Your socket set of choice. Discussion / Recommendations
Discussion
I got one of these when it was on offer at £70 https://www.amazon.co.uk/KS-Tools-917-0779-Socket-...
Can't say whether is any better or worse than Halfords but I've been impressed with the quality.
Can't say whether is any better or worse than Halfords but I've been impressed with the quality.
trickywoo said:
I got one of these when it was on offer at £70 https://www.amazon.co.uk/KS-Tools-917-0779-Socket-...
Can't say whether is any better or worse than Halfords but I've been impressed with the quality.
I bought one of those too. It was good value at £70. Bought because it has metric 6 point sockets. FWIW I also have an older halfords pro set with the 12 point sockets. The KS sockets are a bit teng like in that they aren't polished, and they are a lot beefier than the halfords ones. They (the KS) look like they will take a lot more torque. I havent tested that out though, as I use impact sockets with the rattle gun. I prefer the ratchets to the halfords ones too.Can't say whether is any better or worse than Halfords but I've been impressed with the quality.
In addition to the above, I have Teng sockets mostly in AF - I have some old British bikes. I really like Teng stuff. Ratchets are good also. Finally I have some ancient Britool stuff in Whitworth (also for the bikes).
I got an email this morning from Halfords. There's a flash sale on socket sets just for today. The 200 piece is £166.50.
Bahco six sided flank Drive stuff mainly for me on the socket front - one big bugger of a set with all sorts of 1/4 and 1/2 drive stuff and spanners etc, then another 3/8 set with plug sockets. Halfords ratchet spanners and torque wrenches, Draper female Torx and some Sealey Torx, Allen and random bits that appear surprisingly un-cheese like. Makita 18V drill and also a lightweight rattle gun for wheel swaps.
My sockets are a mixture of Snap On and Mac however unless you're using them for a living it probably isn't worth the extra money over a less expensive brand. A few points to note though...
1. Look into the number of teeth in the ratchets. I won't buy a ratchet with less than 70 teeth in it. Really useful in tight spaces when you can hardly swing it at all
2. 6 vs 12 point. I always reach for my 6 point sockets but carry a parallel set of 12 points as an increasing number of cars come with 12 point bolt heads. If you're looking for one set them a 12 point socket will undo more fasteners (this ignores the debate on which type grips better).
3. I use universal joints a lot and have a set of sockets with a UJ built in. I always look for a UJ where you can't see the pins holding the joints together - they will fall out eventually (IME). My snap on UJs have the pin ends welded and polished so you cannot see them.
4. Hex and torx bits. The cars I work on have a lot of socket cap bolts on them. I find that certain manufacturers hex bits are slightly undersized which increases the risk of the tool camming out of the fastener. Halfords fall into this category despite the overall quality of their other tools. In my previous job I was the workshop manager and forbade the use of anything other than snap on or mac hex bits.
5. Spanners aren't sockets but when buying a spanner look for chamfers on the tips of the open end - they really speed up repeated use of the open end.
1. Look into the number of teeth in the ratchets. I won't buy a ratchet with less than 70 teeth in it. Really useful in tight spaces when you can hardly swing it at all
2. 6 vs 12 point. I always reach for my 6 point sockets but carry a parallel set of 12 points as an increasing number of cars come with 12 point bolt heads. If you're looking for one set them a 12 point socket will undo more fasteners (this ignores the debate on which type grips better).
3. I use universal joints a lot and have a set of sockets with a UJ built in. I always look for a UJ where you can't see the pins holding the joints together - they will fall out eventually (IME). My snap on UJs have the pin ends welded and polished so you cannot see them.
4. Hex and torx bits. The cars I work on have a lot of socket cap bolts on them. I find that certain manufacturers hex bits are slightly undersized which increases the risk of the tool camming out of the fastener. Halfords fall into this category despite the overall quality of their other tools. In my previous job I was the workshop manager and forbade the use of anything other than snap on or mac hex bits.
5. Spanners aren't sockets but when buying a spanner look for chamfers on the tips of the open end - they really speed up repeated use of the open end.
