Useful tools to have? - birthday coming up!

[theshrew]

Not sure what's in your halfords kit but here's some stuff that's usefull.

Different drive ratchet and sockets 1/4 and 3/8ths for a bike.
U/J's and Wobble extensions.
Good torx and Allen key sockets - Don't buy cheap ones they never fit to well.
Brake line clamp.
1/2 Breaker Bar - Again don't buy cheap, you can snap them. It fecking hurts when you smash your hands or pull it into your head

No1 on my list would be a Snap On ratchet screw driver. Expensive but out of all the thousands of pounds worth of stuff I've got its the best and most used tool I've ever bought. Simply nothing else comes close to being as good.

[darkyoung1000]

Extendable magnetic pickup tool - very handy indeed.
An impact driver is also very useful in certain situations (thank you the the designers of the Z200)

Many happy returns!

Tom

[jasesapphy]

Mig welder

[evo8]

One of these for when you are changing a valve shim and you drop it and it disappears inside your engine

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/...

Or some of these:

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/...

Edited by evo8 on Tuesday 16th September 20:02

[underwhelmist]

How about circlip pliers? Not needed often, and not expensive, but they don't half make life easier when you do need them. Which I suppose is the point of tools...

[Wedg1e]

jasesapphy said:

Mig welder

I think he was thinking of pocket money tools, but while were on... lathe and milling machine.

And a plasma cutter

[Brite spark]

Portable work light 30w/20w/10w options, damn bright
http://www.beamled.com/30w-biard-rechargeable-led-...

Cheap option
http://www.beamled.com/biard-60-led-12v-rechargeab...

[carmadgaz]

Crossflow Kid said:

So it's not just me that like to hold one between thumb and forefinger, letting it hang vertically and swing it back and forth against the ratchet mechanism whilst pondering life in the garage?

As for the OP....have you got a compressor?

Nope I do that with mine too

Most of the basics appear to be covered. I have the Halfords Professional 250piece, Screwdrivers, Torque wrench, Jack and axle stands. Along with a rather cool 'passthrough' ratchet set so you can undo nuts with a bar through them. Good quality kit

Are there any jobs you've been doing where you think "bugger that would make life easier"? That's what usually puts something on my to buy list. Last one was a Makita Drill and the bit kit and the next bit will be a Dremel.

[smack]

Wedg1e said:

I think he was thinking of pocket money tools, but while were on... lathe and milling machine.

And a plasma cutter

I was waiting for you to turn up!

[Wedg1e]

smack said:

I was waiting for you to turn up!

There is only one answer and that is that you can't have too many tools. Even some of the tat flogged by Aldi/Lidl is perfectly serviceable if you use it within reason. All well and good having your Halfords 250,000 piece set but come the day you need two 13mm spanners 'cos you can't get a socket on the back, you'll be glad you nipped into Aldi that Thursday when the deals were on, even though you swore you only wanted a pint of milk...

[buzzer]

There are a few things in my tool box that I would not be without.... I bought these pliers years ago on a wim at a tool fair... I have used them all the time since, they are so useful!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3pc-Neilsen-X-Type-Long-...


The other thing I use every day is one of these little LED torches.... incredible beam and so cheap! I have one in each car as well... look at the reviews!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Q5-Zoomable-Adjustable-Fla...

the other tool that's always getting picked up is my 3/8 swivel head ratchet...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarke-PRO159-Swivel-Ratch...

[moanthebairns]

Mountains of kitchen roll and sand.

I am forever using the stuff.

[Mike600F]

Do already have a mig and tig welder, although they live with a friend. All good ideas guys thanks. Ive passed on the long reach pliers, magnet tool and a light to the list.

Run out of relatives now. Thanks for all the ideas guys.