Your socket set of choice. Discussion / Recommendations

[TacticalDad]

Afternoon everyone,

I wanted to get a few recommendations and a general discussion on your guys choice of socket set for general vehicle maintenance. I want to invest in a set but would love input from everyone else.

Many thanks guys

[tris88]

My Halfords professional set has always done me well, nothing failed yet!

[Butter Face]

Halfords Professional.

[Turn7]

Snapon...

But I did spend 5 years working as a pro Bike tech.......

[tr7v8]

I have an old Draper set which is about 30 years old. Quite a few have been replaced with Halfords Pro stuff, some have worn out, 10 & 13mm, others have been lost or used as press tools.
My 3/8th set is Halfords Pro as is my 1/2" torque wrench & some other stuff. I have a set of flank drive sockets intended for rattle gun use & they are from Clarkes. They have taken massive punishment, even the 3/8th drive ones

[Escort3500]

For the DIYer like me I’ve found the Halfords Professional sockets to be fine. Reasonably priced, pretty good quality and a lifetime guarantee.

[SlipStream77]

I've found Bahco to be very good.

[sedatepace]

Bahco S138.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KruqDc6hX8

Not a fan of Halfords Pro 12 point socket sets, well any 12 point sockets as the only use I have for them are hammering onto rounded heads.

[Jim the Sunderer]

I like my Halfords Advanced sets, I bought a few of the trays inlcuding normal and deep sized. Only used them for minor jobs like building the lawnmower and taking off wings.

They are six sided these days seems they haven't updated the web site.


You could look in CashConverters on the off chance an apprentice mechanic has pawned off the set of SnapOn tools his nana was the guarantor on.

[Some Guy]

I like Wera.

[Bill]

+1 for Halfords professional, I managed to snap one of the Allen keys, took it in and got a replacement without quibble.

[Pothole]

I've had a set of Draper professional(?) (I think that's what they are, I'll check later) for about 25 years. They're fine.

[PositronicRay]

Go to set Halfords 3/8th set. Then some 1/2 Sealey on a rail + all sorts of odds and sods.

3/8th covers most things, 1/2 comes out for suspension and brakes.

[TooMany2cvs]

PositronicRay said:

Go to set Halfords 3/8th set. Then some 1/2 Sealey on a rail + all sorts of odds and sods.

3/8th covers most things, 1/2 comes out for suspension and brakes.

I love my 1/4 set for smaller stuff.

[TacticalDad]

Wow you guys have a lot of good examples, I think the Halfords is a winner. Heard some good reviews about them. Maybe after a year or so I'll invest in a Snap-On set after I sell my house etc haha.

The fact some of you have had sets for 25/30 years says you can't put money on things like these. Thanks guys

[S6PNJ]

My 1/4" drive 10mm socket is broken so I need a new one - do I...

a. Buy a single 10mm socket
b. Buy a new 1/4" drive set (Halfords Advanced - £30 but with trade card discount - £13)
c. Buy a new 170 piece 1/2" 3/8" and 1/4" socket set (Halfords Advanced - £320 but with trade card discount £125)

I already have a Halfords (non-professional) 1/2" socket set (metric and imperial) that I've had for the last 30 years or so (which has a 10mm socket) and my dad's old Draper set (also with 10mm socket)
click for bigger pic

Of course, I'd then need some tool chests/cabinets to store them in...

c. is very attractive....

OP - do you have a Halfords Trade Card or know anyone with one? Some great savings to be made.

[Burnzyb]

Yea I’d just go with the Halfords pro stuff, I have a mixed bag, I love my little 1/4 kit I have done many jobs using just the 1/4 kit, another handy tip is buy the spark plug removal kit and get the 3/8 flex head ratchet or buy it separately, as I use it pretty much all the time, it comes in real handy at times.

[anonymous-user]

Mines a mix between stahlwille, koken & snap on.

[PositronicRay]

TooMany2cvs said:

PositronicRay said:

Go to set Halfords 3/8th set. Then some 1/2 Sealey on a rail + all sorts of odds and sods.

3/8th covers most things, 1/2 comes out for suspension and brakes.

I love my 1/4 set for smaller stuff.

1/4 is great too, I've a draper one. Useful for trim and covers.

[SlimJim16v]

S6PNJ said:

My 1/4" drive 10mm socket is broken so I need a new one - do I...

e. Buy a rail of Stahlwille, Facom, Teng or Snap On.