Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[Schiehallion]

Any recommendations for a fairly basic socket / spanner set? I see a lot of love for the Halfords Advanced stuff, but it really won't get much use so it's difficult to justify the cost on that basis - but I want it to last and be up to the job when I do use it.

Cheers,
S

[hellorent]

Schiehallion said:

Any recommendations for a fairly basic socket / spanner set? I see a lot of love for the Halfords Advanced stuff, but it really won't get much use so it's difficult to justify the cost on that basis - but I want it to last and be up to the job when I do use it.

Cheers,
S

Have a look at the Lidl/Aldi offerings for the price they are quiet good value.

[RZ1]

Any recommendations for a cheap DC Stick welder, looking to build my boy a Toylander this year and will need to do a couple of welds, so seeing if i can pick up something for sub £50

[skwdenyer]

RZ1 said:

Any recommendations for a cheap DC Stick welder, looking to build my boy a Toylander this year and will need to do a couple of welds, so seeing if i can pick up something for sub £50

Not £50, but I bought a Röhr MINI-220PI recently for £80 new. It is very impressive for the money - far better than cheap stuff I’ve used in the past. I know people who use them professionally, so durability seems reasonable.

[B'stard Child]

Schiehallion said:

Any recommendations for a fairly basic socket / spanner set? I see a lot of love for the Halfords Advanced stuff, but it really won't get much use so it's difficult to justify the cost on that basis - but I want it to last and be up to the job when I do use it.

Cheers,
S

Then buy Halfords Advanced - I've had a set of their ratchet spanner for maybe 20 years - they get loads of abuse (seriously they should have broken but they haven't)

There is nothing worse than skinned knuckles because the socket or spanner slipped or the ratchet strips.

I've got a set of 3/8 and 1/2 sockets and they are similar age and apart from losing a 10mm one none have broken yet.

Can't comment on the ratchets from Halfords because I've never needed to buy one

I do have a small socket set (Teng tools) which is the keep in the car set - and it has ocasionally been borrowed for the 10mm it still has

[Voldemort]

Schiehallion said:

Any recommendations for a fairly basic socket / spanner set? I see a lot of love for the Halfords Advanced stuff, but it really won't get much use so it's difficult to justify the cost on that basis - but I want it to last and be up to the job when I do use it.

Cheers,
S

Whilst you can drop £300 on a Halfords set, this at £20.80 should see you sorted for 99% of socket work

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/socket-s...

and this - £30 - your spannering needs,

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kit...

[guitarcarfanatic]

Schiehallion said:

Any recommendations for a fairly basic socket / spanner set? I see a lot of love for the Halfords Advanced stuff, but it really won't get much use so it's difficult to justify the cost on that basis - but I want it to last and be up to the job when I do use it.

Cheers,
S

Yep, Halfords Advance is the best budget but reasonable quality solution - wait for an offer

Tend to last and good guarantee.

[Schiehallion]

guitarcarfanatic said:

Yep, Halfords Advance is the best budget but reasonable quality solution - wait for an offer

Tend to last and good guarantee.

Does this qualify as a decent offer (with a further 10% off) - or might something better come along?

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/socket-s...

[RZ1]

skwdenyer said:

RZ1 said:

Any recommendations for a cheap DC Stick welder, looking to build my boy a Toylander this year and will need to do a couple of welds, so seeing if i can pick up something for sub £50

Not £50, but I bought a Röhr MINI-220PI recently for £80 new. It is very impressive for the money - far better than cheap stuff I’ve used in the past. I know people who use them professionally, so durability seems reasonable.

Thanks, is this the one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MINI-220PI-Inverter-Gasle...
unfortunately looks like its no longer available

[ShampooEfficient]

Afternoon gang. As car restoration season is beginning (no garage so driveway jobs) ... i need a good spring compressor tool. I have the old cheapy type that clamp either side of the spring and you tighten down.

They struggle a bit with some of the fleet so I'm considering this type -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203644387714?mkcid=16&a...

It will probably get used 3 times a year but it's something I want for the times I'm working on cars and the local garage isn't open for me to harass.

Anyone got any thoughts on that or a similar type? So far the list is a Saxo, a Polo and an Omega that it'll be getting used on.

[GeneralBanter]

ShampooEfficient said:

Afternoon gang. As car restoration season is beginning (no garage so driveway jobs) ... i need a good spring compressor tool. I have the old cheapy type that clamp either side of the spring and you tighten down.

They struggle a bit with some of the fleet so I'm considering this type -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203644387714?mkcid=16&a...

It will probably get used 3 times a year but it's something I want for the times I'm working on cars and the local garage isn't open for me to harass.

