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I'm looking for some feedback about the quality of tools.
I'm starting to build up my own tool box now, and while I was in Halford the other day they had a set of spanners with this new fangle-dangle head arrangment which allowed you to move the body of the spanner down like a socket and 'wind back' like a socket. Now, it was reduced to £39.99 from £59.99 ... but thats still a lot of money to pay out for some tools if they aren't very good quality; and at the end of the day, when you're buying tools quality does matter. But the idea of these spanners does seem like a good one to me and I am tempted.
So, I was wondering where you guys get your tools from and if you had any recomendations. Right now, I'm looking for a good set of spanners....and a tool box.
Toolbox wise, probably gonna go for one of these plastic affairs thats on wheels and 'can be' transported as I will be needed to move it about 20metres so not to leave it in a council garage. Having experience moving a metal tool chest (I'd love one of those), I've decided thats not such a practical idea. Again, any recomendations also welcomed.
Thanks guys.
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Are you describing ratchet spanners? If so, they are very useful when working in tight spaces, but I wouldn't give them too much grief (no matter what the brand). If somethings really tight, I would use a normal spanner or socket first, then use the ratchet spanner if you need to wind the nut off a rusty thread for example. As for quality, Halfrauds professional are pretty good. I've got some of there stuff and its been pretty good. Never had a need to rest out there "lifetime gaurantee", which is a good thing I suppose.
Sean
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As said the halfrauds professional is really good, your getting good tools at very good prices with them and there is a lifetime guarantee on them too. Most of it comes out the same factory anyways i think the halfrauds stuff is closely related to sykes pikavant stuff. I was looking over those spanners the other day and i use my tools everyday (i'm an agricultural mechanic) and was looking at buying a set.
Simon
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Why people with welders shouldn't be allowed recreational drugs
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tigran
Club Retro Rides Member
In rust we trust. Amen.
Posts: 6,444
Club RR Member Number: 142
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tool qualitytigran
@tigran
Club Retro Rides Member 142
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I use halfords stuff for most bits and pieces. I only have a Draper/Sealey 1/2" breaker bar and 1/2" wrench. Although I must say that I break Halfords bits regularly - their big torx bits in 1/2" fitment break like anything, as do their plugs sockets and other bits n bobs - but then they have replaced any broken bits whenever I have gone in. Some of them weren't even the profeshanul (sic) range.
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1964 Rover P5 i6 1987 BMW 525e - The Rusty Streak 1992 Micra K10 2001 BMW E46 316i 2002 BMW E46 330Ci 2013 BMW F31 320d 2018 BMW G31 530d
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halfords tools are pretty good, there lifetime warrantee is possibly the best bit, a good idea is to try and find good used tools, from local paper or car boot sale (thats what i do... )
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2006 Audi A3 2003 Fusion 2 looking for a project....
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I think you cant go far wrong with halfords professional range. Best bet is buy the big set and it has pretty much everything you need right there(I`ve got two ;D). Its often on offer for 99.99 but I have seen it for as much as 169.99.
Its a bit on the heavy side for carrying round a scrap yard (especially when you are carrying cylinder heads or whatever as well) Then all you need is a half decent power bar, set of pliers, hammer, screwdrivers, a set of 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" adaptors/reducers, a decent set of ball ended hex keys and a voltmeter/tester and your laughing. At least until you start needing more specific tools.
Ive had my first one for around 6 or 7 year (after upgrading from one of the small sets when my car got broken into) and the only thing I have broken are the T55 torx bits on peugeot cylinder head bolts. But I have broken SP ones as well so its not just a halfords problem. Never tried Snap-On torx bits so couldnt say if they are much better.
I`ve seen those wiggle headed ratchet spanners on offer in halfords but don't think they are one of the first things I would buy when building up a tool kit. More the sort of thing I would use xmas vouchers on if there was nothing else I wanted.
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as above, halford professional tools are very good. ive had to take things back on the odd occasion, and they've always been replaced with no questions asked. ive a fair few draper tools, they have always been good too.
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Aug 26, 2006 10:36:41 GMT
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i inherited most of my tools when my dad died. he was a time served mechanic in the RAF in the late 50s, worked as a diesel fitter for a while when he was de-mobbed then went on to be a steel fixer, putting up the metal frames of buildings and chimneys.he was one of the crew that erected the frame for the chimney at the blue circle cement factory in weardale. so most of my imperial stuff is over 50 years old! not had any probs breaking those. i have a few bits n bobs from halfords, draper and britool. most of these have been ok, but i seem to break the draper 17mm long reach sockets. i keep meaning to buy one of the halfords sets that phoenixC mentioned, but i never seem to have that much cash spare.
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Aug 26, 2006 10:55:14 GMT
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i bought one of those halfords Pro sets when they were reduced to 99.99, used trade card got it for £80! i also had alot of stuff handed down off my grandad. the rest of the stuff ive got is mostly off a tool stall in our local market, got some Clarke/Draper/Britool etc but far cheaper than in the shops. good quality Vice grips are worth having aswell.
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Aug 26, 2006 11:09:38 GMT
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I used to swear by snap-on but older and wiser I now buy halfords pro for spanners ratchets ect and britool for torx ect.
The only halfords tool I broke was a 3/8 extension with a woble end that snapped off. Had it replaced twice but the last time it took 18 month to get a fresh one.
