Standard (Imperial) or Metric Sockets?

[CyberHero]

I just bought a nice 1/2 impact wrench to do more of the jeep work at home but I need sockets. Which do you think I should start off buying first as I’m sure I’ll use both eventually with after market prices

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[aFatBird]

Everything factory is metric.
Alot of aftermarket ends up being standard.
I'd start metric and get standard as you need it.

 

[rharr]

get a full kit, minimum 155 piece kit 6point sockets

 

[Bucephalus]

Make sure they sockets are rated for impact.

 

[Mr Miami]

Not totally sure what "nice" means when related to the socket wrench but if you are getting started, I personally see nothing wrong with the Harbor Freight stuff (impact rated) and you save a lot of money. I needed something heavy duty when I installed my winch and bumper and needed 1/2 inch sockets. I only had 1/4 and 3/8 inch sizes and needed some larger sizes for that project and another one I was working on. I checked out some coupons from Harbor Freight and happened to get like a 13 piece set of metric impact 1/2 inch sockets for about $24 with the coupon. At that price, I bought both metric and SAE.

I also see this week their top of the line ICON stuff at 40% off. With the discount you can get a set (either SAE or Metric) for $50 less 40% ($30) or the deep sockets $70 less 40% ($42). I would have bought the ICON stuff if it were that price when I was buying them, but I have had no problems with their standard Pittsburgh line of sockets so far. Anyway, all the hand tools have a lifetime warranty in case one breaks.

Personally if I was not using these tools on a day-to-day basis, I would save some money with the HF deals and/or get a wider range of stuff for the same amount of money.

 

[MrBones]

10 mm, 10 mm, 10 mm, 10 mm.

Second the recommendation for HF

 

[In3briatedPanda]

i would suggest a set of impact sockets. i regularly use 15mm-22mm. I would get a deep well set too. I would also get a swivel, and a few extension of differing links.

while i have personally never had a non impact socket come apart while using an impact, i have broken some under extreme torque, cheater bar etc. Im a purist for my sight so i always wear eye protection, but get impact rated sockets please.

edit : harbor freight is your best friend as a starter IMO. Lowes and home depot would be a second stop for better tier equipment.

 

[In3briatedPanda]

Everything factory is metric.
Alot of aftermarket ends up being standard.
I'd start metric and get standard as you need it.

i am beyond annoyed at how standard my 2002 grand mercury is. i own more special tools for that POS that i will only ever use on said POS. end old man rant.

 

[rharr]

FYI, you can cheat a little and use standard sockets (6pt) for impact if it's not something you are using daily. Yes you have a greater risk of damaging the socket but if you aren't fighting rusted and seized bolts all the time and looking for a quicker way to spin off a bolt, a standard socket works good.

I would start out with a husky (homedepot) base set like a 290 piece set, they are nice and feel good in the hands and grow from there. The Icon stuff is nice and have a friend who uses them dailly in his auto repair shop with no complaints.

If you need a impact socket set then find what ever is cheap at harbor freight you won't use them that much at least i don't for weekend jobs.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-316-Piece-H316MTSCB/321321470#overlay

 

[smlobx]

Not totally sure what "nice" means when related to the socket wrench but if you are getting started, I personally see nothing wrong with the Harbor Freight stuff (impact rated) and you save a lot of money. I needed something heavy duty when I installed my winch and bumper and needed 1/2 inch sockets. I only had 1/4 and 3/8 inch sizes and needed some larger sizes for that project and another one I was working on. I checked out some coupons from Harbor Freight and happened to get like a 13 piece set of metric impact 1/2 inch sockets for about $24 with the coupon. At that price, I bought both metric and SAE.

I also see this week their top of the line ICON stuff at 40% off. With the discount you can get a set (either SAE or Metric) for $50 less 40% ($30) or the deep sockets $70 less 40% ($42). I would have bought the ICON stuff if it were that price when I was buying them, but I have had no problems with their standard Pittsburgh line of sockets so far. Anyway, all the hand tools have a lifetime warranty in case one breaks.

Personally if I was not using these tools on a day-to-day basis, I would save some money with the HF deals and/or get a wider range of stuff for the same amount of money.

Agree!

Here‘s a great starter set…

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-12-in-drive-sae-and-metric-impact-socket-set-37-piece-68011.html

 

[Camaroboi13]

Being a former ASE certified mechanic, I have a lot of expensive tools in my box. I also have a lot of cheap stuff. You’ll find what works for some doesn’t work for others. Start cheap, and if you’re breaking them then it’s time to upgrade to better equipment. SAE is almost nonexistent on cars these days, but a lot of aftermarket parts do use them.

 

[Mr Miami]

Agree!

Here‘s a great starter set…

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-12-in-drive-sae-and-metric-impact-socket-set-37-piece-68011.html

Yes, great looking set. SKU# 68011. If you need some larger sockets sizes, add another $25 or so for a larger set and you are still way ahead of the game. Here's one of the sets I bought for around $24 with the coupon, the 1/2" deep impact set with larger sockets up to 32mm.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-metric-impact-deep-socket-set-13-piece-69561.html

My neighbor was working on his jet ski and needed a 30mm socket which I have. He borrowed it to try to get off a seized bolt. I told him not to worry if the socket broke since it has the lifetime warranty. He came back with the socket the next day and said he torqued it very hard and used his air impact wrench and in the end the bolt broke but the socket was fine.

If you are just using this stuff periodically, I think the HF stuff will satisfy your needs. As was mentioned, if you do start to do things that break them, then move on to the professional stuff (or their ICON branded tools that some professionals use). But why pay for stuff you probably won't need at this point?

 

[Pliny]

If you want 1/2" drive and all metric:

Sunex 2569

6pt, standard and deep, 9mm - 24mm, plus 26, 27 and 30 mm.

 

[NULL POINTER]

I love the ICON 90 tooth flex head ratchets and the ICON 90 tooth torque wrenches. They make for a minimum swing arc of 4 degrees. Very handy to use in tight spots without a lot of room to swing the handle.

I also have a set of the HF Pittsburgh impact metric sockets., and a few loose HF SAE impact sockets. I don't use them every day, but I've never broken one. I used them to get the factory Lower Control Arms off two previous Jeep vehicles. Those are the ones that are supposed to be torqued to 190 ft/lbs, although in both cases I think they were on there much tighter than that.

So HF is a great choice for a beginner set, and the ICON pro tools are a great choice, too. Their Daytona jacks and stands are great stuff, too.

 

[CyberHero]

Great info thank you all for your help!

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