Anyone got any thoughts on that or a similar type? So far the list is a Saxo, a Polo and an Omega that it'll be getting used on.

Good choice but make sure the smaller springs fit. They don’t go down to 2.25” so no good for some classics.

[skwdenyer]

RZ1 said:

skwdenyer said:

RZ1 said:

Any recommendations for a cheap DC Stick welder, looking to build my boy a Toylander this year and will need to do a couple of welds, so seeing if i can pick up something for sub £50

Not £50, but I bought a Röhr MINI-220PI recently for £80 new. It is very impressive for the money - far better than cheap stuff I’ve used in the past. I know people who use them professionally, so durability seems reasonable.

Thanks, is this the one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MINI-220PI-Inverter-Gasle...
unfortunately looks like its no longer available

That’s the one. Google suggests it is available elsewhere. Many other brands are, too.

[skwdenyer]

GeneralBanter said:

ShampooEfficient said:

Afternoon gang. As car restoration season is beginning (no garage so driveway jobs) ... i need a good spring compressor tool. I have the old cheapy type that clamp either side of the spring and you tighten down.

They struggle a bit with some of the fleet so I'm considering this type -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203644387714?mkcid=16&a...

It will probably get used 3 times a year but it's something I want for the times I'm working on cars and the local garage isn't open for me to harass.

Anyone got any thoughts on that or a similar type? So far the list is a Saxo, a Polo and an Omega that it'll be getting used on.

Good choice but make sure the smaller springs fit. They don’t go down to 2.25” so no good for some classics.

That looks epic for the money. I’ve just swapped springs and top mounts on an 04 Peugeot Partner. The coils were so far apart, I had to compress all the way with the old spanner-spun type, then clamp in place with sash clamps and a ratchet strap, then re-position the compressors to get further compression! Not ideal. If I’d seen that tool at the time I’d probably have snapped it up

[donkmeister]

B'stard Child said:

Then buy Halfords Advanced - I've had a set of their ratchet spanner for maybe 20 years - they get loads of abuse (seriously they should have broken but they haven't)

There is nothing worse than skinned knuckles because the socket or spanner slipped or the ratchet strips.

I've got a set of 3/8 and 1/2 sockets and they are similar age and apart from losing a 10mm one none have broken yet.

Can't comment on the ratchets from Halfords because I've never needed to buy one

I do have a small socket set (Teng tools) which is the keep in the car set - and it has ocasionally been borrowed for the 10mm it still has

You can buy individual sockets, a 10mm is only a few quid. Unless you are concerned that replacing the 10mm will mean others disappear instead?

[ShampooEfficient]

skwdenyer said:

GeneralBanter said:

ShampooEfficient said:

Afternoon gang. As car restoration season is beginning (no garage so driveway jobs) ... i need a good spring compressor tool. I have the old cheapy type that clamp either side of the spring and you tighten down.

They struggle a bit with some of the fleet so I'm considering this type -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203644387714?mkcid=16&a...

It will probably get used 3 times a year but it's something I want for the times I'm working on cars and the local garage isn't open for me to harass.

Anyone got any thoughts on that or a similar type? So far the list is a Saxo, a Polo and an Omega that it'll be getting used on.

Good choice but make sure the smaller springs fit. They don’t go down to 2.25” so no good for some classics.

That looks epic for the money. I’ve just swapped springs and top mounts on an 04 Peugeot Partner. The coils were so far apart, I had to compress all the way with the old spanner-spun type, then clamp in place with sash clamps and a ratchet strap, then re-position the compressors to get further compression! Not ideal. If I’d seen that tool at the time I’d probably have snapped it up

Oh excellent point, thank you! Think I'll get one ordered when it comes to do the next one.

[eltax91]

ShampooEfficient said:

skwdenyer said:

GeneralBanter said:

ShampooEfficient said:

Afternoon gang. As car restoration season is beginning (no garage so driveway jobs) ... i need a good spring compressor tool. I have the old cheapy type that clamp either side of the spring and you tighten down.

They struggle a bit with some of the fleet so I'm considering this type -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203644387714?mkcid=16&a...

It will probably get used 3 times a year but it's something I want for the times I'm working on cars and the local garage isn't open for me to harass.

Anyone got any thoughts on that or a similar type? So far the list is a Saxo, a Polo and an Omega that it'll be getting used on.

Good choice but make sure the smaller springs fit. They don’t go down to 2.25” so no good for some classics.

