Anyone had any experience with SP tools ??

[Defender=1st]

As i have recently started an apprenticeship as a Diesel mechanic, iam now looking for a tool starter kit..anyone had any experience with SP tools ???
Thanks
Adrian

[Defender=1st]

This is the kit iam currently looking at SP TOOLS 239pc MECHANICS TOOL KIT (http://www.vektools.com.au/tools-239pc-mechanics-tool-p-2143.html)
Thanks

[Blknight.aus]

Trust me on this...

at the moment you want to be looking at (in order of your budgets strength from cheap to exxy)

kingchrome
sidchrome
Snap-on

you will find that like me after you get your basic imperial/metric set you will see others using a tool that you dont have and once youve used it would love to have thats not from your original supplier

A perfect example is my sidchrome ratchet ringys... Useless for doing the bottom bolt on a td5 deefers clutch master cylider even tho they are 7.5 degree ratchets. But the much cheaper kingcrome ones at 15 degrees due to the difference in head shape will actually get in and ratchet.

depending on how big a diesels you're going to work on DO NOT skimp on your socket sets, torque wrenches, feeler gauges and the DTI kit....

If your anywhere near brissy your welcome to come out and have a look at my basic tool kit that can solve about 90% of normal sized diesel engines.

[Tank]

This is the kit iam currently looking at SP TOOLS 239pc MECHANICS TOOL KIT (http://www.vektools.com.au/tools-239pc-mechanics-tool-p-2143.html)
Thanks
Daves right dont skimp on tools that you need to use all the time, kingchrome and sidchrome are affordable good quality tools and have a lifetime guarantee, Snap-On are good tools but way overpriced. I have still got sidchrome spanners that I bought 40 years ago and still servicable. I just had some tools pinched and I got some replacement tools through the insurance, a set of 20x1/2" drive Sidchrome sockets 8mm to 32mm for $108, good price for good sockets, one tool I have to recommend is the Sidchrome Rotator Ratchet in 3/8" drive, fantastic in tight spots, go for Warren and Brown Torque wrenches, last a lifetime. I was looking at the SP set you are looking at the other day and they look alright, but have never used them, so cant comment on their quality, I will check tomorrow, I'm sure that same kit was around the $1000 mark, let you know tomorrow, Regards Frank.

[bblaze]

did this 32 years ago (makes me feel old), I have never liked the new sidchrome, they are thin and sharp on the edges when you bash them with your hand, being thin has its advantages at times though. I first purchased a good toolboxs, look for solid drawers, good slides and room for expansion. I ended up buying ECT spanners, never broke one but have modified a few. I sugest you buy the box and quality tools as you can afford them. Couple of spanners that I have purchased over time that are special are 1/2- 9/16 short series sidchrome ringspanner, 9/16 and 3/4 proto open end ring spanners and a 18" proto 1/2 drive strong arm. When buying rachets, I find the rachets with fine clickers are the best. I have also brought cheapo short series rachets, about the size that fits in the palm of your hand. Check out the junk shops for some second hand stuff to (often can pick up a bargan), dont discount BA size tools in the second hand shop either.
cheers
blaze
Ps
Strive to be in management by 35 years old, if not look to change careers.

[Lucus]

You anywhere near a caterpillar dealer? Cat tools are all snap on/proto, sometimes branded cat sometimes branded snap on/proto usually 60 or 70% of snap-on retail.

[Blknight.aus]

looking at your kit it approximates mine without the precision measuring gear, torque wrenches and impact rated sockets.... (you will want impact sockets in single hex, 1/2 and 3/8th drive imperial and metric)

Providing they are up to the standard they are blurbing thats a pretty good start out box...

[Aaron]

My dad also had ECT tools from when he was 16ish. I destroyed his socket wrench trying to get my T/case filler plug out. It had a good life, but I guess I exceeded its limits.

[abaddonxi]

Spend the money. Buy the tools that come with the lifetime replacement.

Do you get the apprentice tool bonus?

Cheers
Simon

[jik22]

When I first started playing with cars, even though not professionally, I bought the best I could afford. That was 20 or so years ago. All my Snap-Ons still look like new, have never needed replacing under their lifetime warranty, and are as good as the day I bought them. Most of the mid price stuff (Which I bought for things I'd use less regularly, or where I simply couldn't afford Snap-On) are still OK, but where I thought I could get away with cheap stuff, it has all long since been replaced...and that was with non-professional weekend use.

Another advantage of the higher end stuff is it tends to be slimmer (So fits in more places), grips/fits better (spanners, sockets and screwdrivers) and the ratchets tend to have more "clicks" so you can use them in tighter confines and still get some rotation....

[Col.Coleman]

SP are ok as a cheap kit to keep in the tray that you don't worry too much about them getting lost, stolen and generally chucked about. For occasional use they will probably do. BUT as you are an apprentice, do it right, buy it once. Every new kid starting out dreams about the ultimate tool set they want, but in reality it takes a life time to build up such a kit. You just never finish. Buy something middle of the road to get you started then build and replace as you go. Your original set you buy will become the ones you lend to people or let use or chuck in the boot.

Every-one carries on about snap-on. Good. Yes. Massive range. Yes. Premium price because of name. Yes.

Try Stahlwillie. German Aeronautical and motor industry tools. Good enough for BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Planes. Good enough for you. Do specialist motor industry tools with more technology in design and material than snap-on. Cheaper too. Most people won't know so won't pinch it.

Have a full hardcover catalogue if you want to see it.

[Bigbjorn]

Top shelf brands in hand tools- Armstrong, Allen, Sidchrome, Beta, Dowidat, Stahlwille, Britool, Proto.

All others are inferior in one way or another.

Definitely W&B torque wrenches for one way tools. Sturtevant and other U.S. firms make the best by far ratchet or two way tools.

Micrometers and dial gauges? Well, you are being apprenticed as a diesel HEE fitter, not a machinist or a tool & die man. The Chinese ones are adequate for workshop and general machining use. For inspection, reference, or tool room work they may not be consistently or sufficiently accurate. Can't be beat on price, under $200 for a wooden boxed set of six mikes. Chinese dial gauges should be less than $40 at current exchange rates.

Hex keys- Allen (they invented them) or Unbrako.

Screwdrivers - always found Stanley to be perfectly adequate and long-lived. for quality ones, Armstrong or Allen.

But I suppose the proof is in the use. I have an unbranded Chinese 3/4" drive socket set bought new for $49.95 at Crazy Clark's which has done everything asked of it in fifteen years and emerged unscathed. Including one episode with a large rusted in ball joint in which the socket distorted sufficiently to peel off the chrome plating but did the job and was otherwise undamaged.