Recommended value-for-money tools?

[BigMuz]

Ok SP Tools are, imveryho just run of the mill. The race series air tools are almost the same money as chicago pneumatic and the like but don't look to be put together as well.

The sockets look good but there are a million sockets that lopok the same for less money. The cheap SP stuff is good value; especially the air tool sets.

Dunno about them all being made in the same factory- that would say more bout snap on than Sp. Most of these tool companies don't manufacture any more. There are dozens of imprters/ middlemen who specialise in branding tools to match what the Australian Wholesaler wants. Kincrome, Austech, Fragram, Eurotech all use Toll manufacturing.

[Dave]

You are forgetting something though. Forged alloy is the new hotness. Lighter, stronger, thinner walled. CRV at a minimum for sure, but it doesnt have to be.

About 8 years ago when I worked at supercrap I bought a 1/2 socket set for about $130 (which was not much cheaper than a strap on etc at the time), it has been fucking brilliant. I have constantly tried to break the sockets without success.

opps, just realised it is cast, ignore post.

[Cplus]

thanks Muz

I'm off to the national tradesman expo on the weekend, will get a chance to compare a heap of tools side by side and decide what to get. with any luck i might be able to get a decent price on the day. maybe.




ps - would have had more effect if you had posted 3 hrs later - not 3 minutes :D

grumpy old prick.... :p

[Beavis]

I have mainly Craftsman sockets and spanners...a mate picked up a lot of them in the US for me years ago. Bang for buck is hard to beat.

I snapped a breaker bar trying to get a 36mm VW hub nut off ...took it back in to a Walmart in LA two years later and the guy swapped it for a new one, no questions asked.

I have quite a bit of Craftsman stuff and the value for money is really really hard to beat. It's a shame you blokes don't get them down there, they are way better than the generic Chinese shit but don't cost the earth like Snap-On...

[F|sh]

Yeah but the stupid computer said they had five in stock.

either pure laziness or theft or what usually happens is dc fucks up and we can not change the stock levels on the computer.

Muz - the blue point range of snap on is made in taiwan and it is the same factory as where the sp tools stuff that austech sell to most companies in aus. the toolboxes i sell are made in the same factory as the kinchrome cabinets. IMHO our cabinets feel better just due to the heavier gauge of steel used.

[BigMuz]

Prove blue point is made in taiwan.

[BigMuz]

And not just cause the Austech slapper told you so.

[Cplus]

where do you work Dave?

[F|sh]

i work a small auto parts chain in the south west that also imports stuff from china and sells them to hardware stores and other auto parts stores.

[F|sh]

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb....html?p=862545

All the Blue Point tools I ever saw on the truck said "Made in Taiwan" on them, and looked identical, right down to the packaging, as the "Astro Tools" and other similar import brand that the local tool store sells, albeit the Strap On guy was asking 2-4x the price.

some others are made by irwin or but other contractors but the majority of the ones in aus are taiwan.

[HAMMER]

Greys Online have some decent tool auction running at the moment.

http://www.graysonline.com.au/catego...ARENT_ID=2#117

[Madhatr]

bah, its all online auctions. Last lot of stuff I was watching on their site, stuff was going for more than you could buy it at trade cost.

edit: Interesting

Simply Shutters & Blinds Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed)

They seemed like a pretty big company, didnt they have a bunch of adverts on tv?

[carcrazy]

either pure laziness or theft or what usually happens is dc fucks up and we can not change the stock levels on the computer.

Muz - the blue point range of snap on is made in taiwan and it is the same factory as where the sp tools stuff that austech sell to most companies in aus. the toolboxes i sell are made in the same factory as the kinchrome cabinets. IMHO our cabinets feel better just due to the heavier gauge of steel used.

Why are you saying bluepoint is made in taiwan when all my bluepoint gear has japan written on it.

[Spammy]

I have quite a bit of Craftsman stuff and the value for money is really really hard to beat. It's a shame you blokes don't get them down there, they are way better than the generic Chinese shit but don't cost the earth like Snap-On...

There used to be a tool shop in Blacktown (either 3rd or 4th Avenue) that sold the full Craftsman range....not sure if they are still in business.

[hotgemini]

Ok SP Tools are, imveryho just run of the mill. The race series air tools are almost the same money as chicago pneumatic and the like but don't look to be put together as well.

The sockets look good but there are a million sockets that lopok the same for less money. The cheap SP stuff is good value; especially the air tool sets.

I'd agree regarding the air tools, they're just mid-range at best, but old mate at air and allied would take it really poorly if I bought something other than toku for air tools I suspect.

As for the hand tools, I'd be interested to hear what brands you're suggesting as similar quality with lifetime warranty for less dollars, because I had a fair ol' look around.