22 replies to this topic

[Twincam]

If your going to be doing a lot of work, you need to look for life time guarantee's in the tools you buy.

Saying that, Snap On (is probably going to be the most expensive tools you'll buy), MAC (now I'm not sure but I was told they were also covered - I've never seen a MAC truck) and Halfords Professional (cheapest of the three but they've still got good quality tools).

My mate bought a set of "advanced" screw drivers from Halfords (I was told the advanced tools are also covered - but check before hand) for about £10 - snap on your're looking to spend about £10+ on one.

[Meepo]

Draper, halfords, sealy, clark tools ive never had proplems with any and i used to use my tools day in day out, snap on are overated and to overpriced.
It's possible to snap any rachet, breaker bar, tork bit and so on, if you are heavy handed and dont use the right tool to undo bolts and what not there break
regardless of make.

The more expensive the tools the more scared your be of giveing them a beating with a hammer, im not saying go buy £1 shop tools because they are crap.

Couldn't agree more. I still have some Draper spanners I have used regularly since 1976 and they are still in a good usable condition. Snap-on ain't that good as I've seen plenty of them break, they're expensive because they have a life time guarantee.

[AndrewJ530]

How did you find out when the VAT free days are on at machine mart luke?

[Guess-Works.com]

Personally, I'd avoid snap-off unless you can get them at the same price as halfords stuff....

I have a range of tools from most 'named' brand sources... all the snap-on stuff I have came from the US, was a time a few years back then the pound was strong and it was far cheaper to by 2nd hand snap-on tools from over there and import them... however for the cost in the UK, they are no better in quality to the halfords pro tools... same lifetime warrenty, and only thing I've broken which are halfords make are breaker bars, but they get some serious abuse and are always replaced from stock, free.

Other makes, Blue point which is snap-on but cheaper, MAC ( good ), Facom ( good ), Britool ( excellent torque wrenches ), Sykes & Pickavant for special tools, and even Clarke ( machine mart ) are OK...

[Twincam]

I agree with Guess works with the tool selection. Quite a lot of my tools are second hand (If I were to buy everything brand new I'd be skint)... I look for "Made in England/Germany/USA" when selecting tools as they're usually the best built.

Most of the older types are able to stand the test of time compared to the stuff produced today.

How did you find out when the VAT free days are on at machine mart luke?

I get a card though the letterbox with the date on it - not sure if it the general public are entitled or whether you have to register as a company.

[Nic]

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips, i will have a look into it all before deciding what to buy, i will prob try and get alot of what i can second hand as well as i dont have a huge budget as im only self employed, but if i have to spend a bit more to get good quality then i don't mind, as my dad always said buy quality tools and they will last you a lifetime. i like the idea of the the made in England/Germany/USA i shall look out for where they are made as i tend to steer well clear of anything made in china etc, any UK makes are good as i would like to support business back here.

[Twincam]

Note: To get lifetime guarantee on Halfords tools you need to retain the recipt.

Have a wonder around your local store and see whats what.

Good luck and make sure you treat your tools properly.

Edited by Twincam, 08 February 2010 - 10:43 PM.

[1275 SPRITE]

The inlet manifolds have died out now not done one for a couple of months. Used to be every other DTH that came in though. We're probarbly replacing about 5 or 6 EGR valves a day. Even the Z19DT's are going as well. Ive started refurbing the old units and selling them on ebay! Alternators on both the DT and DTH common as anything and same for the Dual Masses. You had a dual mass shoot off and fly through the bell housing yet? Makes a mess!

Also do you have any faults with Injector number 3 wiring going down? Thats a common one.
Diesel Particulate Filters are becoming an issue as well now. Had a Z19DTH in a Zafira try to do a regen the other week, but the oil life was around 7% so was way to thin. Ended up running away with itself. Had to put it into 6th and dump the clutch and pray that it stalled! Must have revved to about 14-15,000 RPM!!

I have noticed the the 9-3's rear suspension is different to the Vectra C's. So you lot arent replacing rear banana arms every 5 minutes!

Not had the wiring faults yet, and never seen a dual mass out of the bell housing...yet lol.

The later 9-3 has the rear bannana arms, which we do do lots of too

And as you say, lots of regens, egr's, and the usual.

Keeps the doors open though!

Edited by 1275 SPRITE, 21 February 2010 - 09:00 PM.