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Help me buy some tools?

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ticci

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I'm planning on buying some tools, and would like to have some opinnions if I'm going to do silly purchases. I'm currently planning on buying 3/8 socket set, set of screwdrivers and some pliers. Here is what I've tought:

Carolus 3/8 socket set
http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Carolus/3/...LIM_SIXTY_Knarrenkasten_22-tlg_i381_26189.htm

Wera set of screwdrivers
http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Wera/Wera_Kraftform_XXL_Schraubendreher-Satz_i3635_54562.htm

Knipex set for pliers
http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Knipex_Zan...20_09_V01_Zangensatz_3-teilig_i3009_43632.htm

I'm looking for quality in reasonable price. I've managed for years now with cheap tools, and just willing to buy something a bit nicer to work with. No need for professional quality though, rarely broken anything.

I'm most worried about the socket set. I've a budget for 100 euros for that, but it seems to be too low amount to bring me a german set as I'm looking for one with slim and fine toothed ratchet.

Any opinnions/better suggestions? :)
 
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woody 73

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The knipex that you linked is top notch good pick.:thumbup::thumbup:

The Wera set you linked most guys would give you a thumbs up but I don't like them in my hands (everyone is different).

The socket set I am not familiar with it at all.
 
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jd_1138

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I couldn't find much info. on Carolus, but on a few websites their tools are pretty pricey per item, so they are probably pretty decent. With tools, if you don't like a certain set or brand, you can always relegate it to your trunk kit and then buy a better set.

Can you go on the European eBay or local version of Craigslist and find used stuff? How about some USA made SK, Snap-On, Cornwell? :)
 
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ticci

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jd_1138 said:
I couldn't find much info. on Carolus, but on a few websites their tools are pretty pricey per item, so they are probably pretty decent. With tools, if you don't like a certain set or brand, you can always relegate it to your trunk kit and then buy a better set.

Can you go on the European eBay or local version of Craigslist and find used stuff? How about some USA made SK, Snap-On, Cornwell? :)
Click to expand...

Ebay.de (or uk) is most likely the place i'm going to do purchases, that online store was also found through that.

Carolus is a cheaper brand under Gedore. Made in Taiwan (i suppose), but since I've got on with taiwanese tools this far I'm not too worried about it (?).

USA made tools would also be fine, but they seem to be expensive and rare out here. And in many times bought for old american cars, so SAE if used. ;) Buying them new from US could be an option altought the postages are bit higher, but then comes the tax man and spoils the fun.
 
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theoldwizard1

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ticci said:
I'm planning on buying some tools, and would like to have some opinnions if I'm going to do silly purchases. I'm currently planning on buying 3/8 socket set, set of screwdrivers and some pliers. Here is what I've tought:

Carolus 3/8 socket set
http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Carolus/3/...LIM_SIXTY_Knarrenkasten_22-tlg_i381_26189.htm

Wera set of screwdrivers
http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Wera/Wera_Kraftform_XXL_Schraubendreher-Satz_i3635_54562.htm

Knipex set for pliers
http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Knipex_Zan...20_09_V01_Zangensatz_3-teilig_i3009_43632.htm

I'm looking for quality in reasonable price. I've managed for years now with cheap tools, and just willing to buy something a bit nicer to work with. No need for professional quality though, rarely broken anything.
Click to expand...
To me those are "professional" quality tools. At least they have the professional quality price !

You will want/need 3/8" deep sockets, especially the special ones for spark plugs.

A Craftsman Industrial (better quality than the average Craftsman and forged in the USA) 3/8" metric set with both standard and deep sockets would cost about 85 Euros.
1395411924_102405__75616.1411768158.1280.1280.jpg
 
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theoldwizard1

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theoldwizard1 said:
To me those are "professional" quality tools. At least they have the professional quality price !

You will want/need 3/8" deep sockets, especially the special ones for spark plugs.

A Craftsman Industrial (better quality than the average Craftsman and forged in the USA) 3/8" metric set with both standard and deep sockets .
1395411924_102405__75616.1411768158.1280.1280.jpg
Click to expand...

Same set on ebay.de Craftsman 9-24781 - EUR 65,55

I don't know about shipping. I can not read German !
 
