Which socket set?

Jenn

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What would be the best kind of socket set (1/4", 1/2", 3/8", range of mm etc etc) for general use on a 10m sailing boat with inboard engine. Does it depend on the type of engine?
 

PCUK

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Have a look at these tool kits on Ebay.
I guarantee they have everything you will need for general maintenance.
Not the finest quality but certainly good enough.

I have had my set for about five years now and use it for car repairs, home boiler maintenance and all general household stuff.
Mine was just over 50 quid at the time but even at the current price it is still a great buy.
Click on the link and decide for yourself.

810PCS Tool Set Case Mechanics Kit Box Organize with Castors Toolbox Trolley | eBay
 

pete

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1/2" ratchet , I do like 1/4" stuff but they probably wouldn't be big enough for some of the larger nuts. Most likely metric. You may also need a few combination spanners as well. for where the sockets wont reach.
 

thinwater

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Obviously both for US sailors. They can be part of the same kit, and because of overlap, this adds fewer than you think. The drives and extensions fit both. I would think the same is true in the UK; are you sure everything on the boat is metric? Same with spanners.

And it never hurts to have doubles on a few common sizes! They have family members in the bilge and in the sea and like to visit with them.
 

Hoolie

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Just to add, make sure you have some long extender bars to reach inaccessible places. I have also found a flexible connection very useful lots of times.
 

Daydream believer

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I am fortunate that over the years I have gathered a fairly large collection of tools from my business. I used to carry boxes on my boat, then realised how heavy they were. So I went all over the engine selecting tha correct spanners & socket sizes I needed along with a couple of extension bars, allen keys, decent pliers, side cutters wire strippers, multi tool & screw drivers Then all those that I did not need I took home. It is surprising how few I need. In emergency 2 sizes of adjustable spanner & a set of proper mole grips fill in. As for screws & bolts, I just laid them out on a table & selected a few of each size & type. Same with jubilee clips. No point having 3no 4 inch ones when the exhaust pipe is 2.5 inch
Quality is not really an issue. One has to be clumsy to split even a cheepo spanner. I do not have a corrosion issue on my boat & when I have finished with a spanner I just give a quick squirt of WD 40 over the tools.
If one does not have the tools, I can see that a set such as those sold on E..y are worth while . However, the boxes do not always fit in the right locker so one needs to check first.
 
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Much as Poignard says ascertain which sockets you will need and which spanners and rather than buy sets buy reasonable quality individual ones. I would also buy hexagonal ones rather than star ones as they will fit better especially on the nuts and bolts that some other hamfisted bugger butchered. You will also want some specific spanners and will eventually undoubtably find the need for the odd cranked spanner buy them as the need arrises. Also some decent screwdrivers.

Edit

Avoid the temptation to buy an adjustable spanner and you will also find that some quarter inch drive sockets for small things ( and yes they do exist on boats) will be useful. Although I did carry a three eights drive I found I never really used it as it was betwixt and between the half inch and quarter inch drives.
 
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rogerthebodger

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I have a set of surface drive sockets that drive hex nuts and bolts on the surface of the hexagon and not on the corners


surface%20drive%20-%20image.png


They are also useful for damages hexagons and hexagons of a slightly different side like I/2 " AF (12.7mm) to can use a 13 mm surface drive socket with a less risk of damaging the 1/2"A/F bolt head
 

Boathook

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I would opt for 3/8" drive with a range of sockets from 6mm to 19mm. Before purchase I would see what size nuts and bolts are used on the engine and make that the set has them.
A decent of spanners is also very handy plus screwdrivers.

I have recently purchased a draper 1/4" drive set. Whilst very nice, etc I wouldn't like to use it to replace my 3/8" set.
When I used to rebuild mini engines years ago it was all 1/2" drive.
 

Boathook

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What would be the best kind of socket set (1/4", 1/2", 3/8", range of mm etc etc) for general use on a 10m sailing boat with inboard engine. Does it depend on the type of engine?
If you are new to boating and enjoy maintenance buy a basic set of tools and then add to it as required such as allen keys, torx keys, etc.
 

penberth3

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Have a look at these tool kits on Ebay.
I guarantee they have everything you will need for general maintenance.
Not the finest quality but certainly good enough.

I have had my set for about five years now and use it for car repairs, home boiler maintenance and all general household stuff.
Mine was just over 50 quid at the time but even at the current price it is still a great buy.
Click on the link and decide for yourself.

810PCS Tool Set Case Mechanics Kit Box Organize with Castors Toolbox Trolley | eBay

Those sets are certainly not the best quality, and I'll guarantee there's at least one common size missing, and several sizes you'll never use.

If I was starting again I wouldn't buy a 'socket set'. I'd start with decent quality sockets in the common sizes across 3/8 and 1/2, plus a small selection of handles and extensions. A few 1/4 might be useful, three or four should be enough. The odd 3/4 if and when you need it.
 

William_H

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As said you should know what you might need on the boat and leave the rest at home. In my experience however the proliferation of socket sets in neat boxes means that people will get rid of old sockets bars etc. Car boot sales are the place to pick up tools cheaply. Often just choose what you want. In just collecting I seem to have sockets in 1/4 1/2 and 3/8 drive size. All kept at home. One thing I really like however are long (tube) sockets. I have both 1/4 and 1/2 inch drive and will typically select the long socket over the stubby ones. Yes I did buy the 2 sets of longs at a shop. Way back I saw a set of 3/4 inch drive sockets at a car boot sale. All big sized as you can imagine. Never needed them just love em. I have found however some fairly big 1/2 drive sockets which are great. Just grab what you see. ol'will
 

Jim@sea

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I carried 3/8" and 1/2" square drive sockets. The former were in a boxed set, the latter comprised an assortment of those most likely to be used.

The most commonly used sockets were : 10mm,12mm, 13mm, 17mm,19mm, and 22mm
When you are bleeding a diesel injector pump dont you need an 8mm socket ? And on a BMC (Thornycroft) Engine are they AF or Whitworth.
 
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