Socket wrenches

In the beginnings, square and hexagon bolt heads and nuts were wrenched from the side, and the open-end wrench was the ideal tool for this. But when space is scarce or the nut is even recessed, you have to wrench it from the front, so to speak. A socket wrench then is the right tool for this. That's why some people no longer even have open-end wrenches in their garage, just a socket box for everything. Speaking of sockets, the universal thing about socket wrenches is that you have a handle as a drive (the ratchet) and only the actual tool heads (attachments or sockets, as the workshopman calls them) are exchanged. The square drive with spring-loaded ball takes over the power transmission. Attachments are available as hexagon and twelve-point, with a flat screwdriver blade or as inhex socket, Phillips or Torx. The drive is 1/4" square for smaller more delicate nuts and bolts and 1/2" square for coarse work and impact sockets, i.e. sockets that are manufactured for very high torque loads. The square drive in 3/8" has established itself as a more or less one-size-fits-all solution that offers a compromise between size and torque transmission for most work on the Harley. By the way: with a suitable twelve-point socket, you can also drive the square shank of reamers, taps and similar tools. And oil filter wrenches or sockets for exhaust flanges, which are actually special tools, also have the practical square punched in and fit on ratchets and extensions.