Which is more useful?

[TimDaToolMan]

I have smaller sockets in both 3/8 and 1/4 drive.

Take this pair for example. 1/4 size, standard.

The 3/8 drive would offer more torque, due to the longer ratchet.

The 1/4 drive is smaller. However I can't see a benefit because it's not that different.

In the examples where I have both 1/4 and 3/8 drive, should I just keep the 3/8, or hang onto both, and if I should hang onto both, explain why.

 

[vhol5]

Clearance issues ...

 

[Buckgnarly]

IF you need a reason to keep tools, you have bigger problems!

 

[Gotmayhem]

Clearance issues ...

Yup.

You'll be able to apply more torque with a 3/8" most of the time, but it won't always fit in places a 1/4" drive will.

 

[shoturtle]

clearance issues for one. And it is pretty easy to over torque a 5mm, 6mm, 7mm and 8mm with 3/8 drive.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

I've never even used 1/4" in 3/8 the more I think of it.

 

[cowboy73]

I use alot of 1/4" drive tools. Small engine repair, car interior work, electronics. It doesn't take a lot of torque for most of these fasteners. Clearance issues has already been said.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Definitely keep both. Unless you're really, seriously, critically short on space. Well, OK, maybe the 1/4" socket isn't the best example, I don't think I've ever needed a 3/8" drive one, but then I rarely need SAE period.

Otherwise, you never know what you might need. Maybe you need the extra leverage of a 3/8 ratchet here, maybe you need the clearance of the 1/4 there. When it gets tight, the diameter of the drive end and the size of the ratchet makes a HUGE difference. I've got an 8" long 1/4 drive ratchet that I often use with a 1/4-3/8 adapter when I need to go bigger than 15mm, commonly on engine accessories.

 

[crewchief888]

i work on const eq,
you wouldnt think there would be a use or need for 1/4" dr...

but for several repairs i do frequently 1/4" dr is the way to go....

most of the time working in the garage, i reach for a 1/4" dr set.

helps to have long 1/4" dr ratchets

 

[toolstools]

Keep. Clearance and torque. Also ease of use. Even if the 3/8 ratchet may clear, a 1/4 ratchet is easier to use. Could save a lot of bolts using a 1/4 ratchet. Less chance of snapping the head.

 

[tjmonsen5]

You you find situations where one of those sockets will work, where the other does not.

 

[Fedwrench]

It all depends on how many 1/4 headed fasteners you work with and how tight they are.

to me, there are a lot of plastic and aluminium components secured by small headed fasteners (7, 8, & 10mm) found on today's automobiles. As another post pointed out, it's easy to damage these fasteners by over tightening. For these sizes, I find 1/4 drive to be much more versitle and useful.

However, I think what socket makers might be going for when making sizes such as 1/4 through 1 inch or 6mm through 24 mm is set completeness in one drive size.

Overlap in 1/4 and 3/8 is fairly common up to mid range and I think it's beneficial to have both drive sizes even with the size overlap.

What I find confusing is 1/2 drive in sizes 9-12mm or 3/8-7/16. I just don't see the need but, I also understand that 3/8 drive is uncommon in Europe so, go figure.

 

[Justin1776]

There a quite a few places where 3/8 drive just does not fit on modern cars and equipment. You may not need 1/4" drive everyday but when you need it, you NEED it, usually with a swivel too.

 

[volaredon]

at home and on my own vehicles I use way more SAE than metric ****. at work it is the other way around.

 

[richfinn]

It all depends on how many 1/4 headed fasteners you work with and how tight they are.

to me, there are a lot of plastic and aluminium components secured by small headed fasteners (7, 8, & 10mm) found on today's automobiles. As another post pointed out, it's easy to damage these fasteners by over tightening. For these sizes, I find 1/4 drive to be much more versitle and useful.

However, I think what socket makers might be going for when making sizes such as 1/4 through 1 inch or 6mm through 24 mm is set completeness in one drive size.

Overlap in 1/4 and 3/8 is fairly common up to mid range and I think it's beneficial to have both drive sizes even with the size overlap.

What I find confusing is 1/2 drive in sizes 9-12mm or 3/8-7/16. I just don't see the need but, I also understand that 3/8 drive is uncommon in Europe so, go figure.

3/8 is very common in my part of Europe, I use the 1/2 drive smaller sizes if I need more power (getting brake line fittings loose after I cut a rusted brake pipe off).

 

[sk farmer]

I have smaller sockets in both 3/8 and 1/4 drive.

Take this pair for example. 1/4 size, standard.

The 3/8 drive would offer more torque, due to the longer ratchet.

The 1/4 drive is smaller. However I can't see a benefit because it's not that different.

In the examples where I have both 1/4 and 3/8 drive, should I just keep the 3/8, or hang onto both, and if I should hang onto both, explain why.

somebody will call me an *** but that is ok. we know you are young, excited and have a million questions. but you really need to slow down and think, show your maturity. 93 posts in just over 3 days. a daily average of 20.92 posts as we speak and 25 threads started.

often times more is learned by listening after the question is asked than to ask five more questions before the first one is answered.

now to your question. keep them. it's a craftsman socket. while there is nothing wrong with it it has almost no value by itself. even premium brands can be purchased for very little. the value is in sets. a new one is a couple bucks at the store. to someone who buys a set it can be purchased for something around 50 cents in a set. so in other word if you don't keep it your choice is to sell it for scrap or pawn it as i doubt anyone will buy it. don't take my word for it though. offer it for sale here and see if someone bites on one 1/4 inch socket. even if you decide there are a half dozen sockets in your set that you feel you "may" not need and lump them together i doubt you could sell them because they are the ones nobody else need either.

so sit back, relax and remember........

chinese craftsman=