Halfords Tools
Discussion
steveo3002 said:
lots of non metric stuff the average guy won't ever use unless he gets a classic car
but the non-metric is all SAE and we folk with older British cars need BSW/BSF so not a bargain for us.What it doesn't say is whether ½-drive the socket set is single or double hexagon - the latter was very fashionable, but can't cope with the rounded-off nuts one will find sooner or later.
I'd say that ratchetting spanners can never replace proper open-end and ring spanners - for where you can't get a socket spanner on.
Allan L said:
but the non-metric is all SAE and we folk with older British cars need BSW/BSF so not a bargain for us.
What it doesn't say is whether ½-drive the socket set is single or double hexagon - the latter was very fashionable, but can't cope with the rounded-off nuts one will find sooner or later.
I'd say that ratchetting spanners can never replace proper open-end and ring spanners - for where you can't get a socket spanner on.
In the video it clearly shows 1/2 inch drive are bi hexagonal, except the impact range , which for obvious reasons are hexagonal What it doesn't say is whether ½-drive the socket set is single or double hexagon - the latter was very fashionable, but can't cope with the rounded-off nuts one will find sooner or later.
I'd say that ratchetting spanners can never replace proper open-end and ring spanners - for where you can't get a socket spanner on.
freddytin said:
In the video it clearly shows 1/2 inch drive are bi hexagonal, except the impact range , which for obvious reasons are hexagonal
The double hexagon really has been unnecessary since the adoption of the ratchet driver - in the days of T-bar only you needed the 30 degree progression as you do with ring spanners.I hadn't noticed a video and I would have preferred its text written rather than spoken. I see the spanners are o/e at one end and ratsh*t at the other.
E-bmw said:
Allan L said:
I see the spanners are o/e at one end and ratsh*t at the other.
Well they would be pretty feckin' useless if they were the same at each end!Real o/e spanners have different sized jaws at the two ends so a set of spanners has two spanners for each size which you need for doing a nut and bolt up.
Normal combination spanners have same sized open end and ring so I suppose that's the logic, but you need another to hold the bolt.
Allan L said:
Funny people on this forum!
Real o/e spanners have different sized jaws at the two ends so a set of spanners has two spanners for each size which you need for doing a nut and bolt up.
Normal combination spanners have same sized open end and ring so I suppose that's the logic, but you need another to hold the bolt.
Yes, o/e spanners are like that, combi aren't though.Real o/e spanners have different sized jaws at the two ends so a set of spanners has two spanners for each size which you need for doing a nut and bolt up.
Normal combination spanners have same sized open end and ring so I suppose that's the logic, but you need another to hold the bolt.
Yes, but, either way you need 2 spanners of the same size on 1 bolt/nut combination.
So whether they are combi or o/e you still need 2 of the same size.
I've gone off Halfords kit a little.
They're still reasonable quality, and reasonable value, but a lot of the bits in the sets aren't much use. I've got a full set of AF sockets at my folks. I'm pretty sure I've only ever used the large 1/2" ones on seized wing nuts, otherwise they just take up room in my tool box.
I've got some Sealey Premier stuff (long 3/8" ratchet and a few sockets). It's well made and the sockets are 6 sided. I was one of the ones who thought bi-hex was fine until I had to deal with seized drop links. A 12 pointer rounded off a bolt that a 6 pointer had no problem on.
They're still reasonable quality, and reasonable value, but a lot of the bits in the sets aren't much use. I've got a full set of AF sockets at my folks. I'm pretty sure I've only ever used the large 1/2" ones on seized wing nuts, otherwise they just take up room in my tool box.
I've got some Sealey Premier stuff (long 3/8" ratchet and a few sockets). It's well made and the sockets are 6 sided. I was one of the ones who thought bi-hex was fine until I had to deal with seized drop links. A 12 pointer rounded off a bolt that a 6 pointer had no problem on.
One thing about these Halfords tools with a "Lifetime Guarantee"; it's only guaranteed as long as you have the till receipt. You know, the thermal printed scrap of paper from the till, the ones that fade to invisible in a few weeks.
I photocopied my till receipt and put it somewhere safe.
Also, apparently the guarantee doesn't cover the Ratchets.
I photocopied my till receipt and put it somewhere safe.
Also, apparently the guarantee doesn't cover the Ratchets.
