Wrench sizes above 1"?

seagull369 · May 13, 2013

I was wondering if anyone happens to know what the SAE standard wrench sizes are above 1". By standard I mean excluding wacky ones like 29/32, which aren't seen much. I think it starts out 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8, 1-1/4,,, but after that I kinda lose track. I've looked on packaging of some wrench sets that are sold in the jumbo category, but they often tend to skip sizes so I don't want to reply solely on that.

I'm taking inventory of what I've got in house here and just trying to figure out see which size(s) I'm missing.

Thanks in advance

Adam McLaughlin · May 13, 2013

Up to 1.5" is pretty... usual, I have stuff going to 2" but they just keep the tool box from wheeling off on its own

Adam

Kreagar · May 13, 2013

1-5/16, 1-1/2, 1-3/4, 1-7/8 are common I believe.

kunkernator · May 13, 2013

Normally, they go in increments of 1/16", for instance; 1-1/16", 1-1/8", 1-3/16", 1-1/4", 1-5/16", 1-3/8", 1-7/16", 1-1/2", and so on...

ihateminimumwage · May 13, 2013

I bought a set of Northern jumbo wrenches and filled all the gaps with USA Kobalts through Cripe. Definitely needed the 1 5/16" Kobalt a couple of times at work.

jmm · May 13, 2013

kunkernator said:
Normally, they go in increments of 1/16", for instance; 1-1/16", 1-1/8", 1-3/16", 1-1/4", 1-5/16", 1-3/8", 1-7/16", 1-1/2", and so on...

Bingo. I think that's what the OP's asking. I've never seen a large wrench (of any vintage) or large socket made in the last 40 years in 32nds or, god forbid, 64ths. Consider your bases sufficiently covered if you have wrenches through the largest sizes necessary for your work in increments of sixteenths of an inch.

seagull369 said:
I think it starts out 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8, 1-1/4,,, but after that I kinda lose track.

For posterity's sake: 1", 1 1/16", 1 1/8", 1 3/16", 1 1/4", 1 5/16", 1 3/8", 1 7/16", 1 1/2", 1 9/16, 1 5/8", 1 11/16", 1 3/4", 1 13/16", 1 7/8", 1 15/16", 2"

CWP1616L · May 13, 2013

They go in increments of 16ths.

So 1-1/16'', 1-1/8'', 1-3/16'', 1-1/4'', 1-5/16'', and so on.

humber2 · May 13, 2013

seagull369 said:
I was wondering if anyone happens to know what the SAE standard wrench sizes are above 1". By standard I mean excluding wacky ones like 29/32, which aren't seen much. I think it starts out 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8, 1-1/4,,, but after that I kinda lose track. I've looked on packaging of some wrench sets that are sold in the jumbo category, but they often tend to skip sizes so I don't want to reply solely on that.

I'm taking inventory of what I've got in house here and just trying to figure out see which size(s) I'm missing.

Thanks in advance

Going by a chart in the Stahlwille Catalog 1 3/16, 1 3/8, 1 9/16, 1 3/4, 2 1/8, 2 1/4, 2 1/2 are not assigned sizes.

I don't have a Machinerys Handbook handy to check SAE sizes with this.

msnow · May 13, 2013

I have sizes all the way up to 2-1/2" but I do not have a 1-3/16" nor have I ever seen one

seagull369 · May 13, 2013

Well, 1/16ths couldn't be any simpler.. I was worried I'd have to write a long list out on my arm :eyecrazy:

. Thank you guys for the help.

WWIIjeep · May 13, 2013

msnow said:
I have sizes all the way up to 2-1/2" but I do not have a 1-3/16" nor have I ever seen one

I've got 1-3/16" sockets in both 1/2" and 3/4" drive, and one Wright combination wrench in 1-3/16". I've only needed that size a few times in nearly 50 years of wrenching.

Above 1" the most commonly used sizes are:

1-1/8" (3/4" bolts and nuts)
1-1/4" many applications
1-5/16" (7/8" bolts and nuts)
1-1/2" (1" bolts and nuts)
1-11/16" (1-1/8" bolts and nuts)
1-7/8" (1-1/4" bolts and nuts)
2-1/16" (1-3/8" bolts and nuts)
2-1/4" (1-1/2" bolts and nuts)

If you work on older equipment, especially older heavy construction or farm equiment, you may need these sizes once in a while, and definitely the first two quite often:

1-1/16" (5/8" USS heavy nuts and other applications)
1-1/4" (3/4" USS heavy nuts and other applications)
1-7/16"
1-5/8" (1" heavy USS and SAE nuts)
1-13/16"
2"
2-3/16"
2-3/8"

devoncoolman · May 13, 2013

1 3/16 is used alot on trucks these days. Ive used mine alot. Also the lung nuts on most of the big chevy trucks use 1 3/16

Outlawmws · May 13, 2013

Going by my socket size inventory list, (and things I actually have) It goes in 1/16ths from 1 through 1-1/2, but skipping 1-3/8; Then in eighths from there to 2", but skipping 1-7/8. :dunno:

After 2, all I have is 2-1/4.

