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A good source of tools can be local auctions. You quite often get house and workshop contents sold off cheap. I've bought toolboxes with assortments of Snap-on and similar quality tools for a few quid.
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Never thought about auctions - and I even know someone who works at one! Nice tip Nick, thanks!
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I worked on oil rigs and used all makes of tools. Yes you get a lifetime guarantee with the likes of SnapOn etc. and super tools they are too. But in reality I found some inexpensive tools {made in India, Taiwan etc.} were suitable for everyday use.
Yes invest in Snap On if you want to have a nice set of tools hanging up in your garage, but in reality you can go to Aldi and buy a set for a fraction of the cost and do the same job.
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Don't buy an excessive number of tools. Buy good quality, but you'll probably only need metric sockets in sizes 8,10,11,12,13,14,15,17,
and 19. You can take a car apart with these and perhaps a larger one for hub and driveshafts.
I have sets of metric, AF and whitworth and I can't remember last using the AF. I can take my Jowett apart with about 4 of the Whitworth ! My 1/2 inch whitworth set is Army surplus......much better quality than my deep drive Snap-on set ! Also, I would go for a 3/8 drive set, most pros use them...there's a lot less weight to shift around !
You will also come across all sorts of tools which will be of use apart from spanners and sockets,..... pry bars, scrapers,pliers and cutters, screwdrivers etc. If you are not working professionally then you don't need to go mad on expense. Good luck
Ted
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Aldi tools and rechargeable lamps are excellent...
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Britool along with cheapy no-names.
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Maceman - Snap on are definitely not the best tools you can buy.
The best tools on the market are Stahlwille and they are allot cheaper.
A company I used to work for purchased allot of hand tools and buying the best quality was paramount.
We asked both Snap on and Stahlwille if we could do a series of tests. Snap on declined our invitation but Stahwille were confident enough to let us do said tests. All I will say is that we really hammered them and they did not break.
If Stahwille are to expensive then maybe look at Facom.
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Use your own judgment - 'weigh' a spanner or screwdriver in your hand, if it feels right, with good balance, then it's almost certainly a good tool.
Some people knock Snap-On, but I've never come across better - my set of plain, black handled screwdrivers are a joy to use.
Ditto the 3/8" drive sockets.
Having said that, plenty of spanners are easily half as good at about a tenth of the price.
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I've got a Halfords socket set.
1. Every time you pick it up all the sockets fall out into the bottom - unless you keep the grotty bit of foam supplied with the set.
2. 50% of the sockets are imperial anyway, so useless.
Fairly good kit, though
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