18mm fasteners

[drkelly]

Is there a reason that most metric socket and wrench sets skip from 17 to 19mm and do not include an 18mm? I have run across many 18mm nuts and bolts in my life.

 

[jeepinmatt]

Probably the same reason alot have a 16mm. I've never used a 16, but I often use an 18. I've got a socket set that has 15,16,17,19, but no 18m. In my experience, 18's are typically found on American cars that are trying to be metric. Most Japanese stuff that I've worked on is 17 or 19mm.

 

[strange1]

16mm = .62 ------ 5/8" = .625 pretty damn close.
18mm = .70 ------11/16" = .6875 another thats pretty close.

I've heard that there were a few sizes that were so close that the manufacturers don't waste the time to make both.

http://www.metric-conversions.org/cgi-bin/util/conversion-chart.cgi?type=2&from=7&to=16

 

[drkelly]

11/16" = 17.46, so it is too small.

3/4" = 19.05, so is too big. Might as well just try the 19mm wrench.

 

[BIGWOODY]

Buy a full set of wrenches you cheap fawk! Newer Mercedes and BMWs got 16 and 18 all over them.

 

[drkelly]

Buy a full set of wrenches you cheap fawk! Newer Mercedes and BMWs got 16 and 18 all over them.

Yeh, I need to do that. I've got an 18mm socket in my impact socket set, but don't have an 18mm open/closed wrench. I need to pick up one of those.

In my experience, 18's are typically found on American cars that are trying to be metric. Most Japanese stuff that I've worked on is 17 or 19mm.

That has been my experience too. My 85 Ford Bronco had a bunch of 18mm bolts/nuts on it. I never needed one during my dirt bike riding days of owning Yamaha's, Honda's, and Kawasaki's. I don't think I have ever come across an 18mm bolt/nut on my Suzuki Samurai either.

 

[rokntoy]

16mm = .62 ------ 5/8" = .625 pretty damn close.
18mm = .70 ------11/16" = .6875 another thats pretty close.
I've heard that there were a few sizes that were so close that the manufacturers don't waste the time to make both.
http://www.metric-conversions.org/cgi-bin/util/conversion-chart.cgi?type=2&from=7&to=16

You are such a geek!

 

[shawn]

How did you manage to own a Ford and not own a box full of 18mm wrenches?

 

[drkelly]

How did you manage to own a Ford and not own a box full of 18mm wrenches?

I had two multiple strippers (aka adjustable wrenches), LOL.

 

[strange1]

You are such a geek!

just bored.

 

[RatLabGuy]

My $15 set of Stanley sockets came w/ an 18mm. Even the matching set of Stanley deep-wells has one.

 

[RenegadeT]

I have 2 racks of metric sockets (3/8 craftsman, 1/2 Kobalt), both contain 18mm. They do skip 16mm though, 5/8" is basically equivalent.

I have 2 sets of combination wrenches, both Craftsman. The smaller set only goes up to 16mm. The bigger one includes both 16 and 18mm though.

My first real foray into the metric world was my first 80s CJ-7. I still have the line wrench I bought from ChinaZone, couldnt get the PS fitting off with the usual suspects...vice grips, channel locks, adjustable wrench. This wrench has 16mm on one end, 18mm on the other.