Ok, i`v never been that "hands on" when it comes to fixing and modding things, and as such, have no tools what so ever. Over the past few weeks tho, i`v been getting my hands dirty a bit, and trying to do smaller easier tasks myself. I`m still planning to leave big or safety related items to the pro`s, however, smaller things i`d like to have a bash at. So, where does everyone get their tools? I noticed that getting individual bits makes it very expensive over buying a whole set, although that was only in halfords i looked.

Where and what should i be looking at getting first? essentials?

Cheers people

Matt

I use Machine mart, I am like you, I never touched a car until recently, I've since done brakes, thermostat etc.

You don't need too spend a fortune as you won't be earning a living with them, but don't buy cheap crap either.

HTH

Car tools these days:-

Long and stubby straight and Posidrive size 1 and 2 head screwdrivers.

Metric combination spanners (one end is open; the other is a ring spanner).

Metric 1/2" drive socket set.

Set of 6-point Torx 6 point drives (this can probably be bought cheapest with 12 point and hex drives in the same box).

Wide and snipe-nosed pliers.

A ball-pein hammer; about 2lb head.

That's the basics.

decent socket set

decent set of screwdrivers

decent set of spanners

Halfords pro range is decent and comes with lifetime warranty

Edited 31 March, 201016 yr by vRShafz

I've bought stuff from both Machinemart and Screwfix Direct, a lot of it is obviously made by the same people and it normally comes down to whoever is cheapest.

i can vouch for Halfrauds pro, i've got an 18mm ratchet spanner that has been pretty much abused at work, still works perfectly, and doesn't look out of place in amongst all the Snap-On spanners

Good discounts are available on Halfords tools if you know anyone with Halfords trade card .

I bought my toolkit from halfords... THIS set when it was on offer for 150quid.. have to say that its a good quality.. lifetime garentee, and has 99% of the parts required for car servicing apart from a decent screwdriver/hex/torx set

its not cheap in outlay, but as long as you look after them they will last forever!.. and in my case they have probably saved double, nay triple their worth in labour costs in only 3 years.

What's a spanner?

To be honest, I prefer Snap-on, but there are alternatives

I'm a bit of a snap-on junkie myself.

Last purchase was a SSDMR4B limited edition aston martin version for £41 new from snap-on guy that visits work.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=65&group_ID=702

Also got small and medium ratchets, and a selection of sockets in sizes I use all the time, rather than buying a whole set.

I have quite a bit of halfords pro stuff and had it for years, its great stuff and will last if you look after it.

Costco do some cheap big socket/tool kits, look not bad for the money!

Another vote for halfords professional stuff! I have a set very similar to Neo_VR's, only problem i have is the screwdriver bits have gone rusty from being out in the rain.

A plus is, most of the monkeys that work there don't know their arse from their elbow so you can take anything that you have broken back and they just swap it, regardless of the abuse and misuse its had.

Best halfords tool i ever bought; http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_196407_langId_-1_categoryId_165469 Lost count of how many times its saved the day!

Metric 1/2" drive socket set.

For the vast majority of jobs 1/2" IMO is overkill, 3/8" drive is more than ample for 99% of things on a car, when 1/2" is required then it should be used with either a breaker bar or torque wrench.

I have broke a few Snap-On sockets through abuse - and they have all been changed FOC no questions asked

If I worked on my tools everyday then it'd be Snap-on, no question at all.

As I don't then a combination of Halfords, Britool and Facom tools have served me very well. I did buy a couple of Snap-on ratchet handles as a treat!

They have paid for themselves many times over in saved labour charges.

i can vouch for Halfrauds pro, i've got an 18mm ratchet spanner that has been pretty much abused at work, still works perfectly, and doesn't look out of place in amongst all the Snap-On spanners

18mm ...? I don't think I've ever used that. I use 17 and 19 mm a lot. I haven't yet got any ratchet spanners, but I want some.

As for work. then 10, 13, 17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32mm and for bigger stuff I use, 36, 41 and 46mm sockets and spanners. I'm not sure if 46mm is the biggest one I've used so far. I have up to 36mm in my toolbag.

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like i`ll start at halfords for the moment. My mate has a trade card too so that`d be a bonus too.

Thanks again people, one other thing, tool boxes? Any do`s and dont`s?

Thanks again!

Matt

screwdrivers - I'd look at the likes of City electrical etc - good quality and cheap .

The halfords kit is quite good actually, and the ratchet spanners can make things alot less effortless

I'd have been stuck without them.

Edited 1 April, 201016 yr by Browny_37

get the biggest halfrauds pro range socket set going,amazing value,mine has been proper abused at work,every day and nothing has broken,the equivelent snap on kit would be close to 700 quid,and it seems to be of similar quality with the same lifetime guarentee,i was allways a snap on and teng man untill i got the halfrauds pro set for a fraction of the cos,it is a good starting point for a big tool box,and as has been said before is excelent value.And the 1/2 inch drive halfrauds breaker bars are stronger than the 100 quid snap on ones too,i have broken 2 snap on bars now doing merc v6 truck cylinder head bolts,but the 20 quid halfrauds bar is now 4 years old and still getting the scafold bar abuse!!!!!!

Edited 2 April, 201016 yr by oilburninnut

Toolboxes?

For me, I've got several smaller ones each containing specific stuff, e.g. one with spanners and sockets, one with screwdrivers, etc as odds are I'll only be using one specific type of tool at a time.

Also, it makes it easier to transport the tools around as I don't have the luxury of owning a garage - I have to store mine in a plastic shed outside the flat (apart from my electrical tools that see pretty much daily use, again in there own box).

i have a very large snap on top and bottom box arrangement,had it about 10 years,trouble is its soo bloody heavy when i move jobs i have to get my dad round with the wagon and vehicle mounted fork lift to move it anywhere!!!!

I have a halfrauds pro tool chest as well, this one infact! http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_206443_langId_-1_categoryId_165667

Quality is good, has ball bearing draws so they open nicely and its completely lockable. Can fit most things in but it really needs some wheels! Its a bit on the heavy side.

I did the 5ft scaffold pole trick on my 1/2" ratchet to undo a hub nut on a clio :rofl:

I have a halfrauds pro tool chest as well, this one infact! http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_206443_langId_-1_categoryId_165667

Quality is good, has ball bearing draws so they open nicely and its completely lockable. Can fit most things in but it really needs some wheels! Its a bit on the heavy side.

I did the 5ft scaffold pole trick on my 1/2" ratchet to undo a hub nut on a clio :rofl:

wouldn't use a scaffold poloe on my ratchet but breaker bars are fair game

You'll be needing a trolley jack and axle stands as well. Halfords do a nice one with 225mm. of lift. axle stands are quite cheap everywhere. For other tools Halfords are good quality, try Machine Mart and find a local engineers supply shop for individual odd tools as well.

Another vote for halfords tools. I was put on to them by a friend who is a marine engineer. He had alot of Snap-on stuff and kept dropping it in the water which got rather expensive if he couldn't fish them out. He always uses Halfords tools now and swears by them.

I got a set of socket spanners etc for £100 and so far they have been great. I do have a set of snap-on screw drivers though which I do rather like (Christmas present!)

BTW getting trade card is not difficult. I walked in with a pay slip from the company I worked for at the time, they took a copy and gave me a trade card - no questions about what the company I worked for did!