Halfords Tools bargains

For the casual mechanic this set is spot on. Was only on offer at £119 when I got it, but then I didn't pay for it so it doesn't matter :)

Found hooking the longest spanner over the end of the ratchet creates a good enough make shift breaker bar to get rusted on caliper bolts off too :)

Only notable exception for me is swan neck spanners.
 
Jono said:
As someone who as absolutely no car mechanic experience, but a Focus TDCi that's just about to be out of warranty.... what can I actually DO myself with such tools (and whatever else I'd need)?
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In my experience, with that Halfords set plus the following (roughly in order of importance), you can do pretty much anything bar engine-out tasks...

Jack
Axle stands
1/2" drive 2' long breaker bar
Lump hammer
Crowbar
Relavent Haynes manual (aka HBOL - Haynes Book Of Lies) or Ebayed manufacturer service CD
Large screwdrivers
Torque wrenches

Without the first two (i.e. the socket set alone plus whatever you can find in your shed) you're pretty much limited to engine bay tasks that dont require wheels off and proper support of the car. However this could include anything up to a full head swap.

Good luck - DIY spannering is fun, satisfying and money saving*



* and occasionally brings you close to suicide - but never mind - that's character building.
 
Lol, Lump Hammer :)

I remember when I was a kid my dad used to have to whack the starter motor of his Transit with a hammer to get it to start as it would seize up :)
 
My main worry is doing something wrong... or not being able to get calipers back on (i fancy changing my own brake pads/discs sometime)... then being stuck without a car.
 
4T5 said:
I got a 2ton Trolley jack for 25 quid tuther week, There's cheaper but the one i got has low clearance, Also there Turtle wash & wax is being thrown into deals at the counter for a couple of quid, I have to say the staff in the Hinckley branch are great. :cool:
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I got the £99 Halfords Advanced 3 ton trolley jack for £34 odd a few weeks ago.

I'd actually reserved the 2.25 ton 4 x 4 jack (as it was on offer on the website at the time) as well as set of axle stands. Turned up at the store and they couldn't find one, so they graciously let me have the 3 ton one for the same price. Cracking jack it is too, much better than the one I'd reserved :)

Oh, and I also had the audacity to give them a voucher for a further 10% off that I'd been sent for filling in some crappy on line survey for Halfords. You should have seen the checkout guy's face :D
 
Matt82 said:
the same fear excites me
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Ha ha lol. Classic :) Yes I guess it takes a certain mindset to fearlessly delve deep into a car you depend on :). All good fun - especially if you dont have the relavent HBOL to refer to!

Seriously though - if you can get it off, you can get it back on again. Afterall, to coin a phrase: 'refitting is the reversal of removal' :) Calipers are a couple of bolts - hard to go wrong.
 
Liampope said:
Ha ha lol. Classic :) Yes I guess it takes a certain mindset to fearlessly delve deep into a car you depend on :). All good fun - especially if you dont have the relavent HBOL to refer to!

Seriously though - if you can get it off, you can get it back on again. Afterall, to coin a phrase: 'refitting is the reversal of removal' :) Calipers are a couple of bolts - hard to go wrong.
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plus there is the fear of "point of no return". once youve had to cut something off etc or something will never go back in place once youve crossed the next step.

its all worth while when you start it up and take it for a drive after and all is good in the world
 
I need this set of tools in my life, many times I have spent rummaging the tool shed for the right "bit" when I should have all the right bits in one case like this!
 
Robbie G said:
Maximum discount achieved? :p

These sets are great value, unfortunately I'd be duplicating a lot of tools I've already accumulated by buying these.
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I got round that issue of purchase justification by giving my old set with a few bits missing to my old man. Simples :)
 
Got it on the 1/2 price discount that always runs and it's an excellent kit. I got a Torque wrench at the same time also and the kit has already covered it's own cost in usage, just makes life that much easier.
 
What's the deal with Halfords tool warranty? I see it's "Lifetime".

My 10mm ratchet spanner is on it's way out. I have had it a few years and it's had a lot of use (especially when I worked fitting Satellite dishes!).

I probably have the receipt in my accounts files from a few years back, is it required?
 
Halfords current guarantee does not cover items with moving parts (i.e. ratchet spanners), but their guarantee did cover these a couple of years back.
You'll probably need the receipt and a bit of pestering to get them to replace your old bits.
 
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