BETTER/BEST TYPE OF SOCKETS/SPANNERS TO BUY

The normal 12 piont type will most likely slip and round off the corners of nuts/bolts especially if they are not in A1 shape so IMO it is better to have 6 point tools ( normal/most common are 12 point) and better still to buy FLANK DRIVE tools as they exert pressure onto the sides/flat surfaces and not the corners so there can be no rounding of the corners.

The brand you buy is up to you as the price range is wide with the top being Stalwillie and Snap On. Happy to be corrected by the more knowledgeable if my info is incorrect.
 
Ive always wondered that.
Re the make
Most rave about snap on in the uk but I bought a snap on ratchet and broke it. True i got a new one but after that my veiws changed

I just bought a 170 piece set from halfords ( dont laugh)
Its their professional range with a lifetime guarantee which they do honour and cost £110 trade in their recent sale. (Was £250)
Rational is simple -if i break anything i just take it back and get another one so why spend any more.
 
Good point. What advantages do 12 point have over 6 point?

IF my memory is ok I think you need 12 points to tighten ARP bolts.
The other thing for the 12 points would be in small arc of movement advantage in confined spaces over 6 points (thinking out loud )

Brian sounds like you got a bargain.
 
OK, specialist bolt heads aside :) Actually, you have a valid point (pun intended). There a quite few 12 pointed bolts around. As 12 pointed sockets will also deal with standard heads, these are the ones to go for if on a budget.

Arc shouldn't be a problem with a decent ratchet.

Sleepers point re Halfords is also valid. Many years ago you could only buy cheap or expensive. Then Kamasa started a lifetime warranty and now virtually all sockets & spanners come with one. My Stanley spanners could be Snapon apart from the name stamped on them.

The one thing I have against Snapon (and Stanley) is their smoothness. Looks nice and are easy to clean but, unless wearing grippy gloves, they can be awkward to keep hold of in tight spaces.
 
Ah, yes, 12 point ring spanners are very useful, especially stumpy ones. Come to think of it though, I can't say I have ever seen a 6 point ring spanner.
 
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