RiderSite.com - Motorcycle Forums

Message

Torn · #1 Post by **Torn** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:00 pm

hi looking to replace a very very cheap socket set that is made of butter, while looking around i came across this tool set at halfords, which could be useful, any one have one or would i be better to buy a stand alone socket set for the same money? it would be used for general bike maintenance and then servicing when my warranty is up. also something like that might help me keep my tools a bit tidier!!!

cheers

dave

#2 Post by **Kwackerz** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:09 pm

Halford's Professional tools are the best going for cheapness against the quality. I recommend them highly (as a former mechanic) My own choice are King Dick and Snap On tools, however theyre not really necessary.

That kit will have a moderately good tool chest linked with mediocre tools, the majority of those kind of packages are.

Better to shell out for a basic toolbox and fill it full of the better quality tools.

fastasfcuk · #3 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:31 pm

halfords professional tools sold individually are good quallity for the price,but the one your looking at for £70 i can't see it being much cop.

#4 Post by **Kwackerz** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:56 pm

Yup, theyre gonna be the really cheap halford's tools

Still ok for changing a tap in the bathroom, but you dont want to be attacking your pride and joy with them..

Torn · #5 Post by **Torn** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:57 pm

maybe this is the way forward
Halfords Professional 150 piece Socket/Ratchet Set

BikerGran · #6 Post by **BikerGran** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:05 pm

I don't twirl the spanners much these days but I have a set of Halfords Professional spanners and I love em!

They're slim enough to get into spaces that cheap spanners won't, and they're beautifully made so they don't slip off or round the nuts. They look good too and are a pleasure to handle. Recommended. Was going to go for the sockets too but as I said, not much need for them now.

#7 Post by **Kwackerz** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:12 pm

Hmm Possibly, Torn..
I would say that you'll only find use for a quarter of those though. I'll post my list for a toolkit, although you did only ask about the sockets

Depends what you think you're going to do on a bike / car / in the house really.

I would suggest, as a basic toolkit for dabbling..

1. A couple of different Philips screwdrivers, varying lengths and sizes of head.

2. A couple of different flatpoint screwdrivers for normal use, plus a small one.. an 'electrician's screwdriver' for things like house plug connections (changed a plug? those little brass screws that hold the wires in..something for that)

3. A pair of decent pliers, with the sidecutting section

4. A pipewrench (Stillsons)

5. Mole Grips

6. Hammer (Ballpein)

7. Socket set metric, from 6mm thru to 18mm this will cover most battery connection bolts, jubilee clip nuts, and all those found on an engine. Spend extra to get a decent quality 10mm and 13mm deep socket as well.

8. Sparkplug spanner or socket to suit the bike and /or car

9 Torx socket set and allen key set (decent quality allen keys)

10. Small torque wrench. Look at a haynes manual for the bike for the range of torque settings, buy one to cover that range.

11. a couple of different sized brass drifts for knocking bolts out of holes, etc (wheel spindles, etc)

You can get all the above for under the price of that set (normal price) if you shop sensibly and look at quality not flashy handles, etc. Things like wheel spindle nut spanners for the bike maybe if you dont have the toolkit with the bike, etc

You'll also need a set of feeler gauges and an oil filter removal tool. DONT use a screwdriver knocked thru the side of the filter. it's messy, shoddy and can damage the internals of the oil filter mount. Get a proper tool. These guys will be able to explain the best one for a Falco

Firestarter · #8 Post by **Firestarter** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:57 pm

I bought a Halfords Professional kit about 10 years ago - similar to this, but without some of the fancy bits like ratchet spanners. It's done me proud with lots of abuse taking off seized exhaust bolts, bike spannering etc. The 3/8" ratchet has had it (what I use the most), but all of the bits are still OK. Thing with a kit is, you get lots of bits that you never use

I'd suggest getting a small kit of "normal" sized metric sockets and a 3/8" ratchet (Teng, Snap-on or the Halfords stuff), get a decent toolbox, and add to it with extra bits as you find you need them.

Mark

falcomunky · #9 Post by **falcomunky** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:26 pm

Ive had a set of Halfords metric/imperial sockets fer about ten years as well and theyve done me proud!

Theyve been through engine rebuilds, simple servicing and more recently the swingarm conversion and been spot on!

Recommended!

Pierre · #10 Post by **Pierre** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:58 pm

Wierd how I normally wouldn't waste phlegm(!) to spit on our local branch but I still ended up buying this at £50

They are good for something then

That first toolkit you showed Torn has them ratchets that slip after a few months use , taking all your knuckles off in the process.

Gio · #11 Post by **Gio** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:25 pm

Apart from the snap on tools I've got, I have also a roll of tools that are all Halford Professional, I take them everywhere I go on the bike, damn good value for money, the only downside was the 8mm and 7mm spanners which were to thick on some of the paces they had to reach, I ground them down and they are still as good as they were 6 years ago.

Buy yhem individually as Kwack points out above, admittedly they cost a bit more each but you'll have the tools you need.

One thing I'd say you should have as an extra, is a stubby 32mm socket and a long bar ( most bikes rear wheel bolt use that)

#12 Post by **Kwackerz** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:45 pm

Speaking of tools.. Just found this on my internet travels..

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/871c/

Now I like the look of that!

jam · #13 Post by **jam** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:45 pm

I'm in agreement with Kwackerz on this, the Halfords stuff is great quality for the price, and comes with a very similar warranty to more expensive stuff like Snapon. Generally speaking go for the best you can afford on smaller stuff that you'll use more often, with bigger spanners/sockets you can go slightly cheaper as A/ you don't use them as often, and B/ if you break a 27mm spanner, you shouldn't be using it in the first place and should have your tools taken away

Although saying that some of my former students could break anything, I had one who managed to misread a torque wrench, and stripped the threads off an Exup front wheel spindle