Metric tool set

[AndyG]

Can anyone recommend an all metric toolset, stanley type quality. If it came with extras like hex, plier, screw even better.

I assume a defender is metric? Or should I be buying whitworth? :D

[AndyG]

Btw the repco one was very nice but I choked on $699, $300 would be better

[Tank]

You would be better off going to the Sidchrome or Kinchrome websites and ordering exactly what you need, for instance if you already have a good ratchet, breaker bar, extensions you don't need to buy a packaged socket set, you can buy a set of just sockets 8mm t0 32mm for around $100, a good 1/4"/3/8" drive socket set complete for around $90. A roll of open end/ring spanner sets 6mm to 19mm for around $90.
Then you can pick up screwdriver sets and pliers as you need, at least these 2 brands have lifetime warrantys and don't cost the earth, Regards Frank.

[rrturboD]

consider: tool roll
Spanner Roll Large Size 32mm 6mm 25 Pockets Brand NEW Made From Canvas | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Spanner-Roll-LARGE-size-32mm-6mm-25-pockets-BRAND-NEW-Made-from-CANVAS-/161238539825?pt=AU_Tool_Parts_Accessories&hash=item258a90de31) @$50

filled with ALDI 6-32mm ROE @$50 =$100, pretty good for a useful set of spanners

[87County]

previously noted a heads up about this - the cheapest actual quality set I've seen for a while

(if you want a metric 1/2" set which incls 27mm - which has some uses on a LR)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tool-time/188488-sidchrome-scmt-10192-a.html

[Tank]

consider: tool roll
Spanner Roll Large Size 32mm 6mm 25 Pockets Brand NEW Made From Canvas | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Spanner-Roll-LARGE-size-32mm-6mm-25-pockets-BRAND-NEW-Made-from-CANVAS-/161238539825?pt=AU_Tool_Parts_Accessories&hash=item258a90de31) @$50

filled with ALDI 6-32mm ROE @$50 =$100, pretty good for a useful set of spanners
Every Aldi open end spanner I have bought, now only has one side to the open end and half a ring on the other, absolute rubbish, Regards Frank.

[Blknight.aus]

depending on what you want to do with them get a kingchrome set if you want it on a budget but dont want to be too low on quality...

before you brush them off.. I had the same set for 11 years worth of greasemonkey work and only offloaded them because a, the plastic tray broke and I was getting sick of manually checking that I had them all and finally after all that time the 13mm 3/8th drive split from being used to get into a tight spot on the end of a 1/2-3/8th reducer one too many times.

this (http://www.bunnings.com.au/kincrome-166-piece-1-4-3-8-1-2-drive-socket-and-spanner-set_p6110234) is the set Im currently recommending for most people who are starting out..

This (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kincrome-Socket-Set-39-Piece-AF-Metric-1-4-3-8-Square-Drive-13530P-/121198492659?_trksid=p2054897.l4276) is the same kit as I had however you now need to be careful with which one you actually get as the same kit is available in mainly 12 point drive with only the sub 8mm sizes being 6 point and all 6 point drive.

you want the 12 point drive set as its needed for some of the specialist bolts like the brake caliper bolts.

[rovercare]

Kingchrome ratchets are rubbish

Last set I bought oddly enough was 3/8 drive deep set supercheap calibre, its a mirror of repco/jbs, its actually really good

I like full polish stuff aswell, I've not liked any of the kingchrome tools I have had

[Judo]

My 2 main purchases about 3 years ago were sockets and spanners. A sidchrome socket set that came with imperial and metric up to 32mm. Got it at Bunnings for maybe $150 IIRC? They've been bashed about and used on my press for changing suspension bushes as well. No damage to report.

I took a gamble with spanners and bought this:

Spanner Set - 25 Piece Combo Metric - Supercheap Auto Australia (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Spanner-Set-25-Piece-Combo-Metric.aspx?pid=305225#Cross)

They get used every few weekends for all my Landy work (among other things) on both DIsco and now 110. They were so cheap I'm not worried about breaking them and don't hesitate to add a long bar for leverage or hit with a big hammer. No damage to report!

Has anyone else has tried the SCA spanner set? Maybe it was too cheap for anyone to bother, but so far they've been great.

