Need some "entry level" DIY tools - where is a good place to get them from?

ormus

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-89944-Piece-Value-Home/dp/B000PJC7GQ/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=diy&qid=1253537468&sr=1-15

have a look at this or similar.
i wouldnt pay 10 quid for a hammer!

mr_fishbulb

A big thanks wallbash and Atelier!

wallbash

£10 for a hammer for a beginner , is a fair point .
Draper set looks good value , but whats with the socket set
( the garage fixes my cars)
Also contains a surplus tape and OP says he had screwdriver ( s)

Like the water pump pliers .

ormus

yes but most of the items you list are the very same products you get at the pound shop.
a work glove is a work glove. etc etc.

Atelier

Draper Value range are a good starting point. They do so many different sets so decide what sort of things you will be happy to tackle and choose the set that would allow you to do them.

It is worth keeping an eye out at www.screwfix.com , www.toolstation.com and Argos for those times that they have the special offers on if you are in no rush.

ormus wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-89944-Piece-Value-Home/dp/B000PJC7GQ/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=diy&qid=1253537468&sr=1-15

have a look at this or similar.
i wouldnt pay 10 quid for a hammer!

Atelier

Not a lot of uses for socket sets in the home but the best tools for adjusting your bike (useless for punctures though) :-)

ormus wrote: »

yes but most of the items you list are the very same products you get at the pound shop.
a work glove is a work glove. etc etc.

wallbash

quote a work glove is a work glove

Have spent a day wearing a £1 hard /unyielding/uncomfortable glove

Not to be recommended. spend a decent amount and work in comfort.

Yes you can get a cheaper 'cloth' tape at pound land, but it never seems to tear at right place.

ManAtHome

I'd stick in a mini-hacksaw, a pair of needle-nose pliers, and a rubber mallet (cheapies will be as useful as 'name brands').

Nilrem

One thing I would certainly add to the list is some PTFE tape, and a couple of adjustable spanners if possible.

You can solve a surprisingly large number of plumbing problems with a pair of adjustable spanners and PTFE tape (hint screwfix sell a pack of ten rolls for about the same you pay in Homebase for 1).

Slightly more seriously though, the advice of most of the other posters is pretty good.

My dad's (and my own) policy is pretty much if you are doing a job buy the tools if needed, and if you see a tool that might be useful going cheap buy it.

Personally two things I don't scrimp on these days are screws, and screw driver bits.
I got fed up of cheap screws breaking etc (Homebase ones seem particularly bad, Screw fix ones tend to be quite good), and screw driver bits that either didn't fit quite right, were soft (so bent/wore out) or brittle - we've started buying good ones even though they tend to cost a pound or two each as opposed to 10 for a pound

rjaton

If you looking at power tools I'd always go for Bosch. It's sometimes a false economy to buy too cheap. I've bought several own brand (B&Q) power tools in the past (a planer and a jigsaw) and ended up having to buy Bosch ones to replace them after they broke or wrecked what I was using them on!!