Socket Set - £100 budget (can go over a little)
Discussion
What would you buy?
I already have a full 1/2" drop forged kamasa set but id like to get a full set 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 if possible in the one case with all the extension bars etc.
I went and bought a halfords advanced 120pc set a couple of days ago on a whim really without considering any alternatives and while it looks a good bit of kit i already ran into one problem by i didnt have a long enough ext bar and had to use a cheap 1/4 to 3/8 adapter but that didnt come with the kit to make it work.. that and i would prefer 6 sided sockets to 12 sided sockets realistically (can round nuts/bolts off).
Suggestions please...
I already have a full 1/2" drop forged kamasa set but id like to get a full set 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 if possible in the one case with all the extension bars etc.
I went and bought a halfords advanced 120pc set a couple of days ago on a whim really without considering any alternatives and while it looks a good bit of kit i already ran into one problem by i didnt have a long enough ext bar and had to use a cheap 1/4 to 3/8 adapter but that didnt come with the kit to make it work.. that and i would prefer 6 sided sockets to 12 sided sockets realistically (can round nuts/bolts off).
Suggestions please...
There was a thread back in 2017 that recommended this as a good buy.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DEGW6D6/ref...
I bought one, and the sockets have become my go to ones for metric. It doesn't have any imperial stuff in it, which is a shame, as they are what I use most being into old British motorcycles.
The only thing wrong with it is that you get lots of torx stuff which I never seem to use.
Sockets are 6 pointers, heavy (I know I'm not supposed to, but I use them with a rattle gun) and have a knurled ring on them which makes spinning up a nut with your fingers a doddle.
Ratchets are OK too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DEGW6D6/ref...
I bought one, and the sockets have become my go to ones for metric. It doesn't have any imperial stuff in it, which is a shame, as they are what I use most being into old British motorcycles.
The only thing wrong with it is that you get lots of torx stuff which I never seem to use.
Sockets are 6 pointers, heavy (I know I'm not supposed to, but I use them with a rattle gun) and have a knurled ring on them which makes spinning up a nut with your fingers a doddle.
Ratchets are OK too.
You own example has highlighted the problem - you want everything "in one case" - but you want to be prepared for every eventuality. The Halfords sets are really good for "back of the car", but limiting in a garage. I have a 600mm 1/4 drive extension, which rarely gets used - other than when I need to undo a jubilee clip at the bottom of a radiator .... when it is a godsend.
I really wouldn't get a "set" - get individual items for things that are really annoying you. Otherwise you're paying for another 16mm socket you'll never use.
Ratchets are the other thing in sets - they're mostly s
t, with huge angles required to engage the next tooth. Getting a decent one will make all the difference.
I really wouldn't get a "set" - get individual items for things that are really annoying you. Otherwise you're paying for another 16mm socket you'll never use.
Ratchets are the other thing in sets - they're mostly s
t, with huge angles required to engage the next tooth. Getting a decent one will make all the difference.IMO the Halfords Advanced stuff is good enough for a home mechanic. The Industrial tool box sets are decent value when on offer too. No quibble exchanges 7 days a week if something breaks usually. I've got some Snap-On stuff, and it is better, but I wouldn't fill a tool box up with it unless I was earning a living using them.
rxe said:
You own example has highlighted the problem - you want everything "in one case" - but you want to be prepared for every eventuality. The Halfords sets are really good for "back of the car", but limiting in a garage. I have a 600mm 1/4 drive extension, which rarely gets used - other than when I need to undo a jubilee clip at the bottom of a radiator .... when it is a godsend.
I really wouldn't get a "set" - get individual items for things that are really annoying you. Otherwise you're paying for another 16mm socket you'll never use.
Ratchets are the other thing in sets - they're mostly st, with huge angles required to engage the next tooth. Getting a decent one will make all the difference.
Well i can actually take the Halfords set back and get my £ back hence me putting this post out there just to see if there are better options for the £ basically! I really wouldn't get a "set" - get individual items for things that are really annoying you. Otherwise you're paying for another 16mm socket you'll never use.
Ratchets are the other thing in sets - they're mostly s
t, with huge angles required to engage the next tooth. Getting a decent one will make all the difference.Krikkit said:
I really like Bahco stuff at the moment, all 6-points and a nice matt finish on everything.
Yeah i actually do like Bahco stuff aswell, was looking just before at a few of theirs.. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-Socket-106-Piece-2-...
This one is around my budget and there is another that is out of my budget..
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-S138-Metric-Imperia...
ou sont les biscuits said:
There was a thread back in 2017 that recommended this as a good buy.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DEGW6D6/ref...
I bought one, and the sockets have become my go to ones for metric. It doesn't have any imperial stuff in it, which is a shame, as they are what I use most being into old British motorcycles.
The only thing wrong with it is that you get lots of torx stuff which I never seem to use.
Sockets are 6 pointers, heavy (I know I'm not supposed to, but I use them with a rattle gun) and have a knurled ring on them which makes spinning up a nut with your fingers a doddle.
Ratchets are OK too.
Yeah iv seen these on amazon, they appear to be rebranded across a few different brands "KS" "WISEMAN" etc.. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DEGW6D6/ref...
I bought one, and the sockets have become my go to ones for metric. It doesn't have any imperial stuff in it, which is a shame, as they are what I use most being into old British motorcycles.
The only thing wrong with it is that you get lots of torx stuff which I never seem to use.
Sockets are 6 pointers, heavy (I know I'm not supposed to, but I use them with a rattle gun) and have a knurled ring on them which makes spinning up a nut with your fingers a doddle.
Ratchets are OK too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WIESEMANN-80119-chromium-...
thats exactly the same just rebranded.
Have to agree, sets are good but always limited.
I would prefer seperate 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 sq drive sets, to give better coverage. Even then, different extensions, specific tools and bits will always be needed.
If buying sets, just add bits as you need them. That is when good storage becomes important. The ability to find exactly what you want, when you want it.
I would prefer seperate 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 sq drive sets, to give better coverage. Even then, different extensions, specific tools and bits will always be needed.
If buying sets, just add bits as you need them. That is when good storage becomes important. The ability to find exactly what you want, when you want it.
thegraveltrap said:
What would you buy?
I already have a full 1/2" drop forged kamasa set but id like to get a full set 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 if possible in the one case with all the extension bars etc.
I went and bought a halfords advanced 120pc set a couple of days ago on a whim really without considering any alternatives and while it looks a good bit of kit i already ran into one problem by i didnt have a long enough ext bar and had to use a cheap 1/4 to 3/8 adapter but that didnt come with the kit to make it work.. that and i would prefer 6 sided sockets to 12 sided sockets realistically (can round nuts/bolts off).
Suggestions please...
Decent 12 points socket's work fine unless heavily rustedI already have a full 1/2" drop forged kamasa set but id like to get a full set 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 if possible in the one case with all the extension bars etc.
I went and bought a halfords advanced 120pc set a couple of days ago on a whim really without considering any alternatives and while it looks a good bit of kit i already ran into one problem by i didnt have a long enough ext bar and had to use a cheap 1/4 to 3/8 adapter but that didnt come with the kit to make it work.. that and i would prefer 6 sided sockets to 12 sided sockets realistically (can round nuts/bolts off).
Suggestions please...
Whilst the big shiny toolbox full of stuff is attractive you are likely to finish up with a collection of tools that never get used.
Buy a basic set & add stuff to it as you go when you need it.
I can never resist a trip round Aldi to see what they've got - I got a very nice set of 3/8 hex sockets c/w ratchet & extension bar on a plastic carrier for not a lot. Intended to chuck it in the boot for emergency use but it now gets more use than my 1/2 Facom stuff!
The B&Q rails of deep sockets are very good (Macallister?) - I have theirs in 3/8 & 1/4 drive along with their 1/4 ratchet & extensions. Again, not big money.
Get a decent set each of ring & open enders.
I also had - again from Aldi - a set of their ratchet spanners (open end one end & ring ratchet with swivel neck on the other).
I have mainly AF & metric stuff for the cars & van plus some Whitworth which gets used on my 1950 BSA A10.
Buy a basic set & add stuff to it as you go when you need it.
I can never resist a trip round Aldi to see what they've got - I got a very nice set of 3/8 hex sockets c/w ratchet & extension bar on a plastic carrier for not a lot. Intended to chuck it in the boot for emergency use but it now gets more use than my 1/2 Facom stuff!
The B&Q rails of deep sockets are very good (Macallister?) - I have theirs in 3/8 & 1/4 drive along with their 1/4 ratchet & extensions. Again, not big money.
Get a decent set each of ring & open enders.
I also had - again from Aldi - a set of their ratchet spanners (open end one end & ring ratchet with swivel neck on the other).
I have mainly AF & metric stuff for the cars & van plus some Whitworth which gets used on my 1950 BSA A10.
Edited by paintman on Monday 8th July 19:07
Halfords pro socket set.
Lifetime warranty. Had mine 20 years, the odd bits that break are usually because I'm abusing them, never had a problem getting stuff replaced and covers most bases. Once stripped the 3/8ths ratchet by using a scaffold pole and 100kg of leverage, in hindsight that might have been asking too much.
Think they have it on offer every now and then for £150.
Lifetime warranty. Had mine 20 years, the odd bits that break are usually because I'm abusing them, never had a problem getting stuff replaced and covers most bases. Once stripped the 3/8ths ratchet by using a scaffold pole and 100kg of leverage, in hindsight that might have been asking too much.
Think they have it on offer every now and then for £150.
I'd agree with those who say that the 'everything on one box' sets are false economy. You're much better off buying sets that cover EXACTLY what you need, as your needs make themselves evident.
There are some really excellent super-cheap tools out there. One example is the 1/4" socket set sold as 'am tech' by Amazon, often for less than a tenner. It's ace.
There are some really excellent super-cheap tools out there. One example is the 1/4" socket set sold as 'am tech' by Amazon, often for less than a tenner. It's ace.
paintman said:
Whilst the big shiny toolbox full of stuff is attractive you are likely to finish up with a collection of tools that never get used.
I've worked with people that had massive Snap-On tool boxes full of kit. It seemed to be a status thing. At least the Halfords Advanced stuff is relatively cheap. Its likely you will be undoing rusty nuts and bolts, so if I can, I use wall drive sockets and spanners.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-AK2695-Socket-Wall...
https://www.directsupplyukltd.co.uk/metrinch-10-pi...
Like others, I’ve bought sets over the years, but a decent 72 tooth ratchet is compulsory, as well as a breaker bar.
My 10 mm extra deep sockets seem to find a new home, location unknown, regularly…
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-AK2695-Socket-Wall...
https://www.directsupplyukltd.co.uk/metrinch-10-pi...
Like others, I’ve bought sets over the years, but a decent 72 tooth ratchet is compulsory, as well as a breaker bar.
My 10 mm extra deep sockets seem to find a new home, location unknown, regularly…
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