Well I finally expanded my overflowing tool storage. As part of the process, all the drawers were reorganized.
I thought about it, and realized that I rarely, if ever, use my SAE-sized tools anymore. All of the sockets and wrenches got relegated to the back of the bottom drawer, perhaps never to see the light of day again.
Lot of old memories stashed in that drawer...
Hmm, don't visit the hardware store much? (or maybe not in the US)
Hardware stores in the US are still full of SAE stuff. It's still pretty hard to find a good selection of metric bolts and nuts.
Really? I use mine all the time. Maybe what you need is a nice old American muscle car project!
Oh, you never know..we bought her boy a bike last xmas..I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get a tool on it properly. Sure enough, SAE. Took me 20min to remember where I'd put the damn things. I hear you on the memories, though..one of them still had dirt from my last Triumph..which I haven't seen since 1995. (snif.)
Working on my house is one of the only times I use my SAE tools - and that's pretty well limited to 1/4" and 1/2" sockets. I didn't even own any when I was working at the (primarily vintage Euro/Japanese) motorcycle shop.
You don't even need an old American car... our '73 Volvos and 70's Triumphs are all SAE as well.
alex wrote: Working on my house is one of the only times I use my SAE tools - and that's pretty well limited to 1/4" and 1/2" sockets. I didn't even own any when I was working at the (primarily vintage Euro/Japanese) motorcycle shop.
That's the truth. Just about the only time I use SAE is working on household appliances. I've got a little craftsman 1/4" drive SAE kit I keep in the house, because I can't remember the last time I used it in the garage. In the last year I have used it to fix the dishwasher, drier, and refrigerator.
In reply to friedgreencorrado:
On a bicycle!? Now that's weird...
ransom wrote: In reply to friedgreencorrado: On a *bicycle*!? Now *that's* weird...
On a mtn or road bike, yes. On a BMX bike, not so much.
I still and probably always will have old American cars. SAE is here to stay around this house.
I bought a Javelin as an excuse to buy more SAE tools!
aircooled wrote: Hmm, don't visit the hardware store much? (or maybe not in the US) Hardware stores in the US are still full of SAE stuff. It's still pretty hard to find a good selection of metric bolts and nuts.
Did you even read his post? 
Of course, then I went and bought an old American truck that I barely have to fix anything on. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
ransom wrote: In reply to friedgreencorrado: On a *bicycle*!? Now *that's* weird...
Yeah, the rear wheel had to come off to attach the training wheels..the axle nuts were SAE. And I'm sure the thing was made in China, after all, she bought it at WallyWorld.
Hmm. Last bike I bought for the Curmudgeonling was all metric, the rear axle nuts were 15mm for instance. Maybe they didn't get the memo...
Heck my 2000 Dakota and 99 Bonneville have both metric and SAE fasteners. Makes for fun when working on them, guessing which one you need.
I use my SAE tools - some of them work on metric nuts and bolts!
Wouldn't get rid of them for reasons all mentioned above (and after most likely). Get another tool box (just big enough for the tools) and store the SAE stuff there till you need them. I have 2 tool boxes setting side by side on my work bench, one is for SAE and the other is for metric. Use both regularly.
Ian F wrote: You don't even need an old American car... our '73 Volvos and 70's Triumphs are all SAE as well.
I had a couple of '73 Volvos, an 1800ES and a 142E.
The parts Volvo made were SAE.
The stuff they bought from Bosch was metric.
And SU carbs have Whitworth fasteners.
Fun times.
I have a nice collection of SAE tools from my father.. aside from the odd 1/2 inch... I have never used them
I'll see your SAE, and raise you a Whitworth. I occasionally use them as well. As well the various other british specs that can drive me totally nuts.
Seriously, wrenching on almost anything around the house that doesn't have newish wheels or a circuit board usually involves my inch wrenches.
3/4=19mm
9/16=14mm
5/16=8mm
jamscal wrote: 3/4=19mm 9/16=14mm 5/16=8mm
Then 3/8=10, 7/16=12, 5/8=16, etc....
I bought set of SAE deep sockets a few years back to repair a 727 TF from a 66 Charger.... But what amazed me one day was that Chrysler was using metric headed fasteners with SAE threads..... My 5.7 Hemi is that way. Plenty of 15mm heads with 7/16-14 threaded fasteners.... Bastards.
3/8" only interechanges with 10mm with the assistance of a hammer.
I still use a lot of SAE tools but I'm a dinosaur and work on a lotta old E36 M3
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