Apprentice's First Tools, - Stahlwille? Repco? or ???

[superquag]

It's coming up to THAT time, when the budding Auto Apprentice gets the itch for tool-buying...
The car service-factory where he works leans toward Snap-On as a 'Top Quality' tool brand, but I'm not 101% convinced.
Problem is, I've used Stahlwille spanners...and they just feeeel so incredibly nicer to use, and Facom appear to be built on similar design lines.
-Any other top-drawer brands we should be looking at ?

Whilst I don't want to pre-empt the Big Splurge, I'd like some feedback as to what brands to steer clear of as well as what ones will last him for at least 10 to 15 years. Or more. He is a Scrooge, so spending on quality is not a problem...

A tool-box or multi-drawer chest seems to be obvious First Purchase, I don't mind contributing a few items to rattle around inside.:p

I've got a 14 mm box/open Stahlwille, and have ordered a Facom equivalent. - Should give me a comparison with my 'mongrel' breeds hiding in my tool-boxes...

All advice/suggestions gratefully received !

[micksta1973]

Stahlwille tools are used to build the Bugatti Veyron, so they must be ok. Repco are great, as is Sidchrome and Kinchrome. Go for something with a replacement warranty, and you'll be fine. Snapon are for the super rich, their Bluepoint stuff is just as good, and with the same warranty. But it's good to buy nice, rather than to buy twice. Get it right the first time, and they'll serve you your whole career.

[Homestar]

I have a variety of different brands - Snapon, Sidchrome, Kinchrome and all good - personally I think the Snapon spanners feel the best to use.

However I just lashed out and bought a complete kit of SP tools, as I've never had a full set of any one brand, and I needed a new box and roller cabinet. They are very nice to use, and were priced better than Kincrome stuff, and I would rate them similar quality and feel. Pretty happy with them. This is the setup I just got. My son thinks its what the Death Stars tool boxes must have looked like... :)
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=63709&d=1375479926


Not top shelf, but would last for years in anyone's hands I would think.

[LowRanger]

I have a set of Stahlwille tools that I bought in 1975 and they are still going today,as good as the day I bought them,I used them every day for over 30 years.They are thinner than a lot of other brands and therefore fit into places that others can't get into.The only problems I have had is a 10mm 3/8th socket that I rounded by putting a 1/2" adaptor on and using too much force and a 3/8 ratchet that the mechanism failed in,which I just bought a ratchet mechanism for.You won't go wrong.I believe in buying once and forget,rather than buying cheaper and wishing later;)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

something he can replace without a mortgage,, He'll have lost most of them in 4 years anyway--

[Bigbjorn]

Have a look at Beta from Italy. Five Star in my opinion. Snap On are overpriced by miles due to their pyramid marketing structure. If you are into heavy duty work rather than motor parts replacing then Armstrong Bros. of Chicago are the only choice. Allen of Allen head bolts make glorious socket sets and are not overpriced. Does anyone in Australia sell Sears Craftsman? Worth looking into.

[Blknight.aus]

I would reccomend he use a kingchrome setup to start with and then as he breaks the high usage items he replace them with either sidchrome, snap on, bluepoint or stahlwille

I also strongly reccomend that he go for a decen box straigh up with good foam inserts.

[bell1975]

X 2 for SP tools. I got a huge discount recently on their Field Kit. And although they've only had light use so far I'm happy with them.

This one. (http://www.thetoolchest.com.au/shop/product/205pc_field_service_tool_kit_sp50114/53) It's a heavy bugger of a thing. Needs a roller cabinet so I can get back some bench space...

[superquag]

The Beta link got me onto an Aircraft Mechanic forum. Beta gets a reasonably good write up, along with th American 'Craftsmen' range.
Snap-On for their thin-walled sockets score a guernsey as well. - But the consensus is very much overpriced for the level of quality.

Consensus is you get what you pay for, and easy to over-pay...

Will run this thread past the Master Mechanic to give him food for thought. Bit of a cruel trick to get him to read something positive from "Land Rover". :twisted:

- The SP set certainly looks the part....:p

Many thanks to all of you, - Nice to get Professional viewpoints as well as spanner-swinger enthusiasts. :D

[superquag]

something he can replace without a mortgage,, He'll have lost most of them in 4 years anyway--

... He's had some practice with my tools.....:(

[hippo45]

My brother bought Stahlwille tools as an apprentice in 1960 was still using them
in 2010 before he died. I remember that my father, also a mechanic, commenting on the small amount of movement needed to operate the ratchet and saying that that it would break the gears as they were too fine. Never happened. When I joined the Air Force in 1963 I was issued with Stahlwille as well, still going strong also.

