Machine Mart tools
Discussion
Machine Mart seem to be having a VAT free day on the 2nd and I'm tempted by their professional tool chest / tool set package. 322 tools, 9-drawer and 7-drawer package with lifetime guarantees on the tools.
Is it worth considering given the price, or is there somewhere else I should be looking?
Dr Rick
Is it worth considering given the price, or is there somewhere else I should be looking?
Dr Rick
Fatboy said:
No experience of the Machine Mart Tools (Clarke IIRC?), but in my experience Sealey tools are not as good quality as Halfords Professional or Draper Expert (IIRC Halfords pro and Draper Expert are the same tools..
yep, MM are Clarke tools. Given I have no prior experience of Sealey, I'll take your word on their quality. I'll also try to match up the Clarke package through Halfrauds and their Pro range.Dr Rick
I would advise to be careful buying Machine mart stuff. I have got a fair few bits and bobs and the quality is variable, some stuff is great value some almost useless. It feels lightweight, poorly made and shoddy then is probably is.
Also, Machine Mart’s returns policy appears to be "we will not give you your money back ever, under any circumstances". I have experienced this even when stuff was obviously completely unfit for purpose. Of course, this is not necessarily enforceable in law, but do you really want that hassle? Draper stuff is better I think, as is Sealey; depends what you are buying.
For light use the hand tools are probably fine, if the price is right I would say go for it (with caution, and without expectations too high).
Also, Machine Mart’s returns policy appears to be "we will not give you your money back ever, under any circumstances". I have experienced this even when stuff was obviously completely unfit for purpose. Of course, this is not necessarily enforceable in law, but do you really want that hassle? Draper stuff is better I think, as is Sealey; depends what you are buying.
For light use the hand tools are probably fine, if the price is right I would say go for it (with caution, and without expectations too high).
This is all a precursor to doing DIY and a kit car build. I have a mixture of tools with some bought, some given, in a variety of decrepit boxes. I now want to pull it all together into one secure container.
So are Clarke ball bearing tool chests any good or should I go for a different make. I'm all for ' the best that I can afford but for approx £300 what's/who's the best toolchest to go for?
Dr Rick
So are Clarke ball bearing tool chests any good or should I go for a different make. I'm all for ' the best that I can afford but for approx £300 what's/who's the best toolchest to go for?
Dr Rick
I have very much noticed the difference between my old Halfords toolchest and my brother's Sealey topchest...
BTW I have broken a few sockets, a breaker bar and two ratchets (in ten years!) and in all cases they were swapped without question, even though technically the ratchet mechanisms aren't covered. (Well, the guy in Barrow halford did ask me how the hell I broke a two week old 3/8" drive breaker bar - a fat bloke repeatedly throwing all his weight against it in an attempt to loosen a driveshaft bolt on a 5-series BMW did it
)
Edited to add as I misread your post
- you can esily get a Halford Professional or Industrial rollcab and toolchest for £300 - see here for £199 or an Industrial one for £300 here
BTW I have broken a few sockets, a breaker bar and two ratchets (in ten years!) and in all cases they were swapped without question, even though technically the ratchet mechanisms aren't covered. (Well, the guy in Barrow halford did ask me how the hell I broke a two week old 3/8" drive breaker bar - a fat bloke repeatedly throwing all his weight against it in an attempt to loosen a driveshaft bolt on a 5-series BMW did it
)Edited to add as I misread your post
- you can esily get a Halford Professional or Industrial rollcab and toolchest for £300 - see here for £199 or an Industrial one for £300 hereEdited by Fatboy on Monday 28th December 21:32
If I can deal with the ice on the roads I might go for a Halfords deal. £299 for the industrial including the top box is pretty good. Is it worth the extra £100 over the Pro range though?
Anyone come across US Pro from The Bay? Good price point for the amount of storage, but don't know the quality and returns may be a problem whereas Halfords would be around after a nuclear blast.
Incidentally, the tool chest vs ply and nails is negated by the lack of a lock on my garage so I'd like the extra security
Dr Rick
Anyone come across US Pro from The Bay? Good price point for the amount of storage, but don't know the quality and returns may be a problem whereas Halfords would be around after a nuclear blast.
Incidentally, the tool chest vs ply and nails is negated by the lack of a lock on my garage so I'd like the extra security
Dr Rick
Edited by Dr_Rick on Tuesday 29th December 08:27
Edited by Dr_Rick on Tuesday 29th December 08:33
Dr_Rick said:
Anyone come across US Pro from The Bay? Good price point for the amount of storage, but don't know the quality and returns may be a problem whereas Halfords would be around after a nuclear blast.
Costco sell Us-Pro tool cabinets, look good quality, a lot better than Machine Mart cheap cabinets.
John MacK said:
Dr_Rick said:
Anyone come across US Pro from The Bay? Good price point for the amount of storage, but don't know the quality and returns may be a problem whereas Halfords would be around after a nuclear blast.
Costco sell Us-Pro tool cabinets, look good quality, a lot better than Machine Mart cheap cabinets.UpTheIron said:
Dr_Rick said:
Incidentally, the tool chest vs ply and nails is negated by the lack of a lock on my garage so I'd like the extra security
Your local scrotes will be pleased to see you put all your tools in one box with wheels then!I'm going to make the most of the local Halfords Pro sale and get a Pro socket set at the same time. Jobs a goodun.
Costco only seemed to have one model when I looked last, but it was the run-up to Christmas so I could have missed it.
Dr Rick
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