socket sets

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:26 pm

OK, i was thinking about getting a half decent socket set as at the moment ive got loose sockets of all shapes and sizes.

Ive seen a few and am looking to spend no more than about Â£40. These two looked half decent - anyone had an experience with either make? The clarke one comes with a lifetime guarantee and i think they are all six sided.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... -tool-sets

and also

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ryrn_76863

The only one problem with the halfords one is it only goes up to 14mm for some reason.

420gazza · Post by **420gazza** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:32 pm

either are good quality mate but i'd go with the clarke set purely due to the fact the go to a 19mm. you'd be surprised how many nuts and bolts are 15mm and upwards

Squaddiemodo · Post by **Squaddiemodo** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:48 pm

agreed, some good quality spanners and odd size sockets are worth purchasing as well

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 3:30 pm

tbh, if your planning a lot of jobs, i would save up for the hundred quid halford set.

you get all the ratchets, lenghts, extensions, and it really helps on those awkward jobs, as you can use odd combinations. it has everything from 6mm upwards, i hardly need anything to suppliment the halfords 150pc kit, other than a few screwdrivers, pliers, hammer etc...

mike50001 · Post by **mike50001** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 3:58 pm

id spend that bit more on the halfords 100 quid set too.

there great, an things are there to do most jobs you'll want to do.

an if you manage to break one , just nip in an they change it no having to send them away or anything

Post by **Punx0r** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 6:31 pm

Whatever you get I'd make sure it's 6-sided. It's less important above about 17mm, but for the smaller bolts it's essential. I had quite a job finding a simple socket set in 6-sided, everything was multi-point except for deep reach and impact sockets.

victor3 · Post by **victor3** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 6:37 pm

I'd buy sets on rails rather than in a box.

1/4-inch in 4.5mm to 14mm, 3/8-inch in 8mm to 22mm and 1/2-inch between 17mm and above as required.

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:27 pm

I did just see some rails in halford victor, but they seemed a bit naff. Im not sure im going to go as high as a ton for the set mind.

I did see some sets in halfords and they all were just the normal sockets. On the plus side again for the clarke set they have deep sockets too for about Â£40.

Theres a machine mart round the corner, going to have a quick look tomorrow

rover220 · Post by **rover220** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:02 pm

as far as tools go, buy cheap - buy twice.

dont skimp because you will regret it when you need good tools most.

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:11 pm

I know what you mean. Ive got a few good sockets, but not a set (theyre draper pro).

Always seems like im missing the exact one i need when i do a job.

just would be nice to get a full set and not have to hunt for things.

victor3 · Post by **victor3** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:26 pm

Also with the Halfrauds one, sockets can be replaced individually in most cases.

Other thing is that Halfrauds seem to have a better 'exchange if faulty' policy that Machine Mart. I bought a trolley jack from MM which broke a wheel bolt after 2 months. Ba5tards refused to exchange it but insisted that it be sent off for 'checking'. I eventually repaired it myself and swore never to go there again!!

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:29 pm

Always feel like ive been raped when i pay for something in halfords

rover220 · Post by **rover220** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:32 pm

lsa wrote:Always feel like ive been raped when i pay for something in halfords

and its people with views like that, that lose in the end.

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:43 pm

rover220 wrote:
lsa wrote:Always feel like ive been raped when i pay for something in halfords
and its people with views like that, that lose in the end.

Eh? Im on about the prices. no need to get pissy about it.

chr15e · Post by **chr15e** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:44 pm

All depends what sort of work you're doing really. That Halfords set is only 1/4 drive. Only good for light jobs really.

I don't spend piles of cash on socket sets. Don't doubt you get what you pay for but in my experience it's people using the wrong stuff in the first place that damages them.

I've bought a few of these over the years. Not broken a socket or ratchet yet. Got a couple of 3/8"'s sets from Argos as well for about a tenner each. Don't do them now mind.

Just my two pence.

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:49 pm

Yeah i see what you mean - and when you get to the rusted bolts, changing about suspension arms etc ill probably need the larger drive.

I dont think id go for the argos ones - i just want one set that can last me a long time rather than chopping and changing. Think ill go take a shufty in machine mart in the morning, hopefully they will have some on display.

Post by **Punx0r** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:02 pm

When I looked in machine mart I wasn't impressed with the choice. You don't have to pay a lot for good hobbyiest tools: Draper, Laser, Sealey are all fine.

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:14 pm

Can you recommend anywhere else other than machine mart and halfords?

Im considering just getting a rail of sockets and some separate handles/extensions from halfords to be honest.

sharky · Post by **sharky** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:18 pm

agreed about sockets on rails. i prefer them.

also, although having both is handy, i'd rather use 6 sided sockets than 12 sided.

