Toolkit for back of the car...?
Discussion
Thinking of getting a tool box for the back of the car. I already store a tow rope, HD jump leads, some long cable ties and some disposable gloves under the boot floor.
Some tools might be handy.
I like the look of this set
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231511258297?_trksid=p20...
But it's hardly cheap. In fact I think they are nicer than the tools I use for general spannering.
Any other suggestions chaps?
TIA.
Tom.
Some tools might be handy.
I like the look of this set
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231511258297?_trksid=p20...
But it's hardly cheap. In fact I think they are nicer than the tools I use for general spannering.
Any other suggestions chaps?
TIA.
Tom.
BigTom85 said:
I like the look of this set
Not cheap, as you say, and where's the hammer?Not sure why ISO 9000 is mentioned as it's about management quality and is nothing to do with the quality of the tools. Smoke and mirrors to justify the price, perhaps.
Also what's the point of carrying the whole 6.5 kg of stuff around when there is so much you don't need - for instance on most cars you have either metric or imperial hexagons but not both.
Select spanners that fit plus pliers/screwdrivers/hammer/mole grips to choice, depending on how skilled a mechanic you are in the dark and the rain.
How old is your car and what do you (personally) expect to be able to do by the roadside ?
On our old cars (1960s-70s) I carry open spanners, small socket set, screwdrivers, penknife, test meter, mole grips & gaffer tape. The spanners & socket set were cheap (sealey & draper) because I don't really expect to use them at all but they'll stand some light work. I'd be surprised if the whole bundle cost more than £40 but if it stops I'll probably get it going again.
On our new cars I don't carry anything other than a puncture repair kit & inflator (no spare wheels it seems these days) because the simple fact is that if it stops I'll have no chance with it. In fact the most useful tool in these cars is having a mobile phone.....
Brian
On our old cars (1960s-70s) I carry open spanners, small socket set, screwdrivers, penknife, test meter, mole grips & gaffer tape. The spanners & socket set were cheap (sealey & draper) because I don't really expect to use them at all but they'll stand some light work. I'd be surprised if the whole bundle cost more than £40 but if it stops I'll probably get it going again.
On our new cars I don't carry anything other than a puncture repair kit & inflator (no spare wheels it seems these days) because the simple fact is that if it stops I'll have no chance with it. In fact the most useful tool in these cars is having a mobile phone.....
Brian
What I should have really said is 'its my birthday in January and I'm looking for an excuse to buy some new tools' 
The reality is I have a 6 month old car, and the wife drives a Honda, so the worst I'll probably end up doing is having to change a bulb - although with that in mind that task alone can sometimes require a few different fixings and extensions... I don't often use tools at the roadside, but I have done various bits and bobs over the years. I remember limping my MK3 Fiesta 1.1 to a Halfords car park and changing an alternator with tools I had in the boot. A few bulb changes, reattached an exhaust, the odd wiring bodge... can't think of much else.
I guess something like this http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/socke... would probably be enough really ( I can't think that I'll use more than 13mm on something at the roadside?), along with some wire strippers, electrical tape, cable ties etc.
I already have a massive Halfords set that I've abused for the last 12 years or so. I wish they did a decent sized metric only 6-sided set. The only time I use the AF stuff is if I've got a fixing that is really rusty and cleans up to not-quite the next metric socket down.
The reality is I have a 6 month old car, and the wife drives a Honda, so the worst I'll probably end up doing is having to change a bulb - although with that in mind that task alone can sometimes require a few different fixings and extensions... I don't often use tools at the roadside, but I have done various bits and bobs over the years. I remember limping my MK3 Fiesta 1.1 to a Halfords car park and changing an alternator with tools I had in the boot. A few bulb changes, reattached an exhaust, the odd wiring bodge... can't think of much else.
I guess something like this http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/socke... would probably be enough really ( I can't think that I'll use more than 13mm on something at the roadside?), along with some wire strippers, electrical tape, cable ties etc.
I already have a massive Halfords set that I've abused for the last 12 years or so. I wish they did a decent sized metric only 6-sided set. The only time I use the AF stuff is if I've got a fixing that is really rusty and cleans up to not-quite the next metric socket down.
In addition to the car tool kit (box spanners, screwdrivers, jack and wheel brace) I've put together the following. It sounds a lot but all goes into a zip up canvas bug that measures 16"x12"x3". This fits in the corner of the boot or under a seat and goes away with me when we're on a trip.
I only take useful sizes 9mm, 11mm, 12mm, 14mm etc are all left at home. Smaller, lighter tools are chosen, a lot of it is freebie Draper stuff that I've had years.
