Recommended value-for-money tools?

[Cplus]

hang on, $700 for both the trolley and the box? that's V.Cheap!

there's also a trade show on this weekend at Wayville - hoping to spend my cahs then!

[takai]

Yeah, $700 for the trolley, box, and all the tools in it (basic stuff).

Basically this set: http://www.kctools.com.au/products/p...mb_105tki.html

[hotgemini]

Clive: Sounds like you're in a pretty similar place to me, after years of tinkering with a random collection of tools, over the last 6 months I've geared up with some better kit.

I got an SP TOOLS 261 piece Metric Tool Kit

plus a 1/2 drive deep socket set, 1/2 drive impact hex key set, metric ratchet spanner set and the metric double-ended ring spanner set.

Then for my birthday I got the trade tools 10 drawer rollcab to put it on.

Now its a bit tough because you've already got the 1/4 and 3/8ths sets and they're nice bloody kit too! Two solutions, one is to avoid kits as a result and piece everything together, that sucks because you will pay more and you often miss out on the nice EVA foam cut-outs which are included in kits. Its nice because you only buy those items that you want and you avoid the 'filler' items they pack in to pad out the numbers (yes 'security bit set' I'm looking at you!).

Second solution is to simply buy the kit you'd buy anyway, then sell off the doubled-up bits, or heck, just keep them and have both!

[Cplus]

i have the ability to return the other items and get the extra cash too.....

I looked at that same kit - there is some odd stuff to add up to 261 pieces!

[hotgemini]

I'd seriously consider returning the kinchrome 1/4 set, having used both there really isn't a massive difference in it and you don't tend to beat on your 1/4 inch kit anyway.

VEK tools is where I bought my set, here's a link to the thread I made about it.

[23Kev]

We got an autobarn catalogue in the mail the other day and it was full of kinchrome tool kits. I spent about half an hour looking through it.

There were certainly some good bargins in there. I've just had a look on the autobarn website but they don't have the catalogue on there.

If I can be bothered I might scan in the pages that have the big toolkits on them...

[takai]

Yeah, the Autobarn up the way on North East Rd usually has some pretty good deals on Kinchrome gear

[Sturmovik]

Supercheap apparently has some(12) Metric ratchet spanners on special reduced from $180 down to $95 or so. Although the couple of stores I visited today didnt have any left on the shelves, and no one seemed to enthused to go out back and have a good look. The SAE ones they had on the shelf looked quite good, and probably equal to others in that price range.
Anyone picked up a set?

[jmac]

you can get 14mm and 9/16 sockets for 1/4" drive - I've got em (bought individually) - now obviously they aren't sturdy enough (nor are the ratchets in general, any brand for such a size) to crack undone, or final tension a 14mm/ 9/16 headed nut/bolt, but they are a fucking godsend for hard to get at bolts where you crack them first with a bigger tool and then wind them out with the tiny manouevreable 1/4" drive gear. Among other things some intake/ex manifold nut/bolts come to mind - not massive access and a lot quicker iwth the 1/4" drive stuff.

[floody]

Bahco set has 1/2 set imp, full set metric up to 34mm, spanners, socket spanners, mini breaker bar, extensions, 1/4" ratchet set with full set of deep 1/4, 1/4 screwdriver set, uni joints, 4 metric impacts sockets and a damn nice case...cost $250 or so.

Thats mine, fark its brilliant for a home mechanic/carport warrior like myself. Thusfar done full engine, brake and suspension swap in the skyline without going to any of my old random shit tool selection, been absolutely fantastic. The textured matte finish is a bit of a PITA to keep clean when you're working on leaky, greasy old Nissans and such but a little more time wiping down means nothing anyway. Six sided sockets sure make short work of fixing 21 years of dodgy mechanics rounding fasteners off too. I do use an old Sidchrome breaker bar though as it feels very positive, hasn't developed any slop over the years and has a nice handle.

[carcrazy]

Ive been using kinchrome spanners and ratchets / sockets professionally for about 15odd years now and i think ive only broken a 3/8 drive socket after i leaned stupidly hard on it. Also ive maybe rebuilt a 3/8 ratchet twice.

My cab has a large collection of kincrome spanners, sockets and ratchets, snap on screw drivers and air tools, Old KC, Stahlwille and funnily enough performer kmart imperial spanners which i bought at kmart when i first started, never been able to break one of them!

I like the kincrome ratchet spanners, they have a very nice sweep and they are very nice to use but the kits dont have all sizes so ive had to buy more and the ultra polished finish is very slippery when they are covered in oil.

Btw agree with Tk's sentiments, my roll cab is taller than me and im 5'11 tall.

[dhs]

I like the kincrome ratchet spanners, they have a very nice sweep and they are very nice to use but the kits dont have all sizes so ive had to buy more and the ultra polished finish is very slippery when they are covered in oil.

If by ratchet spanners do you mean geared spanners where you can flick c/ccw with the little switch?


These things rule... we have a 24mm one at work that has taken plenty of giant breaker bar abuse in an effort to tighten things up quickly. 400nM+

Only fear is it breaks one day during normal use and they find the braker bar marks on it and tell us no refund available

[Cplus]

If by ratchet spanners do you mean geared spanners where you can flick c/ccw with the little switch?

why do you need a switch?

can't you just flip the spanner over?

[hotgemini]

Most have a switch as the end of the spanner is offset at an angle so flipping it over isn't practical, some are just symetrical and only rotate one way so you flip to reverse.

[Cplus]

cool, cool.

i was thinking after i hit the post button i might have said something stupid for a second :D