General car tools

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

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.

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.

Jonny69 · 02-09-2008, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flibster

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

Stan_Lite · 02-09-2008, 13:29

Have a look at Machine Mart. 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.

vix · 01-09-2008, 21:12

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

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

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.

01-09-2008, 17:39	#1
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	General car tools 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?

01-09-2008, 18:17	#2
kaiowas The Stig Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fightertown USA Posts: 1,458	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. __________________ Anal Fish Porn

01-09-2008, 19:58	#4
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	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 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. __________________

01-09-2008, 20:16	#5
Flibster Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,388	Halfords Pro stuff is really pretty good. The lifetime guarantee is great. Break it - they replace it. 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. __________________

02-09-2008, 13:29	#7
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	Have a look at Machine Mart. 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. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

01-09-2008, 19:34	#3
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	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

01-09-2008, 21:12	#8
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Halfords usually do the offer with the axle stands and trolley jack together. __________________

03-09-2008, 07:23	#9
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	I used pretty much all Halfords Pro stuff on my bike and never had a problem with any of it __________________

03-09-2008, 08:10	#10
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	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 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.