Socket and Spanner Set Recommendations
Discussion
Mr.Nobody said:
Can anyone recommend a good Socket and Spanner Set for home use. I was thinking Halfords Advanced 200 Piece but it’s £325. Costco have a Dewalt Set for £99, but I don’t know if it’s any good. Any recommendations would be great.
Really does depend on how much and what type of work you intend to do. 6 times a year, a couple of days each month, or virtually full time. Stripping suspensions and engines, or replacing filters and bulbs, or brakes etc.But the halfords pro is seriously good enough for most.
An idea of what type of vehicles and types of car would help too. For example, old landrovers, are going to use different to newer Asian stuff, which will be different again to modern european.
But mostly, the required stuff is getting smaller and more compact. Bigger stuff needs to be able to take abuse, smaller stuff needs to be more precise. As an example, the number of teeth on a big 1/2 ratchet doesn't make a great deal of difference overall. On a 1/4 ratchet it can make a serious difference.
rustednut said:
Really does depend on how much and what type of work you intend to do. 6 times a year, a couple of days each month, or virtually full time. Stripping suspensions and engines, or replacing filters and bulbs, or brakes etc.
But the halfords pro is seriously good enough for most.
An idea of what type of vehicles and types of car would help too. For example, old landrovers, are going to use different to newer Asian stuff, which will be different again to modern european.
But mostly, the required stuff is getting smaller and more compact. Bigger stuff needs to be able to take abuse, smaller stuff needs to be more precise. As an example, the number of teeth on a big 1/2 ratchet doesn't make a great deal of difference overall. On a 1/4 ratchet it can make a serious difference.
I’m probably going to use it for general maintain so a few times a year. I have a Honda Civic MK8 (spaceship) Model. But the halfords pro is seriously good enough for most.
An idea of what type of vehicles and types of car would help too. For example, old landrovers, are going to use different to newer Asian stuff, which will be different again to modern european.
But mostly, the required stuff is getting smaller and more compact. Bigger stuff needs to be able to take abuse, smaller stuff needs to be more precise. As an example, the number of teeth on a big 1/2 ratchet doesn't make a great deal of difference overall. On a 1/4 ratchet it can make a serious difference.
Mr.Nobody said:
I’m probably going to use it for general maintain so a few times a year. I have a Honda Civic MK8 (spaceship) Model.
Then either of the options you selected will be adequate.But note that Honda of that period tend to use 12mm, 14mm, 16mm and 18mm more than other cars, and less use of 13mm, so make sure any sets have those sizes included.
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
If you wanted to save a bit of cash you could buy used tools of ebay? Snap On stuff is normally rather dear, however I got a full set of lovely King Dick Spanners for about £40 for example.
the Halfords Pro stuff is good and there should be plenty of it on ebay.
Not a bad idea. I would need to know what brands and stuff as I’m not too clued up on mechanics tools.the Halfords Pro stuff is good and there should be plenty of it on ebay.
Halfords Pro are excellent quality, and have life time gurantee, which they fufill, off thr shelf if you break a tool.
But buy that big Halfords set, and you will have more pieces that you can use! For instance look at the spec: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/socket-s...
As example you get ordinary sockets 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36mm! And that's just the 1/2" drive ones! It includes ratchet spanners, not cheap, I have a set I never use!
Go for a MUCH smaller set, EG, their 31 piece, ordinary and deep socket set at £48, or maybe less in a sale: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit... Add a spanner set, Eg: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit... @ £65 and aprt from some screwdrivers, and maybe sone special bits, to undo security fasteners, ypu will have all you need, for a third trhe price. Buy other tools as you need them.
John
But buy that big Halfords set, and you will have more pieces that you can use! For instance look at the spec: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/socket-s...
As example you get ordinary sockets 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36mm! And that's just the 1/2" drive ones! It includes ratchet spanners, not cheap, I have a set I never use!
Go for a MUCH smaller set, EG, their 31 piece, ordinary and deep socket set at £48, or maybe less in a sale: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit... Add a spanner set, Eg: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit... @ £65 and aprt from some screwdrivers, and maybe sone special bits, to undo security fasteners, ypu will have all you need, for a third trhe price. Buy other tools as you need them.
John
tapkaJohnD said:
Halfords Pro are excellent quality, and have life time gurantee, which they fufill, off thr shelf if you break a tool.
But buy that big Halfords set, and you will have more pieces that you can use! For instance look at the spec: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/socket-s...
As example you get ordinary sockets 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36mm! And that's just the 1/2" drive ones! It includes ratchet spanners, not cheap, I have a set I never use!
Go for a MUCH smaller set, EG, their 31 piece, ordinary and deep socket set at £48, or maybe less in a sale: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit... Add a spanner set, Eg: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit... @ £65 and aprt from some screwdrivers, and maybe sone special bits, to undo security fasteners, ypu will have all you need, for a third trhe price. Buy other tools as you need them.
John
Not a bad idea John to buy some smaller sets.But buy that big Halfords set, and you will have more pieces that you can use! For instance look at the spec: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/socket-s...
As example you get ordinary sockets 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36mm! And that's just the 1/2" drive ones! It includes ratchet spanners, not cheap, I have a set I never use!
Go for a MUCH smaller set, EG, their 31 piece, ordinary and deep socket set at £48, or maybe less in a sale: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit... Add a spanner set, Eg: https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit... @ £65 and aprt from some screwdrivers, and maybe sone special bits, to undo security fasteners, ypu will have all you need, for a third trhe price. Buy other tools as you need them.
John
Belle427 said:
If you don't go halfords which is perfectly adequate have a look at the bahco sets, I'm a big fan of their tools.
I believe they are owned by snap on these days but their stuff has been quality for years.
My 3/8" and 1/4" stuff is all Bahco and fantastic for the money. I believe they are owned by snap on these days but their stuff has been quality for years.
My 1/2" is a Halfords Pro kit that I bought 15 years ago and never had a problem. I did buy the smaller kits to avoid spanners and got those separately.
I had a big Halfords pro set that lasted me for ages until I got some more expensive kit, certainly adequate for the DIY mechanic.
I just picked up a lovely little Bahco 1/4" drive set pretty cheap, that would do the job for fiddly stuff but you'll want 1/2" drive if you're going to do suspension work.
I just picked up a lovely little Bahco 1/4" drive set pretty cheap, that would do the job for fiddly stuff but you'll want 1/2" drive if you're going to do suspension work.
https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Bahco-Bahs160-...
This is the one I got. If you're not familiar with the brand they make good quality stuff, certainly not cheap tat. If you're after adjustable spanners (the devil's work but I suppose they have their place) they make decent ones.
I've never had their 3/8" or 1/2" stuff but I'd imagine it's the same level of quality. Most of my stuff these days is Beta but it's pretty pricey and to be honest not noticeably better for DIY use compared to Halfords pro. Tolerances are tighter and chrome better etc but unless you're a tool magpie no need really.
This is the one I got. If you're not familiar with the brand they make good quality stuff, certainly not cheap tat. If you're after adjustable spanners (the devil's work but I suppose they have their place) they make decent ones.
I've never had their 3/8" or 1/2" stuff but I'd imagine it's the same level of quality. Most of my stuff these days is Beta but it's pretty pricey and to be honest not noticeably better for DIY use compared to Halfords pro. Tolerances are tighter and chrome better etc but unless you're a tool magpie no need really.
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