alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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I'm starting a new job in a few weeks time. Anybody in the engineering trade that has to buy tools to work with, where's the cheapest place to buy stuff? Specifically, I'm looking for a decent half inch socket set, a breaker bar and some combi spanners. I don't like the Halfords stuff for working with day to day.
Cheers for any replies
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Graeme
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Registered: 26th Jul 04
Location: Northampton
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why not halfords stuff for day to day, its just like any other tools and profesional stuff is lifetime guarentee.
Depends how much you want to spend, do you want lifetime guarentees etc.
Look at halfords, teng, draper, britoll.
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craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
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what type of engineering?
as greame said, halfords sockets and stuff are fine, ratchets are a bit filmsy sometimes, facom ratchets and spanners arent too bad if you dont want to spend too much
E36 328
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SnK
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Registered: 2nd Mar 09
Location: Yeadon, West Yorkshire
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Snap-on. Simple. But be prepared to pay the prices!
I had a 1/2 inch general service kit, 1/2 inch ratchet breaker bar sockets extensions. WASTE OF £150  Traded it in today for £50 and bought snap on 3/8 sockets and a rail 
Seriously you only need 1/2inch impact sockets for your air gun or air ratchet.
3/8 is more than capable for everything else, so get a smaller 3/8 ratchet and a longer handled 3/8 ratchet, along with a decent extension set. Also 1/4 inch is very handy for loads of things so just buy a general 1/4 service set, ratchet, extensions, sockets and torx sockets.
Can't beat snap-on spanners, but invest in some of the blue-point ratchet spanners. Very good spanners.
[Edited on 21-09-2010 by SnK]
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corsadonk
Premium Member
Registered: 4th Jul 09
Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire
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Honest Halfords stuff is fine, I work on all sorts of plant, and comercial stuff, I've spread the jaws on one 10mm spanner, and broke a few allen, and screw driver sockets, but after hitting it with a hammer, and had to replace the ractchet mech in my 3/8 which is like £4.
Sealey always have good deals on.
http://toolstoday.co.uk/shop.php?sec=cat&cat=35&load_page=Tool+Sets
Good luck, with the job
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craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by SnK
Snap-on. Simple. But be prepared to pay the prices!
I had a 1/2 inch general service kit, 1/2 inch ratchet breaker bar sockets extensions. WASTE OF £150 Traded it in today for £50 and bought snap on 3/8 sockets and a rail
Seriously you only need 1/2inch impact sockets for your air gun or air ratchet.
3/8 is more than capable for everything else, so get a smaller 3/8 ratchet and a longer handled 3/8 ratchet, along with a decent extension set. Also 1/4 inch is very handy for loads of things so just buy a general 1/4 service set, ratchet, extensions, sockets and torx sockets.
Can't beat snap-on spanners, but invest in some of the blue-point ratchet spanners. Very good spanners.
[Edited on 21-09-2010 by SnK]
he asked for cheap, snap on is far from cheap and 3/8 being more than capable of everything else is a joke when you dont even know what type of engineering he is doing, i would love to see the look on peoples faces if all i carried was a 3/8 set
out of all the 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4" sets i have, only one 3/8" ratchet is snap on and i could have bought 3 decent ratchets for the cost of it, but as i was stuck it was the only option
alan, post up how much you roughly want to spend and what you would like and we can tell you what is available for your budget
E36 328
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DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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quote:
Originally posted by alan-g-w
I'm starting a new job in a few weeks time. Anybody in the engineering trade that has to buy tools to work with, where's the cheapest place to buy stuff? Specifically, I'm looking for a decent half inch socket set, a breaker bar and some combi spanners. I don't like the Halfords stuff for working with day to day.
Cheers for any replies
Nothing wrong with the Halfords Advanced stuff, you get a no quibble lifetime guarentee!
The only thing that I would say about halfords stuff is not enough of the sockets are 6 point.
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craig8
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Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
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forgot to mention, franklin tools are not too bad, fairly cheap and hold up to some serious abuse
E36 328
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dean101287
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Registered: 22nd Jul 07
Location: Cardiff
User status: Offline
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I use King Dick spanners, dont often use rachets in work and if we use sockets they are usually on the end of an inpact gun. Iv got a halfords set for the house.
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RKS
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Registered: 2nd Mar 04
Location: Gloucestershire UK
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you might be able to get new tools through your current work? might get a bit of a discount then??
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bigron1988
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Registered: 29th Aug 09
Location: Southport, Merseyside
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quote:
Originally posted by DaveyLC
quote:
Originally posted by alan-g-w
I'm starting a new job in a few weeks time. Anybody in the engineering trade that has to buy tools to work with, where's the cheapest place to buy stuff? Specifically, I'm looking for a decent half inch socket set, a breaker bar and some combi spanners. I don't like the Halfords stuff for working with day to day.
