Recommend a quality tool brand?

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by CheGuevara

To be fair though -if you were using a scaffold pole as an extension -that's far beyond the intended use of any regular socket and I wouldn't be suprised if a Snap-On or similar would have broken as well. Right tool for the right job and all...

Hmmm dunno, I reckon a half inch drive socket should be able to take as much torque as the fasteners it's going to be applied to.

[embee]

Originally Posted by thulfi

...when would you use a spanner instead of a socket wrench and vice versa. Do pretty much the same job right?

Best tool on a normal hexagon fastener will be a six sided socket or ring spanner, most modern six sided tools will be some sort of "flank drive" design, basically they have relief at the corners so the drive gets transmitted into the flat of the fastener rather than the corner and are much less prone to rounding off. There are even "reverse" designs of this principle for hex "allen" keys, then they are designed to bite into the corners of the socket to minimise rounding out, I have some Facom keys like this.

The advantage of low offset ring spanners is that the handle is more or less in line with the ring so there's little tendency for it to try to tilt as you apply load. Think when using a socket on an extension you have to apply a force to the extension to balance the torqueing force so it doesn't all tip over. Socket systems give much more scope for assembling a tool to suit the occasion, extension, ratchet etc. Only use universal joints when unavoidable. Some socket set manufacturers provide "wobble bars" where the extension has a radiused square to fit into the socket itself which allows a few degrees of misalignment, this can be very useful sometimes to ensure the socket is correctly aligned on the fastener head.

Open ended spanners are the spawn of the devil and should only be used for turning slightly stiff fasteners up to the nip point, thay are too flexible and will damage the fastener head. Obviously sometimes there's no option due to access, but use them as a last resort.

Just been reading on halfords website that their lifetime guarantee does not cover moving parts like rachets! nor machne mart

[squirrel_hunter]

Yes this is true they will expect you to buy a new ratchet mechanism that they sale. However they were quite happy to replace a seized 3/8 ratchet of mine last year (after I left it in a leaky pocket of my tank bag as I rode through winter) so I think it would come down to who serves you if you have a problem.

[_Stretchie_]

Originally Posted by Wideboy

and life time guaranty on some of it range

The lifetime guarantee is on all of their Halfords Pro range (I think they may have changed the name of the range to Halfords Advanced now??)

And I use all the kit I have from them on the Land Rover and have to combine them with my own brand of swear words and grunt to get seized bolts undone and not broke anything yet (doh.. Shouldn't have said that)

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by beabert

Just been reading on halfords website that their lifetime guarantee does not cover moving parts like rachets! nor machne mart

That's not surprising, the ratchet is a moving, wearing part. Something guaranteed against breakage is one thing, wearing out is another business entirely.
The same is true for all quality tool guarantees, it's defective manufacture that is being assured against, and that you will receive reasonable* service and life from your purchase.
Absoultely everything, however good, bad or indifferent its quality of manufacture will, eventually, wear out.

* Whatever that means - this is where companies that offer good service stand out.

I haven't read any of the replies but the only two i'd go for is SnapOn (lifetime guarantee) and Halfords (also a lifetime guarantee). All of my sockets and spanners are Halfords Professional. Ive only ever had one failure, it was a ratches spanner. Took it in and they replaced it without the need for a receipt.

Cant go wrong in my eyes!

As for screwdrivers, I once has a long reach changeable head one. It was amazing but I misplaced it and never found another But if you can get hold on one then you can get some very good diamond headed bits for it that are super tough where as standard ones break very easily. They are around £3 each but are well worth it and I use mine everyday.