16 replies to this topic

[TheFunkyGibbon]

I'll be moving into my new place in the next couple of months, meaning I can finally start doing some fettling on my mini...

However, at the minute all I've got is a set of freebie sockets (like the ones you get with plus points from the garage), a big hammer, a bigger hammer and some screwdrivers I've long term borrowed from work.

Hence I'm on the hunt to get kitted out for the impending engine re-build.

I was thinking of buying a nice shiny kit like this.. http://www.sealey.co...omotionID=30215

Plus a decent torque wrench, an engine lift and an engine stand.

Is this the best way to spend my pennies or is there a better supplier around....

I know the whole tool cabinet set up thing is just me being a big kid but you must admit, it'll look good in the garage...

Cheers in advance,

FG.

[Lomcevac]

There are some tools that can be cheap (screwdrivers etc) and some that you would be better getting a quality item (socket set etc).

There is no doubt that if you bought all the bits in the kit retail it would cost you a lot more. But many of the items are likely to be tat.

On the grounds that you would take many months to get advice and source the ideal mini toolkit before you start it might be better just to go for it. If you stay interested in tinkering you will keep spending on tools forever anyway and probably replace every item over a few years.

The other way would be to tackle one job at a time and buy any extra tools you need for each job as you go. That way you have the fun over and over again and you will end-up with all the specialist mini tools that you need and none of the tat that you don't.

Have fun.

Edited by Lomcevac, 16 October 2006 - 07:54 PM.

[mini-gti]

sealy tools are good for the money and i believe they have quite a long gaurentee on them, if not life time

look like a fairly good basis, then you can slowley add to it with specialist tools

gaz

[fikus01]

its quite a good little starter set!! if anything breaks and its not covered by waranty ro whatever ud call it then just replace it with a good quality part!! i have to say even halfords do excelent quality tools for most car work

[The Matt]

I've got a few sealey tools and never had any problems with them. I used to try and buy Snap On stuff when I worked as a mechanic, but it just got too expensive.

I actually tend to go for the likes of Sealey, Beta or Sykes Pickavant (for special tools) now.

Beta are good, but again expensive really.

That starter kit certainly seems like a good deal anyway.

[TheFunkyGibbon]

Has anyone used Draper tools?

Just found this:

http://www.tooled-up...st- -Hand-Tools

and was wondering if it would be a bit more sensible...price wise....

Edited by TheFunkyGibbon, 17 October 2006 - 03:27 PM.

[fikus01]

also have a look in the argos catalogue!!

PLEASE DONT LAUGH

i brought pretty much a complete set of starter tools for £60 when i was an apprentice at a bus garage!! as u can imagine working on old busses all the time these tools had to take a lot of stick!! the first thing to let go was the ratchet!! (tho to be fair i did drop it from a great height) the only other thing i broke was a 16mm socket and that had a 2ft breaker bar and 2 peoplr hanging on it!! i still have all the rest!!

i think the socket set was £20 had a full set of 1/2" drive single hex sockets from 8mm to 27mm and from 3/8 to 1"

the spanner set was 8mm to 24mm and was £8.99

the only 1 of them i broke was the 8mm on a mini rear brake adjusting screw!!

SEROIUSLY WORTH CONSIDERING IF U ASK ME!!

this is a link to the sockets http://www.argos.co......Tool+kits.htm

they dont appear to do the same spanners that i got but this isnt a bad set
http://www.argos.co......Tool+kits.htm

Edited by fikus01, 17 October 2006 - 07:39 PM.

[AlexM]

There are some tools that can be cheap (screwdrivers etc) and some that you would be better getting a quality item (socket set etc).

There is no doubt that if you bought all the bits in the kit retail it would cost you a lot more. But many of the items are likely to be tat.

On the grounds that you would take many months to get advice and source the ideal mini toolkit before you start it might be better just to go for it. If you stay interested in tinkering you will keep spending on tools forever anyway and probably replace every item over a few years.

The other way would be to tackle one job at a time and buy any extra tools you need for each job as you go. That way you have the fun over and over again and you will end-up with all the specialist mini tools that you need and none of the tat that you don't.

Have fun.

Good Advice!

also have a look in the argos catalogue!!

PLEASE DONT LAUGH

i brought pretty much a complete set of starter tools for £60 when i was an apprentice at a bus garage!! as u can imagine working on old busses all the time these tools had to take a lot of stick!! the first thing to let go was the ratchet!! (tho to be fair i did drop it from a great height) the only other thing i broke was a 16mm socket and that had a 2ft breaker bar and 2 peoplr hanging on it!! i still have all the rest!!

i think the socket set was £20 had a full set of 1/2" drive single hex sockets from 8mm to 27mm and from 3/8 to 1"

the spanner set was 8mm to 24mm and was £8.99

the only 1 of them i broke was the 8mm on a mini rear brake adjusting screw!!

SEROIUSLY WORTH CONSIDERING IF U ASK ME!!

this is a link to the sockets http://www.argos.co......Tool+kits.htm

they dont appear to do the same spanners that i got but this isnt a bad set
http://www.argos.co......Tool+kits.htm

Again, good advice, why spend more money than you have to!

[Turbo Nick]

for good tools that will last you a lifetime i'd recommend Teng personally.

Have a look on www.teng.co.uk they're guaranteed for life and are really good quality.
a couple of essentials are:
http://www.teng.co.u...asp?prod_id=799
http://www.teng.co.u...sp?prod_id=2759


Also the halfords professional range is good aswell, thats lifetime guaranteed but they dont do much imperial stuff. It does come in handy though if your halfords breaker bar snaps on a sunday afternoon, you just take it back and they swap it for a new one.

[TimS]

I used the Halfords professional stuff and haven’t had a problem. The most common things to go wrong is the ends on the breaker bars snapping, and the teeth on the ratchet spanners wearing out ut even when they do give up halfords is open every day fo the week for replacements

[Sam]

I've got a halfords profressional tool chest, also a few other halfords professional bits, sockets set etc and it is all top stuff.

Took a socket extension back (which got pretty abused) and they swapped it without any hassle.

[Purple Tom]

Don't forget Britool for good quality tooling, and some bargains to be had on eBay if you look in the right places....

[monkeyboy]

You could also try auto jumbles for the more expensive stuff.

Thats where i get most of my stuff from.

The bonuse is you can haggle for the end price.

[TOMMO0302]

My halfords currently has a 1/3rd off quite a few items in its professional range!! Not sure how long the offer is on for and whether its nationwide though..?

[edjohnson]

Facom Is Good

French version of Snap - On

Blummin expensive, but believe me, buy a set now, and it really will last you a life time

My old man used to get complaints from farmers, when he fixed tractors, and put things back together "properly", then famer jones comes to take it apart with his 60p spanner or socket set, it broke, regularly.

Snap on is expensive, and so is Facom, but it really is worth it, considering it wont break, and if it does, the snap on HAS to give you a replacement.

If the item is no longer made they will give you its modern equvalent, even if it does cost ten times more than you paid for the original item.

Just my tuppence

ed