Don't be surprised about non coverage of ratchets etc Snap on and others are the same as a lot of probs are owner induced ie poor maintainence, no lube, and being used were a breaker bar is needed , how do I know ? -- I was a Snap -on dealer and had a few run ins with people who abused stuff
tapkaJohnD said:
Maybe they are not now, but they were.
I have quite a colletion of Halfords tools. I've had a 1/4" drive ratchet break, which they replaced, no probs, off the hook into my hand.
Maybe I did abuse it!
But now, they sell ratchet rebuild kits!
John
My post about snap on was based on being a dealer some years ago and ratchet repairs kept me busy at weekends but the kit had to be paid for the labour I swallowed for good customer relations if I've got off on the wrong foot here my apologiesI have quite a colletion of Halfords tools. I've had a 1/4" drive ratchet break, which they replaced, no probs, off the hook into my hand.
Maybe I did abuse it!
But now, they sell ratchet rebuild kits!
John
but i agree i only use half the set, the imperial sockets only get used to hammer onto rounded metric bolts or nuts 
Some factoids.
1. All aircraft from the big two are imperial, yes I was surprised at Airbus but it does make sense all things considered.
2. Tornadp is Metric, don't know about Typhoon but probably the same.
3. I find the X12 sockets are handy at times but can also ruin your day, much prefer the X6.
$. Had a beautiful set of Facom tools for PGE etc work on 330/340/380 the ratchet rings were easily half the height of the snap on dino absolutely fantastic for getting into difficult areas, I said HAD as they never arrived back on the carousel after one trip, I just use cheepies now and bin them as and when
OK BACHO are pretty good too
1. All aircraft from the big two are imperial, yes I was surprised at Airbus but it does make sense all things considered.
2. Tornadp is Metric, don't know about Typhoon but probably the same.
3. I find the X12 sockets are handy at times but can also ruin your day, much prefer the X6.
$. Had a beautiful set of Facom tools for PGE etc work on 330/340/380 the ratchet rings were easily half the height of the snap on dino absolutely fantastic for getting into difficult areas, I said HAD as they never arrived back on the carousel after one trip, I just use cheepies now and bin them as and when
OK BACHO are pretty good too
Edited by Mojocvh on Sunday 20th December 23:25
4737 Carlin said:
One thing about these Halfords tools with a "Lifetime Guarantee"; it's only guaranteed as long as you have the till receipt. You know, the thermal printed scrap of paper from the till, the ones that fade to invisible in a few weeks.
I photocopied my till receipt and put it somewhere safe.
Also, apparently the guarantee doesn't cover the Ratchets.
It seems to depend on whichbranch/ staff member , i took a 10mm ratchet spanner back last week as the ratchet has failed and they have ordered me a new one , no receipt asked for ,just as well as i don't have one ! I photocopied my till receipt and put it somewhere safe.
Also, apparently the guarantee doesn't cover the Ratchets.
I get the comments about there being tools in this that people won't use, but I guess that applies to all sets.
What's the general view on what's the best 'starter set' for someone thinking of doing more car work at home and not having much more than normal household DIY tools? Worth buying something like this, or is there a list of 'must-haves' that you could buy separately.
I've got late 80s/early 90s Continental and British cars that I'd be looking to work on.
What's the general view on what's the best 'starter set' for someone thinking of doing more car work at home and not having much more than normal household DIY tools? Worth buying something like this, or is there a list of 'must-haves' that you could buy separately.
I've got late 80s/early 90s Continental and British cars that I'd be looking to work on.
4737 Carlin said:
One thing about these Halfords tools with a "Lifetime Guarantee"; it's only guaranteed as long as you have the till receipt. You know, the thermal printed scrap of paper from the till, the ones that fade to invisible in a few weeks.
I photocopied my till receipt and put it somewhere safe.
Also, apparently the guarantee doesn't cover the Ratchets.
Ratchet failed on my 1/4" driver Halfords Advanced ratchet a while back. Took it in to a local branch without the receipt and no quibble about replacing it but he didn't have one in stock. He said I could either wait a few days for him to order me one in or he could check the stock in other local branches for me. Went to the branch that had one and they swapped it over, again without the receipt.I photocopied my till receipt and put it somewhere safe.
Also, apparently the guarantee doesn't cover the Ratchets.
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