Socket Size advice

[Nats25]

Im thinking of getting a socket set for a liitle DIY around the car just to do simple stuff like fluid and filter changes, brake pads, rotors etc. What's the range of socket sizes that I would need for this car or cars in general. A 3/8 drive only offers up to 19mm and I know that the Oil drain plug is a 24mm bolt. I dont want to spend unnecessarily on sizes that I wont be using. Any advice is truly appreciated! Also feel free to add in any other tools that I might need as well

[fuel]

You could always buy a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter and 1/2" drive 24mm socket - or even just a single 24mm spanner. Better yet a 24mm socket and power bar.

In my 'portable' tool kit I have spanners from 6 to 19mm, 3/8" sockets from 10mm to 19mm, 1/4" 6mm and 8mm sockets with 3/8" to 1/4" adapter, needle nose pliers, side cutters, a bunch of extensions, some 1/2" sockets with 3/8" to 1/2" adapter. This kit usually sits in the boot of my car and I take it with me to pick a part to collect pull small things. I have a bunch of other tools like G clamps, power bars, larger spanners, allen keys, torque wrench, duplicates of sockets/spanners already in my small portable kit and specialist sockets for things like axle nuts etc but I don't seem to use them that often.

[RonRabbit99]

I changed my oil drain plug to one is smaller and has more depth making it easier to get on and off. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Magnetic-...0AAOSwuMFUj5XU . Supercheap auto often have Stanley sockets sets on special - these aren't too bad, in my experience, for home use.

[BadSeed]

I changed my oil drain plug to a 17mm one that comes from the Mitsubishi 380. Same thread etc so it fits perfectly. (Found that out on this forum somewhere).

So makes it ton easier to remove and change!

[Oggy]

I bought a 170 piece Crescent tool kit from bunnings, iirc, price was about 150/160? Same product as on this site too! ->
https://zoxoro.com.au/Products/cresc...Kb_BoCjknw_wcB

I don't hit the tools hard, so don't need to spend big $, but wanted to cover most possibilities - plus I can throw the set in the boot and should be able to handle most eventualities.

Aside from not having a 1/2" 14mm socket, it's pretty good.
I also added a 1/2" breaker bar, some ratcheting spanners from Aldi and a couple of larger spanners I already had.
I've since done my own turbo swap, timing belt, 2 sets of coilovers (one on the Magna) and a few other things - haven't needed a lot of other tools.

[Nats25]

Ratcheting spanners from aldi eh..how's that holding up?
That's impressive. How'd you manage to undo the crankshaft bolt and the camshaft bolts without the special tools used in the service manual?

[peaandham]

8 years ago when I got my first car I bought a Stanley 88 piece socket set for $88, it's still going strong, I have since had to buy some deep 17/19/24/27mm sockets but I've been able to do 95% of what I need with the STD 88 piece kit.

I have since bought some Sidchrome Racheting spanners and they are fantastic but not exactly required.

[Nats25]

8 years ago when I got my first car I bought a Stanley 88 piece socket set for $88, it's still going strong, I have since had to buy some deep 17/19/24/27mm sockets but I've been able to do 95% of what I need with the STD 88 piece kit.

I have since bought some Sidchrome Racheting spanners and they are fantastic but not exactly required.

That's interesting, for what applications did you require the 24&27mm deep sockets?

[Oggy]

Nats, the Aldi ratcheting spanners are actually pretty good - 8,10,11,12,14mm for $29 from memory. I also bought some from SuperCheap, but they are crap - too bulky to get into tricky places and weak as piss - I slipped one tooth trying to undo something that was only a little stubborn. The Aldi ones are much stronger, but for really tough nuts, I'll crack them with a regular spanner first if needed.

I needed to get the crank pulley off, so I made my own tool which was good for 4 crank pulley removals before it was too mangled from excess flex. Father in-law then welded up a tool with tube steel Much better.

Custom tool: