Car service DIY ratchets

chocolate boy123

Hi I need to buy a 19mm socket and 32mm socket. If I buy a Ratchet online do I need specific sizes or will the one ratchet fit into all socket sizes?

Toyotafanboi

There are 3 popular size ratchets, 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2". They are the inch size of the ratchet drive and you need sockets the same size to fit.

1/4" is fairly light. I doubt you'd get sockets as bit as 19 or 32mm in that so you should be looking at the other two.

chocolate boy123

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

There are 3 popular size ratchets, 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2". They are the inch size of the ratchet drive and you need sockets the same size to fit.

1/4" is fairly light. I doubt you'd get sockets as bit as 19 or 32mm in that so you should be looking at the other two.

Would 3/8 fit the 19 and 32mm?

Yawns

What you want to do is get yourself a socket set. Something like a 3/8" set will come with a ratchet and a range of sockets that should be good for diy use.

Yawns

If you can afford a bigger budget, you could get a big set that has the 3 popular size ratchets and appropriate sockets. Halfords advanced range is perfect for DIY as they have a lifetime guarantee on the majority of the items, so if you managed to break a socket or screwdriver they'll replace it for you in store. Can be pricey for starting out but with regular sales you can get a huge set for about €150.

Budget sets can start from €20 - 30 and go up to €50 - €60.

I have a Lidl set from about 8 years back I bought for about €20 I think it was. Still going strong to this day.

chocolate boy123

Preferably keeping cost to a minimum because I will only be using this to drain the oil for my car that's the only use needed!

Yawns

chocolate boy123 wrote: »

Preferably keeping cost to a minimum because I will only be using this to drain the oil for my car that's the only use needed!

You say that now. Once you do that, you'll be doing other bits n bobs that you can tackle yourself without breaking anything.

Yawns

Get a cheap socket set to start you off. Lidl and Aldi do decent budget ones every now then. Has what you need for a range of car jobs. Then as you want to tackle a new job and need a specialist tool, buy it when you need it and then you'll always have it. It's an easy way to build up a collection of tools. You don't need to rush out and buy it all at once.

Yawns

That's the set I got from Lidl years back when I first needed some tools to do oil changes etc. It's still a mainstay in my collection and I've added various tools as I've needed them. Brake windback kit for helping change brake pads on car for eg.

Once you have a socket set you'll be tackling oil changes. oil filter, air filter, pollen filter etc. Next step it'll be brake pads. A windback tool is so handy. You'll be wanted a Jack and some axle stands then as well so if you buy as you need them you'll be building slowly over the years.

Once you have a jack & axle stand, you'll at some stage be changing the likes of your 02 sensor when it fails an NCT You'll need a special socket or more practical some spanners. Then you'll head to the Halfords thread and be glued to it buying socket sets all the time even when you have too many.

Toyotafanboi

I'd agree with the above in that Halfords have something for every budget.

This would be a nice, good quality starter set. Might be a bit more than you want to spend but you won't be stuck for anything and it'll last forever.

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=15551&langId=-1&categoryId=290505&productId=862455&storeId=11101

jeepcj

you won't get a 32mm socket in anything other than 1/2" drive, but you can get a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter, but would be easiest to buy a 1/2" drive 19mm socket

chocolate boy123

Yawns wrote: »

Get a cheap socket set to start you off. Lidl and Aldi do decent budget ones every now then. Has what you need for a range of car jobs. Then as you want to tackle a new job and need a specialist tool, buy it when you need it and then you'll always have it. It's an easy way to build up a collection of tools. You don't need to rush out and buy it all at once.

Very good point!

Yawns

The only thing else I will point out to you is in regards to screwdrivers. The cheap ones are crap. They will do the job at the start but will go to **** very quickly.

I got this set the last time it was on sale : http://www.halfords.ie/workshop-tools/tools/hand-tools/halfords-advanced-8-piece-screwdriver-set

It's been fine every time I needed to use it and when it was on sale it was under €10.

Here's the Halfords bargain alerts thread. Subscribe to that and you can get a heads up on decent bargains. It's very handy with sale prices. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057476820&page=32

chocolate boy123

Thanks very much for all your help! Enjoy the rest of the weekend guys!