If a person was gonna buy a small socket set for home
use.... would it be wise to get only deep well sockets
instead of standard depth as deep well might be more
useful?

Advice?


The answer is yes, no, definitely, and maybe.

Sometimes the bolt is long, and you need a deep well to get over the bolt
and down to the nut.

Sometimes the clearance is so that you can't get anything but a shallow
socket on it.

Sometimes you can use a socket on it, but you can't put the socket all the
way on the handle because then it would be too tall.

Sometimes, when you loosen the nut, you can't get the socket and handle out
of the recess where you have putten it in to get to the thingus.

So, the answer is yes, no, definitely and maybe.

At various times, nothing but a deep well socket, shallow well socket, box
end, open end, or ratchet wrench will work.

IOW - one size does not fit all, and there is no such thing as buying one
set that will do it all. If I were to HAVE to buy one set FIRST, I would
pick a deep well set. You will need more than that, so go buy those cheap
sets at ACE or HD, and then you can afford two sets for less than one good
set will cost. It will last plenty long unless you get into engine
rebuilding.

When buying wrenches, look for the sets of about ten wrenches sold at ACE,
and yes, get a set of metric, too. And a set of metric sockets, too. And a
set of deep well metric sockets. And some metric screwdrivers. And an
adjustable metric wrench.

Just to cover all possibilities.

If you find that you absolutely need one socket or one wrench to do one job,
might as well get the set because rule is, you will need another size within
ten days. And nowadays buying only one will cost you as much as a set.
They make more money that way.

Last rule: you can't have too many tools.

HTH

Steve