1/2" Socket sets..?

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stevewestern

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Any recommendations on a decent set for occasional use? I need to man up and start doing some work on my motorbike soon, and my puny 1/4" Halfords set just can't break the loctite on many nuts.
I do have a Halfords trade card which gives me some discount, but just wondered if any of you have any experience or suggestions..?
Thanks!
 
In my youth I used to regularly work on my cars as I always had old cars requiring a lot of attention. My best friend who worked in engineering talked me out of buying a cheap socket set stating that buying quality will last a lifetime. So I saved up longer and bought a make called Elora made in West Germany which gives you an idea of how long ago this was. He was right and though I have only few occasions to use a socket set now, I still have my Elora set intact whereas as some cheaper tools have not survived. Of course, the principle is still the same buy a decent set and they will last.

Dave
 
Dave Canon said:
In my youth I used to regularly work on my cars as I always had old cars requiring a lot of attention. My best friend who worked in engineering talked me out of buying a cheap socket set stating that buying quality will last a lifetime. So I saved up longer and bought a make called Elora made in West Germany which gives you an idea of how long ago this was. He was right and though I have only few occasions to use a socket set now, I still have my Elora set intact whereas as some cheaper tools have not survived. Of course, the principle is still the same buy a decent set and they will last.

Dave
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This is very true if you are using the tools daily for a living but most of us are occasional users so mid range will last us long enough. I've had my Darper stuff for about 40 years now but I only use them a couple of times a month at best sometimes when I am on big jobs (3 Harleys to maintain) they could be out all week in use but they've never left me wanting.
 
Another one who has found Halfords to be good, been using their 1/4 and 1/2 inch drive sets for years. Obviously have to keep buying new 10mm sockets as they are quantum and appear and disappear regularly!
 
You should see my 'set' in work..... All odds and sods from over the years :ROFLMAO: Even ¾ and ¹⁵/¹⁶th for the metric sizes depending on what I pick up first.

I do have a set somewhere that I bought when I started driving in the 90's but not sure what brand that was - not even sure where it is, probably at a parents house from when I divorced nearly 10 years ago....
 
Next question is what is the name of the type of socket to fit a front wheel on a motorcycle - the nut is inverted, so needs a socket a bit like a big Allen key that fits inside the bolt? Anyone know, maybe @Topsy Or @LCPete?
 
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stevewestern said:
Next question is what is the name of the type of socket to fit a front wheel on a motorcycle - the nut is inverted, so needs a socket a bit like a big Allen key that fits inside the bolt? Anyone know, maybe @Topsy Or @LCPete?
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What bike? I only know Harleys but if it is a Japanese it'll me a big metric allen socket. I have a set of imperial ones that go on to a 3/82 socket ratchet. Not sure how big you can get them but in a pinch get a standard allen key the correct size, saw the angled bit off then it will fit into the correct size socket and your ratchet.
 
Topsy said:
What bike? I only know Harleys but if it is a Japanese it'll me a big metric allen socket. I have a set of imperial ones that go on to a 3/82 socket ratchet. Not sure how big you can get them but in a pinch get a standard allen key the correct size, saw the angled bit off then it will fit into the correct size socket and your ratchet.
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mj4456 said:
It could be an Allen bolts or using a splined head.
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It's a suzuki v strom 650, and as I'm away from home I can't say but I think it's about 8 sided, not like torx, an Allen socket sounds like it might be right..
I'll measure it when I'm home and will at least know what sort of thing I'm asking for!
 
stevewestern said:
It's a suzuki v strom 650, and as I'm away from home I can't say but I think it's about 8 sided, not like torx, an Allen socket sounds like it might be right..
I'll measure it when I'm home and will at least know what sort of thing I'm asking for!
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If it is octagonal it isn't an Allen bolt ...
 
i've rebuilt a fair few bikes over the years and halfords advanced is well good enough.
one thing i would say is with bikes is less is more, use 1/4 on the general stuff as especially jap bolts are made of cheese
and always without fault use a torque wrench , don't even skimp on that

also i don't think i have ever used 1/2 on a bike except chain adjust or changing the chain ring so my 10p is dont use 1/2 its to much
 
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Topsy said:
Draper are a good option, I think Halfords stock them or at least they used to back when I was building my toolkit.
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I am sorry but draper are now poor quality when compared to the Halfords one
 
Steelo said:
Halfords socket sets are some of the best you can get, covered with a lifetime warranty too you really can't go wrong. I've had and used mine for years on my cars.
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Honestly, if the "incredibly infrequently used for the past 40 years" socket set which I bought from a catalogue on £n / week ever needed replacing I'd google " "1/2" drive socket sets with lifetime guarantee" and expect to be amazed by the range of choice. I'd expect Halfarts to be way up there. Friends in the motor trade will say that Snap-On are great tools but you pay dear.
 
