Tools from the USA

[Joe_echo]

A colleague is taking a trip to the USA for work in the coming weeks and has kindly offered to grab me some bits if I fancy.

Is there anything that is a must have? I was thinking ratchets, sockets. It must be able to fit in hand luggage.

 

[Parm]

In that case your limited to nothing sharp

 

[Shox Dr]

Spears sell Gearwrench tools, worth getting

 

[Joe_echo]

In that case your limited to nothing sharp

I say hand luggage but chances are it will be checked. I just didn't want to take the mick by asking for a full 200pc socket set

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Can buy a lot of stuff on Amazon.com to be honest....even with VAT and shipping its still a descent saving.

Don't do what my mate did and buy a load of tape measures.....get them back and find they are all imperial

 

[grim_d]

There's really not much over there that you can't get over here that's worth buying.

Craftsman is cheap tat now, Gearwrench is available in the UK.

 

[Joe_echo]

I did wonder if it was worth it.

 

[mangocrazy]

A lot of specialist car stuff is much cheaper in the US, although the exchange rate hasn't been much cop since the vote to leave the EU. Some years back I bought lots of parts for my Lancia Beta over there and had it shipped to my brother in law's place in Tennessee. Believe it or not piston sets, valves, guides, starter motor, ignition boxes, coils etc were all way cheaper and at the time the exchange rate was in our favour. I was sweating a bit as we went through UK customs but all went without a hitch. Result.

 

[mr haynes]

Likes of snapon used to be much cheaper, dunno now

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I know someone who brought back an mx5 turbo kit....in his suit case...with the manifold too.

That car went like a rocket....standard brakes...scary stuff!

 

[Joe_echo]

I know someone who brought back an mx5 turbo kit....in his suit case...with the manifold too.

That car went like a rocket....standard brakes...scary stuff!

That would be nice, I've got an mx5 in my garage waiting for me to pull my finger out.

 

[TechnicAl]

Carharrt overalls were always a good bargain

 

[zzr1200]

Don't do what my mate did and buy a load of tape measures.....get them back and find they are all imperial

Nowt wrong with imperial.....

 

[mm289]

Last time I went I came back with a load of parts for my Chevy Blazer, bushes, steering arms etc. Had about 15kg of clothes and 25kg of car parts

was flying BA for work though so checked baggage allowance was great

Cheers,

MM

 

[Stueeee]

In that case your limited to nothing sharp

That's not all unfortunately, as regards stuff that can't go in cabin baggage. From the US TSA website:

Tools longer than 7 inches (measured from end to end when assembled) are prohibited in carry-on baggage; these items must be packed in your checked baggage.

Full (long) list here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all-list

My brother had a Snap-On ratchet confiscated at Dulles Airport. I'm sure that stayed in the bin at the end of the day. After some robust (but polite) discussions I had with ever more senior Homeland Security people, a brand new steel torsion crankshaft damper in my carry on baggage was grudgingly allowed on the plane at the same airport.

Secondhand Snap-On stuff has been much cheaper in the US than here in my experience. Don't know about new Snap-On prices there. Carhartt and Dickies clothing is much cheaper in the USA than here too, I always travel out with two near empty suitcases and usually struggle to get them below 23kg on the way back.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Maybe some descent mole grips....but reckon the descent stuff would be old second hand maybe?

 

[pressbrake1]

In that case your limited to nothing sharp

I had a micrometer taken off me!
No tools even included that

 

[stuvy]

That would be nice, I've got an mx5 in my garage waiting for me to pull my finger out.

Do it

You know you want to

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Imperial spanners are far easier to find in USA

 

[Joe_echo]

Do it

You know you want to

You're right I do, but with a 2 year old, working full time and studying an engineering masters, I'm a bit time deficient.