Thread: Anyone had any experience with SP tools ??

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.

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.