Socket sets

i have a metri inch socket / spanner set that i got 16yr would still be in great nick if i hadnt been in the habit of leaving it out in the rain when i was young and didnt know any better.

So this Halfords set seems like a good investment.

Im also contemplating the Draper sets. How much would a set cost me and from where? I suppose its best to go for 1/2's and 3/4's just so I have got the right tools for each job.

I've got to get them this weekend as I have had enough of chocolate tools!

Personally I really like Halfords Professional tools and if at all possible for a given tool, I'll buy the halfords pro one, unless it's really rarely used.

[northwind]

As a general rule, if a shop has 2 ranges, the cheaper one will be utter rubbish Halfords stuff is decent but they're sadly afflicted with 12-point sockets, which is just daft. I got my current sets from Machine Mart, got one of their more basic sets and then added other sockets by the rail. I've got an assortment of Teng stuff now which is lovely, but really not much better than the Clarke stuff and about twice as expensive.

Draper's quite variable, it's hard to tell which of their stuff is decent and which is junk...

dad got me a draper set when i was 18, i am now 35 and still using it. quality.

Originally Posted by mister c

Draper expert stuff is the dogs danglies.

thats what i have.

[embee]

When thinking of the price, just bear in mind that good quality tools will not only be much nicer to use, be less likely to damage what you're working on, but will genuinely last you a lifetime.

I have some tools which belonged to my grandfathers and even great-grandfathers, and are in perfectly usable condition.

My dad bought me an Elora socket set when I got my O-levels some 35yrs ago, and they are near perfect.

Don't scrimp on a few ££'s, you won't regret it.

I have some Teng, Facom, and Britool sockets all of which are top quality.

Get hex drive sockets (i.e. not 12 point types), 3/8" is a nice do-it-all size but you'll want 1/2" for bigger stuff.

The Halfords Pro range gets such good reviews you can't really go wrong and it's very convenient to pop in there.

If you fancy Britool etc, have a look at the special-offer section here
http://www.primetools.co.uk/index.php?page=home

There are some good deal usually on spanners. Get "normal" length combination (ring one end, open the other) spanners with a slight offset (usually the ring ends have a slight angle, maybe 15deg) which makes access easier. They often do selected sets with the most uncommon sizes left out. You'll definitely need 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, (15), 17, 19. Other sizes are optional.

[Supervox]

I personally wouldn't (didn't) buy a 'set'.

Find out from your manual which sockets you actually need & buy a bar that covers the majority of the sizes - any 'odd' ones you can buy separately - along with other bits like T-bars, Torx Hex bolts etc.

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by embee

When thinking of the price, just bear in mind that good quality tools will not only be much nicer to use, be less likely to damage what you're working on, but will genuinely last you a lifetime.

I agree - this way you only ever need to buy a particular tool once.

Originally Posted by embee

Get hex drive sockets (i.e. not 12 point types)

I'm gonna ask the obvious question though: Why are 12 point types such a bad idea? I have some quality sockets that are multi point types - they used to be my dad's, they are still in excellent nick and I've never damaged a fixing any more than with any other tool I've used, so I can't see it's such a big issue if you buy quality. I genuinely don't know the answer to this, so I'd be interested to learn.

[embee]

Originally Posted by Ruffy

... Why are 12 point types such a bad idea? I have some quality sockets that are multi point types - they used to be my dad's, they are still in excellent nick and I've never damaged a fixing any more than with any other tool I've used, so I can't see it's such a big issue if you buy quality. I genuinely don't know the answer to this, so I'd be interested to learn.

You're right, good bi-hex on good condition fasteners work fine. It's just that starting from scratch, if you're going to buy sockets, you get more reliable operation on iffy fasteners, far less likely to round off the corners especially on the cheese variety used by most bike manufacturers. Also if fasteners have already been rounded by a badly fitting bi-hex socket, chances are you'll still be able to undo them with a good flank-drive ("OGV" etc) hex type. Most tool manufacturers have their own trade name for a particular design of socket that drives on the flats rather than the corners.

The only time you'll usually need bi-hex is for things like con-rod bolts or aero stuff etc.