3/8th socket set?

[Wigeon]

Can someone cleverer than me explain the point of the above?

Ratchet is too small to use as a hammer, but too big to be a punch....

Mystified as to why they exist.

Can someone put me out of my misery so I don't go and buy one by mistake.

Thanks!

 

[Pan mixer]

I have a 1/4, 3/8th, 1/2 inch and a 3/4 drive socket set

The 3/8th set gets used at least 10 times more often than all the other sets put together.

It wasn't a mistake for me.

By the way I have a 3/8th impact gun, a 1/2 inch and a 3/4 air spanner, we never use the 1/2 inch one since the smaller one turned up and only use the 3/4 one when the nut is too large to fit a 3/8 drive with a couple of converters (ie up to about a 32 mm nut)

 

[Wigeon]

Interesting, thanks. Have 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4, but 1/2 gets used most by a distance.

Looks like I need to get some guns too. Only got 1/2 inch air.

 

[Hjwise]

It’s a hang over from before the ‘me too’ movement, it used to be 3/8” for girls and 1/2” for boys. But now you can self identify to which ever size you like.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

When I was on the tools full time the 3/8 ratchet was the only Snap on ratchet that I was wearing out!! The 1/4 and 1/2 used to survive but the 3/8 was always getting kits!!!! Unfortunately this was 10 yrs ago before Milwaukee!!!

 

[Boysground]

They exist to annoy me. Needed to use a torque wrench at the weekend. Could only find a 3/8 one but we don’t have a 1 inch socket in 3/8 Going to have to have a search in all my brothers motorbike kit to find the half inch....,,

Bg

 

[Wigeon]

Suppose adjustables are the non-binary equivalent!

 

[tw15]

I seem to use 3/8 stuff more and more now days Get a baco 3/8 socket set you can get them for under £50 . I picked up the baby 1/4 set the other year just to have in the car but now seems to do more and more with it . A real handy little set in a good box for £17 plus vat . So handy fits in your pocket also has a few torx and alen keys in it brilliant for doing jubilees .

 

[kill]

I seem to use 3/8 stuff more and more now days Get a baco 3/8 socket set you can get them for under £50 . I picked up the baby 1/4 set the other year just to have in the car but now seems to do more and more with it . A real handy little set in a good box for £17 plus vat . So handy fits in your pocket also has a few torx and alen keys in it brilliant for doing jubilees .

Find exactly the same as keep a 3/8 set near my milking robots and it pretty much covers everything I need including screw drivers,Allen keys and torx in one easy to carry set

 

[mo!]

3/8" are for cars. 1/2" for tractors. All the 3/8" air tools I've seen are the same body as the 1/2".

 

[bovrill]

I need a 7/16" set, for when the 1/2" is too big, and the 3/8 just isn't man enough!

Am I the only one who uses a 1" set? I've got an air spanner for mine that would kick-start a planet's rotation, but needs a road compressor to power it, and a 1:64 torque multiplier for when that's not man enough!
I saw a 1" breaker bar once. It looked about 6' long (before you put the scaffold pole on it!) but needed a mortgage to buy it. So I didn't!

 

[ACEngineering]

Can someone cleverer than me explain the point of the above?

Ratchet is too small to use as a hammer, but too big to be a punch....

Mystified as to why they exist.

Can someone put me out of my misery so I don't go and buy one by mistake.

Thanks!

use my 3/8 set all the time

 

[Hard Graft]

general
up to 13 mm. 1/4
10 to 19 mm. 3/8 and It’s the go to set
17 to 30 mm 1/2
27 to 36 mm 3/4
36 up. 1’‘ drive on an air gun
and torque multiplier as well for when the gun does not work

 

[Steevo]

Love my 3/8 Bahco set - perfect size to go with the tractor, where 1/2" size would be too big. Very handy size indeed.

 

[Hjwise]

general
up to 13 mm. 1/4
10 to 19 mm. 3/8 and It’s the go to set
17 to 30 mm 1/2
27 to 36 mm 3/4
36 up. 1’‘ drive on an air gun

I think that sums it up. ?

 

[Munkul]

Use 3/8" socketry when its small, fiddly, delicate stuff.

Use 1/2" socketry when you want to break M6 and M8 studs.

 

[tinman]

I have this Bahco 3/8 socket set which is the same as other members commented on here id say, its a mighty wee set, as said, its my go to set as well, so good i bought a spare one.
round xmas time i do see them selling it for about £25 odd but other times of the year ive seen it for 50-60....

the second most used socket set is a 1/4 facom set i have, between the two of them they do 80% of the socket work..

 

[fermerboy]

I've 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 here.

I find my little 1/4 set is used the most, jubilee clips, 10mm and 13mm bolts for panel work and guards, stripping alternators and starters etc, the list goes on. Its got allen bits to about 8mm and screwdriver bits too. Must admit to being quite possessive of it.
The 1/2 drive gets much less to do since the Milwaukee rattle gun arrived.
The 3/8 set is a nice light thing to use for most stuff, tend to use it on cars etc.

 

[Gapples]

3/8 socket sets are THE most handy to carry, they are just the right size & weight for many jobs.
If you haven't got one, go out & buy yourself a good quality kit, you'll never regret it !
Just don't go sticking a pipe on the ratchet eh

 

[Steevo]

I have this Bahco 3/8 socket set which is the same as other members commented on here id say, its a mighty wee set, as said, its my go to set as well, so good i bought a spare one.
round xmas time i do see them selling it for about £25 odd but other times of the year ive seen it for 50-60....

the second most used socket set is a 1/4 facom set i have, between the two of them they do 80% of the socket work..

Exactly what I have - S330. Halfords do something similar but the case looks nothing like as strong. That and a set of 10-19 spanners can solve most problems.