1/4 or 3/8 to compliment my 1/2"

LIFTED · Post by **LIFTED** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:38 pm

For working on Subaru's I've been getting some tools together I have currently got combo ring open ended spanners in 8, 10, 12, 14, 19, ratchet spanners 8 10 12 14, 1/2"ratchet driver and some 1/2'' metric sockets.
Just wondered should I get a 1/4 ratchet driver and sockets or a 3/8 driver and sockets to compliment the 1/2" that I have?

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:21 am

I would be going 1/4" because they are small and get into places easily where as 3/8 can to big to get into areas, etc and generally the same place you can fit a 3/8 you can fit a 1/2. Not that i can comment cause i have a 1/4 through to 3/4" sets

revmax · Post by **revmax** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:07 am

one of the handiest 1/4 set I have is
JBS 04389556

Sockets & Socket Sets > Sockets - 1/4" Square Drive

46 Piece Socket Set - Metric & A/F
1/4" Drive
Single Hex (6 point)
14 Sockets - Metric 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14mm
8 Sockets deep - Metric 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13mm
10 Sockets - A/F 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2"
9 Sockets deep - A/F 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2"
5 Accessories
Quick release ratchet Spinner handle Extension bar, male and female 40mm Extension bar, male and female 75mm Universal joint

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:31 am

Stanley make sets with both 1/4 inch aND 3/8 inch in the same set, I bought one from SCA for under 80 dollars.

TOONGA

Post by **Alex** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:51 am

1/4" is definately very handy to get into the confined spaces of a subaru engine bay. Great for undo-ing sensor bolts and what not.

One of the best tools ive ever bought is a sidchrome 'big boy' or something. Its basically a really long 1/2inch ratchet, about the same length as a sidchrome breaker bar but with a ratcheting head.

LIFTED · Post by **LIFTED** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:32 am

Thanks. I'll have a look around at 1/4" sets on my lunchbreak today. I thought that the 3/8" driver might be too close to the 1/2" in size.

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:19 pm

I'd also go 1/4 and remember 17mm is one of the most important under the car.

I've got this one & love it to bits, had it for 7yrs and it's still perfect.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Kincrome ... 4aa0df0126

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:28 pm

revmax wrote:one of the handiest 1/4 set I have is
JBS 04389556

Sockets & Socket Sets > Sockets - 1/4" Square Drive

46 Piece Socket Set - Metric & A/F
1/4" Drive
Single Hex (6 point)
14 Sockets - Metric 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14mm
8 Sockets deep - Metric 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13mm
10 Sockets - A/F 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2"
9 Sockets deep - A/F 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2"
5 Accessories
Quick release ratchet Spinner handle Extension bar, male and female 40mm Extension bar, male and female 75mm Universal joint

Have to say I too am very impressed with JBS.

I recall the rep back in the day saying they were owned by Stanely tools??

I have just bought a JBS kit 1/4 inch to compliment my 1/2 inch kit - perfect blend.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:46 pm

1/4" and a 17mm socket may not be such a good mix. I'd say it depends on your intended works planned are and eventually you will need and prefer a mix of 3/8 and 1/4 inch tools and 36mm socket in 3/4" with a 600mm breaker bar for front and rear axle nuts.

And don't stop at one of each either as different shape or length of smaller sizes can be better than others for some tight spots

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:12 pm

steptoe wrote:1/4" and a 17mm socket may not be such a good mix. I'd say it depends on your intended works planned are and eventually you will need and prefer a mix of 3/8 and 1/4 inch tools and 36mm socket in 3/4" with a 600mm breaker bar for front and rear axle nuts.

