Sockets & Socket Wrenches - What You Need To Know

repairs101.ca/sockets-socket-...
Show and tell of basic required sockets and socket wrenches for apprentice mechanics and novice gear-heads. Plus some other neat stuff. #mechanic #tools #wrenches
Transcript provided for the hearing impaired:
Today on Repairs101 I'm going to take you through some of the basics of sockets... and socket wrenches.
If you work as a mechanic you'll find that most of the hardware you deal with comes in the form of hexagonal or hex cap screws and / or nuts. And of course there are exceptions like stove bolts and Allen screws and butterfly nuts -- but by and large most of the hardware that you encounter as a mechanic will be in fact in this hexagonal shape. Sockets come in six point and twelve point which are of course hexagonal and double hexagonal. Black, which is a heat treated impact socket with very thick walls as compared to the silver version which will just have, you know, a finished metal surface such as chrome or otherwise polished metal. It'll be a thinner and lighter socket for use with hand tools as opposed to the impact sockets are used with impact guns / impact wrenches.
Socket wrenches come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes and are designed for various special purposes.
Quarter inch drive wrenches are so called because their square drives measure one quarter inch across. They're used extensively by people in small engine repairs and component repairs and you'll find a decent variety of basics like extensions and universals, socket drivers. You can also use them as drivers for specialty bits like these "tamper-proof" bits with the quarter inch hex drive on them. But honestly, as a heavy duty mechanic, I (mostly) only use this guy right here with a five sixteenths deep socket on it for tightening hose-clamps.
I get a lot more use out of my three-eighths drive kit and I imagine most people do and that's why there's such a wide variety of adapters and specialty tools available. And you'll find a decent variety of basics like extensions and universals. Three eighths can take a fair strain before failure but if you need to turn up the power you really want to move up to your half-inch kit.
I get an awful lot of use out of this feller.
There does seem to be more specialty tools and adapters available for half-inch drive, even than three-eighths drive, and really, what kind of specialty drives and specialty tools that you're going to carry will all depend on the kind of equipment you work on.
Now it goes without saying that your three quarter inch kit is going to be very expensive so you're only going to buy that if you absolutely have to like if you're working in the heavy duty field. So you're only going to be able to find very basic items for your three quarter inch kit like extensions and breaker bars and deep sockets.

[@FixItWithMe]

Do u really need to buy all 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 socket sets?!? Or do they overlap in their sockets?

[@repairs101]

The answer lies in what you're going to work on. Aircraft mechanics rarely need 1/2" and do almost all their work with 1/4" and to a lesser extent 3/8ths. As a heavy Equipment mechanic I need 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 3/4" all in my personal kit. Shipyards often provide workers with bigger stuff (for bigger hardware) like1" and 2" drive. And yes there going to be overlap but just because you have 15/16th" socket in your 3/8ths kit doesn't mean you'll be able to remove the lug nuts from your pickup. You won't be able to generate enough torque and the tool will likely fail in one way or another. Good luck!

[@ottoluxemburg5817]

This was a great video. Keep up the good work!

[@joshuahenderson]

Its funny to me that I’ve done my own repair work on my home and some on my car for years and never once stopped to think of the variations of the socket and wrench sets I have. I always just start with one and work my way up and down until it fits.

[@repairs101]

Just think: Quarter inch hardware? Quarter inch ratchet. Three eighths hardware? Three eighths ratchet. Half inch hardware? Half inch ratchet.

[@fqeng79]

Great video, a little high speed but went through the video twice and now, I got it.

[@kravenofspider]

As always great stuff

[@The_Ronin1]

This was very helpful. Thanks.

[@Error-xd7cb]

Helpful video thanks and I subscribed

[@repairs101]

Rock on!

[@raulyd9394]

Great video thanks!👍

[@repairs101]

Glad you liked it!

[@elesterisaac2141]

Can someone tell me what the number with hyphens between them on the wrenches and sockets are for?

[@Nonexistanthuman]

Thank you

[@hydewizard]

Good day. I wonder which socket set size should I buy for can interior seat and parts remover? 1/4 is enough? Or 3/4?

[@repairs101]

Get a 3/8ths kit and then a 1/4" kit if you can afford that too.

[@XxXvoreXxX18]

Hi sorry I was wondering what's bigger a 5 or a 5/32 Socket, Would greatly appreciate a responses :)

[@repairs101]

Stealthy SackBoy dude - 5/32 in = 4.04mm - to see how I confirmed that have a look at this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ-pYqeqpJZ0gqc

[@repairs101]

If you've watched Repairs101 for a while and this title seems familiar it's because I remade an old video with all new format, shots and commentary.Only the title and the underlying concept are the same.

[@neesense258]

Thank you!

[@repairs101]

You're welcome!

[@TheGamingAnimator]

Glad I bought 1/2

[@HKX_ORANGECHICKEN]

Which size do you recomment for putting together a home gym? 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2? (Its for a 15/16 bolt)

[@GH-oi2jf]

A 3/8” drive is the best all-around. You may not even find a 15/16” socket in 1/4” drive.

[@ShadowBoxer]

15/16 is almost 1 inch (16/16) which is getting quite large. For that size I would use a 1/2 drive ratchet. My 1/2 inch set goes to 1+1/4 or you could say 1.25. Most 1/4 drive socket sets will not have 15/16 socket. A 3/8 might but it’s getting towards the end of the set. Maybe it’s the last socket or the set goes to 1 inch. Some 3/8 sets stop at 3/4 which is still too small. If it’s a cheap set and you really need it tight you could break a 3/8 ratchet. Lately I’ve been thinking that a 1/4 drive set + a 1/2 inch drive set would cover the greatest range. The largest 1/4 and the smallest 1/2 will probably overlap by a few sockets. You probably would not need a 3/8 drive except if it’s your only set and you never work on small or large fasteners. Good luck to whoever reads this.

[@Drifter212]

what are spline sockets used for?

[@repairs101]

Spline sockets on splinefasteners help deliver twice the torque of 12 pt. wrenches on double hex fasteners, helping tighten high strength bolts to high torque loads

[@mdinunzio7610]

This is really informative for me. thanks

[@cangri1788]

Sorry for the dumb comment but i just can't get this to unscrew the motor oil screw i don't know if ita to tight or if it's me that doesnt know how to use it...

[@repairs101]

cangri1788 Sorry but what? The drain plug on the bottom of your engine oil pan? If so please refer to my video kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqeZgqd5frebfKc on changing engine oil for advice on what tools to use. If it's something else or you still have problems try me again.

[@hoffdady100]

If the screw is to tight on the oil pan use a breaker bar

[@alainschannel8926]

so what size socket set should I buy if I want to start working on cars?

[@repairs101]

Working on cars means a lot of different things. Underbody, brakes and suspension would generally be big hardware with heavy torque so you need a 1/2" drive for that, engine bay stuff is largely in the 3/8ths range but don't dismiss the need for 1/4" as well to assemble interior components - so I suggest shopping around for a good deal on a kit like the one I show in this ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIbCdJuidquSgdU ) video - a Craftsman - now extinct.

[@lovegunsdude]

Is it worth buying a more expensive tool kit as oppose to a cheaper one?

[@repairs101]

That is a personal decision only you can make. You have to balance your budget constraints against what kind of service (occasional hobby or full time career?) they will see and how critical a failure could be (going to working somewhere remote?) There is a mid-range (like Craftsman) that is both affordable and reliable. High end tools (like Snap-on) will impress people, if that's important to you. I made a career out of mid-range tools until I was in my 40's and could truly afford better brands (my Dad taught me that if you can't afford to pay cash - you can't afford it!) Have a look at my review of Snap-on combos- kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGrMfYd8Z66Yo80

[@davidletz9123]

What is that additional disk for that I get with my DYI ratchet wrench set?

[@repairs101]

Wikipedia says "A spin disk is an socket wrench accessory used to quickly turn nuts after they have been loosened with the wrench." so it rides on the ratchet behind the socket and allows your greasy hands a grippable surface to turn the socket and bolt/nut by fingertips only. I don't own one and would chuck it if I did.

[@davidletz9123]

Thanks for the reply.

[@Toolaholic7]

Some black sockets are not impact sockets,power sockets or chrome sockets with an industrial finish.There are 12 point fastners too.

[@TheMackcasper]

I need a small socket to turn a 12mm what is the smallest head i cN use?

[@repairs101]

Not sure I understand the question. A 12mm is roughly the same as 1/2"

[@christiancaragay8811]

Thanks

[@repairs101]

No problem.

[@mt_px]

Thank u

[@repairs101]

Welcome!

[@miaumiau1690]

Does anybody knows what socket should be used for 10 size bolts of a car? The 10mm it's to small...

[@repairs101]

Try this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIjMo4J4Zqtsa9E

[@mehulgandhi8]

All helpful information passed so quickly. I used 0.5X playback speed.

[@gildoegonzo5741]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@gentlerowdy]

thats way flashy make a better one with a little of glimpse

[@daviddjokic7339]

Put it in 0.75 x for best speed

[@yeboisiggy]

snap-on

[@Cubetech]

Put playback speed in 0.25x Thanks later 😊

[@danikadestinikey7477]

This video plays way too fast for me to actually learn anything from it!

[@TheStereoField]

Luckily there are playback speed controls for our slower compadres 😊

[@gerardjones7881]

good video for the average house wife.

[@repairs101]

Glad it worked for you, Honey.

[@yeboisiggy]

well actually, they make a whole bunch of specialty sockets and such for 3/4” drive. you just gotta now where to look.

[@BeardedNorthBiker]

Soccets comfuse me so much. I don't understand what is a size up and what is a size down, wich way the adapter goes and no matter what I do, I never have the adapter I need. god dammed imperial and their stupid fucking fractions.... all I need is a 10mm for most things. perhaps a 12 or 14 for larger stuff, and 16 for wheel bolts. but what is it 1/2= is large, and 1/8 or 3/8 or 1/4 or something is medium and small? if it had at least been as simple as 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8, but nooooo.... If I think about it I know that 3/8 is less than half aka smaller than 1/2 but what is smaller between 3/8 and 1/4 or whatever. it's a mess. and lining up loose soccets with metric and imperial. the lower the number, the smaller the soccet. 8-10-12. with fractions. just shoot me now.

[@repairs101]

Know someone who's thinking of becoming a mechanic? kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3KanXugl6p_itE

[@vision1707]

appreciate the time to explain but IT WAS TOOOO FAST .

[@repairs101]

Maybe you could watch it twice?

[@Trizzy_68]

I fucking suck at tools

[@repairs101]

Then you've come to the right place.

[@juliemclaren2981]

Oh no, that all went by too quick. I didn't take anything in, had to watch again and again and still didn't really take it in. Please go slower when you're trying to educate.

[@MrJokingPrince]

This isn’t helpful to beginners at all. There are differences but this video does not expand on what differences beyond saying that there are more specialty adapters on ½ inch than anything.

[@GH-oi2jf]

Begnners need to get a good 3/8” drive ratchet first. The classic S-K is a good choice, new or used. I bought mine used ca. 1960 and I still have it. I used to work on my cars with it. I never owned a 1/2” ratchet. I borrowed a 1/2” drive wrench the few times I needed one. The 1/4” drive system is for working on small machinery only.

[@amyk9813]

​@@GH-oi2jfwould a gearwrench 3/8 be good for a beginner please?