Thread: Tools - Socket Sets

unless you are greek like me...and use a shifter.....
you will need at least one whitworth spanner in your kit.....
and that would be 1/4 whitworth or 1/2 BS.......


metric or A/F spanners will not fit your battery terminals......for some reason they have not
gone metric or imperial......


as for what tools to get......repco tools are good......supercraps gold series looks decent as well....but are not overpriced......
these are not tools you will need every day like a mechanic needs to rely on.....
but rather something to use or tinker with on weekends......
there is no need to spend big bucks for this reason.....



and as for sidchrome rachets.....i find their ratchet mechanism is too course....
there are many brands out there which are good quality but not popular....so you only pay for the tool.....
not the name......

I must concur with my learned collegues and say I agree with all the above

Now - Kingchrome is well priced and easier to get replacements for (lifetime warranty) thanks to Bunnings. I have a mix of tools, but replace anything that breaks with Kingchrome (except rachets)

But personally, I preffer & use the Sidchrome rachets. I like the quick release button.

Metrich is excellent (I only have a spanner set though). For Metrinch try ebay, purchase & postage from the USA can still be 50% cheaper than retail.

Other options are 2nd hand tools on ebay. Some relative bargains can be had from young people who drop out of apprenticeships and opt to sell their tools. Or go to the market and see if you can find an old Sidchrome set for a decent price.

Thanks for the ideas all. Interestingly, wherever I look, kinchrome and sidchrome are pretty much the same price, maybe i'm looking in the wrong places

Metrinch and JBS are interesting options to look at, and I have been keeping an eye on ebay. I would only go middle of the road, but i'm begining a complete restoration of my series 2 ambulance, and there is always work to be done on my Series 3 FFR, and I do all my own work. I had a cheap supercheap set, and i've already snapped and cracked a number of sockets, and it wasn't a plesant experience.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Thanks for the ideas all. Interestingly, wherever I look, kinchrome and sidchrome are pretty much the same price, maybe i'm looking in the wrong places

Metrinch and JBS are interesting options to look at, and I have been keeping an eye on ebay. I would only go middle of the road, but i'm begining a complete restoration of my series 2 ambulance, and there is always work to be done on my Series 3 FFR, and I do all my own work. I had a cheap supercheap set, and i've already snapped and cracked a number of sockets, and it wasn't a plesant experience.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions

Just a reminder that for these vehicles you will need both Whitworth and AF, with little need for metric. If buying new, note that you can get Whitworth spanners, usually have to be ordered in, but probably can't get sets. One idea might be to go through the S2 workshop manual, which notes the tools required at the top of each operation, and just tabulate the ones you need and buy just those individually - might be cheaper than looking for a set, at least for the Whitworth sizes.
John

I've already been picking up the whotworth spanners I need from ebay

Also, my series 3 has a reasonable amount of metric through it, and by getting a set with both I can work on any later models that I may get. That said, if I can't afford a metric/af set, I may just get an AF one and get the metrics later, but it's cheaper in one hit.

I have been getting people to just buy me the various bits and pieces i need in Kinchrome and love the stuff, its indestructable.I have a socket set, torque wrench and a set of imperial ratch spanners and love them, i am just slowly building on it all.

I also have a set of supatool spanners/socket set in one in the car as i needed the breaker bar to undo the wheel nuts as a wheel brace doesnt fit in the hole and i stand on this thing all the time with a 24mm socket for the mags and a 27mm socket when using my muddies and this set is a tough as, i cant fault the quality, the ratchet has no movement or play in it and the spanners are as tough as. When i bought them the bloke i know at Auto One in bathurst told me that the SupaTool brand is Sidchrome's cheaper option brand but he reckons in some cases it is better, i would have to say its as good as the twice the price Kinchrome set i have. Matt

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Just a reminder that for these vehicles you will need both Whitworth and AF, with little need for metric. If buying new, note that you can get Whitworth spanners, usually have to be ordered in, but probably can't get sets. One idea might be to go through the S2 workshop manual, which notes the tools required at the top of each operation, and just tabulate the ones you need and buy just those individually - might be cheaper than looking for a set, at least for the Whitworth sizes.
John

Tyron Saunders ( nickname - Jeckle) of Hemmant, Brisbane, is a dealer in good used tools. He always seems to have a fabulous range whenever I see him at swap meets. His prices are reasonable and he is a good source for Whitworth hand tools. Telephone 07-3348-9859.

Try http://www.transquip.com.au for prices. But I'd go with the others and get Kinchrome or JBS. As for the imperial, buy it when you need it. Also look at the option of buying a socket set and only the ratchet and extensions you need straoight up. About 4 years ago I lost all my tools and had to start from scratch. Rather than buying a large tools set with more than I needed I just went for the basics and have kept adding to it. Most of the time it's with things that I wouldn't have got with the set anyway (e.g. v/long handled bar).

Of course if you're made of money or have lots to throw around buy Snap-on