Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a socket set, mainly using it for working on a motorcycle as well as home use. I was at supercheap auto and they are all pretty pricey, many of them above $100.
Anyone has some experience. Doesn't have to be those el cheapo brands that break after using it twice but something that is somewhat precise but also doesn't cost too much. What's a decent enough brand?
oh and there i was thinking that was expensive… lol ok got to readjust my expectations
Yep. The Supercheap stuff is actually reasonable for the price, I don't think you'd be wearing it out with home use. Have a look at snap on, stahlwille, wurth etc if you want to see expensive lol.
Get 1/4 and 3/8. I work on stuff all day, and use 1/4 and 3/8 most of the time, 1/2 or 3/4 only if the others can't get it undone.
Stanley, Kinchrome, Sidchrome, they are all good tool brands, among others, but you will pay for them, but you only pay once.
Check out Repco's tool range especially when they have a 25% discount sale.
Total Tools also stock some decent reasonably priced tools.
Cheap tools will work out expensive in the long run when they break or lose grip. I've even seen them rusting after a few months.
They are OK for home use but for cars or bikes you have to pay for dependable brands which will put up with a fair bit of abuse and still last you for many years.
Having had Stanley sockets in the past I wouldn't buy them unless it was all I could afford and had to have them right now so couldn't wait to save a bit extra. I'm also not sure about Sidchrome since they're no longer Australian. I really think they're selling off past reputation and the quality doesn't match the price. I've had a Kincrome set for over 20 years and it's been perfect for DIY. I've even managed to never lose the 10mm. You can pick up a 3/8 set for around $120 and likely will last a lifetime of home use.
Kincrome is the way to go? Ok, good good. I had some Stanley tools over the years but I feel like the quality over the past few years is inferior to the quality 20 years back.
Would 3/8 or 1/4 inch be better for motorcycle and home use?
Well it's an option. Over the years I've found it to be decent quality for the price. I'm not sure it'd stand up to pro use day in day out but for DIY I think they're good.
Stanley tools are definitely hit and miss these days. I agree they used to be higher quality in general but like most they've cut costs by cutting quality.
3/8 is the all rounder IMO. I got by for many many years with only a 3/8 set. When it comes to cars, the general rule of thumb I heard once is 1/4 for interior stuff, 3/8 for engine bay and general body and 1/2 for suspension and while that's not a hard and fast rule, it is fairly accurate. On a bike, which I have no experience working on, I'd think 3/8 will cover 99% of what you need and also be suitable for most other things around the house. My 3/8 set is what I turn to 99% of the time.
@apsilon: Ok, think I'll go with the mechpro 3/8 from repco since they have a sale at the moment. Many thanks for your input :)
My KC Tools 3/8" sockets have been copping abuse for 30 years. I've replaced the ratchet twice (too lazy to follow up on warranty).
Anything I've bought in the last 10 years was either from eBay or Supercheap.
A set of 1/2" black 6 point long sockets gets used all the time. they were ~$15
Ditto a set of short ones.
I have an old Sidchrome breaker bar and a new 3/8" breaker bar off ebay ($20) both get a lot of use.
My 1/2" & 3/8" ratchets were <$10 each from SCA.
I also mix and match everything using a set of 4 adaptors that allow almost any socket to fit almost any driver.
When I was on the tools for money and had "sets" I reckon I only used 1/4 of the tools regularly.
Thanks for the feedback. Do you reckon 3/8 or 1/2 is better suited for motorcycle/home use?
3/8" every day of the week.
I did my apprenticeship on 1/2" supplied by my employer and bought a cheap 3/8' set when I left and never looked back.
I use 3/8" for everything up to 19mm. It's probably used 80% of the time
They've gone up $5 but these are great for $25
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-8-x-15-38cm-breaker-bar-socket…
For 8mm & 10mm and even 12mm I usually grab my 1/4" because I like the ratchet
https://www.endeavourtools.com.au/sek-flex-stubby-ratchet-ha…
I like wobble ends too
http://www.kctools.com.au/Products/socket-sets-accessories/1…
The main reason I get my 1/2" stuff out is because I don't want to buy more tools.
I saw the deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/537589
Doesn't seem like Repco has any Kincrome. Is Mechpro a good brand?
Go look at your bike and figure out what you are actually going to need to work on it. Probably a handful of tools.
But hey man i get it, i was there once too. Bought a whole socket and spanner set and end up using 10% of them lol. Nice to have, makes you feel good etc. I get it.
Mechpro and SCA home brands are pretty good value, and their returns seem to be quite flexible. I"d be happy with those if buying again.
^^^^^ This
If you have a japanese car you need 8 10 12 14 17 19
BMW Merc 13 15 17 19 (IIRC - it was 1989 when I worked for BMW).
Buy cheap buy twice, but…. I’ve had cheap socket sets and they are fine unless you are really getting stuck into a nut or bolt with a massive breaker bar or something. The ratchets tend to fail earlier, but you can buy a decent one when it does and keep the sockets.
Most motorcycle stuff is hex / allan key (Jap / Euro)
$100 is actually super cheap.