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Good evening one and all.
Valued opinions required please. :-)
It's my 21st birthday shortly and as is tradition my family want to buy me something a little special to celebrate me or something...
Anyway, they've come up with the idea that perhaps I would like some tools. Now this, considering I have 4 sisters, is a particularly good idea. My toolbox is currently made up of mismatched tools that I've collected from here and there and its only the most basic screwdrivers, socket and spanner jobbie.
Thing is, I want something that won't cost the earth but is of good enough quality that I can happily keep and continually use for years to come.
What manufactures would you consider?
Many thanks.
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I found this which I think is the sort of thing I want. I like the idea of everything having a designated space which should make finding tools easier. Furthermore as I still don't have my own place my tools are invariably carted around in my boot so something that is easy enough to move about would be preferred.
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kee
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,988
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halfords tools are good, get them. doubt you can get better for the price
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fpk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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teng tools sockets are good , and halfords professional
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TBH, I'd go for Halfords Advanced rather than their standard stuff - you won't get quite as many tools for your money, but they are better quality, and come with a lifetime warranty (just photocopy the receipt - they are on thermal paper so fade quickly).
Kamasa are another good brand to consider - a bit cheaper, and without quite the same finish as the Halford stuff, but again with a lifetime warranty.
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Halford Pro are very good, as are Teng & Kennedy (Cromwell's own brand)which I've used for years & have been great.
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Don't buy that toolbox you linked to. You'll regret it. I am very, very much for Halfords tools....but the pro range. It's this one you want to think about getting: www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_173083_langId_-1_categoryId_165572Awesome kit - it's been the mainstay of pretty much everything that goes on at Area 52, nothing has broken despite getting many, many weekends of use and serious abuse. Very comprehensive, but also with a lifetime warranty. Probably the best £99 you could EVER spend on tools! Ask anyone who is an Area 52 regular and you'll hear the same thing. Nothing else comes close for the money.
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My toolbox is mostly made up of Halfords Pro and Teng. The Halfords one you linked to is a bit flimsy IMO.
edit: If you do get Halfords stuff, try borrow a trade card. Mine has made quite a lot of differance on all the stuff I've brought.
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Last Edit: Dec 3, 2010 22:12:25 GMT by MiniDan
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I just spied this kit after searching for "Halfords Advanced". I'm very tempted. I've a few bits from the Advanced range already and they always seem solidly built. Halfords Advanced seems to be the general consensus. I've looked at Teng and Kamasa and while their stuff does look awesome its quite a bit more and I'd not feel comfortable recommending a £350 tool kit for them to buy...
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edit: If you do get Halfords stuff, try borrow a trade card. Mine has made quite a lot of differance on all the stuff I've brought. What is a trade card?
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edit: If you do get Halfords stuff, try borrow a trade card. Mine has made quite a lot of differance on all the stuff I've brought. What is a trade card? If you are in the motor-trade, have a motoring qualification or even just ask nicely, they'll give you a card that'll give you discounts. Depends on the items, but IIRC most of the tools are inbetween 20% - 40% off. I'm sure I've had 60% off on some.
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Blimey, that is not to be moaned at!
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I was once in this situation. I bought one of those all in one every item has it's place jobbies. really hated it. so much hassle. ended up selling it on. my preference is to get each set of sockets on a rail, so you can take the rail to wherever you're working, and work there. I was constantly back and fourth back and fourth and it did my nut in. i'd recommend the draper line all day long, not sure what you can wangle but if you've got access to a maccess account then it's 40% off approximately, which means it's cheaper than halfords pro with a much bigger selection, each socket, spanner, rail, ratchet, bar, etc etc is all individually available. i started off with a box, spent like £300 on a 1980's snapon 3 peice chest, which i then filled with all my mismatched tools, and slowly replaced each section when i had the cash, i'm still MILES away from completion. set of spanners for birthday, ratchets for christmas, etc i enjoy it as i know i'll have them forever so it's always going to be a lasting present
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Tool ChoiceBenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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I think Halfords Professional tools are made by Facom, which make Britool, so it's quality stuff. The ratchet mechanisms aren't quite as nice feeling as, say, a Snap On ratchet, but there's a massive price difference and the quality is still very very good.
My tool kit is made up of Halfords Professional stuff that I've bought, along with Snap On, Britool and Stahwille etc that I inherited from my mechanic uncles. The "family silver" ;D
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Tool ChoiceDeleted
@Deleted
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Sealey socket sets in the metal boxes are the best in my opinion. I like Halfords Pro spanners purely for the shape and the way they feel but I've had to put them through their paces recently and found they mangle up when you really push them. Not acceptable in my opinion, and I have to take them in for replacement under their 'lifetime warranty', but I don't know what to suggest instead. We'll see.
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Last Edit: Dec 3, 2010 22:38:45 GMT by Deleted
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Darrel
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,167
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Halfords Pro all the way. Ive had a couple of sockets snap over the years, but its an instant replacement, even without a receipt.
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10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,253
Club RR Member Number: 204
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Tool Choice10mpg
@10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member 204
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Teng Britool Facom Halfords pro and if you really really must Snap off (nothing wrong with it except the price) .... nothing else is worth bothering with..
I've been very disappointed with Sealey and Draper stuff over the years and the Halfords Boxes pro or otherwise are kak ..
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The Internet, like all tools, if used improperly, can make a complete bo**cks of even the simplest jobs...
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,836
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Tool Choicestealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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I'd get the Halfords Pro kit Bruce posted, but buy a separate Snap on or similar box for them. The only thing not covered under the Halfords warranty are the ratchet mechanisms. However a new mechanism isn't only about £3.50. They usually just jam so taking them to bits, freeing them off and refitting sorts them out.
Matt
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RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
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I'll give another thumbs up for the halfords 150 piece kit.
I've got the old style one when it was called 'professional' before they changed it to 'advanced', it's a slightly different kit, but it's lasted me very well. I got it just after passing my test 3 years ago, and it's still good as new.
I'd say that kit and a breaker bar will do most jobs that don't need specialist tools. Really is a worth while purchase, especially while it's at £99.99.
You'll probably find a trade card won't get you any off it at that price though. When stuffs seriously discounted to start with they wont have any real profit margin, so getting it trade won't help. When I got mine it was on offer for £99.99, but was £115 on trade.
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B&Q did have a trolly and top box for £70 reduced from £160. My local one hasn't got any left but I was very surprised by the quality. Nice black/grey colour too.
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1970 Porsche 911E 2002 Porsche Boxster S 2002 Peugeot Partner 1.9sdi
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