Long term review of this mid priced socket set. Is it any good?
Price: £50-£80 Typical on Amazon (other retailers similar)
Length of ownership: 6 Yrs
I’ve long learnt that the adage of buy cheap buy twice runs true, especially when it comes to tools. However not buying cheap doesn’t have to mean expensive. For very reasonable outlay you can pick up good quality tools that do the job well and last, plot spoiler, and this is my conclusion for this particular socket set.
This is a long term review, having owned this socket set, and used it extensively primarily for car maintenance for the last 5+ years.
The Bahco Brand – Is Bahco a good brand?
A Swedish brand with origins dating all the way back to 1862, you can read a potted history on the Bahco brand site, it was subsequently acquired by Sandvik and subsequently Snap-on. The fear with acquisitions is always the endless drive for cost saving with a swift relocation of manufacturing to China. In this case though Bahco state they “overwhelmingly manufactured in our own factories located across Europe”. Bonus points for lack of air miles. So to answer the question “is bahco a good brand?” I would say assuredly yes. Some tools it makes are better than others, but few have quibble about the quality for sockets and wrenches/spanner.
the socket set
Contents:
- 18-Piece 1/2″ hex sockets 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30 and 32 mm
- One 1/2″ ratchet, quick release, 60 teeth/6° action angle
- Two 1/2″ extension bars, 5″ and 10″
- One 1/2″ universal joint
- One 1/2″ T-adaptor
- One 1/2″ breaker bar with two-components handle: 10″
- One removable three-section plastic box with lid
The review – 5+ years of frequent use and going strong
Sockets are well engineered with a matt finish. They are hexagonal sockets. 6 rather that 12 sided sockets have the advantage of mechanical strength but sacrifice the ability to fit the fixing head in as many angles, a downside of hex sockets when working in tight spaces, with a breaker bar especially.
All parts of the socket set have a reassuringly chunky heft. They are heavy, well built and seem to take punishment. I have not encountered any circumstances where lack of strength has proven an issue. Even when teamed with a 24” breaker bar for super stubborn fixings.
The set includes a ratchet drive, again heavy and solid with a thick and robust rubber handle, which is soft, grippy and comfortable to use. This has proven durable, it does stain, but that doesn’t really matter. The ratchet has a robust and precise action which has proven entirely reliable in my use. The socket release button is also solid and reliable like everything here.
All other set contents meet the same standards of build and quality. Even the box has proven robust and has not suffered from broken hinges or catches.
½ Drive is probably the largest drive size for day to day use at a consumer level. Plenty chunky for dealing with large high torque applications, such as hub nut removal, and shifting suspension bolts, however a bit clunky for working in tight spaces, or with recessed nuts. A 3/8 or even ¼ set more manageable in those circumstances.
They also include a small plastic three compartment box, presumably to store and nuts and bolts etc. during work, however I find this too small to be of much practical use.
So overall hard to find fault with this Bahco set. If it was stolen, I don’t think i could break it, I would absolutely buy another. In all honesty for the home mechanic I suspect this could be handed down the generations.
To check out the latest prices on the Bahco S240 on Amazon which usually has a good price on it please see:
Of course this set is available through a number of other retailers.
As a bit of a fan, other Bahco tools I own, and would recommend are (reviews to follow):
- ¼ Socket set – Great mini socket set for small jobs
- The Bahco Laplander saw – A bit of a bushcrafters cult classic, a folding pruning saw
- Bahco Ratchet Spanners Set – 3 piece ratchet spanner set covering 12 sizes
- Bahco Adjustable Wrench – Probably Bahco’s most famous offering
Note: The above link is an affiliate link so if you click it to purchase I may get a small commission. Rest assured this has not changed the tone of this review