Wrenches and socket sets

Wrenches and socket sets for the workshop, the garage and the building site: open-ended and combination spanners, adjustable wrenches, ratchets and socket sets. The range of over 25 products includes BAHCO, NEO TOOLS, YATO and KNIPEX, plus power tool names such as Makita, DEWALT and Metabo.

How to choose wrenches and socket sets

Tool type. Combination spanners suit fixed nuts and bolts where you know the size. An adjustable wrench covers odd sizes and plumbing work, but it grips less firmly than a fitted spanner. A ratchet with sockets is faster for repeated fastening and reaches recessed bolts that a spanner cannot.

Drive size. Sockets are made for 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch drives. The 1/4 inch drive handles small fasteners on electronics and interiors, 3/8 inch is the usual choice for general car and household repairs, and 1/2 inch is for larger bolts that need more leverage. If you only buy one set, 3/8 inch is the most versatile starting point.

Size range and standard. Most European and Asian fasteners are metric, so check that the set covers the common sizes from about 8 mm to 19 mm. Older British and American equipment may need imperial sizes. A set that includes deep sockets, extensions and a spark plug socket saves buying extras later.

Steel and build quality. Chrome vanadium steel is the standard material for good hand tools because it resists wear and rounding. Look for a fully polished or satin finish that protects against rust, and a ratchet with fine teeth if you often work in tight spaces. Professionals who use their tools daily benefit from a more finely made ratchet, while occasional users can choose a simpler set.

Single tools or full sets. A complete set in a case keeps sizes organised and is the better start for a home workshop. Single spanners, pliers wrenches or specialist tools make sense when you are replacing a lost size or need one particular job done.

Brands we carry

• BAHCO: a Swedish hand tool maker known for adjustable wrenches and a broad choice of professional hand tools.
• KNIPEX: a German manufacturer best known for pliers, including pliers wrenches that grip like a spanner with parallel jaws.
• NEO TOOLS and YATO: Polish brands that offer hand tools and socket sets for home workshops and trade users.
• Makita, DEWALT and Metabo: mainly known for power tools, with cordless tools that often sit alongside hand tools in a professional kit.

Also in our range: WUBER.

Frequently asked questions

What socket set is best for working on a car?

A 3/8 inch drive metric set is the most practical start for most car maintenance. It covers spark plugs, brackets, battery terminals and many engine bay bolts. Add a 1/2 inch drive set if you also change wheels or work on suspension parts.

What is the difference between a spanner and a wrench?

In British English a spanner is a fixed-size tool for nuts and bolts, while a wrench often means an adjustable or specialist tool such as a torque or pipe wrench. In American English, wrench covers both. When you search for a product, it is worth trying both words.

Which is better, a ratchet set or combination spanners?

A ratchet set is faster for repeated work and recessed bolts, while combination spanners are better where there is little room for a ratchet head. Most toolkits benefit from having both. If you can only buy one, choose the ratchet set for general use.

What does chrome vanadium mean on a tool?

Chrome vanadium is an alloy steel used for hand tools because it is hard, tough and resistant to wear. It helps the tool keep its shape under load and reduces the chance of rounded jaws or cracked sockets. Most quality spanners and sockets are made from it, usually with a protective plating.