Socket Sets, what to buy?

[ShortyNavros]

Hey Guys,

There isn't really a tools section so I thought this post would be best suited to this location.

I searched the forum to see what others have asked before me and I found one thread and it seems like most recommended the repco brand with a lifetime warranty. I am just looking for a general set of sockets to use on my D22. I figure I only really need metric like 8-25ish mm in a maybe a 3/8" drive? (1/4" is a bit small and weak and 1/2" is pretty pricey?), with potentially a bigger breaker bar to crack those tough nuts and bolts, but I could buy those separate.

At the moment I own this POS socket set from SuperCheap http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...-3-8-Drive.aspx?pid=3995&menuFrom=70402#Cross

Looking at something like:
https://www.tradetools.com/products/3302 or
https://www.tradetools.com/products/3391-5-72 or
http://catalogues.repco.com.au/offe...af-socket-set/4vtqc70xe.html?source=catalogue

or even this was suggested by a OP in the other thread: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/STANLEY-...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20b3129998

Can anyone guide me? I sort of want to buy a Torque wrench as well so I am torquing bolts to the right workshop manual settings. Just get something with a lifetime warrenty? I know people say dont worry about those screwdriver and unijoint socket adaptors because you never use them anyway.

Any help will be appreciated, not looking to spend more than $100.

Cheers,
Shorty

 

[Chieftain]

Go back to supercheap and have a look at their stanley kits. Think they have a nice 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" kit for a nice price. Shallow and deep sockets although I don't know if they are single or double hex. You need a mix really.

 

[nathand22]

I have given my K.C PRO stuff a work out over the last 15 years, both in 1/2" and 1/4"(even using the sockets on the impact driver lol) and never had a problem so I have never had to test out the "Lifetime Warranty" but like any good tools you will pay for the quality, BUT i would rather buy them once and keep them forever then have to buy them over and over again and end up spending three time the amount of one decant set.

 

[baitfish]

i've got JBS sockets, a 1/2 kit and 3/8kit. the 3/8kit has the deep sockets as well and goes to 25mm i'm pretty sure, use the 3/8 set all the time. I've got a sidchrome 1/2 set as well and the JBS stuff seems to be a bit bigger and feels stronger built, in saying that but i've never had a problem with either.

both would be outside the $100 range. I use a 1/4 Stanley set at work, its pretty good, the ratchet is playing up a little bit now but that's from user abuse. its goes to 13mm and i think that is a little more than the ratchet can handle when the bolt has been done up tight or slightly rusted into place.

If you want to stick to that price range, and local so you don't have to worry about postage or chasing warranty up, i'd hit supercheap up for a set like this,

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...-50-Piece-1-4-1-2-Drive.aspx?pid=166329#Cross

If you can, wait for a special, they can have some ridiculous cuts on their tools. i brought ratchet spanners there one day purely because they had 40% off spanners! Missus hates when i go to supercheap!

 

[mitch92]

We use the Sidchrome version of this (exact same but says Sidchrome) at work (power station).

They cop a flogging and keep working. I would highly reccomend, and they come down to $100 on special.


Also Stanley owns Sidchrome for what it's worth.

 

[mitch92]

Woops forgot the link:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...2-Drive-Metric-Imperial.aspx?pid=209927#Cross

 

[Dion]

A cheaper torque wrench is okay for chassis/suspension bolts etc. Shouldn't be a risk for your price range but steer well clear of the digital torque wrenches that are popping up now; I have never used a less effective, more infuriating tool. I threw ours in the bin, the other guys had to fish it out.

To keep a torque wrench happy, always set it back to zero when you're done with it, and never use it to loosen a bolt or torque a left handed fastener.

 

[d22dave]

To keep a torque wrench happy, always set it back to zero when you're done with it, and never use it to loosen a bolt or torque a left handed fastener.

And never lend it out, never.

 

[jimmy_jay89]

And never lend it out, never.

haha i gave mine to a mate to borrow 2 years ago

havent seen it since but he did "buy" it off me eventually



ive got the stanley 3/8" socket set and its going great working on the car

 

[tweak'e]

avoid anything that only comes with a ratchet.

3/8" drive is great for most things. small fits into small places.
but for the bigger bolts you really need 1/2" set.

your pos set can do the light stuff so get a 1/2" set to cover the rest.
metric only is ok but you need a set that comes with breaker bars etc.
i got a repco branded set and its been good especially as it was half the price my good quaility sets where.

if your torquing up decent bolts then you will destroy a 3/8 drive. most automotive torque wrenchs are 1/2" and up.

 

[ShortyNavros]

Cheers for all the info guys, I know a little about cars, but not a lot. Even if I buy a 1/2" drive surely I can get a 1/2-1/4" adaptor to use even the small stuff from my old POS set.

Those Stanley sets looks good but they dont have breaker bars. I could buy them on their own but Im not sure how pricey they are, anyone know the best universal size for a breaker bar? Obviously not too small because you cant get as much leverage out of it to crack super tight/siezed up bolts but not too big that you cant use it tight spots.

Something from repco like this would be good, it's heavily discounted but still a bit pricey for me, however I might need to spend that much to get quality http://catalogues.repco.com.au/offe...af-socket-set/4vtqc71po.html?source=catalogue

Then these have exaclty what I want but the brands are below par and dont appear to offer any sort of warranty:
Mechpro from repco: http://catalogues.repco.com.au/offe...pc-socket-set/4vtqc71mu.html?source=catalogue

and Supatool from Autobarn: http://www.autobarn.com.au/socket-sets/supatool-socket-set-tin-1-2-43pc-s2043

The best option for me looks like buy this http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...-50-Piece-1-4-1-2-Drive.aspx?pid=166329#Cross

and then buy a decent size breaker bar at the same time?

Cheers for your help guys
Shorty

 

[ShortyNavros]

Or buy one like this, however I cant find a local supplier with this set: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/STANLEY-...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20b3129998

 

[jjohn]

I have a Stanley set from Supacheap. It has served me well and has sustained no damage even in hard use in the ½" part. I'm impressed since they go out on special at a reasonable price. I would buy more.

 

[Damian m]

The best advice I could offer you about buying tools is to get the best you can afford.
Now for working on the nav i'de be looking at a 1/2" drive set.

I personally use sidchrome.

 

[nakedape]

As above. I reckon Ratchet ring spanners are handy but a decent 1/2 drive socket set with a knuckle bar always works.

 

[tweak'e]

The best advice I could offer you about buying tools is to get the best you can afford.

absolutely, i still use my sets i bought nearly 20 years ago.

 

[mitch92]

Or buy one like this, however I cant find a local supplier with this set: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/STANLEY-...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20b3129998

Either this or the other Stanley would be a good kit for you mate.

 

[sparra04]

Go back to supercheap and have a look at their stanley kits. Think they have a nice 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" kit for a nice price. Shallow and deep sockets although I don't know if they are single or double hex. You need a mix really.

i bought a stanley kit(they come out of the sydchrome factory) from supercheap
everything you generally would use all in a strong case for $170 on special
perfect
AND mine came with a breaker bar?

 

[350zx]

Breaker bars are like $15- 20, all depending on what length and what drive size you are after. From memory you can buy a pack of adaptors for like $10. I don't think I've seen a 1/4 - 1/2 adaptor before, you might need to use a 3/8 in the middle

 

[mitch92]

If you want a really good set check out the repco catalogue.

42 piece, 1/2" drive, metric & imperial, and includes a breaker bar, all for $169 - 40% off!

Genuine repco too so lifetime warranty.

This here: http://catalogues.repco.com.au/offe...af-socket-set/4w4vmc4x0.html?source=catalogue


I have the exact set and can tell you it's a very good set!