Recommend me a socket set!

ScoobyDoo69

ScoobyDoo69

ScoobyDoo69

Soldato
Joined
27 Aug 2003
Posts
9,831
Location
West Midlands
Hey all,

I'm after a good set of tools, currently I'm in the habit of borrowing my brother's or my Dad's socket set, but I have my own ratchet spanners, normal spanners, deep socket heads, screwdrivers and various other bits and bobs. But generally speaking I tend to wait to do work on the car until I have someone's socket set, which is silly given that I practically do everything on my own cars.

So spec me please. Looking for a high quality, diverse set. Ideally I don't want it to have things that I already have, but if it comes with space for them in the box, why not.

Price wise, say tops £150?
 
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Watching thread with interest; I'm same as the OP,always have to borrow tools off dad. birthday coming up in August, so time to get some ideas together :D
 
Clarkey said:
Not that great IMO, 12 point sockets = **** unless you like rounded off nuts and bolts.
Click to expand...

my opinion is the same. i wont buy halfords sockets unless i need 12pt or i want something sacrificial.

12pt is pointless and i dont understand why all the sheep flock to buy their gear

only 6pt for my tool box

a good 3/8 set plus breaker will get you through most jobs
 
12 point sockets are fine for most people working on newish cars doing simple low torque stuff but if you're likely to find yourself undoing some of the larger suspension bolts etc on something which is old enough for the fixings to have started rusting then 6 point is much better.

I bought a whole bunch of 6 point Sealey sockets on rails as well as ratchets and extensions. Total cost was maybe a little more than the big Halfords sets but I ended up with a huge range of 6 point sockets both regular and deep in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2"

One big advantage of this approach over getting a halfords set is that by combining different sockets, extensions and adapters I have loads of options for varying the distance between the bolt head and the ratchet which is invaluble when working in tight spaces.
 
Hmm. Thanks for the opinions so far. The Halfords one is one I was looking at but I too was concerned about the 12pt sockets.

Do they do anything with 6pt? Or are there any suggestions for some good 6pt ones from anywhere else? The one I borrow from my Dad is a 6pt but as always he doesn't recall where he bought it, but it's a great set and my brother's is actually the 150 piece one from Halfords... I'll probably pop into Halfords today for a look, but would like to know of good alternatives please.

:)
 
The 12pt sockets are fine mate. I weigh 16ish stone and I was jumping on one trying to remove a bolt.

They will only round off if it is not a snug fit, then therefor you shouldn't really be using it unless you want to risk rounding off the bolt or the socket.
 
I'll have to see what my socket set is when i get home, i thought it was Draper but can't find one that looks the same. They seem very good quality sockets, the best i've used.

I'll echo the 6 sided socket message too, ive never trusted 12 sided sockets as i've rounded off bolts with them in the past and thus far, have never had an issue with my 6 sided set.

Only problem i have is my set is pretty small 3/8 drive from 6mm only upto 22mm. I've just inherited a 1/2 drive set but yet to open it to even see if its 6 or 12 sided, let alone the quality of them.
 
While we're on the subject of tools, how great is the importance of a torque wrench when tightening up a brake caliper bolt? The torque rating is ~127, I'm thinking of buying a Silverline wrench for £20, but would prefer not to :p
 
i do. certain bolts do not need to be he man tight. rear calliper carrier bolts on on a golf only want 60nm but people insist on going mental on them, and being allen they always end up rounded
 
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