Newbie with some starter questions

[carsounds_dan]

Hi,
I'm Dan and I'm from the UK.
I work part time at a popular car audio installers in my local town, where I can be involved in all sorts of electrical repairs, diagnosis and other audio technology.
2 years ago I brought some sealey tools cheap off of eBay and they did the job but now theyre starting to fall apart and its starting to affect my work.
currently I own:
1/4": stubby ratchet, 5 extensions from 12" to 1", set of shallows and deeps on rails.
3/8": normal ratchet, 3 extensions from 3" up to 12", set of shallows and deeps on rails.
5 piece miniture plier set
#1,#3 philips head screw drivers
neumerous flat blad screw drivers
#1, #3 posidrive screwdrivers
set of security bits and numerous ratcheting unbranded drivers.
snap on insulated terminal ratcheting crimpers
bluepoint wire strippers
bluepoint butain soldering iron
snap on test light.

out of these tools the 1/4" ratchet doesn't like tightening things anymore, the 3/8" ratchet feels like its full of old nuts and bolts. i've managed to loose some of the sockets as well due to a young "helper" *cough* and the screw drivers have seen better days and do not fit as tight as I'd like.
The bloke I used to work with had a snap on roll cab with top box and intermediate in-between. The entire cabinate was filled with snap-on and I must admit that the feel of the tools was great.
I plan to buy some new tools, I've got myself a SO T72 to replace the worn ratchet, a set of MAC (sorry) 1/4" bit ratchets. But I don't know where to go from there.
I'd like:
1/4" shallow and deep sockets
3/8" shallow and deep sockets
3/8" ratchet (probably a 80 tooth SO)
ratchet end combination spanners (wrenches to the USA residents)
miniture and normal sized philips, flat blad and torx screwdrivers.
Allen key, torx, spline and security bit sockets.
Set of picks (large strait, large 90 degree, small strait, small 90 degree)
Ratcheting handle for 1/4" bits
1/4" socket ratcheting handle
power probe
AND a cabinet to keep it all in.
I'd like quality tools that are gunna last, of course it would all be nice to have SO for everything but is it really worth it?
Sorry for the long post and I hope I get some replies that answer my many questions.
Many thanks

Daniel Elias
(carsounds_dan)

 

[orangeastre]

Welcome Dan,
It's nice to see another installer on the board,especially one from a different part of the world(never know when you might need some tech help!)

I am a firm believer that quality tools make our job's much easier.We have to work in very confined spaces and need to be exact so panels come apart and go back together smoothly.I use pretty well all Snap-On for my screwdrivers as well as drive tools.I will take a few photo's of my box to give you a idea of what I use everyday.

 

[carsounds_dan]

cheers,
I may have mentioned aswell that i do alot of work on motorcycles.
I'm looking for which brands people feel supply both quality tools and value for money.
Many thanks
dan

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

First Dan,Welcome aboard.I think a few things will decide what tools you can purchase.
1.How serious and passionate you are about your tools?
2.What kind of money can you or would you be willing to spend (You get what you pay for)
3.How long do you plan on having them?

If you're like mostof us on this board you value a good quality tool and won't mind putting out the money for it.Snapon is one of the best (arguably).There are lots of other brands you could go with such as Matco,Craftsman,Wright(my favorite),Armstrong,S&K,Williams,Proto,Mac,Cornwell and the list goes on.

I would highly recommend that you get the best tools your money will buy,seeing that you'll be working with them daily or on a regular basis.You can't go wrong with Snapon.

 

[carsounds_dan]

