What tools do you guys use?

[everyreasonto]

I was planning on investing in a really nice socket set. So far I've been looking at Teng and Snap-On.

What tools do you guys use?

Also should I get a 1/2" or 3/8" ratchet? They both have a full range of sockets, the only thing I can think is that the 1/2 will be a bit bigger and stronger.

[The Artist]

Halfords pro. Lifetime guarantee and not too expensive.

1/2 will do and you can get cheaper 3/8 kits from halfords for not much.

[That_Hornet]

Found half inch good for car. But for bikes 3/8 is better IMO

I have the Halfords advanced set in 3/8. Lifetime guarantee and cost £18.99

Awesome set.

I also have a Teng tool 1/4 set, a Kennedy 1/2 set and a halfords advanced 3/8.

IMO snap-on a waste of money unless your a mechanic or similar. Halfords suits most.


Edit:

Teng: https://www.screwfix.com/prods/52680/Hand-Tools/Sockets-Hex-Hex-Keys/Sockets-Hex/Teng-Mecca-Rosso-Basic-Socket-Set-23Pcs

Halfords: https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_525109_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

Kennedy: https://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN5827991K

[everyreasonto]

Great thanks, never thoought about halfords. Think i'm gonna go for 1/2 though, there is only 3mm diff.

[Kickstart]

Hi

1/2" drive and 3/8" drive are both useful (and 1/4" drive for many things). 3/8" will do most things on a bike. 1/2" will sometimes be a bit bulky to use on a bike.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[chris-red]

I find the best for bike is 1/4 and 1/2, 1/4 for anything <12mm 1/2 for things >12 Don't see the point to 3/8 myself as you are allways going to need the 1/2 for big stuff like rear wheel/front sprocket.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Noxious89123]

The Clarke Pro stuff from MachineMart is good quality too, and cheap

MachineMart usually have a much better choice than Halfords, and better prices.
____________________
'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Raffles]

[everyreasonto]

No But I was talking about the relative bulk of the head of the ratchet. Sort of what chris-red mentioned, 1/4" for smaller things because a 1/2" wouldn't fit.

[Robby]

I use my 3/8 ratchet more than any tool, to the extent that the ratchet mechanism is starting to go. Comfortable with sockets from 8-14mm, short and deep reach, and my allen, torx, and star bits and sockets.

If you try and use a 1/2 ratchet on an 8 or 10mm bolt, you'll break the bolt. If you use a 1/4 ratchet on a stuck 12 or 13mm bolt, you'll knacker the ratchet.

My main set is a mastergrip 3 drawer box that was 60 quid in costco about 8 years ago. 3 sizes of ratchet with sockets to go with them. I have an awful lot of other tools as well. You can never have enough tools.

[cloric_tzr]

2 pound lump hammer.
mole grips.
claw hammer.
cable ties.
pliers.
and. . .
a miracal (stocks running out fast so hurry to avoid dissapointment! most major credit cards accepted)

____________________
i dumped my girlfriend the other day! she wouldnt act out one of my fantasy's. all i wanted her to do was come home from work, catch me fucking her sister and join in!!! miserable bitch!
My wifes so ugly, the only thing that goes down on her
Is the internet connection.

[stinkwheel]

It is easier to find a 3/8" drive torque wrench that goes low enough to do most of the fastners on a bike that you should really be using a torque wrench on.

You get a lot of stuff on a bike that needs to be done to 7 or 8ft/lb and a 1/2" torque wrench usually starts too high.

To be honest, I use a 1/4" set with plenty of extensions for a lot of the stuff on my bike.

I'd also say that for stuff that you need a 1/2" drive for, you'll get away with a cheaper socket set. You're a lot less likely to damage a bigger hex with a slightly poorer fitting socket.

For up to 12mm I use the 1/4" drive. For 12-17mm I use the 3/8" and for bigger stuff I use the 1/2". I'm giving serious consideration to getting a cheap 3/4" set for stuff over 24mm.

That said. If I was going to buy one good socket set, I'd go for a 3/8". I'd make sure I got a full set of wobble bars in with it for tight spots and I'd get some deep sockets in with it.

If I personally was setting out from scratch. I'd get a GOOD 1/4" set, a moderately good 3/8" set and a cheap and cheerful 1/2" set.

Halfords pro stuff is very good. I can't fault my Teng set either.

My "diamond in the rough" buy was a "draper expert" 1/4" drive set though. It's taken anything I have thrown at it for the last 9 years and has got me out of some tight corners. I can also use the sockets on my 3/8" torque wrench with a suitable adapter. It all fits in a 6"x6" box which tucks neatly either under the seat or in the side pocket of my panniers.

If you're throwing money about. Consider a 3/8" "Metrinch" socket set. It's flat drive so it's almost impossable to burr a head with it, even if the hex is cheaply made to slightly the wrong size (Japanese brake calliper bolts are a good example, a lot of them seem to have an 11.75mm hex on them). The same set will also fit all the imperial sizes in its range without the need for twice as many sockets.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Katier]

Personally I have a mix and match set of all 3 sizes. Often find different ones handy for different jobs depending on access and torque of the bolts. When out travelling I keep the 1/4 set under the saddle too which can be handy.

[sieversrichie]

Halfords toolkit, although i do need to upgrade it as at least one of everything is missing

[StevenF]

[StevenF]

Which would you go for, if it's your first proper ratchet set.

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_164275_langId_-1_categoryId_165572 or https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_176237_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

I like that the first one has the large extension and spark plug socket.
____________________
My Project - Honda CBR 600 F2/FM

[Ingah]

What about the 120 piece (or something) Halfords Professional socket set. They periodically "discount" it down to £99.99 (usually from £199.99 ) and i think it's as comprehensive as you'll ever need.
____________________
-- Ingah

[mad4it028]

on my bike i use mostly my snap on 1/4 set from 4mm 14mm
3/8 snap on set 14mm to 19mm
1/2 snap on set from 19mm to 54mm
ive spent well over £20k on tools over the years but if you just want tools for home ide go machine mart and buy there clarke tools
snap on are very expensive only needed for the trade even then you could get away with cheaper stuff but snap on come to you so its easy..lol
____________________
always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[bobbertandsam...]

I'll second the Halfords pro 120 piece or similar size set, bought one over 3 years ago and its been brilliant. Rarely find that I dont have the required size of socket/ratchet I need. Think they are on a t £99 just now again.
____________________
Its never easy

[SlimRick]

I use the Halfords Pro range too - never broke one yet!




On a side note, is it just me or does some fucker always nick my 13mm and 1/2" spanners?

[Darth]

[stinkwheel]

[G]

[bacon]

i bought the halfords pro kit, the one that regularly gets knocked down to £100

its been great, has 1/2, 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets, with plenty of sockets both imperial and metric, spanners etc etc

Iv used it loads since i got it in december, dont have any other sets so cannot compare

[trisers]

For what it's worth I have a Teng tools 1/4in ratchet, it has more ratchet teeth than most (small swings in confined places)...I use it professionally on a daily basis and it's only just showing signs of wear after nearly 15 years of use!
For sockets I use Kamasa professional range...extremely durable too....