I've got a big-ass Sidchrome 1/2" set at work, and both a new and a very old Sidchrome 3/8" drive set. 3/8" drive is plenty for everything (including head bolts and main bearing caps), except the real big stuff, and will fit in places the big stuff won't..

I'd get a GOOD 3/8" drive set, then buy only the big 1-1/8", 1-5/16", 1-1/2"sockets separate and use with a cheap 1/2" breaker bar and extension.

I'll bring the new 3/8" & 1/2" Sidchrome sets home for you to have a look at....

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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.

You're a Lege Kev!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Try http://www.transquip.com.au they usualy have pretty good prices.
Like this http://secure.global.net.au/otcgi-bin/o ... :C:KC10122

We have an old 1/2'' Sidchrome set at home. I also bought a 41 piece 1/2'' minimax set off ebay for about $90. They're a bit old fashioned in terms of grip and ratchet design but are Japanese made and seem to be excelent quality especialy for the price + lifetime warranty if the firm is still around in a few years. It seems to me that any well designed quality set should work fine. The site above give some good deals on KC and Kmart have good prices on some tools (not the crap motorpro ones but those ones mades by Kinchrome). I cant understand the whole "lifetime warranty" appeal - they wont cover brocken sockets etc and the only thing you might use it for is the ratchet handle. Its really just a way for the big companies to differentiate between their budget or diy sets and their premium or proffessional quality sets. A cool thing to have but shouldnt be a deciding factor.

Repco tools are pretty good and there seem to be major differences in price between the different branches. btw you might wanna get their second tier brand "Powerbuilt" rahter than the premium "Repco" sets as they are all made by Stanley anyway all in the same factory and are often the same tools just with some different extras and different packaging.

You do get what you pay for..
Avoid the Asian made shiny 1/4" & 3/8" drive chrome sockets that are real shiny inside and out. Material is rubbish- and they split open real easy.

Chrome plating makes steel brittle, unless it's good stuff- which is why I'll only buy chrome vanadium sockets now. I've got a whole row of busted cheapo ones to look at...

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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.

Geez mike that's CHEAP! that's an awesome link! thanks!

I want to rack your brains on this subject on Saturday Kev!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

No worries 68.

BTW Kev have you ever come across minimax? are they any good?

The do seem to be pretty high qulity and that Made in Japan label warms the heart the way no pseudo communist manufactured product can. The ergonomic design and labeling is a bit lacking though.

OK I've got some Japanese ring and OE spanners, and I find they are pretty good. `Toledo' and `Genius' brand, they are satin chrome finish. I got from Toolworks.
I bought them instead of the current Sidchrome (Taiwanese) `shiny and slippery' ones, which I don't like. The Oz made ones had a better feel, IMO.

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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.

My dad has a set of 3/8 minimax sockets and ratchet etc. Had it since the 70's or something and still going strong

Kinchrome's Gearwrench Ratchet ring spanner's are THE best. Dont go near Snap-on, or any other brand. The kinchrome ratchet spanners are solid as a rock, have a damn fine ratchet action, and are sealed so that ya cant lose the little ball out of them. They're not bulky around the ring end either.

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"He's always been a dickhead, He always is a dickhead, He will always be a dickhead. So stop complaining when he acts like one."