Looking for a good range socket set...

[ManxMatt34]

Looking for a tool kit socket set pretty much, containing stuff useful for bikes generally and obviously definetly for the sv's... i've got a k6 pointy....

Any advice where to go, what brands to buy.... or a specific link to a full kit very helpful. Cheers Matt.

[skeetly]

halford professional.
Best bang for your buck believe it or not...

edi: deleted the other one now :)

[Old Git]

halford professional.
Best bang for your buck believe it or not...

Like NY so good he named it twice:D

[maviczap]

Yep, had a halfords lifetime socket set for years, really good.

Although I do prefer sockets that grip on the face of the nut or bolt, not the corners, I've got a couple of these for emergency use. Can't recall the make though, but they're good quality too

[Dave20046]

Halfords ratchets are good, I have a clarke set from machine mart which is also good. If you buy a ratchet by one with like an oval head and a tab to knock directions as aposed to the roubd headed ones with a disk in the middle to change direction. this is generally speaking but they do tend to be cheaper made and break. I also buy sockets with 6 flats on rather than lots of teeth.

[ManxMatt34]

If you visit the Halfords site which would you realisticly recommend i've had a browse theres various sizes, also would it be considering something more than just a socket set... if anyone would have time or wouldn't mind, could you give me an idea.... http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?srch=halford+professional+socket+set&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

Hope this link works... cheers for the advice so far guys... atleast pointing me in the right direction :)

[Dave20046]

For allround use mate i'd get a 3/8inch set about 55 pieceish as that should cover all ya day to day shiz (regardless of model bike) then get a few SV specific size sockets.
Their sets are good but expensive. The only reason I didn't go halfords was the £25 price difference and I don't like the sort of sockets they use (as I said before). I'm perfectly happy with my clarke set from machine mart that cost £50 retail. Not sure if ya have one on the island but I'm sure they have an online shop. would also recommend a few allen key bits that you can fit into the 10mm socket. most common sizes are 4mm,5mm,6mm & IIRC it's 12mm for the SV's front wheel.

Infact for the same price as the halford set you could get a clarke 3/8inch set, a whole allen key set, and a breaker bar if you shop around.

[skeetly]

I snapped up the 150 piece big one on a 99.99 offer.
Its still worth the 139.99 I reckon. Last you forever that would so quite cheap really :)

Mine has a few torx bits in there as well.
The only other thing you might need for regulat stuff on a pointy is a 12mm allen key for the front wheel spindle. Maybe.

[mcsmarts]

aye halfords again mate they should have all the bits you should need

[CheGuevara]

I've got the Halfords large set as well -it's good but I paid I think £100 on sale, which I still thought was a bit steep (bought them when I moved here and was still comparing prices to home - £100 is about 3x what I'd have paid for something similar in Canada -should have shipped all my tools over :( ).

If you can get into Costco they have a similarly large set for £50 IIRC. Nice big stainless tool cabinets in there as well...

Costco set:

http://s.fatwallet.com/static/attachments/10392_e4c5_1.jpg

[ManxMatt34]

I've got the Halfords large set as well -it's good but I paid I think £100 on sale, which I still thought was a bit steep (bought them when I moved here and was still comparing prices to home - £100 is about 3x what I'd have paid for something similar in Canada -should have shipped all my tools over :( ).

If you can get into Costco they have a similarly large set for £50 IIRC. Nice big stainless tool cabinets in there as well...

Costco set:

http://s.fatwallet.com/static/attachments/10392_e4c5_1.jpg

I love costco's, my parents are both members, i will have to nip too the one i know... but i ain't got a card myself and i am never off when my parents are off as i work when they dont! :P but i'll see what i can wangle.

[CheGuevara]

I love costco's, my parents are both members, i will have to nip too the one i know... but i ain't got a card myself and i am never off when my parents are off as i work when they dont! :P but i'll see what i can wangle.

I had a membership at home and didn't realise they had stores over here when I immigrated, so didn't bring my card. I was kicking myself as it seems more difficult to get a membership here, but my wife recently started a gov't job so we joined up here. First time I went in it was a bit surreal - just like I'd stepped through a portal into a Costco back home as it was exactly the same.

If your parents are both members and they don't go seperately, they could probably name you on the 2nd free card, so you can go on your own. I did that in Canada for a while, as I didn't go often enough to warrant a membership of my own.

