Where’s My 10MM Socket?

I have been wrenching on my own cars since I got a drivers license. At first it was because I couldn’t afford to have my cars cared for by professionals, but these days its because I find enjoyment in time spent in the garage. Taking my Porsche to a shop would likely get the job done more quickly and efficiently, but I wouldn’t enjoy it, and I wouldn’t feel as close to my cars as I do. Because I do the work myself, I know exactly what is being done, and I’m getting a glimpse of what might need to be done in the near future. Doing the work myself is the frugal way to do it, but it’s also borderline spiritual.

Because I’ve been working on my own automobiles since I was young and broke, I have always had to deal with an amalgam of half-assed tools. My tool kit is assembled of the cast offs from my father’s toolbox, things I’ve found at garage sales over the years, tools others have thrown away or handed down because they’ve nearly outlived their welcome, and various bits that I bought piecemeal from whatever hardware store was closest. My set of sockets has always been miserable at best. I can’t count the number of times I’ve walked around my garage shouting to no one in particular about some piece or another that had gone missing. Nine times out of ten, that piece was a 10mm socket.

10mm is one of the most frequently needed socket sizes in the world of Porsche

The 10mm is one of the most ubiquitous sizes in all of automotive-dom, and Porsche likes to use it more than most. Really, Porsches are built quite simply with common shared sizes for a lot of their hardware. You need a 19mm to take off your lugs, you might find need of a 12mm here and there, and a 21mm will help if you need to adjust your accessory belt tensioner pulley or remove your steering wheel, but the one that always comes up is the 10mm. They’re dotted all over your Porsche; They’re in the interior, the engine compartment, the suspension, everywhere. Some of these fasteners are in strange, out of the way places that are difficult to get a handle on, in tight spots and hard to reach ones. To properly work on your Porsche without smashing your knuckles or cursing every 10 minutes, you’ll definitely need a variety of 10mm sockets. I’ve lost more than my fair share of 10mm sockets, and if you do your own wrenching you probably have, too. Where do they all go? Probably the same place as those missing socks from the dryer.

When SONIC Tools came to us and asked what we wanted to see in their catalog, this was the first thing that came to mind. I have been saying that someone should sell a complete kit of 10mm sockets for years, and this was finally the opportunity to make that happen. Not only did they listen to us and build the rail we suggested, they sent us one to review. This rack of 10mm sockets is perfect for the Porsche enthusiast who needs a variety of 10mm sockets for an eclectic range of situations. I can tell you from first hand experience, this set would have been invaluable to have when I was removing Project Boxster’s broken water pump at the roadside on a Sunday afternoon 200 miles from home.

As mentioned above, we got the first of these sets sent to us for review, and honestly couldn’t be happier with the end result. It was pretty clear from just opening the package that Sonic Tools uses a pretty high level of quality both on materials and construction. The walls of the sockets are all nice and thick, and on all of the 6-point sockets the corners are edged out just a little bit more to help prevent stuck sockets on munged up hardware (shown above). Each of the sockets also has a nice knurl at the bottom to help with grip while finger threading. With the kit, SONIC also includes a pair of gorgeous ‘Cardan Sockets’ that are made with a universal swivel in the middle to make hard-to-reach nuts and bolts a little easier. The cardan sockets are made with 12 point heads, but if you need the precise grip of a 6-point, or a deep well, the kit also includes a pair of swivel adapters to allow the others to swivel as well.

What’s Included In The Porsche Specific 10MM Socket Rail From SONIC Tools?

Assuming that I can keep myself from losing any of these, my toolbox has been both significantly classed-up and made more suitable for the job of working on my Porsche with the inclusion of this set. As you can see from the photos, the kit includes a shallow 6-point socket for each the 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets, as well as both in deep well 6-point socket, both versions of their 12 point Cardan Socket, and a swivel adapter for each size as well. The nicely appointed aluminum socket rack with laser etched SONIC Tools’ logo just adds to the feeling of quality. This is a well-built European manufactured socket set, and if you work on your own cars, you owe it to yourself to pick one up.

Let Review the Contents: All 10mm sockets

• Flank Socket 1/4″ 6pt.
• Deep Socket 1/4″ 6pt.
• Universal Joint 1/4″
• Cardan Socket 1/4″ 12pt.
• Flank Socket 3/8″ 6pt.
• Deep Socket 3/8″ 6pt.
• Universal Joint 3/8″
• Cardan Socket 3/8″ 12pt.

How Much Does It Cost?

SONIC Tools is running a special for readers of FLATSIXES.com. You can pick up the fully assembled rail for just $75.00 using the discount code “Custom25”. However, you’ll have to act quickly as the code is only good until December 12, 2016.. Remember each piece is backed by the SONIC Tools’ replacement guarantee. Basically, it’s a lifetime warranty that says if your tool breaks, SONIC will ship you a new replacement tool via UPS Next Day air to the address listed on your account. That’s confidence in your quality!