That looks epic for the money. I’ve just swapped springs and top mounts on an 04 Peugeot Partner. The coils were so far apart, I had to compress all the way with the old spanner-spun type, then clamp in place with sash clamps and a ratchet strap, then re-position the compressors to get further compression! Not ideal. If I’d seen that tool at the time I’d probably have snapped it up

Oh excellent point, thank you! Think I'll get one ordered when it comes to do the next one.

There is a hybrid version somewhere between the cheapy and the floor standing one for those who’ve an issue with space:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/1000kg-Macpherson-Compres...

[The Gauge]

B'stard Child said:

Schiehallion said:

Any recommendations for a fairly basic socket / spanner set? I see a lot of love for the Halfords Advanced stuff, but it really won't get much use so it's difficult to justify the cost on that basis - but I want it to last and be up to the job when I do use it.

Cheers,
S

Then buy Halfords Advanced - I've had a set of their ratchet spanner for maybe 20 years - they get loads of abuse (seriously they should have broken but they haven't)

There is nothing worse than skinned knuckles because the socket or spanner slipped or the ratchet strips.

I've got a set of 3/8 and 1/2 sockets and they are similar age and apart from losing a 10mm one none have broken yet.

Can't comment on the ratchets from Halfords because I've never needed to buy one

I do have a small socket set (Teng tools) which is the keep in the car set - and it has ocasionally been borrowed for the 10mm it still has

I've been waiting to see if this modular tray 1/2" socket set gets reduced, but it never is...






Quite like the idea of this mixed set in a carry case, useful for taking all the ratchets/sockets to where you are working, as opposed to trying to pick the ones you think will be needed, but I'm not sure if it will fit in the shallow drawer of my Halfords tool chest, might have to visit a branch and try it in their chest drawers..

[hidetheelephants]

RZ1 said:

Any recommendations for a cheap DC Stick welder, looking to build my boy a Toylander this year and will need to do a couple of welds, so seeing if i can pick up something for sub £50

Aldi/Lidl usually have one on offer in the aisle of mystery 2-3 times a year although I think you'll struggle at that price unless you shop for a used one, £80 is probably more realistic; TBH any small inverter stick unit will do what you want to do, I'd shop on length of guarantee and ease of making a return/warranty claim. The accessories that come with them are very often garbage fit only for the bin; buy these separately, I'd suggest an LCD mask, a nice set of gauntlets that fit, a spring handle chipping hammer and a wire brush.

[skwdenyer]

eltax91 said:

ShampooEfficient said:

skwdenyer said:

GeneralBanter said:

ShampooEfficient said:

Afternoon gang. As car restoration season is beginning (no garage so driveway jobs) ... i need a good spring compressor tool. I have the old cheapy type that clamp either side of the spring and you tighten down.

They struggle a bit with some of the fleet so I'm considering this type -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203644387714?mkcid=16&a...

It will probably get used 3 times a year but it's something I want for the times I'm working on cars and the local garage isn't open for me to harass.

Anyone got any thoughts on that or a similar type? So far the list is a Saxo, a Polo and an Omega that it'll be getting used on.

Good choice but make sure the smaller springs fit. They don’t go down to 2.25” so no good for some classics.

That looks epic for the money. I’ve just swapped springs and top mounts on an 04 Peugeot Partner. The coils were so far apart, I had to compress all the way with the old spanner-spun type, then clamp in place with sash clamps and a ratchet strap, then re-position the compressors to get further compression! Not ideal. If I’d seen that tool at the time I’d probably have snapped it up

Oh excellent point, thank you! Think I'll get one ordered when it comes to do the next one.

There is a hybrid version somewhere between the cheapy and the floor standing one for those who’ve an issue with space:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/1000kg-Macpherson-Compres...

Thanks. The other problem I had with my latest job was that the spring platforms and top mounts are so large as to interfere with the winding rod. That latest link seems to have a similar problem - the rod close to the coil?

[skwdenyer]

hidetheelephants said:

RZ1 said:

Any recommendations for a cheap DC Stick welder, looking to build my boy a Toylander this year and will need to do a couple of welds, so seeing if i can pick up something for sub £50

Aldi/Lidl usually have one on offer in the aisle of mystery 2-3 times a year although I think you'll struggle at that price unless you shop for a used one, £80 is probably more realistic; TBH any small inverter stick unit will do what you want to do, I'd shop on length of guarantee and ease of making a return/warranty claim. The accessories that come with them are very often garbage fit only for the bin; buy these separately, I'd suggest an LCD mask, a nice set of gauntlets that fit, a spring handle chipping hammer and a wire brush.

Agreed on the accessories. There were terrible on the Röhr - thankfully I had better alternatives.