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      05-22-2018, 01:10 PM   #23
Banana Hammock
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The shape of the fastener will determine which socket you'll use. Using a 12 point on a 6 sided bolt will work but that's risky business. Limited surface area contact runs the risk of rounding the bolt which is never fun. This is especially true when you're cranking down hard on a stuck bolt.
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      05-22-2018, 02:10 PM   #24
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Spend more for the sockets, since inaccurate or weak ones will round off the bolt/nuts. Ditto for driver-bits and screwdrivers - skip those '400 bit' sets made in China, they will just bring heartache and damaged parts.

The value of 12-points is that they only require 1/12th of a turn - good in tight quarters (same for ratchets - having one with micro-clicks is a good idea, but also a little weaker).

1/4 drive can be real useful for tight spaces too, as the extenders and u-joints are small and can fit lots of places. They also help you avoid overtorquing small nuts like for sheet metal screws or electronics. Those spring-drive bendable extensions are life-savers sometimes.

Get adapters (1/4 to 3/8, 3/8 to 1/2 and vice versa) - then you can usually use any socket w/ any driver (or have two at the same time, if you need that). Deep sockets are useful if working with nuts on long bolts (or that gizmo noted above with the 'thru-bolt' design).

Good screwdrivers are also a real joy. Start with a basic set, then add the weird little ones to get into small spaces as you need them. Cheap ones will be problems unless all you do is tighten things around the house.

Go cheap for the brute force stuff like a 1/2" breaker bar (or better yet, check out a pawn shop - they have LOTS of used tools cheap and you can probably find Craftsman or better). If you put a pipe on the handle of most 3/8 ratchets and really crank down, they will break or be damaged (sockets will balloon out too). Those black 'impact driver' sockets are high-strength and very hard to break, if you work a lot with old cars or rusted bolts. They also make an impact driver that gives you the power to unstick things w/o pneumatic driver.

Other tools I use a lot are a set of picks (large and small), pry bars (like big screwdrivers), and aviation snips (cutting nails, wire, and some sheet metal). I have a set of ratcheting wrenches that can be super in close quarters. Other special wrenches include ones for tubing/flare nuts, super thin ones, and stubby ones. Can't get enough weird specialty drivers either - the screwdriver-handles w/ 1/4 and 3/8 drives are often in use, as is a t-handle.

Also a good idea to keep a small tool set put aside for household use - once you get them covered w/ grease, you won't want to use them around the house or for woodworking.
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      05-22-2018, 05:08 PM   #25
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I know you measure things in C and mm up north, but consider also having a set of SAE sizes for things you might buy from 'Murica. Yes, they will fit SAE/metric in a pinch, but you really don't want to be doing that.
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      05-23-2018, 09:18 AM   #26
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Im glad to use metric tools, that converting into anglo-american values at working at aircrafts had bothering me lots of time
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      05-23-2018, 07:47 PM   #27
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      05-24-2018, 01:33 AM   #28
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If working on German cars make sure you buy a set of Torx, E-torx and Hex sockets. As far as organization, I bought these colored magnetic socket trays from Home Depot and they've held up fine
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      05-25-2018, 07:51 AM   #29
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nice advice and explanation,
txs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maynard View Post
Spend more for the sockets, since inaccurate or weak ones will round off the bolt/nuts. Ditto for driver-bits and screwdrivers - skip those '400 bit' sets made in China, they will just bring heartache and damaged parts.

The value of 12-points is that they only require 1/12th of a turn - good in tight quarters (same for ratchets - having one with micro-clicks is a good idea, but also a little weaker).

1/4 drive can be real useful for tight spaces too, as the extenders and u-joints are small and can fit lots of places. They also help you avoid overtorquing small nuts like for sheet metal screws or electronics. Those spring-drive bendable extensions are life-savers sometimes.

Get adapters (1/4 to 3/8, 3/8 to 1/2 and vice versa) - then you can usually use any socket w/ any driver (or have two at the same time, if you need that). Deep sockets are useful if working with nuts on long bolts (or that gizmo noted above with the 'thru-bolt' design).

Good screwdrivers are also a real joy. Start with a basic set, then add the weird little ones to get into small spaces as you need them. Cheap ones will be problems unless all you do is tighten things around the house.

Go cheap for the brute force stuff like a 1/2" breaker bar (or better yet, check out a pawn shop - they have LOTS of used tools cheap and you can probably find Craftsman or better). If you put a pipe on the handle of most 3/8 ratchets and really crank down, they will break or be damaged (sockets will balloon out too). Those black 'impact driver' sockets are high-strength and very hard to break, if you work a lot with old cars or rusted bolts. They also make an impact driver that gives you the power to unstick things w/o pneumatic driver.

Other tools I use a lot are a set of picks (large and small), pry bars (like big screwdrivers), and aviation snips (cutting nails, wire, and some sheet metal). I have a set of ratcheting wrenches that can be super in close quarters. Other special wrenches include ones for tubing/flare nuts, super thin ones, and stubby ones. Can't get enough weird specialty drivers either - the screwdriver-handles w/ 1/4 and 3/8 drives are often in use, as is a t-handle.

Also a good idea to keep a small tool set put aside for household use - once you get them covered w/ grease, you won't want to use them around the house or for woodworking.
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      05-25-2018, 07:53 AM   #30
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niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

+1 on the torx/e-torx and hex soc advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by flipmeraz View Post
If working on German cars make sure you buy a set of Torx, E-torx and Hex sockets. As far as organization, I bought these colored magnetic socket trays from Home Depot and they've held up fine
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      05-25-2018, 12:28 PM   #31
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And triple squares, especially for VW cars
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      05-25-2018, 12:48 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flipmeraz View Post
If working on German cars make sure you buy a set of Torx, E-torx and Hex sockets. As far as organization, I bought these colored magnetic socket trays from Home Depot and they've held up fine
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      05-25-2018, 01:10 PM   #33
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2016 BMW 320i  [7.87]
2014 BMW 328i  [6.83]
Ive been rocking this as my go to set for a year or so. Definitely not "high end" but honestly feels very solid, heavy and well made. Best set I could find for the price ($50). Would recommend to others that are looking to start a tool collection. Good start.

STANLEY STMT72254 123-Piece Master Mechanics Black Chrome Socket Set

https://www.stanleytools.com/product...-set/stmt72254
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