13 replies to this topic

[HafMan]

Ok, so i'm looking at expanding my tool kit because i'm fed up of getting half way through a job and realising i'm missing a tool
So what do you guys recommend for a mini orientated tool kit?
I've been looking for some imperial rachet spanners but i cant find any, without paying a bomb for

Tom

Edited by HafMan, 27 August 2012 - 05:55 PM.

[ryan22_lgm]

^ what the hell?

[HafMan]

^ what the hell?

Tools for a mini.
Like any particular socket sizes etc

[tiger99]

1/2" and 9/16" are the most used sockets, always worth having a spare of each, as they sometimes get damaged by a reluctant nut.

[HafMan]

1/2" and 9/16" are the most used sockets, always worth having a spare of each, as they sometimes get damaged by a reluctant nut.

Ok cool just making up a list now that i've got some cash left over from the mini parts that i need and my wages ... i must've added up wrong

[leroy26]

look at the complete tool kits in machine mart
also get a decent torque wrench and compression tester
brake adjusting spanner ( little square one)

[Cooperman]

And make sure you get Imperial size spanners. so many people think they can 'make do' with metric ones which seem to be near to correct - they are not.
You need 7/16", 1/2" and 9/16" AF as the basic sizes, plus some others like 5/8", 11/16" and 3/4". The sump plug is 15/16" AF.

[Big_Adam]

More 1/2inch spanners than you think. I started with 6, I now have 2 I can use on anything and 4 "specialised" ones I've ground down, chopped and ruined.

[jakejakejake1]

As everyone has already said, don't try and do an imperial job with a metric tool as you can round off the bolt/ nut/ your knuckles.

I recommend this socket set: http://www.halfords....tegoryId_255215
if you won't be doing much/ only occasionally, as it provides brilliant valve for money, obviously if you were doing this as a job or something you would want higher quality stuff, but for home use you cant complain. I have had this set for around two years now and haven't broke any of it.

And some spanners like this: http://www.amazon.co...ASIN=B000LFVKN0

Although to be fair for a couple quid more you could get: http://www.amazon.co...ASIN=B000LFVKTO

Which has most of the spanners you will need, but with a load of metric chucked in for when you need to do other stuff.

[Cooperman]

The one on Amazon looks good value, but note that it doesn't have a 15/16" for the sump plug. Ah well, you can't have everything!

[jakejakejake1]

I do use an adjustable spanner for the sump plug, my reasoning is that they shouldn't be used on anything that needs to be very tight - which prevents me from over tightening the sump plug as many people do. Well that's my excuse for being stingey and not buying the proper spanner :)

[ukcooper]

Socket sizes

1"1/2 Deep= Ball joints / Gearbox internal / Flywheel

15/16" = Sump plug

1"1/8 = Gearbox internal / Drum Brake Hub Nut / Crank Pulley Bolt

1"3/16 = Verto nut

1"5/16 = Crank pulley / Hub nut / Tower Bolts / S-Wheel Boss

11/16" = wheel nut's

1" = oil releaf nut

and

12v electric test light

Edited by ukcooper, 28 August 2012 - 08:49 AM.

[oliver122]

i went to machine mart and brought a few bits all with a lifetime guarantee on them , a 18" breaker bar , 2 sets of metric spanner 1 normal 1 stumpy and 2 sets of imperial as well 1 normal 1 stumpy , also have one of the big sockets sets from halfords which has a life time guarantee on this one : http://www.halfords....tegoryId_255215 but they do come up on offer from time to time so can get them quite cheap, and get a set of screwdrivers as well ive got a halfords set but thinking of getting a machine mart set with a lifetimee guarantee . i didnt buy all my tools at once brought them as i go along so i could buy quality stuff that will last and ive managed to pretty much every task ive come across so far

[freshairmini]

I got a whole load of Draper tools. Pretty good quality and they have a huge range of metric and imperial. Maybe try some US manufacturers as their going to be more likely to have a better range of imperial tools, so you may be able to find some imperial ratchet spanners.

to be honest tho ratchet spanners are good but not essential. Get a good set of imperial sockets and a good ratchet. Will do most jobs. also Draper do a pretty cheap set of imperial spanners, about £15-£20 I believe.