Hand Tools - Your favourite brands?

[atomant48]

Anyone got any experience with Teng Tools at all?

I was at a car show years ago where there was a teng stand and I was excited to buy a little palm ratchet I’d been looking for for ages. Sorry to say utter carp. Ratchet mechanism keeps locking and the direction reverses on its own due to where it’s located right on your palm !!!

I do like their modular system and the advertising is good but I think there’s better for the money.

 

[Rannsachair]

I was at a car show years ago where there was a teng stand and I was excited to buy a little palm ratchet I’d been looking for for ages. Sorry to say utter carp. Ratchet mechanism keeps locking and the direction reverses on its own due to where it’s located right on your palm !!!

I do like their modular system and the advertising is good but I think there’s better for the money.

I have been using the Teng chrome 1/2" ratchet for about 37 years, its been faultless. I have had one of their 1/4 inch composite ratchets replaced under warranty, though do like the feel of them and replacement has lasted years. I have had a couple of failured on halford pro ratchets despite little use.

I was going to add Laser tools, have their extending 1/2" ratchet and really rate it as has had some abuse, some of their automotive tools too, found them to be quite good for a lot less money than Sykes Pickavant.

I bought one of these, think on recomendation on here and its been pretty good: https://www.lasertools.co.uk/Product/7510/External-Deburr-Chamfer-Tool-3-19mm

 

[James1979]

Youngest son is looking at buying a Teng tool box, one that comes already full of tools. I don’t think it’s the best way to go, there will be tools in it that he’ll never need or use. I’d rather he bought things that he needs as and when. I’ll let him buy Teng spanner’s, as you’ve recommended them

I agree with you, but the boxes are quite well thought out to be fair. There’s most of what you need and not much you don’t.

I built my own and would do that again, but it have been nearly 40 years in the making so his way is quicker.

All my big (>30mm) spanners are teng as well as bigger floggers. I think I’ve up to 47. No complaints here.

 

[mike os]

Teng kits seem to be ok … good value and reasonable quality

 

[GRW]

I've had a little Teng 3/8 Drive socket set (8mm-21mm I think, with some 1/4 sockets and bar) - for maybe 25-30 years.
OK I'm not a pro user, but over the years it's been well used. The 3/8 composite ratchet is still the best 3/8 ratchet I've got (or had), while the sockets are tough.
If the build today is as good as my little set, then I'd not turn my nose up at a Teng Tool.

 

[500e]

I like Lindström for small pliers/cutters
Maun I have one like illustration was my grandfathers good tool dont know about new ones though

 

[Bornfree]

Elora 205 spanners are the strongest that I know of. A 3ft pipe over a 24mm without a problem

 

[Maker]

Elora 205 spanners are the strongest that I know of. A 3ft pipe over a 24mm without a problem

I was seriously impressed by Snap-on spanners the other day, a 14mm one took the reaction torque from me swinging on a 6' bar on my Stillsons, but it got stuck so my cousin beat the shish out of it with a Thor No.4 till it came off, not a scratch on it.

Of course if you're paying Snap-on money for them they'd better be good.

 

[Robbie260]

What’s your target market @Tom Orrow L?

Do you want something unique that’s a selling point. Or do you want a brand that everyone knows and trusts? Are you targeting the manufacturing sector, hobbiest, automotive etc etc.

I don’t think any of the big jap brands have a official uk importer yet or at least not offering thier full range. So you have.

Koken
Tone
Ktc
Engineer
Vessel
Nepros

Etc etc to choose from there. May get you a bigger name for yourself in wider industry. Though is a risk and may flop you would have to put in a lot of advertising effort too get it known that they are there and you are selling them.

Wera
Knipex
Gedore
Stahalwille
Hazet
Facom
Usag
Expert (Britool)
Bacho
Wiha
Felo
Pbswiss
Irwin
Nws
Elora
Black bolt

More well known European brands with excellent reputations. I could go on for a while.

Do you have a target budget you wanting to supply too?

Personally don’t rate teng made of Swiss cheese in my opinion but easy to get so take your pick,

Could go with the best of British.

King dick
Lucas pliers
Del tec
Etc etc

Of course there is the Taiwan and American brands too.

Used all these brands at one point or another all have thier good and bad points.

Ever thought about getting a tool truck franchise but attached to a shop? Matco, Mac, Snapon. May open a lot of doors if I could be worked out with one of these brands.

 

[Red'n'Black]

Anybody else tried CK tools?

I have a few of their screwdrivers, pliers and side cutters, had them for 20+ years and seem to have held up pretty well.

No idea what their current stuff's like.

 

[mike os]

Anybody else tried CK tools?

I have a few of their screwdrivers, pliers and side cutters, had them for 20+ years and seem to have held up pretty well.

No idea what their current stuff's like.

Ck is ok , generally prefer knipex though

 

[sparkysy]

The older CK cutters and drivers were good but I find the new ones are a bit soft and don't last as well
I prefer the knipex or NWS seem not too bad!
Sy

 

[atomant48]

I was seriously impressed by Snap-on spanners the other day, a 14mm one took the reaction torque from me swinging on a 6' bar on my Stillsons, but it got stuck so my cousin beat the shish out of it with a Thor No.4 till it came off, not a scratch on it.

Of course if you're paying Snap-on money for them they'd better be good.

I’ve got a drawer full of SO spanners. Next time you need to borrow one just give me a bell mate

 

[roofman]

Anyone got any experience with Teng Tools at all?

I have a lot of Teng, high end stuff and i cant break anything they produce..

 

[Migmac]

I agree with you, but the boxes are quite well thought out to be fair. There’s most of what you need and not much you don’t.

I built my own and would do that again, but it have been nearly 40 years in the making so his way is quicker.

All my big (>30mm) spanners are teng as well as bigger floggers. I think I’ve up to 47. No complaints here.

It’s a big out lay for him, think it was north of 4K the one he was looking at. Apprentice wages I dont think will stretch that far and the bank of MnD will refuse a loan, repayment of past loans has been hitty miss

 

[Joe 90]

All my spanners and sockets are teng. I believe the quality is very good and probably the best value for money tools out their. The spanner set from 8 to 19 in a nice wee easily accessible tray with none missing at £45 and life time guarantee has to be hard to beat.

 

[Barking Mat]

Facom and Knipex are my favourite brands.

Halfords Pro, I can't complain.

 

[Robotstar5]

Anybody else tried CK tools?

I have a few of their screwdrivers, pliers and side cutters, had them for 20+ years and seem to have held up pretty well.

No idea what their current stuff's like.

Most of my VDE tools are CK, happy with them

 

[brightspark]

ck good gear

 

[Migmac]

Anybody else tried CK tools?

I have a few of their screwdrivers, pliers and side cutters, had them for 20+ years and seem to have held up pretty well.

No idea what their current stuff's like.

I’ve a couple of CK hammers, fencing tool and a couple sets of pliers. Be older than yours and still going strong