Affordable tool sets for home mechanics?
Discussion
Hi all,
Where is best for tool sets for occasional home use? Is Machine Mart still good value?
I'm going to be doing some very light restoration work and tinkering on a motorcycle over the winter and all my tool cabinets and tools were sold as part of my business a couple of years ago.
I just need something that covers all the usual stuff for disassembly and reassembly of small engines, motorcycles, tinkering on cars etc. I already have a small selection of electrical/wiring tools, but just missing the mechanical tools.
I was going to buy this below, as it seems to have most of the stuff I need in a handy trolley, but was wondering if I was missing a trick by not looking elsewhere?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-pro395-182-...
Thanks!
Where is best for tool sets for occasional home use? Is Machine Mart still good value?
I'm going to be doing some very light restoration work and tinkering on a motorcycle over the winter and all my tool cabinets and tools were sold as part of my business a couple of years ago.
I just need something that covers all the usual stuff for disassembly and reassembly of small engines, motorcycles, tinkering on cars etc. I already have a small selection of electrical/wiring tools, but just missing the mechanical tools.
I was going to buy this below, as it seems to have most of the stuff I need in a handy trolley, but was wondering if I was missing a trick by not looking elsewhere?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-pro395-182-...
Thanks!
Halfords for good basic motoring related tools. They have regular sales and if you have/can get/know someone with a trade card the prices are even better.
A mid range socket set will be all you need, leaving you to select the other tools you will need and which are more worthy of your cash. A good pry bar is essential for working under cars, oil filter wrench, brake bleed kit, etc.
A mid range socket set will be all you need, leaving you to select the other tools you will need and which are more worthy of your cash. A good pry bar is essential for working under cars, oil filter wrench, brake bleed kit, etc.
As above, the Halfords Pro (wasn't it 'Advanced' previously?) when on sale are an excellent buy, not least because if you keep the receipt you can just take anything that breaks back and get it replaced, helpful when most people have a Halfords nearby and they're very likely to be open and in stock when you're working on your car / bike.
I've battered the s
t out of my Halfords socket set and they've held up very well, plus it's all in a nice easily moveable carry box.
I'd recommend that, and then anything more specialised just pick up as and when you need it.
Oh also, there's a Silverline set of 25 spanners on Amazon that goes from 6mm to 32mm, for £35 delivered same day they're useful to have as a backup and to make sure you have most sizes covered, and if you get one of the Halfords sets you'll have doubles of the most common sizes, which can be helpful in some scenarios where nut and bolt are helpfully the same size and access is limited.
Although very cheap, frankly if you manage to snap a spanner I can't imagine you're going to undo said nut by hand anyway
I've battered the s
t out of my Halfords socket set and they've held up very well, plus it's all in a nice easily moveable carry box.I'd recommend that, and then anything more specialised just pick up as and when you need it.
Oh also, there's a Silverline set of 25 spanners on Amazon that goes from 6mm to 32mm, for £35 delivered same day they're useful to have as a backup and to make sure you have most sizes covered, and if you get one of the Halfords sets you'll have doubles of the most common sizes, which can be helpful in some scenarios where nut and bolt are helpfully the same size and access is limited.
Although very cheap, frankly if you manage to snap a spanner I can't imagine you're going to undo said nut by hand anyway
Second(third) the Halfords socket set. I've given mine quite some abuse.
I'd also suggest a breaker bar and a set of impact sockets. Even if you haven't got an impact gun the sockets are six sided and don't stretch. Much better for stubborn bolts. Maybe no too much of an issue on a bike.
Also on the spanner front I started off with a set of Kamasa combination spanners. They've taken a lot of abuse and are still ticking along nicely. Same sets appear to be on Ebay for £25.
I'd also suggest a breaker bar and a set of impact sockets. Even if you haven't got an impact gun the sockets are six sided and don't stretch. Much better for stubborn bolts. Maybe no too much of an issue on a bike.
Also on the spanner front I started off with a set of Kamasa combination spanners. They've taken a lot of abuse and are still ticking along nicely. Same sets appear to be on Ebay for £25.
the cueball said:
You won't go wrong with some of the Halfords Advanced stuff..
If you're working on a Japanese motoerbike, I would also invest in some JIS screwdrivers.
Made my life so much better!
It's a Honda from 1986.If you're working on a Japanese motoerbike, I would also invest in some JIS screwdrivers.
Made my life so much better!
I did read about JIS screwdrivers, and was looking at a set the other day as I wondered if they would assist. Especially if screws haven't been turned for 35 years.
Oldandslow said:
set of impact sockets. Even if you haven't got an impact gun the sockets are six sided and don't stretch.
I bought thesehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-AK5613M-Drive-Impa...
And have barely touched my Halfords ones since.
Lord Marylebone said:
It's a Honda from 1986.
I did read about JIS screwdrivers, and was looking at a set the other day as I wondered if they would assist. Especially if screws haven't been turned for 35 years.
I have a Pan European from around that time that I've rebuilt... they are well worth it! lolI did read about JIS screwdrivers, and was looking at a set the other day as I wondered if they would assist. Especially if screws haven't been turned for 35 years.
of course, you need to look out for previous people buggering up the correct screws and replacing them with non JIS ones...
the cueball said:
I have a Pan European from around that time that I've rebuilt... they are well worth it! lol
of course, you need to look out for previous people buggering up the correct screws and replacing them with non JIS ones...
One owner from brand new... me! So I know it’s as it came out of the factory.of course, you need to look out for previous people buggering up the correct screws and replacing them with non JIS ones...
It’s a Z50R and I got it for Christmas as a 6 year old. Still in good running order and reasonably tidy, but it just needs a good service and refresh to keep it right for the next 35 years
Lord Marylebone said:
One owner from brand new... me! So I know it’s as it came out of the factory.
It’s a Z50R and I got it for Christmas as a 6 year old. Still in good running order and reasonably tidy, but it just needs a good service and refresh to keep it right for the next 35 years
Sounds good... get some pics up when you're elbow deep! It’s a Z50R and I got it for Christmas as a 6 year old. Still in good running order and reasonably tidy, but it just needs a good service and refresh to keep it right for the next 35 years
Lord Marylebone said:
One owner from brand new... me! So I know it’s as it came out of the factory.
It’s a Z50R and I got it for Christmas as a 6 year old. Still in good running order and reasonably tidy, but it just needs a good service and refresh to keep it right for the next 35 years
Lad we know has a few -It’s a Z50R and I got it for Christmas as a 6 year old. Still in good running order and reasonably tidy, but it just needs a good service and refresh to keep it right for the next 35 years
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