As we all know, most modern vehicles are mostly all metric. Most of my tools are Snap On, no im not a pro mechanic, I just like the quality and performance of snap on and can afford a few items here and there. But it got me thinking, after I just bought a set of 3/8 dr. SAE sockets off the snap on truck this morning, is it really necessary in todays world to have a complete set of SAE tools? Or should I just buy the few spare sockets wrenches as I need them? I like to think of the saying, better to have and not need than need and not have. In recent memory, in the past year ive used a 1/2 socket to remove the transmission pan on my truck(one of the only SAE bolts on the whole truck) and i quite regularly use a 9/16 socket or wrench to do oil changes on my buddys chevy (88-95 body style had SAE threaded plug). besides that, i cant think of a time that i regularly use SAE.
SAE sockets necessary?
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To be honest, if you don't have anything built pre 2000's, you probably don't need a full SAE set.
I'm in just the opposite fix- I have 3 full sets of SAE sockets (in the 3/8 drive size I have both 12- and 6- point, so its more like 4 sets), plus a full set of open-end and box-end wrenches.
And unless I'm working on the two vintage cars that rarely get driven, I find myself pawing through my much smaller set of metric tools. If I'm going to keep playing under the hood of cars, I need to build up my metric set. A lot.
I'm in just the opposite fix- I have 3 full sets of SAE sockets (in the 3/8 drive size I have both 12- and 6- point, so its more like 4 sets), plus a full set of open-end and box-end wrenches.
And unless I'm working on the two vintage cars that rarely get driven, I find myself pawing through my much smaller set of metric tools. If I'm going to keep playing under the hood of cars, I need to build up my metric set. A lot.
I would skip SAE stuff except maybe for 1/4" and 1/2" sockets.
I don't use them much but my Ariens snowblower and some lawnmowers are all SAE so having at least a small set can be useful.
If you do old American cars then they are a must.
If you do old American cars then they are a must.
You don't need snap-on but a cheapo semi-complete set would be handy. Both wrenches and sockets. Even if you top out at 5/8 you can cheat with 19mm for 3/4 and 22mm for 7/8. Post x-mas clearance at the big box stores should be friendly: Lowes has a set of stubby and long Kobalt wrenches in SAE and MM for $25 on closeout.
Woodworking... lag screws etc are all english (I can't say SAE outside of the automotive world.)
Brake lines and fittings are a clever (irritating?) mix of SAE and metric. I don't even know if the banjo bolt to my caliper is 11mm or 7/16 as they are so close together in size
I've run into "metric bubble flare" with 10mm metric thread and a 3/8" hex on brake lines. And if you splice with a double flare union that's almost certainly SAE.
Exhaust clamps and hardware also seem to remain SAE. So is some battery hardware: GM side posts are 5/16" not 8mm like many think.
Woodworking... lag screws etc are all english (I can't say SAE outside of the automotive world.)
Brake lines and fittings are a clever (irritating?) mix of SAE and metric. I don't even know if the banjo bolt to my caliper is 11mm or 7/16 as they are so close together in size
I've run into "metric bubble flare" with 10mm metric thread and a 3/8" hex on brake lines. And if you splice with a double flare union that's almost certainly SAE.
Exhaust clamps and hardware also seem to remain SAE. So is some battery hardware: GM side posts are 5/16" not 8mm like many think.
I work on enough non automotive stuff that I plan to always have SAE. But I only go for 1/4" and 1/2" and have yet to find a need for 3/8" sockets. I do have a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter.
i mostly spend my off days wrenching on my truck and other peoples diesels,(diese performance fanatic lol) thats %99.9 metric. I actually rather metric than SAE, i find it easier. I just know one day ill really need some SAE sockets and wont have them, reason why i bought the SAE snap on set today. I bought shallows, for the rare instance when i do run into an SAE bolt, its never one that calls for a deep. Most exhaust clamps ive seen are SAE, although the 4" Magnaflow exhaust i recently installed on my cummins, i was surprised that I had to use a 15mm socket to tighten them up, i was for sure it would have been a 5/8.
