hi lads. i figured this would be a good place to ask.
i'm an apprentice panel beater and haven't purchased my toolbox yet and i'm not sure what would be best. the lad i work with has powerbuilt, yet another man said powerbuilt wasnt great. am looking at king tony and sidchrome. i'm not a mechanic so won't be spending a huge amount of time with theese tools, well i will but just to remove and refit panels ect.
in short, i'm looking for a toolkit, low-er price, still trade quality and has the following spanner set, screwdriver set 3/8th 1/4 and 1/2dr ratchets sockets to suit ratchets
then other small things like breaker bars and entensions ect
cheers for advice guys.
skyline_guy_r34,
Jun 3, 6:33am
Stanley or powerbuilt will be fine. All their stuff carries a lifetime warranty (apart from abuse, like using a ratchet as a hammer). They might not be 'as good' as sidchrome, snapon, king tony. But a lifetime warranty should be enough to put your faith in them.
sir-ben,
Jun 3, 6:39am
yeah, i had my heart set on powerbuild, then this other guy planted a seed of doubt in my head :(. ill use them properly then should they break then ill do that. the only time i've ever seen a powerbuilt item break is when someone who didnt know better, used a ratchet-spanner to break a bolt, rather then using a solid one
gunhand,
Jun 3, 6:43am
Watch that life time warranty claim. While it is true they will replace the broken tool for free, BUT break the replacement and thats it no more tool. I use everything from motorgaurd , repco, powerbuilt, snap on, hero, stanley etc. The repco tools are quite good. I have a here socket set Ive had since. well a bloody long time and still working fine. Snap on are expensive but good and they even replace tools if you come from overseas. I know a pommy chap who had a 30 plus year old tool and got it replaced. I just got stuff as the need arrised otherwise you end up with alot of tools you never use when you buy kits/boxes.
sir-ben,
Jun 3, 6:46am
so for example, if i break my 3/8th ratchet, just through use it starts to jump out of gear or whatever it does, i take it back get a new one, how do they stop me from getting another replacement!
yeah, am thinking will start with one complete set of sockets, and spanners, then screwdrivers, coldchizels, punches, and more
im_andrew,
Jun 3, 6:50am
They dont, the second one carries the same lifetime warranty as the first did. Im onto my third 1/4" rachet because they all started jumping out of gear, all replaced under warranty. TBH i think its because i dropped them both in antifreeze, diesel, atf etc. and the fluid messes with the lube in the head.
sir-ben,
Jun 3, 6:56am
yeah, similar thing happened to me, i had a repco brand ratchet and used it at my house and let my friends borrow it, it broke and i traded it in, this happened 2 times and i'm on #3 but i stopped lending it out and she's held strong so i see whats happened here (local repco guys were giving me raised eyebrows)
johnf_456,
Jun 3, 6:58am
The replacement will also have another lifetime warranty provided you keep proof of purchase of course.
cuda.340,
Jun 3, 6:59am
i tell my apprentices to buy run of the mill stuff until they're out of their time. can guarantee they'll break or loose it before they've done their time. i still have a few of the cheapies i bought during my apprenticeship, but back then the cheapies weren't chinese junk like they are today. Powerbuilt is a good quality to start with.
gunhand,
Jun 3, 7:00am
You will find powerbuilt wont. You may find the store involved will replace it for good customer relations but from first hand and eye opening experince powerbuilt dont have to. There is no life time warrenty on the second tool. Although if it is a fault you may be ok. Abuse Na. Had a guy bring a breaker bar back 3 times for replacement. He was, as it turned out abusing it beyond its capabilities. And thats where the whole lifetime warranty thing rasied its head. Surprised me and I really didnt think it was right but it was. You should see some of the tools that tried to be claimed on. broke during normal and proper use, yeeeaa course it did. Or was it a repco tool! One or other.
sir-ben,
Jun 3, 7:25am
yeah, most tools from powerbuilt will need a fair bit of abuse before they let go i've been told. perhaps ill get a powerbuilt set, then just use them like normal and carefully. if they last my days as an apprentice ill be happy. i like using them, i use the other fellow's tools at work but i think it wears a little thin when i take both the 10mm and 12mm 3/8ths tube sockets and ratchet, the most sought after. so will have to get my own
gunhand,
Jun 3, 7:41am
Powerbuilt sockets are not as strong as you think, seen many split ones. But if your beating you will soon learn you dont need a socket to remove tuff bolts LOL.
