michael Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I'm fed up of the socket sets I have at the moment, years of neglect have meant they have slowly found their way into one large toolbox and are just random and messy. I want this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=173083&categoryId=33931&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=33931&crumb=33958-33943&varient=&CarSelectorCatalogId= However I'm wondering if I can get the same or more elsewhere for less? Machine Mart have a decent range but nothing quite as extensive as this one, Screwfix don't seem to have much, B&Q are daft and then I can't think of anywhere else to look. To be honest the Halfords one is spot on and the price is 'ok' for what you get but being a Yorkshireman I need to try and save money on these things so thought I'd see if anyone had any alternatives to offer? What I want is something with a decent range of sockets (all metric would be ideal - why do they still insist on the old ones?), a few spanners, some torx sockets and none of those damn screwdriver bits that every tool set gets bulked out with, I have thousands of the crappy things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 afraid to say i got mine from Halfords too mate and will stop reading this thread in case someone tells me i could have had it cheaper!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I have the Halfords set (were bought for me) for the Kitcar project. I have the professional socket set and spanner set that come in the draw inserts, along with fancy draws etc. It has a lifetime no quibble swap warranty - and this works too. After I managed to snap a socket I just took it back. The guy was quite surprised I'd broken one and said they get very few returns on them. Snap on tools are generally regarded as the best - but ££££'s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Halfrauds 'pro' series is usually good value for money, especially if you aim at a period where they have a sale. In various tests of enthusiast magazines they tend to come towards the top as well. It's a good starting point. I've found these people to offer good value at times. Check out more links on my site (move down the page a bit for tools) I've bought from almost all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Buy a good ratchet and breaker bar and take the sockets from a cheap set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garetheves Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I got a great Tool kit that came with just as many sockets as that one, plus a full set of screwdrivers including one with interchangeable heads and around 40 or so heads. Cost me about 35 quid from Cost Co. Now i know it aint gonna last a lifetime but its holding up fine so far (1 yr later) and for the price i have no complaints at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 A good tip is to buy *really* good quality sockets for the sizes you use most of the time. Anything to avoid a remote, rounded-off bolthead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Michael, Have a look at Teng tools. If you can see anything on their site, let me know. I may be able to get it at my staff discount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Michael, Have a look at Teng tools. If you can see anything on their site, let me know. I may be able to get it at my staff discount. Beat me to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkey76364 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I bough some on sunday and have to admit they were a bit too cheep as i broke it in 5 mins .... lucky the bolts i needed to losen came off any way !!!! lesson learnt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 Michael, Have a look at Teng tools. If you can see anything on their site, let me know. I may be able to get it at my staff discount. The '111 piece 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive metric/AF Jumbo socket set with storage compartment in lid 111-6' arouses me slightly but the price quoted on the site I'm on scares me - can you amaze me with a £19.99 offer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 I got a great Tool kit that came with just as many sockets as that one, plus a full set of screwdrivers including one with interchangeable heads and around 40 or so heads. Cost me about 35 quid from Cost Co. Now i know it aint gonna last a lifetime but its holding up fine so far (1 yr later) and for the price i have no complaints at all. I looked at one there last night, huge red box with a grey foldout plastic tool case thing in, lots of stuff included and a decent price but it's padded out with screwdrivers and those damn screwdriver bits - it's under consideration as a possible purchase because it frees up some spare cash to buy some things I want to own but will never use, laser level, breaker bars, chisels etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 The '111 piece 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive metric/AF Jumbo socket set with storage compartment in lid 111-6' arouses me slightly but the price quoted on the site I'm on scares me - can you amaze me with a £19.99 offer? Even our distributors can't get that even with our standard 47.5% discount. You'd be looking at 120-130 squid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonlady Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 If you intend to use them alot, get the best you can afford. The Halfords set seems to be a good buy as I have only had mine a few months I cann't really comment on quality as yet. If money was no object I would go for Snap-On, as I used to use them in the RAF, fantastic tools but costly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 SK from the US are great too, but the lead times...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attilauk Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 im confused as to why so many people think snap on stuff is so good, the snap on kit i have used in the past was terrible and all the mechanics i know hate snap on with a passion. Mag tools are better quality and a better price imo. that halfords kit does look to be good, i have a cheaper halfords socket set and im very impressed with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrickTT Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Halfords Professional range are all made by Sykes Pickavant and are of excellent quality and come with a lifetime guarantee. Excellent tools for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garetheves Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I looked at one there last night, huge red box with a grey foldout plastic tool case thing in, lots of stuff included and a decent price but it's padded out with screwdrivers and those damn screwdriver bits - it's under consideration as a possible purchase because it frees up some spare cash to buy some things I want to own but will never use, laser level, breaker bars, chisels etc Yup thats the one ive got. Like i said it seem decent enough. Im not a mechanic and because of this i dont use them all day every day and it more than suffices for what i need. Plus with everything being in one box its easy to keep all tools sorted. And for the price i think its fine. I agree with other people though, if you use them loads then id probably go for the best you can afford, if youre like me and just end up breaking things in the garage then the Costco ones fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I've been using the same Snap-On tools for nearly 20 years now. They have a lifetime guarantee but I've never needed to claim on it yet. Facom and Halfords Professional are OK too but Snap On is the daddy is you want quality. One time, while working on a customer's car I found a Snap On socket inside the plastic boot trim. It was rusted to fcuk. Must've been in there 5+years. Gave it to the Snap-On guy, he gave me a brand new one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Another vote for the Halfords pro gear here, Cant really do better for the price. Ive abused it somthing silly and haven't managed to break anything yet. Or you could try http://www.cromwell.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black cat Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 halfords here too! dont shut the box the wrong way round:complain: what a shit burger............. i always do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_supra Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Was thinking of getting a draper tool kit, it's by Draper who are no too bad and seems like a great price, link below. It's the 9th one down. but have just seen the 8th one down which looks even better http://www.primetools.co.uk/index.php?page=products&sub=485 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraHuman Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I only use Snap-On & Belzer tools.Superb quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 Was thinking of getting a draper tool kit, it's by Draper NO SHIT! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 ure ol sisi's jist i hamma en i chizil shud be enuf http://www.max-boost.co.uk/stuff/Happy_smile.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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