Good quality tools

[toymachine]

Where's a good place to get decent quality tools?

In the quest to undo the rear lower engine mount on my VFR i've snapped 2 allen keys, twisted the head on another (50$ set from repco), twisted and broke the head ($30) off a socket with a hex head on it (powerbuilt brand) (also bought from repco).

Now they're replacing the socket and i'm going to try it on a rattlegun instead of a powerbar, but this is just getting rediculous... where can i get something that's not going to fuck out on me?

[The Pastor]

I got a
hex in head socket from waitamata hydrolics. It cost like 40 bucks for 1 socket. It better not break!

[toymachine]

Damn, they closed at one.

Cheers though will look there

[Motu]

I don't destroy that many tools in 5 years,and I use them everyday.You can blame the tool if you like,but although Powerbuilt are low quality they should be able to handle most jobs.I suggest you look at how you are using them,this could the the key....

[toymachine]

So far, all on the same bolt and a variety of trying to crack it or just twist it...

Granted, the socket was one a powerbar which may have been too much torque for the head, i'm trying the next on a rattlegun... what may I be doing wrong then?

[imdying]

Good basic rule is don't buy anything without a brand name on them... if they're not even willing to do that, that doesn't say much for them.

Powerbuilt tools are fine for the home mechanic, your technique is a fault. Don't rattlegun it off with a hand tool socket. Try some penetrating oil or some heat.

[toymachine]

It's been repeatedly crc soaked for ages... it was recommended I try the next socket on a rattlegun (they are supposed to be rated for this) as any bar related method just seems to twist the thing. What should I try if not the rattlegun?

[Finn]

Go here.

www.toolshed.co.nz

[The Pastor]

Just out of interest, what is a good quality brand for a socket set? If powerbuilt are low quality Im not wanting to fork out for a set just to have them crap out in a year or two. I do look after my tools and I havnt had one break on my yet (save the shitty phillips screwdriver) but a nice set lasts longer......

[bumsex]

i am a mechanic an got all my tools from waitemata hydraulics. they sell good tools. even their cheaper lines (king tony et. al ) are good.

[imdying]

CRC is crap, try some penetrating oil. You'll know if the socket is any good for a rattlegun, because it'll have a decent wall thickness. Have you given the head of the bolt a big sharp whack with a decent sized hammer to free the threads yet?

[Madness]

Try Koken brand Inhex sockets. They are a one-piece socket and available in Impact for not much more than the standard ones.

A standard socket has indentations inside the square for a ball retainer, Impact sockets have no indentations but a hole opposing the square for a pin to slide through and also have a ring around the outside base of the socket for a pin retaining o-ring. Don't use standard sockets on Impact Wrenches.

[roadracingoldfart]

I was a bike mechanic and now work on cars for a living (ok i know cars suck :dodge: ) and until i started to work on the tin tops i only had 3/8 sockets and used to put up with the odd breakage from over burdening the poor things.
I assume you are also using a 3/8 drive hex key or somit. Get a 1/2 drive puppy to break the torque and then your sweet. If you dont have one just ask around and borrow one, some rental hire centres have socket sets for 1/2 day rates.
I sold tools for 5 years from a van and i have nothing but good things to say about Powerbuilt's range , King Tony is very good also but i have approx $40.000 in tools and most is Koken or Snap-On but alot is also cheaper stuff like Powerbuilt etc. Just use it as its meant to be used and it will perform well for many years. A rattle gun is ok if you have enough air to power them but i fear most home compressors wont cut it as they just are not built to do that sort of work. All the best . Paul.

[Squiggles]

i went to tradetools in penrose when i kept breaking keys on some way overtight bolts.... bought a couple of really solid socket hex bit thingys :lol: ($15 a bit) they did the job without the slightest of problems.

[kickingzebra]

PM Edbear. Hes got the shizzle there

[pete376403]

Cheap tools cost more than expensive ones, if you have to keep replacing them. My kit is Sk-Wayne, Snap-On, Stahlwille, bit of Britool and some old Sidchrome. The bulk of this is over 35 years old and still in good condition, and it got me through an apprenticeship at GG&H working on Cat tractors.
If I've ever had to replace stuff, it's usually becasue of loss, not breakage.

Do yourself a favour and buy quality tools

[Motu]

Teng are a good tool brand that sit between the elcheapo brand names and the way too expensive brand names.I've been impressed with every Teng tool I've got.You can get them at Autostop,not too sure about other outlets.

[Jimmy B]

Ive a Metrinch socket set, had it for ages and would be very surprised if I could break it. I really like it because it will sucker onto both metric and imperial. From memory if I do break a part in normal use I think they will give me a replacement. Costs a bit though $250-300 and though not sure who is retailing, it is availible in NZ.

[bikemike]

Teng are a good tool brand that sit between the elcheapo brand names and the way too expensive brand names

Second that. I've been using a Teng socket set for 17 years. It's a 3/8" set and is sometimes used with an adaptor on a 1/2" torque wrench without a hitch. All still works like the day I bought it.

[Edbear]

PM Edbear. Hes got the shizzle there



Thanks, Mate! Have a variety of brands and prices, including S.K., and Koken but most are good quality. I'll tell you if a tool or brand we stock is good or not so good. I deal with mechanics daily and have been a "fully qualified bush mechanic" for longer than I care to remember!

Have an old ETC socket set bought second hand in '73 and it's never let me down.

[rok-the-boat]

I have quite a few Britool tools, plus a few from Facom. Both are excellent. I did bust a 19mm Britool frst time I used it but they replaced it and they have all been fine for 25 years. My brother's a mechanic and has Snapon and they are superb.

[j_redley]

Best tools Iv ever used were Snaplock brand, though in NZ they are relativly expensive. They do have a warrantee on them though. If you've already soaked it in CRC, give it a quick wack with a hammer, and try again. Not much difference between trying it with a power bar, or a airdrill... complicated.

[BurningPlastic]

I'm glad I found this thread as I was about to ask the same question. One additional though - Does anyone have any recommendations for places to look at/buy good quality tools (a socket set and torque wrench in particular) in or around Wellington?

I'm looking for one step above above normal home mechanic level as the ones that I really want are a little outside of my price range at the moment.

(I've just moved over from the UK and I was used to using my Dad's garage as he's built up his tools over the last 35+ years - I got used to having quality stuff to work with so I'm starting my own collection ;->)

[j_redley]

Out towards Petone in the industrial zone is a couple of good tool shops that all the truck garages and stuff use, can't remember the name of the place though, but have a look in the yellow pages.

[roadracingoldfart]

Engineering Supplies Ltd are at 23 Sydney St Petone and they have a large range of tools to cover most budgets. They also have vans on the road so they can come to you . If you ring them first they will come to show you a few differant brands in the same product. They have drill bits and power tols as well as all the aerosol cans and stuff needed. A one stop shop.

[White trash]

Lefty-loosey, righty-tighty mate. That'll save ya a few allen keys for sure.

[What?]

My favourite bit of gear is a Walter 1/2" ratchet. This is a one-way job, so to reverse, you need to remove the socket and push the peg through the ratchet head. Some might think it a hassle, but this is one very tough ratchet.

A rule that has served me well: buy the best that you can reasonably afford and look after it.