Need a new socket set: Halfords Pro or ?

Scottland · 14 Apr 2014 at 23:03

Hi,

I've got a cheapy socket set that needs replacing (quite a few sockets have either broke or been lost) and I have birthday coming up so seems a good excuse to pick up something better.

Lots of people seem to recommend the Halfords Pro stuff, but the 150/170 piece kit seems to mainly have 12sided sockets and I'd rather 6 sided. I could easily pick up a small set of 6 sided sockets on top though...

Looking around, MachineMart do 'Clarke' branded stuff with a "Lifetime warranty" at a decent price - anyone much experience with it?
There's a few Sealey kit's knocking around for £50-100 as well.

Suggestions? I like the idea of the Halfords kit as it's only round the corner if I break something - but a bit of a waste if I don't end up using half the stuff...

Thoughts appreciated

kaiowas · 14 Apr 2014 at 23:24

I bought a load of Sealey walldrive stuff separately a few years back, primarily because I wanted 6 point but also because I'm a bit of a completionist who wanted all options covered plus the plastic cases with a 'set' are a bit restrictive when you want to add to it. It's all holding up pretty well nothing damaged although I got the coloured sockets and a lot of them are pretty scratched up now (and the colour coding isn't consistent across the different rails which is frustrating at first but you soon learn which socket is which)

I just bought the following:
Ratchets - 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2"
Sockets - rails of standard and deep sockets in all 3 drive sizes
Extensions - set of 7 including different lengths for all 3 sizes

Worked out a little more expensive than the Halfords sets but I've got great flexibility and more options for those tricky occasions where access is tight and you need the length of the socket to be just right

Ant84 · 15 Apr 2014 at 00:58

There are plenty of 6 point sockets in my Halfords 150pc set. Well, plenty for a non-professional like me.

Too Tall · 15 Apr 2014 at 01:34

The Halfords Advanced/Professional stuff is decent. It's usually on offer (I think it is at the moment. I've been eying one up myself, more want than need as I have a socket set but its not in a neat box like that.

JonnyGeee · 15 Apr 2014 at 02:25

Snap on

Britool/Facom

Depends on what you use it for tbh.

EssexBoy · 15 Apr 2014 at 03:22

I have their 120 set which i got cheap and it is nice and more than adequate for motor repairs.Bahco are also good

Scottland · 15 Apr 2014 at 09:43

Oh, don't get me wrong I'm not exactly a pro and I know the Halfords stuff is decent I just begrudge paying for it if I don't use the 12 sided sockets at all.

The sealey colour coded sockets are a neat idea - not sure how worth while though.

I can get a Sealey 3/8 and 1/2 set for £90 which seems decent and only has stuff I'll actually use. Pricing up socket rails and ratchets separately, this seems better value.

lemonade · 15 Apr 2014 at 11:30

I've got Sealy, Clarke and Draper Pro stuff, and all three nice equipment for the money.

task · 15 Apr 2014 at 12:06

I've been using the Halfords stuff for years, any parts that do break get replaced FOC.

The tools have a nice feel and last well when used in anger!

Mr.Nick · 15 Apr 2014 at 13:24

Halfords proffesional is pretty good, I have 1/4 and 3/8ths set at work and it's brilliant. I also have a bahco 1/2 set 6 point and it's great too

Clarke stuff isn't bad either.

Joe T · 15 Apr 2014 at 14:01

I have Sealey wall-drive stuff. It's not had a lot of use though...

bledd · 15 Apr 2014 at 14:03

I spent about £120 on Clarke PRO tools, they're nice and solid. 6 sided sockets = win.

Can't really go wrong with them.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/s...nd/clarke/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1

I didn't bother getting any imperial sockets, I bought socket rails in 1/4 and 3/8, and polypropylene ratchets from here http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/s...renches-2/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1

Also bought this 1/2" set http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/pro155-19pce-1-2-drive-socket-set (and a single 21mm socket, oddly, it doesn't have one in the set).

--

Bought a set of wobble bars and some straight extensions (non Clarke).

Plus this 1/2" torque wrench

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht141-1-2in-drive-torque-wrench

--

Also bought a pair of small tool chests for them.

Served me well

ttaskmaster · 15 Apr 2014 at 14:08

I got the Adv/Pro 64 piece and that's done me (and several friends) fine for a number of years. Plenty of 6-point sockets in that one.

Scottland · 15 Apr 2014 at 15:21

bledd. said:
I spent about £120 on Clarke PRO tools, they're nice and solid. 6 sided sockets = win.

Can't really go wrong with them.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/s...nd/clarke/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1

I didn't bother getting any imperial sockets, I bought socket rails in 1/4 and 3/8, and polypropylene ratchets from here http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/s...renches-2/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1

Also bought this 1/2" set http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/pro155-19pce-1-2-drive-socket-set (and a single 21mm socket, oddly, it doesn't have one in the set).

--

Bought a set of wobble bars and some straight extensions (non Clarke).

Plus this 1/2" torque wrench

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht141-1-2in-drive-torque-wrench

--

Also bought a pair of small tool chests for them.

Served me well

I've been looking at that stuff, seems cheaper than Sealey and around the same price as Halfords.

agnes · 15 Apr 2014 at 15:26

Having moved house and now only having a small cardboard box of odds and ends in terms of tools... Something like this appeals to me as I was also looking at the halfords pro stuff as I once had a full set and loved it!

However, the above is not much more and seems to have a LOT more which will not only help with basic motor DIY but also house jobs.

Thoughts?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht548-300pce-home-garage-repair-kit

bledd · 15 Apr 2014 at 15:57

If they exist, I'd be looking at a metric only chest. Unless you need imperial, otherwise you'll have ~40% of a toolkit that you'll NEVER use

agnes · 15 Apr 2014 at 16:16

bledd. said:
If they exist, I'd be looking at a metric only chest. Unless you need imperial, otherwise you'll have ~40% of a toolkit that you'll NEVER use

Very good point lol.

kaiowas · 15 Apr 2014 at 16:32

At that price for that quantity of tools I'd expect that Clarke chest to be lacking in quality. Might be OK as a starting point but plan to replace things with better gear as and when you start to learn which bits you are really using.

Scottland · 15 Apr 2014 at 17:41

bledd. said:
If they exist, I'd be looking at a metric only chest. Unless you need imperial, otherwise you'll have ~40% of a toolkit that you'll NEVER use

My thoughts exactly with regards to the 12sided sockets - no point having them if your not going to use and I can buy other things as and when I need them.

Mr.Nick · 15 Apr 2014 at 20:17

I agree I wouldn't bother with imperial unless you need it, I personally much prefer 6-point sockets to 12, but they can be very useful. Anything you find yourself needing just add to you collection quietly, as there's the chance that if you but a massive kit you might find you wont use quite a bit of it.