Cheers for any replies
Nothing wrong with the Halfords Advanced stuff, you get a no quibble lifetime guarentee!
The only thing that I would say about halfords stuff is not enough of the sockets are 6 point.
i use the halfords stuf and got to agree most are 12 point but they are still great tools
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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Thanks for the replies, the job's as a mechanical maintenance engineer at a quarry so for a start I'd say I would need the piece of mind if anything of having half inch stuff. I know the point SnK's trying to make though, a good 3/8 set will be able to be pushed much more these days than they used to.
As for wanting stuff cheap, it's not that it's just the cheapEST place to be getting stuff - I have an idea of the types of prices I'm looking at already but there's always going to be somewhere that's cheaper than elsewhere. Thought with the broad range of people from all over the country I'd get a good idea of the best places.
I've not really got a budget for now but I know that I'll get what I pay for. To give people an idea of the kind of things I'm looking at, I saw these today:
Facom 1/2" drive socket set:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Facom-Large-1-2-Drive-Socket-Set-10-32mm-Ratchet-More-/360291972145?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item53e3133431
Britool 2 foot breaker bar:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRITOOL-E86-BREAKER-BAR-SWIVEL-24-HANDLE-1-2-SQUARE-/180559278329?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2a0a2bf0f9
14pc Silverline flexi ratchet spanner:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/14pc-Flexible-Head-Ratchet-Spanner-Set-Silverline-/360286780032?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item53e2c3fa80
Those are the types of things I'm looking at, as said it doesn't need to be cheap just good value for money.
And having worked with Halfords stuff with Aggreko in the last job I ten to steer clear, just don't like the feel of the stuff.
And corsadonk, thanks for the good wishes
[Edited on 21-09-2010 by alan-g-w]
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Anton2K3
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Registered: 24th Jan 03
Location: Peterborough
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I used to be a mechanic, and got that Facom set. Never had any problems with it. As mentioned snap-on is excellent and ive never had any issues with their stuff. Britool I have no experience with, but heard good things.
As for the spanners, if your doing quarry work I assume your working on some pretty heavy machinery? Therefore I wouldn't recommend flex head ratchet spanners, i'd go for a set of snap-on flank drive spanners or something similar. Ratchet spanners cant take the same kind of abuse as normal spanners.
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Hammer
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Registered: 11th Feb 04
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quote:
Originally posted by dean101287
I use King Dick spanners
lol
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tom_simes
Show Staff
Organiser: South Wales
Premium Member
Registered: 12th Jan 05
Location: Undy, Newport Drives: Skoda Octavia vRS estate
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quote:
Originally posted by DaveyLC
Nothing wrong with the Halfords Advanced stuff, you get a no quibble lifetime guarentee!
The only thing that I would say about halfords stuff is not enough of the sockets are 6 point.
I agree entirely with both points - My father and I both have their 150 pc set and the only thing I've managed to break was a 7mm hex bit undoing a brake calliper slide bolt - I think it was faulty though, as it snapped before I'd put a great deal of load on it at all.
I did take it back the very next day though and got a new one, no questions asked.
The only point I'd make is be careful with your receipts - when I worked at Halfords a year ago, the policy had recently changed that tools would only be exchanged with a receipt, as legally the lifetime warranty only stays with the original purchaser. Obviously, the manager can use their discretion to change the tools no questions asked, but the reason it was changed was they were having problems with people bringing in broken tools they had found in Halfords bins after they had already been exchanged.
Oh, and just to point out to those that don't know, the lifetime guarantee doesnt cover the ratchet mechs, for obvious reasons.
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Anton2K3
I used to be a mechanic, and got that Facom set. Never had any problems with it. As mentioned snap-on is excellent and ive never had any issues with their stuff. Britool I have no experience with, but heard good things.
As for the spanners, if your doing quarry work I assume your working on some pretty heavy machinery? Therefore I wouldn't recommend flex head ratchet spanners, i'd go for a set of snap-on flank drive spanners or something similar. Ratchet spanners cant take the same kind of abuse as normal spanners.
Good to hear about the Facom set, I thought it looked alright. Have worked with snap-on and britool before, really like the feel of the britool stuff - it's got a right 'chunky' feeling to it.
As for the ratchet spanners, I can see your point and do know that the ratchet mechanisms can fail - but I was using the silverline ones in the last place working on a production line. They were actually better than the britool ones imo, and you'll pay twice as much for the britools. I've come across this 10pc set of snap-on combi spanners:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Snap-On-Combination-Spanner-Set-Metric.-STD.-NEW_W0QQitemZ390238062441QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=143759909203&rvr_id=143759909203&cguid=349e073012b0a0aad385d905ff14ac0a
It's definetely something I'd be considering, but for the ease of use of the ratchets and the fact that they can take some abuse I'm still wavering.