[AndyG]

Found a nice Stanley Metric set 68 piece in Super Cheap, plus a long lost mate who get's staff discount. Maaaaaaaate.

A good starting point.

[Blknight.aus]

Kingchrome ratchets are rubbish

Last set I bought oddly enough was 3/8 drive deep set supercheap calibre, its a mirror of repco/jbs, its actually really good

I like full polish stuff aswell, I've not liked any of the kingchrome tools I have had

so you'd reccomend a full set of snapon, bluepoint and stahlwille then... :)

90% of the mid range tools now are all the same pattern parts including the sidchromes and stunningly the higher priced stuff

all the snapon stuff at work fits perfectly into the kingcrome/JBS boxes and vice versa

[uninformed]

so you'd reccomend a full set of snapon, bluepoint and stahlwille then... :)

90% of the mid range tools now are all the same pattern parts including the sidchromes and stunningly the higher priced stuff

all the snapon stuff at work fits perfectly into the kingcrome/JBS boxes and vice versa

are you saying that they(the tools) are all coming from one or two factories?

With the change in production and ownership, going off what a person bought 10 or so years ago can not be applied nearly as much any more.

Sidcrome as sold at Bunnings is rubish!
Kingchrome has dropped its game quite a bit as well.

Regarding stanley, a chippy mate has a small stanley industrial set (current vintage) in the black chrome. Fit and finish seemed pretty good. Ratchets worked well on light and heavy work. Seemed like good bang for buck

[Blknight.aus]

for a while kmart specials, kingchrome and sidchorme all came from the same base casts.

tools that were +/- not very much got sent down the sidchrome lines
tools that were +/- a notciable but acceptable amount went down the kingchrome line and
tools that were obviously useless went onto become kmart 300 piece for $100 tool kits.

the main point was buy a moderately price cheap kit, the tools that break the fastest are the ones you use most so keep the kit and then replace them with the same tool from a better brand.

that way you dont spend $1200 on a 70 piece snap on kit in which you never use the $30 11/32 1/4 inch drive left handed flangy (or half of the rest of it very often) you have a (medium range brand name here) $200 70 piece kit with an $50 stahlwille ratchet and a $15 bluepoint 13mm 12point socket and a $22 snap on wobble bar extension that have replaced the tools you wore out from overuse.

[Tank]

are you saying that they(the tools) are all coming from one or two factories?

With the change in production and ownership, going off what a person bought 10 or so years ago can not be applied nearly as much any more.

Sidcrome as sold at Bunnings is rubish!
Kingchrome has dropped its game quite a bit as well.

Regarding stanley, a chippy mate has a small stanley industrial set (current vintage) in the black chrome. Fit and finish seemed pretty good. Ratchets worked well on light and heavy work. Seemed like good bang for buck
What do you base your statement on that Bunning's Sidchrome are rubbish, I have Sidchrome going back 50 years as well as some Bunning Sidchrome and I have not had any problems over the 10+ years that I have used and abused them, what seems to be the problem and how many have you returned to Sidchrome for replacement, Regards Frank.

[steane]

What do you base your statement on that Bunning's Sidchrome are rubbish, I have Sidchrome going back 50 years as well as some Bunning Sidchrome and I have not had any problems over the 10+ years that I have used and abused them, what seems to be the problem and how many have you returned to Sidchrome for replacement, Regards Frank.

I agree. I have the same Sidchrome ratchet socket set from bunnings mentioned earlier in this thread and they have been well used and abused. Still in perfect condition. I'd buy another set tomorrow.

[dhc4ever]

I have a set of these sitting in the back of the 4wd, strong enough to dismantle a toyota diesel without stripping or breaking anything, just needsa few common sized 12 point sockets to cover all situations.
https://www.tradetools.com/products/41421
I grabbed mine on special at a better price.

[uninformed]

What do you base your statement on that Bunning's Sidchrome are rubbish, I have Sidchrome going back 50 years as well as some Bunning Sidchrome and I have not had any problems over the 10+ years that I have used and abused them, what seems to be the problem and how many have you returned to Sidchrome for replacement, Regards Frank.

If you think the sidcrome of today is anything like that of days gone by you are blinded by your own emotional bias. How many times has it changed hands? how many times has it change manufacturing loctaions etc.