rob_man,
Jun 3, 7:48am
I have two small Great Neck socket sets, one at work and one at home. I bought them as cheap throwaway items for everyday use while my old Snap on stuff mostly stays in the drawers. It's been over five years and neither of the ratchets have given any trouble yet.
berg,
Jun 3, 7:55am
I dont mind Powerbuilt and have used it as a professional mechanic. Things like screwdrivers, buy a good set and a cheaper set. Use the cheaper set on a day to day basis but when you get the tight screws, get the good ones out. Also a impact driver is a godsend as a panalbasher. Even the Repco stuff is good as a lot of is is rebranded Sydcrome.
johnf_456,
Jun 3, 7:57am
Same I find powerbuilt okay.
ema1,
Jun 3, 8:33am
Not sure if Osmo is still available, that's what I got years ago and haven't had a mishap with any of the 1/2 drive set, well made and brilliant ratchets to boot. The 3/8 drive .can't remember the make but German it was has been good over the years too but dear as sin when I bought it. Hazet .rings a bell. Got single hex Hazet in both 1/2 drive and 3/8 drive plus tubes both in Hazet and American Armstrong Tool Co. 1/4 drive set was originally Spanish brand Hispano and it's a brilliant 1/4 set but I have added different sockets and hex drive tool sockets plus various oddities to the 3/8 and 1/2 drive sets over the years. All in AF/Metric combos with various odd ones like BSF BSW etc thrown in. Mostly American various makes, German Stahwille and some Japanese Koken stuff. Spanners I have still from my motortrade days the metric ones mainly Stahwille Stabil, Daimler Benz & Gedore some real solid Swedish Bahco open type ring spanners other ones can't remember the make and heaps of Spanish, English(Britol) in BSF & BSW sizes and various heaps of AF Yank spanners Had some Sidchrome AF only socket sets but eventually broke the sides out of some of their sockets, ratchets tended to fail after a year or so as well, got bugger all of Sidchrome left. Haven't had a lot to do with what's available these days.no need.ha ha. Actually I bought some Teng black heavy section single hex impact sockets recently, about 20 sockets in the set I bought and weren't cheap either, big ones good for undoing CVJoint drive shaft drive nuts without wrecking burring them over or slipping and skinning the knuckles. Power bar shortish extension and an axle stand for a pivot always works for me! Good to use in both rattle guns and 1/2 drive ratchets and power bars.
zephyrheaven,
Jun 3, 8:35am
SP make some nice tools these days (few sellers on here but check with your local supplier at cost buy pricing) I got a free 1/4 drive set a while ago & it sits well next to my Snap On gear I wouldnt touch a powerbuilt tool myself - they feel cold & unfinished in your hands, even if you dont use them all the time it still feels like someone hasnt done their job properly
hijacka,
Jun 3, 11:09am
Try out supercheaps calibre crv range for socket sets and spanners which are the rebranded superworks gold. The Plus side is: When you break one you take it back and get another, no worries no loss of $$ and no reciept needed either!.I took back a superworks gold 1/2 ratchet 2months ago broke the gearing inside it because i was using a leg off the engine crane for leverage on a tight ass axle bolt. Done the job but killed the ratchet.Gave me a calibre one(exactly the same) anyway look for the lifetime warrenty sign within your budget is a good start, However i do find supercheap alot more. (user friendly) for returns.ie:i took back a fuller pro ratchet back to mitre10 mega last year for pretty much the same thing and didn't have a reciept they weren't going to honour the lifetime warrenty replacement. but they did end up replacing it, not without a fight thou lol it was quite a show the put on over 1 little ratchet.
guider1,
Jun 3, 11:48am
I have a friend who is a Powerbuilt dealer so that's what the majority of my tools are including toolboxes. I have an el-cheapo Craftsman 1/4 drive socket set that's about 12yrs old now & still going strong. Any tool will possibly break if used for the wrong thing. For example; just because there's a 13mm socket in a 1/4 drive set doesnt mean the ratchet will withstand the pressure of undoing that size nut. common sense prevails with most tools. I watched a guy use an impact gun for a 10 or 12mm nut on an RB oil pump one day. sheered the stud clean off & cost him a new oil pump. Apprentices. funny to watch the green ones. Even some A-graders arent that switched on sometimes. Same place a guy snapped a Landcruiser cam with a big crescent trying to wind the cam round while the head was still on the engine; cost him $900 for another cam. Where I used to work gave the guys 1 chance for stupidity then after that it cost them.
faa_luke,
Jun 3, 11:52am
What you need will depend on your cars. Metric / Imperial. My toyota is metric, but my escort is imperial. You can buy combo sets which have both metric and imperial though if you think you'll need both. I have mostly powerbuilt, and have yet to break anything, I do take care of my tools, and use them for the right job. Do the same and you will have no problem. If I was buying all my stuff again i'd probably go to supercheap when they have a special on stanley socket sets. Buy the sockets / ratchets in sets, not separately. I wouldn't bother with 1/4 set TBH. Grab a 3/8" set, and a 1/2" set. As for screw drivers, fine some you like the look of. I use fuller ones which have differing coloured handles for each type, handy. Bunnings, mitre10mega and supercheap would be good places to start, stick to good brands and you can't go wrong.
If it's mainly lightweight work you're doing, and you're doing it on a budget (I assume so) then i'd start with a 3/8" socket set which includes the deep sockets. Some sets even include spanners and 1/4" parts for the $150/$200 bracket you would have a good start. For example: http://www.stanleytools.com/xhtml/literature/StanleyAutomotiveTools99pcBlkChromeSocketSet.pdf $199 at supercheap. Only thing I can see it lacks is power bars. By the time you buy a good 3/8" set, and some decent spanners, you'll be looking at that price anyway, so having it all in the one kit would be a start. Then as you save more you can get a 1/2" set if needed and whatever else you require. Once you start you can't stop buying tools. I'm off to get some ratcheting spanners tomorrow. it's an addiction I swear. Good luck!
guider1,
Jun 3, 11:54am
Panelbeaters need a 1/4 set though, lots of 10mm nuts on Jappas & alot of the time you cant get a 3/8 ratchet into the little Jappa hole that's hiding the nut.
faa_luke,
Jun 3, 12:10pm
That's where extensions and universal joints come in handy, I have stripped a few jap cars myself to the bones with a 3/8" set for that sort of thing. Not saying don't grab a 1/4" set, just that more often than not, a 3/8" will do the job. I find deep sockets are the best tool to have around when pulling interior/exterior apart. :)
pup2,
Jun 3, 7:03pm
Had a King Tony 3/8" set from roughly 20y ago. Dropped the ratchet off the roof of a tractor and broke it. Dude in the shop said no issue. Replace under warranty, sent it away. Rings me up a couple of weeks later to say no warranty as it is to old WTF! Turns out NOW lifetime warranty means the lifetime of the tool, which I was informed is "about" 3y. I haven't brought another one of their tools since and never will.
sir-ben,
Jun 3, 7:37pm
yeah i use common sence as a rule of thumb i use the biggest and strongest ratchet i can reasonably, e.g. smallest ratchet for taking door cards/windows/lights, (because it's lightweight and easy to poke in) medium ratchet with tube socket for 12/10mm panel bolts boots and bonnets because it's strong enough generally, and 1/2" ratchet for bumper iron supports, towbars and bull-bars. so what i'm hearing as general message from you all is i won't do well to rush out and buy a full set but rather buy as i can and what i need, then keep rolling. faa luke i looked on the website you sent, and am thinking a set like that may be nice, it says lifetime warranty, has anyone had greif from supercheep for this!
i really like having nice tools, i mean not professional mechanic tools are too expensive, but just good things that wont break and make me skin my knuckles
i'll go for a browse through supercheep this weekend, and repco and see what catches me, one other thing i wont ever buy cheep is screwdrivers, i've come across enough rusted in screws that wont come easy, so i'll be sure to get a good set of those aswell
ct9a,
Jun 3, 8:20pm
beware the warrenty's dont all cover "trade use"
best to spend as mush $$ as you can as you will only end up upgrading down the path any way
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