If anyone's got any suggestions don't be afraid to post away
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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up for the day
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3CorsaMeal
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Registered: 11th Apr 02
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as for halfords tools, they are what i have.
the warrenty doesn't cover the rachet mech in things, its only covers you snapping the metal shaft in half 
my 1/2" rachet keeps getting stuck/locks up and have to bang it on the floor, its pretty much brand new and hardly used so not impressed.
same happened to my mates one, he had to get new rachet part for it
not too impressed, i would of recommended them a few months ago, its only as i've used them recently i've gotten sick of them
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Eddx14xe
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Registered: 12th Jan 10
Location: Hertfordshire
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quote:
Originally posted by 3CorsaMeal
as for halfords tools, they are what i have.
the warrenty doesn't cover the rachet mech in things, its only covers you snapping the metal shaft in half
my 1/2" rachet keeps getting stuck/locks up and have to bang it on the floor, its pretty much brand new and hardly used so not impressed.
same happened to my mates one, he had to get new rachet part for it
not too impressed, i would of recommended them a few months ago, its only as i've used them recently i've gotten sick of them
Mine also does this
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3CorsaMeal
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Registered: 11th Apr 02
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i think you and me should use our rachets for morris dancing
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harrisp
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Registered: 15th Dec 07
Location: Derbyshire
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I have swapped a couple of ratchets at halfords.
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tom_simes
Show Staff
Organiser: South Wales
Premium Member
Registered: 12th Jan 05
Location: Undy, Newport Drives: Skoda Octavia vRS estate
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quote:
Originally posted by Eddx14xe
quote:
Originally posted by 3CorsaMeal
the warrenty doesn't cover the rachet mech in things, its only covers you snapping the metal shaft in half
my 1/2" rachet keeps getting stuck/locks up
Mine also does this
It's true that the warranty doesn't cover the ratchet mechanisms, but that's due to wear and tear - obviously, seeing as its a metal on metal part that only works due to friction between the teeth, it will wear out eventually, and I wouldn't expect it to be covered.
However, if yours is only a few weeks old and is in otherwise good condition, I'd take it back and request a new one as it quite simply doesn't work. I'm sure if you're civil and pleasant about it, the manager will swap it over for you without a problem - at least, I know all of my old managers would have done.
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Eddx14xe
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Registered: 12th Jan 10
Location: Hertfordshire
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quote:
Originally posted by tom_simes
quote:
Originally posted by Eddx14xe
quote:
Originally posted by 3CorsaMeal
the warrenty doesn't cover the rachet mech in things, its only covers you snapping the metal shaft in half
my 1/2" rachet keeps getting stuck/locks up
Mine also does this
It's true that the warranty doesn't cover the ratchet mechanisms, but that's due to wear and tear - obviously, seeing as its a metal on metal part that only works due to friction between the teeth, it will wear out eventually, and I wouldn't expect it to be covered.
However, if yours is only a few weeks old and is in otherwise good condition, I'd take it back and request a new one as it quite simply doesn't work. I'm sure if you're civil and pleasant about it, the manager will swap it over for you without a problem - at least, I know all of my old managers would have done.
Mine has been like it since i got it, but it hardly gets used so im not too bothered about it
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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Exact reason why I don't want halfords stuff - I was working with guys that had the halfords ratchet spanners and they were packing in after only a few weeks use. And the ratchet mechanism isn't covered by the warranty either so they were basically stuck with combi spanners that they paid double what they should have for. As a comparison, there were people with Britool, Blue Point, Silverline etc and they were all doing the exact same job but didn't pack in. And even with the warranty on Halfords stuff, the place I'm working is on site accomodation with the quarry only accessible by sea and the only way to get back to civilisation is a 45min boat journey. And I don't think Oban has a halfords
Anyone in any engineering trades got any recommendations?
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by tom_simes
quote:
Originally posted by Eddx14xe
quote:
Originally posted by 3CorsaMeal
the warrenty doesn't cover the rachet mech in things, its only covers you snapping the metal shaft in half
my 1/2" rachet keeps getting stuck/locks up
Mine also does this
It's true that the warranty doesn't cover the ratchet mechanisms, but that's due to wear and tear - obviously, seeing as its a metal on metal part that only works due to friction between the teeth, it will wear out eventually, and I wouldn't expect it to be covered.
However, if yours is only a few weeks old and is in otherwise good condition, I'd take it back and request a new one as it quite simply doesn't work. I'm sure if you're civil and pleasant about it, the manager will swap it over for you without a problem - at least, I know all of my old managers would have done.
it was in nice condition until i have had to bang it on the concrete floor to make it work again
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