3/8" socket drive

benrk · Post by **benrk** » 13 Aug 2013, 09:37

Hi,

I've noticed here in North America in private garages & commercial shops that most mechanics nearly exclusively use 3/8" drive socket sets, also I've just read a how-to on a repair where a 1/4" socket was recommended as a 3/8" didn't fit.

I'm a German certified coachmaker & have worked in & seen quite a # of shops in Europe, 3/8" drive is near none existent in Europe.
Mechanics do typically work with company supplied tools & I have yet to see an oem approved, dealership supplied toolbox containing a 3/8" ratchet.

Typically M8 is the borderline size that depending on application & personal preference worked with 1/2" or 1/4" drive tools, anything smaller you use 1/4", anything larger 1/2".

If you successfully want to work on European cars, you will need a good 1/4" socket set to access all the small corners, the 3/8" one-size-fits-all approach is uniquely American & not applicable.

Greetz, Ben

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Aug 2013, 10:25

Thanks for your perspective, Ben. I use 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 about equally on my 850. The 1/2 only because that's what my impact drive is.

It's not a conscious decision on my part to choose between these. I find my socket first, then the wrench that mates to it.

I looked it up and M8 falls neatly between 1/4" and 3/8th", seems like a nice size.

Post by **mikealder** » 13 Aug 2013, 10:54

I do most of my own work on the cars and use 1/4" 1/2" and more often than not 3/8" so these are available for the DIY mechanic in the UK which was part of Europe last time I checked - Mike

benrk · Post by **benrk** » 13 Aug 2013, 11:13

Yes, it's hard to get around 3/8" here since that simply is the size that many tools come in. While 1/4 & 1/2 are still my main staple, a lot of my specialty sockets are 3/8 or mixed drive size sets & grabing a smaller torx size w/ 1/4 & then needing 1 size larger of the same set & it's 3/8 still freaks me out.
I'm getting around this issue by using dual head ratchets, 1 of the 1st tools I bought on this continent was a no name 1/4 & 3/8 dual head stubby ratchet set with black & red handle at some truck stop, usually retailing around $20-30 at all kinds of budget places, incredibly tough little bugger, at the price I didn't mind abusing it, had pipes stuck on, gotten hammered on, sockets broke, but the ratchet still survives.
My early budget buy 1/2 ratchet finally gave up during the engine swap & got replaced by a 1/2 & 3/8 dual head, now I don't mind 3/8 anymore, for small stuff I use the small ratchet, large stuff large, if the needed socket happens to be 3/8 I flip the ratchet over...

Greetz, Ben

benrk · Post by **benrk** » 13 Aug 2013, 11:47

I guess I might have to apologize, while I have travelled widely & been to shops outside Germany, it's very easy to say "in Europe" when you're over here, the bulk of my shop experience is indeed German. While 3/8 generally is available & I know people who do use it, it is by no means common & 3/8 specialty sockets from European quality tool manufacturers are rare.

I think how much or little the British Islands are part of Europe doesn't belong here, time & again this is being discussed on & off the Isle with little agreement

Greetz, Ben

mikealder wrote:I do most of my own work on the cars and use 1/4" 1/2" and more often than not 3/8" so these are available for the DIY mechanic in the UK which was part of Europe last time I checked - Mike