Tool kit for DIY mechanical work

[alto]

Hi all,

Over the years I have tackled a few mechanical jobs ranging from simple servicing to suspension work and a diff replacement (i'm not game enough to try anything bigger). For a while I had use of my uncle's comprehensive tool kit and since moving into my own place I've had to make do with various crappy tools which have made even simple jobs a little difficult.

It's time now to bite the bullet and invest in a tool kit which I can use to do my own mechanical repairs and maintenance.

I’m a very part-time mechanic (I spend my days behind a desk crunching numbers) and don’t want to spend a fortune – I was thinking $1k to $1.5k. What I am most interested in is a kit that will be able to serve me around the garage (holden & ford) and home.

I've seen a few kits around from Kincrome, KC and SP but am not sure what the differences are. I've had experience with Sidcrome in the past but am not sure of the quality these days.

Also if anyone has any contacts that can get trade pricing, that would be great.

Cheers

[Gee]

G'day mate, not answering your question directly, but there was a good discussion on brands here (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=119367) recently.

[taztassio]

supatool is kincrome's 2nd brand, its hit and miss, but the sockets can put up with brutal force (trust me, i have done engine swaps, and full suspension ripout and rebuild with them).

the ratchets in the new kit is shit, but i got the older kit. you can buy the good ratchet seperately.

just shop around. but buying good tools saves you in the long run with rounded bolts etc

[macca_779]

I used to be a big Sidchrome fan. Old man has alot of old Sidchrome stuff so I started buying it. The new stuff aint bad, don't get me wrong. But I've gone Kinchrome now for the majority of my tools and couldn't be happier.. Very well made tools and strong to boot. At work we use Snap on. Its good too. But I still prefer Kinchrome.

[alto]

G'day mate, not answering your question directly, but there was a good discussion on brands here (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=119367) recently.

thanks. that thread prompted me.



taztassio: thanks for the heads up

[Nidz]

Kingchrome or Snapon.. Droool.. I'd love a high quality kit.. All my parts are inherited bits of old sets.. Mixed sitchrome, kings and other various things.

[Evman]

Snap On = Show off to your mates over a beer. It's all very pricey, but you wont find better quality, warrenty or customer care (ring up the local Snap On rep and he'll come to you :))

[VZMY06SS]

I have a sidchrome 1/2 inch, a repco 1/4, and a set of Meco imperial 1/2 inch. I also have a 3/4 inch breaker bar and socket set in sidchrome and find it all excellent. I generally buy sidchrome when I need a new tool and haven't had a problem yet. I use the repco kit for headbolts as they are single hex sockets and are less likely to round bolts.. No problems with any of it so far. I do have a set of repco ratchet spanners though, and the open ended 10mm rounded off my brake line to hose nuts.
For the home mechanic, unless you have money to waste, I wouldn't bother with snap on. Sure they are amazing quality, but if you use the correct sidchrome (or other similar brand) tool you are not going to have a problem.

Steve

[white lie]

You should be able to get a decent Kincrome package for 1000-1500. Mine was around that when I first got it and have just been adding to it over the years. Only thing I don't really like are the spanners. Much prefer the bulkiness of the Sidchrome's, they feel better in your hand, but I have never broken one of the Kincromes. Bahco's are also very good quality. Only things i've broken from Kincrome were a hammer (snapped the shaft), stanley style knife (button broke off) and one of the rails fell off one of the drawers on my 3 drawer chest. Everything was replaced, no questions asked. Although Kincrome do state that their "lifetime" warranty is for the lifetime of the tool, and this varies from tool to tool. It pays to befriend a good tool retailer (usually one of the smaller shops too)!


the open ended 10mm rounded off my brake line to hose nuts.


Are you sure you weren't meant to be using a flare nut spanner?

[Smokin SS]

The majority of my gear is Kinchrome and I would definitely buy more. I've given them grief for years including my ring/open enders which I've had for 10 years without fault. Only this week I've bought another Kinchrome socket set and straight out of the box it was awesome.

