What socket set for general car repairs for £100?
Discussion
Hi, I need to buy tools that will let me repair my car without going to mechanic with every little thing that brakes over time. I've read many threads here and in Google and there's no clear answer 
I need this set to be universal so I can take off wheels, change brake discs or take out the throttle. I've heard a lot about halfords Pro sets which I assume became halfords advanced now. Everybody's saying that their sockets are half price most of the time and I've been waiting for two months now to get 150pc or 175pc set but with no success I know there was huge discount on 200 pc set few weeks ago but there are too many imperial sockets that I don't need and 150pc set with beaker bar seems just enough for me. To be honest I'm tired of waiting and I'd like to buy something now. I would let go of halfords and buy a bahco set or a mix of two sets but would it be enough for my needs? As I said the halfords set with a breaker bar would let me do pretty everything and it would be in one case. Sorry for a wall of text what do you think? Any other sets you'd recommended? Let's say I have around 140 pounds to spend on it. Thanks for advice.
I need this set to be universal so I can take off wheels, change brake discs or take out the throttle. I've heard a lot about halfords Pro sets which I assume became halfords advanced now. Everybody's saying that their sockets are half price most of the time and I've been waiting for two months now to get 150pc or 175pc set but with no success I know there was huge discount on 200 pc set few weeks ago but there are too many imperial sockets that I don't need and 150pc set with beaker bar seems just enough for me. To be honest I'm tired of waiting and I'd like to buy something now. I would let go of halfords and buy a bahco set or a mix of two sets but would it be enough for my needs? As I said the halfords set with a breaker bar would let me do pretty everything and it would be in one case. Sorry for a wall of text what do you think? Any other sets you'd recommended? Let's say I have around 140 pounds to spend on it. Thanks for advice. This: https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/sock...
All metric, good range of sizes, inc a 1/2" ratchet wrench, that is long enough to maybe make your breaker bar unnecessary for most situations.
John
All metric, good range of sizes, inc a 1/2" ratchet wrench, that is long enough to maybe make your breaker bar unnecessary for most situations.
John
Can't see the Halfords professional kit that I have on their web site but at the time it was around £100 reduced from around £200 in their sale a few year ago. Came with every size socket (up to a reasonable size anyway) inc metric & imp, torq sockets, allen sockets, screwdriver sockets, ratchet spanners (what did we do before these were invented), impact sockets etc. Their sale offers don't seem as generous now. Oh and there was a spanner missing but two of a different size!
Their Professional range is good, has a lifetime guarantee IIRC so keep the receipt. But buy when there is a sale on or get someone with a trade account.
With your regard to your rather curt response to the poster above, you might be able to remove a wheel nut with the ratchet but I would suggest a separate wheel nut spanner which usually come with a 17mm & 19mm ended socket (Ideal for a Lotus Excel with an 18mm hex, not!!) and an extendable level. Available at most tool shops and ebay.
Their Professional range is good, has a lifetime guarantee IIRC so keep the receipt. But buy when there is a sale on or get someone with a trade account.
With your regard to your rather curt response to the poster above, you might be able to remove a wheel nut with the ratchet but I would suggest a separate wheel nut spanner which usually come with a 17mm & 19mm ended socket (Ideal for a Lotus Excel with an 18mm hex, not!!) and an extendable level. Available at most tool shops and ebay.
Karolkaj said:
So you're saying I can take off a wheel using ratchet?
Of course, unless you have let a wheel monkey loose on it with a rattle gun.I did - or else I let my dealer do so. When I got the car back I checked, they were all tightened to at least twice the stated torque. Yes, I did need a breaker bar - and an asbetos envelope for my letter to the dealer! Who apologised with a free service!
But wheel nuts are normally not that tight.
John
I have made mine up from individual sockets. I can never understand why socket sets include non-standard A/F sizes. 7, 8, 10, 13, 17, 19mm are the regular sizes, then just buy others to suit those odd occasions. The lower sizes in 1/4” square drive, and the larger in 1/2” square drive, no point bothering with 3/4” square drive.
