Page 1 of 1
Small socket set
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 6:49 pm
by Boab
Ages ago I bought a cheapo t-handle driver, which came with some small sockets; 4mm, 5mm, 6mm etc. It was in a bit of a state and mostly broken, but still sort of worked, except I've put it somewhere safe, and now canny find it. I'd rather not buy cheapo plastic tat again, especially one where the sockets also rust. So, can anyone recommend a t-handle driver that doesnae cost the earth, and comes with a variety of small sockets...?
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:10 pm
by fatbikephil
Not a T bar but I've been using a set of these for about 20 plus years - excellent quality
https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-too ... lacement=3
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 8:34 pm
by redefined_cycles
Yeah, Halfords Advnced should get you through life and maybe even your kids if they decide to blag it. Lifetime warranty that actually works. I’ve only broken 2 of their pieces one was a bit of a sizing fault. But they honoured the Advanced name and sorted me out tremendously. Good find that Phil.
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:30 pm
by benp1
Check out the Facom R1pico, it's a cracking little kit
It's a normal ratchet and bit driver but unlike the wera offering will also convert into a t handle. I have other T handle ratchets, but they don't come with the sockets
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:42 pm
by redefined_cycles
benp1 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:30 pm
Check out the Facom R1pico, it's a cracking little kit
It's a normal ratchet and bit driver but unlike the wera offering will also convert into a t handle. I have other T handle ratchets, but they don't come with the sockets
Bet that’s an arm and a leg? Got a link?
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 11:37 pm
by Boab
Thanks everyone. To be fair to Halfords, I pinched my Dad's socket set about thirty years ago and it's still going strong. As much as I'd like something like a Wera set, or equivalent, they're probably out of my reach; especially as I may have just bought
another pair of speakers...
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:44 am
by benp1
I seem to have a thing for bit drivers and have quite a few now. Including a nice little boxo one that is just like the silca t handle ratchet and the topeak one that I use as my bike tool
But the facom one has sockets while the others don't, and the whole package is ace. Not cheap, but good tools last forever, and not ridiculous pricing in the grand scheme of things
https://www.expert-toolstore.com/facom- ... 0-bits-set
Also available on amazon. They did a bike version of this at one point
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:37 am
by Bearbonesnorm
Wera make nice stuff although it might be a touch expensive but Bahco are worth a look, they do quite a few small 1/4" sets
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 10:14 am
by whitestone
I've a Magnusson 1/4" ratchet drive set. The ratchet is maybe 100mm long so ideal for taking on a bike. The set itself doesn't have sockets, it's purely screwdriver bits, hex and torx bits, but I also have some (very) old 1/4" sockets that go with it.
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:13 pm
by Boab
Realised last night that I still have an ancient accessory kit that came free with a cordless drill about twenty years ago. Popped out to one of the sheds this morning and it's got plenty of small sockets in it. They're not in the best state, but would do me for now, if I can clean them up a bit.
So, recommendations for some sort of fluid to leave these in over night to clean them up, or are they too far gone...?
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:33 pm
by Wotsits
Nowt wrong with them that a wire-brush, wire-wool & some WD40 won't sort out!
They would be a good addition to this set-
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/topeak-r ... gLFiPD_BwE
Also spotted this on Amazon, i have a couple of thise little ratchets & they're ok for light-work, but for anything tight-tight a t-bar would be betterer..
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-26070171 ... rce=1&th=1
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 2:06 pm
by fatbikephil
No need to clean 'em Boab, use will do that for you!
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 5:55 pm
by yourguitarhero
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 1:51 pm
by redefined_cycles
So, between the Wera and the Facom. Which would be the better one for tight spaces (let’s say the car) where you might need lots of ratchet teeth to engage quicker etc. If that makes sense as I’m thinking that one set of one of these might work for me for (tight space) car work as well as a tool kit for the bike and to keep it in my boot for the days a client/customer/family needs a bit of bolts fettling a little!
Excellent thread by the way Bob, thanks. I’m buying one on next pay day God Willing.
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 2:47 pm
by benp1
Wera tool check plus is probably the more well known set. And has a few more bits. But the ratchet handle is slightly bigger (thicker/wider)
The topeak ratchet handle is much smaller (I really like it). As is the facom. The facom has the option of being a t handle and no other set does that, although there are copies of it available. Also has a swivelling head, and is a smaller overall size with the bits and sockets. Doesn't have a normal screwdriver style bit driver, which the wera set generally does, but it's not a ratcheting head
Think the wera set is slightly cheaper, but it has functions I don't need (like lots of torx bits and a couple of extra sockets). They're both good, I prefer the facom personally because the T handle and flex head is ace
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 3:23 pm
by redefined_cycles
benp1 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 2:47 pm
Wera tool check plus is probably the more well known set. And has a few more bits. But the ratchet handle is slightly bigger (thicker/wider)
The topeak ratchet handle is much smaller (I really like it). As is the facom. The facom has the option of being a t handle and no other set does that, although there are copies of it available. Also has a swivelling head, and is a smaller overall size with the bits and sockets. Doesn't have a normal screwdriver style bit driver, which the wera set generally does, but it's not a ratcheting head
Think the wera set is slightly cheaper, but it has functions I don't need (like lots of torx bits and a couple of extra sockets). They're both good, I prefer the facom personally because the T handle and flex head is ace
Thanks for pointing that out about the flexi head. I had this one in my cart as it has much more bits, but realised now that it’s not a flexi head
https://www.primetools.co.uk/product/fa ... t-bit-set/
Surely the pico also comes in a ‘more-bits’ version. I’ll have a trawl around their site (but if someone know then that’s even better
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 10:03 am
by AndreR
I get the below for our field engineers who work on professional laundry and catering equipment. Not cheap and not something you'd carry on the bike but a great catch most jobs little set. We get a company discount so not sure what it would cost outside of that. Probably around £40.00 I'm guessing?
https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/1-4-inch-sock ... m=09651132
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 9:59 am
by voodoo_simon
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 10:37 am
by Hyppy
It doesn't have sockets though: I got caught out with my own Topeak set, (
this one), a couple of weeks back when grabbing it to some pedal maintenance away from home then finding myself without the sockets. Doh.
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 11:00 am
by voodoo_simon
Hyppy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 03, 2025 10:37 am
It doesn't have sockets though: I got caught out with my own Topeak set, (
this one), a couple of weeks back when grabbing it to some pedal maintenance away from home then finding myself without the sockets. Doh.
Oh yeah! I might as well have linked a koala bear for all the relevance it is
Re: Small socket set
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2025 8:28 pm
by Boab
AndreR wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 10:03 am
I get the below for our field engineers who work on professional laundry and catering equipment. Not cheap and not something you'd carry on the bike but a great catch most jobs little set. We get a company discount so not sure what it would cost outside of that. Probably around £40.00 I'm guessing?
https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/1-4-inch-sock ... m=09651132
Thanks for the suggestion, but Wurth are somewhat out of my price range...
I already have a Ratchet Rocket, but I was after something slightly more substantial, as it will also be use in places where I really need something a bit more inline.
I actually found my original t-handle driver, the safe place I put it was with my bike packing medical kit, toothbrush, etc...
It's totes knackered though, so I still need a new one. In the meantime, the rusty sockets have brushed up well and fit into my existing ratcheting screwdriver.
