Best tool kit?

katebl

Hi all,

This seemed the most fitting board to ask my question... Please move if not. Have been looking at a couple of different tool sets for OH to mess about on the car/diy stuff with, just wanted opinions at to which are the best in my budget?

Looking to spend up to £100 for occasional use set (probably more frequently at first until the novelty wears off ), not too huge please as would need to be stored in our flat!

Any thoughts/alternatives would be great...

I have so far seen -

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-3538.aspx

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_728767_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_173083_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

Anyone know of any better?

jcb208

the last link is the best by far in my opinion, I have this set and the profesional range are good quality tools

wealdroam

OP, you mention diy.

IMHO none of those sets listed are really suitable for diy jobs.

They are all motor mechanics sets.

jcb208

Yes I was thinking this there only good for fixing the car,bike ,for DIY you need a different tool set, ie hammer drill,saw,chisels ect

bengalknights

Is it a mechanics toolkit or a diy toolkit your after?

missile

I have a set of Halfords profesional spanners and would recommend them. You want to add the optional screwdrivers @ £9.99 they are a bargain.

For DIY, you might want to consider a few other essentials like a hammer, saw, drill, tape, pliers.

He will be delighted with those as presents for birthdays christmas etc. Don't laugh, it's a man thing!

Essential tool is a mobile phone to call the expert when the DIY goes wrong.

ormus

http://www.very.co.uk/precision-starter-tool-kit-tool-bag-and-760-watt-drill/543753362.prd?browseToken=%2fq%2ftool+kit&prdToken=/p/prod6042795-sku10081878

summat like this would be more suitable for the home.

ps
just an example. im not saying the above is good quality.

katebl

Thanks very much everyone - I guess I'd best start with the motoring tools (cars need a lot more work than the flat!).

Missile these are indeed birthday presents... maybe I'd best look up some professionals to put on speed dial first...!

sharkie

molegrips: From clamping temporary surfaces, undoing headless screws, undoing security screws, fits on all plumbing nuts too, plus a 3rd hand especially when you are using a blowtorch

ormus

handy for the garden too.

pendulum

katebl wrote: »

I have so far seen -

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-3538.aspx

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_728767_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_173083_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

I own the third set and it certainly is a good quality set (and popular too; a lot of people own it, and already one other person has said they own it in this thread ).

I bought it myself after asking on a mechanics forum for a good socket set for car work. Mechanics and enthusiasts will recommend it (and Halfords Professional range tools in general). It's got a lifetime guarantee on non-moving parts as well, so if you break a socket or bit etc, you can get a new one free (proof that these tools are made to last, and they do).

The tools in the second Halfords set won't be such good quality, and I really don't like the look of that lone ratchet. It looks cheap. But it comes with a metal cabinet and is half the price and £50 is good value for that, really. No lifetime guarantee, and it doesn't have such good reviews at all on the website. The recommendation percentage is lower and there are some bad reviews. Like:

Cons: waste of money, useless and unfit for purpose, dreadful quality, falling to pieces after two days, it's a toy
"Unusable. Two sockets have splintered and shredded after a couple of uses. The sockets are weak. The screwdrivers came from a christmas cracker. This should be in a pound shop. The case is falling to pieces. AWFUL RUBBISH"

You'd never see a bad review like that about the Halfords Professional range.

The Clarke set will likely be similar in quality to the second Halfords set; it also doesn't have such good reviews so I would avoid that especially as its twice the cost of the comparable Halfords set.

I'd go with the third set, its been the one to beat for years.