[Charlie Chaplain]

Hopefully you will not need British Whitworth size wrenches

I have a set of Whitworth also, as I started riding a Norton Atlas 750, and now own an Iron Barrel Royal Enfield 500 Bullet.
Charlie

 

[Camak5]

I have a set of Whitworth also, as I started riding a Norton Atlas 750, and now own an Iron Barrel Royal Enfield 500 Bullet.
Charlie

I have a set on order. I have a 1956 Austin Healey that uses SAE, metric, and British standard thread sizes

 

[CHAINIK]

Of course I'll try to use the right tool for the fastener, but a list? Who here is going to stop and go look at a list, instead of just eyeballing the fastener and trying the wrenches that you have available to see which one possibly fits?

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

Of course I'll try to use the right tool for the fastener, but a list? Who here is going to stop and go look at a list, instead of just eyeballing the fastener and trying the wrenches that you have available to see which one possibly fits?

With experience one can judge the fastener size relatively easy. It then comes to finding the proper wrench. A list helps those with little experience, find a wrench that will work. If you have to look at this list then that is good. After a while, these sizes will become easy to reference by memory. As for trying wrenches, a 14mm may fit on a 13mm bolt,( this example was not given to encourage the use of a 14mm on a 13mm bolt or nut, but to show that this has been done improperly before) but will round the corners. I’m not OCD, so my wrenches tend to be in several areas of my garage and workshop, necessitating looking for the size I need. Many times, they vanish into thin air due to my lack of due diligence in putting them back in the toolbox or on the pegs above the workbench.
Charlie

 

[CHAINIK]

Many times, they vanish into thin air due to my lack of due diligence in putting them back in the toolbox or on the pegs above the workbench.

lol. I feel you there.

I swear there's a crack in the universe, somewhere in my garage. 10mm sockets? Well, that's kinda a given. Although, it's weird that the anomaly seems to return them with 13mm ones, I have apparently several lifetimes worth of those.

Once, I lost a large adjustable wrench on a bare concrete floor. Still haven't found it.

 

[Frank White]

With experience one can judge the fastener size relatively easy. It then comes to finding the proper wrench. A list helps those with little experience, find a wrench that will work. If you have to look at this list then that is good. After a while, these sizes will become easy to reference by memory. As for trying wrenches, a 14mm may fit on a 13mm bolt, but will round the corners. I’m not OCD, so my wrenches tend to be in several areas of my garage and workshop, necessitating looking for the size I need. Many times, they vanish into thin air due to my lack of due diligence in putting them back in the toolbox or on the pegs above the workbench.
Charlie

Well, Charlie I cannot force you to see the importance of using the right tools but typically the Universe has a way of showing us our own ignorances. I have been blessed with many life lessons on my own stupidity. I just hope you realize you are riding 2 wheel. You really should be OCD with how you care for Her. When you wear the hat of a profession as an apprentice your goal should be to at the very least follow the fundamentals. If my workshop was messy, I would clean and organize it! This way I know where all my tools are and if I do Not own the tool I need, I buy it and now have zero excuses. Know what they say about excuses right? haha. Yes, the thread has taken on a life of its own but everyone seems to be having fun with it, I do not see any issues.

 

[Frank White]

Before my bike arrived I tried to compile a list of every size I needed and tools I didn't own I wanted. I am still buying tools here and there to build my collection. Buying American, Japanese, or Swiss made gets expensive but worth it. I would never lose, misplace, or not put my tools back because they were a fortune. Buy once cry once. Have nice things, keep things nice. I know I take care of my things because I worked hard to get them all. When I need them they are there! As they say a messy (Shop, House, Room, Car), equals a messy life, or mind! I learned in boot camp to be "Squared away" and to keep my sh!t tight! Everything I do I try and take pride in it and do it right!

 

[Micmac]

Next time list the parameters of your wishes. No offense intended as to your initial post. As I see your tenure here is somewhat limited, you may not be aware we tend to wander here. Not to violate any protocol real or imagined, just how we roll. So if you make a post and have some rules attached on which way you wish the conversation to move in, please let us know beforehand, then you will not have to admonish us later for not being aware of your parameters. Again, sorry for my transgression against your sizing chart topic.

 

[Frank White]

Next time list the parameters of your wishes. No offense intended as to your initial post. As I see your tenure here is somewhat limited, you may not be aware we tend to wander here. Not to violate any protocol real or imagined, just how we roll. So if you make a post and have some rules attached on which way you wish the conversation to move in, please let us know beforehand, then you will not have to admonish us later for not being aware of your parameters. Again, sorry for my transgression against your sizing chart topic.

This is for all of us that moved off topic!

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

Well, Charlie I cannot force you to see the importance of using the right tools but typically the Universe has a way of showing us our own ignorances. I have been blessed with many life lessons on my own stupidity. I just hope you realize you are riding 2 wheel. You really should be OCD with how you care for Her. When you wear the hat of a profession as an apprentice your goal should be to at the very least follow the fundamentals. If my workshop was messy, I would clean and organize it! This way I know where all my tools are and if I do Not own the tool I need, I buy it and now have zero excuses. Know what they say about excuses right? haha. Yes, the thread has taken on a life of its own but everyone seems to be having fun with it, I do not see any issues.

Frank, I do use the proper tools for my wrenching. I currently own 9 motorcycles, and two vehicles. My tool stash is pretty large, and I have at least two of everything, downsized from my 3 of everything lol. Not sure where you get the idea that this list was to encourage the use of non standard sizes on the improper fasteners. Anyway, I am sure that you properly use each tool, and that you are OCD. Have a nice day. I am aware that this is a topic that is much like an oil thread… now.
Charlie

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

Next time list the parameters of your wishes. No offense intended as to your initial post. As I see your tenure here is somewhat limited, you may not be aware we tend to wander here. Not to violate any protocol real or imagined, just how we roll. So if you make a post and have some rules attached on which way you wish the conversation to move in, please let us know beforehand, then you will not have to admonish us later for not being aware of your parameters. Again, sorry for my transgression against your sizing chart topic.

