Apprentice Tools

[Huskyman]

ChampionRabbit said:

IMO it's crazy to pick a brand. Just buy stuff as you need it based on budget and quality.

For example, Wera screwdrivers are hard to beat in term so of price/quality although I have big hands so I tend to buy Irimo or Gedore as the handles are fatter. You wouldn't buy Wera spanners though normally.

Teng spanners are excellent value/quality, but the screwdrivers aren't much cop IMO. I absolutely love the red 'plastic' Teng ratchet handles (3/8 and 1/2").

Kamasa spanners are great value/quality. Facom spanners are really nice, but I'm not sure there're much better than any other...

Halfords Advanced spanners and socketry is very good, but screwdrivers are dreadful.

For impact sockets, cheap Chinese ones are fine IMO; I use them all day every day.

The idea of buying a single brand, or a massive kit is bonkers IMO.

I’m in this camp, in hand tools I have Wera, Bahco, Teng, Beta, knippex,Gearwrench and some Halfords professional stuff. I buy as and when required. A good secure toolbox is a must to stop the tools from going walkies...

I use mine offshore and in some really horrible environments and reliability is first and foremost for me. If you can have a look in a decent tool retailer place and see what is comfortable to hold.

If you need to buy something like a torque wrench always see if you can get it direct as Beta for example rebrand Norbar torque wrenches and charge more.. a lot more.

[dug294]

Huskyman said:

I’m in this camp, in hand tools I have Wera, Bahco, Teng, Beta, knippex,Gearwrench and some Halfords professional stuff. I buy as and when required. A good secure toolbox is a must to stop the tools from going walkies...

I use mine offshore and in some really horrible environments and reliability is first and foremost for me. If you can have a look in a decent tool retailer place and see what is comfortable to hold.

If you need to buy something like a torque wrench always see if you can get it direct as Beta for example rebrand Norbar torque wrenches and charge more.. a lot more.

so if i were looking for lets say a small socket set what would you say was good brand balancing cost/quality? we use sealey premier sockets at college and i like them, just wondering if i need something better quality

[Huskyman]

dug294 said:

Huskyman said:

I’m in this camp, in hand tools I have Wera, Bahco, Teng, Beta, knippex,Gearwrench and some Halfords professional stuff. I buy as and when required. A good secure toolbox is a must to stop the tools from going walkies...

I use mine offshore and in some really horrible environments and reliability is first and foremost for me. If you can have a look in a decent tool retailer place and see what is comfortable to hold.

If you need to buy something like a torque wrench always see if you can get it direct as Beta for example rebrand Norbar torque wrenches and charge more.. a lot more.

so if i were looking for lets say a small socket set what would you say was good brand balancing cost/quality? we use sealey premier sockets at college and i like them, just wondering if i need something better quality

There is nothing wrong with Sealey premier at all. Bahco do some decent stuff, and they do various sizes. I have this as part of my grab bag service tools and I find it excellent
https://www.screwfix.com/p/bahco-s330-mixed-drive-...

Decide on your budget and what you really need, also see what discount you can get by being a bit cheeky. I always do!

[G600]

I use a lot of Kennedy tools at work, really good range and quality, Cromwell tools sell them, they are owned by zoro who have an eBay store which is sometimes cheaper

[hellorent]

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/90...

[Krikkit]

hellorent said:

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/90...

Just reading the criticism of the Halfords set tells me the writer doesn't use a socket set regularly.

HuskyMan and ChampionRabbit have hit the nail on the head imho.

[Chris32345]

Krikkit said:

Just reading the criticism of the Halfords set tells me the writer doesn't use a socket set regularly.

HuskyMan and ChampionRabbit have hit the nail on the head imho.

Paid for reviews no doubt

[gazza285]

Krikkit said:

hellorent said:

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/90...

Just reading the criticism of the Halfords set tells me the writer doesn't use a socket set regularly.

HuskyMan and ChampionRabbit have hit the nail on the head imho.

As someone who needs quality tools I would buy the Kennedy set from that lot, yet they have judged it bottom...

My tool kit now comprises either stuff that hasn't broken yet, or stuff to replace bits that have, and is a completely random mish mash of manufacturers. I thing all the major quality suppliers are in there somewhere, but the highlights will be Bahco adjustables, Carver clamps, and Ridgid stilsons.

[NMNeil]

I may get some flak, but be wary of Snap-On.
https://us-browse.startpage.com/av/anon-image?piur...
https://us-browse.startpage.com/av/anon-image?piur...

[Benbay001]

At work i have a 1/4" and 1/2" RS socket set.

Had them for 5 years and they are still in great shape. Although, they dont get abused in the same way they would if i was a mechanic.

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/socket-sets/8179233...

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/socket-sets/8179230...

[brownspeed]

I still have a 1/2" drive Gedore socket set and Bahco spanners that I bought in 1979

[rustednut]

NMNeil said:

I may get some flak, but be wary of Snap-On.
https://us-browse.startpage.com/av/anon-image?piur...
https://us-browse.startpage.com/av/anon-image?piur...

A lot of there stuff now is made by others and rebranded.

Not knocking them per se, but I don't think there products are as good (or maybe much better than the competiton) than they were. Like lots of big names, trading on the name from the past.

At the same time lots of other brands that were poor just a few years ago, are now often purchased by professionals. Laser tools for example.

As always, the tools used daily, the sockets, spanners, screwdrivers need to be really good (fit and longevity) but the tools used just occasionally only need to work as intended, when needed.

The biggest advantage of snap on (and a few others) is the instant credit of getting in debt to 1 tool company, and having to keep purchase from there as the apprentice can't afford to buy elsewhere as all the spare money has to pay off the debt incurred.

Buy a base set of decent basics (Halfords pro, even Snap on, Teng etc) and buy other tools as needed.

But don't buy rubbish, too cheap etc. That will cost more than buying quality over time.

For me though, the bit I don't understand is the desire to buy an impressive tool box with a big name on it. The tools earn the money, the tool box only needs to store those tools. Lots of better deals around on what is probably the single most expensive part of any tool collection. Have seen a few garages that have been broken into and the shiny toolboxes broken into with the lesser known ones left alone (with virtually the same tools inside).