Looking for cheap car tools

smetol

Hi Lads,

I am on budget and was made recently redundand.I want to fix my car(changing the oil,fixind this and that).For that i need some car tools/wrench,gauges,keys,testers,spanners,voltmeters/
All these tools are bloody expensive as i have seen in halfords.Any idea where could i get 'good price'tools?

many thanks

Andrew33

smetol wrote: »

Hi Lads,

I am on budget and was made recently redundand.I want to fix my car(changing the oil,fixind this and that).For that i need some car tools/wrench,gauges,keys,testers,spanners,voltmeters/
All these tools are bloody expensive as i have seen in halfords.Any idea where could i get 'good price'tools?

many thanks

Steer clear of Halfords unless you're really stuck for something on a sunday afternnoon, I don't know where you are but motor factors on Kylemore Rd, think its called Southside Autos(beside Atlas tyres), very reasonable and you just get the impression they are there to help, not just rip you off.

Now that I think of it, they open Sundays too!

Mc Love

Argos do a load of different tool kits too

Abelloid

Andrew33 wrote: »

Steer clear of Halfords unless you're really stuck for something on a sunday afternnoon, I don't know where you are but motor factors on Kylemore Rd, think its called Southside Autos(beside Atlas tyres), very reasonable and you just get the impression they are there to help, not just rip you off.

Now that I think of it, they open Sundays too!

Halfords own brand tools are great value and have a lifetime warranty, I use them all the time.

stevenmu

Lidl and Aldi do various sets of tools fairly often. They probably wouldn't stand up to regular heavy duty use in a mechanics, but for occasional home use I've found them to be perfect.

Andrew33

Mc Love wrote: »

Argos do a load of different tool kits too

The thing about Argos (or any catalogue company) is they have to price their products 3,6,12 months ahead and can't react to market changes as quickly so in my experience their products have a little bit extra on the price tag to cope with price drops later in the year if you follow what I mean. Argos always worth a look when they bring out the "specials" catalogues tru the year.

T-Maxx

I've bought spanners from Lidl/Aldi (can't remember which) years ago and can recommend them.

I service mine and the wife's myself, you can get far with just a set of ring-&-flat spanners and a set of sockets.

EDIT: Whatever you do - stay away from those 1001 piece tool sets for like €9.99

ianobrien

I've found that cheap tools are a waste of money as they will fail under pressure, or worse, round a nut/bolt. I've always got good tools and they will last for ever.

We've two 50 year old Snap-on spanners in the toolbox (they were my grandfathers) and even still, I've yet to find a spanner that grips a 3/8" nut as good. HAving said that, I have spend €50 on a 1/2" ratchet drive, and I intend to get years out of it.

RobertM

T-Maxx wrote: »

EDIT: Whatever you do - stay away from those 1001 piece tool sets for like €9.99

Someone should've told me that like 2 years ago :pac:.. I found them in the shop, and I was giggling like a school girl. Was thinking, "wow, this is nice and good value". After a week or so, some of them failed by undoing a couple of simple bolts.

Goes to say, you get what you pay for

smetol

thanks for posts.

I am particularly looking for dwell meter,RPM/tach meter,stroboscopic lamp as I want to fix my vw beetle.I did some research on ebay,there's plenty of them in US but shipping cost..uff

neilthefunkeone

Gt one of these in *cough* halfords *cough* on sunday.. (only went in for an air freshner)..

Anyway 75 bills.. I would buy a separate good solid ratchet though.. But sockets and everything else is good and a nice tool box too!

DESCRIPTION

235 Piece Dynamic Tool Chest contains everything you need for home and garage maintenance jobs.
We have an extensive range of Car Care & Maintenance products available. The Dynamic 235 Piece Tool Chest features a 2 Drawer metal tool chest with internal locking system. All tools in the tool set are made from professional quality chrome vanadium steel.

