powerbuilt, snapon, sidchrome all good (lifetime warranty)
steer clear from the others

I've got a few different brads of tools that I've put together over time.

Teng Tools Ring/open Spanner set (6-20) for $105
Jimy Tools Offset Spanner Set (8-20) for $35
Kincrome 1/4" and 3/8" drive socket set for $80
Kincrome 3/8" drive wobble extensions (70mm, 150mm, 400mm) for $20 (on sale from $60)
Stanley 40pc screwdriver set $45
Various adjustable spanners and pliers ?*&??

For a mates Birthday recently, we bought him a full Bahco kit.  Kit was as follows:
1/4" and 1/2" drive socket set 3 - 22mm continuous (incl 3.5 and 4.5) (and similar range imperial)
8 - 22mm open/ring spanner set (and similar range imperial)
50, 150 and 300 1/2" extension bar
spark plug socket
matching blow moulded case for $260

If you've ever used Bahco, you know it's good.

If I had my time again, I'd buy the following:
1/4" full socket set (imp and metric) by Jimy $50
1/2" full socket set (imp and metric) by Jimy $80
Open/Ring Full spanner set (imp and met) by Jimy $120
Offset Spanner Set (8-20) for by Jimy $35
1/2" Torque wrench by Jimy $90

This is because, the Kincrome kit misses a few of the sizes, like 15mm socket and a few other that I needed on my road bike.  The 1/4" is good for small stuff and if you need to go bigger, go to the 1/2" stuff.  3/8" is no good for suspension removal for example, you need at least 1/2" as I discovered over the last few weeks.

Jimy has a lifetime warranty and feels really good in hand and has really good value for money.  Here in Adelaide I get their stuff from Fastner's Australia (used to be Bob Sprott), you might need to check their web-site for sales details:
http://www.jimy.biz/products_handtools.htm
The full catalogue isn't on the web, best to go into their supplier and get it there.  Their spanner sets are in a canvas roll, not the plastic roll pictured.

Hope that doesn't send the cat into the pigeons too much.

Cheers
Darryl

Djb,

Thats impressive. I must say that i've never heard of those names before and thats what i'm after. Usually off the shelf stuff aint that good and without asking on forums, it'd be impossible to even know they existed. How would you compare Bahco/Jimy to Kincrome?

CLUB DISCOUNTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having said that there's prob not a huge margin on those expensive brands?

Are stanley screw drivers good or just average stuff? I've used kincrome screw drivers before and they're not as solid as i thought they'd be.

Bluepoint, Snapon and Sidchrome in my shed + some other supercrap gold series

EDIT - I forgot to mention the GMC stuff that's plagged bunnings

oh and forgot to mention i worked at bunnings... meaning I got half tyhe range of sidchrome and dewalt....:blush2:

Cheer, i've seen a couple of your replies to other threads and you seem to be a man of few words, care to elaborate on what tools you recommend/have?

Working at Bunnings must have been alright. Is there a huge markup on tools? DeWalt just brought out their new 36V range!

Lucky you dont have the 18v ones! My bro has a few 18v ones and he was already spewing when they brought out the 24v, lucky he didn't buy em.

$12-$15 for a friggin drill.....thats why i never buy that crap.

Is it cheaper to buy kincrome suff from bunnings or a specialist toolshop? I'm assuming Bunnings would get them alot cheaper because they have bigger purchasing power but they prob still mark it up a fair bit?

djb wrote:

Bahco is imported Swiss/Swedish (or some other Nordic nation) gear.  It's top quality.  Once you've picked up a Bahco tool, you'll never go back.  It's better quality than both Stanley, Kincrome and Sidchrome, but less than Starwille (pronounce starwilly), but then everything is Less than Starwille.  I'd put Bahco above Teng professional and as good as snap on.
Jimy would be as good a quality as the other 3 just mentioned, just a fraction cheaper and full lifetime warranty.  Excellent value for money.
I'm thinking of selling my Kinchrome gear (including wobbles) as I want a fuller socket set in both 1/2" and 1/4".  Want to buy it?
Darryl

He was asking me so i get first dibs!

Whats in the set?

Any reason why he chose sidchrome over kincrome? Maybe cos its cheaper? I've looked at all those pro/apprentice kits and i dont think the average backyard hack like me needs all those tools. I mean with most cars you'd get away with 3/8 set and possibly the occasional 1/2 set. Its very tempting tho.

hey buddy ,yeah i was looking at the other replies and yeah mine was kinda short,im trying to get onto reguler booster instead of trusted user haha.but anyway when i fist started my job i bought a huge sidchrome pack and everything in that seems to be going pretty good so far,but i have started buying alot of snap on tools ,they are heaps expensive then other brands but snap on hand tools come with a life time warrenty,so the way i see it, is if i buy snap on tools now they should last me forever even if it breaks,oh yeah and the only thing i wouldnt get sidchrome is pipe spanners they allways slip,mine are so s**t