Spanners (buying advice reqired)

[julianf]

I have a cheap set of draper metric spanners, which have done me ok. But theyre 200 miles away at the moment, and im sick of making do with hand-me-down imperials and adjustables.


By a strange twist, i have £40 of credit at halfords, so, do i buy...

*A 10pc metric set (missing 16 & 18mm) for £30 (the 18mm will cost another £7 on top alone - pretty much snap on prices!)

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/tool-kits/hal-adv-10pc-metric-spanner-set

*A 12pc ratchet set, with fixed neck costing £10 more than i have credit for (£50)

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ga...rofessional-12-piece-ratchet-spanner-set#tab2

*A 9pc (no 9mm or 18mm) bendy neck ratchet set (£40)

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ga...ced-professional-9-piece--ratchet-spanner-set


*or just get a cheap £8 set from Aldi

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/sunday-28-september/product-detail/ps/p/16-piece-wrench-set-1/


Im sick of spending more time looking for a usable spanner than actually using them, so its time i just got a set. The 12pc ratchet seems the most comprehensive, but im suspicious of the ratchet mechanism, and wonder if i wouldnt do better just buying a standard set first... But i will get the draper set back at some point.


Yes, i know this sounds like crazy talk to some of you... But that's exactly why im calling on your greater experience! : )



note: spanners do not earn me money, but i would quite like a set that will do me for years to come

 

[brightspark]

get the 10 piece set and buy the extra one i have a set along with 3 other makes and there good

 

[Parm]

I've had the Halfords professional spinners for ten years now, just as good as snap on, lifetime guarantee (if you keep the reciept) and significantly less than snap on

 

[mike 109444]

There was a recent post on the "ratchet" type that a member had one break. Think he was told on taking it back that they were not designed for "heavy" use and other members concurred.

 

[ben8vgte]

Why not http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ga...its/halfords-25-piece-combination-spanner-set

Looks a great deal and I've had my Halfords ones for quite a few years and have been faultless.

 

[normspanners]

*A 10pc metric set (missing 16 & 18mm) for £30 (the 18mm will cost another £7 on top alone - pretty much snap on prices!)

I dont think so I bought a 10mm the other day and it was £28 only buy specials now from snap on.
Halfords are good, bergen or us pro are also good, a set for less than one snap on I have never broken one, lost loads though, so I'm the winner.
Why not http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ga...its/halfords-25-piece-combination-spanner-se
thats a good deal

 

[doubleboost]

I dont think so I bought a 10mm the other day and it was £28
Halfords are good, bergen or us pro are also good, a set for less than one snap on I have never broken one lost loads though.

I had a set of "Burgen" screw drivers they were ****e

 

[normspanners]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-Pro-by...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item58b507b48c
I have had several sets from this guy and I cant fault them or him you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between snap on.
I use mine hard and double up when needed and they dont leave any marks on the open ends

 

[doubleboost]

I bought mine from a "paddy" with a van
Could have been counterfit
I have a fair bit of Snap on gear
No comparison to the "Burgen" gear I bought
I have some "T" handle torx drivers that are a joke must be poor quality copy
I am still using Tipco spanners after 40 years
I bought a load of the black snap on gear it is still going strong

 

[AndyStobbs]

My main combination spanners are US pro and I really cant fault them. When needs must I hook one onto the end of another for extra leverage, or put a piece of pipe over the spanner, both of which I hate doing but they have got me out of tight corners, and the spanners have held up well. They've had so much use now that the chrome is wearing off where they rub on my crocodile tooth rails.
I've also got a halfords ratchet set which have given equally good service.
Either way you need every size from 7 to 32mm for general work, and larger if you work on big. equipnent

 

[anjum]

Depends on whether you have a good/ workable set of combination spanners or not.

If you have then go for the ratchet ones.
I've got the Halfords ones and I tend not to use them as they are wider and thicker. I had one come apart recently, took it back to them and after a bit of fuss (trying to find an individual one rather than a whole set.....) it was replaced.

If not then get a good set of combination ones and then get some ratchet ones later.

 

[julianf]

Thank you for the replies.

It seems to be borderline as to if a broken ratchet spanner will be replaced. Some seem to replace, whilst other stores wont. One of the ratchet sets i linked to in the initial post specifically states "Moving parts are not covered for wear and tear under this guarantee" whilst the other set, probably by error, does not have that line...

The reason im looking at the pro/advanced stuff from halfords is because of the warranty. The cheaper halfords parts dont have the same warranty.
Part of my aim is just to have an easy life. Not scrabbling about for spanners, and, i guess, not worrying about warranty claims comes into that too!

I probably wouldnt be buying now, unless i had this £40 of credit, hence looking at halfords specifically.




Snap on seem to be about £10-12 per unit, used, off ebay (I wouldnt mind buying used with a lifetime warranty)

 

[Spark plug]

Snap on seem to be about £10-12 per unit, used, off ebay (I wouldnt mind buying used with a lifetime warranty)

Be very careful, as snap-on's warranty only covers the original owner. So unless you friendly with your local snap-on rep you probably won't be able to get broken items repaired/replaced.

 

[TAITSIE]

My main combination spanners are US pro and I really cant fault them. When needs must I hook one onto the end of another for extra leverage, or put a piece of pipe over the spanner, both of which I hate doing but they have got me out of tight corners, and the spanners have held up well. They've had so much use now that the chrome is wearing off where they rub on my crocodile tooth rails.
I've also got a halfords ratchet set which have given equally good service.
Either way you need every size from 7 to 32mm for general work, and larger if you work on big. equipnent

I have both US PRO and BRITOOL combi sets and the only thing I found was that the US set took longer to wear in at the jaw end
I also have HALFORDS ratchet spanner sets in swivel and straight types and they have been great

 

[Kayos]

I've had the exact halfords 10 PC set, plus the 16 and 18 for so long I don't even remember when I bought them, they do have the very old logo on so its probably 12 years or more. They get used properly and I've yet to break one, even linking them or sliding bars over.

 

[Pid]

I work on trains and sometimes heavy plant. I bought the 25 bit metric spanner set good for the cost and the fit is good. I use gear wrench stuff and Kennedy stuff both good.

 

[TAITSIE]

I think the Halfords Advanced range is not as good as the original Pro version

 

[Kayos]

I think the Halfords Advanced range is not as good as the original Pro version

That's a good point actually, my pro stuff does "feel" better, but the only things I've ever broke are advanced 3/8 torx bits, usually by being heavy handed, I've not yet snapped a hex bit and they are all pro.

 

[visor_down]

I have the ratchet and plain ones, as above the head of the ratchet ones often get in the way but they are handy to have, wouldn't want the ratchet ones alone though, they certainly don't feel like you could swing on them. I have the 150 piece advanced set and aside from the 3/8 ratchet had no problems getting bits replaced (the ratchet was eventually replaced) . I have only broken torx bits through being a bit enthusiastic, but they replace them no probs, and on a Sunday which comes in handy.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Why not http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ga...its/halfords-25-piece-combination-spanner-se
thats a good deal

I think I'd be tempted to go for this set. It'll cost a tenner on top of the credit you already have but you'll have every size you'll need to do anything that's considered normal.
I don't know what you do with your spanners and that question is important, but certainly for working on cars etc I'd take a full set with the 'odd' sizes included over ratchet spanners any day - so many odd sizes come up.
If only buying the bare minimum tools I would typically opt for a 'combination' (ring and open end) spanner rather than a ratchet one. Aside from the fact that in light use a normal spanner is basically certain to outlive the owner and can't be expected to break you can still do everything with one that you could with a ratchet, just slower. As well as strength and durability you have a more compact tool. There are places you can get a ring spanner on (and need to) but where a thicker ratchet spanner of any make just won't do.
So, my principle is to get a set that allows you to do anything and everything, just slower.

With all this said, I'm thinking from a mechanics point of view. Perhaps the jobs you do have easy access and will be made easier by having ratchet spanners, and maybe you'll never find access restricted to the point where you need a normal ring spanner. And maybe anything over 19 or 22mm will be a waste of space for you too.