Get that toolkit you’ve always dreamed of with a top-notch socket set—it’s your ticket to tackling tough jobs with ease! Sporting various sizes and a ratcheting function on its head, the socket ratchet is a great alternative to the traditional spanner or ratchet.
Socket sets are a solid choice for both DIY enthusiasts and tradies alike—helping you effortlessly tighten or loosen nuts and bolts, reduce your chances of rounding fasteners, and keeping your shed schmick and organised. No more rummaging around for the right size—just grab your socket wrench set, and you're good to go!
Socket Set FAQ
What to look for when buying socket sets
When you're on the hunt for the ideal socket set, keep your eyes peeled for quality, drive size, and having a good range of sizes to suit your needs. The key difference between socket sets is the range of fastener sizes they cover, so make sure it has what you need.
Depending on the job and the type of fasteners you’re working with, the design or shape of the socket will differ. There’s a huge variety of socket designs for specific fasteners. Hex sockets are the most common type and have a square drive socket at one end to attach them to the tool (e.g. ratchet), and a hexagon (or bi-hexagon) recessed socket head at the other end to turn fasteners such as nuts and bolts.
Then there’s socket bits—they’re a combo of a screwdriver bit and with a hex socket for attaching it to the turning tool. Impact sockets are made for use with impact drivers such as air guns, and spark plug sockets are a must for any mechanic. Size matters, so check if it's an imperial 1/2 socket set or a 1/4 socket set you’re after, or if you need one with metric measurements, and remember: quality is key.
What size socket set should I buy?
For socket sets, it's all about the job at hand—if you're a weekend warrior, a small socket set might be all you need, but for the serious tradie tackling industrial work, a large socket set would be a better way to go. A mechanic working on engines will undoubtedly need a spark plug socket set, but the home DIYer will likely get most use from the more commonly used hex socket set. It's all about having the right gear for the task at hand, so choose wisely, and you'll never be without the right tool!
Is it worth buying a socket set?
Dollars to donuts, whether you're a DIY champ or a professional tradie, having a quality socket and spanner set is a game-changer. Like the Swiss Army knife of the toolkit world, a top-notch set of sockets reduces the chance of rounding fasteners, keeps you organised, makes jobs faster and easier, and ramps up your efficiency—can’t argue with that!
Which is better: a shallow or deep socket set?
The better choice between a shallow or deep socket set depends on the job you’re doing, and the space you have to access the fastener. If access to the fastener is restricted by overhead clearance, such as on cars or motorbike engines where space is limited, you might need a lower profile or shallow socket set. A deep socket set is what you’ll want if you need to reach the nut on a longer threaded bolt, or need to get down into narrow spaces to get to a recessed fastener. It all depends on the job at hand.
