britool- they any good?

[bawjaws]

ive been promised a socket set for xmas but ive to pick! ive come across this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRITOOL-1-2-Inch-Drive-Socket-Set-Metric-44-Piece-NEW_W0QQitemZ130275016802QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item130275016802&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A3%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 are britool any good, id probably use it for undoing wheelnuts and stuff and ussualy the crap sockets snap, will this?, thanks
oh and if you know of a better set at the same sort of price just say

 

[chriskelland]

Years ago Britool were some of the best you could get, don't know what they are like now. Socket sets are not designed for wheel nuts and they do break. You need the type used on windy guns. Best get a proper wheel spider and a torque wrench to tighten them up.

Chris.

 

[aero]

Britool are not that good anymore. The chrome peels off and I avoid buying Britool stuff for this reason as tools with chrome that comes off are not nice to use.

You might laugh but Halford PROFESSIONAL range is much better in quality and finish. I've given their 12 point sockets some serious abuse changing Boeing 737 brake packs.

Draper Elora are good, so are their Expert range. Other then that I use stahl wille, but you need a mortage for a set of them.

 

[chriskelland]

Elora are good, I've got some and they have lasted well. A lot of car and truck mechs use Snap On tools. As far as Draper is concerned, stick to their Expert range, I have a height gauge from the expert range and it's V good. I also bought a 12 / 24v charger and it was rubbish. Some of the Silverline stuff is quite fair, I've had some pcl connectors that are quite chunky and well made and the socket sets in the catalogue are guaranteed for life - whatever that means. You can't trust big names anymore - just try to get a look at what you're buying first.

Chris.

 

[hareng]

Got some 70's imperial Britool sockets, dunno where they come from. Chrome peeling off though rarely use as they tend to break.
Drapers from this period do not break except the ratchets and ive chased a few cars and heavy machines around. No help here because unobtainable new.
If i were to have to buy a set i would certainly have a look at the Halfords Pro range, after trying the flexi ratchety ring and open end jobbies guaranteed for life no questions asked.

You know when you have a good tool, you cant feel it bending or parting/opening up, sadly something if not all nowadays spanners do, excluding the Stahl.
Lost a pre 1974 King Dick adjustable my favourite still years after, or should i say someone nicked it. Keep looking at new adjustables but cant bring myself to fork out for something inferior.

 

[JimM]

I'd also recommend Halfords Pro range with the added plus that their lifetime guarantee is actually worth something.

If you break a Snap-on ratchet the snap-on man will tell you it's a wearable part and not covered by the guarantee and instead will sell you a replacement. If you break a halfords ratchet then they'll replace for a new one no problems

Jim

 

[malcolm]

I think Britool are owned by Facom these days. Facom tend to be good, but I did have annoying trouble with a Britool ratchet-less ratchet last year. Seemed like the sort of thing that would never work in the first place so not too disappointed.

I'm also a fan of Halfords Professional these days. Technicians at work used to use them as they were decent but not ridiculously expensive. Wouldn't trust them not to kill their golden goose and cost down in the future, though just for now they seem good.

 

[bush]

Yes the Halfords Pro range is good gear and I can confirm if you break it they'll replace it.

 

[zzr1200]

An alternative are Teng, I used to buy Snap-on when I worked as a commercial mechanic, Teng tools appear to be almost equal to Snap-on.

I wouldn't buy Britool Tools now unless I came across a good complete set from the 1970's.

 

[gavuk]

Halfords pro range is good,facom is good,teng is reasonable ,but for an adjustable always bahco (black)

 

[Projects14a]

Im going to give another vote for the halfords professional tools, i bought their top of the range socket sets around 5 years ago and their still serving me very well, even with the un-recommended abuse i've given them.
Having a life time garrantee means there is no reason to worry about them as if you break it, your entitled to a brand new item. Ive broken a few of the socket screw driver bits, which where being to subjected to alot of force. But as mentioned, halford replace them if you turn up to the shop with broken part in hand

 

[bawjaws]

really, so if i bought a halfords set and broke one random socket or spanner and i go up with it, then they will replace the one item there and then?

 

[Paul.]

An alternative are Teng, I used to buy Snap-on when I worked as a commercial mechanic, Teng tools appear to be almost equal to Snap-on.

I wouldn't buy Britool Tools now unless I came across a good complete set from the 1970's.

Back in the 70s, I got sucked in by the Snap-on tool club, and bought loads of mechanical kit, i also bought a lot of Britool, 30 odd years later the Britool has worn just as well as Snap-on, Ive had a few bits replaced by Snap-on but its always been a struggle as they always play the wear and tear card. Ill never buy any more, as others have said, Halfords pro is as good as any nowadays,with a no quibble replacement.

 

[Projects14a]

Yep, as long as its in the professional range They've improve the parts that i broke in their newer tool kits, so newer ones shouldnt break as easily.

 

[bawjaws]

even without receipt?!

 

[wyn]

I used snap on stuff back in the day, but now like a lot of others, use halfords if i need new.

I read somewhere recently that some snap on stuff is now made in China.

 

[ben8vgte]

I've got some new britool some is good like the impact extensions and wobble but spanner's and sockets are a no no screwdriver's are the same as facom's and ok if you can get them cheap. But the halfords pro is better and if you can find koken (japan) really good and not a bad price although i would say a snap on ratchet is worth every penny.

 

[Paul.]

I bought a Snap-on planishing hammer, the head broke, snap-on man refused to replace it on the grounds that I'd been hitting something with it . sykes pickavant hammers for me now

 

[Projects14a]

Yep, even without receipt, i lost my receipt shortly after buying it not realising they had a lifetime warranty.

 

[bawjaws]

then its halfords i go!