Dennis

[Blknight.aus]

FYI SP+kingchrome come from the same place and are of interchangable quality. get whichever is the cheaper where you purchase your tools from.

STAY away from metrich, and the multi size socket ranges that claim the same capability from SP and Kingchrome.

[uninformed]

Just remember that some, not all, but alot, of these companies have completely changed hands, maufacturing plants, processes and locations. So saying youve had them for 30/40 or even as little as 15 years may offer no idication of that same brand name quality today. Do a little research via wiki and see some of the Historys.

AFAIK Snap-on, Stahlwillie, Gedore are still the same companies from years gone by, with at least same quality from past if not better. I have some of these 3. For rachets and sockets I would not go past Snap-on. For the spanners It would be a toss up between Snap-on and Stahlwillie. While Gedore is very good, they cost the same as Stahlwillie and IMO Stahlwillie has it over them in all aspects. Snap on screwdrivers have always felt great in my hands.

Snap-on use to cost double of Stahlwillie and just rediculiously more than it should. They have brought their prices in line with other top tools, and if you shop smart, buy only when they have their specials and you usally end up with extra tools for the same cost. Example, buy a set of metric fland drive plus spanners at regular cost and get the SAE set free! I have bought about 60% of my gear here and the rest online. If you know exactly what you are looking for and sharp on your prices it can save you some bucks.

Masters now sells Stahlwillie :eek: and at a pretty good price AFAIK.

[Ratel10mm]

Really, a lot comes down to personal feel. Ie, do you like the look of it? Does it give you pride of ownership? Do the ergonomics suit you?

I personally don't like heavily chromed & polished tools as a rule. They look more like they're for show than work somehow & I'm old enough to have grown up with tools that needed looking after. Added to which I think highly polished tools are more likely to slip in oily, greasy hands.
Personally I have a large mix of tools, as a result over the years of financial restraints, avoiding theft (a very important consideration in some places) lack of knowledge (of better brands), experimentation with different sorts of tool, gadgets, home made tools, adapted tools, working all over the place & thus having access to many suppliers, needing a tool there & then that for some reason I didn't have (what I call a Get Out of **** Tool.) - and so on & so forth. There are several duplicates, as I've either upgraded, bought sets, had to purchase a G. O. o. S. T. & so on.
As a fridgy there always seems to be a new (to me) piece of equipmenr with some fitting or fixing that you don't have a tool to fit!

Generally I have learned that a professional grade tool should be more accurately dimensioned, with better steel & heat treat enabling a thinner profile for th same or better strength as the cheaper tools. Often with better ergonomics (which frequently mean more expensive manufacturing processes) & should always be better finished.

These are my personal opinion. I own & use tools from all of the following.
I don't like Sidchrome. For the money, they're poorly finished & look cheaply made.
Kinchrome seem similarly finished but better value for money.
Britool did rest on their laurels for a long time, but were coming good again when I bought some several years ago. Like Facom, they had (for me) very good ergonomics in their screwdrivers.
Facom are great (I really like their ergotwist screwdrivers) and little known in Oz which means they're easier to keep an eye on. ;)
King Dick are good sockets.
Halfords are excellent for the money. Apparently made for Halfords (the UK's answer to Repco) by Sykes Pickavant.
Bahco. Don't bother buying any other brand of adjustable spanner (shifter to Aussies). Just don't.
Gedore are excellent.
Stahlwille are what I aim to own in spanners & sockets. Have a few spanners, just love them!
Draper (Expert range). Ok. Generally good mid price tools. Still haven't managed to break my 1/2" ratchet, some 15 years on.
Mitutoyo. Pretty much the world standard in measuring instruments.
Fluke. You are unlikely to find better electrical / electronic test instruments. I have other brands that I use more, but they're designed for my trade. DON'T scrimp on anything that has electronics. Repeatability is king!
I'll try & add some photos later to show the differences in the hand tools.

