Oh. My. Lord.

[Northwoods]

What on earth has this world come to that we would need such a page?

http://www.primermagazine.com/2012/learn/the-socket-wrench-a-modern-mans-guide-to-tools

[Analog]

I see there are no links for hammers, Modern man will continue to be dumbfounded by pounding technology.

[Bill Houghton]

What has happened is that there are too few parents who do things and have their kids helping.

I loved the line, "An extra large ratchet uses a 3/4" nub, but these are very rare, unless you work on airplanes or live on the planet Hoth."  I'll have to go out back and check for the airplane; I hadn't noticed one, and it would be cool to have one.  And it doesn't get cold enough here for this to be Hoth, so I must certainly have the airplane.  Hope it's a good one, like a Sopwith Camel (gratuitous picture of Sopwith Camel here).



Granted, I don't use my 3/4" drive set* often, but it's one of those things that, when I need it, I need it.

Also, a quick show of hands: how many of you have seen an adapter that will go from 1/2" to 1/4"?  And, for bonus credit, if you had such a thing, how many small cap screws/bolts could you break off in one afternoon putting a socket suitable for a 1/4" drive set on a 1/2" drive ratchet?

*Thank you, Uncle Charlie - I got both my 1/2" and my 3/4" drive equipment from him.

[Northwoods]

And these fonts of knowledge don't seem to know that 3/8" has been the standard for decades for the sort of person who would read that page.
Er...that includes yours truly, Northwoods.

[Ken W.]

I know a few folks that could use that. Too dumb to start a lawn mower and not smart enough too put gas into it.

[bird]

Thank god I have a dad that taught me how to do things:)!!!!!

[J.A.F.E.]

That was the worst crap I've read in a while. And it seems Jesse Stern is part of the audience he is writing for he obviously has never used a ratchet.

I hope he and his 80's tribute band are better than his writing and research.

[john k]

I figured if I opened and read the attachment it might lower my intelligence, according to the posts.   Too bad the writer didn't venture away from his notebook and maybe talk to a mechanic?   How astounded he would be if he ever was shown a one inch or even two inch drive.  I got this wrench above my bench that weighs about 35 lbs.  would like to hand it to him, with the assurance "It's not heavy". 

[Bill Houghton]

And these fonts of knowledge don't seem to know that 3/8" has been the standard for decades for the sort of person who would read that page.

When I started using tools as a young adult, in a period when "foreign car" meant something specific, people with foreign cars generally built their toolkits around 3/8" drive sets.  For people with big American iron, 1/2" drive sets were the standard.

But, yes, 3/8" is the core set for most people who only do light work around the house or on the car.

[leg17]

I see there are no links for hammers, Modern man will continue to be dumbfounded by pounding technology.

In the end, EVERY tool is a hammer.

[Bill Houghton]

I see there are no links for hammers, Modern man will continue to be dumbfounded by pounding technology.

In the end, EVERY tool is a hammer.

How could you, on the innerweb, explain the delicate art of hammering?