Cost effective tools - Recommendations

[Stealer Of Souls]

The time has come that I start looking at buying some tools that are more a little more heavy duty that what I've currently got...

I'm after something that is a little heavy duty, but doesn't cost the earth. I need a reasonably comprehensive set too. Socket set, spanners, screwdrivers, pliers, cutters. Pretty much the works.
Everything I currently own is not meant for heavy duty work (although it is good quality stuff!).

So. Who's used what? And what did they think?

Are the Powerbuilt tools any good?

[Jazza]

Ive had a powerbuilt (basic, not very advanced set) that ive used since i got my first car (2-3 years ago). I just wanted a set that would do the jobs i wanted to do. Never done anything major. Just minor engine work on my car, installing audio and picking apart interiors, built my brother a playground outa wood and used the sockets the entire way through that.... They worked fine and ive never had a problem, as for value for money, i thought they were good, although i got them on a trade account through my dad. Probably a better brand out there ofc, but i like my tools

[Dell'Orto]

Powerbuilt is ok, but mechanics seem to break the bloody things all the time. Probably cause they're monkeys and use ratchets as hammers
The Repco/Stanley ones are alot solider. Of course, you could always get a mortgage and get a set of Snap On tools

[rallymazda]

ive broken a powerbuilt power bar after approx a years use, but in saying that ive got a full cabinet of powerbuilt stuff that ive never had a problem with

koken is good
id recomend buy the best you can efford

[bluemaumau]

powerbuilt 1/2" set is on sale at repco for $200 atm.
+ you get a lifetime warrenty
+ your entered to win a anchor.(V8)

[Bling]

powerbuilt 1/2" set is on sale at repco for $200 atm.

Paid $130 for my powerbuilt 1/2" set, so bext to shop around once you decide what you want. No problems so far with the socket set, cant make comments on other tools, apart from fuller screw drivers seem to do the trick, lifetime warranty like powerbuilt.

rough guide would be that any company offering a lifetime warranty must back their products

[2LTR Rona]

In my tool collection I have the following

Power Built Branded
Ring n Open enders (imperial & metric 6mm - 25mm I think)
Impact Sockets
Strong Bar

Repco Branded
Socket Set (1/4, 3/8 & 1/2)
Screw Driver Set

Super Works Air Tools
Impact Gun
3/8 Rachet
Air Hammer
Cut Of Tool
Die Grinder
Air Saw
Nibblers
D/A

Plus a few others I cant recall at the mo.

All my gear is used like I stole it, at the moment I am using it every weekend all weekend and when I'm not there my mate (who is a mechanic and runs his own business) is borrowing bits n pieces as well, so it all gets a really good workout.

I have not had one piece of the above break or even look like breaking, in fact a few people are surprised at how well the Super Works air tools run for the price

[RedMist]

I've a full set of powerbuilt gear. I tend to loose stuff before I break it. Saying that... my Powerbuilt gets a hell of a beating and haven't had any issues with it so far. 1/2 ratchet is a little loose, but putting a 6' length of tube on it and swinging from the end isnt recommended.

[4agtepwr]

Powerbuilts ok i guess, the chrome has flaked off my big power bar little anoying as i use it every day. I have a JBS 3/8 socket set and most ppl in our shop have JBS 1/2 inch sets i think there great quailty although I have a Sidechrome 1/2 inch set which is still really good. As for spanners I have sidechrome metric and imperial which are pretty top notch and geartech ratchets which are really handy. Depends how much you really wanna spend and how often your ganna use them. Snap On is expensive for a reason because there one of the best and there really nice to use everyday.

[sergei]

I'm quiet happy using King Tony tools, I'm actually pretty impressed with the power bar,where I actually turned powerbuilt power bar into a doughnut, the King Tony one whistand the force. What I also like about King Tony tools is that they are not plated (chromed, I hate chrome), so if they get beaten, they don't chip (and rust), and infact they are more elastic than powerbuilt tools. Other good point is that the tools have texture so in greasy situations they dont slip. Did I tell that they don't rust? Although I would use different ratchets in some application as gearing inside is not very good (it takes quiet a lot of angle to make ratchet click).

[no_8wire]

Go to Waitemata Hyrdolics and Engineering Supplies down on Waipera Ave By the testing station/ council...they have good tools, and even better prices.

[B1NZ]

I've found great neck to be a decent tool, i've got 3 socket sets, spanners and pliers for me & my dad, Hinden Marquip are the distributors.

I've abused them and had no problems, apart from the screwdrivers, I cant find a decent set of screwdrivers which are strong enough to handle my punishment

[evil_si]

Go to Waitemata Hyrdolics and Engineering Supplies down on Waipera Ave By the testing station/ council...they have good tools, and even better prices.

in my experience they arnt cheap they charge like a wounded bull even with a decent discount.

as for brands and costs etc it all depends what you want to do with them.

at work i have a huge tool set. comprising of snapon, koken, stahwille, gearwrench, aigo, i could go on for ages, but you get the picture,
. at work i cannot afford for tools to break or slip, i like my fingers a lot
i have seen many cheap brands fail with out abusing them, powerbuilt and repco included

at home its a lil different, im not swinging on 1" or 3/4" drive sockets.
imo dont buy tools from the likes of repco / supercheap etc. shop around there are much better places to buy from.

trade tools, sulco, blackwoods / paykels do really good deals,

jbs and kingtony are good, and you will get a decent full 3/8 set for under $150 retail.
spanners, infar, aigo, jbs, are good and relativly cheap, sidchrome flank drive are awesum.

snapon screwdrivers, $120 for a set, ive used a lot of different brands and you just cant beat these ones.

[Elmo]

Most of my tools are Repco, I only bought them coz I worked there and got them cheap, but I was/am impressed with them. Ive had bars on my 1/2 ratchet before (many times actually, ya have to to get the lower mount bolt off a Mack Compressor)

My long power bar (24 inch I think) is Powerbuilt. Ive broken one in the last 3 years, but that was the result of a 3/4 rattle gun turning the bolt

Im now slowly swapping most of my stuff for Snap On. Thats the Mac Daddy of tools, but HELL expensive, on that note, and one wanna buy my G/f? lol

[Si]

just tick up a full teng set

http://catalog.tengtools.com/webspeed/katalog/kat_storbild.p?bid=T20&kat_bid=T20&katnr=1&katsektnr=3&dokid=17299#7

life time warranty, should be everything you need right there

well, apart from a big $&#$% off crowbar

[Bling]

ball park figure on that set Si?

[Elmo]

i have seen many cheap brands fail with out abusing them, powerbuilt and repco included

at home its a lil different, im not swinging on 1" or 3/4" drive sockets.
imo dont buy tools from the likes of repco / supercheap etc. shop around there are much better places to buy from.

trade tools, sulco, blackwoods / paykels do really good deals,

jbs and kingtony are good, and you will get a decent full 3/8 set for under $150 retail.
spanners, infar, aigo, jbs, are good and relativly cheap, sidchrome flank drive are awesum.
.

In one sentence you are saying not to buy Repco, but in the other you are (jbs are good)

Ever put a repco and jbs spanner, or socket set beside each other? Same, itentical. Just different name stamped on it.

[Si]

its in the mid 4digit range as far as i can recall,

its not quite a full set, it doesnt include ratchet ring spanners

[Si]

On the note of tools, if any one knows of where to get cheap HT sparkplug lead crimp tools id be very happy

[AE85coupe]

get the super cheap auto swc tools

cheap, good, and have a life-time warranty