Halfords new socket set range..

[thegraveltrap]

So Halfords have brought out a new socket set range - they are all metric with 6 point sockets and 100 tooth ratchets.

Their new lineup is...

200pc - £325 without trade card, £260 with trade card.

175pc - £250 without trade card, £200 with trade card.

150pc - £190 without trade card, £152 with trade card.

100pc - £125 without trade card, £100 with trade card.

You now get what appears to be better quality hex keys, a decent length breaker bar (150pc up), decent sized Wobble Extension Bars, 6 point metric sockets, 100 tooth ratchets and Nylon Coated Alloy Wheel Nut sockets (175pc up).

They are now selling all their "older style" sets off on deals and have stopped listing the 200pc/120pc old style sets online so its just whatever is left in the shops for those, they still have 175pc and 150pc old style sets online, for now.

You can pick up the older style sets now for..

200pc - £180 without trade card, £150 with trade card. (if you can find any left in the store)

170pc - £140 without trade card, £120 with trade card.

150pc - £95 without trade card, £80 with trade card.

120pc - £70 without trade card, unsure of price with trade card.

After doing a bit of research i found the 170pc old style to be incredible value for money, in the 200pc old style you are only gaining mostly more sockets you already have in the 170pc. If you add on a 10" 3/8 wobble bar (£10) which i believe the old style kits are lacking then your paying £130 for a really good kit.

Does anybody foresee people going to purposely buy the new kits because of the newer 100 tooth ratchets and 6 point sockets (which has always been a criticism of the halford sets)? I havent had chance to see what the new ratchets are like and if there is any play in them when you attach a socket like the old style have and which iv seen people complain about to. Notice that the modular tray sets are already 6 point anyway compared to the old style sets which where 12 point.

[rxe]

The ratchets were always the weak point of those sets - they are about 40 tooth and very sloppy. With decent ratchets they will be excellent. Everyone says snap-on is expensive, but the ratchets are absolutely worth it (a lot of the rest of it isn’t worth it....).

I have 2 of the 200 piece sets that I picked up in a sale. They go in the boot of whichever car has had major surgery recently...

[jjones]

rxe said:

The ratchets were always the weak point of those sets

And the 12 pointed sockets.

[thegraveltrap]

jjones said:

rxe said:

The ratchets were always the weak point of those sets

And the 12 pointed sockets.

The moan iv always seen is 12 point sockets and the weak ratchets.

[Mr Pointy]

Pardon my ignorance but why are 6 point sockets better than 12 point ones?

[Pica-Pica]

Mr Pointy said:

Pardon my ignorance but why are 6 point sockets better than 12 point ones?

There is a larger total contact area between socket and the hardware. Therefore greater torque can be applied before damage to socket or nut/bolt head.

Incidentally, I never buy sets. There are so many socket sizes that you never use. If you have a modern car, they will be metric, and thus a standardised range. So buy the individual ones you need and of good quality.
E.g.
M12 is 19mm A/F (across flats)
M10 is 17 A/F
M8 is 13mm
M6 is 10mm
Then there are Torx headed bolts. Again, you only need a limited range.

[fiju]

Until you need something that you haven't got... And it's Bank holiday... And all the shops are closed.

[Pica-Pica]

fiju said:

Until you need something that you haven't got... And it's Bank holiday... And all the shops are closed.

What would that be then? I have chucked away sockets that I never use, waste of space these odd sizes. I know the industry standard sizes and what they use, they use them for simplicity of parts and production-line tools and torques, stock reduction, and cost control. These odd sizes are not used in the industry on main-stream cars.

[Evanivitch]

Pica-Pica said:

Incidentally, I never buy sets. There are so many socket sizes that you never use. If you have a modern car, they will be metric, and thus a standardised range. So buy the individual ones you need and of good quality.
E.g.
M12 is 19mm A/F (across flats)
M10 is 17 A/F
M8 is 13mm
M6 is 10mm
Then there are Torx headed bolts. Again, you only need a limited range.

You always need at least a dozen 13mm sockets in your set, they tend to grow legs...

[Doofus]

Pica-Pica said:

What would that be then? I have chucked away sockets that I never use, waste of space these odd sizes. I know the industry standard sizes and what they use, they use them for simplicity of parts and production-line tools and torques, stock reduction, and cost control. These odd sizes are not used in the industry on main-stream cars.

it's for this reason that, whilst I'd love loads of rolling cabinets stuffed to the top with tools, I know I'd never use most of them.

I have AF and metric socket sets (maybe10 or 12 sockets in each), 3 or 4 deep sockets, 10oe and ring spanners, 10 ratchet spanners and the other odds and sods you pick up along the way (pullers, all sorts of pliers, punches and so on) and that lot covers all the jobs I have ever needed to do. If I need something new for a specific job, I buy it when I need it, rather than buying a ,assive 500 piece tool kit containing a load of stuff I'll probably never need.

It also makes replacing or upgrading individual items easier and cheaper.

