Spanners and Sockets........

M

mrgrumpy2

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 Oct 2008
Messages
69
Visit site
This year the family are insisting on buying me a Christmas present for the boat.....I've decided to dispense with my collection of odd tools and get myself a comprehensive set of sockets and spanners which are conveniently stored in dedicated cases....
Does anyone one have an opinion on the following brands (a league table would be useful):

Halfords professional
Laser
Silverline
Draper
Clarkes (machine mart)

I will happily consider any other suggestions but there is no point going to snap-on quality as they will only be used occassionaly and in emergencies.

Thanks in advance
 
mrgrumpy2 said:
This year the family are insisting on buying me a Christmas present for the boat.....I've decided to dispense with my collection of odd tools and get myself a comprehensive set of sockets and spanners which are conveniently stored in dedicated cases....
Does anyone one have an opinion on the following brands (a league table would be useful):

Halfords professional
Click to expand...

Absolutely excellent, and on the one occasion I broke something (snapped a 6mm spanner trying to adjust the suspension on a DS) they replaced it instantly, without question and without receipt ... that lifetime guarantee really does work.

The swivel-head ratchet spanners they do are the most useful tool I have ever had. Scarily expensive, but they are on half price offer about one month in every three.

The only stuff in the range I don't like is the ratchet handles, for a simple reason of personal bias. I don't like metal handles ratchets, so I have rubber hendled ones from Britool.

The other brands you mention are all much of a muchness, and any given thing from Clarkes/Machine Mart will probably just be one of the others rebranded.
 
Halfords professional range. Come in a very sturdy "shadow"case so you can check if you have left something behind or lost. I must have mine ten years,probably more, broke one ratchet drive after knocking seven bells out of it. Walked into Halfords,guy checked it was professional range and gave me a new one. no questions asked. As usual expensive but the best money I've ever spent on tools. Nik
 
I had no problems with my Clarkes socket set.

One thing that annoys with a set of combination spanners (open and ring on the other end) is that the ring is the same size as the open end so if you need to have two spanners the same size to use on a nut and bolt then you need to find another spanner the same size. If they were different size open and ring then you'd have two within the same set. Perhaps I'm being picky but...
 
Another vote for Halford's Professional---good stuff at reasonable price.


PS : Bet you don't throw your old kit away!

PPS:If you are that self -disciplined, double check which sizes you need 2 of before hitting the skip!
 
I was working in Cardiff a few years ago, and needed a set of ring spanners. The local tool shop recommended Teng Tools, as they were the standard type supplied at the local engineering college.

I've been very pleased with them ever since, and have bought lots more, but don't know how the price compares with Halford's best.

http://www.iqsupplies.com/Teng_Tools
 
Last edited:
I've used Halfords non professional for at least 30 years and only on my second socket set because the first was stolen. They get some proper hard use on motor vehicles, in an amateur capacity and I can't say a bad word against them. I guess the pro ones must be even better.
CJ
 
Halfords professional could be Draper Expert in disguise and are good. Draper Expert are OK as well in any case. Other than that Facom, Britool and Snap On are the obvious but expensive choices.

It's worth going to your local Unipart (formerly Partco) or CES motor factors as they often have bargain (quality) tools.
 
I've a couple of Halfords half inch socket sets that have given sterling service for 25 years (metric) and 30 years (imperial). The ratchet drives are still going strong (despite loads of abuse), and there's little sign of corrosion.

wrt spanners, I really like the set of ratchet ring spanners that I bought from Aldi or Lidl a few years ago because they can undo nuts and bolts in awkward positions where a socket set wouldn't fit, and where there's only a few degrees movement.
 
Most of my tools were either bought for me by my father or were his anyway. He had no time for poor quality so all mine are a decent quality even if not the most expensive.

I have had a quick check and i have

Elora ... the original stuff bought for me... sockets, rings and open ended

Britool .. the majority I think

Bedford .. quite a few of the rings snd openenders

King Dick ... not many & not as good as the others I suspect

A few random comments:

Sets look impressive but you'll only use 1/3 to 1/2 of them .. the rest are ballast.

3/8 sq drive are useful for getting into tight spots esp for the smaller sizes

A few of the smallest with 1/4" sq drive are useful too.

Short spanners are useful in tight spots. My original rings and openenders are short. Less inclined to over-tighten with them too but I dont know whether you can still get them.

Combination spanners, ie ring one end and open ended the other, handy but unlike ordinary rings and openeders both ends are the same size so when you need two not so useful.

A fine rachet handle is often more convenient to use than a coarse one. My 3/8 one is very fine.

If you do by sets be sure the cases are good and strong and rust proof.
 
Last edited:
Nobody has mentioned Teng tools, also lifetime guarantee, I strongly reccomend those.
Also sykes pickavant, britool, or I also like the LOOK of Halfords Pro, never used any so cant say.
 
thanks, VicS, it's all the fault of the forum software, adblocker, Copenhagen, Nathan's cookies, TV companies programming, the swear filter, EdB's 'hosts' reprogramming routine, the absence of a decent seahorse rant, the usual disagreements over what is really the shortest day, and the sight of PMD's stunning daughter, which have momentarily confused ccscott49.

I'm not miffed, not miffed, not miffed.
 
sarabande said:
thanks, VicS, it's all the fault of the forum software, adblocker, Copenhagen, Nathan's cookies, TV companies programming, the swear filter, EdB's 'hosts' reprogramming routine, the absence of a decent seahorse rant, the usual disagreements over what is really the shortest day, and the sight of PMD's stunning daughter, which have momentarily confused ccscott49.

I'm not miffed, not miffed, not miffed.
Click to expand...

Confused of Holland here, sorry bout that, getting snow blind!!
 
halfords, all the way.

just replaced my engine, every spanner i needed was in the 100 odd piece set ive got. been on the boat over a year and not a sign of rust either.
 
Socket and spanner sets

They are very decorative but as already said you will use barely 1/3 of them. So often also the pretty sets won't go up in size to suit just what you want. I have a completely random collection of sockets and spanner many from my father's collection. I add to these when I see large sockets and spanners at the local second hand trash market.
If the tools are for the boat you should fairly quickly discover what tools you need for the engine rigging etc. Keep these on the boat and leave all the odd bits at home. good luck olewill
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top