1 2 Drive Socket Set Vs 3 8

In the garage power tools are convenient and helpful for maintaining and repairing your vehicle, but hand tools are the crucial instruments every do-it-yourselfer relies on in the shop or garage. A complete assortment of sockets, ratchets and accessories is a necessity for a variety of jobs, from light maintenance to heavier, more complex work. This socket set buyer's guide will help you find the best one for your needs, or choose an ideal gift for a friend or family member.

Socket Set Basics

Metric, SAE and Whitworth: While SAE, or standard-sized sockets with measurements in inches are widely used for older domestic vehicles, most modern vehicles – both import and domestic – largely use metric hardware, measured in millimeters. Choose a metric or SAE set depending on your needs, or stock your garage with both to ensure you always have the right tool for the job.

Whitworth sockets are a third type, used almost exclusively on British vehicles. Whitworth nominal sizes are in inches like SAE, but reflect the size of a bolt's shaft, or the inner diameter of a nut. So, a 5/8″ Whitworth socket is larger than a 5/8″ SAE socket. If you work on a classic British vehicle like an MG, Rover, or Jaguar, you may need Whitworth hand tools. If not, stick to SAE and/or metric sizes.

Drive size: Both metric and SAE sockets are available in three drive sizes: ¼-inch, 3/8-inch and ½-inch. Each requires a different ratchet and other accessories like extensions. Smaller sockets typically use smaller drive sizes, while larger sockets use the larger drive sizes. If your socket set is limited to one drive size, choose 3/8-inch drive to cover the majority of sockets you will use. The smallest and largest drive sizes are very useful too, though. Small, ¼-inch drive sockets can sometimes reach small nuts or bolts in tight spots more easily. Large, ½-inch drive sockets can handle more torque and are ideal for larger fasteners that require a longer ratchet or breaker bar to loosen or fully tighten.

Points: Look down the business end of a socket, the part that slides onto a nut or bolt head. What shape do you see? Is it a six-pointed hexagon or a 12-pointed "star"? A six-point socket is stronger than a 12-point socket because its inner walls sit flush against all six sides of the hardware. The advantage of a 12-point socket is convenience; it can slide onto the hardware in any one of 12 positions, so it's easier to line up. While 12-point sockets are fine for most light work, choose six-point sockets for larger hardware or applications that demand serious torque. Six-point sockets are less likely to slip in this situation.

Shallow vs. deep sockets: Imagine a nut that, when fully tightened, sits an inch below the top of the bolt or stud it attaches to. A normal, shallow socket may not even touch the nut before the top of the stud or bolt hits the end of the socket. In this case, a deep socket is necessary to accommodate the long end of the bolt and fit snugly around the nut. Having some deep sockets on hand can be helpful for situations like this. Without them, you may need a wrench instead of a socket to loosen that nut.

Spark plug sockets are a type of specialty deep socket that every DIYer should have on hand. These are deep enough to reach the bottom of a seated spark plug, and spark plug sockets include a small rubber piece inside to protect the top of the spark plug from damage.

Impact sockets: Not all sockets are designed for use with power tools. If you use a pneumatic or electric impact wrench, you need a set of impact sockets designed for use with these high-torque tools. Tougher construction allows impact sockets to withstand the forces of use with power tools.

Some socket sets include ratchets and accessories like extensions or break bars. If your toolbox is not already equipped with ratchets and extensions, it may be more economical to buy a socket set that includes these crucial pieces. I use extensions so often with my sockets that I typically leave a medium-sized extension on each ratchet at all times. If I can easily reach a piece of hardware without it – and I need plenty of force – I will remove the extension and attach the socket directly to the ratchet.

Popular Socket Sets

Whether you're just starting out or you need a complete set to replace a cobbled together assortment of tools, the chart below can help you select the right set at the right price. You can order sturdy but economically priced Evercraft or professional-grade Carlyle tools online or visit your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store for a hands-on look.

Starter Socket Set Comparison Chart

If you're just getting started, these Evercraft socket sets with both SAE and metric sizes are ideal. Find all socket sizes included with each set using links in the View/Price column on the right side of the chart.

