|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:08:45 GMT
|
Just wondered what tools fellow ‘RR’ers use and recommend? My personal findings over the years of tools I have are as follows: Draper :- Used to be good till about 12 year ago then after that the tools they produced seemed to be more ‘soft and loose’ in quality and construction. Beta : - Finish appears to be bad and smaller sockets tend to be a bit weak Britool: - Spanners do seem to last FOREVER. French firm Facom bought them out a few years back.
Snap-on: - Been pleased with some of their tools but in past 18months I feel the Rachets are not as well made as they used to be (there is now play in the ‘heads’ even when brand new! ...just bought two 3/4" and 1/2") …are they trading on the name (have heard some main dealer mechanics say this in last 12 months!)? Facom:- Very well made, ratchets are very tight with absolutely no play in head. Halfords ‘Professional’ range:- -…Now don’t laugh at the word Halfords and ‘professional’! … I have actually been amazed at the build quality and construction of these tools. In fact a lot of the motor trade has been using this range in the last couple of years round where I live! Tool Star:- A Joke! ...end of! Sealy tools: - A Joke …is this just a firm which puts cheapo tools in there own packaging ?
Kamasa :- Never had any myself, but did use friends and was well pleased …what happened to this firm, never seem to see them now?.  |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:16:33 GMT
|
I tend to buy curse word! often not helped by topping up at Asda and sneaking in with shopping, so this includes Stanley, and Draper - read cheap n branded.  I get reeled into those VAT free days at Machine Mart too with Clarke stuff, not been amazed by my 1/2" socket set.  some bits are ok. from previous discussion, i'll be sniffing round Halfrauds next time i need some decent kit. |
| |
 it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts  |
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:16:43 GMT
|
|
The only reasons I'll enter a branch of Halfrauds:
1) Desparation after I'm stuck somewhere and need a part.
2) The Professional tools. I agree, they're really good!
I have a few Kamasa tools too and they've been great. Their powder-coated black spanners are really robust.
I can't afford Snap-On or Mac, but have accrued a few odd bits along the way and you can really feel the quality. I've used my brother's Snap-On tin-snips which makes cutting up bits of bodywork an absolute joy.
Draper are OK. The quality isn't that great but I find they do the job fairly well.
|
| |
Last Edit: Nov 13, 2006 11:17:41 GMT by BenzBoy
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:20:03 GMT
|
Now Stanley used to be BRILLIANT with regards to carpentary/wood working tools say about 25+ years ago ...so have they gone same way as draper?  Clarke I believe is same as sealy just a 'packaging' operation. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:20:48 GMT
|
i only ever use halfords pro stuff, just because its got a lifetime guarantee, ive always been impressed, and they are local should anything break. Kasama (and Laser Tools) are manufactureed or distributed (I'm not sure which) by Tool Connection, both are very much still alive for when ive needed something halfords doesnt do/have, ive often used draper tools and ive never had a problem myself |
| |
|
|
slater
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,390
Club RR Member Number: 78
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:21:11 GMT
|
|
Manufacturers make tools to differant quality standards. You cant say one manufacturer is better imo.
I have a sealey socket set which is 100% perfect quality but sealey also sell socket sets that are cheap and nasty.
I use sealey alot because they are a local firm and dealers are common round here. You have to look at exactly what your buying not just "oh its 'snap on' so it must be good"
Halfords professional tools tend to be the best value in my oppinion. Normaly good quality but at sensible prices. Unlike snap on which are good quality most of the time but are overpriced because of the brand name!!
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:24:17 GMT
|
I agree you can 'feel' the quality with Snap-on except...the ratchets IMO ...so just woundering MAC tools ...keep hearing good things about these; but have none myself ...so will have to take a look  |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:28:01 GMT
|
Yep fair point! Yes this was the biggest (pleasant) supprise in recent years, but I hear there is talk of them droping the 'professional range'  |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:29:43 GMT
|
|
I got a £27 stanley tool box, expecting it might be a solution to keep my camera from harm, or other bits. what I found is it leaked a billion times worse than a T bar MR2. Doh! tried sealing it with bathroom sealant even, still leaky! Gona use it as a posh tool box now aprt from potentially making tools soggy and cheaper ones rusty its pretty good! other stuff is also questionable quality but usually a lot cheaper so I don't mind if its a makeshift solution while I can't reach my proper stuff.
I keep tricking myself into thinking the brands are related to the stuff I borrowed off my dad years ago. must stop that.
Cheap tools are good for leaving in the car though, just in case of breakdown/robbery
|
| |
it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts |
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:31:51 GMT
|
Cheap tools are good for leaving in the car though, just in case of breakdown/robbery i never quite understand why people say this if i was broken down and stranded, and it was winter, and dark - the last thing id want is some dodgy tool thats got a chance of breaking on me! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:32:34 GMT
|
|
clarke are okay - on a budget
i cant afford snap on
draper - quality has deteriated over the years
Kamasa - i have a quarter inch drive socket set thats still going strong after almost 20 years
Laser - cheap and cheerful - but their half inch sockets are very good
I still buy a lot of tools second hand from markets and car boot sales - you can get some great quality stuff for peanuts
|
| |
Someone just shot the elephant in the room. |
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:33:46 GMT
|
I've heard good things about Laser tools, but (and this will sound really stupid) I was put off by the packaging... it reminded me of that Blackspur cr@p that you get at Poundland. So I kind of assumed it was cheap rubbish  I might give them a go. I've never managed to find a dealer of Kamasa tools, but I'd buy more of them as they seem to strike a good balance between quality and price. I had a set of screwdrivers by them which were really good quality, but most of them have gone AWOL due to being borrowed/misplaced/left in an engine bay... |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:40:55 GMT
|
|
Snap On for most of my work ( I use them every day & think they're great) + interest free credit helps!
Kennedy from Cromwell tools are also excellent, same as Panther Pro/Halfrauds Pro range IIRC. So good value & quality
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:42:35 GMT
|
|
Incidently who/which tool company actually makes the Halfords professional range?
|
| |
|
|
slater
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,390
Club RR Member Number: 78
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:43:58 GMT
|
Cheap tools are good for leaving in the car though, just in case of breakdown/robbery I never quite understand why people say this if I was broken down and stranded, and it was winter, and dark - the last thing id want is some dodgy tool thats got a chance of breaking on me! Got to agree with that!, I broke down in the mini when the dizzy dicided to advance its self 20 odd degrees. Wipped out my emergancy tool kit that I have been given as a free gift when buying something else. No 11mm spanner in it! Another time I noticeed that a wheel arch bolt is coming loose (3mm allen key required) so I take out the 2mm allen key and its totaly to wrong size and wouldent fit in the hole! Fit for the bin tbh Kennedy are ok, we use them at work but again they do differant ranges some are good some are not! |
| |
Last Edit: Nov 13, 2006 11:47:03 GMT by slater
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:49:55 GMT
|
Incidently who/which tool company actually makes the Halfords professional range? I had a sneaking suspicion it was Britool / Facom, but have no evidence to back this up. The ratchets look like identical copies of Snap-On, but with lesser quality mechanisms. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:51:59 GMT
|
Cheap tools are good for leaving in the car though, just in case of breakdown/robbery I never quite understand why people say this if I was broken down and stranded, and it was winter, and dark - the last thing id want is some dodgy tool thats got a chance of breaking on me! Yeah I don't mean really cheap like pound shop - been there done that , just stuff you could bear with losing. Long trip= propper tool kit, short local trips=factory tool kit pluss odd spanners and screwdrivers etc might get you home with out the AA, thats my take on it anyway. Edit: Generally buy the best you can afford, not worth skimping I agree. Now wheres that Xmas list...  |
| |
it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts |
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:53:46 GMT
|
Incidently who/which tool company actually makes the Halfords professional range? I believe it is Britool. Not confirmed though. I use Halfords pro stuff a lot. Broken a few bits (strangely never a ratchet, yet my mate has knackered loads of them!). Torque wrenches I have broken many of, all replaced without quibble. I haven't had to get one replaced for a while now however, so I think they've got a better version now. Draper stuff = cheapo. Draper Expert = value but decent. I tend to get my larger sockets in draper expert, or Elora. Are Stahwille still going? Fantastic quality tools. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:59:11 GMT
|
|
ive got one or tool Franklin tools which have always seemed ok - ive only ever seen them on sale in what was my local car spares place when i was living in essex tho
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 12:00:20 GMT
|
|
Aah interesting.
So infact Facom produce them for that is who now owns Britool
|
| |
|
|
|
|
some bits are ok. from previous discussion, i'll be sniffing round Halfrauds next time i need some decent kit.