Sure snap-on is good, but IMO, they're well overpriced for the average punter. Check out their website for prices if you're in doubt.

[VZMY06SS]

Yeah, exactly right White Lie. I was told that a 10mm spanner would do the trick, but I rounded the first nut I tried. I nipped down to the local tool shop and bought a set of sidchrome flare nut spanners after that. I use in preference over an open ender now.

Steve

[Uncle Tone]

Kingchrome here too. Reasonably priced and well made.

They do a "auto mechanic" toolset in a hang on the wall cupboard.....at least they did 10 years ago when I bought my new set :lol:

[AMADR8]

i used to hav about 3k worth of kincrome tools untill they all got knocked off then replaced them with sidcrome, but lately i hav been buying powerbuilt tools from repco cos a mate does a good deal for me and i hav been extremely happy with all of them and they all hav a lifetime warranty

[monaro327]

i've been buying superworks gold stuff seems good quality reading on the net i found out it's sidchrome rebadged reasonaly priced lifetime warranty broken nothing yet even dome some doubling up with spanners and they didn't break.

[Evman]

Here's my lot :love: It's a mixture of Kinchrome and Snap On. Started with the Kinchrome as an apprentice as upgraded as I went. I think I've spent about 6k. No longer working with them though so the upgrades have slowed. Sockets are all 1/4 and 3/8 drive. Aeroplanes don't really need 1/2" stuff apart from the odd job, but it doesn't justify the cost :)

http://aces.rwkw.com/Random/Tools.jpg

[alto]

i've been buying superworks gold stuff seems good quality reading on the net i found out it's sidchrome rebadged reasonaly priced lifetime warranty broken nothing yet even dome some doubling up with spanners and they didn't break.

do these come in a kit or do you buy one piece at a time?


I think i'd much prefer the portability of a chest rather than a wall mount Uncle (unless you can convince me otherwise). No need for a roller cab tho.

Thoughts on this kit? what's it missing??

http://www.transquip.com.au/product.aspx?ID=5439&PARENT=405


ps Nice setup Evman

[Evman]

Those tool kits like that save a lot of money over buying things separately, I highly recommend one. As you go you can buy the extra bits and pieces you find you need :)

These (http://www.transquip.com.au/productlist.aspx?ID=359) are a must. I have Kinchrome combination ratcheting spanners and they're extremely strong, and actually have a smaller head then the Snap On equivalents, which is very rare :thumbsup:

[fence sitter]

the 2 bits of advice i was given that stand out the most on buying tools.
were, get a ratchet with the softest clicks.
buy the basics of the best quality you can afford, (i went for gedore )
and don't buy shit that you don't need yet.

of course over time you end up with a mega brand variety tool kit. of both good quality,average quality and some utter crap that becomes sacrificial.

functional but not pretty,

[VZ_V8]

I've got all Kincrome gear bar my ring end spanners. I bought SP tools ones. My dad has the Kincrome equivalent so I can make a direct comparison. Both he and I agree that the SP ring spanners are better. However I use Kincrome ratcheting spanners. Great quality gear and reasonably priced to.

[Desertws6]

Get the best tools that you can afford, and look for a lifetime replacement warranty. Cheap tools with no warranty are exactly that cheap. I've had a couple cheap ones and they always break or round a bolt head.

Good quality tools will last a lifetime and sometimes they can break or chrome flakes off. Simply turn it in and get another.

Cheers,
Steve

[bwhinnen]

I bought a Sidchrome apprentice set about 8 years ago after destroying a few cheaper spanners, ratchets and sockets. Has everything I need (well mostly), came in a 9 draw cabinet (I wanted a cabinet for portability around the garage). I have since inherited a roller cabinet that it sits on now.

Very happy with the quality and the fact that they've worked as they should, no breakages or bending on some pretty tough nuts and bolts!