I dont own any (of coarse that will make any info I add not count right) But a few mates have/had it and all had ratchet problems and 2 had stripped sockets. No 3 foot water pipe added or used in a commercial enviroment, just DIY mechanics. I think one had a combination spanner brake and open end, but that may have been kingchrome?

[flagg]

I bought a kinchrome set from bunnings and it broke the first time i used it. I noticed this particular set was not available at the local tool shop and the kinchrome stuff the tool shop had was vastly better quality. YMMV.

[mick88]

My 2 main purchases about 3 years ago were sockets and spanners. A sidchrome socket set that came with imperial and metric up to 32mm. Got it at Bunnings for maybe $150 IIRC? They've been bashed about and used on my press for changing suspension bushes as well. No damage to report.

I took a gamble with spanners and bought this:

Spanner Set - 25 Piece Combo Metric - Supercheap Auto Australia (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Spanner-Set-25-Piece-Combo-Metric.aspx?pid=305225#Cross)

They get used every few weekends for all my Landy work (among other things) on both DIsco and now 110. They were so cheap I'm not worried about breaking them and don't hesitate to add a long bar for leverage or hit with a big hammer. No damage to report!

Has anyone else has tried the SCA spanner set? Maybe it was too cheap for anyone to bother, but so far they've been great.

Yes I purchased some SCA and Tool Pro sockets and spanners as well as ratchet handles. Although I haven't tried to "murder" them they have stood up well to regular use.
Also Coventry Fasteners have a good range of CGL Tools which have a lifetime warranty IIRC. They had a very good promotion on a couple of years back and these tools were going out at exceptionally low prices to advertise the product. So far the ones I got have stood up well.


Cheers, Mick.

[Bigbjorn]

Have a look at the Sears web-site. They have been having a tool sale and offered some stunning bargains in their Craftsman lines. They offer international shipping and will quote.

[Tank]

If you think the sidcrome of today is anything like that of days gone by you are blinded by your own emotional bias. How many times has it changed hands? how many times has it change manufacturing loctaions etc.

I dont own any (of coarse that will make any info I add not count right) But a few mates have/had it and all had ratchet problems and 2 had stripped sockets. No 3 foot water pipe added or used in a commercial enviroment, just DIY mechanics. I think one had a combination spanner brake and open end, but that may have been kingchrome?
I'm blinded by your ignorance, you don't own any Sidchrome tools yet you quote as fact that they're rubbish because a mate of a mate who knows someone down the road....., c'mon if you have no idea why make broad comments like that, Regards Frank.

[uninformed]

I'm blinded by your ignorance, you don't own any Sidchrome tools yet you quote as fact that they're rubbish because a mate of a mate who knows someone down the road....., c'mon if you have no idea why make broad comments like that, Regards Frank.

Re read Frank, My mates have them, i.e. Me in their sheds, helping with their first hand experience. I use to own Sidcrhome from the 60/70s that were my fathers, I passed them on to my neighbour.

I have also make my living using tools (for over 20 years now) and have a fairly good feel/idea of whats good or not.

If it works for you, great. There is no way I would recommend it to anyone.

[weeds]

Found a nice Stanley Metric set 68 piece in Super Cheap, plus a long lost mate who get's staff discount. Maaaaaaaate.

A good starting point.

I assume you not a tradie wanting to swing these spanners all day every day........so if you are just servicing you own rig with the odd repair or fitting an after market item than pick a price range you can afford...if say your 13mm gets used a lot and it wears out you can just replace the one spanner with either the same quality or better

sounds like you are on your way

[wally.aussie]

yep i can say sidcrome are not what they used to be. i bought a 7/16 ratchet spanner and it was only 4 months old when the ratching stopped working just froze up. was'nt abuseing it at all. took it back and they give me a kingcrome one to replace as they were out of stock on the other. i would have waited untill they did get back in stock, but needed it as was useing for the rebuild of the series 3. not over happy with it but we shall see. then i took a 1/4 drive ratchet back for warrenty (25) years old as it wore out sidcrome and had a s**t fight to get a new one. needless to say i got a new one, but not happy with them saying life-time warrenty. snap on is over rated for the price. when i was part of the U.S.N. we used all craftsman tools and never damaged any, check out sears as they have a good sale on and i will be stocking up on my brocken and split sockets that are in the replace drawer. cheers all

