Socket set brand recommendation

RobAMerc

Hi folks,

I am looking for a recommendation for a decent hobbyists set of sockets.
Not looking for something that's ott durable, but something reasonable.

Thanks
Rob

listermint

Get the Halfords advanced kit. Job done

colm_mcm

+1 on Halfords, mine are over 10 years old, still going strong, and amazingly all present and correct

Toyotafanboi

Got a Halfords set last year too and it's very good. When they go on offer they are great value too. I think I got the 200pc for €150.

my3cents

Halfords are great value when they are on offer but some of the sets are just toooooooooooo big for anything other than workshop use.

I have a little bahco set I keep in the car https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-S330-Socket-Piece-Square/dp/B0001JZRYY that does everything I need for "basic" maintenance.

For bigger jobs a half inch drive bahco set https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-S240-Socket-Piece-Square/dp/B0001OZHS0 covers nearly all my requirements (wheel bearing nuts needing an bigger socket).

listermint

my3cents wrote: »

Halfords are great value when they are on offer but some of the sets are just toooooooooooo big for anything other than workshop use.

I have a little bahco set I keep in the car https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-S330-Socket-Piece-Square/dp/B0001JZRYY that does everything I need for "basic" maintenance.

For bigger jobs a half inch drive bahco set https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-S240-Socket-Piece-Square/dp/B0001OZHS0 covers nearly all my requirements (wheel bearing nuts needing an bigger socket).

I'm afraid have to disagree the 150 set is ideal for hobbyist use.your set is very limited tbh and a hobbyist would quickly need additions.

SmartinMartin

The Halfords Professional line are unbeatable for quality and value, especially when on sale. They have a lifetime no-quibble guarantee If you are insured with AXA or you know anyone with an AXA card you get a further 10% to 15% off.

my3cents

listermint wrote: »

I'm afraid have to disagree the 150 set is ideal for hobbyist use.your set is very limited tbh and a hobbyist would quickly need additions.

The two I have indicated aren't much more than half the cost of the Halfords 150 leaving plenty of cash to fill in with tools that are actually needed rather than look good in a case. Personally I prefer several smaller cases than one big one.

listermint

my3cents wrote: »

The two I have indicated aren't much more than half the cost of the Halfords 150 leaving plenty of cash to fill in with tools that are actually needed rather than look good in a case. Personally I prefer several smaller cases than one big one.

Looking good in a case ?it's a full set he'd have for life with a lifetime warranty.

I've had mine for about 12 years and use every bit of it .

I've another small socket set like the ones you posted never open them in a corner somewhere. Very limited

my3cents

listermint wrote: »

Looking good in a case ?it's a full set he'd have for life with a lifetime warranty.

I've had mine for about 12 years and use every bit of it .

I've another small socket set like the ones you posted never open them in a corner somewhere. Very limited

So we work differently. Most of the work I do on the car only needs the set that is handy in the boot. An oil/filter change on two cars last week only needed the S240 (£30) and I only opened the garage to get the oil and a drain can out.

For me its handy to have the individual sets. The OP can make their own mind up.

Yawns

Really depends on what it's needed for.

I keep saying I'll pick up a Halfords set for myself when it's on sale but I have a €20 set from Lidl for near 10 years now that's still great and does what I need it for. I have other bits and bobs in the tool bag as well. The only thing I had to get to complement the set was a set of spanners really. So depends on what it's really needed for. In my case, only light use on odd jobs with car or kids bikes etc. Wouldn't be everyday use but it is usually the first toolbox I reach for when I need anything like it. I say this as someone who really wants to get the advanced set as well but I can never justify it while the lidl set is still going strong hah

biko

Yeah I started with a cheap Lidl/Aldi set on sale many years ago and it has stood the test of time well.
I just keep adding whatever I need from motor factors (odd sizes, special tools etc)

toyotafan

Halfords advanced 200pc I would say done for most things in my car.

Atlantic Dawn

I've 3 sets ranging from a cheap Halfords €12 one up to a set that cost about €75, I've then bought numerous additional sockets over the years where some have been around €5-€10 a piece. If I was to start again I would spend around €150-€200 on either a Halfords Professional set when they are on special or I'd get a Bahco set from Amazon which should cover me for almost anything.

I like this Bahco set, Parcel Motel needed...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-S138-Metric-Imperial-Square/dp/B007258T4U/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1522509595&sr=8-9&keywords=bahco+socket+set

tacklemore

I got the Halfords Advanced Professional 170 piece socket set for €120 a number of years back. I've added 2 parts to it, a speed brace and an 8mm sump plug key, that's it.
It's covered me in every job I've done so far.
Also, the lifetime warranty is impossible to beat. I broke a star key, strolled in with my broken key and receipt, and they swapped it with a new one, no problem. Couldn't recommend them highly enough.

martyc5674

My current main socket set is a Draper expert set... good so far, only got them to replace a set nicked from car a while back.
Only downside... hard to read the sizes off the sidewalls believe it or not compared to my previous set. PITA under the car on your back sometimes, it’s the chrome finish that makes them hard to read.
Bahco stuff is real nice...

What I have noticed just looking at the Halfords stuff is that most seems to be 12 point which I don’t like, gives better resolution for sure but wouldn’t like it on stubborn stuff say with a breaker bar.
6 point with a higher resolution ratchet wins for me.

extra-ordinary_

tacklemore wrote: »

I got the Halfords Advanced Professional 170 piece socket set ... the lifetime warranty is impossible to beat. I broke a star key, strolled in with my broken key and receipt, and they swapped it with a new one, no problem. Couldn't recommend them highly enough.

You don't even need the receipt, they'll exchange once they see the Halfords name engraved on the piece.

blade1

Nice teng set here.
Free UK delivery so use parcel wizard or similar for delivery.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F232204052460

fancy pigeon

I mostly use a bluepoint 77pc set, deep sockets are 12 sides, shallow are 6 sided, ranging from 6mm to 24mm. Have had them for years and it shows, but still perform like new. Broke the breaker bar once, replaced by the snap on truck for free

Have a halfords 1/4 set for smaller stuff, one set compliments the other around the engine bay

Cee-Jay-Cee

I have a Britool NA760C socket set (1/2" and 3/8" sockets) from 10mm up to 32mm. Its about 25 years old now and in that time I only ever broke a 21mm socket (stupidly used it to try and remove a seized wheel nut) I bought a replacement britool 21mm socket and have never had any other problems with any of the rest of the set. I have the matching Britool torque wrench also which has been used 100's of times and still as good as new. The socket set I have is £600 to buy today. Quality tools will last you a lifetime.