Silverline Tools

[brightspark]

Stanley still seem half decent to me. I've got a Stanley chrome vanadium 1/2" socket set that's been used and abused for the last couple of years and IMHO it's excellent.

Also have a Stanley wood saw that's top notch.

OTOH my Rolson precision screwdrivers are too soft and hence rubbish and Silverline stuff seems like a false economy to me.

In fact, I tend to only use Toolstation for hardware and ironmongery. For tools I use Screwfix as they generally provide "good bang for the buck" whereas Toolstation is all about being cheap, cheap, cheap.

yea beating screwfix on most prices but the qualitys the same . take wera screwdrivers and there bits theres none better . not even snap on

 

[Country Joe]

take wera screwdrivers and there bits theres none better . not even snap on

So very true - none better indeed!
CJ

 

[Robotstar5]

take wera screwdrivers and there bits theres none better . not even snap on

I got issued a set of Wera screwdrivers when I started my apprenticeship in 1976, still got a couple left!

 

[hareng]

Broke the ball off a couple of Wera allen keys within two months.
In saying that did buy another full set.

 

[Robotstar5]

Broke the ball off a couple of Wera allen keys within two months.

I always use a straight key to unlock/fully tighten allen head bolts, just use the ballend for running bolts in/out as it won't take the same load as a straight key.

 

[BillFarworth]

Wera tools are quality tools German well made.Only issue is the price really expensive !I have a socket set from them and personal speaking bit the Bahco!
Now about the Silverline .Well I see their stuff as disposable tools nothing more.I could say that it is what you pay is what you take.
In some other brands like the Sealey you can found cheap and decent tools .
Only good thing with Silverline is their price.My inclinometer broke, and decide to purchase one from them totally useless tool ,inaccurate and cheap made.Spend 5 quide now I will go to purchase a kennedy.Luckily was only a 5ver!

 

[Engineer1964]

I think nowdays more than any other people do like a bargain, I mean how many of us look down the rows of tools in the discount store, Tools like Blackspur and Rolson, we're all guilty of it but we do buy them cos they are cheap

You need to remember, Silverline is the Brand, a lot of their tools are made by different companies and some are more suited than others

Their premium spanners which i've had a set now for the past few years are top notch and a lifetime guarantee to rival snap on, Their engineering squares as i said passed, all the QC checks for accuracy at my last job, and great value for money.

Some tools i've had i wouldn't buy again, but its a learning curve, you buy cheap and take a gamble as to if it will last you or not.

I have in my tool box a silverline air grinder from the last place i worked at, they didn't allow powercables only airlines, and thats been with me for the past 5 years with no hassle, a small drop of oil in the inlet before connecting to the airline and it still works a treat.

The Orange Clamps as i've said before, I bought for a one off job and i'm still using them years down the line, excellent.

The Lifetime guarantee on the tools is brilliant for free, you don't have a premium added to the tools as a result and they will collect and replace for free so whats the issue??

I have my expensive tools i mainly use Moore and Wright for my Fab work, and paid over £200 for my combination square set, but i'm always on the lookout to a bargain and i do it cos i enjoy buying something for cheap and hoping it will last.

I guess that puts me different to people who buy cheap and then expect it to be like a premium brand at premium prices

 

[Seano]

As with everything you get what you pay for, at least with Silverline they have a lifetime guarantee with all tools and 3 years on electrical, i wish i could say the same with other buget brands.

I have quite a few of their tools their tungsten scribers are the best i've use, Their range of engineers squares are billiant and at half the price of many others as are their Orange Welding Clamps.

Which type orange welding clamps Gerry, g clamp or spring clamp ?

 

[jordan1]

I have a couple of Silverline tools, ok for a one off job where there is no point in buying expensive top gear.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

I can assure you its all metal except the rubber hose and coil - fact bought one 10 years ago

10 years ago you probably could have assured me,but what about now?

I can assure you as what you see in the pics is not what you actually see in having the product in front of you ie the tools in the pic look metal,but look like plastic having them in front of you.

I've never come across metal? looking like plastic.

As I stated earlier if I could take em out the wrapper without damaging it then I could verify it was metal but I don't want to invalidate my refund.

Nah! I'll avoid Silverline like the plaque from now on.

 

[Engineer1964]

Which type orange welding clamps Gerry, g clamp or spring clamp ?

Just the organge G Clamp with the copper threads to stop spatter sticking

http://www.silverlinetools.com/products/d94/s820

 

[BillFarworth]

I assume he mean the G Clamp Seano. I have set and for their price is really good!

 

[Engineer1964]

10 years ago you probably could have assured me,but what about now?

I can assure you as what you see in the pics is not what you actually see in having the product in front of you ie the tools in the pic look metal,but look like plastic having them in front of you.

I've never come across metal? looking like plastic.

As I stated earlier if I could take em out the wrapper without damaging it then I could verify it was metal but I don't want to invalidate my refund.

Nah! I'll avoid Silverline like the plaque from now on.

Why did you buy it in the first place??? Cos it was cheap

I can now confirm that the Silverline 5 Piece Air Kit is exactly the same as the Clark one from Machine mart, All Metal

Plus they have had good reviews on the Machine Mart Site

Clarke accessory (5) piece kit was great value for money and extremely versatile for all the jobs that need to be done. Andy

Good value for money, perfectly adequate for my use in my own garage/workshop

I found that the Clarke Kit 1000 is ideal for the DIY person and is perfect for the home garage and mechanic, it covers all my needs in the one kit and I am very happy with this product.

Also if you look hard enough, SIP do exactly the same http://www.sipuk.co.uk/tools/info_SIP04947.html

 

[Hitch]

Work bought a load of them orange clamps, slightest bit of pressure on them and the frames twist..... alright though, because they are soft enough to bend back

 

[Wozzaaah]

10 years ago you probably could have assured me,but what about now?

I can assure you as what you see in the pics is not what you actually see in having the product in front of you ie the tools in the pic look metal,but look like plastic having them in front of you.

I've never come across metal? looking like plastic.

As I stated earlier if I could take em out the wrapper without damaging it then I could verify it was metal but I don't want to invalidate my refund.

Nah! I'll avoid Silverline like the plaque from now on.

How the hell can you know what it's made of if you haven't even opened the packaging??
It's metal, I'll put money on it!!

Edit: Nice find Gerry, I think that puts this crappy thread to bed.

 

[BillFarworth]

Well it is a possibility all this kits to be made in the same place in China and just add the different brands name on it.
All this brands not have the skills to actual manufacture something just re budge them!
Without to see really cannot comment further the two kits Clarke and Silverline look similar .Woz you are right.
For me a tool could be done from plastic and be extremely good.Guns made from plastic and it is extremely good.It is the engineering and the quality of tool rather the material you should look.Usually this kits are aluminium alloy
The G clamp is good example if not need a tool for heavy use .Yeap Hitch frames twist but with a fiver I purchase 3 from ebay and always you can bend back

 

[atomant48]

Well i have a 1/2" socket set from this company, which i was very happy with up until the weekend.

The ratchet head has 2 little torx screws holding the back plate on which have had an annoying habit of coming loose. Fortunately i have the correct torx fitting and have always just nipped them up. I never got round to putting any loctite on. But a couple of weeks ago, the mechanism started to bind, so that the ratcheting free-stroke 'wasn't'. I dont think the 2 failures are linked. So now in effect i have an oversized ring spanner!

Anyway, through comms with the company it appears that without a receipt and warranty card, they will decline the "lifetime warranty".

I accept this - it is clearly their policy on the website, and my own stupid fault for not keeping the receipts for all the tools i have bought in the past XX years.

How many people do keep their receipts? I contrast it with a UK made Belling oven that we bought new late last year; one of the grill trays started de-chroming and had the obvious sharp edge risk. One phone call and i had a new one delivered, no questions asked, they didnt even want to see the damaged one. Not only was the contact number very easy to find, I was very very impressed with the service at the end of the phone.

So who has a decent 1/2" ratchet they can recommend?

 

[wheresmejumper]

cant recommend this highly enough
matco ratchet

 

[pedrobedro]

I recently bought a Stahlwille 1/4" drive ratchet to replace a cheap Silverline one that was worn out. I bid on it and got it for £8, they are usually nearer £40 and spare ratchet mechanisms are available for them.

 

[Moose-LT]

I recently bought a Stahlwille 1/4" drive ratchet to replace a cheap Silverline one that was worn out. I bid on it and got it for £8, they are usually nearer £40 and spare ratchet mechanisms are available for them.

Stahlwille tools are among the best out there, the highest quality German-made industrial tools.

I'd be surprised if you ever needes a spare mechanism for it! I have quite a few Stahlwille tools and they're plenty tough!