Morning all,

I'm in need of new 1/4" and 1/2" ratchets. Got sockets coming out of my ears, but my old "Silverline" (Draper?) ratchets have given up.

I know of Snap On, Teng etc. brands, but they're not cheap.

Can any of you recommend brands or specific models to look for?

I have a set of ratchet spanners from Halfords - they're really good quality. I will admit I've not tried using them with a 1kg pursuader though, but that would potentially smash any spanner.

I thought the Halfrauds Provesional range were guaranteed for life, as long as you keep the receipt,
there can not be a better deal than that ?

steve

I gave up buying big name brands when my employees lost / broke tools, tried Bergen, from the cheapy tool van, been bloody good after many years

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Originally posted by blue2cv
I gave up buying big name brands when my employees lost / broke tools, tried Bergen, from the cheapy tool van, been bloody good after many years

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I would highly recommend the non professional halfords jobs (i've also seen them branded Teng)
They are square edged and plastic rimmed which means they give great purchase and never feel as cold as solid metal ones!
The 2 I have (3/8s and 1/2) have lasted 20years.

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/socket-sets/halfords-65-piece-socket-set-1-4-3-8
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/socket-sets/halfords-25-piece-socket-set-3-8
THere is also 30pc 1/2" set which for some reason isnt on the website but is in store as I saw it only a few days ago.

[Edited on 7-12-16 by loggyboy]

I have Halfords professional ones 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" been really good. I also have a 1/2" britool one which I've have for 25 years.

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Originally posted by steve m
I thought the Halfrauds Provesional range were guaranteed for life, as long as you keep the receipt,
there can not be a better deal than that ?

steve

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Originally posted by Slimy38

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Originally posted by steve m
I thought the Halfrauds Provesional range were guaranteed for life, as long as you keep the receipt,
there can not be a better deal than that ?

steve

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Not the ratchets, they're a specific exclusion. However, there are plenty of people who have had no problem in getting them replaced. I'm also quite impressed that Halfords stock the ratchet mechanisms fairly cheaply so even if they do go pop and are not replaced they can be serviced for a good price.

As an example;

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/sockets-accessories/halfords-ratchet-repair-kit-1-2-drive

Edit: Actually, I may be wrong, even on that page it says lifetime guarantee!!

[Edited on 7/12/16 by Slimy38]

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I recently renewed mine following a thread on the the Scannedanner forum.
Nearly all of the better quality tool brands sell ratchets made for them by the William Tool company of Taiwan. William Tool specialise in ratchets and do minor customisation to suit and offer options such as quick release as required.
So far I have identified that Laser, Predator, Neilsen, Pittsburgh Pro, AM-Pro, TopTul and Snap-on all sell ratchets made for them by William Tool, it would seem likely the same applies to Halfords

I have used 3/8" drive this type for about 8 years so bought a full set of 3 new ones about three weeks back This pattern with a gimbled swivel head is good much more stable than normal swivel head ratchets. Loads on ebay



The more expensive Laser Tools version has quick release



[Edited on 7/12/16 by britishtrident]

[Edited on 7/12/16 by britishtrident]

I'm also a halfords ratchet set owner.

Lifetime guarentee (even with no receipt)

I've took a few bits back now, mostly torque bits! and had them replaced with no hassle at all.
The case it all comes in is included in the guarentee too, which I got a new one of when the hinge broke.

The ratchets aren't included, but people have had them replaced previously.
They can also take a bit of a battering too.... Mine had stood up to all sorts!

They're on offer quite often and well worth the money I'd say

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-150-piece-socket-ratchet-spanner-set

They do a 90 piece and 200 piece one too, £75 and £175, but the 150 piece has everything you'd need I would say!

ebay link

1/4" 3/8" 1/2" Drive Flexi Swivel Head Twister Reverse Ratchet Rotating Head Set

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Originally posted by britishtrident
So far I have identified that Laser, Predator, Neilsen, Pittsburgh Pro, AM-Pro, TopTul and Snap-on all sell ratchets made for them by William Tool, it would seem likely the same applies to Halfords

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Originally posted by britishtrident
ebay link

1/4" 3/8" 1/2" Drive Flexi Swivel Head Twister Reverse Ratchet Rotating Head Set

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Have a look at the Kennedy professional range from Cromwell tools as they have a lifetime garuntee

Www.cromwell.co.uk

Bahco and Facom for me, shopped around and found sockets sets and ratchet spanners fairly cheap

someone has to say it pay a little extra and go snap on guarantee for life no fuss or exemptions

i will wait for the fireworks

My Draper has lasted 33 years so far, still going strong.

