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socket sets

daniel mason - 14/1/10 at 10:47 PM

which size of drive and brand of socket set would you guys advise for my first build. already have a full set of spanners/bush spanners but need a socket set. nothing too spectacular and not too expensive, what are the most common sizes of sockets. i foun both bacho and draper 1/4" drive sets on ebay but max socket is 13mm(bacho) and 14mm(draper) are they big enough?

loggyboy - 14/1/10 at 10:52 PM

I bought this Halfords socket set donkeys years ago and its still going strong. Great to use in the cold as its plastic edged handle doesnt turn your hand icy.
I also have the 3/8 rachet which is also going strong.

I would also recommend a set of Hex sockets (ie ones which JUST have a bare hex grip, not a multi tooth grip) these are great for stuborn or slightly rounded nuts.

[Edited on 14/1/10 by loggyboy]

austin man - 14/1/10 at 10:53 PM

the majority of suspension bolts are 17 or 19mm. or 11/16 and 3/4 a 3/8 drive will do at a push but 1/2 drive is a lot sturdier. Halfords do quite a decent range for the home .

Sealey , Stanley, Hilka also do decent hobby sets

gazzarose - 14/1/10 at 10:54 PM

I havn't built a car (yet) but have done general car jobs, and I use a Halfords advanced set. They do a few, I've got the Ł200 on, but around Xmas they put them to half price so you've just missed it. But they do a few smaller ones. The one I've got has sockets up to I think 32mm as well as Imperial equivlents, as well as 8-19mm spanners, a few ratchet spanners, long reach sockets and 3 different ize ratchets, and some star sockets. Best bet would be to ry your local Halfords and see what you can afford. Also they're Pro and Advanced range have a life time warranty I think although I've never had to take anything back.

Gareth

This is the next one down from mine and its half price now, should be fine for most things,

Link
And some smaller sets are 1/2 price as well

link

If you've already got spanners, the 55 piece set looks good.

I'd also second the above post hat 1/2 is recommended, especially for undoing rusty nuts/bolts on the donor.

[Edited on 14/1/10 by gazzarose]

skodaman - 14/1/10 at 10:57 PM
3/8" and 1/2 drive sockets and 1/2" torque wrench unless you've got bike engine in which case a less crude torque wrench would be in order.
Main thing is avoid the really cheap stuff. I'd rather get good old stuff from a car boot than new cheap stuff.

GeorgeM - 14/1/10 at 11:03 PM
Halford Professional.

worth the little extra, if they break they change them.

Wait for the half price deals

daniel mason - 14/1/10 at 11:13 PM
thanks for taking time out to help guys.i have ordered a 1/2" set!

Peteff - 15/1/10 at 12:03 AM
quote:
Originally posted by daniel mason
thanks for taking time out to help guys.i have ordered a 1/2" set!

That's the way to go, they cover 10mm to 32mm usually and that's what you need. Keep an eye out for a bargain on ebay though, I bought a Bahco S87+7 set for Ł50 including postage and the retail for them is anything up to Ł280 They are Ł177 on toolbay.

designer - 15/1/10 at 12:10 AM
Halfords Professional are good.

But, this Machine Mart, set gives you enough of everything for a starter kit.

Clarke PRO153 - 27pce 1/4" Drive Socket & Socket Driver Set

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/pro153-27pce-38-drive-socket-socket-driv/path/socket-sets-sockets-tool-sets

Then, when funds allow, go to a 3/8 set.

wilkingj - 15/1/10 at 10:21 AM
Another Vote for Halfords Pro Range tools.
I have the combined 1/4 and 3/8th socket set.

Excellent quality. Lifetime Guarantee.

Word of Warning.... KEEP THE RECIEPT, as they wont honour the guarantee without it.
other than that, excellent.

If you buy a cheap socket set, then when bits wear out, and its usually the 10, 13, 17 sockets and the ratchet. Replace those bits with quality ones. The cheap sockets that dont get used much will last a good while due to lack of use.
This is what I do with my other tools.

ie you end up with good quality tools for everything you use a lot, and still have tools for the odd ocasion you need them.

TimEllershaw - 15/1/10 at 04:01 PM
some of the Halfords Pro ones are half-price at the moment : Ł109.99 down to Ł49.99 : Link

Rod Ends - 15/1/10 at 04:28 PM
The're not really half-price - Halfords just double the price for a few weeks, then reduce them to ...

HALF PRICE!!!!!!

britishtrident - 15/1/10 at 04:51 PM
You need 1/2" drive for stripping suspension.
3/8" is best for engine work on any engine built in the last 15 years.

Give Halfords sockets sets a wide berth especially the pro range flank drive.

If yo want the best buy Kamsa

daniel mason - 15/1/10 at 06:18 PM
i actually went for a bacho 1/2" set with 10mm - 30mm sockets. i hope they are ok!

Peteff - 16/1/10 at 12:18 AM
quote:
Originally posted by daniel mason
i actually went for a bacho 1/2" set with 10mm - 30mm sockets. i hope they are ok!

The quality is excellent, you have no worries there. Bahco is a reputable make with a good reputation.

FazerBob - 30/1/10 at 11:59 PM
I have been making a living out of fixing cars for too many years now (about 45 ish). For everyday use a 3/8 drive is the most versatile. Slim enough to get into awkward places, and strong enough to last.
I also have a Britool 1/2 inch drive set, with sockets from 10 to 33mm. When working on suspensions etc this set is invaluable. I have had the Britool set over 25 years and it's still going strong, and never had to replace a socket, even though I frequently use a long breaker bar with them.
Finally, the socket set I carry most places (on breakdowns etc) and also use most often in the garage, was a present from my two Sons about 15 -20 years ago. It's a Canadian brand called Metrinch. 3/8 drive, good solid ratchet, and specifically designed to fit both Metric and Imperial fixings. It also has a lifetime, written, guarantee. Mine gets used for probably 3 or 4 hours solid every day and so far I have had to replace 3 sockets - when I lost them somewhere.
Sorry - another 'finally' - regardless of which socket set you buy, always have a couple of ratchets. A fine tooth one - usually advertised as 72 tooth (or more). This will be able to move backwards to pick up the next tooth on the ratchet in areas with limited access. A coarse ratchet of about 45 teeth will take more heavy use, at the expense of needing to move more to pick up the next tooth.

Peteff - 31/1/10 at 10:00 AM
Another thing you will need is a long handled tommy bar with a swivel on the end. I got a cheap extending one from a market 18" to 36" ish. If something is really tight start it off before you try to use the ratchet on it, they are only going to take so much abuse.