Image	Drive Size	Socket Type	# of Pieces in Set	# of Points	Accessories Included	View/Price at NAPAonline.com
	1/4-inch and 3/8-inch	shallow and deep	78	6, 8, 12	ratchets, extensions	Evercraft 78-piece SAE and Metric Socket Set
	1/4-inch	shallow	17	6	ratchet, driver handle, extensions	Evercraft 1/4-inch Drive SAE and Metric Socket Set
	1/2-inch	shallow and deep	40	6, 12	ratchet, extensions	Evercraft 1/2-inch Drive SAE and Metric Socket Set

SAE Socket Set Comparison Chart

Image	Drive Size	Socket Type	# of Points	# of Sockets in Set	View/Price at NAPAonline.com
	1/4-inch	shallow	6	9	Carlyle 1/4-inch Drive Shallow SAE Socket Set
	1/4-inch	deep	6	9	Carlyle 1/4-inch Drive Deep SAE Socket Set
	1/4-inch	shallow	12	9	Carlyle 1/4-inch Drive Shallow SAE Socket Set
	1/4-inch	deep	12	9	Carlyle 1/4-inch Drive Deep SAE Socket Set
	3/8-inch	shallow	6	9	Carlyle 3/8-inch Drive Shallow SAE Socket Set
	3/8-inch	deep	6	8	Carlyle 3/8-inch Drive Deep SAE Socket Set
	3/8-inch	shallow	12	9	Carlyle 3/8-inch Drive Shallow SAE Socket Set
	3/8-inch	deep	12	9	Carlyle 3/8-Inch Drive Deep SAE Socket Set
	1/2-inch	shallow	6	13	Carlyle 1/2-Inch Drive Shallow SAE Socket Set
	1/2-inch	deep	6	7	Carlyle 1/2-Inch Drive Deep SAE Socket Set
	1/2-inch	shallow	12	6	Carlyle 1/2-Inch Drive Shallow SAE Socket Set
	1/2-inch	deep	12	6	Carlyle 1/2-Inch Drive Deep SAE Socket Set

Find all socket sizes included with each set using links in the View/Price column on the right side of the chart.

Metric Socket Set Comparison Chart

Find all socket sizes included with each set using links in the View/Price column on the right side of the chart.

Image	Drive Size	Socket Type	# of Points	# of Sockets in Set	View/Price at NAPAonline.com
	1/4-inch	shallow	6	10	Carlyle 1/4-inch Drive Shallow Metric Socket Set
	1/4-inch	deep	6	7	Carlyle 1/4-inch Drive Deep Metric Socket Set
	1/4-inch	shallow	12	10	Carlyle 1/4-inch Drive Shallow Metric Socket Set
	1/4-inch	deep	12	10	Carlyle 1/4-inch Drive Deep Metric Socket Set
	3/8-inch	shallow	6	12	Carlyle 3/8-inch Drive Shallow Metric Socket Set
	3/8-inch	deep	6	10	Carlyle 3/8-inch Drive Deep Metric Socket Set
	3/8-inch	shallow	12	12	Carlyle 3/8-Inch Drive Shallow Metric Socket Set
	3/8-inch	deep	12	12	Carlyle 3/8-Inch Drive Deep Metric Socket Set
	1/2-inch	shallow	6	10	Carlyle 1/2-Inch Drive Shallow Metric Socket Set
	1/2-inch	deep	6	8	Carlyle 1/2-Inch Drive Deep Metric Socket Set
	1/2-inch	shallow	12	10	Carlyle 1/2-Inch Drive Shallow Metric Socket Set
	1/2-inch	deep	12	10	Carlyle 1/2-Inch Drive Deep Metric Socket Set

Check out all the tools & equipmentavailable on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on our socket set buyer's guide, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Nick Palermo View All

Nick Palermo is a freelance automotive writer and NAPA Know How blogger. Since becoming an auto news and reviews contributor at AutoTrader.com in 2011, he has broadened his coverage of the automotive industry to include topics like new car technology, antiques and classics, DIY maintenance and repair, industry news and motorsports. A committed advocate for automotive media professionals, Nick is a member of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association.

1 2 Drive Socket Set Vs 3 8

Source: https://knowhow.napaonline.com/get-a-grip-socket-set-buyers-guide/

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