Although i'm of the younger generation i believe that if a job is worth doing it is worth doing properly.
That stands with my tools, I want the proper tools to do my job, I plan on staying within the motortrade for as long as possible and outside of that servicing the many family vehicles is something I do religiously.
I did some reading and people say GearWrench ratchet spanners use the same integral componants as many of the other better branded products. is this true? would there be any worth in spending $150 on GearWrench instead of $360 on snap-on? considering that I will be using both the ratchet and the open end of the spanner?
Many of the fasteners I come into contact with are between 8mm and 12mm. The rest of them are random, dependant on manufacturer. the torque needed to move most of them is easily handled by a 1/4" stubby ratchet.
Money wise... it depends, if the tool is going to last for 25 years and be reliable then I do not mind spending in excess of $2500 on tools alone BUT if they are going to be using their "lifetime warrenty" more often than not then alot less.
The thing that is appealing is SO's finance systems, this would be helpful but again... not essential.
In January chances are I will be enrolling in a apprenticeship program at a local truck garage (tiled floor main dealer type place), therefore I want to start building up my tools now so that when the time arrises I can be working using my own tools quicker than expected.
Many thanks for the replies... it's late here in the UK (2am) so I'm off to bed... work 9am till 3.30am tomorrow the joys of working the day doing auto electrics and the evening serving alcohol behind a bar.
carsounds_dan

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Wow,I always wanted to go to the UK.But anyway, sounds like you're dedicated go top notch you won't be sorry.

 

[chammyman]

If your box is going to be gettign heavy use as per motorbikes and the truck repairs then you'll need a bigger box than you think and an expensive one. If it was just light use for your leccy tools then I would say get a cheap chest, sealey/clarke/american pro. However these will NOT take heavy daily use wit any sort of meaty tools.

So go either snap on or Beta for the toolboxes. Ebay is excellent for snap on 2nd hand boxes, go second hand. most are well cared for plus you get a better box for your budget.

Screwdrivers and torx drivers, wera, snap on, beta and blue point would be the ones I would choose, you won't need to replace them. I woudl suggest the T shaped torx drivers as well.

As for ratchets, well theres gonna be a million opinions on this. I have 2 of the halfords pro black plastic and metal ones 5 years I have had them both and used them heavily and they have never failed on me, they are excellent and very reasonably prced. However most will say go snap on, which is fair enough, snap on, blue point and britool ratchets I particularly like.

the rest, again the snap on, blue point, beta, britool mantra again. Although I have a set of fixed head kamasa ratchet spanners which I got for a steal and I find them most excellent, even stood on one to crack off a tie rod bracket on a Daf 80

Ebay really is your friend.

 

[Brookesy]

Dan you can get most of what you want off ebay unless you can get the snap on van to visit your workplace each week, fair amount of deals on ebay if you have a browse.

Get yourself a ratchet screwdriver for the 1/4 bits.
B

 

[carsounds_dan]

I've been doing the eBay thing but i don't really know what brands are best for what? I could just go all snap-on as the van does come round, I just don't see the point in paying double the money just for the badge...
On another note I had a clean up of some of my old ratchets, took them apart, cleaned them in electrical contact cleaner and then packed them back full of lithium grease and it's made some of the old ones really nice to use again... also found out that I have a set of BRITOOL ratchets that I never knew about.. shame no sockets though.
Many Thanks
Dan

 

[orangeastre]

One thing to advise though,try to avoid soft grip tools.They can be difficult to clean and you would not want to smear some grease on someones seat.

 

[eschoendorff]

Paging Moose... Moose, come in Moose!

Dan requires your assistance....

Here's the deal, Dan:

Most if us here will ultimately tell you taht for quality and longevity, Snap On tools cannot be beat... regardless of where in the world you are. Moose can help you out here, but ebay is probably your best source for "cost-effective" Snap On tools.

I am a fan of Euro tools, specifically Facom (if they are fro France. Since the Stanley buy-out, be careful). Love their stuff... the pliers cannot be beat for comfort. Knipex is also fantastic.

For great quality at a reasonable price, here in the states we have GearWrench. Perhaps the nicest and most consistent tools coming out of China/Taiwan.

In your area, Moose and Chammyman will likely be great resources...

 

[Brookesy]

Ok then Dan you say you need a power probe sealey do a good probe can be had off ebay for £15-£20 mines not let me down yet.

Ratchet spanners you can pick up a new set of blue-point for £110.

Now a good ractchet with a nice grip is teng tools i beleive Halfords do a ratchet quite similiar. Come to think of it if you pop into halfords apply for a trade card so you can get discount on their tools.

 

[Frank Elson]

Halfords also offer a lifetime guarantee on their Pro tools. As they are open Sundays and there's one in every town (whereabouts in the UK are you?) they can be a good deal.