Quality tools tight wads budget

Kayos · Jul 10, 2022

Domdom said:
I posted this a while back. Being a bit of a collector myself and with the Mrs working at Apex tools, this one came as a bit of surprise. Does help knowing who makes what.
View attachment 354973

I like how Makita and Hilti sit on their own and both make (imo) high end power tools that stand up to tradesman abuse

Robbie260 · Jul 10, 2022

atomant48 said:
I spend a fair bit of time in the US and always manage to find time in tool stores browsing. I am getting more and more impressed with some of the Harbor Freight stuff - particularly the pitttsburigh ratchets. Like the OP, ive probably (definitely) spent more money than necessary over the years and i have a pretty full set of SO stuff. But that is kept where i house my car projects and i try to duplicate most of it for home - the Pittsburgh stuff certainly does the job. Another vote for Halfords but the trade card is a must - they recently had little 1/4 sets that were fantastic, 50 retail and 24 with the trade cards. I bought 3 one for each of my kids as its a great set that covers most of their needs. Im always happy to bring a few US bits back if anyone on here needs, but i think the local offerings are just as good.

If you can get your hands on it the harbour freight icon range I think is pretty good for what your paying. Doyle sell pliers through harbour freight also make them for Mac tools. Klein tools is way over priced in the uk but their us range and prices are fantastic. Very kind offer.

Need too plan a trip to the us on holiday and fit in a bit of tool shopping. Or join a ship there again.

Estwing hammers I don’t think can be beaten on quality or price.

Halfords torque wrenches are made by norbar some of the best ones out there. Don’t discount the old beam style torque wrenches never lose their calibration.

slim_boy_fat · Jul 10, 2022

Amazon have been advertising big discounts on 12th/13th July but I don't know if tools etc are included :dontknow:

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Robbie260 · Jul 10, 2022

I would put PB Swiss pick set in here but they cost more than snap on.

These however seem to be a steal.

Pardon our interruption...

VS £53 off the truck.

mtt.tr · Jul 10, 2022

James1979 said:
Who makes decent 3’ pry bars?

I had a snap on one but it’s no more.

Are Williams the same, anyone know?

I might try lang. Wish melco would make one

mtt.tr · Jul 10, 2022

Robbie260 said:
I would put PB Swiss pick set in here but they cost more than snap on.

These however seem to be a steal.

Pardon our interruption...

VS £53 off the truck.

I buy a particular £7 set. Best I've used !!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133310428738?epid=1741803047&hash=item1f09ebb642:g:XBQAAOSwGzNeJYnp

Honesty they are brilliant lost plenty never broken or bent one.

Robbie260 · Jul 10, 2022

mtt.tr said:
I buy a particular £7 set. Best I've used !!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133310428738?epid=1741803047&hash=item1f09ebb642:g:XBQAAOSwGzNeJYnp

Honesty they are brilliant lost plenty never broken or bent one.

Will have to check those out am looking for some long ones.

Fred Trevvett · Jul 10, 2022

Robbie260 said:
Estwing hammers I don’t think can be beaten on quality or price.

Have you ever used a Vaughan? Absolutely second to none imo. About £35 last time I looked so not mental.

mtt.tr · Jul 10, 2022

Robbie260 said:
Will have to check those out am looking for some long ones.

Looking or needing? unless you need them leave.

mtt.tr · Jul 10, 2022

Fred Trevvett said:
Have you ever used a Vaughan? Absolutely second to none imo. About £35 last time I looked so not mental.

I have a titanium hammer, lovely hammer

mtt.tr · Jul 10, 2022

Kayos said:
I like how Makita and Hilti sit on their own and both make (imo) high end power tools that stand up to tradesman abuse

All power tools do to be honest, my DeWalts are still going strong.
My Bosch 12v (from kitchen fitting days) hard to beat.
M12 cordless ratchet used everyday.

M18 grease quit after 40kg of grease not so good.

Parm · Jul 10, 2022

mtt.tr said:
I have a titanium hammer, lovely hammer

I’ve got a titanium hammer. Made it myself

Used for breaking ice

James1979 · Jul 10, 2022

mtt.tr said:
M18 grease quit after 40kg of grease not so good.

They do that.

You can buy a new pump/gearbox unit for about £50

mtt.tr · Jul 10, 2022

James1979 said:
They do that.

You can buy a new pump/gearbox unit for about £50

Still in warranty just need to take it back.

James1979 · Jul 10, 2022

mtt.tr said:
Still in warranty just need to take it back.

Even better.

daleyd · Jul 10, 2022

I’ve got more fluke meters than I know what to do with, but didn’t fancy taking my new new £500 one from work abroad on a job with me, odds on it would get lost/trashed/stolen - so I bought an Amazon commercial one for £35 and I’m seriously impressed. It measures bang on accurate against the fluke equivalent, is ip67 rated and even comes with a thermocouple and soft case (the £500 fluke didn’t!!).

They are made by CEM and are the same as RS pro brand but half the price. Seriously good for the money.

Deal: AmazonCommercial 6000 Count Compact Digital Multimeter, IP67, True RMS, CATIV 600V https://amzn.eu/d/fCXhQUx

Edit: this below is the exact one I got but there’s a few different types…

AmazonCommercial 6000 Count Digital Multimeter, IP67, True RMS, CATIV 600V https://amzn.eu/d/6cg8QOQ

Robbie260 · Jul 10, 2022

mtt.tr said:
Looking or needing? unless you need them leave.

Good point.

Melvyn Best · Jul 10, 2022

Robbie260 said:
I would put PB Swiss pick set in here but they cost more than snap on.

These however seem to be a steal.

Pardon our interruption...

VS £53 off the truck.

I’ve had Snap on , Mac, Draper , Machinemart and loads of other pick sets , all have been found wanting except for a cheap £3.50 set of Rolson picks that have been used and abused for several years . I only brought them for one job when we were away in the motorhome I now have several sets in various locations

Kayos · Jul 10, 2022

daleyd said:
I’ve got more fluke meters than I know what to do with, but didn’t fancy taking my new new £500 one from work abroad on a job with me, odds on it would get lost/trashed/stolen - so I bought an Amazon commercial one for £35 and I’m seriously impressed. It measures bang on accurate against the fluke equivalent, is ip67 rated and even comes with a thermocouple and soft case (the £500 fluke didn’t!!).

They are made by CEM and are the same as RS pro brand but half the price. Seriously good for the money.

Deal: AmazonCommercial 6000 Count Compact Digital Multimeter, IP67, True RMS, CATIV 600V https://amzn.eu/d/fCXhQUx

I've a collection of frankly rubbish £10-15 meters, they all need binning and replacing with one of those

Robbie260 · Jul 10, 2022

Fred Trevvett said:
Have you ever used a Vaughan? Absolutely second to none imo. About £35 last time I looked so not mental.

Do Vaughan do engineering hammers? Thought it was only joinery hammers.

Quality tools tight wads budget

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