Tool Brands - Recommend or Avoid

[proteus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close proteus]

Hi. I've done some searching but couldn't find anything that really covered this topic (please feel free to link to a thread if one does exist) but it's been a long time since I was 'hands on' with the mechanical aspects of a vehicle and I'm looking for some opinions on recommended tool brands (or those to avoid). I have recently acquired the Prado and am interested to learn about things and try to do as much as possible myself, so at some point down the track when we are touring or out of the way if something goes wrong I have albeit a remote chance but a chance non the less of fixing stuff myself. I'm starting out from scratch and will be buying stuff as I need it, but just want to make sure I'm getting the best value, so not workshop grade but good value stuff. TIA

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

A good in house socket set from a company like Sydney toolsor total tools is worth its weight.

For $200 I got myself the following:
http://www.totaltools.com.au/hrd-126.../#.V3tnWXOubqA

Great value and it's some solid kit. It's got everything I've needed over the past year.

If you plan on camping or 4wding, I also recommend a rubber mallet and shovel - for lots of things but I get most use from tent pegs and toileting ;-)

[pradosteve97 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradosteve97]

Personally most of the total tools branded stuff I've brought is rubbish they don't honour their warranty if they can worm out of it.
The repco branded 3/8 sockets are a better quality most of the stuff I still have that I haven't broken is kingchrome sockets and spanners.

[texasbh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close texasbh]

Hi guys
I'm now retired but during my working life, I worked for 32 years with the company named Sidchrome " Made in Australian brand" their tools had an unconditional warranty. Sadly they have closed the factory in Melbourne & their tools are no longer produced in Australia.

They are now sourced from various Asian countries including India & China

During my time at Sidchrome, I was involved in testing of all the major importers of hand tools.

The following tools I found were the best of the bunch: Star Willie (German Made) being the best followed by:
Snap on
Kingchrome
Repco

If you want something to last it must be Forged Chrome Vanadium steel and heat treated to the correct hardness.
DO NOT buy Indian tools or any china made tools.

Cheers Texasbh

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

My biggest gripe is most sets give you 50% imperial sockets and spanners which are pretty much useless these days. Plus I have accumulated plenty over the last 723 years. So we bought this:

https://www.tradetools.com/product-r...-and-1-4-drive

You can get it for considerably less than this. I replaced the 3/8 swivel ratchet with a fixed hard unit. A better set of Allen keys is worthwhile.

Take this camping with a few other bits. Very compact and user friendly.

[oceanracer Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close oceanracer]

Im a fan of anything German or Japanese, Gedore tools , old Sidchrome anything cheep I tend to break

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

I have heaps of Kincrome tools that are about 10-15 years old, I find them really good and are well priced for the most part!

[proteus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close proteus]

Thanks and appreciate the comments! Cheers

[Benlux Find all posts View Profile Close Benlux]

sp tools , kincrome, repco.

[Guest Close Guest]

My biggest gripe is most sets give you 50% imperial sockets and spanners which are pretty much useless these days. Plus I have accumulated plenty over the last 723 years. So we bought this:

https://www.tradetools.com/product-r...-and-1-4-drive

You can get it for considerably less than this. I replaced the 3/8 swivel ratchet with a fixed hard unit. A better set of Allen keys is worthwhile.

Take this camping with a few other bits. Very compact and user friendly.

That's a very comprehensive kit. The fact that the spanner size starts at 6mm says a lot. So where can I get one?

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

That's a very comprehensive kit. The fact that the spanner size starts at 6mm says a lot. So where can I get one?

They have a store locator in the link.

[Guest Close Guest]

Have a mix of various upper end brands, but recently switched my race tool roll over to a cheaper/midrange brand "Force" from Tradetools in QLD.
Been very happy with them, great range of stuff, and good warranty (Not that Ive needed it).
Considering they are used in a fast paced racing situation and been transported all over the country, Ill give them a thumbs up.

[Guest Close Guest]

They have a store locator in the link.

The stores are in Qld. I'm specifically after the place that sells it for significantly less as mentioned by mjrandom.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

amts I bought the kits from Tradetools but was able to knock off a fair bit. Under $200. Sale or something. Maybe you need to sweet talk Piggy on one of his trips? I have a mix of stuff from SnapOn to TwoDogs Chinese brand. I probably like my Kinchrome stuff the best though I picked that up through a mate of my son. The Force kit is damn good too and is the first pick up instead of rolling out the other kit. The hammer is a bit average as are the Allen keys so look to get extras.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

I always start drooling when I see this set at Total Tools.
http://www.totaltools.com.au/tti-pan...erts/i1160176/



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