[chang]

I think snap on are going down hill, seen some brand new off the truck gear fail in the first couple of days, some of which were first use. I would stay clear.

as below, SP & Kinchrome are the go for a first box for the price as they come with a fair bit of stuff for the coin & then just add sets or pieces onto it that you find are needed or useful as time goes on.

I also have a couple of stanley kits in half inch & 3/8 + 1/4 drive for the car & really for how cheap they are i cant fault them. After two years & several full blown kicks to the 3/8 ratchet, it only just failed the other day when i dropped it & the selector broke out of the back . I gave it hell as i have another backup which came with another kit & wanted to see how much it could take. Stanley & Sidchome are the same manufacturer.

High end brands that i like & if i had the funds to buy complete kits from, would be either Hazet or Gedore

[Eevo]

i use teng tools are my primary set.
Teng Tools Working with Winners Catalogue (http://www.tengtools.com.au/catalogues/augsep13.html)


if i need to buy 1 or 2 extras, i buy repco

[uninformed]

I think snap on are going down hill, seen some brand new off the truck gear fail in the first couple of days, some of which were first use. I would stay clear.

as below, SP & Kinchrome are the go for a first box for the price as they come with a fair bit of stuff for the coin & then just add sets or pieces onto it that you find are needed or useful as time goes on.

I also have a couple of stanley kits in half inch & 3/8 + 1/4 drive for the car & really for how cheap they are i cant fault them. After two years & several full blown kicks to the 3/8 ratchet, it only just failed the other day when i dropped it & the selector broke out of the back . I gave it hell as i have another backup which came with another kit & wanted to see how much it could take. Stanley & Sidchome are the same manufacturer.

High end brands that i like & if i had the funds to buy complete kits from, would be either Hazet or Gedore

Was it Snap-on or blue point. It seems Snap-on now has alot more entry level stuff. I havent used it, but If im in the truck its for the good stuff anyway. Anything can fail and I doubt they have dropped quality much in the last few years. My truck guy is very friendly and helpful.

Their new rachets are uber smooth.

Im not sure if Hazet is still about? (looks like they are: The Company - HAZET-Werk (http://www.hazet.com/en/about-hazet/the-company/)) I know Proto changed hands a few times, before being gobbled up by Stanley Tool Works. For a brief minute there you could buy a brand called Sidchrome Proto (by Stanley) and they looked pretty darn good, better than the previous Sidchrome, and much better than the cheap junk that is Sidchrome now. I have seen and used the Stanley industrial stuff in 3/8 drive and it seemed good for the $$$. (Stanley Tool Works owns Sidchrome along with many other brands and is one of the biggest tool makers/companies period!)

I started buying Gedore spanners in the 90s as they were resonable (price)compared to Stahlwillie and the never able in hell to afford Snap-on. Now they are the same price as Stahlwillie and Stahlwillie are much nicer IMO. I can upload some pics of both if anyone is interested.

[uninformed]

Stanley Black & Decker (now known as) own:

Stanley
Sidchrome
Facom
Proto
Mac tools

While they own them, that doesnt mean that they come from the same factory. Nor are they the same quality.

[RR P38]

Stahlwille Are beautiful to use. If you are doing a lot of spanner work there is no better ring or open ender to be in your hand.
Teng make some good gear as well.
If money is no object (keeping in mind they are for life) Stahlwille are the way to go.

[uninformed]

another couple IMO's

Koken also make good sockets/rachets (Japan)

Knipex for all pliers (as good as any brand)

As said, Bahco for shifters, yes they are no longer made in Sweden, but still seem pretty good.

[Bearman]

As said, go for good quality. I still have Sidchrome socket and spanner sets that I bought back in 1968. Cost me a few weeks pay back then but they have sure been worth it.

[33chinacars]

I've mostly got Sidchrome but it is old , very old. 50 + years . The new Sidchrome isn't a good as it was in my book. Also have Daniel Forge that is 35 years old ( made by Siddons )but not as good as Sidchrome.
Like Snap-on, but was out of my league price wise at the time.
Stahlwille look good too. If I ever needed ring spanners sets this is what I'd buy now.
Have Bahco shifters are the best I've used. Watch out you dont get left handed ones as I did. It can be a bit confusing with Left & right handed shifters.
Buy the best you can afford. BUY ONCE. And buy what feels right in your hands. Even if you have to do a bit of mix & matching. Look out for the specials . Buy a basic kit to start with & add to it as you find out what you need And what works.

AND DON'T LEND TO ANYBODY - PERIOD

Gary

[rick130]

Witte or Wiha for screwdrivers ATM, particularly when needing an electrical rating.

Channel Lock seem to be reasonable side cutters and pliers.

I have a few Proto ring spanners and wish I had more but haven't seen them around.
Appear to have the fit/finish of Snap on but (at the time) without the cost.

Brian mentioned Beta and they are absolutely top drawer, but haven't seen them around lately (although haven't been looking either)

Someone mentioned Teng, and their steel and internal dimensions are good.
I've grabbed a few sockets to replace flogged out/broken (old Aussie made) Sidchrome.

Serg mentioned Koken and they are excellent. Have some impact sockets and a breaker bar that replaced a Snap On on I snapped :angel:

[UncleHo]

G'day Superquag

I would suggest he get a SP set,and get an etching tool and initial or pin mark all of them,then take him shopping to your local vintage car swap meets also local markets and pick up extra tools by brand and size/type,I was at the Nambour Qld swap and picked up 2 knuckled second hand near new "Daniel Forge" ratchets 1x 10 inch and 1 x 5 inch (palm) for $35 the pair,got my Stahlwylie 1/2 x 9/16 AF the same way,$12 and to an apprentice dollars are dollars,if you're looking for Sidchrome,go for the older stuff,suburban garage sales are also worth looking at,where family are sell relatives gear,often X $ the lot,just a thought.


cheers

[uninformed]

online can sometimes net good results. I have bought some of my Snap-on from the USA, on ebay, sold as new, but alot cheaper than new... Their second hand market is huge.

I got a couple Stahlwillie spanners from ebay.uk.co and seemed not a bad price. Here is one I found in about 20 secs:

Stahlwille Double Open Ended Spanner 1 2 X 9 16 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Stahlwille-Double-Open-Ended-Spanner-1-2-x-9-16-/290764745268?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item43b2edea34&_uhb=1)

[uninformed]

and here is one from ebay (USA)

Snap on 10 PC Metric Combination Wrench Set New Logo | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-10-PC-Metric-Combination-Wrench-Set-New-Logo-/330971783843?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item4d0f74a2a3&vxp=mtr)

[Tank]

I started my apprenticeship over 40 years ago and started with Sidchrome, I still have some of those originals, most have been pinched or borrowed. No chrome left but still fit well and do the job, broke a few (my fault) but never had problems with Sidchrome replacing, recently broke (undiong a stubborn wheel nut) my 40 year old breaker bar, took it into local Sidchrome dealer for replacement. The rep wasn't too keen to hand over a new one for my old de-chromed bar, so I told him even though Sidchrome was owned by Stanley a Lifetime Warranty is just that and unless he wanted some adverse publicity, I wanted my replacement. A week later I had a brand new breaker bar, I don't think there would be a problem with more up to date stuff though, Regards Frank.

[MacMan]

Not a fan of SP Tools.

I've just spent 3 days doing a gearbox and transfer swap using a mix of Repco, Kincrome and SP spanners and sockets. I absolutely HATE the SP ratchet handles. They have stuff all detent on the direction switch and I must have accidentally bumped them 50 times. Infuriating and pointless. I've swapped to Repco ones in all my kits, and only used the SP handles because I could have more tools at hand. The SP sockets are on the soft side of ideal too. The Repco gear is the best I have, followed by Kincrome.

I forgot to add that the SP ratchets have stupid plastic handles which let go first time I leaned on them.

[superquag]

Yep, buy for Quality not quantitiy wherever possible or fiscally practical, is the loud and clear message.

Getting his opinion & reactions is like blood out of a stone... he's 17, and a really annoyingly non-communicative teenager ! - I'm assured it will eventually improve.:eek:

Anyway, his grunt sounded like agreement / appreciation for your comments....

[scarry]

We have had a very good run from Force brand of socket sets,available from trade tools.The boys have both the 1/4 and 1/2 inch drive sets,and we have never had an issue.Well priced as well.
Buying socket or spanner sets you have to be careful that they have the full range of both AF and Metric or you will get caught out.Some sets seem to jump sizes.

I have a minimax socket set that is at least 30yrs old and has been fine.My set spanners were originally stahwillie,but as they got lost,seem to have been replaced with sidchromes,or dowidat that i inherited from my father.
Stahwillie also have a good range of mechanical screwdrivers and pliers.

For electrically rated screwdrivers we use witte ,for pliers and side cutters,crescent, channel lock,cabac or knipex.

Some whitworth sizes are only available from some brands and often difficult to get.

With shifters have had a really good run with Fuller,they have copped a hiding.

Meters you can't go wrong with Fluke.

The most important thing is not to lose them or leave them around and they end up getting stolen.

As we work here there and anywhere our biggest problem is losing them......:mad:

[Sitec]

Our new apprentice has just been bought the $1500 Repco box with all basic tools included. Having used quite a bit of it over the past few months, I'm very impressed with the set. The one thing that surprised me is that it has a 24mm deep socket. The one spanner that it is lacking though is an 18mm... Nut and bolt head sizes are changing... When I did my training back in the UK all M10 nuts and bolts were 17mm and all M12 Nuts and Bolts were 19mm.. Seems 16mm and 18mm spanners are needed now along with a 12mm spanner for an M8 bolt instead of the original 13mm... I originally started out with Snap On, as it was the 'done thing' where I worked, but I still have all of the tools I bought, and any that failed have been instantly replaced foc. I have a Teng Tools 3/8 socket set which has been faultless, I bought a Kingchrome 1/2 socket set when we arrived here and that has given 5 yrs excellent service. I also bought a cheep'ish Chinese 3/4 socket set, and working with tractors, that has seen a pounding!! IMO your money is best spent with a mid range set like Repco, Kingchrome etc, and anything that breaks can easily be replaced. He'll find what he likes within the first year and can add to his already decent set as he goes. Even now 25yrs later, the tool van is still too much of a temptation!! :)

[newlandyowner]

When I did my apprenticeship I got a tool kit made up by the local tool rep. Spent about $2500 including roller and top box. My boss wouldn't let me get snap on or anything expensive until I could show them that I could look after my tools.

I'd recommend Koken, that's what I used and still have them. But as I needed new tools I bought snap on or facom.

I'd go for the cheaper but decent tools for starters but get a good strong decent tool box.

[Collins]

Stahwille are great hand tools, very slender but exceedingly strong.
Dowidat are quite good
Koken ratchets are the best I have used.

Tools used covering a wide variety of applications, from rebuilding LPGas pumps, valves, small engines to stationary diesel pump motors, various petrol engines and major pipe work & valves at bulk LP Gas storages over many years.

Ensure your son marks his tools in a very conspicuous manner.

[weeds]

when i started my apprenticeship my employer supplied a toolbox.......which had to be handed back you moved from workshop to workshop. they were full of sidchrome, which i never had a problem with

my tool box at home mostly contains sidchrome, i was given a roll of KC Tools OE/Ring imperial/metric. these get the most for maintenance on the cars, once again no problems

i have a metric repco metric socket set

i have the odd Force tool

from a maintenance fitter/home mechanic the above have served me quite well.......

Q, is sidchrome stil made in australia, al my spanners have this marked on them

[Eevo]

Sid not made in aust for ten plus years

[rick130]

Sid not made in aust for ten plus years


I think it's longer than that, at least the mid nineties.
Stanley would never let on where they were made either once manufacturing here ceased.


Scarry mentioned Minimax, haven't seen them in a long time but definitely top drawer stuff. Used to be mentioned in the same breath as Snap On, Stahlwille, Beta, King Dick, etc.


I was trolling the bay last night looking for some more Proto ring spanners.
You almost need several brands at times just to make use of the slightly different offsets on offer.

How are people finding the ratchet head rings available now ?

[scarry]

Scarry mentioned Minimax, haven't seen them in a long time but definitely top drawer stuff. Used to be mentioned in the same breath as Snap On, Stahlwille, Beta, King Dick, etc.




Minimax also made some fantastic electrical screwdrivers,in fact the phillips was almost impossible to wear out,not like the Witte ones we use today.They seem to only last six months or so and they are shot.Same with their blade screwdrivers.

I should see if they are still available,but i haven't seen them around for ages.

Edit,there is a bit of minimax gear on fleabay,but no screwdrivers,so it is still around.

