Socket sets

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by embee

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.

Sorry, I seem to be in thicko mode tonight! As you refer to them, are "bi-hex" the multi-point type and "flank-drive" the hex shape type?

I do agree that it's the low quality of many OEM fasteners that causes most issues, especially if they've been overtightened or assembled dry and are a bit corroded.

[embee]

Yes, by bi-hex I mean 12 corner types. These drive just on the very corner of the fastener and so easily round them off.

Most hexagon type sockets are now designed with some relief at the corners and they actually drive somewhere along the flat of the fastener. With most of this type of design it's more or less impossible to round the fastener off.
If you think of the hexagon socket as having slightly curved faces which just touch at the mid point of the flat, then as you turn it and apply torque it presses into the flats well clear of the corners. It does put a lot of stress into the socket, but they are designed to stand it.

[yorkie_chris]

I don't like 12 point, the 6 point gives much better grip, if you want the best for rusty stuff then go for the flat drive ones that grip the flats not the corners of bolts.

My tools are a mixture but I like the britool and draper expert ones when I buy new.

Remember, you can never have too big a hammer.

Chris

[Viney]

Hammers come in 3 Grades

Fine
Medium
Coarse

My tool kit has been made up over years. It started with one of those cheap n nasty all in one tool boxes from a catolouge. All tools made from cheese (However i still have a couple of tools that didnt break) I then got a Draper socket set (The ratchets are weak) I then started to replace stuff over time. I have a Clarke pro 3/8 socket set (Long reach 6 piont sockets, 12pt short reach) a set of Metrinch combo spanners (Fantastic kit, wall drive) and various other stuff, facom screwdrivers etc and a clarke 3 drawer tool cabinet. All good. One of my fav tools is my old toyota wheel brace. Its never used as such but its a great pry bar. Its been used, hammered twisted and its still in one piece. I do need to get a decent ratchet. The clarke ones had it. It slips every now and again. I have some old 1/2 inch drive whitworth sockets somewhere (Old people will know what they are )

Had an old 12 point set myself but having had sockets slip on tight/rusty nuts when working on my car I wanted to get a quality Hex set for my bike.
Got myself 45pc 3/8 Sealey metric socket set, Flank drive hex, knurled, with 72 click ratchet. Very nice bit of kit from Justoffbase.co.uk

Also draper torque wrench.(invaluable)

Other tools I've picked up along the way (spanners, allan keys) when fixing the kids bikes.

[timwilky]

I have a right mix of stuff that I have acquired over the years. Feeling the need to invest in a new set of 1/2" drive socket earlier this year I could not justify my usual choice of snap on and Brittool for the occassional use I now give tools

I opted for a Sandvik Bahco 1/2 drive set. For about £70 it is a reasonable kit of 24 6 point sockets plus extensions and ratchet. and would probably buy more of their stuff in the future.

I would urge you to invest in both a 1/2 drive for the heavy stuff and a good 1/4 drive for messing about with light cheesy stuff

[Spanner Man]

Morning all.
You can't go wrong with Halfords pro, Draper expert, Sealey pro, Laser, or Clarke, for serious DIY use. AS mentioned, go for the professional range every time, for the cheapo ranges from the above sources really are just that.
Teng tools are a good investment for the wealthier types, my neighbour who spanners Ducatis swears by Teng tools, (rather than at them) A good place to get them from is; www.toolshack.co.uk Freephone; 0800 1613031.

The ultimate hand tools, such as; Snap on, or Koken are worth considering for certain things. Once you've used a Snap on ratcheting multi bit screwdriver ordinary ones seem like hard work! & Koken ratchets & socketry simply outclass everything else (including Snap on).

Rather than buying full sets one is better off just buying the sizes that one needs, enabling one to get better quality for a given outlay. For unless one is daft enough to own a BMW odd sizes such as 15, 16, & 18mm etc will lie forever gathering dust in ones toolbox!

As this seems to be a common thread, when I can find the time I shall compile a list of what I think the serious DIY'er requires.

A word of warning; Tools buying can become obsessive! When I look at what I have accumulated over the years & think of the money spent I wince!

Oh well; better go and polish my 4 Snap on torque wrenches, my large collection of air tools, my 60 odd Snap on spanners...Or shall I just go & play on my Lathe!

Cheers.

P.S. I should be careful about saying 'polishing ones tool' don't you think? MATRON PLEASE!

Personally I don't think you should go any bigger than a 3/8th drive set for a bike. The sockets become too bulky in some restricted areas. Obviously some sockets will be in 1/2" due to their size but just get an adaptor. A breaker bar is a good investment as it saves wear on the rachet. Also be aware that even a 3/8ths drive will strip threads on smaller bolts unless treated with care.

I've got a1/4" and 3/8" Teng sets. The 3/8"s set has just about every socket you need, even got one for the rear spindle nut (22mm). It cost around 50 quid IIRC



You can see the 10.12 17 mm sockets from the dirt.

[timwilky]

I suppose size depends on what sort of spannering you tend to do. I still do too much on cars and the occassional light truck etc. Hence why the majority of my stuff is 1/2 drive.

In saying that I have just adjusted the GSXR chain. The rear axle there is 36mm. I did not even have that in 1/2 and resorted to my 3/4 drive stuff. and torqued by "feel" as I haven't got a 3/4 torque wrech. 1/4, 1/2 and 1" drive torque wrenches but ony a 3/4 drive 36 mm socket. Doh.

I know at work we sometimes use equipment by Britool, and despite their name soiunding alot like brittle they are pretty good. I think they're quite cheap but not sure how you would go about getting them?