Metric to standard tool conversion
 

I am trying to figure out what the metric size of a few standard wrenches i own.

5/8=?
11/16=?
13/16=?

A 1/2 an inch i see is a bit smaller than a 13mm, i know i should only use the right tool but these are brand new snap on wrenches i would like to use maybe on a travel bag.

Convert to decimal and multiply by 25.4 mm's.

You'll begin to see why you should use the correct wrench/socket.

Maybe the Snap-On dealer would kindly trade your standard wrenches for metric? If they are brand new he should have no problem reselling them.

I know you said you were thinking of using them for travel, but consider that if you are broken down beside the road, the last thing you need is tools that "don't quite fit". You run the risk of rounding off fastener heads and being unable to get the car going.

I would suggest that you consider buying a set of craftsman metric tools to throw in the trunk, I know they are not anywhere near Snap-On quality, but they are inexpensive and usually adequate for anything you can do beside the road.

Good luck:) I keep full set of metric tools... I think you should too :D

Could I borrow your 46mm open end?

Good job catching that little math error. A grade of 67 wasn't going to look too good!!!

Sure you could but you are about 1400 miles east :D
Always there are critics :D I got the error quick and corrected it. Just typing too fast sometime :eek:
Any errors this time?

So if
5/8=15.875 mm is this closer to a 15 or a 16?
11/16=17.462 mm is this closer to a 17 or a 18?
13/16=20.637 mm """""" '"""' """' 21 or 21?

5/8=15.875 mm is this closer to a 15 or a 16? /
Clearly closer to 16mm
In general inexpensive tools are a sloppier fit than expensive ones. So you really are not going to know until you try your tools on the nut or bolt in question.

Also 7/8 and 22mm are similar the 22mm being tighter (at least sompared to my wrenches).
Here is a metric conversion site:
http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm

Fractional sizes need to be converted to decimals where needed.

I definitely think having a separate set of metric tools is a must.

Google has a function that if you type in the search field "millimeters per inch" or any such phrase of conversion, it will give you an answer. It is a pretty cool tool. It works with all kinds of things, like teaspoons in a tablespoon or teaspoons in a gallon or ounces in a ton. Have fun!

Survivor,

You should, budget permitting purchase a quality set of metric wrenches. Without you are setting yourself up for big time problems in dealing with the mundane tasks. Frozen fastners, Stuck Glow Plugs, rusted suspension parts are all in our future, rounding the heads off will not be good.

BTW, where did you pickup your namesake ?

With the exception of 9/16 for 14mm, 1-1/16 for 27 mm, metric harbor freight tools will work better than SAE snap-on tools in a metric application. 1/2" will work for 12mm in a pinch, but don't lean on it too hard.

Im going to se about trading some of my extra stock at the swap meet, i already own full set of metric snap on wrenches but do not like to take them out of the house, paid full price at the truck, but it is true i would not want to be stuck using the wrong sized tool.

Survivor
Btw i am a survivor fan.

ps i also scored as part of the deal a CDI(snap-on) torque wrench, it reads 0-100 on either direction and it is in inch pounds, do not know quite how to use a torque wrench of this type, or any type actually, i would like to know and use it to tighten the bolts on the transmission pan, i think the torque is something like 70 inch pounds.

For my traveling tool box, I went to Costco and bought a metric set of box end wrenches for less than 20 bucks. I then went and bought a normal size flexible head ratchet at the hardware store for less than 20 bucks and then I also got a stubby ratchet set at Costco for around 25 bucks. It had both metric and sae sockets, a stubby ratchet, a set of bits and a receiver. The stubby ratchet doesn't really work for big things but is a life saver for small areas. I just use the sockets that came with the stubby set on the normal size ratchet I bought at the hardware store. So total I'm talking about less than $65 bucks. I also put in some nitrile gloves, replacement bulbs, fuses and fuel filters. Really, it wasn't that expensive.

If you could afford snap-on tools certainly you could afford 65 bucks to have the right tools in your car.

You are far better off with a 15.00 set of metric wrenches in the car that trying to substitute sae sizes. No mattter what the quality of the sae. The sae either do not quite go on usually or are so sloppy you are going to round the nut or bolt. There are a few sizes that are almost the same but still not quite.