SAE vs Metric

[wavinwayne]

About the only thing I've used SAE sockets for recently is on OPE spark plugs. Also, one of my kids' cars, can't remember which right now, an SAE socket fits better than the metric socket that also fits. Other than that, I never need SAE.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Well this was enlightening. Thank you very much gentlemen.

 

[RaymondP]

If it fits......?

But yes, when shopping frustrating to see so many tool sets still come in "combo" packages. For serious wrenching usually go with specific "family", preferably 6 sided as opposed to 12 for sockets and wrenches (spanners ). Been burned on a project with cheap tools that don't fit.

 

[cptbarkey]

I tried going all metric for awhile. I've been through enough situations where not using the right socket caused rounded fasteners that I went ahead and re-invested in a full set of SAE sockets. They are not the first order of need so they go in the rare section of the toolboxes.

 

[Marrk]

What's SAE?












j/k

 

[Nessism1]

Most things I wrench on these days is metric.

 

[Kira]

What's SAE?

Another word for "English". (teasing slightly.... don't get your knickers in a twist)

 

[Marrk]

Another word for "English". (teasing slightly.... don't get your knickers in a twist)

Ah, the English. Aren't they the people who make beautiful sports cars and motorcycles that don't run?

 

[IndyIan]

Working on a Polaris 330 Trail Boss today. It is made with SAE bolts. And of course, American made aircraft are non metric, from the lowly Cessna 150 to the Mighty Gulfstream G800.

That is a surprise, do they not use lots of parts made in a metric country? What about new big passenger aircraft?
So do most smaller aircraft techs in europe have both SAE and metric?

 

[D60]

I just pulled an 8.8 diff cover on an '06 MY and the heads were 1/2"

And no, 13mm is not a great substitute for 1/2" in most cases

 

[Fair enough]

I have some inch sockets that they stamped the metric equivalent on them. A number of them can be used on metric, like 3/4” is very close to 19 mm. I still find inch easier to guess at and be right.

 

[Kira]

the English. Aren't they the people who make beautiful sports cars and motorcycles that don't run?

Ha-ha...Harley-Davidson enthusiasts frequently use the term "rice burner" for Japanese bikes.
Once, an old Norton went by and my H-D pal called it, "a starch burner" (mocking British Isles cuisine).

 

[JTK]

A lot of the older outdoor power equipment I work on is SAE. Like you say though, for newer products it's all metric.

 

[Marrk]

Ha-ha...Harley-Davidson enthusiasts frequently use the term "rice burner" for Japanese bikes.
Once, an old Norton went by and my H-D pal called it, "a starch burner" (mocking British Isles cuisine).

Yep. I'm a rice burner rider. They never break. One time, I did something stupid and damaged my clutch lever. While at the side of the road, I noticed that every Japanese bike went right by me, but the first Harley guy pulled over to see if he could help. Harley guys know about being stuck by the side of the road.

On Topic: I think the only SAE tool I have is a spark plug socket.

 

[Pablo]

Everything at my house is different. If I am just eyeball something NEW from a distance go and grab a wrench I'm batting .403. That would be beyond awesome in MLB or any ball league.........but that's more than half wrong.

Now stuff I've worked on before, now that's memory, and I'm below the Mendoza line!! JK, usually right on those. I seem to always remember is met or SAE, so then it's just size matters.


ahahhaaa sorry

 

[D60]

On Topic: I think the only SAE tool I have is a spark plug socket.

Honestly I think the reason no one's bothered to do anything metric about plugs is because 9/16" is basically 14mm, 5/8" is 16mm and 13/16" is 21mm

Quite often you'll even see plug hex specs listed as both, say, 5/8" and 16mm.

 

[burbguy82]

My 86 chevy k30 is nearly all metric

 

[burbguy82]

The aircraft programs I've been involved with all use SAE.

i wonder why?

 

[portypota]

I've got sockets and wrenches (aka spanners where I'm from) that fit both metric, standard and other fasteners.

The heads look like this:
View attachment 253062

They're useful for all of these fastener head shapes:
View attachment 253063

I have never seen these, but they look highly desirable.

What brand, and are they still being sold? A link would be helpful.

It is the right time to ask for a Christmas present,

 

[daniel327]

I have never seen these, but they look highly desirable.

What brand, and are they still being sold? A link would be helpful.

It is the right time to ask for a Christmas present,

The brand on them is NLZ. I don't have a link because I purchased them several years ago off eBay.