Is it just me, or are Halfords Pro socket sets a bit silly?

[miniyazz]

I bought the Halfords 150pc socket set recently and while using it today noticed something that seems remarkably silly.



I had a particularly tight 12mm bolt to undo, so I had two options - use the 6-sided socket or the 12-sided socket. Simple, use the 6-sided socket to reduce the chance of rounding off the bolt. I then discover that the 6-sided socket uses a 1/4" driver while the 12-sided uses a 3/8" driver (see red/green circles)

Why on earth do they give the socket intended for use with the greatest torque, a tiny driver? They only provide a screwdriver attachment and a tiny ratchet in that size!
And while we're on the topic, why do they only provide a breaker bar in 3/8" size? The only thing they provide in 1/2" size is a ratchet! Are we expected to have these things separately? (Not out of the question)

And the next question is, why don't they provide an adaptor to step up a 1/2" to a 3/4"? They have one the other way round (and I've already got a 1/4" to 3/8" - which I ended up using to undo the bolt) but don't seem to do one to step up to 3/4", which is a shame since I've got a lot of breaker bars in 3/4".

Rant over

 

[miniyazz]

12pt = fail

hope it came off though

It came off - but I was using the 6pt socket with an adaptor to 3/8" and then the equivalent of a 2' breaker bar, which seems like a ridiculous amount of torque to go through a tiny 1/4" driver? Surely I'm going to warp it doing that?

 

[miniyazz]

Alright thanks for the opinions, glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's silly!

Next question is, anyone have any recommendations on what to buy for a decent quality 1/2" to 3/4" socket adapter (preferably with a store presence and lifetime warranty)?
Most of what I find seems to be the other way round I need the female bit to be 3/4".

 

[miniyazz]

I over torqued it apparently. Which is true, and pretty much the only way you could break one aside from crushing it in a press, but there you go.

It may be true, but they don't specify a maximum torque on their adapter!

The Halfords Pro 12 sided sockets may be better but I just don't have as much confidence in them, I'd rather risk breaking the 1/4" to 3/8" adapter than rounding off the bolt. Having said that, if I broke the adapter I'd probably then try the 12 sided sockets as a measure of last resort in frustration

Why oh why do they give the 6 sided sockets a 1/4" and the 12 sided a 3/8", they're the same size sockets, it makes NO sense!


I've had a look at Machine Mart and they don't seem to do a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter either They must be out there somewhere by a reputable brand!

Edit: Or is it a case of, can't go too far wrong with these?

 

[miniyazz]

Lol, I got excited and bought a 3/4" set when I needed a 36mm socket

Total overkill but it gives me some real man metal which I think will come in handy with my more useful sockets...

 

[miniyazz]

Alright, bought that eBay kit. For just over a fiver, with a couple of smaller adapters as spares, can't go too far wrong.
No plans to use an air impact driver either, which it is supposedly up to handling, so should be fine