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What's the biggest socket size you have ?

stioc

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I bought one of those big (approx 400 pc) Craftsman sets when I started working on cars a couple of years ago. It came with metric, SAE, 6pt, 12pt, shallow and deep sockets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2". However, my only grip has been the 1/2" socket set that only came with 12 point sockets :( in fact I can't even find any 1/2" 6 pt shallow sockets at Craftsman.com

I found a SK shallow 6 pt socket set that goes from 10mm to 28mm. However, my 3/8" set (which is what I use the most) already covers me up to 21mm. I'm wondering if there's a better option out there for e.g. 18mm-36mm or something.

Aside from the axle nuts I haven't had to use a bigger socket than a 21mm but just for the sake of completency I want to have a set up to 32mm if not 36mm :drool:

What's the biggest socket you guys have (or use) ?
 
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Luckydevil

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Tampa
1+1/4" for rear motorcycle axle nuts. It is supposed to be a 32mm, but the 1+1/4" actually fits better and is much easier to find.
 

eschoendorff

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Feb 6, 2005
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Michigan
I just use impact sockets

I think my biggest are 1 1/4" frac and 30mm metric. Most impact sockets are 6 pt anyway, and you can use them on a hand ratchet as well as on an impact gun. The way I see it, you kinda kill two birds with one stone.
 

OH-MAN

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Jan 11, 2005
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sunny Az.
1 and 1/2 inches of chrome steel:rocker:

Stepping into the lead.
I know I will get blown out when the pro mech. check in.

This is a real socket not a stamped Water Heater one.
 
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stioc

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OK, where are you guys buying these big sockets ? I can't seem to find a 6pt set or even singles are tough to find. I can't afford Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Cornwell so SK/Facom/Craftsman is what I've been looking at.
 

C_F

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Utah...SNOW BLOWS!
Russell said:
OK, where are you guys buying these big sockets ? I can't seem to find a 6pt set or even singles are tough to find. I can't afford Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Cornwell so SK/Facom/Craftsman is what I've been looking at.
Craftsman has big ones, but it's easiest to get them online or from one of their largest stores (the ones that have every stinkin' thing in the catalog).

Here's the largest Craftsman one I've got;

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...OL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00947791000
 
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stioc

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C_F said:
Craftsman has big ones, but it's easiest to get them online or from one of their largest stores (the ones that have every stinkin' thing in the catalog).

Here's the largest Craftsman one I've got;

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...OL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00947791000


Thanks for the link but that's just my problem, all their big sockets are 12pt, I want them in 6pt up to 36mm. I have a HF impact set that goes to 32mm so I've been using that but they are too darn thick (and of course long since they're deep) and sometimes won't fit.
 
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kartracer55

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eschoendorff said:
I think my biggest are 1 1/4" frac and 30mm metric. Most impact sockets are 6 pt anyway, and you can use them on a hand ratchet as well as on an impact gun. The way I see it, you kinda kill two birds with one stone.


Alot of ferry head bolts are showing up these days on cars. usualy on aircraft, but honda uses the in their ****** setup.

Thats the only reason for a12 pt impact socket, nobody in the right mind would use all that torque thier gun puts out with a12 point socket and expect the bolt to survive.

Also, its best to have chrome and impacts, because You shoudl use chrom on an impact other wise ytou will damage the socket, the hammer mechanism of your gun, or both. The chrome sockets have amuch thinner wall, and you cant get to certain bolts with the thick walls of an impact socket.



My biggest is 1 1/4 I have it in chrome and impacts, deep +shallow, and 32 or 26 mm as well whichever the SK sets usually end with.

Jim
 

kartracer55

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Russell said:
Thanks for the link but that's just my problem, all their big sockets are 12pt, I want them in 6pt up to 36mm. I have a HF impact set that goes to 32mm so I've been using that but they are too darn thick (and of course long since they're deep) and sometimes won't fit.


