22 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi;

 

Not sure if this has been posted anywhere else but I have an opportunity to by myself some new tools.

Before I go and waste money buying things I dont need can anyone recommend what I should get?

 

I was about to buy a pretty decent / large socket set but as I am in Germany the set is completely Metric and looking at a post on Minifinity it suggest that you need imperial?

 

Is there a 'Tool List' on this forum anywhere, cant find a sticky?

 

I am back to UK for good in December and will be cracking on with my project Mini (as soon as I have done all the jobs around the house!!!). Its a 1982 Austin Mini 1000.

 

 

Thanks 

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 24 November 2013 - 07:27 PM.

[carbon]

Yes, the sockets you need for the classic mini are all the American A/F sizes to fit UNF and UNC nust & bolts.

 

Don't ask for imperial, as this normally refers to the older BSF or BSW sizes, which don't fit the A/F sizes...

 

Also worth getting some open ended spanners and ring spanners. The A/F sizes most often used on the classic mini are 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, with some 5/8, 11/16 and a few larger sizes.

[robminibcy]

You can get away with metric for most jobs though. I only have a few af sockets for certain jobs and just use metric most of the time.

[dklawson]

Don't buy metric.  Yes... a few sizes cross fairly close but it's not worth risking rounding off the fasteners.  12-point sockets are common but if you can buy 6-point, they tend to slip less on worn old fasteners.

 

The sizes Carbon listed are what you want for daily tasks.  The larger sizes needed will only be for occasional, major services and best bought or borrowed when you actually need them.  For example, it is quite unlikely that you will have many other uses for a 1-1/2" AF, deep, six-point socket than when you are installing ball joints.  It's best to pick those up only when you really need them.

[adam26y]

You can't have to many single hex sockets, As dk was describing. A centre punch, drill and a few metal drilling bits as I can almost guarantee you will come across atleast 1 that will round off, so just punch it and drill it.

[DannyTip]

The following would be a good starting point: http://www.halfords....55215&langId=-1 And http://www.halfords....65572&langId=-1 I have a mixture of makes and halfords pro seem good for the money.

[adam26y]

I have the 170 piece kit. Halfords are really good for tools. You don't need snap on tools unless your in a big garage making to much money. IMHO.

[Stu1961]

Buy the best you can afford. Don't use metric tools on AF fittings it's generally regarded as poor workshop practice and will single you out as an amateur.

 

Made a point of buying British made tools where possible king Dick are pretty good not in the Snap On league but as good in my opinion as the best of the rest including Facom

Good prices for individual items at Lawson HIS, look under their brand catalogues menu. Sorry tried to add a link but it wouldn't work.

 

One of the most useful items I purchased was a set of parallel pin punch's. Other items include a soft faced hammer. imperial feeler gauges and a plier set.   

[wile e coyote]

Just go & trawl a decent car boot sale, when back home -  imperial spanners cost pennies and you can put together an decent imperial socket set from a couple of hours browsing  for sub 20 quid - I love old tools and the quality if you look  choose  carefully is much better than most new stuff  - old drapers, kamasa's, britool, elora, snap on  & king dick stuff make regular showings you just have to filter through the dross.... decent ratchets seem to command a premium (but a decent new one anyway)  but the sockets are peanuts...

 

Added bonus tools sometimes show up when browsing too... got an original cone compressor for a fiver and a bendix gear clamp for a quid

[Tamworthbay]

Buy the best you can afford. Don't use metric tools on AF fittings it's generally regarded as poor workshop practice and will single you out as an amateur.
 
Made a point of buying British made tools where possible king Dick are pretty good not in the Snap On league but as good in my opinion as the best of the rest including Facom
Good prices for individual items at Lawson HIS, look under their brand catalogues menu. Sorry tried to add a link but it wouldn't work.
 
One of the most useful items I purchased was a set of parallel pin punch's. Other items include a soft faced hammer. imperial feeler gauges and a plier set.

I know the guy who owns King Dick (Griff is a top bloke) and have been lucky enough to go round the factory, the quality is superb and they continue to develop even better stuff all the time. We have had various bits of their kit as sponsorship for our electric cars over the years. The toolboxes in particular are superb. One has now survived 6 race seasons of abuse and is still as good as new, minus a bit of paint.

For a basic set then halfords pro stuff is hard to beat and my set has now survived 20 years of abuse.

[robminibcy]

Buy the best you can afford. Don't use metric tools on AF fittings it's generally regarded as poor workshop practice and will single you out as an amateur.
 
Made a point of buying British made tools where possible king Dick are pretty good not in the Snap On league but as good in my opinion as the best of the rest including Facom
Good prices for individual items at Lawson HIS, look under their brand catalogues menu. Sorry tried to add a link but it wouldn't work.
 
One of the most useful items I purchased was a set of parallel pin punch's. Other items include a soft faced hammer. imperial feeler gauges and a plier set.

I know the guy who owns King Dick (Griff is a top bloke) and have been lucky enough to go round the factory, the quality is superb and they continue to develop even better stuff all the time. We have had various bits of their kit as sponsorship for our electric cars over the years. The toolboxes in particular are superb. One has now survived 6 race seasons of abuse and is still as good as new, minus a bit of paint.
For a basic set then halfords pro stuff is hard to beat and my set has now survived 20 years of abuse.

If you have one or can get your hands on a halfords trade card the pro tools are also very reasonably priced with a lifetime warranty

[Tamworthbay]

Buy the best you can afford. Don't use metric tools on AF fittings it's generally regarded as poor workshop practice and will single you out as an amateur.
 
Made a point of buying British made tools where possible king Dick are pretty good not in the Snap On league but as good in my opinion as the best of the rest including Facom
Good prices for individual items at Lawson HIS, look under their brand catalogues menu. Sorry tried to add a link but it wouldn't work.
 
One of the most useful items I purchased was a set of parallel pin punch's. Other items include a soft faced hammer. imperial feeler gauges and a plier set.

I know the guy who owns King Dick (Griff is a top bloke) and have been lucky enough to go round the factory, the quality is superb and they continue to develop even better stuff all the time. We have had various bits of their kit as sponsorship for our electric cars over the years. The toolboxes in particular are superb. One has now survived 6 race seasons of abuse and is still as good as new, minus a bit of paint.
For a basic set then halfords pro stuff is hard to beat and my set has now survived 20 years of abuse.

If you have one or can get your hands on a halfords trade card the pro tools are also very reasonably priced with a lifetime warranty

My halfords trade card has saved me a lot over the years. Especially on service items. Best ever was a £8 bulb that came down to just over a quid!

[L400RAS]

Yes, the sockets you need for the classic mini are all the American A/F sizes to fit UNF and UNC nust & bolts.

 

Don't ask for imperial, as this normally refers to the older BSF or BSW sizes, which don't fit the A/F sizes...

 

 

I think you do need to ask for imperial AF spanners/sockets..  Anything measured in inches = imperial.  The AF part just means how the nut/bolt is measured, ie "across flats" (the head size of the nut).  Whitworth measured the threaded diameter, or something like that, thus a 1/2" Whit is a much larger spanner than AF.

Edited by L400RAS, 26 November 2013 - 07:28 AM.

[DannyTip]

The AF part just means how the nut/bolt is measured, ie "across flats"

I never realised thats what AF stood for

[maccers]

Small mirror like a dentist has and a telescopic magnetic pickup thing, looks like a car ariel but has a magent on the end.