Sick of cheap tools - need good ones - advice please

[jmac]

sidchrome started to go down hill in the early 90s - it was (and that should have been a warning sign) when they went from unconditional lifetime guarantee to stuff like ratchets not having the same warranty.

fwiw, I've still got the sidchrome stuff I bought as an apprentice, it's approaching 25 years old.

The only sidchrome stuff I've broken was their old universal joint thingos. I once broke the replacement whilst the person dropping it off was still at the workshop. around that time they brought out a new design, which was more or less like a CV joint instead and I didn't break those.

I definitely second the idea about 3/8" drive stuff being the go. it doesn't take a genius to work out the few bolts/nuts that are the exception that you should stick with 1/2" drive for. Smaller gear lets you work a lot quicker typically.

[Rz]

1/4 drive stuff is really handy to have too , use it all the time.

[aaron_hogan]

I just broke a sidchrome socket. This kit is probably 10 years old now (bought it approx 2000).

14mm on the sliding T handle versus Ford Fiesta wheel bolt at pickapart.
Split the socket.
Take to TotalTools (why yes they are!) to get a replacement over the counter.
Explain how it broke.
Nope - no changeover - you must wait for Sidchrome rep to inspect it.
4+ weeks pass
Get told that i broke it by using a rattle gun.
wut?

This is just sheer stupidity. I'm a hobby user. But if i was a full time workshop employee WHY WOULD I WAIT 4 WEEKS only to be TOLD how i supposedly broke it.

This is a good example of when to walk away from a brand. Not because the tools are shit but because their service sucks.

I really resent being TOLD how i supposedly broke it. I was there they weren't. I have not EVER needed to use that socket on a rattle gun. For fucks sake I have a full set of impact sockets so why would i use a puny normal one? I am quite sympathetic to all my stuff and i use the right tool for the job.

All for the sake of replacing a single socket that would cost them all of $2. :knock: What ever happened to "The customer is always right"?

Think i'm going to write a letter to get this off my chest.

[aaron_hogan]

...and just to qualify it even more. Its not like i walked in off the street expecting a brand new socket.

I regularly buy stuff from this particular outlet. In fact i was there picking up a 54mm ABW impact socket (rotary flywheel nut - alternative to cold chisel!) and other stuff i had ordered.

I was spending hundreds so the sake of a $2 socket to them was hardly going to send them to financial ruin.

[Paddington]

sorry I broke your socket hoges. I think my mate should shout you a new one since it was his bloody festiva...

I also think that's a good excuse to start going to another tool shop or start buying online from the states.

[PHULL]

After rounding off yet more of the stupid flarenuts, who wants to recommend a decent 10mm flarenut spanner. The Strapon, and Repco ones i have are no good and flex like little bitches infront of the mirror at the gym.

I want a flare nut spanner like Arnie, which will just look at the nut and it will become so scared that it just undoes itself.

have you got a flank drive spanner, you think that could do the job?

[jmac]

To give you an idea of how sidchrome have changed, when i was a kid my grandad used to go to trash n treasure and find old semi fucked sidchrome stuff and take em in and get new for old no questions asked. Yes, he was creative.... but it goes to show how they _used_ to back their product in the late 70s....

[80DGY]

I had a good sidchrome rep when I was at the toolshop up here

if the person was genuine and hadn't obviously fucked it by misuse, I'd replace it, no questions asked and then tell the rep to replace it. Never had a drama.

Oh, I sold quite a few of those impact sockets for rotors too (cept I'd sell them Genius ones, because they were cheaper and they also just replace the cunts if they break)

[80DGY]

I had a good sidchrome rep when I was at the toolshop up here

if the person was genuine and hadn't obviously fucked it by misuse, I'd replace it, no questions asked and then tell the rep to replace it. Never had a drama.

Oh, I sold quite a few of those impact sockets for rotors too (cept I'd sell them Genius ones, because they were cheaper and they also just replace the cunts if they break)

[Cplus]

bahco, shit is dear but top quality

wtf?

Bahco is fucking cheap as chips.

[hotgemini]

Well, I managed to pop one of my SP ratchet spanners apart over the weekend, losing a wire circlip in the process. Will be interesting to compare and contrast their warranty response with that of sidchrome.

[tim510]

I thrash the fuck out of my sidchrome and can't break it...

you all must be doing some funky shit to break it...

[RotaUte]

I got Repco stuff as a 1st year in 1994, still great tools to this day. Lots of other brands thrown in with the mix now, but they were great at the time.

[takai]

I thrash the fuck out of my sidchrome and can't break it...

you all must be doing some funky shit to break it...

Stuff like this:

[tim510]

Stuff like this:

i didn't see 3M sections of square pipe in the Sidchrome catalog, but i'm beginning to understand...

my 3 foot breaker bar usually can undo most stuff (i'm tough as fuck though) haha


however i did break my brother 3/8 socket at the wreckers.... my improv extension (and old car exhaust) proved to be too much...