you'd use 1/4" drive.

 

[mbshop]

Basic sets are just that, basic. You buy and add as needed.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

1/4, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm. Toss a Koken 1/4 universal in there as socket #10, it's about the same length/size.

 

[jd_1138]

I'd complete the sets all the way up to like 1/2" and 14mm -- get every socket. May as well, they are dirt cheap on ebay as singles (especially if you don't mind having 2 or 3 brands). My OCD requires a complete set -- don't really care about brand.

I'd rather have the socket and not need it than not have it when I need it.

 

[matthew]

I am a huge fan of 1/4" drive - it is my go-to, for smaller access, and because it's less likely I'll overtorque things (that goes for automotive, but especially household use like plumbing and furniture). So I would tend to be of the view that people should have their most comprehensive set as 1/4", and that it is the other drive sizes I would be more willing to have a minimal / makeshift set.

That said, I'd easily say 10mm, 7/16", 1/2", 3/8", and 11/32" get by far the most use for me. I'd probably add a deep 7/16" and 1/2" next. I do use 1/4" and 5/16" for sheet metal screws from time to time, a nutdriver would get more use than a ratchet and socket on those.

 

[Macchina]

That said, I'd easily say 10mm, 7/16", 1/2", 3/8", and 11/32" get by far the most use for me. I'd probably add a deep 7/16" and 1/2" next. I do use 1/4" and 5/16" for sheet metal screws from time to time, a nutdriver would get more use than a ratchet and socket on those.

Only 1 metric?!

I am becoming a huge 1/4" fan as well. The wrenches for so well in a pocket when working around the house and the lightweight tools seem to have a lot better feedback to them.

 

[matthew]

Only 1 metric?!

Yep. The metric world seems to have settled on 10mm as the default choice, and I consistently use 10mm on automotive, small engine, and household. I'd probably go for an adapter for hex bits before adding 12mm or 13mm.

For stuff that's in the 1/4" drive capability, for inch stuff I might use 7/16" around 40% of the time and 1/2" maybe 30%. If it's metric it's probably 80% of the time with 10mm.

 

[Macchina]

Got 9 of them on an 8" section of 10-24 threaded rod. Made a couple aluminum threaded end pieces and it fits great in my portable tool kit. Thanks guys!

I went with:
1/4"
11/32"
3/8"
7/16"
1/2"
8mm
10mm
12mm
13mm

 

[M6erfan]

I hardly use SAE so I am no help there.

Metric I use 8, 10, 12, 13, 14mm 96% of the time in 1/4" drive

 

[lilredex]

Mine go up to 9/16 and 13MM.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Mine go up to 9/16 and 13MM.

Did you make those socket trays? Or did you buy them from somewhere?

 

[Macchina]

Basic sets are just that, basic. You buy and add as needed.

That's just it: a basic kit comes with way too many sockets for a portable tool kit. I have duplicates of a few sizes of sockets I've never used. For t this set I only want to carry what I use. This isn't a set for working on a car much, this is for the little stuff...

 

[BarryWells]

Gearwrench. Short/Medium and Long. Metric and SAE. It wont shred your wallet. The 84 tooth ratchets are better than the 120 type.........or buy some newer Proto ratchets.
$700 and you're all done. Get some Gearwrench extensions and swivels too. Really nice

 

[lilredex]

Did you make those socket trays? Or did you buy them from somewhere?

Made them, that way you get exactly what you need.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7943568#post7943568

https://www.instructables.com/id/Tool-Box-Socket-Organizating/

 

[Danglerb]

Look at the GearWrench microdriver set, frequently around $20 when on sale, nice little plastic case and has most of what you need in bits and sockets. Its always the first thing in my go bag.

 

[Y00PER]

Skip the 10mm, it will just get lost anyway. Lol

 

[ex-x-fire]

I'd add a bit socket & bits to the the kit.

 

[Macchina]

I have bits in my kit, I was just looking to add a few sockets. This is the kit I'm adding the sockets to:

 

[HenryAZ]

This SK (made in the USA) 1/4" set is quite complete, with 3/16" --> 9/16" SAE and 4mm --> 15mm metric, both standard and deep sockets in each size, ratchet and two extensions. (note, the metric deep sockets are 7mm --> 15mm).

SK 1/4" set

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am a huge fan of 1/4" drive - it is my go-to, for smaller access, and because it's less likely I'll overtorque things (that goes for automotive, but especially household use like plumbing and furniture).

Same here ! My set started as all SAE 50 years ago !

The most important thing is get 6 point sockets. For small sizes the 12 points one will just round things off !

The second most important thing is a hand spinner (screwdriver handle) with a female 1/4" drive in the top for when you need just a bit more torque.

A 3" and a 6" extension and a universal are handy.


I do NOT own any deep 1/4" drive sockets (but I do use my 3/8" drive deep a lot), nor do I own a 1/4" ratchet. 1/4" "breaker" bar and a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter.

 

[Macchina]

I do NOT own any deep 1/4" drive sockets (but I do use my 3/8" drive deep a lot), nor do I own a 1/4" ratchet. 1/4" "breaker" bar and a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter.

You don't own a 1/4" ratchet???

 

[BarryWells]

You don't own a 1/4" ratchet???

I thought there was a law against that. I must own 15 or more.
Well us small engine and bike guys it's the first go to.
When I was a car guy in the seventies everything was 3/8 w/ a littlle 1/2" for dumbasses with impact guns putting things together(incorrectly).Gas station mechanics were the worst.Put snow tires on an f350 dually and 5 minutes later retatattat on a water pump. Same settings.
Not a torque wrench within 10 miles.
I'm a good guesser(decadees) but I demand my guys use a torque wrench on almost anything. Even oil pans and valve covers. Never a leak.It takes 30 seconds to torque a water pump and two hours to remove a broken bolt. Your call.
1/4" takes away some of the problem but you can put some *** on those 8- 9" Snapons and Matcos.
Break a little oil pan bolt in a second. 200 lb gorilla as aVe would call them.
Just use a cheapo beam type like the bicycle guys use. Consistent is more important than the actually tension.Pull it down nice and even, not stupid tight.

This is close enough to reality. My bet is 90% of you go far tighter on all of them

 

[Tempus_Fugit]

I really like my Snap-On 9/16 6pt 1/4" drive socket, very useful.

 

[dr_clyde]

I rarely use metric, so I don’t know what I would need there. I have 8-14? I think? In my portable in 1/4” drive.

But for inch, I use the hell out of 7/16”, 1/2”, and 9/16”. Very, very common. I have 5/16”- 5-8” in deep and shallow in 1/4” drive.