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:19 pm

Id rather have six sided sockets but sometimes find it hard to get some - i have seen some laser ones however then were silly sizes, like 4mm to 14mm. Im after up to, at least, 20mm.

Ive got some outsized ones already should it come to the crunch.

sharky · Post by **sharky** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:33 pm

most of the time i end up using 6 sided sockets for the air tools.

we've got this set.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... mpact-sock

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:53 pm

I like that. Does it matter if i were to get that set and just use a normal ratchet handle? Or ar air tools special fitments>?

sharky · Post by **sharky** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:30 am

they work fine with normal ratchets/handles... thats what i use them with.

that particular impact set is cheaper at screwfix i think

victor3 · Post by **victor3** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:51 am

lsa wrote:Can you recommend anywhere else other than machine mart and halfords?

Camberley Auto Factors do a nice range of Laser stuff. Laser is a good range that I consider to be half a place up from Clarke and Halfrauds, but they can be a tad pricey.

Ozz · Post by **Ozz** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:18 am

Ive been to the Plymouth machine mart - they do a good set for under Â£20, Sealy iirc, with ratchet and extension, 3/4" drive, metric and imperial sockets - 6 sided sockets too, bargain!!

edit - not Sealy after all - but these:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... -tool-sets

618ireland · Post by **618ireland** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:34 am

victor3 wrote:
lsa wrote:Can you recommend anywhere else other than machine mart and halfords?
Camberley Auto Factors do a nice range of Laser stuff. Laser is a good range that I consider to be half a place up from Clarke and Halfrauds, but they can be a tad pricey.

Indeed, I worked part time in a motor factors for about 5 years, we sold draper and laser and CK. The Laser stuff was very popular and well regarded.

420gazza · Post by **420gazza** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:15 am

618ireland wrote:
victor3 wrote:
lsa wrote:Can you recommend anywhere else other than machine mart and halfords?
Camberley Auto Factors do a nice range of Laser stuff. Laser is a good range that I consider to be half a place up from Clarke and Halfrauds, but they can be a tad pricey.
Indeed, I worked part time in a motor factors for about 5 years, we sold draper and laser and CK. The Laser stuff was very popular and well regarded.

i've managed 2 snap loads of laser tools, spanners, sockets etc and i find the ratchets break easy too.

or am i just heavy handed

Post by **Cableguy** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:21 am

chr15e wrote:
I've bought a few of these over the years. Not broken a socket or ratchet yet.

Just my two pence.

Your not trying hard enough then , the challenge crap does litterally snaps if you stare at it funny.

sharky · Post by **sharky** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:21 am

i've broke a few clarke ratchets, they feel/look pretty sturdy, but cant take much abuse.

nothing wrong with the sockets though.

halfords ratchets are probably the best i've used for the price.

chr15e · Post by **chr15e** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:53 pm

Cableguy wrote:
chr15e wrote:
I've bought a few of these over the years. Not broken a socket or ratchet yet.

Just my two pence.
Your not trying hard enough then , the challenge crap does litterally snaps if you stare at it funny.

Maybe you're trying too hard?

I can only go by my experience. I've had about 5 of these sets now. Lost 3 sets when my garage was broken into last Christmas before you wonder why.

Maybe other sets they make are poorer I don't know but I wouldn't spend more than these cost. Very reliable for me.

PJW · Post by **PJW** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:57 pm

Just went over, lots there but quite significant differences between the larger sets. It seems that in the next set up from the one ive just bought :

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... -tool-sets

The only things making up the additional 20 pieces was 1/4" sockets and a ratchet handle, which seemed a bit pointless to me.

The above set seemed perfect, got torx bits, metric and imperial and a decent price

618ireland · Post by **618ireland** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:29 pm

I bought the 120 piece Halfords set today Â£100/â‚¬150, should do me for the rest of my days what with the lifetime guarantee. Loads of bits there I may never use but better safe than sorry.

Also got a very nice set of car mats for â‚¬22.50 (about Â£15). They were half price, rubber and material. Almost an exact colour match to the 400 carpet. Well happy

crafty_carper · Post by **crafty_carper** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:27 pm

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Socket-Set ... tegory=629

thats the 1 i have got...absolutely brilliant for the money!!

dreaddan · Post by **dreaddan** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:27 pm

fwiw
"Halfords professional toolchest, buy 1 get more expensive one free !!"

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/130203/h ... deals/hot/

Toblerone · Post by **Toblerone** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:34 pm

I've used a cheapish Halfords set for years now (modest use)

The only thing I worry about is the adaptor to use the smaller sockets - it seems like a weak link, and i've broken them on other sets before.