Updating my toolkits?

[320touring]

With the epiphany of the Pela oil extractor purchased recently came the realisation that most of my tools are past their best, so I am considering replacing the key items..

 

Ideally I'd be after

 

1/4" ratchet and sockets 6 sided

3/8" ratchet and sockets 6 sided

1/2" ratchet and sockets 6 sided

Hex/torx drive set

 

All the above sockets can be metric only.

 

A new jack

 

Oil filter tools

 

Brake caliper push back tool

Brake caliper wind back tool

 

Decent work light

 

Anyone got any suggestions? I have a decent budget so not afraid of spending a bit if it is good kit that will last well

 

Cheers

[SiC]

Do you have any Makita LXT tools already? (I.e. drill) If so, I love my torch and is the most used tool of mine by far.

 

http://www.axminster.co.uk/makita-bml801-fluorescent-led-light-18v-14-4v-body-only-503768

[SiC]

Socket wise, there is the Halfords Advanced stuff but quite a lot is 12 pointers. Decent enough though that it shouldn't round stuff.

[Richard]

I think Bahco is the way to go for socket sets. I have the £50 ish 1/2" set and it seems pretty good. Teng might be worth a look too.

[hpi_matrix]

Id get one of those massive Halfords socket sets, it will cover all the size you want and have lifetime warranty. Like this: http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-120-piece-socket-set

 

New jack, get something low profile: http://www.sgs-engineering.com/tjl2-2-tonne-low-profile-trolley-jack

 

Oil filter tools, ive only ever needed this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Genuine-LASER-2830-Filter-Wrench-Metal-Band/361752505334?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3Db661bf11e99840babdd1a1a8d096c1d0%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D131307297535

 

Brake caliper push back tool: any cheap G clamp

 

Caliper windback tool: screwdriver

 

Decent work light: Get a cheap handheld from lidl or aldo and one of these: http://www.screwfix.com/p/led-rechargeable-led-work-light-10w-12-240v/2587K?kpid=2587K&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CNX1yJyMxNICFdUV0wodac8IRg

 

Id also recommend getting a breaking bar.

[alf892]

Blue point do some quite nice sets......I've got a nice 3/8 set that has torx and allen bits in as well as standard and deep sockets and it wasn't expensive. Comes in a decent box and very handy to grab if working on a modern

[dome]

The wee worklight I had down at yours for Clio fixations was a Screwfix job, led and rechargeable for around £30. Handy wee thing.

[Asimo]

Some Halfords special offers for torx bits, spanners and so on, impact socket sets for 6 sided only. I like the long or deep impact sockets as they often save the day. Bahco is a good brand for these days. (Is King Dick still available?)

 

Or go shopping to the USA - their car tools are really good.

[Tickman]

Id get one of those massive Halfords socket sets, it will cover all the size you want and have lifetime warranty. Like this: http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-120-piece-socket-set

 

New jack, get something low profile: http://www.sgs-engineering.com/tjl2-2-tonne-low-profile-trolley-jack

 

Oil filter tools, ive only ever needed this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Genuine-LASER-2830-Filter-Wrench-Metal-Band/361752505334?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3Db661bf11e99840babdd1a1a8d096c1d0%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D131307297535

 

Brake caliper push back tool: any cheap G clamp

 

Caliper windback tool: screwdriver

 

Decent work light: Get a cheap handheld from lidl or aldo and one of these: http://www.screwfix.com/p/led-rechargeable-led-work-light-10w-12-240v/2587K?kpid=2587K&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CNX1yJyMxNICFdUV0wodac8IRg

 

Id also recommend getting a breaking bar.

I recommend the Halfords stuff but not 6 sided (but you probably can get just them.

SGS recommended, great stuff.

I got one of those oil filter tools from Lidl for about £2 and it is ace.

Caliper push back tool I bought a cheapest Draper thing as I was having a nightmare and it then became the best tool ever (because without it nothing was moving)

Work light, I have loads of different ones and they are all rubbish in some way, usually with me being in the way of the light despite trying to put it in 50 million different places!

[Kiltox]

For a decent enough cheap set of 3/8 and 1/2 6 point you can buy a set of Laser impact sockets in toolstation for about £30.

 

All Halfords 1/4" sockets are 6 point too

[Snipes]

Buying from somewhere like Halfords is good as you could access replacements quickly. If you buy stuff on like you're looking at a few days turnaround. I only reason I bought into Snap-On (when I was in the trade) because the van was there every few days.

[sierraman]

I'd highly recommend the Sealey Premier 1/2 drive socket set. Proper sturdy weighty ratchet, decent six sided sockets. Some Sealey stuff is dogger, but their top line stuff is excellent. Failing that the Laser equivalent is good as well.

 

I like the Halfords sets but they've 12 sided sockets, so it's limited in its use to putting garden furniture together. If it had six sided sockets I'd recommend it.

