Sure, according to google math.

But in the real world, it's a perfect fit.

 

Haha fair enough. But if you put a 1/2' socket on a 13 mm bolt, it'll fit and it'll work for most applications, but if it's torqued down heavily, that little bit of play around the bolt head is enough to round off a corner.

Shackle bolts are a good example

 

I would agree with you on the shackle bolts. lol those suckers get rusty. [:@]

In most application where I'm not trying to really get a nut on/off with great force, the metric will work in a pinch.

But (as you so wonderfully brought up) when you have to put on the tork, use the right system of wrenches.

Good conversation WolfPack.

 

Anyone else ever notice that ALOT of the Metric sets skip 16mm, and 18mm? WTF? And the caliper bolts are 18! I went to several pawn shops, and spent a couple hours, until I found 2 of each size.

 

I got an 18mm wrench and socket from carquest for less than $10 total. Lifetime warranty at any carquest

 

Never realized I was missing an 18mm from all the tool set I owned untill I replaced the LCA on my old 88 Formula. Then it took me forever to get a hold of one because none of my friends had 18mm in there tool set. What a PITA!

 

I have a fairly full-range (8mm-30 or 32 maybe?) Sunex metric impact socket set, bought it 3-4 years ago. Half the cost of S&K, I've done a couple clutches, plenty of brake and suspension work, and never had a problem with these sockets rounding off or breaking or locking. I'm now looking to pick up the Sunex SAE set. Excellent bang for the buck, made working on cars soooo much easier than digging through my piles and toolboxes of Craftsman sockets.