Spec me some tools for working on cars

red eye · 16 Aug 2017 at 16:44

paradigm said:
Whilst this thread is back at the forefront, does anyone have any recommendations for air tools?

Decided to take the plunge and obtained a decent compressor from a friend that's upgrading his to one with a bigger tank and quieter operation, but have no idea what brands of tools and hoses to look at.

Ingasol rand I hear are pretty good I only have mac it's not let me down yet in three years my first gun all others I have used are company owned and crap especially sealy seems like most the air bypasses the motor and out the exhaust

red eye · 16 Aug 2017 at 16:53

Roland Butter said:
If you have a few quid spare then a ball joint splitter, a thing that pushes the caliper piston
back in when you replace the pads, a one-man brake bleeding kit, a suction pump for
changing the oil, a set of door trim removal tools.

That's your Xmas and birthdays sorted for the next few years.

PS, a set of open ended spanners, [ no adjustables, they are for cowboys ] you can't get a track rod end off with a socket or a ring spanner.

bit of rubber tube and a bottle with some brake fluid in= diy one man bleeding kit. All brake caliper winds back kits are the same from £70 mac to £9 amazon special. All of them the T bar bends I welded a 1/2" socket to the end and use a ratchet to wind the piston back, I then realised that 1/2 is good for rounded 13mm fasteners and 3/8 for 10mm

red eye · 16 Aug 2017 at 16:57

paradigm said:
Thanks. Any particular value for money brands for stuff like the wrench/ratchet/gun?

Makita 3/8 10.8v I had mine for £100 from fxx nice and compact but only 90 something Nm but compared to the mac and Dewalt it's much nicer to use due to the small battery

joey1211 · 31 Dec 2017 at 11:38

Heads up! The Halfords 200 piece socket set is down to £160

Armageus · 31 Dec 2017 at 11:49

joey1211 said:
Heads up! The Halfords 200 piece socket set is down to £160

I'm sure it was as low as £125 around black Friday.

Although I still couldn't manage to stretch that far, so picked up a couple of smaller Bahco sets (1/4" and 3/8") which seems good quality and have everything my cheap draper etc sets were missing (e.g. decent length extension bars, joints and bit adapter)

joey1211 · 31 Dec 2017 at 11:53

Armageus said:
I'm sure it was as low as £125 around black Friday.

Damn! Shall I wait it out :confused:

marco.da.man · 31 Dec 2017 at 11:57

halfords advanced kits are very good adn i recommend them, or if cash is no object snap on tools all the way the the bank manager

HoneyBadger · 31 Dec 2017 at 12:05

Some good shouts above. I’m also a fan of Halfords pro gear.

One thing I’ve not seen mentioned but is vital, is a good LED inspection lamp with a magnetic bit.

marco.da.man · 31 Dec 2017 at 12:08

HoneyBadger said:
Some good shouts above. I’m also a fan of Halfords pro gear.

One thing I’ve not seen mentioned but is vital, is a good LED inspection lamp with a magnetic bit.

i have one of those plug in defender light cost me tenner from travis

I would also recommend getting a decent 2.5 ton jack with handle usually around £140 halfords do them also
around 90% off mky car tools are halfords as the lifetime gaurantee gives good piece off mind

Terminal_Boy · 31 Dec 2017 at 12:10

Another vote for Bahco. Blue Point, Snap-On’s “enthusiast” range is very good too.

marco.da.man · 31 Dec 2017 at 12:12

my kits as follows from halfords prorange

200 piece socket set,
3 ton advanced black axel stands
1/2 torque wrench
individual ring spanners
all sizes flare spanners
allen key set
torque key set
1/2 breaker bar
from what i can remember i do have more

trolley jack i have is a weber one around £250 to buy

marco.da.man · 31 Dec 2017 at 12:13

oh as mentioned above blue print, snap on's cheaper range

IC3 · 3 Jan 2018 at 03:04

Shop around, I once called ask the local garages and found a difference in price £150-780 fur a cambelt change.

Quinnaay · 3 Jan 2018 at 04:25

Bahco.

IC3 · 3 Jan 2018 at 09:19

You have a garage? Working outside on the car or any other vehicle sucks...

Gaijin · 3 Jan 2018 at 15:02

marco.da.man · 3 Jan 2018 at 15:14

Gayjin said:
Covered mostly by the suggestions above but the above (or equivalent) covers 95% of the tools needed for jobs i've done over the last 10 years or so:

Essentials:

Halfords 200 Piece toolkit:
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...nced-200-piece-socket-and-ratchet-spanner-set
Axles stands (I have 4 stands):
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...e-stands/halfords-3-tonne-ratchet-axle-stands

Wheel chocks (I use wood or bricks tbh):
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/trolley-jacks/halfords-steel-wheel-chocks-x2

Trolley jack (Very heavy, but low entry and high risk):
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...lfords-2-5-tonne-speedy-lift-4x4-trolley-jack
Safety goggles:
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/garage-essentials/draper-safety-goggles
Club Hammer:
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...aley-chf25-club-hammer-2-5lb-fibreglass-shaft

Breaker Bar (1/2" drive is essential - 3/8" is nice to have):
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...s-advanced-professional-breaker-bar-1-2-drive

Work light (I have both a 400W halogen and 23W LED - both are good but the halogen keeps you warm!):
http://www.diy.com/departments/diall-portable-work-light-11w-220-240-v/1297141_BQ.prd

Also, LED torches and a work light similar to this (but not this specific one as it stopped working on me):
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/garage-essentials/ring-led-task-light

Plusgas/Penetrating Spray
Brake Cleaner

Nice to have:

Flex-head ratchet spanners (Very handy):
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...dular-tray-set-12-piece-flexi-ratchet-spanner
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/spanners-wrenches/halfords-advanced-9-piece--ratchet-spanner-set

Torque Wrench:
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...hes/halfords-advanced-torque-wrench-model-100

Ramps (Too steep for my low cars but I jack the wheels onto them):
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/axle-stands/halfords-car-ramps-pair
Impact socket set (For stubborn bolts/nuts at risk of rounding - some are included in the Halfords tool set):
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...anced-modular-tray-set-18pc-impact-socket-set
I also have a Bahco 80 tooth ratchet which is good for nuts and bolts with poor access

I'm not sponsored by Halfords honest! They just do good tools at a reasonable price that you can pop in and see before you buy.

agree with that