 

Went in Halfords last year, a couple were buying their son a socket set for Xmas, the assistant was going on about the virtues of their 200 piece Phaze set - it'd be ideal the assistant said for their sons Land Rover he was starting rebuilding. While she went in the back to check stock, I told them it would be absolutely fucking useless for what they wanted. Pointed them in the direction of the Professional AF set in the cabinet.

[320touring]

Good knowledge chaps- I will review after work:) ( getting my luncheon on at the no)

[For Fiats Sake]

Buy the Halfords when on offer though!

 

My local branch has a cabinet display of them with most of the pieces missing, I presume this is due to lifetime replacement gruntee.

[reb]

Buy the Halfords when on offer though!

 

My local branch has a cabinet display of them with most of the pieces missing, I presume this is due to lifetime replacement gruntee.

When I got mine the 200 piece set was either £350 for the standard one or £150 for the black plated limited edition. You can guess which I went for. It'll be interesting to see what happens when I need bits replaced a year or so down the line, will they be able to give me the black parts? Or will I end up with random silver sockets dotted about the set?

 

 

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[Richard]

.

[derskine]

Teng IMO are pretty decent.

 

Halfords advanced set is great, but as mentioned, the 12 pointed sockets are a bit annoying.

Still worth buying though. Just get some separate high quality 6 point sockets.

[sierraman]

My Teng spanners are an absolute delight to use.

[xkjagnz]

I've got one of these for oil filter removal and it's great

[Bren]

Chain filter remover is good for removing filter housings.

Decent set of torx bits is a must, a cheap diagnostic tool will save you money.

[catsinthewelder]

My £12 rail of 3/8 drive deep sockets from Laser has put up with a great deal over the years and been brilliant.  I bought a Seigen 1/2" set a few years ago for £18 and apart from the bolts that hold the ratchet together falling out (I welded the cover back on) it's been a good buy.  Both these sets are 6 sided as is the little 1/4" drive set from ALDI which feels very well made considering it's £15 price tag.

 

The only broken thing in my toolbox is a Halfords 3/8 drive flexhead ratchet.

[omegod]

Should you not have one I'll happily post my Halfords trade card up to you 

[Honey Badger]

Costco do a decent looking set of sockets with 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 sockets in both 6 and 12 point

 

http://www.costco.co.uk/view/p/kirkland-signature-mechanics-tool-set-with-159-assorted-tools-in-black-storage-case-922243

 

the jack looks decent as well

 

http://www.costco.co.uk/view/p/arcan-2000kg-aluminiumsteel-service-jack-model-hj2000eu-900930

 

The Ryobi kit i got at xmas seems decent as well, they do a 3 speed 1/2 18v ratchet gun. I've  had a set of 1/2" Laser sockets for 25 years now and they still look ok, the ratchet dies long ago mind. Proxxon seem to get good reveiws as well

 

I'm slowly replacing some of my kit with Wera Joker spanners and ratchets, all their gear feels top notch. 

[PiperCub]

Teng IMO are pretty decent.

 

Halfords advanced set is great, but as mentioned, the 12 pointed sockets are a bit annoying.

Still worth buying though. Just get some separate high quality 6 point sockets.

 

On the subject of Teng - I had an adjustable wrench that despite little use had seized it's worm drive part. I sent it back, within a week they sent me a replacement FOC. The thing was probably 10-15 years old. Top service. I have a number of other Teng tools and have been very pleased with them.

[overrun]

When I got mine the 200 piece set was either £350 for the standard one or £150 for the black plated limited edition. You can guess which I went for. It'll be interesting to see what happens when I need bits replaced a year or so down the line, will they be able to give me the black parts? Or will I end up with random silver sockets dotted about the set?

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Wait until you lose black sockets in an engine bay on a dark night, too.

[Tickman]

I've got one of these for oil filter removal and it's greats-l500.jpg

I have one of them and have found the need for extra hands to hold it to get it tight enough on the filter is a pain. 

Also I can get it to slip,,,,

 

Chain filter remover is good for removing filter housings.

Got one of those too, great if there is room around the filter.

[BavarianRetro]

I think Bahco is the way to go for socket sets. I have the £50 ish 1/2" set and it seems pretty good. Teng might be worth a look too.

Teng have lasted ten years plus in a workshop environment.

 

Just bought three Bahco sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 to replace the Tengs - which, bar one ratchet - are still perfectly useable, just lost a few, replaced some, missing some etc.

 

Bahco is the new Teng.

[Eddie Honda]

Bahco is a good brand for these days. (Is King Dick still available?)

Got a small Bahco 3/8" set for one of the cars. Quite handy:

 

 

Irimo version exactly the same:

 

 

Yes, King Dick still available: http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/

[320touring]

Excellent info hear chaps - hearing Bahco and Tent as candidates, with an alternative of doing a bargain buy with Halfords kit plus some choice 6 sided sockets to compliment.

Should you not have one I'll happily post my Halfords trade card up to you

Cheers very much for the offer, I have a Couple available up here so can use them

[chodweaver]

+1 for Bahco. Given mine some serious use and it's showing no sign of wear. Even the ratchet grips can still be persuaded back to orange again when cleaned.

 

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