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

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

Originally Posted by Eevo

Sid not made in aust for ten plus years

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 ?

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.

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.