Bit of a grin yesterday at Halfords

[ianrobbo1]

Snap on,!! it is something to aspire to though!! :bow: if you've more money than sense!!

 

[Punchy]

I looked at tools in Halfords (some years ago admittedly) they might as well have been forged in marzipan....crap...:t
:

Thats odd cos I'm still using a Halfords 6" extension for my 1/2" drive socket set and it must be 30+ years old and its had some serious welly in that time. The ball bearing lock is still working and despite being left out in the rain occasionally and kept in the garage most of its life is still not rusty or damaged.
Halfords must have gone through a period of bad tools cos I've now invested in a some of their Professional sockets in the 3/8" drive range plus rachet spanners which I find superb. I really like the socket adapter for the 13mm rachet spanner which transforms the spanner into a very slim socket unit.

The other set I bought was the Micro bit set which contains phillips screw bits, security bits, straight driver, torx bits and allen bits. Its fookin Ace for undoing fairing screws without damaging the bastids. Their MAY be an argument for Snap On when they are being used every day but for the average home mechanic Halfords Pro beat them into a cocked hat for price.

Of course my old Norton and Triumph have whitworth size nuts for which I have spanners which must be at least 30 years old. The top quality stuff in those days were Bedford, Williams Superslim and Britool. All of my spanners in those makes have lived in the garage and are in good condition despite much use and abuse. The sad thing is that a lot of tool companies are missing out on potential sales by not making whitworth size spanners and sockets because the growth in rebuilding old cars and bikes is gaining strength daily and the only way to purchase the old sizes is from car boot sales and autojumbles.

 

[R2B2]

The sad thing is that a lot of tool companies are missing out on potential sales by not making whitworth size spanners and sockets because the growth in rebuilding old cars and bikes is gaining strength daily and the only way to purchase the old sizes is from car boot sales and autojumbles.

No, that's not right. You can still buy new Whitworth and BA stuff no problem.

Gedore from Germany, Elora, King Dick (and maybe others) still make Whitworth sized spanners and sockets. Places like Buck & Hickman can get it for you. www.auto-tools.co.uk also sell Whitworth, for example

And I've seen a Company on ebay selling new Whitworth tools as well but I can't for the life of me remember what they're called.

You'll probably find that some of the independant suppliers that sell out of the visiting vans will get it for you as well. These independant guys have loads of suppliers they deal with.

 

[Theoldgit1]

Sorry to disillusion you fella's, but there is no kit on a par with Snap on! There are a few now approaching their standard, but none on a par - that's why everything else is cheaper!!

If all the other stuff was as good as Snap on, at the relative price it sells for, Snap on wouldn't exist any more. Think about it.

I reckon it's got more to do with being able to buy it on tick, something Halfords won't do. Guarantee is only so-so too.
A lot f it is over-priced because of this. Some good innovative stuff though, but guaranteed to make the mikinik skint...

 

[Punchy]

No, that's not right. You can still buy new Whitworth and BA stuff no problem.......

Ta for that R2 I'll add that site to my favorites section, ya learn summat new every day


k1ap

 

[Jaws]

Guarantee is only so-so too.
QUOTE]

LOL !! What, like the old 1/2 drive rachet I bought at a boot sale, that was stamped 1947 USAA
Rachet was stuffed so complained to my man.. Sorry says he, here is the repair kit or I can send it away and get it done for you if you like.. All free..

Of the small electrical screwdriver that I misused to lever out a woodruff key and broke the tip off of..
New blade fitted FOC and told not to do it again !

Or maybe the tool box that got a sticky slider and caused wear to the paint after just 15 years of hard use.. New draw slider and offer of a re powder coat for the box ( I thought it would be taking the piss a bit so said thanks but no thanks )

Snap On might be REALLY expensive and I am sure others have had bad experiences, but for me they are 2nd to none ..

If I was ever rich again I would def be getting my self a really pucka Snap On array !

 

[gypsy]

So who sells these "none" ?
its not a make ive heard of but if there better that snap on i will keep an eye out on flea-bay
thanks for the tip Jaws :bow:

 

[derek kelly]

thanks for the tip Jaws :bow:

I didn't know Jaws sold tips, I've not seen them on his website, How much are they? where do you put them on the Bike? :dunno:

 

[R2B2]

Ta for that R2 I'll add that site to my favorites section, ya learn summat new every day

No worries......... and one I forgot to mention is Britool. I'm not 100% certain, but I think they still make Whitworth as well.

(one of these I've mentioned [Gedore or Britool??] I believe exports heavily to the States, where there is still quite some demand for Whitworth stuff).

 

[Nige J]

Their Halfords Pro tools are some of the best I've ever used (apart from "Snap-On", which are at least 3 times the price).

But I agree that most of the staff are off a YTS course (Young, Thick & Stupid)

 

[marcella]

its true nige! great gear, but i,ll bed hop and also agree with rob and say a meknik requires the best for 24/7 reliability i just think snapon prices are a country mile outside my wallet capacity:B the lad who lets me use his garage is all snaponed up and the box is a joy to behold, its all swish swish drawers and padded seats for the tools:dunno:

oh well! can but dream:beer:

 

[Pugwash]

I went to school with a lad called Matthew Halford. He said his dad owned a shop. This was in Redditch. Doh!

 

[marcella]

I went to school with a lad called Matthew Halford. He said his dad owned a shop. This was in Redditch. Doh!

you lost me there puwash:h but i tell you what i just noticed our post level is very close, do you fancy a race to the 1000 we could do a bertie boy and talk fudge for a couple hours (q def abuse from fb:k )

:beer:

 

[ianrobbo1]

if it's a "posting" race you want just pretend your DK, he must have the record for most useless posts ever!! :}