Missing 20mm and 16mm Sockets

[DanFelix]

I was updating my mm sockets this weekend and noticed, again, that there are no 20mm or 16mm sockets for purchase. I have a hardened 16mm, but regular sockets for these sizes do not seem available. Their SAE nearest equivalents (51/64 for 20mm and 41/64 for 16mm) seem to be missing also.

Just curious if anyone may know the reason. Thanks.

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[Bob Burd]

Because

 

[Terrymo]

I was updating my mm sockets this weekend and noticed, again, that there are no 20mm or 16mm sockets for purchase. I have a hardened 16mm, but regular sockets for these sizes do not seem available. Their SAE nearest equivalents (51/64 for 20mm and 41/64 for 16mm) seem to be missing also.

Just curious if anyone may know the reason. Thanks.

Sockets in those sizes do not seem available? How do you mean? Out of stock at your local retailer of choice?

A cursory online search shows Husky, Tekton, Milwaukee and Craftsman all seem to be available for delivery In these sizes. My local Home Depot has Husky in stock in these sizes.

 

[Nailgun]

16MM and 20MM get skipped in standard socket sets quite regularly due to the fact they don't match up to common metric diameter hex bolts. Take the 20MM socket for example. If M13 was a common screw diameter.....then it would be used with a 20mm hex. Being that it is uncommon, M12 and M14 are more common screw diameters and use 19MM and 21MM(22MM?) hex sockets respectively. Doesn't mean that you won't ever run into a 20MM hex, as I can think of some caliper pins and lug nuts with those shitty aluminum caps that use 20mm.

 

[John VonJeep]

Amazon.

 

[azwjowner]

Carmen Sandiego stole all the 16mm and 20mm sockets. That's the reason.

 

[jadmt]

I literally just found a 16mm socket on the road

 

[roaniecowpony]

1/2 Inch Drive x 29 mm 6-Point Socket | TEKTON | SHD22129
3/8 Inch Drive x 6 mm Deep 6-Point Socket | TEKTON | SHD13106
3/8 Inch Drive x 6 mm 12-Point Socket | TEKTON | SHD12306
3/8 Inch Drive x 6 mm Deep 12-Point Socket | TEKTON | SHD13306

 

[Jeffy56]

They are rare to non-existent in socket or wrench sets. I don't have any in sockets or wrenches. I believe those sizes loosely conform to SAE sizes. Although that's not the case with 12mm and 1/2". My Educated guess.

 

[roaniecowpony]

They are rare to non-existent in socket or wrench sets. I don't have any in sockets or wrenches. I believe those sizes loosely conform to SAE sizes. Although that's not the case with 12mm and 1/2". My Educated guess.

13mm and 1/2" wrenches generally are interchangeable as are 5/16" and 8mm.

I have used 16mm recently on something or another. I can't recall using a 20mm recently.

But, Tekton has them all. I've become a fan of Tekton. High quality, Taiwan made, US company. Taiwan is primarily known for it's silicon chip manufacturing quality and capacity. But they have other industries with high quality.

 

[Jeffy56]

13mm and 1/2" wrenches generally are interchangeable as are 5/16" and 8mm.

Agree! I didn't state it very clearly. I don't recall any 16mm or 20mm bolts or nuts Typically 14, 17, 19,or 21mm.
That's multiple vehicles, foreign and domestic, 2, 4, 6 plus wheels, over 55 yrs of torquing.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I know the bellhousing bolts are 15mm. I can't recall what that 16mm was on. But it was on the jeep. These JLs have a ton of 10mm fasteners. 15mm seems to be prevalent as well, and 18mm is on some of the JL things.

 

[grimmjeeper]

I know the bellhousing bolts are 15mm. I can't recall what that 16mm was on. But it was on the jeep. These JLs have a ton of 10mm fasteners. 15mm seems to be prevalent as well, and 18mm is on some of the JL things.

There are a few 16mm and 20mm heads on automotive fasteners. They aren't common among the bolts you pick up at the hardware store.

I bought a mostly complete set and then grabbed the one-offs that were missing in those sets. Both in sockets and wrenches.

Pretty easy to find what you need at the local big box lowes-depot of your choice. If not, Amazon has a dozen or more options.

 

[grimmjeeper]

13mm and 1/2" wrenches generally are interchangeable as are 5/16" and 8mm.

I have used 16mm recently on something or another. I can't recall using a 20mm recently.

But, Tekton has them all. I've become a fan of Tekton. High quality, Taiwan made, US company. Taiwan is primarily known for it's silicon chip manufacturing quality and capacity. But they have other industries with high quality.

14mm and 9/16" as well as 24mm and 15/16" fall in that category as well.

I like Tekton also. Not snap-on quality but not snap-on price either.

 

[S2k Chris]

You can just use a crescent wrench to round the heads of any bolts you don’t have the socket for.

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