stevewestern said:
Next question is what is the name of the type of socket to fit a front wheel on a motorcycle - the nut is inverted, so needs a socket a bit like a big Allen key that fits inside the bolt? Anyone know, maybe @Topsy Or @LCPete?
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I think you mean an Allen socket you can get Allen sockets that are on a half inch drive so that you can use more leverage
 
Agree with mr bump on the torque wrench if you are doing any engine work especially
 
Looking at a few forums, it's a 12mm Allen key/hex tool that's needed for the 650 V-Strom. The 1000 needs a 19mm.
 
Halfords Professional range is good and reasonably priced.

Perhaps the most important thing is to get 6-point sockets rather than 12-point nut-rounding lathes. Ask me how I know...
 
As I said earlier, I'm away from home so can't confirm but in my head it's bigger than 12mm @Nod but I may well be wrong. It's certainly (again, in my head) not a torx, may not be octagonal but its also not square. Should have asked this before I left home so I could check!
Anyway I appreciate all your answers and help. As always!
 
Halfords stuff is actually pretty good. For what it's worth here's my general setup for non-professional use on the car and around the house:

I've got something similar to this socket and spanner set link which is very handy for routine mechanics and as previously mentioned go for six sided sockets rather than twelve.

I've also got this cantilever tool box link which is very handy and over the years I've filled with various sockets, spanners and screwdrivers, but I've also added more specialised tools as I've needed them (especially since getting a bloody Audi - damn you triple square!)

I've got a smaller regular tool box like this link which I've filled over the years with diy and automotive electrical gear such as wire strippers, crimping tools, various meters, wire, connectors, fuses etc, also handy for automotive.

There's now very little I don't have the tools for, probably just heat for those stubborn bolts and welding. I've saved a fortune doing my own servicing and repairs over the years.
 
gman said:
Halfords stuff is actually pretty good. For what it's worth here's my general setup for non-professional use on the car and around the house:

I've got something similar to this socket and spanner set link which is very handy for routine mechanics and as previously mentioned go for six sided sockets rather than twelve.

I've also got this cantilever tool box link which is very handy and over the years I've filled with various sockets, spanners and screwdrivers, but I've also added more specialised tools as I've needed them (especially since getting a bloody Audi - damn you triple square!)

I've got a smaller regular tool box like this link which I've filled over the years with diy and automotive electrical gear such as wire strippers, crimping tools, various meters, wire, connectors, fuses etc, also handy for automotive.

There's now very little I don't have the tools for, probably just heat for those stubborn bolts and welding. I've saved a fortune doing my own servicing and repairs over the years.
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Graham, can you please confirm that the Halfords set you linked to includes a 12mm allen socket - It looks like it to me but they call things by different names (hex, spline etc) and I'd like to be sure before ordering one - Ta!
 
stevewestern said:
Graham, can you please confirm that the Halfords set you linked to includes a 12mm allen socket - It looks like it to me but they call things by different names (hex, spline etc) and I'd like to be sure before ordering one - Ta!
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No Allen sockets that I can see, but there are Allen keys, Allen driver bits and deep/long Allen driver bits. I think they refer to them as hex key sets. No 12mm with the keys, but I think there are 12mm with the other two types.


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gman said:
No Allen sockets that I can see, but there are Allen keys, Allen driver bits and deep/long Allen driver bits. I think they refer to them as hex key sets. No 12mm with the keys, but I think there are 12mm with the other two types.


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Thanks for your help Graham - much like I thought then, looks like there is something that'll do the job but I may just go into a store to see rather than order online..
 
Snap On are great if you're using them ever day but an overkill for home use. Halfords look fine but I've still got my Elora set from the 1960's which cost a bomb then but are still 100% intact. Wish I was!
 
Well I ended up going into a store and having a look at a couple of their sets including this one -
www.halfords.com

Halfords Advanced 175 Pc Socket & Spanner Set | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Get to grips with the Halfords Advanced 175 Piece Socket and Ratchet Spanner Set. at Halfords UK
www.halfords.com www.halfords.com
My trade card got me an extra discount so I splashed out and now, after so many years of rounding off nuts with cheapo tools have a decent set.
Not tried it out properly as I've only had 36 hours at home and am leaving again first thing tomorrow but I did try one nut that I'd struggled with before and boy, it was so easy to undo.
As many have said about so many thing, the rights tools for the job make things so easy.
Thanks for all your replies and help!
 
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