Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 16 January 2007, 09:28:23

Title: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 January 2007, 09:28:23
with lifetime warranty

anyone here own one? I've got some vouchers, so may go get one if it's recommended, reduced to 99 quid, I'd only have to put 50 to it.

Anyone know what's included?
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Bo Bo on 16 January 2007, 09:29:30
Quote
with lifetime warranty

anyone here own one? I've got some vouchers, so may go get one if it's recommended, reduced to 99 quid, I'd only have to put 50 to it.

Anyone know what's included?
I think TheBoy & tunnie both have one of these, or something similar.......
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Markie on 16 January 2007, 09:54:52
Quote
Quote
with lifetime warranty

anyone here own one? I've got some vouchers, so may go get one if it's recommended, reduced to 99 quid, I'd only have to put 50 to it.

Anyone know what's included?
I think TheBoy & tunnie both have one of these, or something similar.......


yes sure they do - reasonable feedback if i remember correctly  :-/
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 January 2007, 09:56:13
Have a look at www.machinemart.co.uk
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Bo Bo on 16 January 2007, 09:57:59
Quote
Quote
Quote
with lifetime warranty

anyone here own one? I've got some vouchers, so may go get one if it's recommended, reduced to 99 quid, I'd only have to put 50 to it.

Anyone know what's included?
I think TheBoy & tunnie both have one of these, or something similar.......


yes sure they do - reasonable feedback if i remember correctly  :-/
Think Marks DTM said the spanners are a bit "springy"?
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 January 2007, 09:59:20
Mark seems to go for Machine Mart.
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Markie on 16 January 2007, 09:59:32
yep, he did Bo Bo, wear gloves when using them  ;D
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 January 2007, 10:01:36
Have a look at this James:-

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=040211548&r=2073&g=111
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 January 2007, 10:03:02
Or this one:-

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=040211388&r=2073&g=111
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Markie on 16 January 2007, 10:04:19
I do quite like the clarke stuff out of machine mart - never let me donw  :-/
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 January 2007, 10:04:32
Or even this one:-

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?w=1&p=040211497
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 January 2007, 10:18:14
I agree about the halfords spanners being springy. I've got a 13mm one, which is definately springy.

The sockets seem good though.

I've had the machine mart stuff, in fact I bought that first link posted a while ago..

But, after breaking 2 of the rathcets doing normal jobs, I gave up on them..
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 January 2007, 11:30:51
I have never broken a clarke ratchet yet but, I buy the professional range with the lifetime warranty (very good stuff).....

The biggest problem with the Halfords spanners is the thickness of the shafts, they are mega thin and cut into your hand of you apply any pressure....a reasonable starter for ten but, not my cup of tea...
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: stevief on 16 January 2007, 12:23:20
Been using a Halfords set for nearly 20 years and to date have only broken an allen key bit, and they have had some rough treatment  :-/

Steve
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: nixoro on 16 January 2007, 12:30:48
Currently I use a screwfix socket set and a Halfords socket set and they have been fine.

I must admit though some clarke stuff ie. my torx set are abit crap as i had a torx star bit snap in a waterpump bolt when I changed it last other than that though my kit hasn't been too bad.

The Halfords kit though has lasted well as my dad bought me it when I first started messing around with my first bicycle.
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: tunnie on 16 January 2007, 12:38:22
i got the 150pc set, from halfrauds.

I find it excellent, has everything you need to work on an Omega. Just take the one box and your sorted  :D

As Mark said though, spanners are thin and dig in. Best to wrap a cloth around it or something, but on the whole a very good set  :y
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Admin on 16 January 2007, 14:06:48
Agreed.

I have the 150 piece pro set and I have found it excellent. :)

Mark is correct on the spanners but having it all together is handy.
The ratchet spanners are a godsend too!

If it is only costing you £50, it is well worth it! :D
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: CaptainZok on 16 January 2007, 15:29:30
Got the big Clarke set myself and as James says the ratchets are crap, one of mine was knackered out the box. But for that price its a good selection of tools and if you throw the plastic inserts away you got a huge toolchest to store all the extra bits you buy too.
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: zywiec on 16 January 2007, 15:52:17
Quote
Agreed.

I have the 150 piece pro set and I have found it excellent. :)

Mark is correct on the spanners but having it all together is handy.
The ratchet spanners are a godsend too!

