Which Tools?

[junglieD]

I am hoping to gather opinion on which tools are required, as a minimum, to conduct basic maintenance on an S Series. I have recently bought my S2 and have only the VERY basic tools required to do elementary house DIY. With a clutch snag to deal with - it's time to invest! With a variety of imperial and metric tools on offer - what am I best going for? I know I'll certainly be needing a 10mm, 13mm and 17mm spanner/socket set to remove the slave cylinder.... what should I be looking for beyond this? (I'm talking component replacement at this stage - I'm not planning on lifting bodies, removing engines or dropping gearboxes right now!)

I know there are some premium brands such as snap-on etc that offer a very high grade of tool (with prices to match) but my budget won't extend that far at the moment. I'm thinking of a reasonable standard offered by the halfords Advanced range.... they have some offers on right now as follows:

This is their all singing, all dancing 150-piece socket/ratchet set.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

This is their 127 piece general tool kit (including some sockets/spanners)
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

This is a 9-piece ratchet spanner set of particularly flexible spanners - bending/folding join on head. Could be useful for getting into tight spaces in and around the S Series?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I have been looking on the bay and gumtree/local ads etc for any used tool sets or garage clearances but have had no joy. I need to buy some tools, just don't want to spend lots of £££ on tools I won't be needing. Advice appreciated.

Thanks

David

[TVR-Stu]

Hi David

I would certainly invest in a decent socket set. I bought a fairly budget metric Draper set about ten years ago (with both half inch and quarter inch drives)that has done well but have just changed the 1/2" drive for a Facom one which is so much better. So as you've said budget constraints might be a deciding factor. You could always upgrade, as I've done, when you've the spare cash.
I have a set of the Halfords professional range ratchet spanners you listed and they are brilliant for all sorts of jobs and I'd thoroughly recommend them for the price.
A decent torque wrench would be good to get too but other than a decent selection of screwdrivers and pliers why not just buy the other tools as and when you need them.

I'm sure others will come along with ideas of what to get but I can't think of any others at work without looking in my toolbox at home.

[CNHSS1]

i bought a Halfords Professional set about 15 years ago as a 'stop gap' set, thinking theyd be better than chinese cheese but not much better, but theyve turned out to be excellent! Built, and rebuilt many cars (hobby, not job) and still going strong. You are hard pressed to find a wider range, of better quality at a better price and available at halfords opening hours! defo recommended. I have some Snap On stuff , just to quantify, and whilst its better, it aint 10 times better although 10 times the cost.

[thegamekeeper]

Have a look i'n Costco. They do some big sets, not expensive and though not Snap On they are American and very good value