Whitworth,B.A,a.f,metric,sockets,socket sets and hex keys.
conversion chart for whitworth/BSF,a.f to metric and BA to metric at foot of page.
Imperial or metric sockets and extension bars etc can be made from chrome molybdenum,chrome vanadium or carbon steel. Chrome molybdenum is the favoured choice for impact sockets (often chemically blacked for identification) unless designed for use with an impact tool,chrome vanadium sockets can shatter.Wall,surface or flank drive and Hi Torq etc are all basically sockets and ring spanners designed to exert force on the flat sides of the hex not just the corners.Mono hex or six sided sockets and box spanners may grip worn fixings better than bi hex (twelve sided) sockets.Twelve sided sockets were more common when they were used to compensate for ratchets that had relatively coarse teeth.There are various SAE,DIN and ANSI etc specifications for spanners and sockets and can be a good indication of the standard a tool has been made to.Some applications are shown here.For ordering details click here.,or to see the tools,servicing and repair equipment I have at Ebay click here.
 
AF
sockets
Whitworth BSF sockets 
Metric sockets
BA sockets.
Hub and injector etc
Sets and accessories.
Hex (allen) keys
 
AF (across flats) sockets.
 
Set of 3/8 drive mono hex (six sided) imperial (af) sockets.Sizes are 1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16 and 3/4 inch af.Handy for older,classic cars and motorbikes where af sizes are still often found.£6..50p plus £2..00p post.
Sets of 1/2 square drive six sided af sockets.Sizes are 3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16 and 3/4 inch af.Another useful set for older cars and motorcycles.£6..50p plus £2..00p post.
Set of 1/4 drive deep sockets by Sealey Sizes 5/32,3/16,1/4,9/32,5/16,11/32.3/8 and 7/16 inch af.Walldrive six sided for better grip £15 plus £3..00p post
Set of 3/8 drive deep sockets sizes are 5/16.3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16 and 3/4 inch af.Six sided wall drive by Sealey.£15..00p plus £4..00p.
1/2 drive Elora af sockets.Bi hex.Excellent quality.Sizes 3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8 all £3..40p each 11/16,3/4 and 7/8 inch are £3..50p.Post £1..10p for single socket .
Deep 1/2 drive socket set by Sealey six sided,chrome vanadium steel sizes 1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16,3/4,13/16,7/8 and 15/16 inch af.Price £25 plus £4..00p post to UK.
Single af bi hex sockets.Various makes available singly.3/8,1/2 or 3/4 drive.POA 
Larger af sockets,most sizes available in chrome vanadium 3/4 drive (ie) One and seven eigths af £24..00p.
Elora imperial sockets
Made in England 3/8 drive AF deep impact sockets in steel case.Sizes are 5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16 and 3/4 inch.Six sided.£32..00 post £4..50p to UK.
Impact sockets in case
English made deep 1/2 drive AF sockets.Six sided Sizes are 3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16,3/4,15/16 and 1 inch af.£47 carriage £9 (Parcelforce) some variation in socket design possible in these sets which are now no longer made.We don't substitute with cheap foreign sockets where individual sizes are unavailable.
British made impact sockets
AF 1/2 drive mono hex impact sockets.3/4 inch £3..00p.Most sizes up to inch and a half still available as impact sockets in deep or standard length.(Illustration is of Laser deep impact socket).
Imperial chrome molybdenum impact sockets
To clear...1/2 drive Elora long bi hex af sockets.Two sizes only 1/2 inch and 9/16 inch af.Looks like deep af sockets are going the way of the British empire,these are all Elora have left.To clear £2..00p each post £1..10p
Clearance Elora sockets
Whitworth sockets.
 
