Selling tools can be a very profitable Ebay venture.  The trick is to know how to accurately describe them.

A picture is truly worth a thousand words, but it is limited only to what is actually visible to the eye.  In the case of tools; particularly, sockets, ratchets and various accessories, you must include a little extra in your description to help the buyer know what is being offered.

For example:  Ratchets (or ratchet handles) are the basis of this particular tool group.  They come in various drive sizes ranging from 1/8" to 1".   Unless you have very specialized or industrial needs, the basic three drives are; 1/4", 3/8" and 3/4".  Sockets, adapters and extensions of various sizes and types fit onto the ratchet on a square spindle jutting out of it's face.  This spindle determines the size drive you are using.  If you purchase a 3/8" ratchet to work on your car, then you will need 3/8" sockets to attatch to the head of the ratchet.  If the part you are working on is just out out reach or in an awkward position you can add an extension of the same drive specification between the ratchet head and the socket.  The spindle, if measured with a ruler, will be the size of the drive.

Sockets come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to handle a multitude of applications.  They can come in different finishes, such as; chrome or industrial (black).  They can be either hardened or impact.  Impact sockets are designed to be struck or hammered and are used in conjunction with a different style of wrench that can be powered by air, hand, or electricity.  They are made of a softer matal that won't shatter when it is struck sharply or repeatedly.  Socket types are identified by the type of fasteners that they will be applied to.  Several examples are:  Hex, Torx, Allen, Spline, Robertson (female), Clutch, Tamperproof Torx, 6 pt., 12 pt.., Standard (SAE) and Metric, etc.  Many of these are denoted on the socket itself as a letter/number combination, such as: T-4 (Torx) or R2 (Robertson).  Standard, or SAE, will be seen as a fraction in inches and metric, indicated in millimeters, will be seen simply as a number.

As you can see, there is much to know about this particular, and ingenious, category of tools.  Hopefully you'll take the time to do a little research before you place your item up for auction (ask the nearest NASCAR fan).  Remember that educated buyers often look for educated sellers.  Happy Ebaying!!!

NASKWCOP