dirt dog · May 27, 2011

Having had my defender for 2 months now I have now come to the point where I need to purchase some more tools. I am after a 1/2" socket set, and have narrowed it down to these 3

Cromwell Industrial Tools UK: Yamoto : MM/AF/WHIT SOCKET SET (50PCE) 1/2" SQ DR : YMT-582-7996K

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-43635-41-Piece-Combined-12-Point/dp/B000Y7YGVI/ref=sr_1_2?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1306504114&sr=1-2]Draper Expert 43635 41-Piece 1/2-Inch Square Drive MM/AF Combined 12-Point Socket Set: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools[/ame]

Britool 56 Piece 1/2" Square Drive AF & Metric Socket Set : Tooled-Up.com

can anyone give me some advice on which set is best. Quality of these tools is more importent to me. If any one hase any other socket sets of similar price that would be better, Id be happy for your recommendations.

Andy Land · May 27, 2011

I use lots of Draper tools and have two of their socket sets in 1/2" and 3/8" and they are excellent value for money.

Dewin · May 27, 2011

What about this one, comes with lifetime guarantee as well.

Woody3 · May 27, 2011

Dewin said:
What about this one, comes with lifetime guarantee as well.

Second/seconded?...whatever...I agree haha

gegs88 · May 27, 2011

try to find a set of 6 point sockets instead of 12 point, less chance of them rounding the nuts off

Grimmer · May 27, 2011

Dewin said:
What about this one, comes with lifetime guarantee as well.

I got the 150 piece set the other week (£99.99, reduced from £150), that seems like a good bit if kit,

egor8384 · May 27, 2011

I had a Draper 3/8 set. Didnt like the rachet movement. So got a Clarke one (machene mart). My 1/2 set is wickes, only a small set but does the job. And get a good breaker bar. I tend to get a set with decent amount of sockets and find yourseld a good rachet as they take more abuse than sockets

dirt dog · May 27, 2011

gegs88 said:
try to find a set of 6 point sockets instead of 12 point, less chance of them rounding the nuts off

the britool seems like a better choice then.

fett · May 27, 2011

britool best, draper are ****e

Langers · May 27, 2011

Halfords | Halfords Advanced Professional 150 piece Socket/Ratchet Set

This is the set I use, and have gotten massive use out of it over the last 4-5 years.

Having said that I have broken a number of items from it, although I can say with confidence that all of them were my fault

fanatic · May 27, 2011

laser tools sockets cheep enough and more robust than draper

Grimmer · May 27, 2011

Langers said:
Halfords | Halfords Advanced Professional 150 piece Socket/Ratchet Set

This is the set I use, and have gotten massive use out of it over the last 4-5 years.

Having said that I have broken a number of items from it, although I can say with confidence that all of them were my fault

Thats the set i've just got, seeing as i've got the touch of a baby elephant, did you have any trouble getting the broken bits replaced

Spyderman · May 27, 2011

I've got a selection of Pro Halfords and Craftsman Tools. The Craftsman stuff is great for Imperial sizes, plus it has the sizes laser etched in big easy read numbers on each piece (ideal for us old blokes with failing eyesight)

Langers · May 27, 2011

Grimmer said:
Thats the set i've just got, seeing as i've got the touch of a baby elephant, did you have any trouble getting the broken bits replaced

I haven't actually tried to get them replaced yet, I know it's supposed to have a lifetime warranty on it, but I definitely don't have the reciept any more.

The bits I've broken are, in no particular order;

1/2 inch ratchet (ratchet broken, used it as a wheel brace

)
3/8 inch ratchet (ratchet broken, used it to try and undo a particularly tight head bolt

)
Miraculously the 1/4 inch has survived!

One of the 3/8 inch ratchet extensions, at the same time as the ratchet.
Think I've also broken the 3/8 inch universal joint thingy? Not sure.

I've replaced most of the broken bits with spares that I had lying around from old sets, didn't think to try and get them replaced, as most of the time I was abusing the tools when they broke

buckshot · May 27, 2011

Langers said:
I haven't actually tried to get them replaced yet, I know it's supposed to have a lifetime warranty on it, but I definitely don't have the reciept any more.

The bits I've broken are, in no particular order;

1/2 inch ratchet (ratchet broken, used it as a wheel brace )
3/8 inch ratchet (ratchet broken, used it to try and undo a particularly tight head bolt )
Miraculously the 1/4 inch has survived!

One of the 3/8 inch ratchet extensions, at the same time as the ratchet.
Think I've also broken the 3/8 inch universal joint thingy? Not sure.

I've replaced most of the broken bits with spares that I had lying around from old sets, didn't think to try and get them replaced, as most of the time I was abusing the tools when they broke

think you'll find ratchets are'nt covered in the "lifetime garentee"

Langers · May 27, 2011

buckshot said:
think you'll find ratchets are'nt covered in the "lifetime garentee"

Why doesn't that surprise me

And you would have to really be going some to break a socket, wouldn't you? So their warranty basically covers something that is damned near indestructable anyway

buckshot · May 27, 2011

Langers said:
Why doesn't that surprise me

And you would have to really be going some to break a socket, wouldn't you? So their warranty basically covers something that is damned near indestructable anyway

well the only bits with moving parts stands to reason

kind of makes a mockery of the statement though dont it

HOOK · May 28, 2011

have taken back a broken breaker bar[6foot scaffold extention] and a ratcheting ring spanner to halfords. both replaced no questions. no hassle.may just depend on the staff in your local shop.britool also good tools, without being mega money to buy

angeloc · May 28, 2011

Halfords pro - good stuff and so shiny!

waldershelf · May 28, 2011

dirt dog said:
Having had my defender for 2 months now I have now come to the point where I need to purchase some more tools. I am after a 1/2" socket set, and have narrowed it down to these 3

Cromwell Industrial Tools UK: Yamoto : MM/AF/WHIT SOCKET SET (50PCE) 1/2" SQ DR : YMT-582-7996K

Draper Expert 43635 41-Piece 1/2-Inch Square Drive MM/AF Combined 12-Point Socket Set: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Britool 56 Piece 1/2" Square Drive AF & Metric Socket Set : Tooled-Up.com

can anyone give me some advice on which set is best. Quality of these tools is more importent to me. If any one hase any other socket sets of similar price that would be better, Id be happy for your recommendations.

From the three in your shortlist I would say the Britool is likely to be the best quality. Others have said that Halfords own brand gear is pretty good for the price and I'd agree I have a few items from their range in my collection built up over many years. I don't think you have to worry too much if you stick to well known brands, I still have (most of) a Kemasa socket set that's now 37 years old that I bought when I was an apprentice. One thing you should remember though, even if you spend SnapOn money, if you abuse the ratchets you will break them. Spend a few more pounds and buy a long breaker bar, it will save your ratchets and working on landrovers you will need it.

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

New Member

THE Winner

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

THE Winner

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads