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Decent tools, cheap?
Keith Weiland - 9/3/09 at 04:36 PM

I am looking for a decent set of tools on the cheap. I need a full set of metric spanners and a socket set.

Anyone got a recommendation?

thunderace - 9/3/09 at 04:45 PM

halford pro are as good as snap-on and a hell of a lot cheaper get someone with a trade card to buy the tools for you .(they come with a lifetime guarantee)

Paul TigerB6 - 9/3/09 at 05:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by thunderace
halford pro are as good as snap-on and a hell of a lot cheaper get someone with a trade card to buy the tools for you .(they come with a lifetime guarantee)


Or even better, try and wangle yourself a trade card from your local store. Take loads of receipts for car parts if you have some and speak nicely to the manager.

Keith Weiland - 9/3/09 at 05:09 PM

Why do you need a trade account? Would having a LTD company and being VAT registered be enough?

Paul TigerB6 - 9/3/09 at 05:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Keith Weiland
Why do you need a trade account? Would having a LTD company and being VAT registered be enough?


Being a trade card holder entitles the holder to some huge discounts (up to 70% on some items) so over the course of a build you could save a small fortune. Guess it depends on what your company does really, and it seems to be very much at the discretion of the store manager as to wether you can have a store card. Personally i think most of us would be classified as a "High Volume Parts Buyer". All those with a shed load of receipts for the SVA man should go for it!!

Try a search on here for more info. I certainly intend trying to get myself a card next time i intend spending a fair amount of cash on car parts.

linky

thunderace - 9/3/09 at 06:46 PM

last year i spent around £3,000 at halfords if i paid full price it worked out at nearly £10,000 .

britishtrident - 9/3/09 at 07:19 PM

Avoid Halfords pro sockets -- bought a flank drive set a few years back and two of the sockets were so much bigger than the nominal size they went straight in the bin.

Snap-on aren't that good either most of what they sell is re-branded and given a massive price hike.

balidey - 9/3/09 at 07:27 PM

Another vote for Halfords pro from me. if you break one (and I haven't yet) then its easier to nip there on a sunday afternoon and get a replacement. try doing that with a Snap On, Facom, Teng etc.

Although my tool set is a bit of a mix of brands, I just keep an eye out for cheap stuff on e-bay. ie, try and get a 2nd hand quality brand rather than a brand new Black Cat type tool. Cheap crap from China is called Cheap crap for a reason.

designer - 9/3/09 at 07:38 PM

Halfords is the best.

whitestu - 9/3/09 at 07:38 PM

Hard to beat Lidl sockets and spanners for price / quality ratio.

Stu

handyandy - 9/3/09 at 07:48 PM

i got my tool kit ( spanners & sockets ) from machine mart, and to be honest i,m very pleased with it for the price, only point of concern is the ball hex sockets are weak but other than that i,d be happy to recommend the set.
comes with spanners/sockets large & small / wheel brace extension bar, range of screwdrivers/ etc etc for about £60.

andy