Teng does really good socket sets. I have an MR1448 (no longer available) 1/4 inch drive and MR3839 3/8ths. I use them at work a lot, had the 3/8s for about 16 years and it's used all of the time on the farm. I replaced the guts of the ratchet but that's been it. They both have a good selection of sockets and bits and are nice to use. I have a CK 1/2 inch and Draper 3/4 with various other Teng sets with just sockets and odd impact and assorted sockets from ISS, King Dick, Facom and Britool.
I've had a look at the Halfords sets and they're not as good value as they appear because they often have a load of AF stuff you'll almost never use.
I've had a look at the Halfords sets and they're not as good value as they appear because they often have a load of AF stuff you'll almost never use.
I've been an amateur spanner-er for years and recently got a chance to do it professionally for several months, using my own tools, the only stuff that broke were a couple of Halfords non-pro bits, their advanced/professional stuff was fine (made by Gearwrench I think) - the main stuff in my sets are a mix of Bahco, Facom, Craftsman USA, Draper Expert and even Lidl 
Other random Hazet, Elora, Norbar, Sealey, the 'budget' Bergen and Neilsen stuff held up well too.
I love my Facom/Bahco flex-head ratchets and spanners, ratcheting spanners saved a lot of time and like a previous poster said ratchets with at least 72 teeth for tight spaces.
3/8 and 1/4 is my fav to use, but you do need 1/2 for the big stuff like suspension and brakes etc.
A lot of cars use hex/spline etc fittings now, get good quality ones as the cheapies made of cheese will often fit badly and round-off...
Other random Hazet, Elora, Norbar, Sealey, the 'budget' Bergen and Neilsen stuff held up well too.I love my Facom/Bahco flex-head ratchets and spanners, ratcheting spanners saved a lot of time and like a previous poster said ratchets with at least 72 teeth for tight spaces.
3/8 and 1/4 is my fav to use, but you do need 1/2 for the big stuff like suspension and brakes etc.
A lot of cars use hex/spline etc fittings now, get good quality ones as the cheapies made of cheese will often fit badly and round-off...
Ok I have been bending spanners for circa 54 years plus 2 years selling Snap on , most quality stuff will out last a home fiddler a life time ! but cheap may last 5 mins ,every mech I have met has had his own favourites for various reasons, for general car work and home fiddling you have to go a long way to beat halfords !
one eyed mick said:
Ok I have been bending spanners for circa 54 years plus 2 years selling Snap on , most quality stuff will out last a home fiddler a life time ! but cheap may last 5 mins ,every mech I have met has had his own favourites for various reasons, for general car work and home fiddling you have to go a long way to beat halfords !
At work I had a rather recalcitrant internal circlip to remove. Our digger contractor man likes a brand and offered me his Snaaaap Orrrn circlip pliers. "180 quid these were, they'll get anything off. Brilliant things etc". Well, f
ked if I could get the bd off. So on to google and ordered a set of Knipex circlip pliers. for about 35 quid. It took me longer to get them out of the packaging than it did to remove the circlip. I also had a look at one of the tractor dealers Snaaaap Orrrn tool cabinets. It had a lovely picture of a BMW S1000RR airbrushed on to it all for the bargain price of 1,200 quid, so about 4 times the price of my stack from Machine Mart, that looks stronger, has a little more capacity and not much in it quality wise. Snap On my arse.
Willy Nilly said:
one eyed mick said:
Ok I have been bending spanners for circa 54 years plus 2 years selling Snap on , most quality stuff will out last a home fiddler a life time ! but cheap may last 5 mins ,every mech I have met has had his own favourites for various reasons, for general car work and home fiddling you have to go a long way to beat halfords !
At work I had a rather recalcitrant internal circlip to remove. Our digger contractor man likes a brand and offered me his Snaaaap Orrrn circlip pliers. "180 quid these were, they'll get anything off. Brilliant things etc". Well, fked if I could get the bd off. So on to google and ordered a set of Knipex circlip pliers. for about 35 quid. It took me longer to get them out of the packaging than it did to remove the circlip. I also had a look at one of the tractor dealers Snaaaap Orrrn tool cabinets. It had a lovely picture of a BMW S1000RR airbrushed on to it all for the bargain price of 1,200 quid, so about 4 times the price of my stack from Machine Mart, that looks stronger, has a little more capacity and not much in it quality wise. Snap On my arse.
