Workshop tools & socket sets: 3/8" vs 1/2" general advice please

[wemorgan]

For years I've borrowed friends socket sets, so it's about time I bought my own!

The two immediate jobs I have in mind are; spark plug change and front brake pads/discs on a Smart ForTwo.

The spark plugs need a 16mm spark plug socket and need to be tightened to 22Nm.

So I think I need to buy:

1/2" socket set
1/2" torque wrench (40-210Nm)
3/8" torque wrench (10-80Nm)
3/8" to 1/2" adapter
16mm spark plug socket

Does this sound all OK?
Will the 3/8" to 1/2" adapter fit inside the cylinder head, so should I buy the 3/8" sized 16mm spark plug socket?
Are there any merits in buying a 3/8" socket set?
The tools are just for infrequent car DIY so don't need to be of the highest quality.....just not rubbish as to round off the nuts.
I don't want to start the job they realise I'm missing a vital tool

Thanks.

 

[grober]

For much of the work done on modern cars a good quality 3/8 drive socket set will be fine up to 22mm and is often better for access -just make sure you have a decent range of sizes in the larger 13mm and above sockets- preferably some deep ones too. I would go for the 6 point surface drive type if you can afford it . Good intro here DIFFLOCK.com - Socket Sets plus some recent reviews Torque wrenches tested | Products | Auto Express
and
Read Review of Socket Sets | Draper Socket Set | Yamoto | Sealey | Franklin | Kamasa | Laser| Clarke | Gedore

 

[Rovinghawk]

Deleted

 

[umedc]

For years I've borrowed friends socket sets, so it's about time I bought my own!

The two immediate jobs I have in mind are; spark plug change and front brake pads/discs on a Smart ForTwo.

The spark plugs need a 16mm spark plug socket and need to be tightened to 22Nm.

So I think I need to buy:

1/2" socket set
1/2" torque wrench (40-210Nm)
3/8" torque wrench (10-80Nm)
3/8" to 1/2" adapter
16mm spark plug socket

Does this sound all OK?
Will the 3/8" to 1/2" adapter fit inside the cylinder head, so should I buy the 3/8" sized 16mm spark plug socket?
Are there any merits in buying a 3/8" socket set?
The tools are just for infrequent car DIY so don't need to be of the highest quality.....just not rubbish as to round off the nuts.
I don't want to start the job they realise I'm missing a vital tool

Thanks.

get the halford one got all bit

 

[BlackC55]

The halfords kit is superb for a home mechanic.

If you are doing the plugs on the Smart you will need the tool to remove the plug caps. Dont forget there are 6 of them too.

 

[wemorgan]

The halfords kit is superb for a home mechanic.

If you are doing the plugs on the Smart you will need the tool to remove the plug caps. Dont forget there are 6 of them too.

Thanks

Do you use 3/8" or 1/2" sockets when working on Smarts?

 

[BlackC55]

Depends on what Im doing.

Generally 3/8.

We tend to use alot of air tools that are mostly 1/2

 

[lynall]

Agree 1/2 tools are a waste of time on cars in the engine bay, 3/8 are superb, halfords tools are pretty good.

Ive got some of their ratcheting spanners and seem okay so far, not as good as snap on but nowheres near the price, also got some of their torx 3/9 sockets which i regularly use on my 1/2 battery impact gune and they are also still fine.

At home ive got a 3/8 drive sealey socket set in a tin thats got all you need apart from the torque wrenchs cost me about £40/50, done all my spark plugs with this set up, even my wheel nuts with a piece of tube slipped over the ratchet

Dont buy one of the huge kits as half of the stuff you will never use.




Lynall

 

[stevesey]

Agree 1/2 tools are a waste of time on cars in the engine bay, 3/8 are superb...

Never though about it like that - but 3/8 for the engine bay, 1/2 for suspension is probably a pretty good rule of thumb.

I survived on 1/2in and 1/4in for years, but bought a 3/8 set from halfords after buying the merc and realising there's much less space than with a 4 pot.

 

[Colin_b]

Another vote for the Halfords tools here. And if you break them (don't ask..), they will just swap them.

3/8 is the best for all round work. A torque wrench is useful, but make sure the threads are clean and free running before you trust it entirely....

 

[wemorgan]

Thanks everyone.......very useful information as usual.

Buying this Sealey 3/8" socket set and torque wrench looks to be the business.

 

[franey]

May I recommend these instead of halfords?

Excellent tools, great price, you will be pleased you did!!

Cromwell Industrial Tools UK

 

[lynall]

Get the trade card at halfords makes quite a difference to the prices.



Lynall

 

[wemorgan]

My final order was:

Sealey Socket Set 45pc 3/8"Sq Drive Metric/Imperial £49

Sealey 3/8" Square Drive 7 - 112Nm Micrometer Style Torque Wrench £48

Sealey 2 Ton Short Chassis Yankee Trolley Jack + Axle Stands £32

I was very happy to find the torque wrench with such a wide range as I originally expected to have to buy two.

I added the jack and stands as I found a £10 voucher code (TNFFAUG9) if I spent over £100

Now, what's that phrase..........'all the gear and no idea'

 

[jaymanek]

I bought the Teng set that was advertised on here.. ok it wasnt cheap but I have every manual tool i could ever want..

 

[GordonTarling]

Don't see why you'd need two torque wrenches. One has served me well for years. Buy the 1/2" torque wrench and then a step-down so that you can use it with the 3/8 drive bits. Agree with the others about 3/8 drive though - it'll do all but the meatiest tasks.

 

[Sp!ke]

I bought this Halfords set some time ago now for an absolute steal.

I've used it loads and not had a single problem with the tools at all.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/35353-tool-box-bargain.html

 

[wemorgan]

Don't see why you'd need two torque wrenches. One has served me well for years. Buy the 1/2" torque wrench and then a step-down so that you can use it with the 3/8 drive bits. Agree with the others about 3/8 drive though - it'll do all but the meatiest tasks.

I went for this single torque wrench:
Sealey 3/8" Square Drive 7 - 112Nm Micrometer Style Torque Wrench £48

as its wide range covered both the spark plugs at 22Nm and the wheel bolts at 110Nm

 

[wemorgan]

The new tools have arrived

 

[BlackC55]

Be careful with that Jack. The overall surface area is not good for jacking up heavy MB's.