Spanners - which ones and where?
Discussion
Apologies if this has already been done but the search function doesn't seem to be cooperating today.
I need a new set of spanners but know nothing about the brands on this side of the world or where I should be shopping for reasonable kit in New Zealand.
Top of the range professional stuff for use everyday is not necessary so that rules out Snap On and the like. They are just for weekend mechanic use so I'm just after some good quality, reliable spanners at a reasonable price. For those Brits amongst you the Halfords Professional range is the sort of level I'm after.
Someone at work said that Facom and Sidchrome probably fit the bill but what else is available and where can I get stuff at a reasonable price?
TradeTools looks like a good online store but that doesn't enable me to go and have a proper look before I buy.
I need a new set of spanners but know nothing about the brands on this side of the world or where I should be shopping for reasonable kit in New Zealand.
Top of the range professional stuff for use everyday is not necessary so that rules out Snap On and the like. They are just for weekend mechanic use so I'm just after some good quality, reliable spanners at a reasonable price. For those Brits amongst you the Halfords Professional range is the sort of level I'm after.
Someone at work said that Facom and Sidchrome probably fit the bill but what else is available and where can I get stuff at a reasonable price?
TradeTools looks like a good online store but that doesn't enable me to go and have a proper look before I buy.
Ive got a bunch of fuller stuff here (3/8 drive socket set + metric spanner set) only thing Ive broken so far was the small power bar after me (110kg) jumping on it repeatadly. I think they came from mitre 10
For my 1/2 drive set, i bought the cheapest set of sockets from super cheap, the cheapest power bar and a powerbuilt ratchet. The aim with that was if and when i destroy the sockets or power bar I will then get individual items of a better quailty. The power bar was originally about 60cm long, its had an extension added to it and is 1.5 meters long and constantly gets me jumping on it for the last 3 years, so far ive destroyed a couple of the sockets and have replaced them with powerbuilt ones. My reasoning for this was that set doesnt get used too often and im only likely to use a few of the sizes so didnt need to spend big $$$ straight away and its worked out pretty well
Any one off tools that I need and will use constantly I will normally get powerbuilt. I got two long 14mm spanners and a 14mm ratchet spanner specifically for doing the turbo on the subaru (turbos are a consumable item for me).
Check out your local tradezone, they have heaps of options and normally at fairly good prices
For my 1/2 drive set, i bought the cheapest set of sockets from super cheap, the cheapest power bar and a powerbuilt ratchet. The aim with that was if and when i destroy the sockets or power bar I will then get individual items of a better quailty. The power bar was originally about 60cm long, its had an extension added to it and is 1.5 meters long and constantly gets me jumping on it for the last 3 years, so far ive destroyed a couple of the sockets and have replaced them with powerbuilt ones. My reasoning for this was that set doesnt get used too often and im only likely to use a few of the sizes so didnt need to spend big $$$ straight away and its worked out pretty well
Any one off tools that I need and will use constantly I will normally get powerbuilt. I got two long 14mm spanners and a 14mm ratchet spanner specifically for doing the turbo on the subaru (turbos are a consumable item for me).
Check out your local tradezone, they have heaps of options and normally at fairly good prices
Trade tools are pretty good. I've used my Stahlwille spanners every day for the last 22 years with out a breakage, slip, any wear or flaking chrome, more than I can say for my snap-on stuff. I've seen the powerbuilt stuff from Repco last quite well too, ideal for weekend stuff, and no too pricey.
Power built and Sidchrome here. Repco and Supercheap are our Halfords equivalent - I use both as they have different suppliers and prices can vary a lot for the same part, quality is variable, there's a lot of crap. It's been a while since I bought spanners and the like but now I'd probably try to find an online seller of one of the better brands mentioned here to save some retail margin.
For workshop and specialty stuff these guys are good. http://machineryhouse.co.nz/. They were recommended to me by a guy in the tool trade for quality at a price below the pro stuff. (neither he nor I have any interest in them)
For workshop and specialty stuff these guys are good. http://machineryhouse.co.nz/. They were recommended to me by a guy in the tool trade for quality at a price below the pro stuff. (neither he nor I have any interest in them)
Repco has some Powerbuilt sets on special (40% off) until 14 December. Part of their pre Christmas specials.
All Powerbuilt hand tools are covered by a lifetime warrant against manufacture defect. So if you break one of their spanners it was a casting defect
not the fact that you had 3 foot of pipe on it for extra leverage. 
All Powerbuilt hand tools are covered by a lifetime warrant against manufacture defect. So if you break one of their spanners it was a casting defect
not the fact that you had 3 foot of pipe on it for extra leverage. Thanks for all the advice and recommendations. 
Sounds like Powerbuilt is probably the way forward as I like the lifetime warranty. Just had a look at the Repco deals and the 11 piece set they have at half price doesn't have a 21mm spanner which is a size I specifically need.
Obviously I could just get the 11 piece set and a separate 21mm spanner but that is far too sensible and this scenario is the perfect excuse to get the 19 piece set which has every size from 6mm up to 24mm.
I'll see what deals they have in store and then get a price from TradeZone too.
Sounds like Powerbuilt is probably the way forward as I like the lifetime warranty. Just had a look at the Repco deals and the 11 piece set they have at half price doesn't have a 21mm spanner which is a size I specifically need.
Obviously I could just get the 11 piece set and a separate 21mm spanner but that is far too sensible and this scenario is the perfect excuse to get the 19 piece set which has every size from 6mm up to 24mm.
I'll see what deals they have in store and then get a price from TradeZone too.
Stahlwille and Snap-on are best although Snap-on prices are eye-watering.
Have a look at the Fuller Pro series though. Despite the threat of being held against a wall and shot they handle very much like Snap-on spanners, they're very well made, slender and available with different angles and in fine-ratcheting form. I've had some for 5-years plus and despite some harsh treatment they still look as good as new.
If we're talking socket-sets you can't beat Snap-on ratchets. Their sockets are top-notch too but Koken are half the price and just as good.
Have a look at the Fuller Pro series though. Despite the threat of being held against a wall and shot they handle very much like Snap-on spanners, they're very well made, slender and available with different angles and in fine-ratcheting form. I've had some for 5-years plus and despite some harsh treatment they still look as good as new.
If we're talking socket-sets you can't beat Snap-on ratchets. Their sockets are top-notch too but Koken are half the price and just as good.
I've heard bad reports re Snap On from the aviation industry. Not what they used to be apparently.
I usually buy Koken as replacements for sockets reasonable price good quality, still using Stanley drivers given to me as a gift from 30 years ago
Adjustable spanners. Yes, yes, no one should or would ever use one but a nice Bahco is worth the $
One observation bought a new set of aviation snips recently from Donovans and asked for good quality. There are 3 price ranges. I bought the mid price one because as the sales guy pointed out when you looked at the top price and mid price there were NO differences apart from the branding. Even the tooling marks were the same.
Good luck.
I usually buy Koken as replacements for sockets reasonable price good quality, still using Stanley drivers given to me as a gift from 30 years ago
Adjustable spanners. Yes, yes, no one should or would ever use one but a nice Bahco is worth the $
One observation bought a new set of aviation snips recently from Donovans and asked for good quality. There are 3 price ranges. I bought the mid price one because as the sales guy pointed out when you looked at the top price and mid price there were NO differences apart from the branding. Even the tooling marks were the same.
Good luck.
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