Now that we're on the topic (see a few previous threads) on odd wrench sizes, what are the least commonly used sizes of wrench or socket in your tool box??
1" and 1-1/16" sockets.... Can't remember the last time I used them.
1" wrench is used to turn a square shaft, ... and unscrewing the fuel filter housing off the carb in old 1970's Chevy pickup.
1-1/16" wrench is a common size needed for hydraulic hose fittings ( is it really meant to be 27mm which is almost exactly the same size?)
Posted 9/16/2010 20:40 (#1362201 - in reply to #1362162) Subject: Re: Uncommon wrench sizes
East of Dowagiac Michigan
1" socket, 1-1/4 socket, 13/16 wrench. The lack of 1-5/16, 16mm and 18mm in wrench and socket sets is much more annoying to me. Then you have the metric bolts with the different sized heads.....so you can tell for years that you replaced one of them.
Posted 9/17/2010 00:53 (#1362714 - in reply to #1362479) Subject: RE: Uncommon wrench sizes
NE SD
It was discussed a day or two ago. The 11/16" nut is a heavy nut. Our drawer has a few of the light nuts in it that fit a 5/8" wrench. The real question is, why is the heavy nut only common on 7/16" and 9/16" bolts?
Posted 9/16/2010 21:25 (#1362277 - in reply to #1362162) Subject: Re: Uncommon wrench sizes
southern MN
Really? Most commonly used sizes by me:
1/2 & 9/16.
3/4 & 15/16.
1 & 1-1/16.
5/8 & 1-1/8.
Once in a long while a 7/16.
Back in the 80's dad bought a 1 & 1-1/16, he carved 2 holes in the socket set tray to hold them, they get used so much around the place. Common size around here, but use 1970's technology it seems......
Posted 9/16/2010 21:29 (#1362285 - in reply to #1362279) Subject: Re: Uncommon wrench sizes
West Texas
It too gets used on hydr fittings. Had a hose get a hole rubbed in it on the Cat the a few weeks ago. That's the size wrench it took to get it loose. Along with a #12 pushing on it! That booger was tight!!
Posted 9/17/2010 00:58 (#1362716 - in reply to #1362700) Subject: Re: Uncommon wrench sizes
NE SD
Yup. We finally bought a 30mm socket since none of the 3/4" socket sets seem to come with a 1 3/16".
I had a weird one today that I forgot about. The pivot bolt on a Holland trailer suspension requires a 1 11/16" socket. Don't believe I've ever needed that size before.
Posted 9/16/2010 21:31 (#1362293 - in reply to #1362162) Subject: RE: Uncommon wrench sizes
South Georgia
The top shaft that drives the doffers in a Deere inline cotton picker head is a 1 inch, therefore if I don't use it anywhere else, I use my 1" when I remove or install doffers.
Posted 9/16/2010 22:01 (#1362364 - in reply to #1362162) Subject: Re: Uncommon wrench sizes
East Prairie, MO
Funny you should bring this up cause I just had to chase down a 1-11/16" socket to get the nut off the Doffer shaft on a 2155 cotton picker head today, local tool shop had a blank spot on the rack actually but no socket. Ended up borrowing it from a mechanic at the Case dealership.
Posted 9/16/2010 22:47 (#1362480 - in reply to #1362162) Subject: RE: Uncommon wrench sizes
Seems like as a kid we had some old wrenches and sockets that were 25/32. Wonder what those were for. I always wondered too why the 7/16 bolt had a different size head and nut. It is handy to be able to use two different wrenches if you have only one set with you. Still not sure I like it though! We use 7/16 wrenches all the time here for pivot knuckles and cutting head sections.
Posted 9/16/2010 23:35 (#1362586 - in reply to #1362480) Subject: Re: Uncommon wrench sizes
NW Ohio,near Findlay
Some of these odd sizes fit square head nuts. I remember purchasing the first complete SK 1/2 inch drive set for the farm. My father farmed, his father farmed and used all open end wrenches, no sockets.
Posted 9/17/2010 00:49 (#1362707 - in reply to #1362162) Subject: Ferguson wrench
Fruita CO
Every TO-20 & TO-30 Fergie came with a wrench that was 11/16" on one end & 1-1/16" on the other. I think Ford 8N & 9N may have had the same thing, w/Ford markings. It also had inch ruler markings cast in & it fit 99% of the bolts & nuts on the tractor. I think I may still have one around here somewhere, the Fergies are long gone-we had 3 of them when I was a kid.
Posted 9/17/2010 09:04 (#1362954 - in reply to #1362865) Subject: Metrinch usage
Too close to Raleigh, NC
I have had 2 sets since they first came out maybe 15? years ago - caught an infomercial one night and decided they might be handy. Had a 2-for-1 deal so I bought one set for me and another for my Dad's house up in the hills. My plastic case hinge broke some time ago and I keep a couple of straps to hold it together but it fits perfectly between the seat back and pillar in my regular cab Dodge. That way I have them whenever I am in the truck.
They are light duty sockets and the wrenches are fairly short so the leverage is lacking but they have saved my butt on numerous occasions when they grab an almost-rounded-off nut or bolt and get them to back out. Convenience factor is very high since I can use them on metric and SAE. Would really like a full set of Snap-On impact FlankDrive sockets to have in the shop but the Metrinch set does well enough that I have delayed that purchase for many years now.
If they made impact sockets I would have to seriously consider acquiring a set. I reckon I need to go look them up and see what they have available now.
I rank them as a homeowner/car enthusiast grade set, not a mechanic's grade tool. That said, I have abused mine on numerous occasions and they have been tougher than I thought.
Uncommon wrench sizes
