How many socket sets?

macafee2 · 8th May 2018, 11:24

Finding one socket set that does everything must be quite difficult and expensive.
I inherited 4 sets from my dad when he died. I always thought 2 of them cheap and nasty and a 3rd useless as it was all imperial sizes.

Working on my 2 Rovers his socket sets have been worth their weight in gold and I have used something from 2 of my socket sets and 3 of his. Perhaps an extension bar or a deep socket and just now, a short socket.

I know one thing, his sockets sets are going nowhere, imperial or cheap they are staying put.

macafee2

AndyN01 · 8th May 2018, 12:06

I had a Draper imperial/metric set bought as a present decades ago. Still going strong in its orange metal case.

I tend to just buy single add on sockets etc now. Usually stuff like Trend or Sealey as there's a dealer close by.

If you've got it - keep it.

The only spanners etc. I've now ebay'd are some old Whitworth ones - gratefully purchased by someone into classic British motorbikes.

Andy.

ceedy · 8th May 2018, 12:31

although i got a new bahco socket for xmas before last i still use the same toolstar set I bought as an apprentice 50 yrs ago

.. it cost me £4.17.6d..

a whole weeks wages

suffolk boy · 8th May 2018, 12:44

still have a old kamasa set i got when i was 18.plus about 4 four others the one that gets the most use is a very small set i got from aldi years ago

BigRuss · 8th May 2018, 14:25

Have 2 sets of 3/8 drive sockets one Sealey the other toolzone Aldi one They are both very good but the Sealey one does have the edge on quality but it was over 4 times more expensive

With the larger drive sockets, I have built up a whole range of sockets from various manufacturers which is far better than any one set could provide.

Russ

Mickyboy · 8th May 2018, 15:33

Dismantling I used Bluepoint (a snap on brand) and Draper but also have King Dick / Elora / Gedore / Halfords Professional / Aldi / Kincrome
But my Favourite set are Mac tools made in the USA

I tend to find bolts that don’t want to move soon move when blasted with plus gas and then attacked with my Mac tools
Mick

bl52krz · 8th May 2018, 16:02

Yes, I have. Gedore, purchased sometime I think around 1960. I also have the socket set of socket sets, a Gordon box that is very heavy, and all the sockets are there. Not one is broken. I have a mixture of other socket sets. Some are for small nuts/bolts,like the engine cover on the diesel. Wife thinks that I have a load of old junk. Have not got the guts to tell her, you know what, you are the load of junk. I never said that. .

roverbarmy · 8th May 2018, 18:20

Quite often, the "correct" size socket doesn't fit if the nuts or bolts are rusted or have been abused. The next size down in imperial can usually be hammered on to release it. Just don't re-use the nut or bolt though!

( and getting the nuts out of the sockets can be fun!)

jonc3725 · 8th May 2018, 21:14

Blimey I think I have the following in my socket drawer

1/4 drive 6point sockets up to 13mm
1/2 drive sockets 6 and 12 point sockets from 8mm to 24mm
1/2 drive deep sockets 8mm to 20mm and sn imperisl set
1/2 drive star (male and female), hex, 8mm to 18mm
3/4 drive impact 6 point 10 to 20mm
3\4 drive 12 point 13mm to 34mm
Full set of 1\2 3/4 and 1/4 wobble bars and extensions.
1/2 3/4 and 1/4 drive ratchets.
3 sets of torque wrenches from 5NM to 450 Nm

Mostly Halfrauds as I have a trade card and they are lifetime guatantee. All collected over 30 years of working on cars so outlay has been when required.

Oh and my favourite tool a 3/4 breaker bar.

I tend to stay with 6 point sockets when working on modern cars because of the flanged heads. That way I dont round off the heads (have snapped a few mind

).

OddSox · 9th May 2018, 18:49

Been collecting many sets over the years...One of My favourites is a 19 Mil socket..same with a combination spanner 19mm. Hard to find and not in most sets. Not to mention the 22mm..

Same with the Ford 7 and 11mm Allen key's...This is why us old fellas have the best tool sets going..

8th May 2018, 11:24	#1
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,928 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	How many socket sets? Finding one socket set that does everything must be quite difficult and expensive. I inherited 4 sets from my dad when he died. I always thought 2 of them cheap and nasty and a 3rd useless as it was all imperial sizes. Working on my 2 Rovers his socket sets have been worth their weight in gold and I have used something from 2 of my socket sets and 3 of his. Perhaps an extension bar or a deep socket and just now, a short socket. I know one thing, his sockets sets are going nowhere, imperial or cheap they are staying put. macafee2

8th May 2018, 12:06	#2
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,076 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	I had a Draper imperial/metric set bought as a present decades ago. Still going strong in its orange metal case. I tend to just buy single add on sockets etc now. Usually stuff like Trend or Sealey as there's a dealer close by. If you've got it - keep it. The only spanners etc. I've now ebay'd are some old Whitworth ones - gratefully purchased by someone into classic British motorbikes. Andy. __________________ Andy. http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/

