General car tools [Archive]

Zirax

01-09-2008, 17:39

Right, I'm looking to start getting together my collection of tools and general crap that I need for working on my car. Usual being jack and stands, ramps seem to be odd to come by?

Main question is what make of tools to people recommend? I've heard good things about the Halfords pro sets and they are doing 15% off during sept. After your thoughts on these, anyone use them?

kaiowas

01-09-2008, 18:17

For the mr2 you're best off getting some decent 6 sided sockets. Like most sets the halfords stuff is mostly 12 sided which tend to round off bolt heads too easily for my liking. I've got a full set of the Sealey coloured socket rails. Probably overkill getting all 6 but combined with some decent ratchets and plenty of extensions gives me plenty of options for getting to bolts in tricky locations:

AK282 - 1/4" 4-13mm
AK282D - 1/4" 4-13mm Deep
AK285 - 3/8" 10-19mm
AK285D - 3/8" 10-19mm Deep
AK288 - 1/2" 13-24mm
AK288D - 1/2" 13-24mm Deep

Alternatively you could just get a halfords set plus a few extra 6 sided sockets in useful sizes. For the MR2 most of the car uses 10/12/14/17/19mm heads. There are a few things which need larger as well as a few 8mm nuts although you'd get away with 12 sided sockets on those.

Zirax

01-09-2008, 19:34

Thanks, never really thought about the mr2 needing specific sizes. I had heard good murmorings about the halfords pro sets in the past. I shall look about. I also had thoughts about takleing my dads old 309 as that needs a couple of bits doing :)

Jonny69

01-09-2008, 19:58

3/8" drive socket set does me good. Sealey/Clarke do a good set in a metal tin for about £50 or Halfords Pro. ONLY get 6 sided, found this out the best way, which was I haven't rounded anything off since I've owned this socket set :D

Spanners, club hammer, screwdrivers, long nose pliers, normal pliers, mole grips and an adjustable spanner. Those are the basics and I can strip my car to bare bits with that.

Flibster

01-09-2008, 20:16

Halfords Pro stuff is really pretty good. The lifetime guarantee is great. Break it - they replace it. :D

The top two socket/spanner sets appear to have a substantial chunk of money off them at the moment. Up to £70 by the looks of it. Not sure what those sets are like, I've only bought what I've needed at the time.

2 pairs of axle stands are very useful too as is a good trolly jack.

I have to admit to owning 2 torque wrenches as well...8-60Nm and 40-200Nm Covers most things.

vix

01-09-2008, 21:12

Halfords usually do the offer with the axle stands and trolley jack together.

Jonny69

02-09-2008, 10:25

I have to admit to owning 2 torque wrenches as well...8-60Nm and 40-200Nm Covers most things.
Got a single 20-120 ft-lbs whatever that is in new money, it's about 18" long with a 1/2" drive. Suits everything I've needed it for.

Over on Retro Rides they're talking about needing 3/4" drive with a 6ft scaffold pole on the end to undo hub nuts. This is from a guy who weighs 140kg so god knows how I'd get it undone :D

Stan_Lite

02-09-2008, 13:29

Have a look at Machine Mart (http://www.machinemart.co.uk/). they do a lot of Clarke stuff and are cheaper than Halfrauds on some stuff :) You can order online or there are branches all over the place.

Desmo

03-09-2008, 07:23

I used pretty much all Halfords Pro stuff on my bike and never had a problem with any of it :)

Nutcase

03-09-2008, 08:10

Another vote for halfords pro, and if you get the set I got, it comes with 6 sided sockets up to about 14mm. And they're strong - had the 13mm one which uses the 1/4" drive on two adapters once to take it up to 1/2" drive then a 3 foot breaker to undo a sump plug. Worked a treat :D

I've bought a few impact sockets in the larger sizes for as and when O need them (19mm for saab caliper and wheel bolts; 32mm for hub nuts etc.).

Halfords pro tools are made by britool IIRC.

Can't say I'm a fan of Clarke tools - cheap yes, strong no.

Jonny69

03-09-2008, 09:50

Was about to jump in there to defend Clarke, but I just checked and my socket set is Sealey. Their sockets are bullet proof :D

Mine is this one: http://www.pvrdirect.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=AK692

http://www.pvrdirect.co.uk/netalogue/photos/sealey/AK692.jpg

phykell

08-09-2008, 13:27

Screwfix have started stocking Britool at great prices and they are certainly comparable to Snap-On in terms of quality IMO.

Zirax

21-09-2008, 20:15

phykell

27-09-2008, 14:30

I have looked at screwfix and I can't seem to find the Britool sets?
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/24271/Automotive/Sockets-Hex/Britool-Metric-Socket-Set-1-4-1-2-110-Pc?cm_re=SEARCHPROMO-_-BRITOOL-_-24271

Just do a search on their web site for "Britool" :)

Jonny69

27-09-2008, 14:50

I have been looking around and I can get the halfords ultimate sets at £170. Really whats doing it at the moment are the ratchet spanners, having used them you really don't want to go back to standard spanners.

I have looked at screwfix and I can't seem to find the Britool sets?

Ideally having spent a some time nicking some tools off people.... It appears that I want two socket wrenches in both the large and small size and ratchet spanners.
You won't need a 1/2" drive. I used to hate 3/8" drive but having owned one I'd never go back to a 1/2" unless I specifically needed it. My 3/8" can easily take 75 ft-lbs of torque and there's not much that needs anything that tight. It also does pretty much everything a 1/4" drive set can do too.

£170 sounds like a lot. My set was £55, add a set of Halfords ratchet spanners to that for £50, then just add anything else on you need as you go along.

phykell

27-09-2008, 17:44

Generally speaking though, a 3/8" drive ratchet handle won't be as long as the 1/2" drive version which means more manual effort is required. Just as an example as well, a typical conical bearing on something as simple as a Mini can require up to 150 lb/ft which means a torque wrench and no way are those 3/8" drives. Of course you'll need a large socket too ;)

Nutcase

27-09-2008, 19:34

The only thing I use 1/2" drive for is big nuts (20mm ish and above), wheel nuts, and stubborn nuts with a breaker bar. Otherwise 3/8" and the smaller one is all I use :)