Which socket set to buy? Draper vs Halfords

[Supernova190188]

I'm looking at buying a half inch socket set for my dad's birthday, I've heard the Halfords sets are pretty good quality and at the moment are half price again, I've also found a dealer set too which seems to be alright.
Out of the 2 which would you go for and why? Also ignore the price as I can get either set for £80.
Halfords - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Draper - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-02360-Expert-Imperi...

[IrateNinja]

I've got a lot of the halfords stuff mainly because if there is any hassle then to claim on the warranty I just need to nip into a store and not send anything back to the OEM and go with out for a few weeks.

[SS2.]

The Halfords professional range is good kit - I've had the 200 piece socket set for a few years with no problems at all.

Lifetime guarantee, too.

[DocJock]

Another recommendation for Halfords Pro.

[JimbobVFR]

And yet another for the Halfords stuff. Hopefully it's still as good as the set I've had for 10 years or so.

[S0 What]

Been using a Halford pro set for the last 9 years and appart from going through several boxes (plastic doesn't hold up that well to continual use) i've only ever broken 1 ratchet (1/4 inch drive) and that was after removing over 100 heads (torx bits use the smaller ratchet for some reason?) but then i am a full time mechanic and the set is shared between 2 of us, the ratchet was swapped for a new one straight away in store without needing the recipt, which was handy as it was a sunday

[yanmar]

The box is rubbish. Do they change it under life time guarantee?

[kennypowers2000]

This:

Kamasa SS4849 1/2 inch D Socket Set (42 Pieces)

[wildoliver]

I quite like kamasa tools but that ratchet is junk.

I've got draper and halfords both have been excellent,the draper stood many years of abuse and eventually the ratchet died and I popped a socket, I'm yet to break a halfords tool but the boxes are very poor.

I would also look at teng or some of the American makers.

[CoolHands]

I bought BRITOOL EXPERT 42 piece socket set. Its a more expensive at £113 if you want to stretch to it, but feels more special to use imo. All metric and no stupid bits to increase the parts count. Very nicely made, decent container.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Britool-E032908B-42-Piec...

[BigTom85]

yanmar said:

The box is rubbish. Do they change it under life time guarantee?

Yes, but you will need to know the approx age of the kit as the contents has changed over the years.

They took about 2 weeks to get me a case for my 170pc kit and a couple of items were different, but it's not a problem and was well worth it to get a replacement case.

[Yeti Bo Bo]

halfords professional set ive had mine 10+ years few bits replaces that have broken but the box is getting on a bit,used it a lot too best in hand tool set too as the quality it good. i had the 150 piece set but they have changed it since i bought it so i cant get a replacement box:/

[Wedg1e]

CoolHands said:

I bought BRITOOL EXPERT 42 piece socket set. Its a more expensive at £113 if you want to stretch to it, but feels more special to use imo. All metric and no stupid bits to increase the parts count. Very nicely made, decent container.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Britool-E032908B-42-Piec...

In the good old days I'd have agreed with you but Britool were bought by Facom and it appears that Facom have intentionally reduced the Britool quality to make their own kit appear better. I still look out for second-hand Britool kit but there's also a lot of counterfeit stuff on the bay of evil. You can easily spot it: the spanners look Chinese but the Britool logo is too perfect, as if it was added by CNC engraver afterwards...

[BigTom85]

Rumour has it that Brittol made/make the Halfords Professional kits

[laters]

My Halfords pro socket set has been with me for well over ten years & in that time I have needed to get a couple of pieces changed, both of which was my fault for using 1/4 drive where I should be using 1/2, went to the local halfords and they swapped the pieces without question.
The box is showing its age and the hinge and catches have given up but I have done a repair with some hinges and a couple of over center catches and its better than new.

When ever I need any tools now I always go to Halfords and its amazing the number of offers that are on from time to time that make the Halfords pro stuff great value.

[G600]

Lots of the halfords socket sets are half price at the moment.

[GC8]

BigTom85 said:

Rumour has it that Brittol made/make the Halfords Professional kits

Its an unreliable rumour! There are lots of rumours all completely fabricated and people repeat what suits them.

The following is fact:

Draper make Halfords Professional/Expert. Halfords wont tell you, but I needed a replacement part about eight years ago and Halfords couldn't supply it. Their helpful customer services fellow gave me the Draper Expert part number.

[Krikkit]

The Halfords stuff is excellent in 1/2", but for 3/8" I'd recommend a Bahco set - similarly priced, but very nice kit.

[Johno38]

Draper expert are exelent quality

[AndrewEH1]

Johno38 said:

Draper expert are exelent quality

This thread is ~three years old