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SAE vs. Metric

23K views 35 replies 21 participants last post by  steve604 
#1 ·
Heading to Bellingham tomorrow and going to stop in at Sears and get me a set of Craftsman wrenches and sockets. I don't know why they don't sell the good stuff here in Canada, not the cheap Chinese crap.

Anyhow, before I buy the wrong kit, what is the difference between SAE and metric tools? If SAE is different what is it measured in - inches? Or is it just different wrench and socket measurements....?

Sears sells about 100 different kits for the same price - they don't make it easy to choose one!

Also thinking about picking up a decent torque wrench. What style is the best?
 
#2 ·
where are you shopping ? the sears in coquitliam sells craftsman tools buy the profesional series , also canadian tire master craft profesional series , gel tools at kms life time exchange at kms , ok quality less than half the cost , a couple of times a year sears puts on sales on thier tools thats when i load up i have probaly over $1000 worth of hand tools both metric ( japanese vehicles ) and sae (domestic ) you should check out kms before you head to the states they also have a tool clearance section in the back of the coquitlam store where i got some nice wrenches , some times you can find a set on sale that has both sae and metric with 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 drives with the most comon socket and wrenches , then all you would need to do is but the other pieces as need be .
 
#16 ·
That is the set that I carry in my truck. I think it was around $150 with tax on a sale.

I find the higher quality CT or Sears tools to be find for most things I do.

Also if you by from the states for craftsmen stuff you will have to return it there for warranty.
 
#5 ·
Anyhow, before I buy the wrong kit, what is the difference between SAE and metric tools? If SAE is different what is it measured in - inches? Or is it just different wrench and socket measurements....?

QUOTE]



SAE stands for many things, but in this case I believe its for Standard American Equivalent. Anyways, SAE wrenches are measured in Imperial units (inches) and are different sizes than metric. Some are usually close enough to use as the same, such as 13mm and 1/2".
To convert inches to mm, multiply your imperial measurement by a factor of 25.4, so using the above example 0.5" x 25.4=12.7 which is almost 13mm.

Japanese built vehicles are all metric, and I would assume anything British is as well.
American built vehicles were typically SAE, but as posted earlier use a lot of both now.
 
#13 ·
british stuff is standard. thats where all the crap came from to beging with:D
Well if you really want to get into it, there is British Standard, American Standard, and a bunch of other 'standards' for various different things (bearings, machinery,thread patterns, etc etc).

It can get really confusing at times.
 
#6 ·
Anyhow, before I buy the wrong kit, what is the difference between SAE and metric tools? If SAE is different what is it measured in - inches? Or is it just different wrench and socket measurements....?

QUOTE]



SAE stands for many things, but in this case I believe its for Standard American Equivalent. Anyways, SAE wrenches are measured in Imperial units (inches) and are different sizes than metric. Some are usually close enough to use as the same, such as 13mm and 1/2".
To convert inches to mm, multiply your imperial measurement by a factor of 25.4, so using the above example 0.5" x 25.4=12.7 which is almost 13mm.

Japanese built vehicles are all metric, and I would assume anything British is as well.
American built vehicles were typically SAE, but as posted earlier use a lot of both now.

british stuff is standard. thats where all the crap came from to beging with:D
 
#7 ·
All GM Vehicles use about 90% Metric hardware now, they switched in the mid-late 80's, No too sure about Ford or Chrysler.

As someone stated SAE is inches, Metric, is well metric... mm

If you looking for high Quality, why would you buy craftsman, go buy Snap-On or Mac,
Jet Tools from Lordco are pretty good quality, lifetime warranty and made in Canada
I have 2 Jet Torque Wrenches and they are awesome

And like someone stated Sears puts there tools on sale everyone one in a while, usually 30-50% I'd suggest wait till then unless you need them now. You can get the same Sears tool you can buy in the US here, but only some of the Sears around here carry them. And you can always order them in if you want them that bad

Oh and MasterCraft and Craftsmen are made by the same manufacturer.
 
#8 ·
All GM Vehicles use about 90% Metric hardware now, they switched in the mid-late 80's, No too sure about Ford or Chrysler.
My Ford is a 1991 and I can't remember ever needing a SAE for anything.

If you are like me and somehow lose tools like they are going out of style, I'd stick with the Canadian Tire Mastercraft stuff. Realistically the quality is good enough for a weekend warrior, and they are lifetime warranty as well. You can get decent kits on sale for $100. I buy one every year or so.
 
#9 · (Edited)
If it's a 94 Sahara(your sig) you'll need Torx too, as mentioned. You'll also need fasteners so you don't have to put the @%#$ Torx back in !!