You are just fine, no offense taken. I initially posted an oil thread as my first post on this forum to ferret out those who would be the experts in that area lol. I have been forum etiquette aware for many years, just not here, as I bought my Indian in May of last year, and have ridden it over 10k miles now. I like it more each time I ride it. Anyway, the post was for information purposes, and if readers tend to read and comment, it’s fine. I hope that someone who isn’t aware of the compatibility between SAE and metric sizes will get some usage from this post. And using a 1/2” on a 13mm bolt won’t hurt it at all.
‘Charlie

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

lol. I feel you there.

I swear there's a crack in the universe, somewhere in my garage. 10mm sockets? Well, that's kinda a given. Although, it's weird that the anomaly seems to return them with 13mm ones, I have apparently several lifetimes worth of those.

Once, I lost a large adjustable wrench on a bare concrete floor. Still haven't found it.

I understand, and I have two adjustable wrenches that I use to size bolts or nuts! They have metric hash marks on one side, and SAE hash marks on the other. That allows me to get the proper wrench or socket and then remove or tighten that fastener.
Charlie

 

[Frank White]

Frank, I do use the proper tools for my wrenching. I currently own 9 motorcycles, and two vehicles. My tool stash is pretty large, and I have at least two of everything, downsized from my 3 of everything lol. Not sure where you get the idea that this list was to encourage the use of non standard sizes on the improper fasteners. Anyway, I am sure that you properly use each tool, and that you are OCD. Have a nice day. I am aware that this is a topic that is much like an oil thread… now.
Charlie

Happy to hear you have a nice collection and mechanically inclined. This is something lacking nowadays. I have in the past been ignorant and misused tools and have broke them and also hurt myself in the process. Also lost plenty not knowing where they were, and things seemed to grow legs and walk away. I changed due to my own ignorances and can admit that without issue. I am not OCD I just value my life and the money I spend on good tools designed to do the job they were designed for. No longer will I be a moron using a cheap tool on an expensive item nor the wrong tool. Otherwise I would still be the "tool" I once was! Also I am sure your cross reference chart was useful to someone...I just wouldn't myself suggest improper sized wrench options as I try to lead people in the correct direction when I can. You have a Happy New Year and I wouldn't worry about how the thread goes as there are far worse things I suppose than a run-away thread.

 

[Frank White]

I understand, and I have two adjustable wrenches that I use to size bolts or nuts! They have metric hash marks on one side, and SAE hash marks on the other. That allows me to get the proper wrench or socket and then remove or tighten that fastener.
Charlie

The right tool would be a digital caliper just sayin' I am sure your wrench measuring device helps you have a better guess but I choose differently and that is ok with me. I have a bunch of adjustables I give to people I do not trust using my own tools to use on their own bikes or cars.

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

The right tool would be a digital caliper just sayin' I am sure your wrench measuring device helps you have a better guess but I choose differently and that is ok with me. I have a bunch of adjustables I give to people I do not trust using my own tools to use on their own bikes or cars.

It’s an analog caliper of sorts, Frank. It Precisely measures your nut or bolt, and you read the Precise marks on the side of it. As for a digital caliper, I have three or four of them, this is much more durable, and doesn’t take a watch battery, LR44.
Charlie

 

[Frank White]

It’s an analog caliper of sorts, Frank. It Precisely measures your nut or bolt, and you read the Precise marks on the side of it. As for a digital caliper, I have three or four of them, this is much more durable, and doesn’t take a watch battery, LR44.
Charlie

My caliper takes a SR44, chemical (antifreeze) waterproof, and battery lasts about 4 years. There are such things as "analog" calipers they are called vernier calipers. I just find my old eyes getting tired of trying to read tick marks and such. I much rather read a digital display on a Japanese crafted tool that doesn't hurt my eyes and is accurate in mm and inches.

 

[WillyH]

I thank you all for giving your opinions on different tools. However, this thread is NOT about which brand of tool or even whether to purchase Metric or SAE tools. It is SIMPLY a cross reference from Metric to SAE and vice versa. I thank all of you who recognized this and stayed in the Spirit of the post. And yes, I own BOTH SAE and Metric tools. Sometimes I can’t find the one I need.
‘Charlie

As the saying goes...No good deed goes unpunished.

I have sets of both SAE and metric wrenches... along with different size Vicegrips. Oh, and pipe wrenches if get in a pinch

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

My caliper takes a SR44, chemical (antifreeze) waterproof, and battery lasts about 4 years. There are such things as "analog" calipers they are called vernier calipers. I just find my old eyes getting tired of trying to read tick marks and such. I much rather read a digital display on a Japanese crafted tool that doesn't hurt my eyes and is accurate in mm and inches.

Hehe yep, analog vernier calipers are available here also, but my USA MADE ‘CRESCENT’ wrenches with the precise marks on both sides for SAE and Metric, do the trick, and I don’t have to worry about dropping them and them being out of spec.
Charlie

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

As the saying goes...No good deed goes unpunished.

I have sets of both SAE and metric wrenches... along with different size Vicegrips. Oh, and pipe wrenches if get in a pinch

I Love a good pipe wrench in the morning… being a retired pipe fitter/welder by trade 😉

 

[WillyH]

I Love a good pipe wrench in the morning… being a retired pipe fitter/welder by trade 😉

I use the pipe wrenches only on chrome nuts'n bolts in tight spaces