Makita Sockets & Socket Sets
Makita socket set options cover the everyday bolts and fixings you hit on site, from plant guards to bracket work, without rounding heads.
When you're forever nipping up fixings on racking, unistrut, plant covers, or van repairs, a decent Makita socket set saves time and saves knuckles. Go for the drive size that matches your ratchet or impact, and keep the common sizes close so you're not hunting in the bottom of the box.
What Jobs Are Makita Socket Sets Best At?
- Tightening and stripping down brackets, clamps, and fixings on first fix and install work where you need repeatable torque without chewing bolt heads.
- Working on plant guards, small engines, and site gear repairs where a full run of Makita sockets stops you bodging it with an adjustable.
- Van and workshop maintenance like battery clamps, seat mounts, and racking bolts, where the right socket depth gets onto nuts without fouling.
- Fast fix-up jobs using a ratchet or impact driver adaptor, where a socket set Makita-style organisation keeps sizes together and reduces lost bits.
Choosing the Right Makita Socket Set
Match the drive size and socket type to what you actually undo all week, not what looks good in the box.
1. Drive size: 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2
If you're on small fixings and tight access, 1/4 drive is the one you'll reach for. If you're doing general site nuts and bolts, 3/8 drive is the best all-rounder. If you're on bigger fixings or stubborn hardware, go 1/2 drive so you're not overloading smaller gear.
2. Standard vs deep sockets
If you're working on studs, threaded rod, or nuts sat down on long threads, deep sockets stop you bottoming out. For tight spaces and flush bolts, standard sockets are easier to seat and less likely to foul on surrounding kit.
3. 6-point vs 12-point
If you're dealing with tight or rusty fasteners, pick 6-point because it grips the flats and is less likely to round. 12-point is handy for speed and easier alignment, but don't rely on it for seized bolts.
4. Impact-rated vs hand sockets
If you're driving them with an impact wrench or impact driver adaptor, make sure they're impact-rated sockets. Hand sockets are fine on a ratchet, but they're not built for repeated hammering and can crack if you abuse them.
Makita Socket Set FAQs
What's bigger, 1/4 or 3/8 socket?
3/8 is bigger than 1/4. It refers to the drive size on the ratchet, not the nut size. 1/4 drive is for smaller fixings and tight access, while 3/8 drive takes more load and suits most general site nuts and bolts.
Are Makita sockets OK to use on an impact wrench?
Only if they are impact-rated. Standard chrome hand sockets can crack under impact use. If you're running a gun, buy impact sockets and keep your hand set for ratchets and breaker bars.
Do I need deep sockets, or will standard ones do?
If you regularly hit threaded rod, studs, or nuts sat down on long bolts, you'll want deep sockets because standard ones bottom out. For tight spaces and shallow fixings, standard sockets are easier to seat and control.
What's the point of 6-point sockets over 12-point?
6-point sockets grip the flats of the nut and are less likely to round, especially on rusty or tight fasteners. 12-point can be quicker to locate, but it is more likely to slip if the nut is already chewed.
Will one Makita socket set cover metric and imperial?
Most UK site work is metric, so a metric set covers the bulk of it. If you're maintaining older plant, imported kit, or certain fixings on vehicles, you may still need an imperial set as well, so check what you're actually working on before you buy.
Who Are Makita Socket Sets For?
- Mechanical fitters and maintenance teams who need Makita socket sets ready for quick strip-downs and repairs without rounding fasteners.
- Sparks and HVAC installers tightening tray, unistrut, and bracketry, where the right drive size and a decent ratchet makes the job quicker.
- Site managers and working foremen keeping a Makita socket set in the van for snagging, handover tweaks, and "sort it now" fixes.
Socket Set Accessories That Save Time on Site
A couple of the right add-ons make Makita sockets quicker to use and harder to lose when you're moving between jobs.
1. Extension bars
Extensions get you onto recessed nuts, back-of-panel fixings, and awkward brackets without skinning your hands or stripping half the assembly just for access.
2. Universal joints
A UJ is the difference between getting the socket square on a nut behind pipework and rounding it off because you're fighting the angle.
3. Impact adaptor and bit holders
If you're swapping between bits and sockets on an impact driver, the right adaptor stops wobble and saves you constantly changing tools for quick fixings.
4. Spare ratchet or breaker bar
A breaker bar shifts stubborn bolts without destroying your ratchet mechanism, and it's the one you'll be glad you packed when something's seized solid.
Shop Makita Socket Sets at ITS
Whether you need a compact Makita socket set for the van or a fuller spread of Makita sockets for workshop and maintenance, we've got the range to suit. It's all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get back on the tools without waiting around.
