Looking for a set of motoring tools for some DIY car maintenance

FiremanDave

lovinituk wrote: »

I don't agree this is always the case. I bought a load of JCB tools from Makros around 20 years ago. I don't know if JCB was regarded as a good brand or not, but they were really cheap - equivalent sort of price to Aldis/Lidls tools now. I'm still using most of them now. The cordless drill only finally burnt out on me earlier this year and has been used and abused along the way.

A lot of Aldis/Lidls stuff is even better quality than the JCB stuff I have/had. Its all made in Germany I believe so not surprising really!

I bought a talco I think socket set from Argos when I passed my test and not broken anything in that set. There are however some poor low end tools out now. Being able to pick the finish off spanner isn't my idea of money saving.

lovinituk

FiremanDave wrote: »

I bought a talco I think socket set from Argos when I passed my test and not broken anything in that set. There are however some poor low end tools out now. Being able to pick the finish off spanner isn't my idea of money saving.

I agree that there are a lot of cheap tools out there that are utter carp. But there are some cheap tools out there that are really rather good.

Inner_Zone

While I agree the Halfords Pro tools and sets when on offer are well worth buying, I have quite a few. I also have a few Lidl / Aldi tools as well amongst others, Silverline and Laser and a 30+ year old Hilka socket set (from new) most of it still going strong.

Aldi had a 95 piece socket / spanner set recently for £39.99 and there is still some stock at my two local Aldi's, so might be worth checking yours out. If you don't want to send Halfords Pro money it should be better than the Phaze set.

Norman_Castle

I have found an excellent bargain on Halfords for only £15. MSE wno't let me post up links but its called the Phaze 52 piece mechanic tool set.

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/tool-kits/phaze-52-piece-mechanic-tool-set

Largest socket is 15mm. Too small. Lots of small sockets and pointless imperial sockets. Very limited use.

Sockets and spanners 10-19mm are most commonly used. Avoid paying for imperial tools unless you have a classic car.

colino

I used to advise people to buy a small socket set and replace the popular bits, 10, 12, 13mm sockets and the universal joint if/when they broke them or they wore out with more upmarket individual replacements. With the current Halfords Advance sets now so good and the lifetime warranty extended to moving parts, if your going to do one serious job on a car, you would be nuts not to buy a set when they are on offer. They should outlast the buyer.

JustinR1979

Norman_Castle wrote: »

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/tool-kits/phaze-52-piece-mechanic-tool-set

Largest socket is 15mm. Too small. Lots of small sockets and pointless imperial sockets. Very limited use.

Excellent bargain..... lol

FiremanDave

Norman_Castle wrote: »

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/tool-kits/phaze-52-piece-mechanic-tool-set

Largest socket is 15mm. Too small. Lots of small sockets and pointless imperial sockets. Very limited use.

Sockets and spanners 10-19mm are most commonly used. Avoid paying for imperial tools unless you have a classic car.

He'll have a classic soon don't worry.

JustinR1979

colino wrote: »

With the current Halfords Advance sets now so good and the lifetime warranty extended to moving parts, if your going to do one serious job on a car, you would be nuts not to buy a set when they are on offer. They should outlast the buyer.

Indeed, some won't listen sadly.

lovinituk

Inner_Zone wrote: »

Aldi had a 95 piece socket / spanner set recently for £39.99 and there is still some stock at my two local Aldi's, so might be worth checking yours out.

That's the one I've got and it really is an excellent set.

I don't mean to sound like an Aldi fan boy but credit where credit is due!

FiremanDave

JustinR1979 wrote: »

Excellent bargain..... lol

You'd be better off using a stick of rhubarb.