Contents

Philips, Hex, Torx, Roberson and Slotted screwdriver bits x 102
12 Point Sockets: 9-17mm, 5/8", 9/16", 1/2", 7/16", 3/8"
1/4" Drive 6 point sockets: 4-11mm, 5/32", 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", 5/16", 11/32", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2",
3/8" Drive 6 point sockets: 9-17mm, 19mm, 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8", 11/16", 3/4", 13/16"
1/4" Drive 6 point Deep Sockets: 6-9mm, 11/32", 5/16", 9/32", 1/4"
3/8" Drive 6 point Deep Sockets: 10-14mm, 9/16", 1/2", 7/16", 3/8"
3/8" Sparkplug socket: 21mm
3/8" Drive Extension Bar: 6?
1/4", 3/8" Drive Ratchet Handles
Precision Screwdrivers: #0, 1.0, 1.4, 2.0, 2.4, 3.0mm
Slot Screwdrivers: 2x4", 3/16"x3", 1/8"x3", 1/4"x1-1/2"
Philips Screwdrivers: PZ2x4", PZ1x3", PH0x3", PH2x1-1/2"
Screwdriver Bit Adapter
6" Pliers: Long nose, Linesman, Diagonal
Combination Spanners: 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17mm, 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8", 11/16"
Metric Hex Key Set
SAE Hex Key Set
1/4" Drive Coupler
16pc Fastener Assortment
1x 1/4"-3/8" Drive Adapter

Abelloid

smetol wrote: »

thanks for posts.

I am particularly looking for dwell meter,RPM/tach meter,stroboscopic lamp as I want to fix my vw beetle.I did some research on ebay,there's plenty of them in US but shipping cost..uff

Aircooled I presume?

Maplin do a great automotive multimeter for around €30, it will give you all your electrical tests, dwell and tach, although tach isn't really needed.

Gunson strobes, with advance setting, are around €60 now in Halford's, less if you have an AXA card or Halford's trade card.

Pop into www.eircooled.com.

dirtydiesel

Go to a few carboot sales, I get loads of good quality tools second hand at bootsales.

Hotwheels

Worth having a look on Ebay as well, sometimes you can be lucky....

vectra

Car boot sale
You will find plenty of knocked off unwanted ones there

smetol

Yes you're right.I've just bought my bus recently and don't want to fu..it up so want to learn some tune up..you know.

JustinOval wrote: »

Aircooled I presume?

Maplin do a great automotive multimeter for around €30, it will give you all your electrical tests, dwell and tach, although tach isn't really needed.

Gunson strobes, with advance setting, are around €60 now in Halford's, less if you have an AXA card or Halford's trade card.

Pop into www.eircooled.com.

dr.fuzzenstein

Mc Love wrote: »

Argos do a load of different tool kits too

I think I'd go to Halfrauds before going to Argos, but having said that, no one recycles more industrial scrap than they do, but they shouldn't do it by selling it to the public.
Aldi and Lidl do perfectly usable tools, but in the end there's no substitute for quality and if you buy cheap crap, you'll end up with cheap crap.

Abelloid

smetol wrote: »

Yes you're right.I've just bought my bus recently and don't want to fu..it up so want to learn some tune up..you know.

Cool. What did you buy? Pics?

macroman

Halfords professional range is quite good value. I bought a cabinet and got the chest for free (this one). Also bought some bits (ratchet, ring & open spanners, 1/2, 1/4, 3/8 sockets, ratchets & bars) a while ago, no complaints, might be a bit pricey for the hobby mechanic but the boxes are great value!

When I worked as a mechanic, a few of the lads used Halfords boxes and tools too. Obviously for heavier work the Snap-on & King Toni is used, never put the Halfords breaker bars too much use, but I always use the ratchet spanners.

With tools its often a case of you get exactly what you pay for. You buy cheap poor quality tools you'll know all about it when you tear your knuckles apart when the spanner snaps!

Max_Damage

I bought a set of Argos 'Challenge' spanners about 6-7 years ago and I've had no problems at all with them. None of the have broke and they can take extra torque from an pipe extension no bother.