I need some new tools

[dan yeates]

Hi guys,

I think I need o get some new tools and I'd like some pointers, which tools to get, where to get them from, new or used etc.

I'm urgently looking for the following....

1/2" ratchet (I have a load of new 1/2" sockets but no bar!)
1/2" breaker bar
Torque wrench
Torx and security bits
Pliers
Mole grips
Side cutters
Alloy wheel coated sockets
Spark plug sockets
Jack

I have axle stands, spanners, screwdrivers, long nose pliers, a few different saws etc. but it's really car specific tools I'm missing.

So, where should I be looking? I don't want to double up on loads of tools, but if buying a set is cheaper, then I would look at going that.

Dan

 

[Z4M-2006]

Snap on is always gonna be the default answer.....I have £xxxxx of the stuff i have collected over the years..

But i also use a lot of Facom tools,great quality and lifetime warranty..

Also look up Ko-Ken as they make excellent stuff......

 

[dan yeates]

Ps. I don't want to spend a fortune! Great as Snap On is (we have it at work), I'm looking at the cheaper end.

Would it be possible to get everything above for £150?

I'm looking at the Halfords Professional socket sets.

 

[Machine monkey]

As above Teng stuff is good also. But you could blow a few £k very easily. I would suggest taking the same path as me. I have most things cheap quality get the job done stuff. I am now and have been for a few years. Replacing the stuff I use most.

 

[fatmikey]

im a snap on man myself, but they are pricey. My bro wanted some recently & didnt want to spend loads, he boughts these from Halfords & id highly reccommend them!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_862421_langId_-1_categoryId_255215

 

[Z4M-2006]

Halfords pro sockets and torx bits are pretty good..... Cheap as chips too..

I have a set of Halfords ratchet spanners that i have used quite a lot....The 10mm and 13mm have cracked but the rest are still good..

We have a tool van that comes around and they sell Sudorf products...... We have bought a few bits and bobs and they seem very well engineered and strong...Price is very good too..

 

[Machine monkey]

Most of my stuff is from halfords. The amount us DIY car enthusiasts use them. They will probably last a lifetime. Snap on stuff truly is the best no doubt. And if you can afford it. That's the way to go. I would be a little upset if my roller cab was worth more than my car.

 

[Toe-side]

Halford's professional kits are pretty good for a serious hobby mechanic. If they break they replace.
I have only had one failure on a 3/8 drive Philip's head socket ............and that could have been my fault.
I just walked in to my local store and they replaced it immediately. No question asked, no receipt, nothing.
They have had some discounted offers on recently as well.
I bought mine about 6 years ago .......no regrets.

 

[GrimleyFiendish]

The Halfords Professional series is surprisingly good. I have a socket set that I got as a present from family about 6 years ago and despite heavy use on various cars and bikes they are still going strong. One of the bike magazines some years ago ran a test to destruction along with others such as Snap-on and Teng and the Halfords ones embarrassed a few of the more expensive premium brands as I recall.

 

[dan yeates]

Sounds good. Just need to decide which Halfords set to go for now! Don't want to double up too much.

 

[Stuart Truman]

Another vote for Halfords Pro range.

Interestingly, when I did my apprenticeship at British Airways we had to buy our own tools and it was a fixed list, no choice. The screwdrivers, spanners and socket set were Draper. I have them now and they're still in perfect nick. Really not that expensive.

 

[Toe-side]

By the biggest one (150 piece?) then sell your doubles off on Ebay? You can never have enough tools though!

 

[bigdog]

Or you could go to Parliament or Washington DC. Plenty of tools in those places.

 

[dan yeates]

Cheers guys. This is my list so far (I'll be asking for Halfords and Machine Mart vouchers for my birthday!)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_862463_langId_-1_categoryId_255215

(I already have 2x axle stands, but figure 4 would be better)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_817643_langId_-1_categoryId_255207

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-pro210-half-inch-drive-breaker-bar

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...hin-wall-impa?da=1&TC=SRC-alloy+wheel+sockets

Plus a torque wrench and a few other little tools I can pick up from my local hardware store.

Any recommendations for a torque wrench?

I'm thinking this one...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...drive-torque-wrench?da=1&TC=SRC-torque+wrench

 

[PerryGunn]

It's worth looking on Amazon as well - and if you get too many Amazon vouchers there's more options for spending them

As an example, I picked up this 1/2" breaker bar
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002PMJ2LE/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

Very similar to the one you linked, but its 750mm rather than 600mm and the extra leverage can be very useful at times

 

[dan yeates]

It's worth looking on Amazon as well - and if you get too many Amazon vouchers there's more options for spending them

As an example, I picked up this 1/2" breaker bar
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002PMJ2LE/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

Very similar to the one you linked, but its 750mm rather than 600mm and the extra leverage can be very useful at times

Bargain, thanks.

 

[andicole0]

I built my Dax cobra replica mostly with tools from Halfords and Machine Mart. Amazon can be good too, you just have to be careful where your tax goes ;-)

Andi.

 

[dan yeates]

Well, I bought this last night

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._-Product_Details_Zone_1-_-Blank&iozone=PDPz1

All looks pretty good. Bit disappointed it only had 1 short 1/2" extension back though.

 

[domsz4]

I built my Dax cobra replica mostly with tools from Halfords and Machine Mart. Amazon can be good too, you just have to be careful where your tax goes ;-)

Andi.

yup i did my westy with mostly clarke stuff. i broke the tiny wrachet by being a dick and using it on something too tight on the sierra donnor so it slips a bit.

also used the cheapest b&q screwdrivers, the ones that are a few quid a set, almost as disposible items so it didnt matter how badly i abused them.

i hear good stuff about the halfords professional range too.

 

[Finisterre]

This is one of the benefits of forums.
Over the years I have spent good money on Facom, Snap on, Beta and Britool.
I reckon the Halfords professional range would have been a smarter choice.
I just didn't know how good it was.