Metric and SAE tools

[Jason Storer]

Hey everyone on the forum, I was curious about what you guys think about having and using both metric and SAE tools in your boxes. Do you guys use them both pretty equally or can someone get away with just metric tools or just SAE tools?

Topic

[Robert Pilsucki]

I have both for many reasons. I work on my cars which are 2005 honda odessey. 1988 honda accord and 2001 ford f150 7700. Also with all my friends cars varying from vw jetta, toyota tercel to a 01 ford taurus I have been accumulating both SAE and metric. Hope this helps

[Jamie]

Even if everything you work on is imported – and metric – it never hurts to have a set of SAE wrenches and sockets.

[Pat61]

[quote=”Jstorer” post=101163]Hey everyone on the forum, I was curious about what you guys think about having and using both metric and SAE tools in your boxes. Do you guys use them both pretty equally or can someone get away with just metric tools or just SAE tools?[/quote]

Having both metric and SAE in your tool box is no big deal if you have the space. Even in cramped quarters the SAE tools can be placed at the back where they’re less convenient to access. Just put some thought into your box during set up and all will be well. The rigs you work on will help you in this process.

I don’t use much SAE anymore and parted with my 3/4″ drive stuff years ago. I don’t have a socket over 1 1/2″ or a wrench larger than 1 1/4″. I think you will find the metric/SAE split runs about 70%/30% in the automotive arena.

[Ken]

You could probably survive with only Metric, except maybe for a small 1/4″ socket for some hose clamps and stuff like that.

A lot of Metric and SAE sizes cross over, and are close enough. I’m always using my 7/8″ and 13/16″ and 15/16″ wrenches on alignments for tie-rod nuts (even though they’re metric), and then a 13/14/15mm wrench to turn it. You can find conversion charts online.

I almost never use SAE sockets or wrenches. My metric sockets and wrenches always fit them. And I’m working in a shop that gets mostly American cars, so that should say something.

TL;DR – End the Imperialist System! Petition the Queen! Use Only Metric!

[Jamie]

[quote=”Hitachi” post=101959]
TL;DR – End the Imperialist System! Petition the Queen! Use Only Metric![/quote]

If you can count to ten you can use metric. I still don’t understand when old guys bitch and moan about metric.

[Nick]

I use metric about 90% of the time. I have SAE because when you need them you need them. Most of my pullers actually use an SAE size on them. So that’s one thing to consider for down the road.

[Author]

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