March 05: Socket sets
A 3/8-in drive socket set is ideal for delicate
or tough motorhome jobs – we test the best | |
Once, most DIY socket sets were bulky 1/2 in drive sets – no good for the small nuts or bolts which retain fittings in our motorhomes. You could use a cheap 1/4 in set, but they earned a reputation for breaking up. The next size up, 3/8 in sets, are tougher. They're compact enough for delicate jobs, yet strong enough to make your 1/2 in set almost redundant on mechanical jobs. So if you want a socket set that's usable for almost all motorhome jobs, a 3/8 in drive set is hard to beat.
DETAILED WRITE-UP FOR EACH KIT, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MARCH 05 ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE. |
US Pro-Tools 19-piece socket set
Price £32.95
Tel 01270 585653
Performance 7/14
Is it worth the money? 6/6
Overall score 13/20
Comments This set it rather more conventional than the other US Pro-Tools set in this test, with a modest 15 sockets spanning 10-19mm in standard height and deeps.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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Yamoto YMT-582-6200K
Price £49.99
Tel 0116 288 8000
Performance 12/14
Is it worth the money? 6/6
Overall score 18/20
Comments: What a gorgeous piece of kit this is. It really wouldn't look out of place in Ferrari's Formula One pits, and the closer you look, the better it gets. First, there are 49 sockets here, covering 6-22mm, with
10-22mm in deep sockets also being catered for.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
*** BEST BUY ***
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Franklin XL3835
Price £71.03
Tel 0114 272 1429
Performance 10/14
Is it worth the money? 4/6
Overall score 14/20
Comments This is rather a pricey set, but that's due, in part, to Franklin's ultra-fine
72-position ratchet. The 30 sockets are all surface-drive hex, which means effective use on rounded nuts and the ability to both metric and AF sizes. Standard sockets cover 6-24mm, and 'deeps' sockets range from 8-19mm.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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Draper 18970
Price £44.95
Tel 02380 266355
Performance 10/14
Is it worth the money? 6/6
Overall score 16/20
Comments Another good no-nonsense set, this set comes with 33 sockets altogether. These cover 6-22mm, and
8-13mm in deeps. There are several AF sizes too, but only
in normal height sockets.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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Kamasa SS3835
Price £45
Tel 01926 815999
Performance 11/14
Is it worth the money? 6/6
Overall score 17/20
Comments Don't be put off by the 'Old School' styling of the case, this is a serious bit of kit for the money. There are 25 sockets, covering 9-22mm and similar AF sizes, and Kamasa throws in loads of accessories.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
*** RECOMMENDED ***
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SIP Omega Mechanix 00516
Price £50.45
Tel 01509 500300
Performance 7/14
Is it worth the money? 4/6
Overall score 11/20
Comments A well finished set, this one contains 24 sockets, spanning 6-22mm, and 10-17mm in deeps, and another 23 bits for all popular screw, Phillips, Pozidrive, and Torx sizes.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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US Pro-Tools Hex wrench socket set
Price £35
Tel 01270 585653
Performance 8/14
Is it worth the money? 6/6
Overall score 14/20
Comments Not a true 3/8in drive socket set, but very good, all the same. All nine sockets here fit inside this unusual hex socket ratchet, which means they're hollow
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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Draper 36889
Price £38.95
Tel 02380 266355
Performance 8/14
Is it worth the money? 6/6
Overall score 14/20
Comments At this price, this isn't
a true budget buy – but it's certainly the best here for under £40. The ratchet is the same 45-position one used in the 18970 set (page 135) and, again, Draper has been generous with the accessories.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
*** BEST BUY ***
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Laser 3431
Price £44.95
Tel 01926 815888
Performance 8/14
Is it worth the money? 5/6
Overall score 13/20
Comments Like the Franklin, a fine
72-position ratchet pushes the price
of this set up to seemingly high levels, specially as there are only 13 sockets, a couple of extensions, a universal joint, and tommy bar included.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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Gedore Carolus 6862.90
Price £89
Tel 01756 798625
Performance 9/14
Is it worth the money? 2/6
Overall score 11/20
Comments Though never competing on value for money with the other, more comprehensive sets in this test, Gedore's quality throughout is stunning.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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Stanley 1-87-060
Price £37.24
Tel 08701 650650
Performance 6/14
Is it worth the money? 5/6
Overall score 11/20
Comments Like Kamasa's set, this looks a bit dated at first
glance, and the slightly flimsy plastic case doesn't help matters much. But look beyond that, and you'll find that it's
a fairly competent set.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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Clarke Pro 80
Price £56.34
Tel 01992 565300
Performance 8/14
Is it worth the money? 4/6
Overall score 12/20
Comments Clarke appears to have
taken the title 'socket set' literally, as this is almost exclusively a set of sockets. The only accessories included are a ratchet and a small and medium extension piece.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
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Yamoto YMT-582-6180K
Price £70.48
Tel 0116 288 8000
Performance 11/14
Is it worth the money? 5/6
Overall score 16/20
Comments This is a slightly different take on our 'Best Buy'. Its quality is just as good, but the socket count drops to 28. Instead, Yamoto provides no less than
18 bits, catering for most popular screw, Pozidrive, Phillips, Torx, and hex bolts.
FULL WRITE-UP IN THE MAGAZINE
*** RECOMMENDED ***
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