Tools

[Bibio]

well i had some of my hand tools stolen out my shed so i'm in the market for some nice shiny new ones. the tools i had stolen were my main bike maintenance ones so not that many and they were only halfords pro range.

i have had various makes of tools in my life and so far the halfords pro have been pretty good but they dont do 6 point sockets any more. i dont really like 12 point sockets and have always found the 6 point to be better at taking rusted nutz/bolts off.

i was thinking of Facom as i have always heard good reports about their tools but never used them.

i have a MAC tools van man round the corner but the prices are pretty steep for hobby work.

P.s if anyone wants work done on their bike from now on they buy me a tool ;)

[Kilted Ginger]

I might have a spare set of Bahco (sp) 6 pointers in my dads garage, I may have given them to a friends son when he started his apprenticeship but not sure, let me have a rake next week mate.

[andrewsmith]

The bits of teng tools I have got are superb

[Bibio]

that would be great KG and moocho grassyass :-)

[Bibio]

The bits of teng tools I have got are superb

i had one of these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350801203187?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) and it was superb only problem i can see with the Teng is they are dull rather than polished which makes it hard to clean the burgers. apart from that i have looked at their stuff.

[andrewsmith]

i had one of these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350801203187?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) and it was superb only problem i can see with the Teng is they are dull rather than polished which makes it hard to clean the burgers. apart from that i have looked at their stuff.
Never had a problem with mine.
Solvent on a rag is the most any of my tools get

[timwilky]

I rate the Bahco 6pt set I have, my 1/2" drive metric stuff is first choice before my snap on stuff.

But as one of my snap on ratchets is over 50 years old, it would be good to know the Bahco one would last that time.


yes they are dull, but that doesn't bother me. The rubber grip on the ratchets is nice in the cold weather. But god, do they look filthy when all the orange gets coated in oil/grease.

[Bibio]

my favourite of all time is Gedore as i have a few bits'n'pieces of the stuff including a very old push through ratchet thats my number one go to with stubborn nuts/bolts and its superb but my lordy lord what a price these days.

i used to like the Britool but the quality went down the pan in the 90's and never recovered they have to be the worst tools i have ever encountered in my life with chrome pealing off and the steel must be made of the same stuff jap bike bolts are as they are the only tools i have ever been able to chew the edge of spanners and sockets on.

the best of the best tools i have ever used was very old King ****.

[jetfire1383]

most of mine are clarke/draper/halfords/sealy and most have lifetime warranty.
i used to work in a garage (pro mechanic) and ive had most of them for 10 years and no probs as of yet, some are showing signs of wear now but still work.
that said i have always been hard on my hand tools so they could all do with replacing now, as for 6 sided sockets get black impact ones they are near un breakable

[Bibio]

i was considering impact sockets but i tend to use 3/8 on bikes so i cant beef nuts/bolts up to much and i only really use 1/2 inch on big/stubborn stuff.

shizz there is another thing that was in the bag.. my torque wrench. oohh well.

[BanannaMan]

shizz there is another thing that was in the bag.. my torque wrench. oohh well.






If you're tearing down the motor get a torque wrench, for all other aplications follow
the old mechanics rule of thumb,
Tighten down slowly and when it stops turning, you stop turning.
Can't remember the last time I used the torque wrench on the bike.

[Bibio]

i dont use a torque wrench unless there is a gasket involved or critical motor internals. it was nice to have in the bag as a 'just in case'. i think i can count on one hand the number of times i have stripped a thread in the 30 odd years i have been playing with tools :-)

[BanannaMan]

My oldest son is brilliant mechanic but is OCD and torques EVERYTHING.
He gave me a torque wrench to keep at home and use on the bike a couple of Christmas's ago. LOL
I already have one at work.

[littleoldman2]

Looks like a lot expense. Probably sold them and got enough for a bag of smack. Gutted for you.

[NTECUK]

Our mack dealer also does sets of Facom tools.
I have a 1/4 drive set. Ok it's not as well finished as my snap-on or Mac bigger sets.
But if you only need them for home I can't see the problem.
Halford pro hand spanners actually feel good in the hand I'm using there 22mm at work.
Torque wrench is now the digital adapter on a breaker bar

[TamSV]

Just nip down to your local Cash Converters on Monday and buy your own stuff back ;)

[muzikill]

barstrds bib.... do a search in gumtree in the fife area for tools etc.... you never know. If you need anything give me a shout bud.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[SIII]

B*STARDS.

Halfords for socket sets but have to agree, prefer single hex to bi-hex sockets. Got myself a metric 1/2" drive hex sockets from America - Craftsman (http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/dap_10155_12602_DAP_automotive?adcell=Cm_gNav_Hand ). Not sure you can get them here easily. My most used socket set is a Halfords 1/4" drive profesional, great wee box.

This year I have mostly been buying Facom, got a nice pair of side cutters and screwdrivers from santa last year and have been really impressed with the quality, in fact santa is bringing me more this year.:cheers:

My old man has a King D*ck set 1/2" imperial set, better quality than any other set I have ever used. Once took the sticker off the box and put it on my t-shirt for a laugh, then we went out to get some fags and the lassy in the shop noticed it - nearly wet herself laughing !!!!:smt040

[carelesschucca]

Ah Lance thats bllx. You seem scarily calm about it. I think I'd be bouncing off the walls.

[embee]

I have a 3/8" Teng set, very nice tools to use and have stood up to (careful) use extremely well, looking more or less like new after at least 10yrs. The satin finish is fine, don't worry about it. Recommended.

Just a throw away....................
I have an older 1/4" Britool set which I really like (bits in their own sockets) but I'd agree with the comments on Britool quality of late, not as good. When I tour I like to take selected 1/4" drive sockets and bits (just in case) but I hate taking them out of the set, so recently picked up a cheap and cheerful but hopefully usable Forge Steel set (effectively a copy of the Britool one) from Screwfix which was on offer at £20, and for that price I have to say it's pretty good. I wouldn't mind if any if these got lost on holiday.
I've been using it regularly to see how it works and it's half decent by any measure and excellent for the price. Don't expect Snap-on, but it's such a useful set to have handy.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-1-4-socket-set-43-pieces/4933c

[Specialone]

I don't like bi-hex (12 point) sockets either, they tend to slip and round off more, hex are much better.

A lot of my sockets are Clarke pro, had them years.

[andrewsmith]

I don't like bi-hex (12 point) sockets either, they tend to slip and round off more, hex are much better.

A lot of my sockets are Clarke pro, had them years.

Agree with you on the Clarke tools. My 1/2" drive are my main ones and have been spot on. Could of the sockets are grubby but a quick dip in degreaser and they will be good as new.
I will also agree with the views on teng as mine have been superb (the 6mm alan drive got some big abuse removing siezed studs from a GSXR 1000 motor).

I will say the best place for Teng is Screwfix of all places the sets are a cheaper than RRP

[shiftin_gear98]

Gutted for you Lance, hope you didn't lose too much.

[maviczap]

Slightly off topic, but Halfords are doing this set for £59

I'd make a good starter for someone & I've still got my Halfords Lifetime set & its still in great nick.

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-professional-120-piece-socket-set?&_$ja=kw:drytinder|tsid:40392&cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-PerformanceHorizon-_-drytinder-_-TopLink

[Kilted Ginger]

Lance, i've not forgotten, just not had a chance to have a rake yet.

[Bibio]

not a problem KG. i'm in no hurry m8 :-)