Buy specific sizes or the full set - sockets

Buy specific sizes or the full set - sockets

Author
Discussion

barker22

Original Poster:

1,037 posts

166 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
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Hi all

Just wondering what everyone here generally does
I have a few halfords kits with everything in.....well not quite everything or I wouldn't have started this topic
I find that it lacks certain socket and hex bit sizes - 7mm hex and 1/2 -18mm socket for instance, which are needed for certain brake caliper job and the rear shock bolts on my renault clio - not much fun having to put a pole over a 3/8 ratchet and socket for extra leverage

I have started looking at socket rail sets but just wondering, I generally have 90% of the sizes I need. Do you guys buy individual sockets or would you be inclined to get the whole matching socket rail....especially if going for another brand of tool - think teng socket when I already have halfords own

For instance an individual socket would be £5-6 whereas a set of 9/10 might be £30-£35

PositronicRay

26,957 posts

182 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
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I tend to buy odd sizes and stuff as I need them.

No point in doubling up.

CrutyRammers

13,735 posts

197 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
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Me too. There aren't that many odd sizes anyway, most of the additional ones I've bought over the years have been the large stuff for crank bolts etc.

steveo3002

10,493 posts

173 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
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ive got 10-19 no gaps ...then buy the bigger ones seperate , like front hub nut etc

paintman

7,669 posts

189 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
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PositronicRay said:
I tend to buy odd sizes and stuff as I need them.

No point in doubling up.
+1

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
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7mm hex is a "funny one" , never in any sets (someone prove me wrong) , seems unique to brake calipers?

barker22

Original Poster:

1,037 posts

166 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Does anyone know of any other oddball sizes or tools that are required for modern car related jobs.

The sort of thing you would expect to be in your toolkit but for some reason has been omitted

CoolHands

18,496 posts

194 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
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I only buy complete sets, I always check what’s in the sets befor I buy. Don’t like gaps.

julianm

1,531 posts

200 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
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Some Subaru drain plugs need a T70 torx which is just stupid, but you`ll need one if you want to drain the gearbox.
I`ve bought a few Koken sockets & other stuff in recent years & have been very pleased with them.
Consolidated tools stock it direct or through Ebay.

tapkaJohnD

1,930 posts

203 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
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barker22 said:
Does anyone know of any other oddball sizes or tools that are required for modern car related jobs.

The sort of thing you would expect to be in your toolkit but for some reason has been omitted
A JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) screwdriver set.
Yet ANOTHER subtly different crosscut head, that is allegedly essential in Nipponese vehicles, especially bikes.

But they do seem to fit better.
John

steveo3002

10,493 posts

173 months

Thursday 26th April 2018
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best say what car you have , theres 1000s of specilaist tools over all models /makes

if youre just diy youre own stuff youtube the repair before going at it , they often list whats needed so you can go out and buy it

XFRFred

7,405 posts

252 months

Thursday 26th April 2018
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phillpot said:
7mm hex is a "funny one" , never in any sets (someone prove me wrong) , seems unique to brake calipers?
9mm hex is also an odd one, used on the front calipers of a Jaguar XFR.
I needed to buy one from Amazon, as most places didn't stock one.

finishing touch

808 posts

166 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
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Last year I bought an MX5 and found the Japanese seem to favour odd sizes.
Things like M10 will have a flange nut or bolt head that requires a 15mm spanner. One or two others as well.


Odd single sockets are often overpriced, but then I spotted that Screwfix had (and still has) a clearance item of a rack of 15
3/8" drive sockets, 8mm to 22mm inclusive for the giveaway price of £3.99


Used them to strip out the front of the engine bay when I welded those infamous Mk 2.5 chassis rails and couldn't fault them,
although I did reach for a 1/2" drive socket & breaker bar to release the top wishbone.


Paul G

PositronicRay

26,957 posts

182 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
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CoolHands said:
I only buy complete sets, I always check what’s in the sets befor I buy. Don’t like gaps.
If I did this my garage would be stacked high with sets of stuff!

gazzarose

1,158 posts

132 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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XFRFred said:
phillpot said:
7mm hex is a "funny one" , never in any sets (someone prove me wrong) , seems unique to brake calipers?
9mm hex is also an odd one, used on the front calipers of a Jaguar XFR.
I needed to buy one from Amazon, as most places didn't stock one.
I've got a set of Teng Allen keys that has got a 7mm but no 8mm. It's a bit of a strange choice.

barker22

Original Poster:

1,037 posts

166 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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I have sometimes found that you need more than one option regarding sockets. Like I mentioned in my OP I found that I had all the sockets, but lacked the size in the preferable 1/2 size as the 3/8 ratchet size wasn't meant for that kind of torque.
On the other hand I found that sometimes the 1/2 doesn't fit in a certain gap whereas a 3/8 will. Joys of motoring my dad used to say!

barker22

Original Poster:

1,037 posts

166 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
quotequote all
steveo3002 said:
best say what car you have , theres 1000s of specilaist tools over all models /makes

if youre just diy youre own stuff youtube the repair before going at it , they often list whats needed so you can go out and buy it
Absolutely agree with the youtube etc I had everything for my job - just not the ideal version of it. 3/8 vs 1/2

And I was thinking more like I never see a 23mm socket for instance in general sets, but someone must know that it is needed for certain car related jobs. Never say never and all that