Foucom are good too if your looking for used stuff.
Good idea about bying used if you buy premioum brands snap-on britool foucom ect you can still get em replaced if you bust em.
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Aug 26, 2006 11:19:52 GMT
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another vote for halfords pro from me too - ratchet spanners are a godsend too
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Aug 26, 2006 11:34:12 GMT
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Good idea about bying used if you buy premioum brands snap-on britool foucom ect you can still get em replaced if you bust em. ebay is your friend! ;D
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Aug 26, 2006 16:43:26 GMT
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Ratchet spanners are great but I would begin by buying a good quality set of normal metric spanners, screwdrivers,hammer and a 3/8 drive socket set. Start with the basics and as your collection develops add the more specalised stuff like the ratchet spanners,torx bits ect.
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SteB
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,408
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Aug 26, 2006 16:49:37 GMT
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The Halfords ratcheting spanners are bloody useful, and I havent broken one to date. However, between me and a mate we have destroyed a 1/2" Drive Ratchet and sheared a 17mm socket down one side (both halfords stuff). They may exchange stuff for you if you have a reciept and its relatively new - which they did for a torque wrench
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Aug 26, 2006 17:49:47 GMT
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yep ill vouch for the halfords pro set too, got mine for 89.99(big set) and ive only broke the pozi bit so far. a decent set of hammer thru screwdrivers pliers breaker bar hammer wire cutter and crimps and that should about do ya m8 plus the other millions of tools where you think "thatll come in handy" and never use because the items above covers it
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"quote hairnet"
I'm not paying nine pound for a pi$$!
[/quote]
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John
Part of things
Posts: 347
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For your first set of spanners forget ratchet or anything fancy. Just get combination (open one end ring the other).
I look at how much of a radius is on the ring end on the inside. In other words if you had a bolt with a head only 5mm high how much of the ring end would grip. Some have a large radius and would only grip on about 2mm of the bolt head. I know you will not get a 5mm high bolt head but it is to illustrate the point.
I like Facom, Britool and King Dick. Ebay is good.
I have a lot of tools but still do not have any ratchet spanners. When I do buy I will probably only get a combined 13mm / 10mm and the best make I can. Before then though I will buy a stubby set of combination spanners.
John
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Aug 27, 2006 10:14:08 GMT
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For your first set of spanners forget ratchet or anything fancy. Just get combination (open one end ring the other). I look at how much of a radius is on the ring end on the inside. In other words if you had a bolt with a head only 5mm high how much of the ring end would grip. Some have a large radius and would only grip on about 2mm of the bolt head. I know you will not get a 5mm high bolt head but it is to illustrate the point. I like Facom, Britool and King Dick. Ebay is good. I have a lot of tools but still do not have any ratchet spanners. When I do buy I will probably only get a combined 13mm / 10mm and the best make I can. Before then though I will buy a stubby set of combination spanners. John Good advice about the ring spanners there. Again the halfords pro score quite highly there. Sound like a load of Halfords salesmen on here trying to flog tools. At least they are getting something right. I prefer to treat halfords as a supermarket, you wouldnt go to Asda and ask a shelf stacker for nutritional advice so don't ask a Halfords employee for car or bike advice ;D Just go in get what you want and f~ck off. (Obviously paying for it is a good idea as well )
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Last Edit: Aug 27, 2006 10:15:27 GMT by PhoenixC
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Aug 27, 2006 10:18:23 GMT
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Watch what you're doing with Draper. They have two ranges. One is made by the paeople who do the Halfords Profesional stuff and is very good. One lot is made in China and is quite rubbish.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,951
Club RR Member Number: 71
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tool qualitybstardchild
@bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member 71
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Aug 27, 2006 10:55:03 GMT
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Watch what you're doing with Draper. They have two ranges. One is made by the paeople who do the Halfords Profesional stuff and is very good. One lot is made in China and is quite rubbish. Ahhh explains why I still have my original Draper tools - unbroken (in the main) in 20 years and why it seems anything I buy from them now doesn't last five mins I had 3 Vauxhall Steering wheel pullers before I found one that the lugs didn't shear off on it (I do know how to use one properly too) Halfords Proffessional Facom Bergen Sealy Hilka Thats about it....... My advice for toos has always been - buy branded - buy just what you need when you need it) unless you can afford a good Quality £100 set to start yourself off - thing that ticks me off about big sets is they always supply metric and imperial and I've never had to use imperial!!
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Aug 27, 2006 12:18:15 GMT
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Watch what you're doing with Draper. They have two ranges. One is made by the paeople who do the Halfords Profesional stuff and is very good. One lot is made in China and is quite rubbish. Ahhh explains why I still have my original Draper tools - unbroken (in the main) in 20 years and why it seems anything I buy from them now doesn't last five mins I had 3 Vauxhall Steering wheel pullers before I found one that the lugs didn't shear off on it (I do know how to use one properly too) Halfords Proffessional Facom Bergen Sealy Hilka Thats about it....... My advice for toos has always been - buy branded - buy just what you need when you need it) unless you can afford a good Quality £100 set to start yourself off - thing that ticks me off about big sets is they always supply metric and imperial and I've never had to use imperial!! Again the halfords sets don't have imperial (I really should be on commission ;D) If you are working on old british cars it pays to have imperial tools though. Good quality ones as well as you normaly find people have used metric spanners on them and damaged them.
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