Karolkaj said:
So you're saying I can take off a wheel using ratchet?
Use a torque wrench, with a push through drive to undo. Or just the one supplied with the car, but you will probably need to stand on it. Any tool kit MUST have a torque wrench, I always check my wheel bolt torques after a wheel/tyre is changed, not least because they need re-checking after a few miles.Pica-Pica said:
Use a torque wrench, with a push through drive to undo. Or just the one supplied with the car, but you will probably need to stand on it. Any tool kit MUST have a torque wrench, I always check my wheel bolt torques after a wheel/tyre is changed, not least because they need re-checking after a few miles.
"Must"? give over. Don't think I've ever used a torque wrench on wheel nuts. Pica-Pica said:
I have made mine up from individual sockets. I can never understand why socket sets include non-standard A/F sizes. 7, 8, 10, 13, 17, 19mm are the regular sizes, then just buy others to suit those odd occasions. The lower sizes in 1/4” square drive, and the larger in 1/2” square drive, no point bothering with 3/4” square drive.
The imperial sockets help me out a lot, my cars airbag bolt is a 5.5mm which I use the AF equivalent & a 1/2 will help you out no end when your 13mm starts to roundPica-Pica said:
Karolkaj said:
So you're saying I can take off a wheel using ratchet?
Use a torque wrench, with a push through drive to undo. Or just the one supplied with the car, but you will probably need to stand on it. Any tool kit MUST have a torque wrench, I always check my wheel bolt torques after a wheel/tyre is changed, not least because they need re-checking after a few miles.That said, the Halfords set looks like a reasonable base and with the addition of a 1/2” knuckle bar, torque wrench and a deep socket of the appropriate size and you’d be able to undo and re-tighten wheel nuts / bolts.
If you bought both you’d have a load of doubles which are unnecessary.
Choose a set, they’re a great way to get the basics at good value for money, and then get stuck in, buying the additional tools you inevitably need as you go.
Attempting to buy every tool you might conceivably need to work on the car before you’ve even changed the oil would be madness.
Choose a set, they’re a great way to get the basics at good value for money, and then get stuck in, buying the additional tools you inevitably need as you go.
Attempting to buy every tool you might conceivably need to work on the car before you’ve even changed the oil would be madness.
Back in the 70s I bought a 1/2" drive Kamasa socket set that was several weeks wages. I was just 17.
It had a row of AF up to 1", 10 to 22mm, and 8 BSW sockets, 1/4 onwards. Still got most of it.
Only the other day I made a manifold that was held in place with 3/8" BSF brass nuts, the fine version of whitworth.
Never say I'll never need them.
As for the standard metric range, always add a 15mm. You might one day own a Japanese car.
Paul G
It had a row of AF up to 1", 10 to 22mm, and 8 BSW sockets, 1/4 onwards. Still got most of it.
Only the other day I made a manifold that was held in place with 3/8" BSF brass nuts, the fine version of whitworth.
Never say I'll never need them.
As for the standard metric range, always add a 15mm. You might one day own a Japanese car.
Paul G
finishing touch said:
Back in the 70s I bought a 1/2" drive Kamasa socket set that was several weeks wages. I was just 17.
It had a row of AF up to 1", 10 to 22mm, and 8 BSW sockets, 1/4 onwards. Still got most of it.
Only the other day I made a manifold that was held in place with 3/8" BSF brass nuts, the fine version of whitworth.
Never say I'll never need them.
As for the standard metric range, always add a 15mm. You might one day own a Japanese car.
Paul G
15mm is a common metric size?It had a row of AF up to 1", 10 to 22mm, and 8 BSW sockets, 1/4 onwards. Still got most of it.
Only the other day I made a manifold that was held in place with 3/8" BSF brass nuts, the fine version of whitworth.
Never say I'll never need them.
As for the standard metric range, always add a 15mm. You might one day own a Japanese car.
Paul G
Used 15mm spanner/socket's quite often
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