Best hand tools to buy

ajh on 26/11/2017 - 20:22
Last edited 26/11/2017 - 20:23

Good day fellow ozbargainers.

I have recently been looking for some quality tools to purchase, preferably in a tool box with sockets and spanners. I am getting a bit more into my automotive maintenance and repair but have always been buying the cheap tools on special and end up stripping bolts or nuts and generally taking longer and spending more money for a project or having to fix my mistakes.
I want to buy a quality set that will last and have noticed the good brands in my range e.g sidchrome and sp tools are made in china or Taiwan now.
I would really prefer Australian, German or Japanese made tool.
Basically what are your opinions?
Are these brands still good?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • fantombloo on 26/11/2017 - 20:40
    +1

    I have a 30yr old sidchrome socket set and a 2yr old sidchrome socket set. (Got the new one from an ozb deal since old one only went to 17mm). Both are excellent.

  • aussieprepper on 26/11/2017 - 20:49

    Fappoff i mean Snapon if you have the cash?

    If you want an Aussie brand try SP tools you can pick up a roll cab for a decent price. They are good tools i think they also come with a life time warranty on hand tools?

    I like Bahco but its hard to get the hole range you would have to shop around.

    • ajh on 26/11/2017 - 20:50

      I am really interested in the SP tools, they are also made in taiwan.
      Bahco also seem great and value for money but again taiwan.
      Also Bahco are 6 point sockets.

      • aussieprepper on 26/11/2017 - 21:46

        So so the brands make tools all over the place it depends on what tool you buy. Bahco makes heaps of tools in Europe Swedish company i think.

        Taiwan is one of the top tool makers even Snapon makes tools there.

        Another good brand at an okay price is Teng tools they are made in Taiwan i think but are Swedish also.
        https://www.vektools.com.au/hand-tools/teng-tools-hand-tools…

  • subywagon on 26/11/2017 - 20:59
    +1

    I haven't had any problems with Stanley tools from Supercheap. I know they are made in China now, but I've never had one break or strip(I've had bolts break and strip but this is due to the bolts being rusted and stuffed) and I've done heaps of work on cars including engine/gear box swaps, timing belt, replacing water pumps, alternators, stripping interior and exterior parts plus much more for over 8 years with the same set of Stanley sockets. I've even used them in my Bosch driver with not too much problem even though they are not rated for it.

    I'm sure the more expensive brands are more hardy, but I think for a backyard mechanic Stanley is pretty good. You could start with Stanley and buy bits and pieces of more expensive kit as you go.

    Also check local flea markets. Often people sell "old well made" tools for cheap.

    • ajh on 26/11/2017 - 21:08

      Thanks for the reply, i have some stanley screw drivers and can't fault them. I appreciate the suggestion but I am really aiming for the mid tier now. Snap on is out of the question as i dont have money pouring out of my ass.

  • idjces on 26/11/2017 - 21:22

    I find anything made by tekton on amazon has been of high quality, i tend to revert to the brand by default now, since they've never failed me to date

  • bobbified on 26/11/2017 - 22:23
    +1

    I used to use Sidchrome on my own cars at home and they were a perfect balance between cost and useability.

    They were not cheap, but they were the cheapest tools that felt and worked like good quality tools.

    Never had to replace any of them over the years.

  • Crown3d on 26/11/2017 - 23:03
    +1

    Sidchrome, sptools, kincrome, bahco, stanley. All good tools. You'll also find they all have lifetime warranty pending you havent misused them. I.e. Put a 21mm socket on the ratchet and then put a 1 meter bar on that. Get any of those brands on special from your local tool store when they have a special and you'll be fine.

    Personally i would go with kincrome, sidcrome or sptools. Bahco i dont like the matte finish and theyre not ranged by most stores, where as the first three are. Stanley i would buy last. In saying that, i have a stanley set thats lasted me the last ten years. Also, you'll find most of the ratchets look the same, or very similar, thats cos theyre almost all made in taiwan, thats not a big deal though. The quality is still good, and again, lifetime warranty. If you look at the old australian sidchrome stuff, yeah its good, but you'll find the ratchets gave like 24 teeth. So you need to turn it a qaurter just to get it to ratchet. Anyway. Thats enough babble

    Get any of those brands in a socket set and spanner set and you'll be fine.

    Oh, one more brand. Gearwrench are great and often over looked. They invented the ratchet spanner. Best effing tool ever, also. Lifetime warranty. And well priced. Thats another one to consider.

    I know all this cos ive been selling tools for the last 10 yrs.

    • ajh on 27/11/2017 - 07:19

      Out of those recommended what would have the thinnest wall and most comfortable to use?
      Also do some have more warranty issyes than others and which are better dealing with warranty issues?

  • KablammoNick on 27/11/2017 - 10:05

    I'm in a similar situation, but probably on a lower scale of use (general around the house stuff). Don't want to waste money on trade quality, but not really worth skimping out and getting angry with shit tools.

    Trying to get my head around the differences between 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" sets. Aside from size and the amount of torque you can get, is there really much of a difference?
    I would assume it's better to have a smaller drive on the smaller sockets, mostly as the gaps they sometimes need to squeeze into are smaller?

    eg something like this: https://www.totaltools.com.au/69811-sidchrome-64-piece-af-me…

  • Slippery Fish on 27/11/2017 - 10:13

    I bought a mechanic set from super cheap. Has everything I have needed besides pliers and a hammer sofar.

  • Crown3d on 27/11/2017 - 18:59
    +1

    Thinnest wall? That’s a tough one… most likely gearwrench. A company called “impact tools” do a thin walled socket set. They do a 2 in 1 socket. It can be used by hand and a rattle gun. And it’s thin walled it really cool! Lifetime warranty aswell.

    For warranty concerns, which ever shop you buy from, Try and find a store that keep the sockets loose. That’s your best bet for a instant swap over. Even then, the staff will still say “I’m gonna need to show the rep before I can give you a new one”

    Most of those brands won’t have an issue replacing any warranty problems, as long as it’s not abused.

    As for what to get, I have a sidcrome 1/4” set I use on the bike, I’ve been using for the last 15 years a TTI brand 3/8” drive set for my car, and anything larger I’ve busted out the half inch. But rarely. The 3/8” goes up to 19mm, or maybe 21mm. Not sure right now.

    I’ve never understood why people buy things half assed. Just spend the extra 50% one time, and it will last you forever. Literally.

  • Crown3d on 27/11/2017 - 19:44
    +1

    Tough one mate. As I said earlier, I don’t like bahco, but in that sptools set you get a lot of shit you probably won’t use. Either way, both are a good brand, good luck!

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