[Chris32345]

How much 😮 that's a massive price increase best go on offer at half the price like they do with the current kits as it makes far less value then the current ones

[buggalugs]

Mr Pointy said:

Pardon my ignorance but why are 6 point sockets better than 12 point ones?

12 points round the head off more easily, especially if it's old and rusty. Its hard to round a head off with a 6 point usually something else breaks first.

[thegraveltrap]

Chris32345 said:

How much ?? that's a massive price increase best go on offer at half the price like they do with the current kits as it makes far less value then the current ones

I thought the exact same thing mate - at that sort of money the value declines massively when you can pick up facom bits an pieces etc.

The old style sets are good value at that money to clear them but if the new set went on offer in the next 30 days I'd return this one iv just got and buy that definitely!

[thegraveltrap]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-S138-Metric-Imperia...

I was very close to pulling the trigger on this bahco set because the ratchets are better, 6 point sockets opposed to 12 an you get more extention bars and the flex extension - only thing that put me off really was the returns process if any issues and lack of lifetime warranty that the halfords set gets.

[fiju]

Tbh the bahco set isn't that special. The ratchet doesn't have fine teeth, and I can't really say I notice much difference between it and a sealey set. Also it's not shiny chrome plated so that gets a thumbs down (I think it's cr-v?) . One thing I do like is that you're able to fit the 1/4" driver handle onto the ratchet and use it like an extension. On second thoughts, the price for that set isn't bad at all. Probably a good buy as a backup.

Ratchets are worth spending more for. The only sockets that might break are impact. I've only seen an impact socket break once, and it was a snap on that was used regularly for 20+ years.
Actually I did break a couple of t40 sockets with an impact gun a while ago. I nipped down to Halfords as I was in a pickle and grabbed one of theirs. It managed to do it without breaking.

I have 12 point blue point sockets that have been going strong for 10+ years, and they've been abused. If anything, the bolt will be rounded off rather than the teeth.

So all in all, buy reasonable quality sockets but go snap on when it comes to the ratchet

Edited by fiju on Saturday 13th July 14:01

[thegraveltrap]

fiju said:

Tbh the bahco set isn't that special. The ratchet doesn't have fine teeth, and I can't really say I notice much difference between it and a sealey set. Also it's not shiny chrome plated so that gets a thumbs down (I think it's cr-v?) . One thing I do like is that you're able to fit the 1/4" driver handle onto the ratchet and use it like an extension. On second thoughts, the price for that set isn't bad at all. Probably a good buy as a backup.

Ratchets are worth spending more for. The only sockets that might break are impact. I've only seen an impact socket break once, and it was a snap on that was used regularly for 20+ years.
Actually I did break a couple of t40 sockets with an impact gun a while ago. I nipped down to Halfords as I was in a pickle and grabbed one of theirs. It managed to do it without breaking.

I have 12 point blue point sockets that have been going strong for 10+ years, and they've been abused. If anything, the bolt will be rounded off rather than the teeth.

So all in all, buy reasonable quality sockets but go snap on when it comes to the ratchet

Edited by fiju on Saturday 13th July 14:01

Bahco is FARRRRR superior to Sealey man jesus christ, the quality is evident - remember snap on own bahco so im confident they wouldnt buy out a ste company!

The sockets are matt chromed, its just the finish that doesnt really come into it.. there is no wobble on a bahco ratchet with the sockets attached that you get in a halfords set for instance.

Back to halfords gear though - i find it interesting that their modular tray sets of sockets and ratches the sockets are all 6 point sockets but in their own style socket set kits they are 12 point.

[Grumbly]

Pica-Pica said:

There is a larger total contact area between socket and the hardware. Therefore greater torque can be applied before damage to socket or nut/bolt head.

Incidentally, I never buy sets. There are so many socket sizes that you never use. If you have a modern car, they will be metric, and thus a standardised range. So buy the individual ones you need and of good quality.
E.g.
M12 is 19mm A/F (across flats)
M10 is 17 A/F
M8 is 13mm
M6 is 10mm
Then there are Torx headed bolts. Again, you only need a limited range.

Until you work on a Japanese car and need 12mm and 14mm, or a BMW and need 16mm and 18mm. 18mm is rarely included in sets but becoming more common for reasons only known to manufacturers.

[thegraveltrap]

Grumbly said:

Until you work on a Japanese car and need 12mm and 14mm, or a BMW and need 16mm and 18mm. 18mm is rarely included in sets but becoming more common for reasons only known to manufacturers.

me personally id just rather have a comprehensive set because it can always cross over into using it on other things around the house or work etc doesnt always have to be cars - another thing is bikes to, bikes come with a lot of different sizes so its just worth having a kit in my eyes.

What is your opinion on the halfords/bahco sets when comparing?

[Grumbly]

I have Snap on at home, which to be honest is much better than I need, but is lovely to use. Most of the kit I cart around in the cars is Halfords and I haven't had any problems, plus it doesn't break my heart when something goes walkies. The only Bacho kit I have are their adjustable spanners that are superb.

The choice really boils down to which feel better in your hands, both are more than adequate for diy use.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Oven got teng tool sets