Based on WWIIJeeps list of sizes to nut/bolt standards, I'm missing the 1-7/8, and don't need the 1-3/8... Interesting the 1-11/16 is in there above 1-1/2 for std fasteners, and the 1-13/16 and 2-2/16 in non std... I guess those are the 32nds tools for above 1"

WWIIjeep · May 13, 2013

Outlawmws said:
Based on WWIIJeeps list of sizes to nut/bolt standards, I'm missing the 1-7/8, and don't need the 1-3/8...

The lists are just in case someone wants to buy them in the order of probable need instead of all at once. You might still want a 1-3/8". I've got a Snap-On 1-3/8" deep socket. It's one of only three or four 3/4" drive deep sockets I have. I must have needed it for something, but I can't remember what. :dunno:

carcajou · May 13, 2013

WWIIjeep said:
The lists are just in case someone wants to buy them in the order of probable need instead of all at once. You might still want a 1-3/8". I've got a Snap-On 1-3/8" deep socket. It's one of only three or four 3/4" drive deep sockets I have. I must have needed it for something, but I can't remember what.

Most HD bat wing mowers require 1 3/8 deep socket to change the blades.

All · May 13, 2013

The thing is, just like any bolt / nut configuration, you need not just one wrench, but two... one for the bolt head, one for the nut head.

Perfect real world, everyman example: Towing a trailer. Nevermind the ball nut. Let's just assume the trailer dealer mounted that for you. But what if, to properly and safely use and keep within the factory hitch ratings, you deploy a weight distributing hitch?

The ball mounts on WD hitches are usually adjustable vertically, and necessarily so to set the proper coupler height and spring bar tension between receiver and trailer. There are two 3/4" thick (at the shear shank) bolts that retain the hitch head to the ball mount stinger. The head size to these bolts is 1 1/8", as is the nut size flat to flat. The torque spec to tighten these fasteners is in excess of 300 ft lbs.

You're not going to loosen or achieve that torque with just one wrench. It's going to take two to tango. Adjustable pliers or pipe wrenches will just bung up the corners to the hexes, so you get two 1 1/8" sockets, one for a 3/4" breaker bar, the other for a 600 ft lb. torque wrench... or you get a 1 1/8" combo wrench or two to work with, along with measured length cheater pipes.

The point is, other than lug nuts, whenever a large diameter fastener is encountered, it's going to take not one, but two tools to tango with it. Leaf spring eyebolts is another example. One tool on the bolt head, the other identically sized tool on the prevailing torque nut.

jmm · May 13, 2013

All said:
You're not going to loosen or achieve that torque with just one wrench. It's going to take two to tango. Adjustable pliers or pipe wrenches will just bung up the corners to the hexes, so you get two 1 1/8" sockets, one for a 3/4" breaker bar, the other for a 600 ft lb. torque wrench... or you get a 1 1/8" combo wrench or two to work with, along with measured length cheater pipes.

Professionally, you're right. I probably would go that route. But hooking a trailer up in my back yard? I'm not gonna worry about dinging up a nut a little with an adjustable. Not just once, but countless times over the course of many years. To damage a fastener that large with an adjustable wrench (and using it properly) is seriously difficult.

All · May 13, 2013

If only you and that adjustable wrench of yours in your skillful hands were nearby to loosen the inspection plugs on this tank of mine!

Another 1 1/8" size application, btw, to the OP.

I tried my Made in USA Craftsman socket. Began to round corners.

I tried my 24" adjustable wrench (with the helical dial wheel adjuster and lobster claw jaws). Began to round corners.

I tried my 33" adjustable wrench (with a jack screw adjuster and square flat back jaws). Began to round corners.

I was tempted to try, but bypassed my own set of Chinese "large wrench" sets that many a man and woman, including me, has been suckered into buying under the economical premise of "well, these huge sizes are not encountered that often, but it's nice to have when needed if cheap enough." The economy of injury and recovery thereof is not factored in to those tools.

I've had an 1 1/16" made in China polished drop forged combination wrench let go on me under load. One of the jaws cracked. When working a fastener that large with a wrench that big... this type of incident sticks in the memory even when all else slips away. Fortunately I wasn't hurt. But I'll take a pass on any future sets thank you.

So I went and bought a Made in USA Wright combination wrench. Actually, I bought a few, both in the WrightGRIP style and the regular style. By the way, still didn't get that plug out, but I've now got the wrench for it once I get around to applying heat.

Wrench sizes above 1"?

seagull369

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Adam McLaughlin

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Kreagar

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kunkernator

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ihateminimumwage

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jmm

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CWP1616L

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humber2

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msnow

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seagull369

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WWIIjeep

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devoncoolman

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Outlawmws

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WWIIjeep

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carcajou

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All

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jmm

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All

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