Good amatuer toolkit?

[DannyVTS]

I've had a few socket sets but manage to lose them in the garage (i will be sorting that one out don't worry)

But i was hoping you could reccomend me some tools/kit for basic needs, i already have most of the specialist sockets for my car so it doesn't have to be fancy

I was looking at these last year, and was looking at them agin today, has anyone got any experience of them?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...


If not, halfauds have a lot of Half Price gear on at the moment, are these 2 any good? If they are i will still need a good box for them in the garage?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Danny

P.s i know the whole, buy cheap buy twice rule from experience !

[magpie215]

The halfords gear is very good for the money only downside is all the A/F sockets included that are probably of no use unless you do aircraft/classic cars

[DemonDesign]

Halfords ones are really good and lifetime warranty, My set been going strong for over 5 years

[DannyVTS]

Yeah i always find the AF sockets just take up space in the box!

Are there any 100% Metric sets that i can get? Surely they'd be a bit cheaper?

[RWD cossie wil]

Get yourself a nice halfords advanced gear. Top quality stuff, lifetime warranty.

I would go for a dedicated socket set, 1/2" drive with sockets from 8mm- 32mm. Comes with various extensions/ universal joints etc.

Set of combi spanners 7mm- 21mm
ratchet combi spanners with flex head, 8,9,10,11,13,15,17,19mm

1/4" drive small socket set 3.5mm-14mm

Decent screwdriver set
Decent Hex key set

you can do most jobs with that lot, and build up your kit as you need it. For a French car, you will need star drives, and a few odd sizes of spanners that are not normally in off the shelf kits like 14,16 & 18mm.

Buy once, buy right! If you can get a Halfords trade discount card even better, or they normally have good deals around Xmas on 2 for 1 or 1/3rd off etc.

[Eggman]

If you can stretch to this one (the 150 piece kit) you won't regret it.

I have a previous version of it which I bought thinking it would save lugging my main toolbox out for little jobs. I've found it so good that I use it most of the time. The blow moulded case it comes in is really good - sturdily made and easy to carry. Just add a decent set of screwdrivers and you should be able to tackle most jobs. (A decent hammer and some molegrips wouldn't hurt either!)

[retrorider]

Job Done

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRAPER-43748-TOOL-GENERAL-TO...

[944fan]

+1 for the Halfords gear. Note the lifetime warranty only applies to the metal, if the ratchet mechanism, for example, breaks it is not covered.

Having said that, Halfords do sell a repair kit for the ratches so that is not really a problem.

The only criticism I have is that the sockets are generally all double hex, which are rubbish if you have a tight nut. However the kits are a good starting point and you can add hex sockets in popular sizes later.

[ambuletz]

+2 for the halfords toolkit. my old man has one of these, + a pump car jack + stands. it's all he ever needs for fixing/servicing cars when he is out and about. and i like to use the mini screw set for opening up my laptop from time to time to give it a clean/dusting.

[DannyVTS]

does anyone know what discount a trad card gets you on tools from halfords? Cheers

[rottie102]

DannyVTS said:

does anyone know what discount a trad card gets you on tools from halfords? Cheers

On stuff that is already on sale - very little or none.