Hey im half way through my project and slowly realising dads cheap old half sets of tools arent going to cut it anymore,

Obviously stanley and sidchrome would be the best options but im a student and they seem really overpriced.

Can anyone suggest brands that might be more affordable but would still last and be reliable??

Thanks

Im not ashamed to say that i use Supatool. I bought a huge tool box full of tools. Its lasted me for years. I have an expensive tool set at work, but cant see the point in having snap on or facom at home.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

i also have found no problems with supertool stuff yet.


obviously things like ratchet spanners things that are expensive in teh first place you would buy a little more expensive brand.

but yeah i would reccomens supatool also.

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-jamie-
1963morris 850
1965 solid side van
1994 rover racecar

No problems with the cheaper tool kits for home use. You'll find that you'll only use a handfull of tools for 90% of the jobs, so if those few break/wear just replace them with good name ones.

cheap stuff all the way id suggest a good 1/2 AF ring and flat and a good phillips head

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Enjoy Chris

I hate cheap stuff.... pisses me right off

Kinchrome, or TTI (from Total Tools & Industrial) which is their own brand, but usually made by one of the best manufacturers, eg their impact driver is actually a Koken which is top of the line. Being a trade place, they're flexible on price too

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I go to Cash Converters and pick up a heap of common sizes for 50c each - just pick out the good stuff

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

JBS (Available from Blackwoods and AE Baker) make some nice tools as well.

It's pretty hared however to get a bad tool these days unless you are not spending more than a few dollars. Get them on special and build the kit up slowly.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I have powerbuilt stuff, i have a a 3/8 drive socket set, with long reach single hex imperial sizes 3/8 - 5/8 as well as normal reach from tiny up to 7/8 and 19mm.

decent 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 combination spanners are a must.

I have a decent stanley screwdriver set, as well as a changable bit driver thing (Powerbuild also)

I also have a decent Torque Wrench (not the bendy rod type) which is 1/2 inch drive, with powerbuilt single hex sockets - also a double hex 1/2 inch for 1275 rod bolts.

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speed costs....how fast do you want to go...

My main socket set is a Supatool 1/2" Drive, its been awesome! I've just gotta get some bars of deep sockets to go with it.

I've also got a set of Eurotech combination AF spanners, beautifully made, and they are thinner than those of my supartool stuff, making certain jobs nicer.

My home set is just a cheap no name brand.
My good set at work is all snap on, but i use them all day every day

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Miniworx Centre 0883741299
Sooperdooperminicooperexpertengineering
Online BMW Mini Shop

I like Kincrome stuff...when they were made in Japan...

Some stuff is still good i REALLY like the 3/8 drive ratchet set...has the best attachments and features for those really tight finicky spots and it's only about $60.

REPCO are good too and lifetime warranty and since they're branded REPCO you can take them back to any repco store for replacement if you break one

KC Tools are good value too.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Bendy rod ones, unlike the clicky ones, are usually pretty accurate and remain so with use.
I have seen many crook clicky type ones- one ausmini member had one that needed 72lb/ft reading to give actual 40. No wonder his head gaskets leaked...
Another member had a bad clicky one, so I gave him my 30 year old Taiwanese bendy one that still works and is still accurate.

If you can afford it and want a good one, I'd buy a Warren & Brown. If not, I reckon any bendy one is better than a 12 months old clicky, unless you get it calibrated regularly- but who bothers..
I had a Kincrome clicky, but sold it before it got dodgy..
My current one is a Craftsman bendy bar one made in USA. Thanks Chong.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

i've got mant different brands.......ive found that snap-on/blue point are fantastic tools but are only worth it if you are using them everyday. Sidchrome are good but a bit pricey in my opinion. kinchrome, super tool and repco brand are ok. but i actually prefer to use the "power built" tools (available at repco)......ive bought a couple of thier mixed type kits that have spanners (3/8 to 3/4), ratchets (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drives) and most sockets that you will require but only short extenision bars. that set cost me about $200 1-2 years ago. Get your self a wobble extension bar set 3/8 very handy! I also still have my old cheapie (no name brand) apprentice 1/2" socket set and imperial/metric spanner set that has NEVER given me a drama in 13 or 14 years and they cost me about $50-$60 then. They are chrome valduim. Teng tools i found a bit unreliable especially ring spanners.....i found they cracked just past the shaft (of which is quite thin) when applying a decent amount of pressure, may not happen first time but it will happen 3rd or 4th time. They were also a bit uncomfortable to use.
Also reccommend getting a decent magnet very handy for minis!!
Screw drivers.....Stanley will do the trick, get the big set (if they still make the two sets). I didnt ever break them, i lost them or someone lost them for me.
Pipe spanners definately by a good brand like sidchrome or snap-on cheaper ones flex and will round off your brake pipe fittings and that is just no good
My good ol' trusty 1/2 inch drive bendy rod sidchrome torque wrench is still as good as when it came out of the box (checked it recently with a mate of mine who has a warren and brown and found its still spot on)
long pointy nose pliers straight and a 45 degree pair.
Anyways good liuck and happy tool shopping!!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

Up until today I have been really happy with Kingchrome stuff (thier ratcheting ring spanners are the best things ever for working on minis)
BUT when I went to use a brake spanner today it slipped & partially rounded the nut.

Grabbed my Gedore spanner and even with the rounded nut it still got it off

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Too many cars, and too little time.