can a regular socket wrench use metric and standard size fittings interchangably?

Yes it can.

If you plan to work on the car..

I know we are in Mechanical, but heck..this has to do with mechancis.

When you have a ratchet (the handle piece in your picture) there'* only a couple things you'll need to know. W/o a socket on it the square drive piece where the sockets go can be sized differently. The sizes available are 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" 3/4" 1" and 1 1/2". The common sizes you will see around are the 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". 3/8" is the most common size.

You will want the metric set of sockets that includes 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 18mm and 19mm and one 3/8" socket.

I highly recommend 6 point deep well sockets over 12 point and always in 3/8" drive. This means when you look at the socket it has a hexagon pattern inside instead of a dodecagon (12 sided). This helps the socket get a better hold on the nut or bolt. You will usually not be able to find the 8mm socket in 3/8" drive and therefore should get that in 1/4" drive with a 1/4" drive ratchet to use it. There are very few bolts on the car where you can not use a deep well socket.

Is this for a brake job or for the Bonneville at large?

Those sockets will cover most areas of the Bonneville. For brakes you need a 13mm and a 3/8" hex socket.

Good deal.

what are the safest spots to place stands on a bonneville? There'* a spot adjacent to the A-arms that looks just like this pic (this is of an Altima I believe. the point on my car is actually a little smaller)




Better to place them there, or closer to the center of the car on a flat/safe part of the A-arms?

For the jack, is there an intended front jacking point in the dead center that moves vertically along the length of the car?

? Or will just any random part of the crossmember do just fine? It'* the OEM scissor jack which doesn't so much lift the load as it stabs into it (pointy surface), so I don't want to be under the car for a second with just that supporting the load

For the front: About 18" in from the front of the car there is a cross member there to lift on, place the jack in the middle of the cross member. The jack stands are safer towards the outside of the car rather than towards the center. Place your jack stands at the back of the sub frame about where the front door meets the fender, there will be a big sub frame mount, you place the stand in front of this.

For the Rear: You'll have to take a look and see where the sub frame, rear floor pan meet in front of the fender well. There should be a flat spot towards the outside edge of you car. Or you can use the jacks under the rear wheel control arms.

So just like in the pic I posted, next to the bell-shaped part of the control arm? That was the only decently flat surface I saw. I was just being lazy as it was wet out.

That should work just fine.