socket set wanted

[Zak33]

Zak, have you tried the vortex set ?

mine looks just like it does in that photo... but is much older. I spent ages finding that picture on Amazon....sounds a lot like they've changed the supplier.

I'm sorry mate.. that's a real shame.

[Agent]

Both Draper and Silverline are hit and miss. The car stands for example are fine (I have them, but mine are red), but some of their sockets are pants. The hard part is knowing what's decent and what's rubbish as both companies effectively re-brand stuff from China / where ever which vastly varies in quality.

Sounds like you got stung with that set mate

[Zak33]

Gonzo.. is it just the Vortex drives that are "waffer thin"?

[Tumble]

Have you looked at CK tools? I have a mini socket set - goes from 13mm to 4mm and it's a thing of beauty, lovely ratchet handle, spinner handle, extension & UJ.... check em out

[GoNz0]

Gonzo.. is it just the Vortex drives that are "waffer thin"?

no m8, compared to the utter crap set i have they are the same including the none vortex ones, go grab a britool one and its double the weight and wall thickness.

even the wife took a look and said "you will break them in no time"

even the switch on the ratchet feels cheap.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Have you looked at a Gedore socket set:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=gedore+socket+set

[Zak33]

even the switch on the ratchet feels cheap.

that's a sure sign thing... mine could turn the world!

[GoNz0]

ok i am keeping the vortex set, while it may not feel like expert quality i have just changed the rear wheel brake back plates on the BMW, to do this you have to rent a tool to remove the hub as its pressed on, part of striping this down involves taking off the brake caliper, one of the 18mm bolts needs a spanner as the brake line is about 1.5" away stopping a normal socket getting on there, the vortex being short fitted in and did the job.

also on the handbrake cable you can slide on the 12mm vortex and hold the tip of the thread with a pair of long nosed pliers to stop the cable spinning.

for light to medium duty jobs its spot on, i have grabbed a 3/8" draper expert ratchet from amazon as they are on offer to go with this set to save using the adapter for the normal sockets it comes with. £8.86 is a good price for that as the ones i have in 3/8" are happy shopped knuckle strippers when they give.

i stripped down my 1/2" ratchet today, its in perfect condition after replacing the missing screw, packed with grease its silent and ready for the next 40 years!

[Zak33]

OK, that's better news

I just got one of these this week

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001KOTNR...961_pe_ace_dt1


was £27 last week when I got it.

Works a treat... good to have the plastic carry case too.

[Agent]

I also have that from Screwfix

You can pick them up with ~£19.99 sometimes with stands and wheel rests, although the stands ain't great. Just wait for their yearly sale

[Agent]

Seemed like the most sensible place to post this. If anyone else is looking for a socket set, check this out: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_163079_langId_-1_categoryId_255215?msg=&_$ja=tsid:35532|kw:47868&cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-AffiliateWindow-_-47868-_-n%2fa&awc=1672_1350861763_d2078aca067c5088e95b2cd16f593e01

Cracking deal, and the parts have a lifetime guarantee