8th May 2018, 12:31	#3
ceedy This is my second home All Trophy Blue ,ZT260#50 , ZT CDTI Auto, ZR105+ and 1.8T Firefrost spoiling the Set . Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nr Sherborne But in Somerset.. Posts: 6,076 Thanks: 916 Thanked 1,214 Times in 768 Posts	although i got a new bahco socket for xmas before last i still use the same toolstar set I bought as an apprentice 50 yrs ago .. it cost me £4.17.6d.. a whole weeks wages __________________ The Three Bloo's Wifey's Zr105, MY CDTI & 260 #50 and Number One sons 1.8T in Firefrost When I were a lad Zero to 142 in 10.25 secs at the Pod on my Blown Norton. 210 Kart Champ in 70's

8th May 2018, 12:44	#4
suffolk boy This is my second home fiat panda Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: haverhill Posts: 6,720 Thanks: 96 Thanked 586 Times in 526 Posts	still have a old kamasa set i got when i was 18.plus about 4 four others the one that gets the most use is a very small set i got from aldi years ago __________________ fiat panda 1.2 eco

8th May 2018, 14:25	#5
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,405 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	Have 2 sets of 3/8 drive sockets one Sealey the other toolzone Aldi one They are both very good but the Sealey one does have the edge on quality but it was over 4 times more expensive With the larger drive sockets, I have built up a whole range of sockets from various manufacturers which is far better than any one set could provide. Russ __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and 160bhp, Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.

8th May 2018, 15:33	#6
Mickyboy SERVICING AND DEALER DIAGNOSTICS MG ZT CDTI 135 + & MGZT CDTI AUTO 160 & ROVER 75 TOURER CDTI 160 TROPHY YELLOW Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hernebay Posts: 4,331 Thanks: 818 Thanked 2,414 Times in 1,141 Posts	Dismantling I used Bluepoint (a snap on brand) and Draper but also have King Dick / Elora / Gedore / Halfords Professional / Aldi / Kincrome But my Favourite set are Mac tools made in the USA I tend to find bolts that don’t want to move soon move when blasted with plus gas and then attacked with my Mac tools Mick __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] T4 Owner Jobs done : new UBP, Spy hole mod, Rear hub(wheel bearing),plenum cleaned and emptied, Inline thermostat fitted,Full service, In car Digital tv/DVD Bluetooth Satnav etc, Replaced UBP, Restored headlights,Fixed airbag connection.replaced HP pump,replaced rear light seals,changed intercooler O rings. Jobs to do: ,replace drivers lock,.[/SIZE]

8th May 2018, 16:02	#7
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,393 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Yes, I have. Gedore, purchased sometime I think around 1960. I also have the socket set of socket sets, a Gordon box that is very heavy, and all the sockets are there. Not one is broken. I have a mixture of other socket sets. Some are for small nuts/bolts,like the engine cover on the diesel. Wife thinks that I have a load of old junk. Have not got the guts to tell her, you know what, you are the load of junk. I never said that. . __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

8th May 2018, 18:20	#8
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Quite often, the "correct" size socket doesn't fit if the nuts or bolts are rusted or have been abused. The next size down in imperial can usually be hammered on to release it. Just don't re-use the nut or bolt though! ( and getting the nuts out of the sockets can be fun!) __________________ Oil in my veins!

8th May 2018, 21:14	#9
jonc3725 Posted a thing or two MG ZT 190 + and MKIV Supra Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Plymouth Posts: 1,551 Thanks: 224 Thanked 493 Times in 359 Posts	Blimey I think I have the following in my socket drawer 1/4 drive 6point sockets up to 13mm 1/2 drive sockets 6 and 12 point sockets from 8mm to 24mm 1/2 drive deep sockets 8mm to 20mm and sn imperisl set 1/2 drive star (male and female), hex, 8mm to 18mm 3/4 drive impact 6 point 10 to 20mm 3\4 drive 12 point 13mm to 34mm Full set of 1\2 3/4 and 1/4 wobble bars and extensions. 1/2 3/4 and 1/4 drive ratchets. 3 sets of torque wrenches from 5NM to 450 Nm Mostly Halfrauds as I have a trade card and they are lifetime guatantee. All collected over 30 years of working on cars so outlay has been when required. Oh and my favourite tool a 3/4 breaker bar. I tend to stay with 6 point sockets when working on modern cars because of the flanged heads. That way I dont round off the heads (have snapped a few mind). __________________ Jon C Living the dream MK IV VVTI Tiptronic TT Toyota Supra MG ZT 190+ BornTuesday, 10th July 2001 @ 09:01:10 259th ZT to run off the production line, out of 18,894 252nd ZT 190 + to be made out of 4,023 101st ZT in Solar Red (code: CEU) to be made out of 1,888

9th May 2018, 18:49	#10
OddSox Gets stuck in 2002. Rover 75 saloon club se. 1.8 vvc. Moonstone green. Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Dunno...Sat nav broke..! Somewhere in Yorks. Posts: 988 Thanks: 296 Thanked 233 Times in 160 Posts	Been collecting many sets over the years...One of My favourites is a 19 Mil socket..same with a combination spanner 19mm. Hard to find and not in most sets. Not to mention the 22mm.. Same with the Ford 7 and 11mm Allen key's...This is why us old fellas have the best tool sets going.. __________________ Beware of spanner wielding 'Mechanics' who think they know what you mean better than you do.