[Hoges]

A couple of years ago, Sidchrome had a deal going where an apprentice could buy a (two storey) roller chest full of Metric/SAE plus assorted other tools ...virtually complete except for torque wrench for about A$1200. This was about 60% off RRP. It's worth inquiring re. deals for apprentices... other brands might also have similar arrangements... just a thought

[Bigbjorn]

There is a lot of fat in most tool merchants RRP's. We used to buy Sidchrome at list price - 45% - 2 1/2% for payment within 15 days. Then consider these were "aids to manufacture" so didn't attract the then existing Sales Tax. Our purchase price was less than half the tool store price.

[Dougal]

My advice.

Buy a different brand to the people you work with. It makes it much easier to identify your tools and thus much easier to make sure they remain yours.

[superquag]

Great stuff ! :)

Had a chat to the Boss, and they are'nt going to let him (too) loose on client's cars with spanners, so he suggested to relax till end of year. - Phew!

At the same time, had a look in Masters / Woolies... and they had some pretty good value Top-Boxes for $299. - Drawers ran smoothly and came all the way out...
They have - the store I visited - a limited range of Stahlwille spanners and sets, but was impressed with their reasonable prices for single spanners. (short or 'normal' length.)

One of the reasons I was inclined to Facom or Stahwille, Unobtanium etc.... and not Snap-On, - none of the other mechanics there have them ! :p

I've still got an old "Elephant" brand 10" shifter that I bought when I was xx, around 42 years ago. Still works fine, barely marked despite being used as hammer, lever, shovel...and spanner.
As well made as BAHCO, which shows that the Chinese can do it if they want to...

[460cixy]

I have a bit of everything here that I have picked up over the years but mostly sp and kincrome a hand full of specialty tools from strapon but there's a few stand outs that have already been mentioned koken ratchets only way to go solid good feel and I haven't destroyed one yet and there impact drivers are also great. Knipex side cutters and pliers I use side cutters ALOT removing and fitting drum brake return springs current pair have nearly 8 years of daily use and miss treatment and will still cut a 10c coin in half in the blink of an eye Chanel lock multi grips also good the best pipe spanners going are hazet if you can find them . Someone mentioned craftsman tools from sears in the u.s. these are great my old boss had these he wore out an Allen key and when I went over to the u.s on holiday I took it with me and they replaced it no questions asked .

But don't get me started on strapon great tools but the rep here is hopeless and I'm fighting with them to get the trigger replaced on my cordless gun. I really shouldn't complain its had 4 years of 3 or more blokes using it flat out day in day out with out a problem just poor support at times

[Ratel10mm]

Where do you get Facom in Oz, please?
And does anyone know of a Britool distributor? For that matter, do those that know the brand still rate them, or are they no better than Draper nowadays?
I bust a no. 2 VDE Phillips last week & need a better replacement. That was about £25 from Haymans iirc - about 2 or 3 years ago!!! :mad:

[scarry]

My advice.

Buy a different brand to the people you work with. It makes it much easier to identify your tools and thus much easier to make sure they remain yours.

And also paint them as best as possible bright red or yellow.
Makes them easier to see and harder to lose.

[pannawonica]

Where do you get Facom in Oz, please?
And does anyone know of a Britool distributor? For that matter, do those that know the brand still rate them, or are they no better than Draper nowadays?
I bust a no. 2 VDE Phillips last week & need a better replacement. That was about £25 from Haymans iirc - about 2 or 3 years ago!!! :mad:
Have a look at Big red toolbox au.:D

[scarry]

This is what happens when you buy cheap tools.Sure we were swinging on them,but i have swung a lot harder on my quality set i have had for over 20yrs and they are still ok.




http://https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1141.jpg

[Ratel10mm]

Ouch!

[Kev the Fridgy]

lol... yea, we've snapped a couple of cast alloy Stillsons as well, my steel "Stillson" brand are still going strong after some 30 years in my hands and about 20 odd in my fathers hands before that, there heavy but I have had a 1 meter extension on them and they didn't break, just bent slightly

[pannawonica]

Can anybody advise on where and what brand pipe wrench to buy I would like a set to use at work. :D

[uninformed]

Ridgid still make good pipe wrenches, in both steel and Alloy. Trade link and some other plumbing supplies will sell them, as well as Total Tools.

[scarry]

Super ego are the alloy ones I have flogged for years.they are made by rothenburger.you can even get new jaws for them if needed.the broken set in my previous post are tradetools own brand.