Murphy's Law, the tool you don't have is the tool you will soon need.
I have a Jeep.
Everything is held in by three bolts. All are similar thread pitch and strength, but one will be SAE, one will be Metric and one will be Torx.
Everything is held in by three bolts. All are similar thread pitch and strength, but one will be SAE, one will be Metric and one will be Torx.
I rarely use SAE except on my outdoor equipment and home repairs, so I've spent little on my SAE sets. My two SAE wrench sets are mismatched and cobbled together with good quality wrenches bought super cheap at swap meets.
My SAE sockets are either used or cheap Stanley sockets.
My SAE sockets are either used or cheap Stanley sockets.
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
To be honest, if you don't have anything built pre 2000's, you probably don't need a full SAE set.
Well, my 2000 Buick LeSabre has a mixture of metric and SAE. And being that the body style is all the same from '00-'05, I'd assume the 2005 has a mix too.
To be honest, if you don't have anything built pre 2000's, you probably don't need a full SAE set.
Well, my 2000 Buick LeSabre has a mixture of metric and SAE. And being that the body style is all the same from '00-'05, I'd assume the 2005 has a mix too.
Bought a set of rear Monroe Sensa Trac shocks for my all metric Toyota RAV4. It surprised that the nuts on the Monroe were SAE.
as a hobbyist i have only needed an SAE bolt to counter a metric stripped oil pan bolt because i didnt want to spend money getting a heli coil kit.
in fact this past week, my 3 year old helped me toss about 100 SAE sockets into a coffee can and i predict they will collect dust.
in fact this past week, my 3 year old helped me toss about 100 SAE sockets into a coffee can and i predict they will collect dust.
I would say that it's more important (to me) to have the 'Right' socket for the job, than have 'Top of the line' sockets like Snap-on.
But then, I work on other things other than our Cars.
P.S. I used to have a set of Whitworth wrenches!
But then, I work on other things other than our Cars.
P.S. I used to have a set of Whitworth wrenches!
the only SAE i have is my spark plug socket and it will be my last SAE. If i cant find my 5/8 i would go for my 16mm
All my sockets and wrenches are in MM
All my sockets and wrenches are in MM
I was just working on my fuse box tonight. The bolts that fasten the battery cables to the battery require a 5/16; the nut that fastens the other end of the positive cable to the fuse box requires a 1/2; the screws that fasten the connectors to the fuse box require a 9/32; and the nuts that fasten the fuse box to the floor pan require a 10mm.
I still have some older SAE wrenches and sockets that are little used. Then 2weekends ago when I was replacing the control arms on the Audi A4 I discovered that they use some 16mm and 18mm fittings. Only one of my metric socket sets had a 16mm; nothing had 18mm. The locations were not suitable for an adjustable wrench, so I dragged out my SAE toolboxes and found equivalents that worked just fine.
My old Volvo uses a 25mm oil drain bolt- a 1 inch fits perfectly, and that looonng old Snap-On works well as a cheater for other wrenches. The brake lines on that car fit an SAE equivalent perfectly.
Sometimes with really rusty or rounded off fittings you can save some cutting by pounding on a slightly larger or smaller socket in SAE that you are willing to sacrifice.
My old Volvo uses a 25mm oil drain bolt- a 1 inch fits perfectly, and that looonng old Snap-On works well as a cheater for other wrenches. The brake lines on that car fit an SAE equivalent perfectly.
Sometimes with really rusty or rounded off fittings you can save some cutting by pounding on a slightly larger or smaller socket in SAE that you are willing to sacrifice.
Nissan's brand new D/22 1.25 ton rated (net cargo) work trucks here are all SAE on the rear axle. Cover bolts, wheel bearing flange bolts, u-joint flange bolts and pinion nut are all in inches. The lug studs and nuts, however are metric. Spicer makes the axle, which explains the SAE fasteners, but the axle is made in Mexico.
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