Short answer to the original question: SAE=inches

I've been looking for a chance to share this link

It seems Americans will use patriotism to sell ANYTHING.
D@mn Europeans with their weapons of mass determination.....
 
#12 ·
torx is sweet. Don't know why people hate them so much. Buy a set, like you would for your other wrenches and you're set.

They hold way better, due to increased surface area between socket and nut. I've never had one slip, pretty much can't round your bolts either :cwm16:
 
#14 ·
The Sears in Coquitlam Center and I think it was Metrotown carry a pretty good tool selection. They have a good return policy, as does Canuck Wheel (Mastercraft) as well. Not the greatest quality, but we arent all AME's who are required to have all that expsensive Snap-On stuff.
 
#15 ·
I got Craftsman from the Richmond Centre Sears store - because of the demographic, they had a whole bunch of tools that sat on the shelves for aeons, so they had 50% off sales on a regular basis to unload the inventory. Not sure if they're still managing the store the same way, but it was a real bounty for those who actually buy tools, rather than services.
 
#21 ·
I guess my Sears (north van) sucks, then... because I've never seen any good kits there. I just assumed Sears sold better stuff in the US. I'll have to check out the valley some time. I can't afford snap-on, though i have a buddy that doesn't even bother with sets and is slowly building a kit up with snap on only... he's a professional car audio installer though. Looking at mastercraft they only had 2 or 3 kits and they were all way out of my price range (200 bucks) and craftsman in yank land has em all day for $179.
 
#24 ·
I have 2 sets, one mastercraft professional (my work set) and one craftsman (spare).

I prefer mastercraft professional series tools over craftsman any day, hands down.

-Mastercraft professional combination wrenches are much nicer to work with, not so tough on the hands compared to craftsman ones.
-The ratchets that came in my mastercraft kit are finer tooth and easier to one-finger reverse rather than the chunky craftsman ones that tend to 'freewheel' as in no torque either direction.
-Sockets are about even with either kit, but I like the printing on the mastercraft ones, its larger and easier to read.
 
#25 ·
one thing i do like about the higher end tools, whether it be snap on, mac, SK...whatever compared to the regular craftsman or mastercraft (not professional series) is that the higher end stuff is SO much lighter. try holding a 21mm 1/2" drive socket on a ratchet with the higher quality stuff and compare with craftsman...and you'll wish you had the two fiddy they want for a 12 piece socket set! :eek:mg:

if i were wrenching as a career...id definitely want the better stuff. but for my weekend warrior needs..the budget stuff works good enough...
 
#27 ·
I've pretty much always used Powerfist (Princess Auto) and Mastercrap (Crappy Tire) and they've always done for me just fine. I've stripped countless 1/2" ratchets from putting 3' breaker bars on them and they'll still exchange them without any questions. Hell, crazyguy has a fetish with using slotted screwdrivers as prybars and chisels and they still exchange them (and Gerry still gets leary about lending him his LOL)!!!

There's absolutely no need to waste your time and money shopping stateside unless you're already down there, Vancouver pretty much will have anything items that are sold in the USA. By the time you factor in exchange and travel costs it's all the same... LR
 
#28 ·
Save your beans and buy the Mastercraft Pro series. Very nice tools and well worth the money. You won't regret it. My company works very close with CDN tire and one of their higher up told me that the current line is a copy of old snap on tools(copyrights expire or something like that). Wait until they go on sale for half price, never pay full. If you make nice with a store manager they can tell you when something is going on sale up to 3 months in advance.
 
#30 ·
Because it looks like we've exhausted the "SAE vs Metric" debate:

I was really surprised by Husky's standard duty 3/8" ratchet. I bought it only because I didn't have mine with me at the time. It was cheap, so I figured I'd test it - to destruction. Besides, they've got warranty as well, hehe...
After cracking and retorquing all 20 of the lug nuts on my truck with a 2' "torque enhancer" over the handle and standing on the end, I gave up trying to blow it up and tossed it back into the toolbox. Did I mention it was a 3/8" ?.....Don't be fooled by the el cheapo look to it.

I have some of the professional sockets and they are ok after 4 years, although I don't use them as much as the Craftsman stuff.
 
#34 ·
Went to Sears in Coquitlam on Friday.
Picked up a 117 piece set for 1/2 price - $80, with all the common standard/metric sockets, 3 drivers, extensions, plug sockets, and all the adapters.
At the same time I got 1/2 price metric and standard wrenches - Craftsman Professional series, so it's really good quality stuff, you can feel it - for $30 a set. I budgeted over $200 for everything and I got lucky! Sale is on till the weekend if anyone else is interested....... Now to wait for a good deal on a torque wrench :read
 
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