If it is only costing you £50, it is well worth it! :D


x2

i brought it for £150 quid and think it was a reasonable price.

been doning some work on the mega the last week and i left the set in germany and ive really missed it. :'(
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 January 2007, 15:57:43
Quote
Got the big Clarke set myself and as James says the ratchets are crap, one of mine was knackered out the box. But for that price its a good selection of tools and if you throw the plastic inserts away you got a huge toolchest to store all the extra bits you buy too.


An ethos I used to follow was buy a comprehensive tool kit at a reasonable price and, if you broke something, replace it with a good quality item....that way you only ever fork out on things you either need to be top notch quality or use very regulalrly....

And the machine mart Pro ratchets are good...
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: MaxV6 on 16 January 2007, 15:59:44
would i get accused of Elite-ism if i mention the words Snap-on???


sorry...  i'll get me coat before I get Pun-ished.

 ;D :y
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 January 2007, 16:02:45
No, they are a middle of the road quality tool....good for mechanics as they offer finance (pay monthly) purchase schemes but, not the best quality although do have a life time warranty (which on some items is a joke because they just refund what you paid for it 20 years ago rather than replace it!).

They are probabaly the most over rated tool manufacturer....

I always found King Dick and Teng tools stuff about the best, some of the older Stathwille and Brittol is very good to.....
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: CaptainZok on 16 January 2007, 16:16:54
Quote
Quote
Got the big Clarke set myself and as James says the ratchets are crap, one of mine was knackered out the box. But for that price its a good selection of tools and if you throw the plastic inserts away you got a huge toolchest to store all the extra bits you buy too.


An ethos I used to follow was buy a comprehensive tool kit at a reasonable price and, if you broke something, replace it with a good quality item....that way you only ever fork out on things you either need to be top notch quality or use very regulalrly....

And the machine mart Pro ratchets are good...
Thats what I was thinking when I bought it, Will replace the cheap ratchets with the pro version and get some socket rails and rubber matting. Jobs a good un. :y
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 January 2007, 16:24:55
This is the range I have taken a shine to.....just wait for a VAT free day to save an extra beer token or two...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/search.asp?q=clarke+pro+ratchet
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: CaptainZok on 16 January 2007, 16:28:42
Quote
This is the range I have taken a shine to.....just wait for a VAT free day to save an extra beer token or two...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/search.asp?q=clarke+pro+ratchet
Cheers Mark, I can feel a belated crimbo prezzie coming on. ;D
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Martin_1962 on 16 January 2007, 17:10:12
I have got a right mix aquired over the years includes Kamasa, Halfords, Brittool, Draper, Snap-On
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: TheBoy on 16 January 2007, 18:21:58
JamesV6CDX - I have one which you will see when you come over.

The spanners are too thin, and dig in.  It comes with 3 rachets - 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 to suit the various sockets, but no adapters between the different sizes.  Also, the E20 torx is on 3/8, so I keep a E20 1/2 drive one in my cambelt kit as I don't fancy cranking a v6 with a 3/8 drive socket.  The majority of standard screwdriver bits are 3/8 drive, but the screwdriver handle is 1/4.

They are the only issues I have with it as a comprehensive set, and solutions are to get some adapters, and some more standard type screwdriver bits. For the spanners though, you will need a rag!
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: TheBoy on 16 January 2007, 18:26:05
Having reread my post, it sounds like I don't rate it. That is not the case. I think its a great set. Just not quite perfect.

At £150, it is too much imho

At the twice yearly offer price of £100 is represents good money

If, like me, you had voucher etc, it can be a real steal :y

The spanners are a real shame though...
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: Markjay on 16 January 2007, 18:38:46
My base kit is Draper Expert (reasonable quality, but their 'value' series is crap), with some add-ons from Halfords and Machine Mart. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of Halfords tools, seem quite good.
Title: Re: Halfords Professional 150PC socket set
Post by: TheBoy on 16 January 2007, 18:41:18
Quote
My base kit is Draper Expert (reasonable quality, but their 'value' series is crap), with some add-ons from Halfords and Machine Mart. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of Halfords tools, seem quite good.
I think Halfords Pro is up there with Draper Expert/Stanley Pro etc, just the poor design of spanners is a real letdown...