Halfords Tools

[sparkythecat]

Having 'mashed' some of the components of my 3/8 drive socket set recently by means of extreme abuse I am now looking for replacements.

I know the pros use Snap-on and Mac tools, but what else is there out there for the home mechanic?.

Are the Halfords 'Professional' range any good or are they made of cheese?

I know that cheap tools can be a false economy, so other than those previously stated, what other brand names are worthy of consideration?

[Frik]

Some good ideas on this 'ere thread

[big@l]

sparkythecat said:

Having 'mashed' some of the components of my 3/8 drive socket set recently by means of extreme abuse I am now looking for replacements. I know the pros use Snap-on and Mac tools, but what else is there out there for the home mechanic?. Are the Halfords 'Professional' range any good or are they made of cheese? I know that cheap tools can be a false economy, so other than those previously stated, what other brand names are worthy of consideration?

Halfords 'pro' range are very good Sparky. Lifetime guarantee and some well deserved 'best buy' mag awards too. Buy with confidence.

[markmullen]

Snap On have a budget range called Snap On Eurotools which does not have the lifetime warranty but which is much cheaper than Snap On itself.

I keep a few tools for odd little jobs at work (removing battery connections in showroom cars ets) and have a mixture of Snap On, Snap On Eurotools and Mac. For occasional work the Eurotools stuff seems great.

[dennisthemenace]

Halfords tools are very good indeed , still got a new socket set that i bought a year ago and havent used cos my old tools are still going

[sotonS2]

I've got the 150 piece set. IMHO, at £150 its good value and decent quality.

It is definitely not the bendy metal garbage most places seem to sell these days and it comes with a lifetime guarantee (without the premium you may have to pay for a certain other brand...)

Recommended, for sure.


edit to add the link: www.halfords.com/opd_category.asp?root=1&id=68


>> Edited by sotonS2 on Tuesday 3rd May 00:47

[big@l]

Teng import some pretty good gear too by the way.. give them a look.

www.tengtools.co.uk/tengtools.html

[Frik]

Incidently, why don't you just replace the sockets you have worn out with good quality items as they're the one's you're using most.

This means you won't end up with loads of sockets you never use.

[big@l]

Because.. d'ohh, we're blokes! The more shiny sockets the better.

I have a mate who spent £350 on a set last year, and he still hasn't managed to get around to opening them. Lucky b*stard.

[Vee-X]

And there i was thinking this would be a thread bitching about the staff in Halfords.

[ninjaboy]

I've got the 150 piece pro set, they are really good the ratchet spanners only need 6 degrees pf movement to work so you can do some really awkward jobs with them and i got them in the sale for £99

[big@l]

Vee-X said:

And there i was thinking this would be a thread bitching about the staff in Halfords.

Oh, if its bitching about Halfords staff you're after..

[Podie]

sparkythecat said:

Are the Halfords 'Professional' range any good or are they made of cheese?

I've been very happy with the ones I've purchased. The spanners are pretty good as they also feature a ratchet end.

Plenty of good options on the tool front, seem robust and have a solid feel to them. Keep an eye out in the sales as they often knock serious money off the bigger sets.

[groomi]

On a slightly different topic, I discovered that Halfrauds now mix car paint.

I went in there hoping to find a can pf paint for my Jag (Which I know is not listed by any aftermarket paint suppliers) and the very helpful spotty yoof said they could mix it for me. He pulled out a paint chart showing my colour, and off he went.

Paint is available in 1/2 litre and 1 litre cans for use with spray guns, or aerosol cans or even touch up sticks.

Very good I thought

[mechsympathy]

ninjaboy said:

I've got the 150 piece pro set, they are really good the ratchet spanners only need 6 degrees pf movement to work so you can do some really awkward jobs with them and i got them in the sale for £99

Me too! I didn't really need it, but for £99 I couldn't really not

[muley]

I have had a Halfords 'professional' set for some time - it gets a fair amount of use and it is working fine. The 3/8 ratchet failed a few weeks ago and I got a replacement for free - they are insured for life including wear and tear.

(it took two attempts because the first Halfords assistant was brain dead)

[sparkythecat]

OK, lot's of suggestions here and in the previous tool posts quoted. Most acknowledge that Snap On and Mac tools are the best, if not somewaht overpriced.

However, where do Halfords Pro range rate amongst their competitors?

From these 10 manufacturers, list your own top 5 in order of preference.

Britool
CK
Draper
Facom
Gedore
Halfords Professional
Kamasa
Sealey
Stanley
Teng

[Plotloss]

I too have the 150 piece pictured above.

The only problem I have had so far is the socket driven large flat screwdriver disintegrated when I tried to remove my steering column bolt.

Wandered into Halfords with it about a year later though and they swapped it straight away no questions asked.

Top tools for the money.

[zcacogp]

sparkythecat said:

From these 10 manufacturers, list your own top 5 in order of preference. Britool CK Draper Facom Gedore Halfords Professional Kamasa Sealey Stanley Teng

Teng (Excellent - cannot fault the set I have had for 12 years. Lifetime, no-quibble replacement as well, used once after serious abuse.)

Sealey (Ratchetless ratchet failed after 6 months. Was replaced after a bit of a quibble. Nice to use, not that trustworthy though.)

No experience of anything else.


Oli.

[kevinday]

I have had a 1/2" Kamasa set for around 25 years, only problem with it was bending the long lever arm (30cm) trying to remove a seized wheel nut, I had put a 3 foot pipe on the end to get a 'bit of extra leverage' and was jumping on it