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firstborn

firstborn

firstborn

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
3,600
Location
Nottingham
So... I have few things I want to do and feeling flush I want to replace my inadequate/ageing collection of sockets and ratchets.

I'm looking at Halfords stuff: Tools chest, top box and their modular sockets sets (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2") to drop in the box. I have most other stuff but sockets and ratchets have seen better days.

I'm happy having looked at the Industrial range tool storage stuff, when it's on offer. However, the socket sets seem too cheap... are there better to be had even if paying a little more?

Any comments on the quality of the above?
 
The Halfords Professional range is excellent, great quality and any broken sockets or spanners will get replaced for life.
 
+3 for Halfords..

Back in the days of working at the main dealer I bought nothing but Snap On. Halfords is the first place I go to my automotive tools.
 
This is a good buy IMO

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...onal-4-drawer-intermediate-ball-bearing-chest

The halfords toolkits are good value and often on sale. Might be worth hanging on until christmas if you can, as the sale price varies. Eg the £350 200 piece set is half price at the moment at £175, but has been available even more cheaply.

Keep an eye on hotukdeals - http://www.hotukdeals.com/search?action=search&keywords=halfords+socket+set

The Bahco socket sets might be worth a look too.
 
Halfords Pro here as well.

Wait until Black Friday, nabbed their top kit for £100 last year. Also picked up some jack stands at a good price as well.
 
Halfords stuff is rarely full price, they are like the DFS of the car world! Great tools.
 
jellybeard999 said:
This is a good buy IMO

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...onal-4-drawer-intermediate-ball-bearing-chest

The halfords toolkits are good value and often on sale. Might be worth hanging on until christmas if you can, as the sale price varies. Eg the £350 200 piece set is half price at the moment at £175, but has been available even more cheaply.

Keep an eye on hotukdeals - http://www.hotukdeals.com/search?action=search&keywords=halfords+socket+set

The Bahco socket sets might be worth a look too.
Click to expand...

Much better

I've got one of those and it easily matches my SuperlinePro Topchest.
 
Owwwwa. I wish I had a double garage so I could have tool chests :(

But yeh, the Halfords tool range is very good. Had mine about 5 years now and the only thing which has broken is the little magnet strip in the screwdriver bit.

Not bad!
 
amigafan2003 said:
Much better

I've got one of those and it easily matches my SuperlinePro Topchest.
Click to expand...

My dad has the 4 drawer and it seems ideal for home use to me. Drawers still run smoothly after owning it for several years. I've checked the industrial range and they do seem nicer, but not enough to warrant twice the price IMO. They drawers are larger and deeper though, if that sways you. Don't think you can go wrong with either tbh.

agw_01 said:
What about this?

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/storage/tool-chests-cabinets/halfords-8-drawer-tool-centre

Was eyeing it up when I was in store on Sunday.

Another +1 for Halfords tools here. I've bought separate sets of spanners, sockets and rachets over the years and bought one of the large 150 piece sets last year to compliment them. No complaints here.
Click to expand...

This however is just tat. They're smaller than you'd think and the display model in my local store is rickety and feels like it'll fall apart... that's before you put several KG of tools in it. The offers on the separate rollcab and chests are worth waiting for if you want a larger cabinet IMO. Definitely worth the extra.
 
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+4 for Halfords Pro toolsets and Halfords Industrial cabinets... but only when on half price sale.
 
Can't fault the halfords tools EXCEPT... the lack of six sided sockets in their bigger kits. A few times now I've had to go to my inferior kits to get a six sided socket when the halfords 18 point has immediately started to round whatever I'm trying to undo.

They do some (think they only do upto 13mm in the pro kit, not sure though) but larger stuff like 15-30mm just immediately rounds whatever resistance they find.

I've never seen an 18 sided bolt on a car yet either so not sure why theyre really necessary. we pretty much only use 6 sided at work with infinitely less space than on a car and never get issues.
 
My vote goes to Clark Pro tools, Machine Mart sell them. They make nice solid 6 sided sockets.

Bought all mine as separates, don't think I'll ever need imperial sockets.
 
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The largest halfords set will cover the majority of the jobs you will do at home so definitely worth it. Find a friend with a trade card to get a better price too.
 
Have the biggest halfords pro set and that seems to cover most things. Can't fault them really but always wait for the offers.

Only once I had to get a specific sized inverted torx bit that wasn't in the kit but other than that, it's had everything I needed.

Also get a decent torque wrench.
 
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