Club 80-90 Forums

itchyfeet wrote:

DoubleOSeven wrote:You'll need a breaker bar in addition to any set you decide on too...and some plasters for when the socket slips off and you punch the concrete or cold steel with your bare knuckles!


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A breaker bar for removing a Westy interior

We all know that it won't end with just interior panel. Get a grip Paul, we're talking about T3's

As has been said already, the Halfords professional sockets sets are very good, and have a lifetime guarantee.
I keep mine in the van all the time, just in case of a breakdown
If you can wait a while they are often on sale at half price

Big Halfords Pro set here too. Bought 7 years ago. Find it invaluable, not just for van, but use it for all sorts of things - work.......

Just checked in the garage - Halfords Advanced socket set - rubbish.

tobydog wrote:Just checked in the garage - Halfords Advanced socket set - rubbish.

That's bizarre, many many people rave about the sets. I've used them too and can't fault them.

I was suprised by Tobydogs reply,as i have only ever read good things about the halfwits set.

Have halfords pro ratchet spanner set. Can't beat it. Great quality and still perfect after eight years of hard use.

This is like asking a bloke which is the best football team

just buy one in your budget range and get on with it, if you are not very mechanically minded you may never need more.
If you get the T3 ocd disease you may end up with an entire shed full of tools but you will learn what suits your needs by experence.

I have a lot of tools but most are not top end quality.

The sockets will last forever, the ratchet driver won't engage because the ball thingy can't move enough to engage with them

Not exactly rocket surgery.

Started grinding the ball down and thought whats the point, waste of time, just use the 40 year old Britool ratchet that's survived 4lb hammers and more.

Rob, don't believe everything you read.....

I don't think it's bizarre what2do, just low priced outsourcing from the far east with minimal quality control I suspect.

I dont believe you in that case.

Rob, don't believe everything you read.....

R0B wrote:I dont believe you in that case.

Rob, don't believe everything you read.....

What, every thing you read, or I'm a liar?

tobydog wrote:The sockets will last forever, the ratchet driver won't engage because the ball thingy can't move enough to engage with them

Dumb question perhaps. Why didn't you go back and get the ratchet replaced if it was defective? The Halfords Advanced stuff has a lifetime warranty.

Thanks all for the advice. I ended up getting a Draper retro set , 3/8, 40 pieces from a local store that had just opened up and it was at less than half price. To the untrained eye it looks decent quality cos its heavy! I used it in anger on the van for the first time yesterday and it did the job.

[quote="tobydog"]The sockets will last forever, the ratchet driver won't engage because the ball thingy can't move enough to engage with them

Not exactly rocket surgery.

Started grinding the ball down and thought whats the point, waste of time, just use the 40 year old Britool ratchet that's survived 4lb hammers and more.

I thought it was just me. A bit ashamed of the state of my Brittool rachet as it has been similarly abused, so glad some one else has hammer marks on it!

Just to add to this thread, I've had a few Clarke socket sets from Machine Mart which have been pretty good (as in haven't fallen to bits on me). Have a large set for the garage and a smaller set for in the van. I've always bought when they have the VAT free offers on though.

I also got one of these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/laser-4 ... t-handle-/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; from my father-in-law. I initially didn't think I'd rate it but it quickly became the 'go-to' ratchet due to its' compact size and flexibility. I only use the other ratchets if I need the leverage.