Conrad stuff whats it like?

[daleyd]

I got a set of Aldi Vde screwdrivers for a fiver, they are actually pretty decent. The tips haven't chewed up and they seem pretty hard on the ends. The handles are comfortable as well.

 

[ukracer]

Yes, though I have seen other places selling them as well. Certainly stood up well enough to industrial use, and seemed to be pretty well made (not just my words, we had a team of about 10 in the electrical/instrument department and no one had a bad word to say about them - we previously used fluke but replaced them with ISO tech. There were some complaints when we got told we wouldn't be getting new flukes but when the new ones turned up everyone was happy enough)

What is so good about a fluke that a conrad would not do ...I mean 12.3 volts is 12.3 volts surely?

 

[ukracer]

But £15 for postage.......

??? It says free postage mate..

 

[slim_boy_fat]

??? It says free postage mate..

Free Click & Collect, maybe - but p&p is £15. Click and collect is fine as long as your nearest Argos isn't 45 miles away like mine.

 

[daleyd]

If your doing stuff like automotive then fine, a cheap meter would be more than adequate. As long as it measures an accurate 12.3 volts then why not? I wasn't actually saying you needed a fluke, I'd pointed out a decent quality alternative to a fluke at less than half the price.

I'd assumed from your first post your lad might have been starting out an apprenticeship or something, in which case you would be wanting the best you could afford. Would I want to be hanging off the end of 230v or above with a £10 meter? Not really.

In answer to your question, the main reason that pros use fluke gear is the fact that it's tested and is very well built and will last a lifetime if looked after. We used to work on all sorts of gear from 4-20 ma current loops up to 400v/ hundreds of amps heating circuits so needed something robust reliable and dependable.

What is so good about a fluke that a conrad would not do ...I mean 12.3 volts is 12.3 volts surely?

 

[ukracer]

Well he had it set up wrong. 48 royal mail hour is listed as free.

2 quid for other courier.

 

[Bill Edwards]

The Fluke will be nicer to use (as is the case with quality tools compared to cheap) and you could expect it to be more accurate. It will probably be better built and should last longer making it better value for money in the long term.
But for general vehicle work the accuracy is perfectly acceptable and it is very unlikely to pack up before you know if this interest warrants more advanced equipment.
Like you said, 12.3v is 12.3v.

 

[skotl]

I really think that the OP is being a tad over-sold. He's looking for a starter kit for his 16 year old, not to set himself up for a career as an electrical engineer

 

[daleyd]

I really think that the OP is being a tad over-sold. He's looking for a starter kit for his 16 year old, not to set himself up for a career as an electrical engineer

Like I said above, the first post mentions for a 16 year old, which to me meant "starting an apprenticeship" - OK it turns out it's not but to be fair no one has actually advised him to spend £100 on a meter either. I thought my suggestion (£40 ish) was a good starting point for someone who was going to be using it as an everyday tool, without breaking the bank.

As it turns out it's just for hobby use, in which case I think everyone has agreed the meter in question should be fine - or have I missed something?

 

[winchman]

But £15 for postage.......

Postage is free? Have I missed something?

 

[winchman]

Thanks for all your input.
I have bought one so once it arrives I will report back.
I still think the Ebay one for £6 is excellent value and handy for the kitchen draw but sadly I don't need one LOL
Once you start thinking about tool kits its surprising how you can manage with so little but often end up with so much stuff, but much of it is very occasional use but when you need a certain item it can be hard to manage with out

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Postage is free? Have I missed something?

When I click on the link in post #2, it def shows postage as £15..................

What do you guys see from this link [same item]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11-PC-PIE...157097?hash=item4d387c60a9:g:NtgAAOSweW5VXOJh

 

[winchman]

An update
The set arrived the meter is very good.
The sets good but the cutters are shocking, the blades don't even meet, so called them, two days later Emailed, sent me another complete set ( Charged me too), the new one is worse as the cutters wont cut, pliers are coming apart and the pick up tool is bigger than the cut out in the foam for it.
I have expressed my displeasure but no reply, why they cant just open a set check the cutters and post them out is beyond me!
I will keep you posted, problem now is it was fro Christmas so I will have to find something else which is difficult as I am working

 

[Johnseat]

IMO you are far better making a set up from separate parts bought over a short period of time.
A decent multimeter at around £50 will last year's and years, easily changeable battery and will do at least 10amps dc, that allows quescent draw checks on vehicles.
As for the snips, wire cutters, side cutters, whatever you call them, snap-on are the best you can buy and come with a lifetime warranty, bahco are really good but they don't feel as good as snap on.
As for the screwdrivers, without interchangeable tips then you'll be replacing them when the ends chew up.
I wouldn't spend big money on them for that reason alone.

 

[Maker]

IMO you are far better making a set up from separate parts bought over a short period of time.
A decent multimeter at around £50 will last year's and years, easily changeable battery and will do at least 10amps dc, that allows quescent draw checks on vehicles.
As for the snips, wire cutters, side cutters, whatever you call them, snap-on are the best you can buy and come with a lifetime warranty, bahco are really good but they don't feel as good as snap on.
As for the screwdrivers, without interchangeable tips then you'll be replacing them when the ends chew up.
I wouldn't spend big money on them for that reason alone.

I agree, though I personally would suggest Knipex rather than Snap-On pliers.

 

[brightspark]

IMO you are far better making a set up from separate parts bought over a short period of time.
A decent multimeter at around £50 will last year's and years, easily changeable battery and will do at least 10amps dc, that allows quescent draw checks on vehicles.
As for the snips, wire cutters, side cutters, whatever you call them, snap-on are the best you can buy and come with a lifetime warranty, bahco are really good but they don't feel as good as snap on.
As for the screwdrivers, without interchangeable tips then you'll be replacing them when the ends chew up.
I wouldn't spend big money on them for that reason alone.

snapon snips -and pliers lifetime warranty i wish. i use knipex there the best and i only get a year out of them if im lucky and they go in the bin .cutting hundreds of cables a day soon puts payed to-- the cutting edges if i buy a pair and take them back id love to hold them to it one pair of snips lasting 45 years wow

 

[Johnseat]

I've never had an issue with my snap on warranty.
I'm an HGV technician by trade so most of my tools are snap on and so is my box.
I've only ever bought two pair of side cuts as I lost the first pair, had then replaced under warranty without any hassle.
The pair which went missing turned up a year later on a vehicle I has serviced the year before, they had rusted and seized solid.
I cleaned them up and got them moving, handed to the snap on dealer and he just pulled out another set free of charge.

 

[winchman]

More Conrad dealings!
Well the tale of the cutters, first tool kit cutters don't cut as the blades are so poor.
They charged me and sent me another tool kit, which are worse!
So after a very expensive phone call they agreed to take £10 off the price of the first set so I could buy some locally. They asked me to send the second faulty tool set back for a refund, but I have to pay postage then try and claim it back! They do have free post but if it goes missing its down to me to stand the loss!
So agenised my better judgement I bought a car stereo and paid £20 24 hour delivery, I am working from home sat 12 ft from the front door with four people in the house and two dogs, gets an Email at 12.00 telling me I am not in so it will be re delivered next week, tested the door bell yes it works and so do the dogs, no neighbours asked to take it in like the last two deliveries, so it looks like my last buying experience from Conrad, dodgy quality and poor delivery.

 

[winchman]

I've never had an issue with my snap on warranty.
.

Whilst you haven't many of us no longer have a Snap on man so its more difficult, I had a five or six month wait recently for some stuff to be changed and have spoken to a few people with similar issues

 

[Johnseat]

The snap on guy looses his ability to warranty items if he falls behind with his payments to snap on.
It's how they punish the poor dealers...