Recommended value-for-money tools?

[carcrazy]

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

Yeah meant geared spanners.. By sweep i mean the ratcheting of the actual spanner, dont need to move it much to make it click so it can be used in tight spaces.

They also have a 12 degree? bend so flipping them over isnt practical so they have a little switch which i sometimes bump making them reverse but apart from that they are great spanners.

400nm on a gear spanner?

[Greg Rust]

Bought myself Sidchrome 3pce outside micrometer kit, dial indicator and magnetic base for the new engine build coming shortly.

[Spammy]

Bought myself Sidchrome 3pce outside micrometer kit, dial indicator and magnetic base for the new engine build coming shortly.

I did the same a few years back when I rebuilt the engine in the Vee. I started looking around the house for things I could measure using the base and dial indicator.

[Greg Rust]

I did the same a few years back when I rebuilt the engine in the Vee. I started looking around the house for things I could measure using the base and dial indicator.

Now that you have said that I might go check the end float on the dishwasher lid..hehe
Also need to get a set of inside micrometers to measure bores, big end and conrod bearing clearances.

[Madhatr]

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.

you can buy non offset ones.

Personally, had a set of ones with a switch. Using them in tight places it was far too easy to bump them. Ive now got the simple ones where you flip them over, KC tools, were about $120. Well happy with them.

Now that you have said that I might go check the end float on the dishwasher lid..hehe
Also need to get a set of inside micrometers to measure bores, big end and conrod bearing clearances.

you want a telescopic gauge set. easier to work with.

[The-Kid]

Now that you have said that I might go check the end float on the dishwasher lid..hehe
Also need to get a set of inside micrometers to measure bores, big end and conrod bearing clearances.

Yep what Madhatr said for internal work.
Mitutoyo are good but maybe little exy. Not too much else is decent for
the same money and not out of china..

[curmudgeon]

Supercheap currently have on special sets of 24 chrome vanadium spanners for $44.95. I bought a couple of sets to use when I'm onsite working on rigs assisted by a team of monkeys who tend to lose/break/smash/burn tools.
Obviously not in the same class as Snap-On etc. but so far they've been perfectly adequate. And for $2 odd each you could almost consider them disposable.

[tut]

Supercheap currently have on special sets of 24 chrome vanadium spanners for $44.95. I bought a couple of sets to use when I'm onsite working on rigs assisted by a team of monkeys who tend to lose/break/smash/burn tools.
Obviously not in the same class as Snap-On etc. but so far they've been perfectly adequate. And for $2 odd each you could almost consider them disposable.

my local DIY chain has a set of "home brand" ratchet and socket set.

i bought it. my step-up broke off, and my 10mm, 13mm and 14mm socket have broken off.
mby brother bought a spanner set to replace the tyre on his bike, and the spanner broke (so he says, i don't know where exactly..)


about a week later, i went to the car part store for a set of kraftwerk sockets and ratchets and everything, and the guy told me to use KS Tools, as they're the same quality (he says), and also offer lifetime warranty, but alot cheaper... and up to this day, i'm very satisfied with them. only downside i encountered is surface rust...
but i only know one place that sells them, and i just heard a rumour that they'll be clesing soon. which would be a bother for possible warranty claims...

but don't buy their screwdrivers. they're rubbish.


in other news, at work, we mainly use snapon, and for some things bluepoint. snap on is allright, but nothing special. my main complaint is that the snap on man doesn't come by often enough...


to me, knipex is the best for cutters and pliers and tweezers and everything... and i noticed allot of people share my opinion...

[Nero]

had a look at blue point and the case and some of the tools look exactly the same as the Bahco...prob both made in the same taiwanese factory. The matt finish on them is great for when you hands are oily/greasy - no slippage.
Very happy with the Bahco so far. Did not originally like the push button socket release on the ratchets...but the sockets never come off! Also I was under the car and had to change sockets...could do it with one hand and the other was hold the exhaust...very handy. multi-size ratchet spanners good too. For a little set I also got the 3/8 bahco set - actually pretty damn handy - less bulky than the 1/2"

[GTS_215KW]

I have KC tools 1/2" and 3/8" and 1/4" socket sets in both standard and deep sockets. They are good. 3/8" is awesome for general jobs and as you say they are less bulky then 1/2". 1/4" is good for just about anything else.

The only issue ive had with them is the deep sockets arent as deep as other brands. and something else, there is no knurling on the extensions for the socket set...the sockets have them (but not really wide enough) but the extensions dont...makes it abit hard to twist if you have dirty hands etc.

Also have Kc rathet spanners...OMG awesome. saves soo much time.
Kincrome stubby ratchet spanners...these are also awesome, tight spaces no worries!
kc spanners, havent broken one, hurts in your hand if you really push on it though...cheater bar ftw here lol

also another vote here for knipex pliers and cutters. they rock.

The snap-on man comes to work every tuesday bugger me the toys in there are nice. but fark me everything is expensive...i.e. 6" rule...$13 WTF

[F|sh]

blue point and sp tools are made in the same Taiwan factory. we have the austech rep in soon and i will ask him

[Greg Rust]

you want a telescopic gauge set. easier to work with.

Yep what Madhatr said for internal work.

Yea was also thinking of that as it might be a bit cheaper, as you can then use the outside mic to measure the telescopic section?

[floody]

Bahco/Bluepoint same same just different colours, at least at the lower end of the market (i.e. the $200-250ish sets are the same bar one being orange and one being blue as far as I can see).

[F|sh]

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?

becuase whats on the shelf is all they have. only certain items (lock cabinet items) are out the back.

[Sicarius123]

Yea when our local supercheap refurbed they pretty well ditched the whole back dock and extended the store. I don't think they have fuck all out the back.