Laser 3474 Whitworth/BSF seven piece bi hex (12 sided) socket set.3/8 drive sizes 1/8,3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/17 and 1/2 inch Whitworth inch on a socket rail good value for money at £9..00p post to UK £3..00p.
Laser 2919 Set of nine 1/2 inch drive bi hex whitworth/bsf sockets sizes 1/8,3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16 and 5/8 Whit all on a socket rail now £12..00p.Post £4..00 to UK. 
Professional quality individual Whitworth/BSF sockets 1/2 drive chrome vanadium steel by Elora. Size 1/8 ,3/16 ,1/4 ,5/16, 3/8, 7/16 inch whitworth all £3..50p each. 1/2 and 9/16 inch are £4..00p,5/8 ,11/16 and 3/4 whitworth are £5..00p each Post £1..10p each UK
 
Set of eight six sided (flank drive) Koken deep whitworth sockets 3/8 drive.Sizes 1/8,3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2 and 9/16 inch whitworth.Supplied with rail,very good quality.Sold as a set on socket rail. £50..50p post £4..00p
Set of seven,six sided standard depth whitworth/BSF.Sizes 1/8,3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16 and 1/2 inch,all are 3/8 inch drive and flank drive configuration to grip worn or rusty nuts and bolts.Excellent quality by Koken on a socket rail.£25.50p the set post £4..00p to UK.
Set of eight,six sided,3/8 drive standard length whitworth sockets,as above set but 9/16 added.Six sided or mono hex sockets are less likely to damage tight brass or alloy fixings.Cost £29..50p post £4..00p to UK.
Same set of seven 3/8 drive sockets and still flank drive but in double hex configuration.Normal high Koken quality Handy for classic car and motorbike enthusiasts.Sizes 1/8,3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16 and 1/2 inch whitworth. £28..50p post £4..00p.
Set of eight 3/8 drive 3/8 drive whitworth sockets flank drive bi-hex (12 sided) Koken as per above set but with 9/16 inch whit added.£32..50p post £4..00p
Set of seven Koken 1/2 drive standard depth whitworth sockets.Excellent quality from this Japanese maker,Bi-hex twelve sided sizes 3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16 and 5/8 inch whit. £44..50p post £4..50p.
Whitworth spanners etc click here.
Metric sockets..
 
Set of seventeen 1/2 drive metric sockets on rail chrome vanadium steel by Laser ,sizes are 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,27 and 30mm.Cost £15 plus £4 post to UK
Set of eight deep metric sockets.Sizes are 10,11,12,13,14,15,17 and 19mm these are 3/8 drive and six sided surface drive spec to grip worn nuts and bolts better.Cost £8..50p the set post £3..00p I also have these six sided sockets in standard length.
Impact sockets on chrome socket rail.1/2 inch drive.Sizes 10,11,12,13,14,15,17,19,21 and 22mm and 24mm £17 plus £4..00p post to UK.(I also stock whitworth impact sockets).
 
Hub,injector and specialised sockets.
 
1/2 inch drive hub and injector sockets.
30mm mono hex impact hub nut socket.Fits Audi and VW models.£6..00 post to UK will be £2..50p.(With all hub and injector sockets consult vehicles workshop manual etc to ascertain size and type required).
1.13/16 inch af deep hub nut socket.Mono hex,fits metro ball joints etc .1/2 inch square drive.Cost £10..00p post to Uk £3..00p.I'm told these fit the rear wheel hubs of some modern Triumph on other motorcycles.(Used as substitute for 46mm hub nut socket.). 
1+ 5/16 inch af six sided impact hub nut sockets.Minis (the proper British Leyland ones) Allegro 1100,1300 etc.1/2 inch drive.£6..00p plus £3 post.Other af impact sockets available,some sizes now harder to obtain..
26mm bi hex deep impact socket 1/2 drive fits various Audi and VW models.£5..00 post to UK £2..50p.(Illustrated is a Laser deep impact socket) 
1/2 drive hub nut sockets.30mm 6 point Audi Citroen Fiat Ford Peugeot VW etc £5..50,30mm 12 point Audi,VW £5..00p.32mm 5 point £6..00p and 35mm Citroen BX,Xantia,Peugeot £5..20 All £2..00p post.
Injector sockets.27mm for M24 threaded injectors fitted to many cars and light commercials (6 point) .1/2 drive £5..00p each post £2..00p
Injector socket 28mm 12 point.For HGV's and others 1/2 drive chrome vanadium steel £5..00p post £2..00p to UK.
27mm socket with window.12 point bi hex Fits BMW,Ford and Fiat and many others.1/2 inch square drive.£6..00 post £2..00p
22mm 6 point injector socket,1/2 drive for Vauxhall,Mitsubishi,Nissan and VW £5..00 post £2..00p
28mm injector socket,1/2 drive with window.Used on HGV inc Volvo and Scania amongst others.£6..00 post to UK £2..00
3/4 inch drive hub and injector sockets.
  
3/4 drive 6 point impact hub nut sockets,24mm Ford mercedes commercial £12..00,27mm DAF Iveco Renault Volvo VW etc £13..00,30mm Bedford £13..00,32mm Mercedes £12..50,33mm Bedford Leyland etc wheel nuts,36mm Alfa,Citroen,Fiat,Lancia,Peugeot,Vw/Audi etc £8..00 post all £3..00p.
12 sided 3/4 drive.A 50mm hub nut socket,chrome vanadium steel suitable for later (88 onwards) single wheel transit vans.Socket £7..00p post £3..00p to UK.
Six sided 41mm chrome vanadium steel socket for hub nuts on Alfa Romeo,Citroen,Fiat,Ford Sierra and Sapphire. 3/4 drive.£8..00 post £3..00p.
46mm six sided impact socket.3/4 drive Fits BMW 3 series hub nuts (May fit 5 series if reduced in diameter slightly.Cost £6..00p post £3..50p
Transit 56mm (for 1993 onwards) and 65mm (pre 1993 130,150 and 190) Chrome vanadium steel 12 sided 3/4 inch drive hub nut sockets £10 each plus £3 post.65mm also fits some IVECO vans.
BA sockets.
 
BA (often found on electrical fittings) sockets 1/4 drive sizes 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 BA on a socket rail.Made by Laser (These are now obsolete but sometimes we have odd sets for sale) 

Some individual sockets in BA sizes available by Elora in 1/4 drive.

 BA screws and bolts.
BA socket set by KOKEN of JAPAN 1/4 drive,very good quality.Sockets are all single hex.Sizes 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 BA. Cost £17..00p post to UK £3..00p
Combined socket sets,accessories etc.
 