TooMany2cvs said:
Willy Nilly said:
one eyed mick said:
Ok I have been bending spanners for circa 54 years plus 2 years selling Snap on , most quality stuff will out last a home fiddler a life time ! but cheap may last 5 mins ,every mech I have met has had his own favourites for various reasons, for general car work and home fiddling you have to go a long way to beat halfords !
At work I had a rather recalcitrant internal circlip to remove. Our digger contractor man likes a brand and offered me his Snaaaap Orrrn circlip pliers. "180 quid these were, they'll get anything off. Brilliant things etc". Well, fked if I could get the bd off. So on to google and ordered a set of Knipex circlip pliers. for about 35 quid. It took me longer to get them out of the packaging than it did to remove the circlip. I also had a look at one of the tractor dealers Snaaaap Orrrn tool cabinets. It had a lovely picture of a BMW S1000RR airbrushed on to it all for the bargain price of 1,200 quid, so about 4 times the price of my stack from Machine Mart, that looks stronger, has a little more capacity and not much in it quality wise. Snap On my arse.
I have a few snap on tools and plan on buying more however the retail prices are eye watering which is why all of my snap on tools have been bought second hand. With the exception of some speciality pliers.
trickywoo said:
I got one of these when it was on offer at £70 https://www.amazon.co.uk/KS-Tools-917-0779-Socket-...
Can't say whether is any better or worse than Halfords but I've been impressed with the quality.
Looks decent and can be bought from German Amazon with UK delivery for £80 now.Can't say whether is any better or worse than Halfords but I've been impressed with the quality.
Hmm not sure if I need it, but do regularly eye up my fathers 200 piece Halfords set.
Mainly Bahco sets including the smaller one for the boot (the missus buys me stuff and recognises the name as 'decent') but I was bought a lovely Britool set that is my main 1/2" kit.
Heard lots of good stuff about Halfords Professional on my marque forum, so another vote for those, and waiting for a sale normally means you'll get a decent price.
Have complemented it all with one off purchases from Snap On, Sealey, Draper Expert etc and to be honest haven't been disappointed in anything. I'd advise in ensuring you get 6 point otherwise look for the deals and see what's what.
Heard lots of good stuff about Halfords Professional on my marque forum, so another vote for those, and waiting for a sale normally means you'll get a decent price.
Have complemented it all with one off purchases from Snap On, Sealey, Draper Expert etc and to be honest haven't been disappointed in anything. I'd advise in ensuring you get 6 point otherwise look for the deals and see what's what.
My core socket set is a 40 odd year old "Made in Japan" Draper set bought by my dad. Now supplemented with disparate bits and bobs added on as I've gone along.
Despite some occasional heavy use, I haven't had any real issues with any of it.
My most used set these days is probably my Draper 1/4" set - very handy in tight spaces.
Despite some occasional heavy use, I haven't had any real issues with any of it.
My most used set these days is probably my Draper 1/4" set - very handy in tight spaces.
Has anyone tried cheap ebay sets?
Curious how something like this holds up. 1 Year warranty, so if it instantly falls apart it can be returned, and can you really got wrong for £70?
Curious how something like this holds up. 1 Year warranty, so if it instantly falls apart it can be returned, and can you really got wrong for £70?
Strudul said:
Has anyone tried cheap ebay sets?
Curious how something like this holds up. 1 Year warranty, so if it instantly falls apart it can be returned, and can you really got wrong for £70?
I've not it may or may not be okay but my view is this. It's a lot of stuff, more than a tinkerer could possibly need, so as a tinkerer I'd buy what I wanted when I wanted it. If I was more serious I'd want decent kit and probably have most of it anyway. Curious how something like this holds up. 1 Year warranty, so if it instantly falls apart it can be returned, and can you really got wrong for £70?
Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff