Best tool kit?

pendulum

As for the Mole Grips http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools//Self+Grip+Set+3+Piece/d10/sd/p21371 - got a set a few months ago and real good quality for the money. Very handy, don't know how I went for so long without them.

ic

For DIY I've picked up the majority of my tools from Aldi and Lidl - they do various sets all the time and I've just built up what I have over a few years. The only tools I've ever spent real money on are a good quality set of screwdrivers and an 18V combi drill. The rest are much of a muchness.

Something like this would be an ideal starter for tools - http://www.screwfix.com/prods/78230/Hand-Tools/Tool-Storage/Tool-Bags/Forge-Steel-Tool-Kit-31-Piece-Set#.

The socket set I use for my car cost me about £15 - £20 from Lidl. Its sufficed for everything I've ever needed to do on the car. The tool sets you've linked to are somewhat more specialist and would be good if planning to do real work on it. For just doing simple stuff like changing the occasional filter or spark plug they're over the top in my opinion.

ormus

i agree.
with a set like that and then a general "home diy" type set, you can get kitted out for less than 100 quid.
ie saws/chisels/hammers etc...

ic

One thing to watch out for too - the pre-compiled tool kits like to advertise how many pieces are in there - but you'll find most of the time the majority of the pieces are "bits". Bits are interchangeable heads allowing you to work with a multitude of different screw heads, you'll maybe use one or two EVER. Ignore these, they're fairly specialist but cheap to make so they love to throw them in the kits to bulk up the numbers. You want quality, not quantity.

27col

I have always found that it was best to buy tools as the need for them arose. Or in my case, just because I love buying tools. The other rule that I had, was never to borrow a tool more than once. If the need arose twice then I figured that the tool in question, was one that I actually needed to own.
I don't know about tools for cars though. I find that when I look under the bonnet nowadays, it is difficult to actually recognise any component that is under there.

hartcjhart

another vote for halfords pro,
also aldi/lidl power tools(longer guarantee) decent quality

also if you have a 'wilkinsons' near you they have some good value decent quality tools,screwdrivers/chisels/pliers etc

katebl

Thanks all, plenty of food for thought here but I went for the Halford professional set to start him off (thought it would make a better present than lots of odds and ends!). Will certainly check out wilko's and aldi to top it up though!

pendulum

Good choice