Good - but cheap - 1/2" socket set. Suggestions?

[Bandit127]

I have 2 sets of 3/8" sockets from Halfords - 1 'professional'. They are pretty good, but I need a 1/2" set too. The rusty nuts and bolts on my Mk3 need a good quality fit or I will round stuff off left right and centre. No need for Snap On stuff for though - and sadly I cannot afford Facom which I use at work and are very good.

So I am after suggestions for a good, but cheap 1/2" socket set for the tough stuff.

I found these and they seem OK for the money.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-194650-Socket-2-inch-Pieces/dp/B002HMXR6I/ref=sr_1_5?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1339786789&sr=1-5

What else would you recommend?

[JC]

there will only be a few uses for a 1/2 drive.

only time i do is for 13 mm PLUS socket

then the impact sockets come out with a small breaker bar and one rachet . flat sided and tough, espeically if they need hammering on 

maybe a different route to take rather than a whole 1/2 socket set 

[Bandit127]

I like the way you're thinking...

I will never break an impact socket - even with a breaker bar... And a 450 Nm electric impact driver can be had on Amazon for £50 or so too (when I can afford it). http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarke-CEW1000-Electric-Impact-Wrench/dp/B0039BQRUO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1339790638&sr=8-13

Would just need a quality ratchet plus some extension bars for a really good set. 

[danny_p]

halfords pro  or  draper expert  seem to be good value budget ranges  that are reasonably tough.

six sided sockets are good for shifting stubborn bolts  but  a 19mm bihex is vry usefull for spinning the cranck round if your ever pissing about with that.

tho for marine work  an oxygen spanner may be a far better investment

[dan2252]

buy cheap buy twice haha i bought halfords.. now im moving onto snap on for a fair few reasons. sick of breaking rachets so instead of having to buy a repair kit snap on just change no questions asked. same for sockets, you can really feel the quality in snap on tools imo, plus i have to try and be cool at work.........

[danny_p]

snap on isn't all that.

there lifetime warranty is not all it's cracked upto be and they make you pay for ratchet repairs as the ratchet mech is called a wearing part  now.

far better quality avalible on the market for simalar money

[thai-wronghorse]

halfords pro  or  draper expert  seem to be good value budget ranges  that are reasonably tough.

six sided sockets are good for shifting stubborn bolts  but  a 19mm bihex is vry usefull for spinning the cranck round if your ever pissing about with that.

tho for marine work  an oxygen spanner may be a far better investment

Totally agree, I've a plethora of tool brands and the Halfords professional 1/2 ratchet set my old man bought for me about 15 years ago is still going strong. I've simply built on it and purchased additional bigger sockets etc over the years. Superb value for money imo.

[thai-wronghorse]

In regards of rusty and damaged bolts I would highly recommend investing in a set of Irwin bolt exstractors. These come in 3/8" and bailed me out numerous times.

[clipperjay]

Teng 1/2 EGAY £20.00 odd still have mine after 12 odd years and bearings just started to slip on grip?

[thai-wronghorse]

Britool also make some decent stuff.