[jimmy4237]

Halfords do some good stuff, but if you want stuff that lasts, and a lifetime warranty, buy the Snap-On or Bluepoint stuff. It's expensive (I just got a 3/8 ratchet, 6" and 4 " extension, and a 3/8 breaker bar. The bill for those items was £85. Don't even start me on the price for deep metric hex sockets (Never use the multihex el cheapo sockets - they just screw up the heads of the bolts....)

Then again, I use the tools daily, and they've got to stand up to some serious abuse, so I buy the best I can afford.

Only buy the stuff you need, or use the most, anything else is just a waste, and will gather dust.. And a good tool cabinet is a must along with solvol, WD40, and coppaslip... the most commonly used stuff on a bike..

[timwilky]

Agree with Snap On if you need professional quality tools, most people don't. I have acquired most of my stuff loose as I need it.

However, the question is sets, I have a couple, they languish in a drawer to be pulled out when I get phone calls and have to take tools. I do not have an all encompassing set, but a 1/4" britool, 3/8" Teng, 1/2" Bahco, 3/4" Britool. plus specialist sets for torx, allen and impact drive etc fitting.

For best value (quality, price, functionality, usability) I would have to recommend Bahco. I bought them when not exactly flush and needed 6 point flank drive sockets. Best set I have ever bought. 2 people whose stuff I worked on were so impressed they bought similar Bahco stuff.

Then again I have paid over £100 for a 1/2" drive snap on ratchet.

[Viney]

Teng tools are not as expensive as Snap on but just as good quality IMHO. Another brand to throw into the mix is Calrke Pro. I have a set and used a lot, and still working happily after a few years. The set i have cost about £35 or there abouts.

I think in general i use the 10,12,13,14,15,17,22mm sockets and thats it. I use 3/8 size, and i also have a 1/4" drive set as well, again clarke pro. Thats never been out of the bix as i have a Draper pro handle and some cheap sockets 4-10mm that i use and a samll set of Hex bits. A 3/8 set of hex bits is handy as well.

[Bibio]

dont buy the sets. you will only be paying for stuff you will probably never use.

halfords:
3/8 drive
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24mm
ratchet 72 tooth
small torque wrench
large and small extensions
hex drivers set
spark plug socket 10mm
universal joint

spanners (combination)
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24mm

BTW ebay has some good deals on halfords stuff.

bits and pieces:
oil filter wrench (pliers type)
engineers pliers
feeler gauges
chain breaker/riveter

ebay: (optional)
swingarm removal tool
headstock nut tool
engine nut tools

ABBA stands:
sportsbike stand
swingarm removal adapter

wherever:
front paddock stand

should cover most jobs on a bike, if you need anything else then buy it as you go.

[7755matt]

Slightly old thread I know, but I went in to Halfords looking for some new tools and a new chest to sit on my roll cab.

Found this deal (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_17 3083_langId_-1_categoryId_165572?jspStoreDir=HalfordsConsumerDi rect&mpe_id=64865&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-07-09-WORKSHOP-R2-1-_-PRODCAT_ESPOTRIGHT_165532-_-07-09-WORKSHOP-R2-1&catalogId=10151&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=127000&langId=-1&storeId=10001&ddkey=ClickInfo)which is a 150 piece ratchet/spanner set with a nice solid 7 drawer chest for £199

I've already got the same chest up at the farm and it cost me £150 on its own a couple fo years ago. Comes with roller bearing drawers and srawer liners. Nice box.

Tool kit covers most things, 1/4" 3/8 AND 1/2" decent set of spanners, torx, allen etc. And considering the chest, £50 for a semi decent socket sets not bad, I believe halfords do a life time guarantee too

[fastdruid]

Halfords do some good stuff, but if you want stuff that lasts, and a lifetime warranty, buy the Snap-On or Bluepoint stuff. It's expensive (I just got a 3/8 ratchet, 6" and 4 " extension, and a 3/8 breaker bar. The bill for those items was £85. Don't even start me on the price for deep metric hex sockets (Never use the multihex el cheapo sockets - they just screw up the heads of the bolts....)

Then again, I use the tools daily, and they've got to stand up to some serious abuse, so I buy the best I can afford.

Only buy the stuff you need, or use the most, anything else is just a waste, and will gather dust.. And a good tool cabinet is a must along with solvol, WD40, and coppaslip... the most commonly used stuff on a bike..