Boxed deep impact sockets.3/8 drive.AF set sizes, 5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16 and 3/4 AF. Metric set 8,10,12,13,14,16,17 and 19mm.Please note slight pattern variation of some individual sockets in af set (makes no difference to sockets quality).Excellent quality. AF set £22 Metric £20..00p Post to UK will be £4..00p.
42 piece 1/4 drive socket set .Steel case.Deep af sockets 5/32 to 1/2,Deep metric 4 to 10mm,Standard Sockets 4 to 13mm and 0BA to 8BA.Spinner type handle included.Bargain at £15..00p post to UK £4..50p
1/2 inch drive ratchet.Chrome vanadium steel with 72 tooth ratchet and twin pawl ratchet.Quick release mechanism,245mm long nylon covered handle.£12 post £3..00p Ratchet handle for socket set.
Smaller 1/4 inch square drive version of the above.140mm long with same fine ratchet.£14 with post to UK £2..50p.
Hex (allen) keys comfortable plastic T handle in imperial sizes. 3/32,7/64,1/8,9/64,5/32,3/16,7/32,1/4,5/16 and 3/8 inch.Popular with Harley Davidson owners (a lot of US stuff still uses af).Comes with metal stand.£11 plus £4..00p post.(handles are red not blue as shown). Imperial af hex or allen keys.
Set of ball end extra long hex keys by Kamasa Tools.The ball end is handy when having to drive the screw head at an angle.Chrome vanadium steel complete with plastic holder sizes 1.5,2,2.5,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 10mm.£5..00 post £2..00p
25 piece set combined imperial and metric hex keys.Short mm sizes 1.27,1.5,2,2.5,3,3.5,4,4.5,5,5.5,6,8 and 10mm.Longer af keys 1/20,1/16,5/64,3/32,7/64,1/8,9/64,5/32,3/16,7/32,1/4 and 3/8 inch.£3 post £2..00p
Set of miniature precision hex keys in metric and imperial.The sizes are 3,2.5,2,1.5,1.3,0.9 and 0.7mm and 0.028,0.036,0.05,1/16,5/64,3/32,7/64,1/8 and 9/64 inches ideal for model engineering,model making and electronic work.Price £3..50p post £1..20p
Set of conventional af hex (allen) keys.Sizes 1/16,5/64,3/32,1/8,5/32,3/16,7/32,1/4,5/16 and 3/8 inch.Hardened chrome vanadium steel.£5..00 post £2..00p
Metric T handle hex key set sizes 2,2.5,3,4,5,5.5,6,8 and 10mm with metal bench stand.£11..00p plus £4..00 post.T handles allow greater torque to be applied.
Sets or individual Metric,AF,Whitworth BSF and BA box spanners (some still British made) and deep sockets stocked also deep and impact sockets in AFsizes for use with wheel guns etc.Deep whitworth sockets,whitworth box spanners,whitworth open ended and combination spanners etc see here
All the sockets and socket sets I sell by mail order or auction are of professional quality,if a socket fails in normal use,send it back and I'll replace it,it's that simple.
The sizes of spark plug sockets (10,14 mm etc) refer to the diameter of the thread not the size of the spanner needed on it.For a 10mm plug the spanner would be 16mm or 5/8 inch af,for 14mm it would be 13/16 inch af (approx 21mm).Some older spark plug sockets and box spanners might carry the older imperial markings.
Sockets for injectors on diesel or petrol engines are normally sized 'across flats'.(22,27 or 28mm being common) Some injector and sensor sockets have a 'window' in the side to avoid damage to wires etc and some injectors need a crowfoot spanner to remove them, I stock a range of these.Some deeply recessed nuts are best removed with box spanners.
Torque wrenches and ratchets are not intended to undo rusted or over tight fastenings.Use a breaker bar or an air driven impact wrench to start them.
Stock changes too quickly for a complete list,please e-mail or phone for latest offers on socketry..
Other tools available at my ebay tool auctions,to go there click here..
 
Whitworth to B.S.F to Imperial to metric bolt size conversion tables.
Whitworth and BSF (British standard fine) refer to the thread size of the bolt or nut.(ie) a spanner marked 7/8 inch whit fits a 7/8inch whit threaded nut or bolt (or a 1 inch B.S.F) it is however not 1 or even 7/8 inches wide.As an aid to nut or bolt identification whitworth is a coarser thread than BSF. 
A.F (across flats) is the size measured in inches across opposite flats (ie) a 3/4 open ended inch af spanner is 3/4 inch wide between its jaws,the same applies to a metric spanner.So a spanner marked 1 inch etc but which is much larger is either a whitworth or BSF spanner. On older machines it's not at all uncommon to find a mixture of Whitworth,BSF,AF and even a BA or two thrown in.
 
Whit/BSF to metric or imperial Equivalent.
  
Imperial to Metric
 
Whitworth
BSF.
Metric.mm
Imperial (af) inches.
  
A.F inch
MM.
1/8
3/16
8.64
.340
  
1/4
6.35
3/16
1/4
11.3
.445
  
5/16
7.94
1/4
5/16
13.34
.525
  
3/8
9.52
5/16
3/8
15.24
.6
  
7/16
11.11
3/8
7/16
18.03
.710
  
1/2
12.7
7/16
1/2
20.83
.82
  
9/16
14.29
1/2
9/16
23.37
.92
  
5/8
15.88
9/16
5/8
25.65
1.010
  
11/16
17.46
5/8
11/16
27.94
1.100
  
3/4
19.05
11/16
3/4
30.48
1.200
  
7/8
22.22
3/4
7/8
33.02
1.300
  
15/16
23.81
7/8
1
37.59
1.480
  
1.00
25.40
1
1.1/8
42.42
1.670
  
1.1/16
26.93
This Table gives B.A sizes to Metric/Inch eqivalent measurements (ie 6BA is 4.9mm).
 

10BA .117 inches.  2.97mm
9BA .131 inches 3.33 mm
8BA .152 inches 3.86mm
7BA .172 inches 4.37mm
6BA .193 inches  4.90mm
5BA .220 inches 5.59mm
4BA .248 inches 5.59mm
3BA .282 inches 7.16mm
2BA .324 inches (Probably most common BA size) 7.54mm
1BA .365 inches 9.27mm
0BA .413 inches 10.49mm.
A box spanner or six sided (six point) socket the closest size upwards might be a solution in an emergency (ie) a 19mm spanner will possibly undo a 3/4 inch af nut or 18mm a 3/8 whit.These have greater tolerance than 12 sided sockets but there is always a risk of damage to socket and or the fastening when the wrong spanner is used.
 
 
Application Chart for sockets and box spanners (mainly older vehicles).
 
 Size 
Applications
Vehicles 
Notes
 3/4 inch af
 Common wheel nut size.
  Very common.
(19mm)
  15/16 inch af
Wheel nuts
 Pre 1972 Land Rovers
  (24mm)
 1 + 1/16 af 
Wheel nuts 
After 1972 Land Rovers.
(27mm)
 1 +1/4 inch af 
Rear hub nut
 Jowett Javelin
 Virtually every other nut and bolt on these vehicles is whitworth or BSF.
 1 + 5/16 inch af 6 point deep socket 
Front hub nuts.
  Mini,Austin  Allegro,Austin/Morris 1100  and 1300 Austin Maxi. Front wheel drive hub nuts.Also cranshaft pulley and rear hub on MGB.
 1 + 1/2 inch  af.6 point deep  socket Front suspension ball joints  Mini,Allegro.Austin/Morris 1100 or 1300,Maxi.  Also fits Mini flywheel nuts.
  1 + 5/8 inch af
Rear Hub nut.
 BMC Midget,Austin Healey Sprite etc.
 Probably other early BMC rear wheel drive A40 etc.
 1 + 3/4 inch (socket or box)
    Ball joints.
  Some Leyland vehicles
 1 + 13/16 inch af 6 point deep socket  Front suspension ball Joints  Rover group Metro vehicles 
Also ...Modern Triumph motorbikes?.		 Normally impact type.1/2 inch square drive.
 1 + 7/8 inch af
Hub nuts
  Older BMC (Wolseley 1500 etc).
 2 +13/16 inch af
Rear hub nuts
 Commer TS3
 Rear hub nuts.Front uses 42mm 
 2 +3/4 inch af 
Hub nuts
Bedford 2 Ton
 70mm.
 3 inch af 
Hub nuts
Bedford 3 Ton
 3 + 1/8 inch af 
Hub nuts
Leyland Roadrunner
  Also some IVECO trucks
7/16 inch whitworth
     Scaffold Spanner
    Scaffolding
Still often used but being replaced by metric.
1 +1/8 inch whitworth
Hub Nuts
 Morris Minor and other BMC
1 +1/4 inch whitworth.
Burman gearbox 
 (Panther,Vincent and many others)
    Nearest equivalent 52mm as below.
 22 mm deep
    Oxygen Sensor
    Modern vehicles
  Long socket often has 'window' in side.
 27 mm deep  M24 threaded injector sockets. Most diesel injector sockets cars and light commercials..
 28mm deep  HGV diesel injector sockets 
 Scania,Volvo
  Larger diesel injector sockets on many HVG engines.
 52mm six sided socket 
Hub nuts
  Some models Land Rover and Range Rover.
 2 + 1/16 inch af.
 56mm (usually 12 sided)
Hub nut
  Ford Transit 1993 onwards.
 65 mm (usually 12 sided) 
Hub nut
  Ford Transit (before 1993) Ford Transit models 130,150 and 190 plus some IVECO.
 50mm Eight sided
Hub nut
  Austin A55,MGA.MGB Note these are octagonal (eight sided).
 56mm Eight sided
Hub nut
  J2 Van and some taxi cabs  As above (eight sided).
 
 
 
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