I use 1/2 drive sockets for wheel nuts and high torque suspension / steering fittings. 3/8 drive for most other stuff. Ring spanners where required for room to work and open end spanners as a last resort.
I don't own a compressor but even if I did I prefer to use hand tools and simpler is better. When I used to make knives out of old spring steel, I would hand file everything rather than use a grinder, far more control and more satisfying. Only just bought my first torque wrench to go with my sockets but not had to use it yet, seem to have a pretty good instinct for how tight things have to be.
That said, I will never again own a toolbox without a set of reverse gear ratchet ring spanners - most useful tool I own.
I use 1/2 drive sockets for wheel nuts and high torque suspension / steering fittings. 3/8 drive for most other stuff. Ring spanners where required for room to work and open end spanners as a last resort.
Majority of my sockets are 1/2" drive also have some 1/4" small socket sets. A couple of 3/4" drive sockets I have picked up here and there as I have never bought a whole 3/4" set. The only 3/8" drive I have is a whitworth set I bought to deal with the S1.
And here I was thinking that the popularity of 3/8" sets was due to manufacturers trying to cut down on costs.
Being a retired spanner I grew up with 1/2 inch drive but have adapted to 3/8
Anything bigger than 17mm I will usually go to 1/2 inch drive but quite often down to 1/2 inch bolt head will still use 1/2 inch drive as my 3/8 sockets are a set that I have to get out, where as my 1/2 drive stuff is in a siddons wall cabinet which has far easier access.
Usually 10mm or less and the 1/4 drive set comes out. I reckon my 1/4 drive gets more use than my 3/8.
A very handy tool I recently purchased was a Stahlwillie 1/2 inch drive 10mm single hex socket. This for some of the bolts that are 8mm thread with a 10mm head.
8mm and 5/16 bolt used to have a 1/2af, 1/4whit or a 13mm head.
And yes the rattle gun gets plenty of use.
Dave.
My 1/4 drive gets used from 6 to 13mm, I have some sidchrome 1/4 dr deep sockets as well and there isn't much that I can't undo in that range. From 13 to 24mm its the 1/2 drive set and 24 to 50 its the 3/4 set. I have just a few bits of 3/8 drive stuff in case things get tight but they rarely get used. And up/down sized adaptors for when you have cracked big nuts and need to spin them off with a smaller ratchet.
Removal of fastners:
option1/ 1/2" rattle gun at 130psi
option2/ gas axe
option3/ 5" grinder with 1mm disc and application of BFH
Attaching fasteners
option1/ 1/2" rattle gun at 130psi
Steve
'95 130 dual cab fender (gone to a better universe)
'10 130 dual cab fender (getting to know it's neurons)
ahhh yes, he quoteth from the smithies bible.
what the welder giveth the grinder taketh away.
Dave
"In a Landrover the other vehicle is your crumple zone."
For spelling call Rogets, for mechanicing call me.
Fozzy, 2.25D SIII Ex DCA Ute
TdiautoManual d1 (gave it to the Mupion)
Archaeoptersix 1990 6x6 dual cab(This things staying)
If you've benefited from one or more of my posts please remember, your taxes paid for my skill sets, I'm just trying to make sure you get your monies worth.
If you think you're in front on the deal, pay it forwards.
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