Buying spanners

[*blick.]

I've been getting by working on the car by using the few screwdrivers around the house and borrowing anything else that I find out I need. But I think it's time for me to get a good quality set of spanners and start my own tool collection because I think its bad form for me to be borrowing stuff every weekend

I don't really know much about what to look for, but I figure I should spend a little now and get something good and reliable, that way I only have to buy them once (unless of course I lose some). I would want something that has a good warranty.

1) Where would you guys suggest I look?
2) What brands are reputable?
3) Which sizes are 'must haves' for working on my mazda?
4) What types would be most useful? (e.g open, ring, combination, imperial, metric etc.)

Any advice would be much appreciated

[TERRA Operative]

If you've got the money, Snap-on is awesome stuff.

I currently use a Sidchrome 1/2 inch metric ratchet set that seems to be pretty good.

[Cosmo Dude]

Kinchrome is a good mix of price Vs value.

Good tools will last you a life time, take care of them.

[Laser the Amazer]

I use Sidchrome at home never had an issue

you get what you pay for

cheapies break

sidchrome set I have at home would be close to 15 years old now and still in very good condition

Rob

[Astro Boy]

anything with a lifetime warranty... Repco tools are good as they all have repco stamped on them, and if they ever break you can exchange them for free at any repco store without needing to dig up receipts etc.

Spend the money, and get quality ones... i've got a scar from where a cheap spanner has snapped and hit me...

[mike_d87]

i use my dad's sidchrome at home and they're about 40 years old. the only problem was when he broke his ratchet but they replaced it with a new one, no questions. if they are a bit pricey then repco would be the next best thing.

[ATOMIC]

I'm forced to only use Snap-on at work

:<

But I have heard good things about Kincrome.

[Cosmo Dude]

3) Which sizes are 'must haves' for working on my mazda?
10mm
12mm
14mm
5/8" spark plug socket
17mm
19mm
21mm

4) What types would be most useful? (e.g open, ring, combination, imperial, metric etc.)
Socket 3/8 or 1/4 drive
Ring spanners

If you want to go special a 12mm tube nut spanner could be useful for the brakes.

[twilightprotege]

go repco! for the same reasons as astro boy said...except for the scar part

[chicaboo]

Yeah, buy the ones Andrew has that round off the bolt heads on your cam clamps... :mad: :( :o

Good tools cost, If Repco are the go, so be it.

[platypus]

i've an awesome set inherited from my dad, inherited from his dad... Kamasa Tools... some west German outfit? over 40 years old and still kicking around.... dunno where they could possibly be bought however, as they were brought over from the UK

[*blick.]

Yeh I've thought kingchrome, sidchrome and snap on were good brands (mainly because of the price). So it seems you get what you pay for when it comes to tools. Although I have to admit, I never even considered going to look at repco, thanks for the tip I'll check it out tomorrow

Where would be te best place to get those other brands? can they all be found at bunnings? It would be really good if I could find a really good price for a set and then use the lowest price gaurantee at bunnings to get another 10% off :p

[Cosmo Dude]

Where would be te best place to get those other brands? can they all be found at bunnings? It would be really good if I could find a really good price for a set and then use the lowest price gaurantee at bunnings to get another 10% off :p
For tool sets your best price is usualy at the wholesale barns (Bunnings, Bursons etc...) but for special tools you should go to a tool shop and make friends with the staff. Remember to shop around.

[Ripper323]

For the average home mechanic I would suggest that Snap on are a bit over priced, sidchrome are your best bet, although I have a few repco sockets and they are really good. they have a lifetime replacement, unless you use them with a rattle gun, so you can swing off them with a 10ft pole if you desire and if it breaks, they will replace it.
Ring spanners and sockets are you best friends, as they tend not to round off nuts and bolts as much. Open end spanners have limited use, as they are more prone to rounding the corners of your nuts, and are not as strong as ringys. Although they are great when you can't get into a tight place.
Also if you are after a good set of allen keys, I recommend Unbrako. Very reasonably priced and very good allen keys.

[Astro Boy]

I've got a mate who's an aircraft maintenance engineer, and he uses repco, so that's good enough for me...

As for snap on, their warranty and follow up if anything does happen is APPAULING!!! and frankly, a little over kill for the home handyman anyway...

Repco!

[Cosmo Dude]

Snap on is marketed primarily for professional mechanics.
Repco is only available through Repco so you pay their price.
Sidchrome/Kinchrome can be found anywhere.
As I said earlier you can find these sets cheaper at the big wholesale hardware outlets. If you're gonna spend big $$ then look for the cheaper price for a good brand.
When you get them please be anal about there care and put them back where you got them. It makes it so much easier to find the right size when you need it.

[Ripper323]

When you get them please be anal about there care and put them back where you got them. It makes it so much easier to find the right size when you need it.
Yeah it is amazing how much longer your tools will last if you wipe them occasionally with a lightly oiled rag.

[chipa]

Go Kinchrome. For all the reasons above. I've found quality as good as Sidchrome so why pay the premium price for Sidchrome? Snap-on, If you're lucky they'll give you good service otherwise I've found they're a pain in the butt.

I used to go to repco but over the last 10 years their pricing for most products has become atrocious, so I refuse to go there unless I'm forced to. And that includes getting a trade price.

[ATOMIC]

I can't believe I forgot to mention, Blue Point. From what i'm told, Blue Point are the Japanese version of Snap-on. Same quality, MUCH cheaper price.

[mike_d87]

blue point is snap-on's premium range i think

[ATOMIC]

It wouldn't suprise me if my mate telling me that the Japanese version of Snap-on is Blue Point is incorrect, but if they are the premium range they shouldn't be cheaper.

[*blick.]

thanks for all the advice guys. I didnt realise spanner sets were so expensive so I ended up buying a 8mm and 10mm open ended/ring spanners (the two that I needed for the job) made by sidchrome.

I don't know much about car mechanics so i couldnt really justify spending $100+ on a set of spanners I would only use occasionally but the advice you guys gave helped a lot when I was choosing beteen brands

[mike_d87]

It wouldn't suprise me if my mate telling me that the Japanese version of Snap-on is Blue Point is incorrect, but if they are the premium range they shouldn't be cheaper.

i know for sure blue point impact wrenches are 2-3 times the price of others, it may only be those that are more expensive