Sidchrome vs SP Tools

[wildrova]

Hi all,
looking to buy some halfway decent tools as I'm no longer able to borrow the old mans (moved). Not going to be earning a living from them but believe in the buy once buy right way of doing things.

So...
I think I've narrowed it down to Sidchrome or SP Tools as they seem to be a happy medium between price and quality. I've used sidchrome before and what little I can find about SP Tools seems to be favourable.

anybody want to suggest which way I go or are the two brands much of a muchness.


Also, I'm taking about their socket sets mainly.

Thanks,
Paul

[brawlr]

a few of the apprentices at work have sp tools. they look and feel pretty cheap to me, but a few of em swear by em. there air tools arnt too bad. personally if you dont want to fork out for snap on, ect id go the sidchrome. also some kinchrome arnt too bad for the price

[cookie_ssv]

mate go with repco tools.. i bought my 3/8 socket set during my 1st year of my aprenticeship probably 6-7 years ago, i use it every day and thrash them with air tools and hang off them using the 10" extension bar with the spark plug socket on the end of the ratchet for more leverage and in this time only the ratchet mechanism got dodgy and the universal thing broke, lifetime waranty so they were both replaced.. i hate the look of sp tooks there just shit imo..

also bought a 1/2" sidchrome socket set/ratchet before i started aprenticeship, i use them with rattle guns and havnt broken anything yet.. my 14mm and 19mm socket has seen thousands of bolts and wheel nuts and still going strong..

couple of guys have sp at work and when i have to help them out on jobs it shits me when i have to use there tools..

[Sonnymad]

Hi all,
looking to buy some halfway decent tools as I'm no longer able to borrow the old mans (moved). Not going to be earning a living from them but believe in the buy once buy right way of doing things.

So...
I think I've narrowed it down to Sidchrome or SP Tools as they seem to be a happy medium between price and quality. I've used sidchrome before and what little I can find about SP Tools seems to be favourable.

anybody want to suggest which way I go or are the two brands much of a muchness.


Also, I'm taking about their socket sets mainly.

Thanks,
Paul

Paul

Go with sidchrome,they are well priced and are great tools,i have snap on at work and sichrome at home, sidchrome tools at home have never let me down,the quality is very good.

regards sonny

[bewsa cv8]

Great thread actually in the market at getting a tool chest ATM and was looking for the best deal does anyone have anywhere anyone theY can reccomend?

[BEARWOOD]

For the average Joe at home Kingchrome or Sidchrome would be a good choice. I have kingchrome tool chest & socket set and i'm pretty sure they have a lifetime warranty.

[whitels1ss]

Paul

Go with sidchrome,they are well priced and are great tools,i have snap on at work and sichrome at home, sidchrome tools at home have never let me down,the quality is very good.

regards sonny

Yes what Sonny said.
I have mainly sidchrome at home, had most since mid 1970's they last! :goodjob:

[Hos]

If you are near a Blackwoods store check out their JBS range. Lifetime warranty and a lot cheaper than others out there. I use and buy Sidchrome if I can, otherwise JBS is fine. I work in a workshop where most tools are supplied by work so they cop a lot of abuse and the JBS gear withstands just as much of a flogging as the other brands.

[BLACK-SV8]

Id be goin repco tools.. Lifetime warrenty.. And if one breaks take it back to the store and they will exchange it for a new one. Not like alot of the other companies who want to send it away and get it tested and all that other shit before theyll replace it.

[rosey]

interesting reading, i need to replenish some of my tools that got stolen in the great construction war of 2009 lol, thieving bastards!

[HX76LS2]

I would have to agree with the Repco, Mine have had a hard time and have to break anything, as for JBS we have these at work with alot of inexperienced people that don't know how to look after or use tools properly and they hand;e the punishment well. I also here good reports about Sidchrome.

So there should be something in each range to get you going.
Stu.

[pmac]

another 1 for sidchrome, you defiently get what you pay for when it comes to tools. last thing you want is to round of bolts cause you shortcuted a few bucks on equipment

[Raptor6L]

+1 for Repco tools. I bought my 1/2" socket from them about 12 years ago. The 1/2" knuckle broke about 4 years later. Straight to the nearest Repco store and swapped for a brand newy. No fuss. Rachet mech is still in very good condition considering what it has been thru. Bought a 3/8" socket set and screwdrivers off them about 10 years ago and they are still going strong as well. They are a solid make!
Another recommendation is Total Tools "TTE" brand. Bought a bunch of their rachet ring spanners a few years back. Good build quality and not overly expensive.

Cheers
Chris

[SVNLTR]

Look into the blue point stuff- just under snap on

they got some killer specials at the moment-

[aratic]

I'm casually looking for a 1/2'' drive socket set at the moment and am tossing up between Sidchrome and Repco. I've found the only problem with Repco tools is that you have to buy them from Repco, so unless you have a trade account they arent actually all that cheap. There are a few sellers on ebay who are selling Sidchrome for the same if not less than what Repco are selling a comparative socket set for, for example

[duke5700]

I have a mixture of Sidchrome, Kinchrome and total tools stuff. It all does the job. In saying that I use impact sockets for rattle guns and the like so I don't tend to break stuff.

[spinr33]

I vote for kincrome though i had all the series 1 stuff lasted 6 years and still going strong used in trade so everyday use.
If you have time to wait Burson and also Autobarn are now a stockist just keep your eye out for the catalogues as this is when you will get them the cheapist also dont pay RRP on Kincrome as you should really be able to screw them down on price ;) trust me on that one at least 20% off retail is what ib be offering especially on the kits.

Rory

[white lie]

I've got all Kincrome at home, mainly Sidchrome at work.
I think Sidchrome's spanners are better but Kincrome's ratchets/sockets are better.
Still nothing compared to the older Sidchrome's, heaps better than the newer stuff!

Also check out Bahco, they seem to feel pretty good in the hand.

[ForbiddenSV300]

My mate who's a diesel fitter has the entire super works gold tool set at home (super cheap auto). Reliability wise he swears by them and a little birdie tells me they are made in the same taiwanese factory as Kincrome... They also have the same lifetime warranty as Kincrome. Anyone else used SWG before as they mark them down 50% every now and then and I been looking at buying some.

[lowhsv]

i have a teng tool set has everything and it all pretty much cops a hiding every couple of days hasnt let me down anyway lifetime warrenty and a top local bloke sold it to me too that helps if tools need replacing no bull shitting just swap it over and your on your way.

[Irish]

Sidchrome for me. Most of their stuff is still aussie made.

[hsv364]

Ive got myself a complete mechanics SP tool kit at home !
Also plenty of sidchrome tools ..

The sidchrome gear is slightly nicer to use and is finished of just that little better ! In saying that the SP tools are faultless for the average handy man like myself and are a lot better priced ! If your just kicking around at home go the SP (value for money) If your planning on swing'n off them all day go sidchrome

Clint

[cnnonyx]

On the SP Tools website it says 'tools for the automotive and AEROSPACE industries'

If they are selling for the aerospace industry, it MUST be good!

lol


I'd hit the Sidchrome - I thought that under Snap On, Sidchrome is the best.

Lots of these other ones that look good too I guess. I say they are all good - but the one is the one you get for a good special price on the day. Everyone swears by something diff - I say get the one that is at a nice price when you are ready to buy!

[HARMSY]

Kingchrome are a great tool for the home mech, can't speak for the pro's cause i ain't one.....life time warranty and they will replace your tools if they get stolen from home, if the insurance won't!!!! can't go wrong

[SirNemesis]

Blue Point, Minimax and Bahco.

All good, all well priced.

[BigJim]

Ive got mostly Kinchrome tools in mine and they work well. Also repco tools do the jobs.

[GMMAD]

My mate who's a diesel fitter has the entire super works gold tool set at home (super cheap auto). Reliability wise he swears by them and a little birdie tells me they are made in the same taiwanese factory as Kincrome... They also have the same lifetime warranty as Kincrome. Anyone else used SWG before as they mark them down 50% every now and then and I been looking at buying some.
i have a 1/4 drive set of SWG at work they seem alright and at half price it was a good price

[wildrova]

It seems that the general suggestion is that of the two, sidchrome would be the way to go. (especially if i could get the sidchrome gear at the same price)

Another question to throw in the mix though...
6pt or 12pt sockets??

I noted when looking at the SP sockets that you could get kits with either 6pt or 12pt sockets and other kits with a mixture. all sidchrome stuff appears to be 12 point but they bang on about "torqueplus' as tweak in the design that means there sockets grab better.

I was of the belief that 6pt sockets werebetter as there was less chance of rounding the bolt head.

Regards,
Paul

[VZ_V8]

I have all Kincrome gear at home except their std ring spanners (I do use Kincrome ratcheting spanners). I use SP spanners as they are a much better spanner than the Kincrome ones. A handy feature which not all spanners have is the "Dual Flat Drive" the drive goes all the way to the outside edge whereas Kincrome and a lot of others I have used have a chamfered inside edge and the actual drive section is back from the outside edge.

[ls2 crew]

who care's about the spanners their girls are great, here's a few from ipswich v8's

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r185/ls2crew/sptools.jpg

[SSKIDD]

Aother vote for sidchrome. I use sidchrome every day at work ad they havnt let me down yet. My boss has kinchrome, and would not buy it again.

[VX2VESS]

Repco are good, so is sidchrome, and kinchrome are pretty close and cheaper.

you should also have a set of metrinch sockets and spanners. these are great when you come across rounded nuts etc as they grip the sides not the edges http://www.metrinch-tools.com/website/images/intro/introverschil.jpg
http://www.metrinch-tools.com/
http://www.metrinch-tools.com/productimages/met0076.gif

also good because each one does 4 sizes, eg 19 mm also does the inch bolts 3/4" AF, 3/8" BSW and 7/16" BSF, cuts out getting lots of tools. Very handy tools

[GenReaper]

I use Snap On mainly and Sidchrome, Teng and TC tools and all are realy good.

FYI Sidchrome i believe was actualy bought out by Stanley tools.

Last full socket set i bought had 2 Stanley sockets enclosed in a sealed container.

[RUN41T]

Im a Maintenance fitter by trade and I have 2 fully stocked Sidchrome tool kits along with a few Kingchrome bits and peices, All great gear, cant fault any of it.

[yozza]

On the SP Tools website it says 'tools for the automotive and AEROSPACE industries'

If they are selling for the aerospace industry, it MUST be good!

lol

As someone who works in the aerospace industry i am yet to see anyone with SP Tools. But i guess that the "aerospace industry" could be broadly categorized, maybe they sell to the ground support equipment mobs!!! At work it is snap on, stahwille (mmmm nice), blue point, sidchrome, and a smattering of other brands such as bahco etc.

Most of my home stuff is sidchrome, had it for years and it is awesome. I also have a bit of kinchrome, teng tools, fuller and a few others, sometimes you just need a particular tool so you buy it at the time regardless of the brand.

[brycieboy]

most of my tools are repco, kinchrome, and bacho... the bacho set is actually relly good.. has been used and abused lots and it going well...

also have a few stanley tools. there pretty good to but only a 5 year warrinty with them.

dont for get to buy a cheap set of spanners to.... they always come in handy when you need modifyed tooling.... and alot cheaper than cutting and bending a good one..

[RRossi]

With Hand Tools, Ie Spanners and wrenches screwdrivers you cant go past Snap-On they are the best, fit an finish is amazing and faultless performace over an over again, just a shame they cost so much but the best always does, Im lucking enough to have a full set, but my ass did hurt for a bit

For you home Mech I belive SWG are the best value for Money, they are made by Sidchrome just rebranded SWG for the Cash you just cant go past it, if I had my time again I would have bought SWG yeah I wouldnt have the bling of Snap on but my ass would have remianed a Virgin.

With Airtool its a diffrent story, stay the hell away from Snap-On and SP, when the tool goes down, and it will go down, they always do, you can expect a wait of more than a month for a repair (im talking WA) and with Snap-On Blue Point they are only able to service your tool as they dont sell parts to other companys.

The Airtools I would recomend are Atlas Copco Pro they just look the shit and perform really well, there like the Snap-On of Airtools and Sumake a Cheaper Tool with heaps of power and cheap spares and repairs.

This is just my 2c worth.


RR

[GenReaper]

Repco are good, so is sidchrome, and kinchrome are pretty close and cheaper.

you should also have a set of metrinch sockets and spanners. these are great when you come across rounded nuts etc as they grip the sides not the edges http://www.metrinch-tools.com/website/images/intro/introverschil.jpg
http://www.metrinch-tools.com/
http://www.metrinch-tools.com/productimages/met0076.gif

also good because each one does 4 sizes, eg 19 mm also does the inch bolts 3/4" AF, 3/8" BSW and 7/16" BSF, cuts out getting lots of tools. Very handy tools

Yeah i got these as well but theres a bit of slop becuase of the dual size and if in tight confined places not the best setup to be using as you cant get as much swing on the spanners.

[spinr33]

http://www.rspaskin.co.uk/acatalog/33778_002011Ei.jpg

And just on a side note if you want some really good sidecutters as most of sidcrome kincrome ones are weak and crap grab some of these Knipex ones you can get them from Burson around Aprox $40-$50 ea the things they can cut like hardened steel wire without wrecking the jaw anyone who knows will know thats tough.

Rory

[Boganspeed]

I Picked this 1/2" drive kit up today for $200.
I could have saved money by getting metric only but I have some American stuff as well and they're not smart enough to go metric yet.

I like Repco, they look and feel nice.The only problem I've had with repco are their socket drive allen keys. The keys are held in with grub screws and keep falling out. In disgust, I got some Snap On ones that are pressed and never looked back.
Snap On hacksaw blades are the best ever !!

I have a mix of Sidchrome, Repco, Stanley and a few Snap On bits, although I think Snap On are too expensive for most home mechanics.
But hey, if you got the cash, why not ?
My policy is that when you buy tools, buy good enough ones that you will not need to replace them if you don't abuse them.
Any of the brands mentioned above, as well as kingchrome and JBS (I have their ratchet spanners which i love) are good enough for the home mechanic.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0015a.jpg

[255-LS1]

i got a new sidchrome set at the start of the year, love it. high grade stuff and got it for a steal (cost price).

[VTR8Clubby]

If you are near a Blackwoods store check out their JBS range. Lifetime warranty and a lot cheaper than others out there. I use and buy Sidchrome if I can, otherwise JBS is fine. I work in a workshop where most tools are supplied by work so they cop a lot of abuse and the JBS gear withstands just as much of a flogging as the other brands.

+1 for JBS. Well priced and good quality. I've had my 1/4 and 3/8 drive socket sets and ring/open end spanners for over 10 years now. I highly recommend them.

[255-LS1]

yer JBS goes ok we use it a bit for smaller spanners shifters etc on turbine work so cant be too bad. too bad blackwoods is an absolute rip off, and they are our prefered supplier :spew:

[Grump]

+1 for Repco, have 3/8 and 1/2 sets, great tools . The quality of the chrome makes most others seem second rate. Kingchrome are not in the same class as either Repco or Sidchrome.

[Ganzer]

Sidchrome for me. Most of their stuff is still aussie made.


+1 for JBS. Well priced and good quality. I've had my 1/4 and 3/8 drive socket sets and ring/open end spanners for over 10 years now. I highly recommend them.


Just so everyone knows sidchrome is made overseas in the every same factory as JBS, repco, super works gold and a few other brands.

I use JBS tools, as they use big name companies to make a lot of their tools.
eg: measuring tools are by lufkin, tool boxes are by 1-11, clamps are made by tridon and there are a lot more.

Also i have found that if one of my JBS tools break or fail, Blackwoods replaces them straight a way.

one for the sidchrome guys, if your tools have made in australia on them they will replace them with no trouble. but if you have their new gear they want to see the tools first before replacing.

[Evman]

I have a mixture of Snap On and Kinchrome. I was slowly upgrading, but I'm not longer using them for work so that's stalled. I don't like the Kinchrome spanners, sockets or ratchets but their screwdrivers are alright. From what I've seen of other people's tools both Sidchrome and Repco have better spanners than Kinchrome. I've never seen any "normal" tools come close to Snap On though, but you've got to be willing to spend $1000+ on a 10 piece spanner set :lol:

[185iboy]

First toolbox I got was a SP box with ratchets, sockets, spanners and a couple of other bits. All of it pretty average imo compared to other mechanics tools I've used. Everything I've added to it has been Kincrome, Snap-on or Stahlwille.

Snap-on make some very handy tools (no pun :clown:) and are really great if you're going to be on them everyday or want them to last forever. I think you'll be happy with either Sidchrome or Kinkcrome. Check ebay usa out, theres some good Snap On bargains there.

[VLturbo3.0]

Just so everyone knows sidchrome is made overseas in the every same factory as JBS, repco, super works gold and a few other brands.

I use JBS tools, as they use big name companies to make a lot of their tools.
eg: measuring tools are by lufkin, tool boxes are by 1-11, clamps are made by tridon and there are a lot more.

Also i have found that if one of my JBS tools break or fail, Blackwoods replaces them straight a way.

one for the sidchrome guys, if your tools have made in australia on them they will replace them with no trouble. but if you have their new gear they want to see the tools first before replacing.

Like Ganzer said, Repco is just restamped sidchrome. But sidchrome has to be sent off for warranty, repco is replaced on the spot.

[wildrova]

So I had decided on sidchrome...

was certain...

Was happy with my decision...

popped into repco today for some bits and pieces...

And now own a nice set of Repco sockets (1/2 Inch driver)


I was swayed by the easier warranty claim, and RAC members get 20% off at the moment (until the end of june i think) which made the price nicer. will give them a workout this weekend when I change my suspension and will hopefully pick up a 3/8 set and a 1/4 inch set in the next couple of weeks.

Initial impressions are good, they feel nice in the hand with a good feel to the ratchet.

Thanks for all the opinions guys

[Hammer]

Gedore are a very good reliable brand havent seen one of those spanners break yet my had had them back in the 1980's so they have been around a very long time. they also arn't "shiny" so less tempting for people to want to flog them off you and they can take a pounding. snap on has its uses (specialty tooling) kingchrome is good for joe blogs at home and sidchrome is one of the better ones.. but if you want to be cheap go buy some of them kits from supercheap. metrinch or whatever they are called

[bonspeed]

I call it snap off, I break heaps of things. ( no problems with warranty )

very nice tools but.

[ls1vt209]

Not sure if it has been said before but has anyone thought of using Powerbuilt?

They are sold locally here at Auto 1. They are covered by a lifetime warrantly. I recently bought a 1/2inch drive socket set and it has been given a punishing since being purchased and seems to be well and trully up to the challenge.

The socket set has every size from 10mm to 32 and 3/8 to over 1inch (Can't remember). The ratchet has smooth action and comes with a 400mm (or so) breaker bar, a few extensions etc for around $150 to $200.

I have snap on, sidchrome, stanley in my tool chest and multiple tool boxes, and the powerbuilt feels as good as all of them.

Worth a thought in my opinion.

[LS2_307]

Not many plugs for SP so in saying that......

I have been using these since 2 weeks ago and think they are great.


:goodjob:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn16/masonba/DSC01947.jpg

[Blown 540]

Twenty years ago sidchrome were good tools , now they are shit !

[Hammer]

clearly you dont use many tools or you use them outside their limitations :) have not broken a sidchrome tool. abit i use a 1 7/8 spanner in conjunction with a hightorque and it split the socket in 2 :)

[Blown 540]

Clearly i don't , the plastic grips don't come off your overworked socket bars or ratchets ?

[Hammer]

nahh mate havent had one come off yet. depends what you clean them with as the glue on the handles is pretty strong. ive had a sichrome set (missing a few stolen bits) but they breaker/rachets are about 10 yr old

[Fitter]

I have been using SP for past couple of years and Im very happy. Have owned all the brands, but what sets SP apart is how good they are with warranty. My locally dealer replaces it on the spot, unlike the Snap On truck who wants to have an argument everytime. Dad reckons Sidchrome is ok, but reckons they never seem to have any new stuff.

[whiteknight2211]

I have a lot of JBS tools which I bought in 2005, during that time I compared them to Sidchrome (which is no long Australian owned) and the JBS won hands down.

They're 30% cheaper, just as shiney and the ratchet spanners in particular are far better to hold in your hands for extended period - the Sidchrome ones have too sharp an edge on the handle for my liking.

In terms of ratchets i've found the increment distance to be the best on Snap on tools and around the same on Kinchrome, Sidchrome and JBS.

Believe it or not, I got my stuff from Blackwoods - however I am sure that the company discount further encouraged that decision.

Tools are a personal preference most of the time, but more often than not price will dictate what you buy. Spend the money on the things you will rely heavily on or that will p**s you off if they just don't cut it. Cheap sockets (not the good multipoint ones) and screw drivers that bend on slightly tough screws come to mind..

[whiteknight2211]

Twenty years ago sidchrome were good tools , now they are shit !

20 years ago, Sidchrome was Australian owned and produced.

Then Proto bought them who is owned by Stanley tools - I don't ever remember anyone buying a Stanley tool over Sidchrome at any time.

The quality has definitely dropped, it's about quantity now as with most things.

[zorro]

I have been using SP for past couple of years and Im very happy. Have owned all the brands, but what sets SP apart is how good they are with warranty. My locally dealer replaces it on the spot, unlike the Snap On truck who wants to have an argument everytime. Dad reckons Sidchrome is ok, but reckons they never seem to have any new stuff.

I had a mixture of Snap on/Kinchrome/Euro-tools amongst other assorted bit and pieces. Snap on air ratchet needed rebuilding twice which for the use was acceptable and the only other thing I broke was shorting a capacitor on a fridge unit and blew a chunk out of a ring spanner.

I think snap on tightened their belts as I found the blokes went from easy going, happy to throw a freebie here and there and looked after you to being useless and just plain dickheads.

Long story short had a bunch of my gear stolen by a ground hugging leech who I was working with, he married a second cousin and anyway without her helping me out he got away with it as the proof I needed wouldn't come to the party.

I've got a bit of SP gear and it does the job pretty well, my only complaint would be the grips on some of the ratchets are too chunky. Well priced and quality is up there, haven't needed warranty yet so can't comment there.

[huggies]

I have a collection of Sidchrome/Repco (both new and old)
and have served me well over the years with air tools i tend to stick to chicago pneumatic/ingersoll rand

Sidchrome vs SP are both on Par for majority of there hand tools these days,its really going to come down to whos going to do a better price and who will look after you (rep wise) if you have a warranty issue.

[LTH-00L]

If you live in either Melbourne or QLD get to one of those new Masters Home Improvement stores. They have a brand called Kobalt which looks the part, is well priced & have a life time replacement warranty. They also do the top end German brand Stahwille which is awesome. They actually have a display in the store which you can use to compare it to Sidchrome

Cheers

[ssthunda]

ive got sidchrome tools...they are great and great quality

[Black VU SS ute]

repco tools here for my home... had same proble with the allen key socket with it coming out. and broke a screw driver... well it dont stop ya torqueing up the harmonic balancer on the ls1's through a flywheel bolt hole lol

[abrowne70]

Im a mechanic with sidchrome tools.
The ratchets are rubbish.
Pipe Spanners have opened up so the 10mm is no longer a 10mm.

Apart from that there great.
If snap on wasnt so expensive/the rep being a tight a$$ i would be buying snap on tools