[Tank]

Uninformed, I find the biggest problem with Ratchets (all kinds) is that the ones that break are the ones that are used to tighten or loosen bolts/nuts.
Breaker bars are for undoing and final tightening, not a ratchet, I used to have a 3/4 drive Snap-on (30 years ago) ratchet bar. Until one day it was destroyed by a brainless truck driver trying to undo a left hand thread wheel nut, he had a 5' length of pipe on the ratchet and was amazed when it broke after he jumped on the end of the pipe.
Snap on refused the warranty because the pipe left a mark and the handle was bent, that cost the truck driver a weeks wages to replace.
I have a full set of Sidchrome spanners and sockets replacing tools that were stolen from me, the only problem I have with the OE/Ring spanner set is that they are not round enough where your hand applies the pressure, on heavy duty stuff I need to use a rag, but I'm getting old and soft.
My favourite Sidchrome tools are the Rotating Handle Ratchet and a 50+ year old 9/16"x1/2" ring spanner, it is a bit bent and no chrome left, but it will still undo any 9/16" nut on a tailshaft.
I will sing the praise of new and old Sidchrome, BECAUSE I have used them for over 50 (and 5 years with the new) years and I can rely on them, which I cant say about some other more expensive brands, Regards Frank.

[Homestar]

The guts of the Snapon ratchets are easily replaced - you don't need to replace the whole thing. I've had my 1/2 inch done a couple of times under warranty, but the last one I had to pay for. All of $32 I think...

Nice that you could hit the truckie up for the entire cost of a new one though...

[Tank]

The guts of the Snapon ratchets are easily replaced - you don't need to replace the whole thing. I've had my 1/2 inch done a couple of times under warranty, but the last one I had to pay for. All of $32 I think...

Nice that you could hit the truckie up for the entire cost of a new one though...
It not only destroyed the ratchet pawls and teeth it demolished the body of the ratchet as well, beyond repair, Regards Frank.

[gromit]

Worthwhile searching out the older Sidcrome tools from trash & treasure markets or swap meets although the prices are steadily rising.

Kincrome is sourced mainly from Taiwan (they are also responsible for Super Tool & Chrometech). I visit their outlet shop in Scoresby and occasionally a bargain crops up but there is a lot of Chinese stuff turning up there now. Some are samples, some is just imported for the shop, not sure if any of the Kincrome range is from China.

I'd guess Sidchrome is made in Taiwan as well.
Looking at some of the rubbish with the Stanley name on it I'd guess it's mostly from China but could be Taiwan.

I have an Elora socket set I got when I was a young fella back in the UK (a long time ago). I have mistreated the ratchet for many years and can't break it. I got a replacement socket set because I thought the Elora wouldn't last, the replacement set is still unused (can't remember the brand). It came with MM, AF & Whitworth sockets which dates it......

Not too many brand names you can trust nowadays, most have outsourced their tool manufacture.


Sidchrome - part of Black & Decker http://www.sidchrome.com.au/cms/sbd
Kincrome - doesn't make tools http://www.kincrome.com.au/faq



Colin

[AndyG]

And a torque wrench of reasonable quality would be "............ ..?

[gromit]

And a torque wrench of reasonable quality would be "............ ..?

An old one , built in a time when they only made quality tools, by a brand name you could trust .....
Sorry, that doesn't really help.



Colin

[uninformed]

I have Snap-on and Warren and Brown.

My W&B is a few years old now and still great (little 3/8 drive for light work, chainsaw stuff and light stuff on the landy) I have no idea if they are still good or made off shore and crappy now??

Torque Wrenches - Warren & Brown Precision Tools (http://www.warrenandbrown.com.au/precisiontools/products/204/Torque%20Wrenches)

Warren and Brown - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Trundle]

Definitely WB for the torque wrench, nice bit of kit, certified and if I'm right, still Australian made.
Otherwise, like most collections, I have the full mix, sidchrome, bahco, warren and brown, kinchrome, crescent, supercheap, JBS, and all bought over 20 years, and they all have their place, from daily use, to once in a while, and my favourite, just 'cos I can.

