How to Assemble a Socket Wrench

Use the right socket for the job.

One way to avoid busting your knuckles when loosening or tightening bolts is to use a socket wrench. Sockets surround the entire nut or bolt. The socket wrench usually gives you more leverage to loosen or tighten the bolt or nut. Assembling a socket wrench is a simple process that only requires using the correct size socket for the job. Socket wrenches and sockets come in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch drives. The drive is indicated by the square post on the wrench and the hole on the socket for attaching to the wrench.

Instructions

1. Find the correct size socket for the bolt or nut you are loosening or tightening. Sockets come in metric and SAE sizes. Place the socket over the nut or bolt to ensure a snug fit. The socket should fit around the nut or bolt without play when you twist the socket left to right.

2. Hold the socket wrench in one hand with the head of the wrench pointing away from you. The head of the socket wrench is the portion where the square post is for the socket. The square post should point down when holding the socket wrench.

3. Insert the square hole of the socket over the square post on the wrench. Some socket wrenches have a small button on the top of the head that you press down with your finger to engage the socket. Other types of socket wrenches have a small ball bearing on the side of the square post that the socket slips over to lock it in place.

4. Push the socket over the square post until it fully seats over the attachment. Release the button on top, if your socket wrench uses a button. Pull on the socket slightly to ensure it is fully locked onto the socket wrench.

Tips & Warnings

• Sockets have two ends. One end has a 6-point or 12-point hex head hole and the other end has the square hole for fitting over the socket wrench post.

• Extensions attach the same way as sockets. Extensions are simply rods that have an end for the socket and a hole for the socket wrench. Extensions usually come in 3-inch, 6-inch and sometimes 12-inch to help reach out of the way nuts and bolts.

References

• Ace Hardware: Wrenches