what tools for home workshop?

[laam999]

What offers the best quality and value?

Draper, sealey, halfords pro, teng, Clarke, snap on or silverline?

[scottdav]

Get a trade card at halfords for the discount then when stuff breaks it's a life time warranty anyway.

[944fan]

Given this is for a home workshop you are unlikely to qualify for a trade card.

Snap on are good but are very expensive, the Clarke stuff is ok but it is budget so don't expect it to last a long time.

The Halfords Pro stuff is good and is often on offer (50% off) so look out for that. Check the lifetime warranty closely though - it is only the metal which has a lifetime guarantee, so the internals of a ratchet for example are not covered, although they do a repair kit.

[CunningPlan]

I broke a Halfords Pro torque wrench (used within it's limits) and they were really quite in my face about it. When I blankly stated pro stuff had a lifetime guarantee and I expected it to be replaced they reluctantly replaced it - but it wasn't a happy experience. I know H Pro stuff is commonly cited on here as best value for money but I'm wondering if the stuff is actually mid-range and is sold on the back of the lifetime guarantee. I'm now thinking snap-on might be worth the money.

[TallPaul]

CunningPlan said:

I broke a Halfords Pro torque wrench (used within it's limits) and they were really quite in my face about it. When I blankly stated pro stuff had a lifetime guarantee and I expected it to be replaced they reluctantly replaced it - but it wasn't a happy experience. I know H Pro stuff is commonly cited on here as best value for money but I'm wondering if the stuff is actually mid-range and is sold on the back of the lifetime guarantee. I'm now thinking snap-on might be worth the money.

I think it depends on the staff and the store, I've had a few Halfords Pro stuff replaced with no problems at all, but I've heard of others being told they must have the receipt.

[Eggman]

CunningPlan said:

I'm wondering if the stuff is actually mid-range and is sold on the back of the lifetime guarantee. I'm now thinking snap-on might be worth the money.

A friend 'in the trade' reckons that this is now the case with Snap-On, and says their new stuff isn't a patch on their old stuff.

ETA: fwiw, I've been very pleased with the Halfords Pro stuff I've bought. Teng is pretty good too. Having said that, I bought a remarkably rubbish ratchet screwdriver of that make that is forever falling to bits because it's held together by a big screw that comes undone as you use it. Duh, Teng!

Edited by Eggman on Saturday 8th October 20:40

[steveo3002]

pick what you buy in the best qualitys , stuff like a socket set , ratchet and breaker bar need to be decent stuff , good screw drivers are worth having

make sure any sockets are 6 sided instead of 12 , that will eliminate alot of rounding off problems

i think stuff like silverline is reasonble for home use for what they cost , you can always upgrade certain tools if you find you use certains sizes alot

[Eggman]

Also, you can often find quite good tools for sale at larger car shows. Iirc, there's a make called Bergen whose stuff is quite nice for DIY use. I've also had some good deals on stuff like impact sockets and slide hammers.