[AndyG]

And which one would be most useful ? p/n 334351 ?


W&B Part No.
Torque Range
Scale
Drive
334251 5-25Nm 0.1Nm 1/4"
334351 20-100Nm 0.5Nm 3/8"
334451 40-200Nm 0.5Nm 1/2"
334551 60-340Nm 1.0.Nm 1/2"
334648 110-550Nm 2.5Nm 3/4"
334651 150-750Nm 2.5Nm 3/4"
334851 200-1000Nm 2.5Nm 3/4"

[AndyG]

Is the current Defender all Metric or is there some AF lurking around, I recall a threat about uni joints ?

[chopper]

Crescent 148 Piece Professional Tool Kit | Esidirect (http://www.esidirect.com.au/148-piece-industrial-tool-kit-crescent-p/6130683406.htm)

I use tools all day everyday and as a spare take anywhere kit I can pick it up and take it in any of my vehicles at any time. I got one of the above kits from AgQuip a about 10 years ago. It has enough to get you started and what you find you don't have just go and add to it. I have looked at most tools cheap and expensive and these are exceptional quality considering price. It also slides under the seat nicely and the plastic case is solid.
Get what you can afford if you think you will use it,
good tools don't make you a good mechanic.

[Trundle]

And which one would be most useful ? p/n 334351 ?


W&B Part No.
Torque Range
Scale
Drive
334251 5-25Nm 0.1Nm 1/4"
334351 20-100Nm 0.5Nm 3/8"
334451 40-200Nm 0.5Nm 1/2"
334551 60-340Nm 1.0.Nm 1/2"
334648 110-550Nm 2.5Nm 3/4"
334651 150-750Nm 2.5Nm 3/4"
334851 200-1000Nm 2.5Nm 3/4"

Mine is the 1/2 deflecting beam type, not that it's purpose was ever for the Landy, that's just an added bonus of my job and the tools I need.

[RIN03]

For what it is worth I have a Repco set. Just as good as any for tinkering around and they have a lifetime warranty, a proper one walk in hand them your old spanner grab a new one off the shelf. It is worth waiting for an sale you will most likely save 40-50%

[Judo]

Out of those I think the 40-200Nm 1/2" torque wrench is the best all rounder. That's assuming the socket set you buy is 1/2" of course!

[460cixy]

Crescent 148 Piece Professional Tool Kit | Esidirect (http://www.esidirect.com.au/148-piece-industrial-tool-kit-crescent-p/6130683406.htm)

I use tools all day everyday and as a spare take anywhere kit I can pick it up and take it in any of my vehicles at any time. I got one of the above kits from AgQuip a about 10 years ago. It has enough to get you started and what you find you don't have just go and add to it. I have looked at most tools cheap and expensive and these are exceptional quality considering price. It also slides under the seat nicely and the plastic case is solid.
Get what you can afford if you think you will use it,
good tools don't make you a good mechanic.

Mate has one of those and its done a shed load of work. Couple of clutches water pump and timing gears on a td42 patrol tranfer box in and out of my ute before I had a house with a shed ect ect

[AndyG]

Super Cheap have the 68 piece all metric one on special, $149 vs $199 till 30/3 so i grabbed one of those, its a start. Have lost all my old tools over the years.

[AndyG]

Super Cheap have the 68 piece all metric one on special, $149 vs $199 till 30/3 so i grabbed one of those, its a start. Have lost all my old tools over the years.

I should have mentioned Stanley brand, looks ok

[mick88]

I purchased some "Koken" Whitworth sockets whilst in New Zealand last year. They are made in Japan and look to be reasonable quality.
No doubt time will tell!


Cheers, Mick.

[460cixy]

Mick koken are excellent all they make is sockets and ratchets and great impact drivers

[87County]

Koken tools are very good quality items - not widely available in Oz but with a lifetime warranty

[mick88]

Koken tools are very good quality items - not widely available in Oz but with a lifetime warranty


I had never heard of them until I discovered them in "Haynes" shop in Invercargill! they look like very good quality and were pricey, but fortunately the "oxford scholar" exchange rate at the time softened the blow!
As for a life time warranty....well I am not twenty one so it doesn't really matter too much!
Pretty sure I will wear out before they do!


