1/2 socket set recommendations?

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I've got the jogger hybrid estate...it does 56mpg..what's not to like. It's basically the Renault platform...even has knobs for the climate control and heated seats unlike my stupid EV.

Cars are tools as far as I'm concerned...I don't need to drive something to impress other people.

 

[premmington]

I've got the jogger hybrid estate...it does 56mpg..what's not to like. It's basically the Renault platform...even has knobs for the climate control and heated seats unlike my stupid EV.

Cars are tools as far as I'm concerned...I don't need to drive something to impress other people.

Jogger 140 Phev - that not a good choice - they the ones that burn out HV leads and EME invertor units... (at great expence).

Why did you not buy the dull simple petrol engined Renault derivative...?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Why did you not buy the dull simple petrol engined Renault derivative...?

I fancied a hybrid...just wanted to try one out. It's a daily driver...I usually buy them new and then get rid before the warranty runs out....I know...not good!

Edit....also I needed an auto.

 

[premmington]

I fancied a hybrid...just wanted to try one out. It's a daily driver...I usually buy them new and then get rid before the warranty runs out....I know...not good!

The smart money is in - low spec small engined petrol - non PHEV cars.

 

[reb78]

You could use this reasoning with cars, why buy anything other than a dacia(cheapest uk car according to google), after all it will do exactly the same job as a porsche would.In fact you can use it with pretty much anything.

I don't think you could. The porsche is faster, more stylish, more comfortable, more desirable, drives better etc etc etc

A socket is a socket within reason (ad long as you don't buy the ones that crumble when used) ...so I can't see there being much difference as long as they both undo nuts and bolts ... and yes, I've used expensive sockets as well as cheap ones.

 

[chrismac]

I am a construction design manager for a large contractor. Very busy, technical, fast paced job hence I love to get into my garage any spare time and get work done on my cars etc. Whilst I'll spend hundreds of hours nut and bolt restoring my own cars, I have zero interest in working on other people's cars.

Emm and collecting chainsaws, welding plants & air tools..... or are you in denial about these other hobbies

 

[keithski122]

Using a car as a tool both get you from A to B which is what they are meant to do, as long as the don't break down. A car is a car to a lot of people.Some tools are more comfortable, nicer to use and more desirable.

 

[premmington]

Emm and collecting chainsaws, welding plants & air tools..... or are you in denial about these other hobbies

Hobbies are healthy - positive...

 

[chrismac]

Hobbies are healthy - positive...

Dont worry, its Saturday night and I am on the wind up,

 

[charlysays]

I have a couple of good socket and spanner sets from lidl. It's hard to see how paying snapon prices etc could make sockets and spanners that much better than the perfectly adequate kits.i have from lidls. Mine get a fair bit of fairly hard DIY use.

They're hard to come by though tbf. I bought a 6-32mm combi spanner set from Aldi years ago and it's been great, even with the odd scaffolding pole on them. I'd like the big Lidl socket set but not seen one even after years of looking!
I think the Lidl and Aldi stuff is excellent value for money TBF. Great for keen DIY.
I have a die grinder I got from Aldi for £6 and it's had 15 years of abuse with carbide burrs and is still spot on.

 

[Ross365]

The 1/2in Draper set I bought ~50 years ago is still in perfect condition .

 

[Seadog]

The Hilka set that I bought in 1971 have had a lot of use and abuse over the years, but still good.
I've only ever split one of the sockets some time back in the 80s.

 

[ms08]

Halfords set with lifetime guarantee - been using mine for number of years and when i broke my torque wrench - abuse really again Halfords and replaced with no quibble....

 

[addjunkie]

Take photos of every individual spanner, socket, screwdriver etc that you own now, then, when they've put you into a care home you can spend your days listing it all on ebay

Also useful for the insurance claim if your burgled

Hobbies are healthy - positive...

Until they become an obsession

The Hilka set that I bought in 1971 have had a lot of use and abuse over the years, but still good.
I've only ever split one of the sockets some time back in the 80s.

Ive some Kamasa sockets from the 70s life time warranty no address to get the replacement's……but google tells me there a Swedish company for quality now.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Halfords set with lifetime guarantee -

+1 for Halfords...I bought my set 20+ years ago and still going strong....DIY use.

 

[Craig-SM]

Halfords set with lifetime guarantee - been using mine for number of years and when i broke my torque wrench - abuse really again Halfords and replaced with no quibble....

Only problem with that is if the socket snaps whilst using it you have to go get the replacement to finish the job unless you have duplicate socket sets. A ball ache in itself but if you’re working on your transport more so.
I had this problem too many times with broken sockets that they’d replace without issue but didn’t find their sockets to be of good quality. I gave the socket set away and replace with Bahco with no failures.
I have the Halfords spanner’s, torque wrenches and screwdrivers and never needed to replace any of them just the sockets

 

[JOEPRO]

I took the new to me used 1/2 set all apart today for cleaning Looking near new the last guy didn't use it much at all only a handful of the sockets it seems.



I'll be looking out for a good deal on a 1/4 Bluepoint set next.

These are really nice sets to use. High quality finish, good ratchet mechs, knurled where useful and thin wall strong sockets. I like em - alot.

 

[Dilkris]

I am sorry to ask but - how do you manage to break a socket? With an impact gun?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

With an impact gun?

If the impact fails to do it I've found not many 1/4 sockets can survive the jack handle on the end of the ratchet ...but that's what the random socket tub is for!

I've never broken a Halfords pro one yet...but I usually use the black impact ones where I can.

 

[Trevorleach]

Yes that's true too - mostly 3/8 Set is used but 1/2 is also required for any sort of suspension work etc.

A new 3/8 & 1/2 combined set would be nice thinking about it. This one fits the bill quite well:

View attachment 456074

I have the smaller set (70 wuid Iirc) of them at home, had them years, often slip a tube over the ratchet!
I like that the sockets are pretty thin walled, and the metal case is a bonus.