There are some tools that are a necessity depending on what you own. Own a pair of eyeglasses and you’ll need to own a tiny screwdriver, own any flatpack furniture and you’ll need a selection of hex keys to keep everything assembled. Turn your attention to a car and the best tool any mechanic will rely on more than anything will be the socket and ratchet set.
This socket set from Draper is the perfect way to cover all bases and be able to carry out basic car maintenance. It features most of the socket sizes you’d typically come across with a car, a number of attachments to make ‘wrenching’ easier and build quality that won’t let you down.
Verdict: The perfect socket set for any car owner that won’t break the bank.
5/5
Draper 16359 Metric Socket Set
Price: £37.15 | VIEW OFFER
Pros
• Excellent selection of tools
• Value for money
• Quality
Cons
• No handle on the case
Specifications
Sockets: 8-22mm
Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel
Size: 3/8″
Extras: 75mm extension bar, 150mm extension bar, universal joint, storage case
What’s good?
There are three main socket sizes you can buy; 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″. Of these, 1/4″ is best reserved for smaller tasks while 1/2″ is best brought out for heavier tasks. That leaves 3/8″ as the happy medium-ground for sockets and the ideal starting point for any car owner. It’s also the size of the Draper Socket Set here.
Included in this set are 14 sockets, ranging from eight to 22mm in size. Each example is made from Chrome Vanadium Steel and came in handy for pretty much any bolt we could find in the engine bay of this Audi A2. Attaching to the wrench with a simple ball-bearing mechanism, these sockets are secure but easy to disconnect and swap over, an important factor when it comes to wrenching. For this price, the selection is outstanding, and that’s before we even get to the attachments and wrench.
The ratcheting wrench features 72 teeth which makes removing bolts a quick and effortless affair. It features a small switch for changing direction and features an ergonomic grip to keep your hand comfortable. The three attachments are equally impressive. Both extension bars are made from Chrome Vanadium Steel and proved themselves useful for reaching some of the more hidden nuts in the engine bay of this Audi, while the universal joint proved it could be manipulated to reach pretty much any bolt, no matter how obscured.
What’s okay?
The precision offered by the tools is undeniable. However, as this isn’t a premium tool manufacturer, the details aren’t up there with the likes of Wera or professional-grade offerings. The layer of foam that holds the sockets in place and stops rattling when the lid is closed featured some markings and the quick-release button for the extension felt a tiny bit lax. This is in no way a criticism of the overall quality, it all felt robust. Think of it like the leap in quality between Cathedral City cheddar and an artisanal cheese; the normal option has it 95% nailed, it’s just missing that exceptional attention to detail of a more expensive option.
Any negatives?
The sole fault I found with the Draper set was that the plastic case lacked a handle. A socket set is an important tool for car care and making the kit portable should be a top priority. The lack of a handle makes carrying the case a bit of a hassle, especially if you’re carrying other tools at the same time. This is a pity as the actual plastic case was made of really tough plastic and would definitely survive a life being thrown around and dropped without throwing your sockets out across the floor.
More items to consider:
Makita 34 Piece Ratchet and Socket Set, RRP £28.88
Expert by Facom 1/4 Inch Socket Set, RRP £40.99
Wera Zyklop Speed 3/8″ Multifunction Ratchet & Socket Set, RRP £116.49
How it was tested:
In order to test how versatile this socket set was, we first used the various attachments to see how easy it was to reach the more recessed nuts and bolts in the engine bay of an Audi A2. It was then used on the interior to once again see how good the set is for both versatility and transversing awkward locations. Several non-car bolts were loosened and then retightened to see just how well it worked as a tool.
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