Good quality tools

[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.