Er

a) Halfords professional has a lifetime warranty
b) My set is 16 years old, in that time I've had one 3/8 ratchet replaced[1], one 17mm spanner and one 3/8 to 1/4 adapter.
c) Plus Gas is what you want not WD40 (WD40 lives under the seat for emergencies).

Druid

[1] The ratchet mechanism wore out, normally ratchets are excluded as you can get the repair kit but unfortunately they'd redesigned the ratchet so rather than get the repair kit ordered they just swapped the ratchet.

[ManxMatt34]

Gonna consider that Halfords one 7755 Matt said about, especially with that lifetime warranty, i hope they deliver to the Isle of Man as we don't have a Halfords here.

[7755matt]

I'll deliver it for the cost of the set, diesel, ferry (car and trailer) plus beer :P

[yorkie_chris]

solvol, WD40, and coppaslip... the most commonly used stuff on a bike..

solvol why the devil is that anything to do with maintenence unless you are polishing scoring off cams or other bodgery? :-P


WD40 is the devil, it is great at displacing water (what it says on the tin). But it is not the solution for everything as some people use it! Duck oil is good penetrant spray.

I would add a tin of LM grease and reckon this is most important.

[Dave20046]

Agree with chris - I use Wurth equivelent WD 40, white grease may also come in handy

[aarond]

im using sealey proffesional tools not as expensive as teng or snap on and again come with lifetime guarantee... only thing broke so far is torx/allan bit adapter to 3/8 drive and got a new one easy enough

[JamesMio]

Sealey's good kit, I keep trying to talk our work into ditching the Draper crap we stock for something like Sealey or Teng (I might actually be inclined to buy some of it then!)

Incidentally, Draper Expert stuff is actually Ok, and Elora, which is also sold by Draper is very good kit.

[Dave20046]

My draper stuff aquired surface rust, fast.

Then again, £15 for a full allen key sockety thing set wasn't bad. Works fine just looks 10 years old as a posed to 1. Compressor is sealey...seems ok.

[yorkie_chris]

I've got a draper expert allen socket set, it's had some hammer and is still fine.

Also the double-torx bits are great for battering into rusted-out hex heads.

[Owenski]

Did you sort out a socket set manxx?

[ManxMatt34]

Did you sort out a socket set manxx?

Not yet Matt, my money situation changes week by weeek, last week i spent my socket set money on 6 nights in the pub. I have a car bill to pay this week, next weeks money is mine though.

I even have a free micron? paddock stand if i want it from one of me mate, abit of a crap one but does hold the bike up safely. So might rob that.

[Owenski]

Im going to Rufforth (sort of a motorbike carboot/market) on Saturday, I picked up a brand new socket set there last month for £35 I think its un-branded but its a bloody good one if you want I can see if they have any for you this week.

PM me your mobile fella and while Im there I'll give you a bell let you know if anything looks worth while.

[arcdef]

I have one of the big halfords sets and although good, as soon as you come across a seized bolt you can be certain it will start to round it. The Draper ones apparently don't do this, or just get some decent 6 pt sockets. Otherwise halfords is pretty good.

[Bluefish]

so are the halfords pro not six pointed sockets?

[Dave20046]

No (or my rail of them isn't)
might have said on this thread I've had a (50pc?) 3/8" clarke ratchet set with deep and normal 6 point sockets in all the common sizes (both metric and imperial) for a few years now. Cost circa £40 maybe knocking on for £50. from machine mart,.

[barwel1992]

so are the halfords pro not six pointed sockets?

some are some arnt on my big set (3 ratchet set)

[Cyclops]

Halfords professional is good kit, especially if you get it when its on sale.
If this out of your price range got this set from Sealey.(also life time warranty)
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Socket-Set-45pc-3-8Sq-Drive-Metric-Imperial-Sealey-AK692
Really happy with these, added a torque wrench and a good breaker bar and I was sorted.

[rictus01]

another set worth a look are the teng (http://www.teng.co.uk/tengtools_1_tools1.asp) stuff, I have the big 150 piece Halfords pro, but also have this (http://www.teng.co.uk/mr3824-teng-tools-24-pce-3-or-8-inches-drive-mini-rosso-hanging-set_803_pd.asp) as a good go anywhere kit.

Cheers Mark.