26 replies to this topic

[alex-95]

Halfords for me to, just as good as snap on , your just paying for the name with snap on,IMO.

[Mini Manannán]

3/8 drive is more useful and nicer to use than 1/2".

[pusb]

3/8 drive is more useful and nicer to use than 1/2".

 

Oh ok, I can just get one of them then.

 

Thanks!

[HarrysMini]

3/8 drive is more useful and nicer to use than 1/2".

How? If any kind of torque is required, ½" drive is far superior.

[Minimoke8394]

My lady friend got me the 150 piece Halford's set for Christmas and it's been fantastic. The only thing I have had to buy is a set of Imperial spanners which I picked up this weekend for £20, Halford's again. You can't argue with a lifetime guarantee. 

Edited by Minimoke8394, 27 April 2014 - 01:18 PM.

[Ben_O]

I have a mixture of sets.

 

My 1/4 drive is made up of Halfords professional gear and crescent, my 3/8 drive set is snap-on and clarke and my 1/2 drive set is Bergen which is the first set i ever bought 15 years ago. I have never had any problem with any of the sets. I like the Bergen ones and would recommend them to anyone. I also have a set of Bergen spanners and they are very good too.

 

Teng tools are also good IMO i have a few bits by them.

 

Just buy the best you can afford i say.

 

Cheap socket sets and spanners are can be dangerous, especially on old fixings where you need to put alot of force behind them.

I had a socket split when i was giving a bolt some aggro behind an engine and smashed my hand up pretty bad.

 

Also i would highly recommend purchasing a ratchet that has fine teeth as they give better service in tight spots where you can only move the ratchet small amounts.

 

I have a set of Imperial sockets and spanners which are very useful on the MIni but i don't know what brand they are because they are very old and were given to me years ago.

 

Ben

[surfblue]

I have a fairly comprehensive Draper Expert 1/2" socket set with both metric and imperial sizes. Ive had it about 15 years and it is great. Replaced the ratchet a few years ago,(it had been abused and used like a breaker bar at times).

I addition I have a B&Q 1/4" set which has useful torx bits included, which is hand for more modern cars fastenings.

I'll buy single sockets in various sizes as and when required. It's amazing how many tools you gather up over the years!

[Mat]

Find a Bahco set. They're always on offer so pretty cheap and made by the same company as Snap-on and Bluepoint so pretty good. I used to be a tractor mechanic and both my sets are still going strong. Failing that, Halfords Advanced/Professional, or Teng for the lifetime guarantee.

[Mini Manannán]

 

3/8 drive is more useful and nicer to use than 1/2".

How? If any kind of torque is required, ½" drive is far superior.

 

Simples.  Lighter.  I have 1/2" for heavier if I need, just don't use them as much as the 3/8".

[mattmiglia]

Teng tools, brilliant kit

[miniyellowmini]

Another vote for Halfords Advanced. I've got this set

 

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_255215

 

They will last a lifetime.

 

Also have loads of old AF spanners, essential for working on the Mini - Britool. CK, Draper, King Dick, Superslim, Jenbro, Elora and many others

[Ben_O]

Another vote for Halfords Advanced. I've got this set

 

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_255215

 

They will last a lifetime.

 

Also have loads of old AF spanners, essential for working on the Mini - Britool. CK, Draper, King Dick, Superslim, Jenbro, Elora and many others

Your AF spanner collection sounds just like mine! I have several spanners by each of those names you mentioned! Good kit and considering most of my AF tools are older than me and been passed down etc, they are still fantastic.

 

I bet you could pick up AF spanners at auto jumbles for pennies and they would last longer than new ones.

 

Ben