Socket sets.

  • Thread starter Thread starter DM
  • Start date Start date
Its the size of the connection on the wrench. Bigger can take more torque smaller tend to be able to get into smaller spaces.

The Halfords pro stuff is good quality, but a socket set with that many pieces is going to be somewhat limited.
 
You get 3 sizes of socket sets as standard - 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive (you also get 3/4" and 1" drive sets, but only really seen in heavy industry) - the size refers to the size of the square-drive.

1/4" tends to be for smaller sizes (4mm - 13mm), 3/8" from 8-19mm, and 1/2" drive sets go from 10mm right up to 40+mm. Needless to say, the bigger the drive, the more torque you can put through it. Fore general car use, 3/8" drive sets are fine, although for some of the more stubborn nuts (and larger things like hub nuts) you really need 1/2" drive gear...
 
The guys above me pretty much summed it up :).

The set you linked is a bit limited - Only goes down to 9mm which could be annoying, and only one very short extension.
 
Im never going to use it, i just cant bear not using the tenner voucher :)

Thanks for the advice chaps.
 
Given your diy ability, are more tools really what you need? Get some under car lights for the bentley or something :D
 
If you want to spend it on something shiny that will be genuinely useful, get yourself a 1/4 breaker bar with the voucher. Keep it in the back of the car and it will make wheel changes a lot less hassle than the conventional kit. Also useful if you ever find yourself in a position where you are having to defend yourself (not that I am recommending it for that purpose).
 
Concrete said:
If you want to spend it on something shiny that will be genuinely useful, get yourself a 1/4 breaker bar with the voucher. Keep it in the back of the car and it will make wheel changes a lot less hassle than the conventional kit. Also useful if you ever find yourself in a position where you are having to defend yourself (not that I am recommending it for that purpose).
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I have a confession to make, when i get a puncture i ring the RAC, i know fail :(

On the upside im not too bad at having a fight, and iv got a big maglight torch in the car :)
 
As for the rest of you, she can clean her own black car, and im doing my best with the DIY!!! :D
 
Joshy said:
In my books it is a lot less annoying than waiting hours upon hours for a recovery truck to turn up.
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That used to be the case, most times they are with you in 40 minutes now :)

It would take me that long to change the wheel!
 
If you get into a fight, a maglite would be less ...nasty than a 24" breaker bar :p ...I've got a telescopic one in my boot which is fairly nifty although less solid than a 'solid' one :p ...to be fair though my 1/2" torque wrench would probably be the best weapon in a pinch, it's like a mace as it is.

I wasn't very practical with cars either, although I have learnt a lot with the E39. And gained a lot of tools I probably wont really make full use of, but the way I see it ...they'll last a lifetime anyway, or near enough so I'm sure they will all see plenty of use at some point. I actually like taking stuff appart though.

I have 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive socket sets but all in all I think the most useful one is the 3/8" ....as to an extent it can do the less extreme jobs of both the other sizes. Where you do need a 1/2" drive though is for wheel bolts and hubs and such, as putting that kind of torque through a 3/8" is asking for it to break.
 
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