On 17 Apr 2007 14:40:47 -0700, dpb wrote:



You must look somewhere different than I ... I don't recall ever
seeing a 4/8-pt socket in a 6/12-pt set. I have, for the most part,
granddad's 1/2" drive set of uncertain but at least 60 yrs of age.
Hired hand lost 9/16" while we were re-hanging the barn door rails
(hung w/ square-head lags) a couple of years ago. Near a firing
offense! I suspect I'll eventually find it somewhere, but if it
was dropped outside as I suspect, it'll be in bad shape when/if I do.

A wire wheel on a bench grinder will clean it right up. I would try
not to let the wire touch my flesh, but I've failed at that a couple
times, and it didn't even do any damage to me.

You can get a little bit into the socket with the wire wheel, but I
they sell special brushes for drills that will do the inside if you
need it. (I haven't gottten to that point yet.)

Despite a jocular post in another thread, I haven't had anything
ripped out of my hands, but maybe I'm careful enough.

BTW, I'm only posting this because I do expect you to find it. It
might take a few years, but still. (Metal detector?)