Hex Head Bolts Wrench Size To Use

May 11, 2015 4 Replies

Hello,



I bought some hex 3/8 bolts and nuts.



Yes, the O.D. of the bolt appears to be 3/8.



But a wrench that is marked 3/8 does not fit the head of the bolt.



Is there some "standard" where you can tell beforehand, for a given diameter (size) of bolt, what wrench to use for its head ?



Thanks, Bob


Is there some web site where an inquisitive person can search for arcane stuff?

SAE standards for bolt / wrench sizes are available on the net or in any mechanics text.

1.4"bolt 7/16 wrench 5/16" bolt 1/2" wrench 3/8" bolt 9/16" wrench etc

The old witworth /bsf system is the only system that marked the wrench with the bolt size - and 1 3/8" witworth was different than a 3/8" bsf if I remember correctly.

You double the numerator and add the denominator. Let me walk you through this one to show how easy it is. 3*2+8=14mm.

Before I figured that out, I always used slipjoint pliers. I still use them when I don't have my calculator with me.

You would be banned from most professioal workshops. B-)

A much better way if you don't know is to just choose the one that fits nice and snug. B-)

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