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Originally posted by rash12
someone has to say it pay a little extra and go snap on guarantee for life no fuss or exemptions

i will wait for the fireworks

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I have Snap-on and Halfords Pro. My Snap-on gear is slowly getting replaced with Halfords as Mr Snap-on always argues about exchanging tools! He tries everything he can to wriggle out of a claim and claims I've been misusing the tools. Whenever I bust the Halfords gear, I just turn up at a store and they swap it there and then. No arguments. Halfords gear may not feel as nice to fondle but it's a fraction of the price. As a trade card holder, the deals on Halfords branded tools and parts are great. But check because sometimes sale items are cheaper without the trade card!!

A lot of my MAC tools are slowly being replaced by Halfords stuff.

Some of the mac stuff is great and very well made though their spanners, particularly the small ones seem to be made by cadburys. Their Allen and torx bits are junk, and the ratchet has worn out in my 1/2". My Halfords 3/8" Allen bits have lasted twice as long as the MAC equivalents. Some of my MAC torx bits have actually twisted!

MAC 12 point 3/8" sockets have been replaced with Halfords ones due to the MACS losing their bite.

I am going to have a field day if I ever find a MAC van around these parts!

Probably sounds like I am slating MAC tools, I'm not really, some of the kit is unbreakable. 2 people hanging off my 1/2" breaker bar complete with 6 foot "extension"! I swore it was going to snap but no, it's still as perfect as the day it was bought.

10 tonne hydraulic puller, there is nothing that thing wouldn't shift, wish I hadn't sold it. Even used it to press bearings!

1/2" impact sockets have had absolute abuse with absolutely no signs of wear at all.

In essence, Halfords are hard to beat if you don't want to spend snap-on/MAC tools money.

Off to my local Halfords to have a look at the weekend.

Part of my problem is getting carried away and adding tools I don't really need to the basket

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Originally posted by nick205


Part of my problem is getting carried away and adding tools I don't really need to the basket

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Originally posted by nick205
Off to my local Halfords to have a look at the weekend.

Part of my problem is getting carried away and adding tools I don't really need to the basket

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^^^

Indeed, I think it's a male syndrome

Loggy - I follow your logic, but as I'm about to lose my garage I've got to make the most of what space I (might) have left

I had a 1/4" drive socket set bought for me for my birthday.
The ratchet was ratshit. I took it to bits and fettled it with a needle file and got some sort of smooth action eventually.


People seem to rave on about a lifetime guarantee but to me it means one of two things.
Either it will last a lifetime....... or........ they buy them for peanuts, and sell at a huge profit. If they have to give a few away
to people that keep receipts then they still make a bomb. As mine was a prezzy then I have no receipt.

I now keep it in the Seven boot and have replaced it with a Facom for the workshop.

Paul G

Up until a year or so ago I would have been saying for regular use at work go Facom everytime. But in the last 2 years I've had several bits fail including 2 ratchet mechanisms on relatively new ratchets. The previous ones lasted 15 years of abuse.

They have been replaced with halfords pro. Not quite as nice a ratchet feel as the facom but at half the price with lifetime warranty.

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Originally posted by 907
I had a 1/4" drive socket set bought for me for my birthday.
The ratchet was ratshit. I took it to bits and fettled it with a needle file and got some sort of smooth action eventually.


People seem to rave on about a lifetime guarantee but to me it means one of two things.
Either it will last a lifetime....... or........ they buy them for peanuts, and sell at a huge profit. If they have to give a few away
to people that keep receipts then they still make a bomb. As mine was a prezzy then I have no receipt.

I now keep it in the Seven boot and have replaced it with a Facom for the workshop.

Paul G

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