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Stooge

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it almost seems like Carolus is the Williams to Snap on equivelent, but under Gedore. a quick search turns up a few other sets of carolus sockets and ratchets as having a COO of Germany, and at only $80 US, it sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
 
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ticci

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Craftsman set could be ok, but price 65 euros aaaaaand postages 66 euros. :D And then taxes for both of them, 20% if i remember right.

Knipex and wera should be (at least close to) pro level. Same sort of set semi-good quality would cost maybe 10, max 15 euros less here. So I tought that it would be good idea to buy good ones and be happy working with them. :)

With socket sets it's a bit different story, would love Hazet/Stahlwille/Gedore/SO etc but can't see myself spending 200 euros on that.

I have quite good sortiment of spark plug/hex/torx sockets, so the socket set doesn't have to come with those. Could do with ratchet, basic sockets and couple exensions. I'm not in rush, so I still have time to look quality bargain from thrift shops and online boards. :)
 
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Monte

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ticci said:
I'm most worried about the socket set. I've a budget for 100 euros for that, but it seems to be too low amount to bring me a german set as I'm looking for one with slim and fine toothed ratchet.

Any opinnions/better suggestions? :)
Click to expand...
no slim/fine tooth ratchet but german industrial quality at a decent price:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/1-x-GEDORE-3...n_Heimwerker_Handwerkzeug&hash=item5b063cd016

maybe start with that set and add a second ratchet later so you also don´t have to swap sockets all the time... :)
 
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Dave455

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The Wera and Knipex look good to me, but I havn't been too impressed with the Carolus I've seen!

I know they are part of the Gedore group, but my local dealer has some of their stuff and It's not that special. None of the stuff I've seen was German made. Average Taiwanese, at above average prices, I'd say!

The mid range Beta would be better value, or spend just a frac more and go for KoKen! You'd get a lot for €100!
 
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garfieldzzz

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http://www.tools-giant.com/item.php5?id=96030439&lang=en&curr=USDEUR

delivers to Finland and has ok prices

I would go for the Wera screwdrivers and Knipex pliers as we use them at work every day and night an they last for ever. If you get a Stahlwille ratchet kit, it will outlive you, I´ve a 50+ yr old set at home. If you want to go for value you should have a look at a Garant set (manufactured from Stahlwille to the same quality standards) http://www.hoffmann-tools.com/handw...eilig-6-garant.html?redirected=1#.VDRZbBb930s
 
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Herod

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Gearwrench makes some good stuff that "fills the gap" between harbor fright and snap on. Some people say sk, armstrong, proto, etc....fill that gap, but that stuff can get pretty expensive, too. Gearwrench sells complete sets of almost anything, and singles, too. Good warranty. They don't get csi involved on warranty issues. Yet.

Don't buy anything craftsman. Just trust me on this.
 
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ticci

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Monte said:
no slim/fine tooth ratchet but german industrial quality at a decent price:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/1-x-GEDORE-3...n_Heimwerker_Handwerkzeug&hash=item5b063cd016

maybe start with that set and add a second ratchet later so you also don´t have to swap sockets all the time... :)
Click to expand...

That would pretty much be what I'm looking for althought the ratchet isn't the best for my use. Sadly, doesn't ship to Finland...

theoldwizard1 said:
The second ratchet has to be a flex head. And he still needs deep sockets !
Click to expand...

No I don't need the deep sockets. ;) Just looking for the basic set which I can update if needed.

Dave455 said:
The Wera and Knipex look good to me, but I havn't been too impressed with the Carolus I've seen!

I know they are part of the Gedore group, but my local dealer has some of their stuff and It's not that special. None of the stuff I've seen was German made. Average Taiwanese, at above average prices, I'd say!

The mid range Beta would be better value, or spend just a frac more and go for KoKen! You'd get a lot for €100!
Click to expand...

Wich one of these is mid-range beta? This: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beta-Tool...307?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35d9883233 or this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BETA-TOOL...477?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a15055545

But, some sort of conclusion at this point would that the quality between cheap and semi-priced socket sets isn't that big that it would be recommendable to upgrade? Rather save my money for a quality one?

PS. Thanks for helping me out!
 
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ticci

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