Toolkits

IVIatt96 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Jun 2017 Karma :

Hi, I'm looking at investing in some tools, has anyone got any recommendations? I don't need a tool set suitable for a garage or anything like that, just something thats going to come in handy for the DIY jobs.

ocatoro · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Karma :

something I was advised of a long time ago was not to buy a big set that costs lots of money, but rather start with a basic set of spanners/sockets... and simply buy decent quality tools as you find a need for them.

it's a philosophy that has served me well and now I'm fairly well stocked and it's all better kit than if I'd blown my cash on a big set of shit at the start.

halfords advanced/professional stuff is very good and has the same spec warranty as snap-on... ie. if it ever breaks, you just walk into halfords and show it to them and they'll hand you a new one no fuss, don't even need a receipt.

I've got a socket set I've had for about 15 years made by Deltec. They also claimed to have a lifetime warranty, but as I didn't have proof of purchase when the ratchet gave up, that was replaced with a halfords professional one, but the sockets themselves are excellent so I'd still recommend Deltec.
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Yorkshire Geek · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Karma :

Same as Ocatoro with a caveat that I don't apply "buy cheap, buy twice" to most tools. When it comes to tools I buy cheap, and if I use it enough to ever need a replacement I spend the money on a decent one.

No point having a dog's bollocks tool that cost a hundred quid and you're only ever going to use twice.

ADSrox0r · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Oct 2012 Karma :

BTTD · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

Buy cheap, buy twice does depend on the tool. The most effective filter wrench I've ever used cost me £2 in Lidl. Others have slipped, squashed the filter or just not fit, but that spur of the moment purchase has never let me down. I've got a set of lidl spanners for house diy jobs when I don't want to go down to the garage to get the good ones. They work well enough and I'm not worried about giving them some abuse.
They're not the best quality, but actually not that bad.

B5234FT · Brolly Dolly Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :

I dont mind buying cheap if the tool works correctly, but it merely light duty, afterall it's for occasional home use.

I hate cheap tools that simply dont work or fit correctly.

Like others here, Halfords Pro/Advanced bought with a trade card is always good, as is Draper Expert for a lot of more random stuff. Buy as you need it, or when the offer is too good to be true.

Enduro Numpty · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 Oct 2012 Karma :

I've always thought of tools as investments. The money I've saved over the years in not paying someone else to do the work has paid for any tools I've ever bought many times over.

How much I spend on tools depends on it's application. The last thing I need is a stripped cylinder head so I've got a quality torque wrench that's mainly used when refitting cam shafts when adjusting valve clearances. Quality tyre levers and a decent bead breaker make tyre changing so much easier.

Beehive Bedlam · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

I purchase quality tools as and when I need them.

I can't see the point in buying tools for the sake of buying tools unless you know for a fact you're going to be needing them in the very near future.

Freddyfruitba... · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :

madcow87 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Jun 2017 Karma :

I do odds and sods on cars, both my own and for friends/family and I do a lot of work on push bikes for myself and friends as well, years ago I picked up a tool chest complete with tools from Halfords for £50 and its done me pretty well ever since. I got lucky and a friend was a car mechanic and when he packed that job in, he unloaded a few bits and pieces my way so I've got a nice Blu-Point socket set and some snap on bits as well.

I'm continually impressed how decent the Halfords gear is though, several years later and its still going strong, the ratchets admittedly have got a bit worn but the spanners, screw drivers, pliers, allen keys are all still solid and the sockets are all doing pretty well too.
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