Set Pass-Through Sockets & Sets

Reach Fasteners With a Pass-Through Socket Set

A pass-through socket set includes a ratchet and sockets in various sizes to grip fasteners of any size. Nuts and fasteners sometimes are attached to long bolts or threaded rods — making them difficult to reach with a deep socket or open-end wrench. Pass-through socket wrenches allow you to reach the nuts and fasteners. The ratchet and the sockets that fit it are open in the middle, allowing the bolt or rod to pass through them so the socket can grip the fastener for loosening or tightening.

As nuts and fasteners come in different sizes, you can find sockets in matching sizes — in standard or metric measurements. Nuts and fasteners also come in different drive types, so some sockets can grip multiple types, while other sets feature sockets for just one drive type. The type of set you need depends on the work you’ll be doing, but you can’t go wrong with a combination set that includes a variety of sockets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are pass-through sockets used for?

A: People use pass-through sockets to reach, tighten and loosen nuts and fasteners that are on extended bolts and threaded rods that are difficult or impossible to reach with a deep socket or a wrench.

Q: What’s a pass-through wrench?

A: A pass-through wrench is a ratchet that has a hole through the center of the head and fits sockets that also have a hole in the center. This way, extended bolts can pass through the socket and ratchet, allowing you to reach the nut or fastener.

Q: What’s the difference between metric and standard sockets?

A: The difference between metric and standard sockets is that metric sockets fit on nuts and fasteners that are sized in the metric measurement unit of millimeters. Standard sockets fit nuts and fasteners that are sized in a standard unit, inches.