38 replies to this topic

[Steve220]

Best place for tools? - This site is full of them www.scoobynet.com

 

In all seriousness, Halfords pro series are best for price.

Edited by Steve220, 14 March 2016 - 05:50 PM.

[gazza82]

Extensions won't increase turning efficiency ... They just move socket wrench closer.

James: Are you using 3/8" or 1/2" sockets?


Remember most mini nuts/bolts/set screws are AF not metric so get the right set or you'll damage the heads quickly.

[carbon]

Remember ...

Lefty loosey ... Undo.

Rigthtey tightey .. Do up. (clockwise ....).

Simples ...

And the only left-hand thread on a standard Mini is the left side rear hub nut.

[lapider]

With tools id say "buy cheap buy twice" get the right tools for the job. Buy second hand on the likes of eBay if you don't have a lot to spend,  good tools from brands such as king dick, Elora,  stahlwillie etc will last along time. Make sure its all imperial as well for the mini, you end up causing more hassle than its worth with a metric tools on imperial fixings. 

 

Usually I do spark plugs up to hand tight then a bit, so it is worrying if your spark plug is that tight. Id say buy some penetrating fluid (not WD40), and spray that around the plug and let it sit for a few days. keep on starting the car and letting the engine warm and put more fluid on. then get a correct side 6 point spark plug socket and give it a go with a large breaker bar.

[monkey]

Second the buy cheap, but twice, second hand good tools are better than cheap new ones.

I find car boots are a good place to find decent tools, tend to be a good source of imperial tools too. I tend to go with the older and dirtier they look the better they probably are :-P

[Alex_B]

I use Halfords professional as my daily bread and butter tools, also bought some cheap as chips Kamasa imperial spanners of the bay for £20 not expecting much and they have been excellent for the money, I regularly have to reshape my spanners to get to silly locations so cheap spanners seemed a good idea and no regrets from me. 

Halfords Professional also offer lifetime warranty provided you keep the receipt so well worth it, I have two 200pc sets, one for home, one for work and it does most jobs. Also it includes imperial sockets which is important in a mini and if you know someone with a halfords trade card you get it for about £150 rather than £300 

[MRA]

 

Remember ...

Lefty loosey ... Undo.

Rigthtey tightey .. Do up. (clockwise ....).

Simples ...

And the only left-hand thread on a standard Mini is the left side rear hub nut.

 

No it's not, the rear hub nut is one left hand thread on a standard Mini there is one more ......  the left side rear hub shaft

[MRA]

With tools id say "buy cheap buy twice" get the right tools for the job. Buy second hand on the likes of eBay if you don't have a lot to spend,  good tools from brands such as king dick, Elora,  stahlwillie etc will last along time. Make sure its all imperial as well for the mini, you end up causing more hassle than its worth with a metric tools on imperial fixings. 

 

Usually I do spark plugs up to hand tight then a bit, so it is worrying if your spark plug is that tight. Id say buy some penetrating fluid (not WD40), and spray that around the plug and let it sit for a few days. keep on starting the car and letting the engine warm and put more fluid on. then get a correct side 6 point spark plug socket and give it a go with a large breaker bar.

 

I used to say the same, but not any more, I have a lot of snap off and to be totally honest I recommend people not to buy it as it is very hard to get your broken or damaged tool repaired or exchanged .....  where as there are other tool manufacturer s who will honour their commitments.

 

I think King Dick has an imperial range, a lot of the manufacturers are stopping their imperial ranges.

Edited by MRA, 14 March 2016 - 11:03 PM.

[nicklouse]

Never ever had any issues with having Snap-On stuff exchanged as needed.

You must just have a poor dealer or other issues.

For tools that get used everyday get the ones that come with the best service. For tools that have great forces through them again ones with great service.

For tools that need great acuracy again great service. Also learn how to use them and find out about calibration.


Just about everything else can be cheap stuff.

A final word. The Halfords Pro tools ain't bad.

[jameseddolls]

Remember ...

Lefty loosey ... Undo.

Rigthtey tightey .. Do up. (clockwise ....).

Simples ...

 

right ok, think I was trying to turn right haha. very useful tip

[gazza82]

I've got a few Halford pro sockets, mainly odd hex/torx sockets where I don't need a complete set as I'll only use one or two.

 

I've snapped two 7mm hex sockets (front disc mounting bolts) .. and both times they have swapped it without any issues .. and no receipts.

 

 

I get a few tools now from my local Axminster tool outlet .. especially Proxxpn sockets as most are 6 point (but they are mostly metric too!) where I need the odd size.

 

justoffbase is a good source and price-match, even screwfix if you choose branded tools.

[lawrence]

Halfords proffesional for me too. I've got loads of tools from there. Also people frequently split sets on ebay so if it's just one or two bits you need your better getting from there.
I've got the 150piece kit and had it 2 years.
Only breakages have been a reducer (my own fault that one) and the retaining buttons getting worn on the rachet tools. All changed no hassle no receipt required

[dsgoody]

I personally only buy cheap tools; I've never had a issue with them. I'm not professional, and I don't spend all my working days using them so for me that works.

 

My spanners are Silverline, my torque wrench and sockets are from Aldi (I did have to replace the ratchet) but some of the more specialist tools (special sockets and the like) are from Machine Mart.

[Swift_General]

Halfords pro tools for me too. Also just bought the full set of their industrial cabinets. Seem to be really good quality on first inspection.

[jameseddolls]

Sounds like I should invest in some then. Sounds good