largest wrench/sockets needed?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX / Boston, MA
largest wrench/sockets needed? (i saw a similar thread to this, but since my question is a little different, i didnt want to hijack their thread)
what is the largest size wrench and socket that i'd need to work on my cars?
i no longer have access to tools, so now i gotta buy my own. I'm gonna get one of those craftsman sets, so i want to cover as many bases as possible with my initial purchase, without going overboard (for budget reasons).
i want to say that the largest wrench would be for the BMR adjustable suspension parts. something in my head it telling me they are around 1", my friend that helped me with the install a year ago thinks 18mm, but i want to get a definite answer before i go buy stuff.
i know the 4th gens are all metric, but i have to work on my 3rd gen too, plus whatever beater i end up eventually getting.
i noticed that some of those craftsman sets seem like overkill on the sockets. like how often will i really need deep sockets? also, if anyone has any general advice as to any tools that will make things easier, and i should include in my initial purchase, that would be great.
thanks.
what is the largest size wrench and socket that i'd need to work on my cars?
i no longer have access to tools, so now i gotta buy my own. I'm gonna get one of those craftsman sets, so i want to cover as many bases as possible with my initial purchase, without going overboard (for budget reasons).
i want to say that the largest wrench would be for the BMR adjustable suspension parts. something in my head it telling me they are around 1", my friend that helped me with the install a year ago thinks 18mm, but i want to get a definite answer before i go buy stuff.
i know the 4th gens are all metric, but i have to work on my 3rd gen too, plus whatever beater i end up eventually getting.
i noticed that some of those craftsman sets seem like overkill on the sockets. like how often will i really need deep sockets? also, if anyone has any general advice as to any tools that will make things easier, and i should include in my initial purchase, that would be great.
thanks.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Remember when you are dealing with metrics there are a few sizes that I guage them by in relation to standard sizes. 19mm is roughly a 3/4 and 13 is almost a 1/2, 14 is almost a 9/16 too. But anyway an 18mm bolt head isnt that big.
I cant really remember, but i do know that deep sockets came in very very handy. There are times when that is much much easier than doing it any other way. Especially when taking off your coil packs.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX / Boston, MA
this one from craftsman looks good (on sale until tomorrow for $449... too bad i dont have my craftsman club membership to get a further discount yet)
yeah, it doesnt give a piece by piece breakdown on that list (you gotta browse the online catalogue page 28 to see that) but the summary:
sae wrenches up to 1-1/8, metric up to 22mm
flare nut wrenches
sockets up to 1-1/4", and 32mm
some torx sockets, bunch of extension bars
some screwdrivers, some nut drivers
only thing i dont like about it is that it comes with hex keys instead of hex sockets, and it doesnt have a breaker bar or swivel extensions, but i could just buy those seperate.
and yes, i hear what you are saying Gary Z and others, but some of the other ones that may come with more of the smaller pieces for equal or less money, seem to have a lot of stuff that i wouldn't use. for example, this one has more sockets, less wrenches. i dunno what i'd do with all those sockets
yeah, it doesnt give a piece by piece breakdown on that list (you gotta browse the online catalogue page 28 to see that) but the summary:
sae wrenches up to 1-1/8, metric up to 22mm
flare nut wrenches
sockets up to 1-1/4", and 32mm
some torx sockets, bunch of extension bars
some screwdrivers, some nut drivers
only thing i dont like about it is that it comes with hex keys instead of hex sockets, and it doesnt have a breaker bar or swivel extensions, but i could just buy those seperate.
and yes, i hear what you are saying Gary Z and others, but some of the other ones that may come with more of the smaller pieces for equal or less money, seem to have a lot of stuff that i wouldn't use. for example, this one has more sockets, less wrenches. i dunno what i'd do with all those sockets
Last edited by slayer_taunu; Aug 25, 2006 at 12:12 PM.
Honestly I would not shell out 500.00 for a set of tools like that.. What I did when I was starting out was get a basic took kit.. It had metric and and SAE wrenches sockets an a 3/8 drive ratchet.... that gave me the tools to do most of the things I needed.. As I worked on my car and started doing bigger projects I would just go buy the idvidual tools I needed for the job.. Now I have a really nice set. Sure I paid more money but I alsways had the right tool to do the job.. To me it is not always about getting the most for the least amount of money..
I have a craftsman set but its one of the cheaper ones. I think it was around $150, I got it as a gift and it had most of what I needed to work on the car. The largest socket is 1". As time has gone by I've gone and bought some sockets as I've needed them and I have spent less money than buying the larger kits.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX / Boston, MA
yeah, maybe you guys are right... i only have a simple $50 portable tool kit, and it does most of the stuff i want to do... only reason i was looking into a large kit is because i'm sick of starting a job and then having to go to the store because i dont have the right tools. then having to play the game of wondering what sizes i need or whatnot cuz chiltons and haynes never says what size wrenches/sockets you need.
but maybe you guys are right... i dunno if i'd use half the stuff in a large kit. i think i'll take your advice and just buy the special stuff as needed.
but maybe you guys are right... i dunno if i'd use half the stuff in a large kit. i think i'll take your advice and just buy the special stuff as needed.