Cheers, Mick.

[wizard1963]

I'm a fan of starwhille German brand light but tough. Expensive but you only buy them once. If you've broken a few cheap ratchets and spanners you'll understand. I've got some koken stuff as well and love it best screw drivers ever much better than crap on

[uninformed]

I have never had a problem with my Snap-on screwdrivers and a few Mechanic mates would only buy them, none of Snap-on's other stuff as they felt it to pricey and stuff would walk at their work.

I really like the Stahlwille spanner finish and have a few of them along with Snap on. The stahlwille are shorter (series 13) than the Snap on (std) for same size and the Stahlwille have thinner heads, but a little wider.

A few mates have Ko-ken and have only good things to say about them

Ko-ken Tools the web (http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/en/)

I have just put up some Gedore combinaton spanners for sale in the market place

[UncleHo]

My main socket/ring-OE set is an old 1982 ETC Industrial set AF,it has rebuilt our EJ Holden,and stripped and rebuilt my 2A,general service use on the RRC,and D1,as well as fixing maintaince on the daughter's Kia Rio,and now her 98 D1,and general use around the house mowers etc.

Most of my other tools have been singular purchases,a lot from Swap Meets and Markets, I buy by brand,Stahlwilie, old Sidchrome, Dowidat, Cresent, my most prized spanner is a Sidchrome 1/2--9/16th cresent shaped tappet spanner,double ended ring,useful for adjusting tappets with engine idleing and universal joint nuts, I had two, but one grew legs :mad: but it has been pin punch stamped :D and it will turn up in somebodies tool kit when I am helping someone ;) I have 14 inch long thin Snap-On 1/2-9/16 double end ring for RRC wiper spiggots.

cheers

[350RRC]

My main socket/ring-OE set is an old 1982 ETC Industrial set AF,it has rebuilt our EJ Holden,and stripped and rebuilt my 2A,general service use on the RRC,and D1,as well as fixing maintaince on the daughter's Kia Rio,and now her 98 D1,and general use around the house mowers etc.

Most of my other tools have been singular purchases,a lot from Swap Meets and Markets, I buy by brand,Stahlwilie, old Sidchrome, Dowidat, Cresent, my most prized spanner is a Sidchrome 1/2--9/16th cresent shaped tappet spanner,double ended ring,useful for adjusting tappets with engine idleing and universal joint nuts, I had two, but one grew legs :mad: but it has been pin punch stamped :D and it will turn up in somebodies tool kit when I am helping someone ;) I have 14 inch long thin Snap-On 1/2-9/16 double end ring for RRC wiper spiggots.

cheers

I was recently given some of my grandfather's tools in two boxes. One is an ammo box with an assortment of spanners, including the curved spanner you mention which he used for tappets on tractors, trucks, etc. There are quite a lot of 1/2 - 9/16" ring spanners of varying lengths and offsets.

The other box is original Snap On and contains a complete 1/2" drive ratchet and socket set. I have been told it was one of the first in Australia and I know it would have seen a massive amount of work. Everything is like new and is actually a bit of a PITA to use because the detent balls on the drives grip the sockets too hard!

Makes my 25yo Oz made Sidchrome 1/2 " set look sloppy.

cheers, DL

[lt8x7]

I have had a 1/2in drive Koken socket set for 35 years and it is still as good as the day I bought it.

[350RRC]

I was recently given some of my grandfather's tools in two boxes...................

The other box is original Snap On and contains a complete 1/2" drive ratchet and socket set. I have been told it was one of the first in Australia and I know it would have seen a massive amount of work. Everything is like new and is actually a bit of a PITA to use because the detent balls on the drives grip the sockets too hard!

Makes my 25yo Oz made Sidchrome 1/2 " set look sloppy.

cheers, DL

Dumb me.......... Have been using this set in the rebuild of a Jarrett offset disc harrow over the last couple of days.

All the sockets are drilled on one side to really hold onto the detent ball of the drive, if so desired. Also noticed that the breaker bar is drilled through the handle so it can be used as a fast wobble bar if necessary; very smart.

Much nicer to use than my Sidchrome set, especially the ratchet handle. It would date from WW2 era.

DL