Match the square drive on your ratchet or impact wrench. 1/4in drive suits small fasteners in tight spaces, 3/8in is a general size, and 1/2in is the most widely listed here for vehicle work. 3/4in and 1in drive carry the large sizes for plant and commercial vehicles, such as 65mm in 3/4in and 105mm in 1in.
A 6 point, or hexagon, socket bears on the flats of the nut and is less likely to round a tight or corroded fastener. A 12 point, or bi-hexagon, socket engages in twice as many positions, which helps where ratchet swing is limited. Individual Sockets lists hexagon sockets from 1/4in drive and bi-hexagon sockets in 3/8in, 1/2in and 3/4in drive.
Use a deep socket where the nut sits on a long stud or protruding thread, or is recessed where a standard socket cannot reach. Deep impact sockets are listed in 3/8in, 1/2in, 3/4in and 1in drive, and deep hand sockets in 3/8in and 1/2in drive, for example a 14mm deep impact socket in 1/2in drive.
Impact sockets have thicker walls and are made to absorb the repeated blows of an impact wrench, where a standard chrome socket can crack. The Impact Sockets sub-category includes 3/8in, 1/2in, 3/4in and 1in square drive in standard and deep lengths, and impact socket sets such as a 13 piece 1/2in drive set are also listed.
They are in Application & Specialist Sockets. Examples include 14mm thread spark plug sockets in 3/8in drive, a 30mm hub nut impact socket in 1/2in drive, a 30mm six flute oil filter socket, ball joint and caliper sockets, and socket bits such as TRX-Star and ball end hexagon. Some truck hub and axle nut sockets name the vehicle they suit.
It varies by set, so read the piece count and drive size in the name. Examples include a 19 piece 3/8in drive metric set covering 8 to 22mm, a 17 piece 3/4in drive metric set, a 40 piece 1/2in set in metric and imperial, and a 20 piece 1/2in deep socket set with ratchet. Some sets combine 1/4in and 3/8in drive.
Sockets & Socket Sets
This category covers sockets for hand ratchets, torque wrenches and impact tools. Individual Sockets is the largest page, with standard and deep sockets in 6 point, 12 point and bi-hex profiles across metric, imperial and Whitworth sizes, including VDE insulated sockets. Impact Sockets lists standard and deep impact sockets up to 1in square drive, Socket Sets covers sets in single and multiple drive sizes, and Application & Specialist Sockets includes oil filter, spark plug, ball joint, caliper and hub nut sockets and socket bits.
Brands include Draper, Sealey, Laser Tools, Govoni, PCL, Sykes Pickavant and Connect. Start with the drive size that fits your ratchet or impact tool, then choose the fastener size and profile. Use impact-rated sockets on air and electric impact wrenches rather than standard chrome sockets.
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