1/2 decent toolset suggestions...

[BongoBongo123]

So as I do a bit of basic repair and maintenance on the Bongo I was wondering if anyone know a middle of the road tool set should I become flush with some readies any decent brand ?.. mainly sockets for now would be good.. nice long bars etc. decent ratchet (mine broke under very light use 2 days ago, I know you are not meant to got crazy tight with these and use a solid bar/connectors for real tightening, they are mainly useful for tight spaces etc.)

It was a £30.00 Chinese set, so I did not expect so much.

Obviously not looking for "Snap-On" waulity but any brands spring to mind that will take decent DIY abuse ?

The Draper brand crossed my mind.

Thanks

[Bob]

I've always found Draper pretty good. I've a feeling they do 3 ranges, of different qualities, for occasional, DiY, and Professional use.

Silverline, often from Amazon, seem pretty good for home, also Hilka.

Draper also market Knipex tools, which I like a lot. This plier/wrench is brilliant, comes in several sizes, and great on chrome nuts, plus straightening bent sheet metal.

https://www.drapertools.com/product/466 ... ers-Wrench

I'd also get a breaker bar from somewhere, the Sealey one on Amazon for about £12 is good. Brilliant for cracking wheel nuts, but comes in useful for lots of jobs.

Hope that helps a little.

Edit: You can find Knipex tools far cheaper that this ad.

[Flanners]

Halfords Advanced

[nth]

For balancing cost v quality i would say Sealey all day long.
I have easily over £1500 of Sealey stuff thats all had plenty of use, apart from a couple of beaker bar knuckles breaking (with the help of a bit of scaffolding pole ) i cant think ive had anything fail unless it has not been used as intended.

[cwilliams255]

Halfords Advanced

These are all I have experience of and have nothing bad to say. Seem to remember they include lifetime replacement

[Donnie]

Halfords Advanced

+1. Most of my sockets and spanners are Halfords advanced and have been great for the 7 or 8 years Ive had them so far and in the last few months have used them to replace cam and the auxiliary belts, water pump, remove and replace exhaust manifold once skimmed, rocker cover gasket replacement, radiator and battery.

[BongoBongo123]

Thanks, Halfords Advanced seem professional (not mid range and more a high end top tier product so they are bound to be good) and have a price to match. A full socket kit £260.00.

Will think it through, looking towards Draper for middle of the road at the mo.

I am sure you get precisely what you pay for with tools.

[rita]

If you want quality tools for a good price why not buy second hand ?.You can get real bargains on various web sites.

[BongoBongo123]

When I think about it it is only really a decent rachet I need. The Chinese sockets/bars seem fine for occasional use. Whereas a ratchet is a difficult thing to make on the cheap, it comes as no surprise it fell apart in my hand with light use with springs and metal bits all falling out of it So putting the bulk of the cash into a quality rachet probably makes sense.

I could buy second hand I guess.

[BongoBongo123]

It may well be worth saving a bit and getting Halfords Advanced once and for all... no immediate rush.