3/8 sockets adaptor and a few 1/4 sockets
Ratchet, extension, UJ.
2 Screwdivers with bits in handles inc Hex bits, one short, one long ratchet.
Combination spanners
Wire cutter, stripper, crimping tool.
Mole grips
Needle nose mole grips
Test lamp
Multimeter
Blink code reader (with code list)
Choc bloc connector
Bullet connectors
Insulation tape, self amalgamating tape, gaffer tape, wire, bulbs, electrical contact cleaner, WD 40, gummi fledge.
Led inspection light.
Rag.
Disposable gloves.
Emery cloth.
A footpump with tyre pressure gauge fits in beside the spare wheel. Anything else and I'll find a garage or use my breakdown card thank you very much.
I only take useful sizes 9mm, 11mm, 12mm, 14mm etc are all left at home. Smaller, lighter tools are chosen, a lot of it is freebie Draper stuff that I've had years.
3/8 sockets adaptor and a few 1/4 sockets
Ratchet, extension, UJ.
2 Screwdivers with bits in handles inc Hex bits, one short, one long ratchet.
Combination spanners
Wire cutter, stripper, crimping tool.
Mole grips
Needle nose mole grips
Test lamp
Multimeter
Blink code reader (with code list)
Choc bloc connector
Bullet connectors
Insulation tape, self amalgamating tape, gaffer tape, wire, bulbs, electrical contact cleaner, WD 40, gummi fledge.
Led inspection light.
Rag.
Disposable gloves.
Emery cloth.
A footpump with tyre pressure gauge fits in beside the spare wheel. Anything else and I'll find a garage or use my breakdown card thank you very much.
As AA membership starts at £28 / year for basic recovery and that set is £200, you'd need 8 years cover before you'd paid for 1 of those sets and you've got two cars to cover...
For what it's worth I have one of these sets & a set of ratchet spanners (both from Aldi) and a multi meter from Amazon. Even then that's because I'm too lazy to carry them from the flat to the car.
I think if you've got jump leads, a means to fix a flat tyre, a phone and membership of a break down organisation you're covered these days, especially on those cars. I won't say how long it's been since I needed a tow rope or jerry can as I don't want to jinx it...
Now, if you want an excuse to buy more tools (and who doesn't let's be honest) that's a different question. In your shoes I'd buy what I want /don't have (such as http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/storage/too... or better) and get her a handbag, shoes or flowers to the same value...
For what it's worth I have one of these sets & a set of ratchet spanners (both from Aldi) and a multi meter from Amazon. Even then that's because I'm too lazy to carry them from the flat to the car.
I think if you've got jump leads, a means to fix a flat tyre, a phone and membership of a break down organisation you're covered these days, especially on those cars. I won't say how long it's been since I needed a tow rope or jerry can as I don't want to jinx it...
Now, if you want an excuse to buy more tools (and who doesn't let's be honest) that's a different question. In your shoes I'd buy what I want /don't have (such as http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/storage/too... or better) and get her a handbag, shoes or flowers to the same value...
Think about what jobs you would need to do at the road side.
I have taken my classic on long continental drives. Unless you carry a van load of spares, you'll never need the whole range of tools, because you can't do anything with them.
Maintenance and preparation!
Full set of sockets and spanners? I don't think so.
Enough to change a fan belt, perhaps. And a fan belt.
Screwdriver that takes multiple bits, pliers and some wire.
Multitool, for the small knife, file etc on it.
And that all-important tool, your mobile with a breakdown service on speed dial!
John
I have taken my classic on long continental drives. Unless you carry a van load of spares, you'll never need the whole range of tools, because you can't do anything with them.
Maintenance and preparation!
Full set of sockets and spanners? I don't think so.
Enough to change a fan belt, perhaps. And a fan belt.
Screwdriver that takes multiple bits, pliers and some wire.
Multitool, for the small knife, file etc on it.
And that all-important tool, your mobile with a breakdown service on speed dial!
John
Edited by tapkaJohnD on Sunday 3rd January 14:11
http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Teng%20T3848%20...
50 quid cheaper for the Teng kit. FFX are a good company to deal with too.
As for me - I've just got a compressor, pressure gauge, can of tyre foam and a high vis jacket in the boot of my car. AA membership and my mobile is all I really need.
50 quid cheaper for the Teng kit. FFX are a good company to deal with too.
As for me - I've just got a compressor, pressure gauge, can of tyre foam and a high vis jacket in the boot of my car. AA membership and my mobile is all I really need.
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