The Useless Tools Thread

[Rocketman]

Ha ha yeah, it was a bit of a one off and I didn't mean to sound like I was rubbing it in , but it might be worth trying prime tools, they sometimes have good stuff on offer.

Edit - they do most stuff exc vat so dont forget to add it on, if your not vat reg.

Edit 2: these seem quite decent for the money- a few German guys I used to work with used a lot of beta stuff. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BETA-4-Pi...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item338a81d825

I got some stahlwille circlip pliers (green handle type) for door handles initial. Obviously they are pretty good but think they were £17 just for one size from prime tools

 

[daleyd]

I found prime tools can have some decent offers, but it does take some rummaging to sort them out. Though having said that the last thing I bought from them was about 3 years ago.

I used to work with a fitter who used to insist on buying cheap tools. The amount of skinned knuckles I had from using his generic Chinese pullers was incredible. Me and another guy I worked with used to try and tell him how it was false economy, and he'd agree with us and then next time I saw him he'd bought more cheap garbage !!!! Aaaaaaarrrrggggggh

 

[Shox Dr]

I found prime tools can have some decent offers, but it does take some rummaging to sort them out. Though having said that the last thing I bought from them was about 3 years ago.

I used to work with a fitter who used to insist on buying cheap tools. The amount of skinned knuckles I had from using his generic Chinese pullers was incredible. Me and another guy I worked with used to try and tell him how it was false economy, and he'd agree with us and then next time I saw him he'd bought more cheap garbage !!!! Aaaaaaarrrrggggggh

Sounds like you're cheaper than him using his tools and then complaining about it

 

[brewdexta]

Bluepoint circlip pliers purchased

 

[daleyd]

Sounds like you're cheaper than him using his tools and then complaining about it

Ha ha I am cheap, that's true but he had a van so got to carry the big stuff - I had a car so carried all the nice light, small stuff LOL.

 

[Tman]

Ha ha I am cheap, that's true but he had a van so got to carry the big stuff - I had a car so carried all the nice light, small stuff LOL.

He probably had some good stuff but kept it hidden away and only lent out the crap same as what I do. Because if you lend your good stuff out it ether comes back broken or not at all.

 

[daleyd]

Yeah I know what you mean, but if so he kept it well hidden, cos in the 9 years I worked with him not once did I see any good stuff!!

 

[Rocketman]

At the other end of the scale I can't understand why you would spend more on Snap-on when you can get Gedore, Elora, Stahlwille cheaper.

And then Kingdick spanners surely are as good as anyone would ever need (not to mention still made in England)? So why spend more on Snap-on?

I realise that a Kingdick spanner may not look as shiny as Snap-on but it's a tool so shiny doesn't really mean much.

 

[brightspark]

At the other end of the scale I can't understand why you would spend more on Snap-on when you can get Gedore, Elora, Stahlwille cheaper.

And then Kingdick spanners surely are as good as anyone would ever need (not to mention still made in England)? So why spend more on Snap-on?

I realise that a Kingdick spanner may not look as shiny as Snap-on but it's a tool so shiny doesn't really mean much.

everyone to there own but snapon are overated and over priced there a must have thing for mechanics the same as joiners must have dewalt powertools and estwing hammers when they strut round

 

[wheresmejumper]

Dewalt is soooo yesterdays tool.festool is the new chippie must have brand

 

[Wendelspanswick]

everyone to there own but snapon are overated and over priced there a must have thing for mechanics the same as joiners must have dewalt powertools and estwing hammers when they strut round

The only Snap-on tool I have are a pair of chicken pliers (for pulling ht leads with the engine running) but I know a lot of mechanics buy them as they can pay weekly for them rather than stumping up the full cost in one hit.
My logic is that by the time I have saved up to buy my next tool I have either changed my mind/talked myself out of it/picked one up second hand.

 

[the snooper]

I know people that buy snap on and mac tools purely because of the name and the fact the tools are dangled under their noses when the reps call round, fair enough they are good quality but there are other much cheaper tools that will do the same job and last if they are not abused and as for the air tools sold by them they wont give them a lifetime guarantee, welders re-badged and sold with a huge mark up

 

[Tman]

I know people that buy snap on and mac tools purely because of the name and the fact the tools are dangled under their noses when the reps call round, fair enough they are good quality but there are other much cheaper tools that will do the same job and last if they are not abused and as for the air tools sold by them they wont give them a lifetime guarantee, welders re-badged and sold with a huge mark up

They tend to buy them a lot for the guarantee and convenience of replacement delivered. But for DIY and home use Halfords pro is good stuff and you can get them replaced on a sunday

 

[PaulC7]

Tap and die set, thought I could make use of it but just haven't although I know one day I will and that will be a happy day.

 

[jasongtr]

bought a ryobi angle grinder to replace my old black and decker (bearings worn so the shaft is a little loose) the ryobi lasted about 4 hours and stripped the teeth off the bevel gear, so bought a makita instead - ironically I'm still also using the B&D as a backup, must see about replacing those bearings

 

[God mode restorations]

those spring compressors are a health hazzard.....a bit like them three prong hub pullers....****** things...put a bit of grunt behind them and they strip the threads out...about as handy as a kick in the nuts on a real cold morning...spent a lot more doe and got a real good hydraulic one....

Mod: language edit

 

[Pete.]

bought a ryobi angle grinder to replace my old black and decker (bearings worn so the shaft is a little loose) the ryobi lasted about 4 hours and stripped the teeth off the bevel gear, so bought a makita instead - ironically I'm still also using the B&D as a backup, must see about replacing those bearings

If It's got one of those speed-controlling wheels can I have that bit please?

 

[BrokenBiker]

i would like to add cheap nut splitters to the list. was given some by my father. he had never used them, just as well really, the metal wedge that should be used to split the nut was softer than a normal mild steel nut. it marks with a file like its aluminium. unbelievable. obviously i didn't find this out until i tried to use it in the most arkward position deep in an engine bay. took a few attempts before i decided to check the tool was ok. massive deformation on the wedge. promptly thrown across the carpark never to be used again

 

[brightspark]

If It's got one of those speed-controlling wheels can I have that bit please?

so u bought a crap ryobi grinder then as well

 

[BrokenBiker]

in convinced that silverline's marketing department wanted to launch a line of 'premium power tools' and wanted a name that sounded fancy so went with ryobi cos most jap things are good. Lol