[Red Cloud]

My millennial neighbor was throwing out an old fridge and I told him you are supposed to take the doors off so a kid can't get trapped when it's at the curb. He said he would but he didn't have that "fancy screwdriver shape" to take the fastener out. I was thinking it was a torque head or Allen head bolt or something. I was like let me see. It was just a hex bolt. He didn't know what a socket set was. 🤣

My son's friend in college didn't know either, but he's from Russia.

Another of my son's college roommates couldn't figure out how to connect the shop-vac extension tubes together. These guys go to top ranked University of Michigan too.

We are fucked when we have to rely on this next generation!

 

[cyclealleyriders]

Always wished there was a SAE equivalent for the 10mm.

I have sold many cars and bikes with a 10mm socket - somewhere hidden within the bike or car.

 

[cyclealleyriders]

When I bought my Scout, I wondered why the previous owner had only changed the rear tire and not the front. Found out it was because the front axle is a 17mm hex/allen bolt. Now I have 14, 16, 18 and 22mm allen socket wrenches. Had to special order that 17mm. Indian, you do crap like that on purpose, huh? Same with the fork tube cap - didn't have a socket for that but did have an open-end of 29 mm that fit.

 

[Dgilrayjr]

There are many times, when I need a certain SAE or Metric wrench or socket size and I can’t find the one I need. Many of you already know the information that I am about to post, but there may be some who don’t know this.
I will just post some equivalents between the most common sizes that we use for our bikes.

METRIC. SAE
11MM. - 7/16
13mm. - 1/2 (6 point)
14mm. - 9/16
17mm. - 11/16
19mm. - 3/4 (6 point)
22mm. (6 point) - 7/8

There are more, but this will help you in a pinch!
Keep on wrenching, and riding!

True Story
First day of Grade 9 shop class, Instructor holds one of these up and says “What is this.” Some kid pipes up “a crescent wrench” all proud that he knew the answer. “Nope” says the Instructor “it’s a piece of crap” and whips it across the room into the trash bin. “Don’t ever use one of these on a car.”
I’ve tried never to use one ever since. Only thing worse is a pair of vise grips.

It's an all 16ths wrench...

 

[loracekim_8271]

Well this all would have been much easier if we would have just gone ALL metric. If I recall we tried in the mid 70s but then it all got canceled by another president. I won't say who since I actually liked him but sure wish they would have gone ALL metric. Most of u are to young to remember but they even started to put up KMH road speed signs but then took them down later.

 

[2015Chieftain]

FFS people. If you're going to be working on your own bikes, buy the proper good quality tools. It costs way less to do so than the frustration of fucked up fasteners and busted knuckles. It amazes me how many people will throw down big money for something they desire and then skimp on maintaining it.

I agree, just get two sets of wrenches, one SAE and one metric!

 

[Markrpollack]

27MM - 1 1/16 SAE

Had to go this route for chief axle nut

Just removed mine with a $25.00 12 point ratcheting wrench.

 

[starlifter]

There are many times, when I need a certain SAE or Metric wrench or socket size and I can’t find the one I need. Many of you already know the information that I am about to post, but there may be some who don’t know this.
I will just post some equivalents between the most common sizes that we use for our bikes.

METRIC. SAE
11MM. - 7/16
13mm. - 1/2 (6 point)
14mm. - 9/16
17mm. - 11/16
19mm. - 3/4 (6 point)
22mm. (6 point) - 7/8

There are more, but this will help you in a pinch!
Keep on wrenching, and riding!

These are close but I highly recommend that you use a 6-point socket whenever possible. You can get into trouble quickly with a 12-point. I recently picked up an 800mm crescent wrench for good measure. Pardon the pun.

 

[Lee-Bro]

 

[BadazzBobber60]

Came across this today and thought of this thread…

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

And now…. (Drumroll, please)
My Favorite adjustable wrench! It’s a Craftsman, and very well made. I use it primarily to size a nut or bolt, so I can grab the correct size wrench to either tighten (unloosen)or loosen (untighten) it, lol.
As you might notice, it has precision graduated marks, one side SAE and one side Metric. I chose to adjust it to 7/16” SAE, and when I flipped it over, lo and Behold, it shows 11 mm Metric…
So, if you have one of these type of wrenches, you know how nice it is to use. If not, look for one, and buy it.
Charlie

 

[RickAnderson]

The difference between 19mm and 3/4" is less than 0.002", I have never had a problem using a 19mm or 3/4" socket/wrench interchangeably.
Some of the others that are close, you may or may not get away with it.
I just have a set of metric and standard wrenches.... ....of course when you start to get into the unusually large sizes, I may need to run to the hardware store...

Always wished there was a SAE equivalent for the 10mm.

I wish they sold 10mm sockets in bulk....

27MM - 1 1/16 SAE

Had to go this route for chief axle nut

I actually measured the nut with calipers and came up with 1-1/16" and 26.3mm, so I got a 1-1/16" wrench and it worked perfectly. Then my shock when I read to use a 27mm wrench.....

 

[WhizzbangK.C.]

I wish they sold 10mm sockets in bulk....

Harbor Freight has them. 10mm Metric Essential Socket Set, 10 Piece

Several different choices on Amazon too. Amazon.com : 10mm socket set

 

[RickAnderson]

Thanks, but it was a joke, because 10mm sockets get lost so easily.....

I don't have a socket set that doesn't have a different brand 10mm socket in it, because its been lost and replaced several times over the life of the socket set....

I need a Metric Hammer to fully match my tool set...

 

[Charlie Chaplain]

Thanks, but it was a joke, because 10mm sockets get lost so easily.....

I don't have a socket set that doesn't have a different brand 10mm socket in it, because its been lost and replaced several times over the life of the socket set....

I need a Metric Hammer to fully match my tool set...

I have a 1.3 kg Metric micrometer that I use to get things adjusted precisely… 🤫
Charlie

 

[cyclealleyriders]

Harbor Freight has them. 10mm Metric Essential Socket Set, 10 Piece

Several different choices on Amazon too. Amazon.com : 10mm socket set

Boy Howdy! Didn't know this. Of course, I view HF tools as use once (or several times) and then toss. But still .......