[Micks]

My advice for the tinkerer buy the best spanner ya can afford regardless of the brand. Lets face it the good stuff is really only for the everyday professional otherwise it's not money wisely spent.
Don't use nut f**kers, eg shifters or the like.

Cheers
VYT

[boyley]

I never set out to buy a particular brand but when I need a tool replaced or an addition to the family I just jot down to Bunnings and they 99% of the time have what your looking for. I dont buy cheap crap but I also dont buy the dearest. Kinchrome are good value IMO

[alto]

Thanks guys. It seems that one of the Kincrome kits will suit my needs then.
I just wonder whether i will need anymore than this for general use:

Kincrome Tool Chest 107pce AF & Metric 1/2" & 1/4" Dve.
A great extra or on-site Kit packed with heaps of goodies!

METRIC SIZES
8 Combination Open Ended & Ring Spanners
8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17mm
7 Sockets 1/4" Sq Drive Sockets
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10mm
15 Sockets 1/2" Sq Drive
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27mm

IMPERIAL SIZES
8 Combination Open Ended & Ring Spanners
1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 3/4"
7 Sockets 1/4" Sq Drive
3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8"
11 Sockets 1/2" Sq Drive
3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1"

12 Accessories
1/4" Sq Drive
Ratchet Handle
Universal Joint
Extension Bar 50mm (2")
Extension Bar 150mm (6")
1/2" Sq Drive
Ratchet Handle
Extension Bar 75mm (3")
Extension Bar 125mm (5")
Universal Joint
Sliding T Handle 250mm (10")
Adaptor 1/2" (F) x 3/8" (M)
Spark Plug Socket 1/2" Sq Drive x 5/8"
Spark Plug Socket 1/2" Sq Drive x 13/16"

4 Pliers
Diagonal Cutting Plier 200mm (8")
Combination Plier 200mm (8")
Long Nose Plier 200mm (8")
MultiGrip Plier 250mm (10")
Adjustable Wrench 250mm (10")

TorqueMaster Screwdrivers
4 Blade:
3 x 75mm, 5 x 100mm, 6 x 100mm, 8 x 150mm,
3 Phillips:
No. 1 x 75mm, No. 2 x 38mm, No. 2 x 100mm

25 Pce Hex Key Set in Wallet Imperial/Metric
Long and Short Arm
1/16”-3/8” Long Arm
1.5mm - 10mm Short Arm




These (http://www.transquip.com.au/productlist.aspx?ID=359) are a must. I have Kinchrome combination ratcheting spanners and they're extremely strong, and actually have a smaller head then the Snap On equivalents, which is very rare :thumbsup:

Which ratcheting spanner kit would you suggest? They have a special for $139 on the 8 spanner kit.

[Evman]

These are the ones I have link (http://www.transquip.com.au/product.aspx?ID=3743&PARENT=359) link (http://www.transquip.com.au/product.aspx?ID=3741&PARENT=359) (metric and AF there :))
They range from 5/16 - 3/4" and 8-19mm. Not every increment but a good range. However because you'll already be getting combination spanners in the kit (I'm personally not a fan of the Kinchrome regular spanners, but Snap On ones are through the roof in price) maybe just go with the double ended ratchet ones. They're a bit cheaper I think and they cover almost all the sizes through their range as opposed to selected sizes :) Link (http://www.transquip.com.au/product.aspx?ID=3745&PARENT=359) Link (http://www.transquip.com.au/product.aspx?ID=3744&PARENT=359)

They are quite expensive when considering the number of spanners you get, but I can assure you they're very likely to become a favourite tool :)

Another note. Never get the flat ratcheting spanners that require the spanner to be flipped to change the ratcheting direction. They're hell on the knuckles and very annoying. Those reverse gear ones should be the only ones ever considered :)

This (http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=65545&group_ID=2294&store=australia&dir=catalog) is what ya really want though. At about 65k haha! Oh, it's only AF too, Snap On doesn't do combination sets, so you'll need to get some metric tools as well :lol:

[alto]

thanks for the link and heads up

$65k.....damn :drool: