Which brand tools to buy

[nvmysv8]

Gidday all,

I need to replace a heap of my old crap tools. After advice on what brand to buy.....Sidchrome, Kingchrome, Repco, KC etc etc.




Thanks
Jason

[VX2VESS]

these just for occasional home use?

Repco have a new supplier and the quality seems to be much improved. the other two are about the same.

professional use, snap on since they are lifetime replacment...

[Mongy]

Gidday all,

I need to replace a heap of my old crap tools. After advice on what brand to buy.....Sidchrome, Kingchrome, Repco, KC etc etc.
Thanks
Jason

Snap-on. They are expensive but they are the best.

[Falchoon]

Gidday all,

I need to replace a heap of my old crap tools. After advice on what brand to buy.....Sidchrome, Kingchrome, Repco, KC etc etc.




Thanks
Jason

The ones you mentioned are all good brands. Find out which gives you the most warranty. WHen buying sockets or ring spanners get the ones with the most amount of hex bits on the inside that grip to the bolt, not just 4 or 5 sided as they will slip and just round the bolt (and probably skin your knuckles :o )

[brock05]

as said above snap on without a doubt for outright quality. but if you want the best value for money it would be hard to go past JBS the quality of these would be fine for occasional or hoime use. Sidchrome aren't what they used to be.

[300KWCV8]

I have sold all of the above tools over time and value for money Kincrome will not be beaten and if there is a problem than they will warrant without much hassle. Snap On is certainly good but depends on what you call value for your $.

[Haroc]

My kit for work consists of Sidchrome, Kinchrome and some JBS all great tools, have 1 set of Snap on ratchet spanners (not freaking cheap) but im gonna have to say my Kinchrome socket set kicks the ass off any sidchrome gear ive used.

B

[Brendan]

Home stuff these days most of the Bunnings or Repco stuff is fine, that's what I have at home.

Work tools are all Snapon, S-K, Stalhwille.

Unfortunately all my work stuff is imperial so not much help at home :(

[llucie]

I started my apprenticeship in 1961 and bought all Sidchrome tools (not really much else around in those days from memory) with a lifetime guarantee and Australian made A/F and Whitworth , the full set cost me 110 Quid to be paid off over three years (interest free thru Shell oil company) , the 110 Pounds was 3/4 of my first years wages . I still have about half of the original tool kit , they don't look that good but still work as originally intended .

[debencha]

ive got snapon sidcrome starwille repco kincrome,at home i have kc tools,,kincrome are good and reasnobly priced look for specials or talk to a mechanic mate who needs a tax deduction..snapon around $50 for a 1/2 9/16 ring,you will get a set of kincrome for $100.let you do the maths

[klyent]

home use: Kingchrome or the better supatool stuff (some crap, some not, great little 3/8 socket set)

Work: I would use repco or craftsman ($$$)

[Sonnymad]

i used to have some snap on tools,after they constantly kept failing and trying to get warranty from snap on is like tryin to skin a fish,since then i have filled my tool box and my guys tool boxes with sidchrome,kc tools and kingchrome and let me tell you kingchrome kicks ass !! and niether of these tools brands have warranty issues,the minute you have a problem they just replace it

regards sonny

[bobg]

I started my apprenticeship in 1961 and bought all Sidchrome tools (not really much else around in those days from memory) with a lifetime guarantee and Australian made A/F and Whitworth , the full set cost me 110 Quid to be paid off over three years (interest free thru Shell oil company) , the 110 Pounds was 3/4 of my first years wages . I still have about half of the original tool kit , they don't look that good but still work as originally intended .
Started building up my own set about the same time [1963] - all Sidchrome 1/2" drive - purchased bit by bit mostly at trade prices from my friendly Holden dealer [Stillwells of Kew] at the time. It was originally AF but has also expanded to include metric from 6mm up to 23mm in socket, OE and ring. Recently had two lever bars replaced at no cost through Bunnings under warranty [40 years later] because the "C" pins in the swivel had loosened/failed. Cannot complain about Sidchrome's warranty.

But warranty aside, the comfort, convenience and flexibility/interchangeability of the system is paramount and for this I would have to give the No1 vote to Kingchrome. I have 1/4" and 3/8" drive systems in AF and metric in Kingchrome and they are the tops. Yet to try their warranty though.

regards

Bob G

[Thumper]

I was in charge of tool supply at my last job, and of all of the tool makes, the brand i had the most success with (price vs. quality, and breakage) was JBS from Blackwoods. The only thing though is limited range, and some size restrictions. Generally, you will find that most tools are made in Taiwan, even some of the US makes are, and branded suitably.

[daza]

This subject can create quite a bit of discussion, but it really depends on what job you are using them in fitter, motor mechanic, plumber or even an electritian. I tend to agree with thumper and find JBS a pretty good start point for most stuff with a few exeptions.

Allen Keys/Torx Keys- Nothing but Bondhouse for hand tools. They make the best ball nose allen keys I have ever abused. If you want inhex sockets it is always best to go for impact units even if you never plan to use them on a rattle gun. ABV have a good set at the moment for the money.
Pipe tools- Rigid are the best for my money. The pipe wrenches have the best combination of toughness and hardness in the jaws. Good tube cutters as well, the blades stand up to steel tube well and suffer abuse a lot longer than any other brand I have seen.
Screwdrivers- I have found these are a bit of a lucky dip. You cant go to far wrong with the current Cresant offerings. Stanley used to be good but they have changed away from the ground shaft now and appear to be a little soft.
Vices- Only 2 choices Dawn or Record. Dawn is the best I have seen or abused and they are still made here :cool: , Expensive but you only buy these once. But never leave any vice tightly closed when not in use because even the best cast vices will crack with thermal stress.

Have any of you noticed how hard it is to get good 12 point socket sets now that are NOT flange drive?
My 98c worth.
Cheers
Daza