The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Metric to Inch Tool Conversion

Some of you guys already figured it out. I just found it however. Link below. For those tool sets with both Metric sockets/wrenches the size is close enough to use the metric tools in some cases on our old trucks. For example 13MM and 1/2", 14MM and 9/16. Not all exact, per link, but came in handy when I was working on both sides of the truck and didn't have to carry tools back and forth. I just printed it and taped in to top of tool box. I used it the most on the 6 pt sockets.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wrenches-inches-metric-us-conversion-comparison-d_1607.html

Sorry for not replying before, but I just noticed your post.
I'm afraid you've been misinformed.
If you want to use SAE wrenches on metric nuts and bolts, or vice-versa, your best bet is to go to 64ths - expensive idea, unfortunately.

You probably know that Canada is supposedly "all metric"; and I've tried using SAE sockets and wrenches to "convert" between the two when using 16ths and it just doesn't work well.

The wrench/socket is either "sloppy" or just too tight to go on. If its "sloppy" you stand a good chance of "rounding" the fastener; or you'll get frustrated and want to "pound on" with a hammer one that is slightly too small.

Been there, done all that.

I'll never try and tell you what to do, and I'm not tryin to be a smart@$$, but if you're dealing with metric shxxxxx, your best bet is to get metric wrenches/sockets and avoid all the frustrations that I went through several times.

The metric tools are way cheaper than buying stuff in 64th increments.

Hope this helps.

The American brands that used to be made in Usa, but now are made in China up to about 18mm aren't that bad and they can be bought dirt cheap at places like Home Depot. I buy them several sets at a time and it doesn't bother me if I lose one or have to heat and bend one to get into a tight space.

I have a lot of money in American made tools such as Williams and German made tools such as Hazet and Stahlwille, but in the smaller sizes, as much as I hate to admit it, the Chinese wrenches work just as well.

11MM is close to 7/16"
8MM is close to 5/16"

I have to agree with Burb lover. I've always gone by the credo of use the "right tool for the job". After working as a mechanic of one sort or another for 50+ years I've collected duplicates of a lot of tools so have no problem having the same sizes in multiple places at once. The only cross over size I'm comfortable using is 3/4 and 19mm, I even have some impact sockets that are labeled 3/4-19mm. The only other time I have used meteric on sae or visa/versa is when the proper size doesn't fit because a fastener is a little under size due rust.
I can't tell you how many times over the years I've had to "fix" something someone else has screwed up by using the wrong tool, both customers and coworkers. I have to admit I've wanted to smack some on the back of the head for doing stupid stuff but most of the time was able to turn it into a teaching experience.
Anyway as already mentioned there are a lot of inexpensive wrench and socket sets out there today that admittedly are not bad quality so there is really no need to take the chance of rounding off a fastener using the wrong type.

Fair points fellas, and your hearts are in the right place but you're overthinking it. Remember on the disassembly of these 70 yr old hard driven farm trucks, nothing is exact, for heaven's sake I'm not focused on exact measurements to 64th's! Just think of it as a heads up as to what sizes are very close. The last thing I need is more socket sets, it seems those suckers multiply like rabbits. Think it is pretty safe to assume that anyone tinkering with these old trucks are aware that you can round off bolts or nuts by having the wrong size tool.

Ain't THAT the truth!
And sometimes they're harder to keep track of than a herd of "terrible twos"!