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

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!! :)

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.

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.

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

Sid not made in aust for ten plus years

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Originally Posted by Eevo

Sid not made in aust for ten plus years

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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 ?

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Originally Posted by rick130

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.

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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.

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

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.

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.