2 reasons for this.. 1 they are impacts, but 2 they are made of cheap steal, so for strength they need to be slightly thicker. Alot of times you will need a thin walled impact of certian things, but They are so much more expensive thana regular one, so your better off with a chromy and a breaker bar
 

73GRAND

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Apr 7, 2005
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NIAGARA FALLS
Last weekend an older gentlemen in my neighborhood was selling old wrenches and sockets. I drove up in my 3/4ton Chevy pickup of which a couple of weeks prior I had to replace the lower ball joints. I had to borrow a socket since my craftsman set didn't go up to 1 1/8". I grabbed a bunch of sockets from the box he had an dove under the truck. I started putting up the sockets to all the steering nuts and such. I crawled out and said I'll take the 1", 1 1/16", 1 1/8" and the 1 1/4". They were all deep well Snap-On sockets. How much $1.00 a piece, $4.00 total.
 

kartracer55

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Jun 21, 2005
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You need to buy tools according to you use of them. For example, IF you will only be changing oil or rotating tires, you will only need sockets up to one inch. If you are more serious, you will probably need those few larger ones. If you are only going to use one big socket, no sense in buying a whole set that goes up ot the size you need, just buy the socket individually.

Jim
 

jeepgod

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Aug 15, 2005
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Wildomar, CA
my biggest is a 1-3/4"... 3/4 drive.. i have about everything up to that one.. as my jeep gets bigger.. so do my tools...
 

kblazer87

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Aug 15, 2005
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Southeast Indiana
Hi from a new guy in southern Indiana.
I have some Snap On and Proto sockets I bought from a closed machine setup business last year. The largest is a chrome 3 1/8" (79mm) that is a 1" drive. It weighs 8.5 pounds. I haven't found a use for anything that large, but it sure makes a good conversation piece.
I also have 2 1/2", 2 3/8", 2 3/16", 2 5/8" etc... in 3/4" and 1" drives.
Mike
 

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Ganymedes

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Apr 24, 2013
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Morvan, Burgundy,France
I bought one of those big (approx 400 pc) Craftsman sets when I started working on cars a couple of years ago. It came with metric, SAE, 6pt, 12pt, shallow and deep sockets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2". However, my only grip has been the 1/2" socket set that only came with 12 point sockets :( in fact I can't even find any 1/2" 6 pt shallow sockets at Craftsman.com

I found a SK shallow 6 pt socket set that goes from 10mm to 28mm. However, my 3/8" set (which is what I use the most) already covers me up to 21mm. I'm wondering if there's a better option out there for e.g. 18mm-36mm or something.

Aside from the axle nuts I haven't had to use a bigger socket than a 21mm but just for the sake of completency I want to have a set up to 32mm if not 36mm :drool:

What's the biggest socket you guys have (or use) ?
I have these as the biggest : a no name (chinesium) of 50 mm and a 2" Snap On
 

oldwino

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Nov 16, 2009
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Sonoma County California (wine country)
I have a 2-5/16” American made (not at shop right now and can’t remember the brand. Bought it for a dollar when a tool store was closing. Never used and I’m sure it never will be but it looks cool sitting out. Too tall to fit in my socket drawer
 

Mgdoug3

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Mar 2, 2018
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Location
KY
I think my biggest is either 2-1/8 or 2-1/4". I only need it for one piece of equipment but I'm glad I have it.
 

dutchgray

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Sep 28, 2014
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Location
Dorset. England.
Got one which is 80 something mm, used up to 50mm for turning nuts, the big stuff I pick up if its cheap, good for use on the press.
 

BlakeTheCarGuy

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Oct 10, 2018
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Roanoke Virginia
Biggest so far I have is 1 1/2 Popular Mechanics brand socket. 1/2 drive. It’s from Walmart way back in the day. I want to get bigger ones too but haven’t yet. I work on cars for a living but do work to semi trucks and farm tractors and everything else too when asked and have needed it a few times. Biggest metric size is 36 and use that all the time on axle nuts.
 

no704

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Apr 27, 2016
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5,212
“Rent” the axle nut socket set from O’Rilieys and never return it!
 
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