And don't stop at one of each either as different shape or length of smaller sizes can be better than others for some tight spots

NOOOOOO read his first post
---------------------------

For working on Subaru's I've been getting some tools together I have currently got combo ring open ended spanners in 8, 10, 12, 14, 19, ratchet spanners 8 10 12 14, 1/2"ratchet driver and some 1/2'' metric sockets.
Just wondered should I get a 1/4 ratchet driver and sockets or a 3/8 driver and sockets to compliment the 1/2" that I have?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm saying he needs a 17mm 1/2 + a 1/4 socket set:rolleyes:

LIFTED · Post by **LIFTED** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:12 pm

I understood Dgen I have in 1/2" sockets 10 12 14 and 17. But I do need to get a 17 combo spanner. Do you think I need any more 1/2" sockets?
I can't see myself taking off any axle nuts in the near future(I've probably just tempted fate with that statement)
Today I bought a Repco 1/4" ratchet driver and 8 10 12 sockets they didn't have any repco brand 1/4" sockets in a 14mm.

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:25 am

Yeah I think 13 is about as big as they go in 1/4, one of the best tools you can get is the extendable wheel brace from SuperCrap/Coventries, it's 1/2" with 2 double ended sockets so you get 17,19-21,23mm so great for wheels and anything difficult under the car. I think the axle nut is 32mm, next time I'm scabbing around a cashies I might grab one.

Edit........... here.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... escription

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:00 pm

Axle Nut is 36mm or 1" 3/8 i think.

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 2:05 pm

I think from memory I had to special order a 36mm socket in half inch drive . Better than having to muck around with 3/4 stuff IMO for one purpose . I think for the rear ? hub nut I got an imperial 1 1/4 inch socket because it ended up being a better fit than the 32mm one . For the pedantic it comes out as 31.75mm in metric measures but for the intended nut it's a closer fit .
Just be a little carefull with 3/8 and 1/4 inch tools particularly if they are um cheaper brands because budget steel isn't quite the same as you get with workshop grade tools .
There comes a time when you need to go up on drive size just to get the physical strength in the square drive and the ratchet mechanism itself . Some years back I tore the square drive out of a Snap On long series 3/8 drive ratchet because I overloaded it , should have been using 1/2 inch drive tools for that job . Parts replaced free of charge and no questions asked .
There will always be an overlap of socket sizes fror each drive size just for flexibility . I should ask Coxy but the crossover from 1/4 drive socket sizes is possibly 10mm and 3/8 to 1/2 possibly around 16mm .

Size wise its pretty safe going up in even numbers from 8-14mm and then 17 and 19mm with most things - on an L anyway .
I found that a set of long double ended flat ring spanners is VERY handy and takes the aches and pains out of undoing tight fasteners underneath . You just have to be careful not gutsing fasteners with long tools when doing them up . Having said that a 1/2 driver breaker bar is a must have for really tight bolts such as L rear upper strut to body mounts .

Also think seriously about a torque wrench and USE the bloody thing properly when doing things up into aluminium engine cases ie cam belt tensioner and idler bolts . So many people strip the threads because the correct torque doesn't seem enough . Big hassle to fix if oopsed .

A .

Post by **Alex** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:50 am

Axle nut is 32mm on newer EJ subarus and older EA subarus are 36mm.

I have very beafy kinchrome 36mm socket in 1/2in drive which works really well.

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steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 10:14 am

More thoughts on this...I see where you are coming from, wanting to compliment your 1/2" stuff. It is more a case of the 1/2" stuff you have will end up complimenting the 1/4" and 3/8" stuff you need for Japanese cars.

When I ventured from Ford to Japanese, all I had was half and I was swearing and squirming, carrying on about Jap crap until I worked out I need 3/8 and 1/4 more than half inch stuff most of the time. Now, I buy all sorts of cheap stuff just as it is different, and loseable without any worry, sometimes a different angle of spanner helps. Also got some long handled ring spanners that are great for exttra grunt or access. Cheapy sockets good to grind down or make new tools from for special ops. The US has some excellent stuff at great prices too, scored and excellent S shape ratchet ring that does just the job where it is a struggle with other spanners