Socket Sets
Turbo Mini Forums

For the last 10 years I have had my brothers 3/4" socket set on permanent loan, but now the little bugger has taken it back as he's spannering a car for himself.

I used the 3/4" drive set mainly for hub nuts, flywheel and pulley and for the flywheel puller.

I thought about just buying a replacement or just buying the specific sockets and a dectent T-bar (1/2" drive) that won't bend with an 'extension tube' on it. But what does everyone else do when trying to tighten their massive nuts?

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

I have a 1/2"er

i use my torque wrench mate, as they need doing to 150 ftlb but depends on whast nuts you are refering.

however sealey premier range is very good and that is what i use.

always looking for them bigger bunches of bannanas

I use 1/2 drive stuff Wil, with a Britool breaker bar of a decent length, never had any problems to be honest with you. These days I'm also lucky enough to have a decent windy gun and compressor, so anything stubborn gets taken off with that.

Try primetools.co.uk, keen prices on good quality tools, great service too, I've used them a number of times now.

Edit: Tom answered this question.

Cheers.

Edited by wil_h on 14th Jan, 2008.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

I did? What was it LOL!

Basically that a decent 1/2" drive bar with a big socket on works ok.

Well you all answered the same really, it's just Tom was the most concise.

the 3/4" set was a bit of a brute to be honest.

Now I just need to decide what size sockets I need.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Ive got a teng set 1/2 set that included the breaker bar (its available seperately)

Thats taken alot of abuse over the past 6 years, and ive only slipped on one nut since, which was my fault for not bothering to remove the extension bar.

(Including a scaffolding pole on the breaker bar as we wind on the pressure to the flywheel puller several times)

Three years ago, the place I used to work on my cars was broken in to and my 30 year collection of tools was stolen. I was desperate to continue working so i nipped up to Halfords and bought a set of their "professional" tools for aroun £120 to put me on.
They carry a lifetime free replacement on any breakages and have been excellent.
The only time I have needed to replace anything was using a windy gun on 6mm allen bolts and they relaced it with no argument.
I know it's halfords but go and have a look, they are excellent value for money.
The set had 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2drive in metric and AF plus loads more
I recommend them to you
Regards
Dave

that £120 halfords set is tops for the money, comes with 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 rathchets, loads of imperial & metric sockets and bits, couple with hammer, and breaker bar, it will do 99% of the things you need it for

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

halfords pro , sealy and clarke prem is
basicaly all the same stuff and yes its very good.

nic i bought teng socket set 20- years ago and still going strong, apperently came second to mac tool in the destruction tests years ago so it is dam good stuff

always looking for them bigger bunches of bannanas

actually woking at said company - the socket set has gone down to £100 now - pretty good stuff too - not managed to break any yet and i use them every day

Ant

Hi,
I've heard good things about the Halfords stuff too :)
Cheers,
Gavin :)

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

Visit www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk

My Mini build diary

I think if I didn't already have the 3/4" set I would just go out and buy the few big sockets in 1/2". However, over the years the 3/4" drive has been invaluable and has done jobs no 1/2" set would do. Two people jumping off a scaffold bar attached to the rear hub nut and a VW camper van is just one example.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

I am a looser rather than a breaker. As in a tool looser... not in any other kind of way of course.

Back once again like a renegade master

I have a set of halfords spanners that i use for work(Ag mechanic) and havent managed to break any yet, they are covered under guarantee and are just over £20, i would try one of there sets for the value for money factor!

I have a bit of everything. The halfords pro range is really good for the money. However i am a bit of a snap on slag mixed with some facom and mac. For a home mechanic though halfords is awesome. I managed to break a 36" breaker bar and went and took it back and they swapped it no hassle without the receipt. Great service from them but snap on just feels nice although £60 for a 1/4" ratchet hurts!

I use Halfords socket, had them for about 8 years and only ever replaced one rachet mech and that was down to abuse!

Their rachet spanners are the nuts aswell!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

rathchet spanners are gearwrench items rebranded - if they ever stick throw em on the floor lol

Personally im a big fan of britool, I have replaced alot of my stuff with it over the years, I know its not cheep, but the quality is great, Ive got a 1/2" and 1/4" drive sets which I use for both work and playing with the minis etc, the only thing I have had to replace in the 8 years ive had it is the 1/4" ratchet but that was thru miss use. I have used alot of the Halfords range, both at work (other engineers tools, when too lazy to find my own) and also helping out friends with thier cars etc, the quality is good for the money, and as others have said with the life time gaurante you cant go wrong. There are other good brands out there, but I have no experience with them, so I cannot comment.
I think as long as you buy a quality set (whatever is in your price range) and you dont abuse it you will be fine with a 1/2" set, its whats done me well over the years, just my 2pence worth!
Cheers
Shane

for the larger stuff I've got a gedore T bar and a couple of sockets. Most of the time i now use 1/2 buzz gun to remove and 1/2 torque wrench for tightening.

as for tools generally, I did have some nice snap on stuff but it walked. replaced it under duress with halford stuff and to be honest the only thing i've broken is one of the 11mm ratchet spanners. I don't use mine all the time but it does get abused.

do like britool stuff though - never had a problem with it.

I like Britool stuff personally, the majority of my tools are now Britool. The only exception though is some Halfords ratchet spanners, these are fantastic for the money, I recently bought a set from 8mm to 19mm, on special offer for £40. Its a shame they don't do them in imperial sizes though I must say.

You can get the ratchet spanners in imperial

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ategoryrn_76859

Chris

Well I have a range of makes of tools, including one 1/2" Halfords spanner and a Halfords Ratchet, both very good stuff.

My 1/2" drive socket set is Kamasa, had it for 10 years, bust one socket and the ratchet, but otherwise great for the money.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph