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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5893

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Tools
No, not the colloquial term for a group of idiots, but the things we use to maintain our prides and joy.

I'm back in the UK on Friday and looking to replenish some tool sets, as they are far cheaper in the UK. Looking for some screwdriver/torx sets, (which I am happy to source) but would welcome advice on spanner sets, and socket sets. My spanners are a piecemeal selection going back years, and my socket set, (mostly lent/missing back in the UK) was a hand-me-down Draper set from the 80s given to me by my old man. What are members recommendations for current brands. Balance of price and longevity. Don't want a set that will burr or fall apart after a few uses, but also I'm not a pro mechanic so don't need something that will be used each and every day and with all conceivable sizes and attachments.

Advice welcomed, please Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #536380 1st Jun 2016 8:28am
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Alex1976



Member Since: 24 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

England 
A lot of my collection I have built up is from the Halfords professional range. Seems to be good quality and reasonably priced - especially as they often have deals on. I think I am correct in saying they offer a lifetime warranty on them too.

The ratchet spanners are good, with nice small degrees of movement.

I have also got some Clarke brand tools from Machine Mart in my kit but don't rate these at all. Much poorer quality and haven't worn well.
Post #536382 1st Jun 2016 8:37am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5893

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Thanks Alex, yes I've heard good things about Halfords. Also easily sourced. Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #536384 1st Jun 2016 8:39am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4289

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
The was one of the regular two for one offers on Halfords pro tool sets when I was in on Sunday. Makes them very well priced if it's still on when you are here.
Post #536385 1st Jun 2016 8:41am
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
For chucking in a workshop and don't mind abusing, modifying, hitting with a hammer, welding at funny angles etc. then Silverline stuff is good enough and cheap enough.
For something a bit better that will last longer and be nicer to use then Bahco.
For stuff in between then Draper Expert.

I own some of all the above.

I've recently used a few ratchets from a company I'd never heard of called Newsome and whilst they're very cheap they're actually remarkably good. Bought from https://www.beal.org.uk/tools/ratchet-hand...drive.html to replace the shockingly terrible ratchet in a Silverline socket set (the sockets are fine though).
Post #536387 1st Jun 2016 8:43am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5893

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Thanks bluest. Good deal. And there's one in Milton Keynes to boot... Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #536388 1st Jun 2016 8:43am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5893

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Bluest wrote:
The was one of the regular two for one offers on Halfords pro tool sets when I was in on Sunday. Makes them very well priced if it's still on when you are here.


The sale is on until the 5th June. But it's not two-for-one, they're half price Rolling with laughter

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/too...-Socktsets Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #536389 1st Jun 2016 8:46am
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jaygti



Member Since: 04 Nov 2012
Location: essex
Posts: 402

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
I've got a halfords professional socket set, and I have no complaints at all.
It's a 120 piece set, and I probably only ever used 30 of them, but I never broken one and they've been used on some tough jobs.
👍👍 2002 td5 90 county hardtop
Post #536390 1st Jun 2016 8:46am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5893

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Alex1976 wrote:
A lot of my collection I have built up is from the Halfords professional range. Seems to be good quality and reasonably priced - especially as they often have deals on. I think I am correct in saying they offer a lifetime warranty on them too.

The ratchet spanners are good, with nice small degrees of movement.

I have also got some Clarke brand tools from Machine Mart in my kit but don't rate these at all. Much poorer quality and haven't worn well.


Correct on the Lifetime Warranty. They offer a no-quibble replacement. Not bad if they back it up... Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #536391 1st Jun 2016 8:47am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4289

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Grenadier wrote:
Bluest wrote:
The was one of the regular two for one offers on Halfords pro tool sets when I was in on Sunday. Makes them very well priced if it's still on when you are here.


The sale is on until the 5th June. But it's not two-for-one, they're half price Rolling with laughter

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/too...-Socktsets


Nearly the same thing! Mr. Green
Post #536395 1st Jun 2016 9:00am
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jaygti



Member Since: 04 Nov 2012
Location: essex
Posts: 402

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
The guarantee only applies if you keep the receipt i think.
Also I'm not sure on this but the guarantee may not apply to the ratchets, just the sockets, but you'd have to check this as I may be wrong or they have changed their policy . 2002 td5 90 county hardtop
Post #536396 1st Jun 2016 9:01am
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huffhuff



Member Since: 05 May 2016
Location: Home Counties
Posts: 379

United Kingdom 2001 Defender 90 Td5 HT Java Black
Halfords professional stuff is good and usually on offer Smile

Just picked up a set of 9 ratchet spinners for about £40 TD5 Defender 90
Discovery 3 HSE
Post #536403 1st Jun 2016 9:27am
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Balvaig



Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 736

Scotland 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey
Had the Halfords professional set for around 15 years. Couple of damaged sockets exchanged in store with no problem and no receipt needed. Highly recommended, especially if you get them at a discount.
Post #536451 1st Jun 2016 12:14pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Highly recommend one of the Halfords Professional box sets.

Usually on sale and good kit.

Its what I have used throughout my Land Rover ownership and can confidently recommend them Thumbs Up Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #536458 1st Jun 2016 12:44pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1782

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
I have a combination of Halfords Professional sockets, Sealey impact sockets & breaker bar, draper expert & halfords professional combi spanners & breaker bar and a wera 1/2" ratchet. That's my 1/2" set.

3/8" is covered by a bluepoint set that was also good value.

1/4" I'm not decided yet!

Been brought up around mostly snap on tools, so I am a bit of a snob, and they all do the job very well. The reason I went for the wera ratchet was because I get annoyed with coarse toothed ratchets. For the money (£30) it's excellent, and I'll probably pick up the 1/4" and 3/8" eventually.

The sealey breaker bar in particular recently survived an assault by 2 grown men and a 4' scaffold pipe!
Post #536459 1st Jun 2016 12:47pm
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