Quality Tool Kit?

Wow! Thank you all for the great responses!
A few contradictory opinions in there but I guess this is a forum so we should expect 'opinions'!
Looking forward to going shopping for tools and dropping by Halfords, Aldi/Lidl (I noticed Aldi have a deal on power tools right now), Toolstore, etc.
Thanks again!
 
Jim@sea said:
Although I cant remember the name but aparrently there is a German manufacturer of tools which are as good as Snap On.
Click to expand...

Stahlwille? Top quality, top price. Is Snap On really as good as people say, or is it just clever marketing? I guess it's mainly Chinese now, same as everything else.
 
Not really a tool Kit but for an individual tool I can highly recommend the little Bosch GWS 12V grinder. It cut through my 8mm chain like a hot knife through butter, literally 5 seconds to cut. It would go through the rig just as fast I'm sure.
 
Sandyman said:
Cheap & nasty tools for a cheap & nasty job. Dont get this nonsense about losing expensive tools overboard.
I never have.
Click to expand...
You're lucky then. I've got a few silver line tools which are adequate quality. The rest are accumulated from various sources over the years . I don't share the"buy cheap, buy twice" philosophy as even the best go rusty on a boat. I use a soft tool bag for stowage rather than a rigid toolbox - it's easier to stow.
 
Building on what @ghostlymoron wrote, out that soft tool bag or tool roll into a rolltop waterproof bag and your tools will stay rust free. Mine have after 10 years. Remember to oil them occasionally and make sure they are clean and dry when storing. My only rusty tool is a pair of pilers that go salt spray on them and I forgot to clean and oil them.
 
ghostlymoron said:
… even the best go rusty on a boat.
Click to expand...
Spray this on them and they won't:

Not cheap, but cheaper ruining good tools. I think an alternative has been suggested on these forums in the past - dipping them in a mix of beeswax and paraffin, or something like that?

I'm not saying that you're wrong to prefer cheap tools over expensive ones - it depends on your needs - but tools don't have to go rusty.
 
A good brand is Halfords Advanced. Guaranteed for life and replaced without receipt. I got a big set, regularly discounted after tips on here, so watch out for deals.

You need a nice set of tools. It’s a zen thing. Hard to explain, but it’s important.
 
Like most diy the cheap and nasty stuff will do the job very well indeed.
I have the aldi/lidl/argos spanners/screwdrivers/pliers at home and on the boat, all work none have broken, which has amazed me as I only use snap on at work!
Enginesout/clutch/cambelts etc all done with the cheap gear.

There is no doubt quality tools are lovely to use, but you have to pay handsomely for that pleasure.

If starting again, it would be halfords hand tools all the way.
 
The only cheap tools i really struggle with are screwdrivers and adjustable spanner’s. Screw divers need good quality tips and adjustable spanner’s well machined jaws
 
I mainly use a Lidl ratchet screwdriver with removable tips. I’ve got loads of tips in dozens of shapes and sizes (including Allen & Torx), so if they’re showing wear, they’re easy to replace.

Added advantage is that they take up a lot less room in the toolbox than a set of every screwdriver I might need. I do however have a standard PZ2 and flathead that cover most jobs in case the ratchet one fails.
 
Daverw said:
The only cheap tools i really struggle with are screwdrivers and adjustable spanner’s. Screw divers need good quality tips and adjustable spanner’s well machined jaws
Click to expand...
Fully agree They're the only "good" tools I buy. Also, cheap adjustables tend to have fat jaws. I got a really nice narrow jawed adjustable that grips the flat on my rigging wires from Toolstation, but I want to hang on to it, so it lives at home.
 
8” as it fits most connections on water and engine, with a good one have a short length of tube that fits over the handle
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top