Topic: Tools (Read 6055 times)

jonny2112 · « **on:** 14 July 2006, 21:05:26 »

My garage tool kit consists of mainly general and wood working tools which are obviously no good for the Meega. I would like to start gathering up some bits so that when I start into the work I should have all i need to hand.
I know that any list will not be definitive, but any advice on where to start, or what I should be buying would be appreciated.
Cheers.
[smiley=huh.gif]

TheBoy · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 July 2006, 21:10:22 »

Just decent workshop tools - socket set, torque wrench. Omega has an awful lot of torx bolts, so torx bits and sockets.

RonaldMcBurger · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 July 2006, 21:10:29 »

If you want most of it in one go, Halford Proffesional socket set (£150) is great value. Lifetime guarantee on everything, and there is very little that you cannot do with that lot. Plus a GOOD trolley jack/stands and a half decent set of screwdrivers - not numpty Bob-the-Builder ones like some cowboys use. Isn't that right MarksDTMCalib?

?

Sounds a lot of money, but you will save double that just by doing yourown cambelt. You would need a locking kit as weel, but we have at least two available for free hire via the forum.

HTH.

RonaldMcBurger · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 July 2006, 22:54:10 »

beaten by TheBoy and by 7 seconds!!! LOL

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 July 2006, 23:13:47 »

Oh no not competitve posting again

jonny2112 · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 July 2006, 01:03:29 »

Now now. No fighting boys.

sounds2k · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 July 2006, 01:32:00 »

halfraud's professional socket set (as mentioned above) was on offer at £99.99 when I bought mine a few months ago, not sure if it still is though - but a good set nonetheless. However, depending on the size of torque wrench you buy, you may need a 1/2" ro 3/8" adaptor, I did for the oil filter housing. Most of the torx bits in that set are 1/2", the torque wrench I was using (also of the halfrauds pro variety) was 3/8". A oil filter strap wrench is handy too (again if your meega is 1999 or later with the canister type oil filter).

Sir_Mixalot · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 July 2006, 02:06:23 »

Just to add my support for the Halfords Pro. set...Got it for £100, reduced from £150...seems to have been on this "special offer" for longer than i can remember (4 years or so!). You really can't got wrong with a lifetime guarentee... Of two other people I know who do their own repairs, they both recommend the halfords pro set.

"The right tools for the job" make it SO much easier.

Taxi_Driver · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 July 2006, 19:00:51 »

I bought a Halfrauds Pro socket set...was reduced from £80 to £50.....obviously doesnt have as much in it as the £100 set.....no torx to start with and no axle stands or screwdrivers.....but as i already have a collection of torx bits and screwdrivers.....its was a good starting set for me
It has a good selection of sockets and spanners, ratchet one end.

HTH

ANDY8 · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 July 2006, 21:15:12 »

YES CAN RECOMMEND THE HALFORDS PRO SET, i PAYED £100 FOR IT AND IT HAS DONE EVERY JOB ON MY CAR WITHOUT ANY BOTHER

Admin · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 July 2006, 22:45:28 »

Yes, the Halford pro set is excellent.

I got mine for.... very little... and it is very useful.

Only thing missing (why??) is a 3/8 to 1/2 adaptor and a 1/2 to 3/8 adaptor.
Apart from that, excellent.
Ratchet spanners... wonderful!

Also get a good torque wrench. I use a Clarke professional and it is excellent.
However a second one for low torque settings <20nm is on my list to get.

Oh, and if you have access to Makro they are doing an excellent JCB 60 piece screwdriver set for just £4.99 + vat. Well worth the money for what you get!

Oh and I highly recommend you also get a set of mole grips, pliers, an adjustable spanner or 2 in different sizes (covering 22m, size of nut on egr valve mounting bracket)

And finally a set of LARGE water pump wrenches. Very useful for everything from gripping awkward oil filters to compressing brake pistons (a very useful tip from Marks DTM).

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 July 2006, 23:23:15 »

Quote

Ratchet spanners... wonderful!

The 13mm was fantastic for tightening up the tank straps.

I need a torque wrench, I have quite a few AF tools from when I ran the Sunbeam.

sounds2k · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 July 2006, 00:24:52 »

the Halfrauds 3/8" professional torque wrench is quite good, but then again it's £50 retail ... does go down pretty low though, might be 5Nm? - I'll have to check, but it's definitely less than 8Nm. The lock on the end (to stop the torque setting changing when you are using it) is better than that of cheaper models too.

Markie · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 July 2006, 08:22:14 »

I can vouch for the jcb makro offer - - - - amazing value

I am also amazed that so many people rate halfords. I am not disagreeing, not at all, i have no experience of there socket sets. Just read a similar forum elsewhere slating them - It was a rover site so they probably dont know much.

If the guys on here say go halfords, then go halfords.

so Sealey or clarke anyone i need a new torque wrench......

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 July 2006, 10:38:22 »

I like Snapon - my dad has thousands of pounds worth

archermk · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 July 2006, 16:39:13 »

You'll also need to visit your local orthopedic surgeon to have a double joint inserted in your wrist for changing the auxilliary belt tensioner and the DIS pack....if it's V6 we are talking about.
J

RonaldMcBurger · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 July 2006, 17:18:55 »

Laidback, dont buy one. I have one and you can have first refusal on it.

markey mark · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 July 2006, 20:39:04 »

i use snap on and mac tools lifetime warranty and very good to boot !!

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 July 2006, 21:38:45 »

I use various makes from top notch to cheapo throw away...(5 quid JCB screwdriver set from Makro had a flexi screwdriver in it which allowwed me to do a dis pck change in 30 mins!).

The Halfords stuff is good but, I find the spanners pretty crap...the shafts are very narrow adn realy dig into your hand hard when you apply some force.

Snap on is very over rated, I have some but find the Stathwille stuff much better, Mac tools stuff is pretty average.

I have quite a bit of the machine mart clarke pro range (draper professional) which has been good so far (there ratchetless spanners are very good!).

Markie · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 July 2006, 08:13:54 »

then it be clark for me then, especially as there offering me a further 15% discount in machine mrt

RonaldMcBurger · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 July 2006, 08:27:43 »

Machine mart stuff is OK for somethings, but I spent thousands in there last year on my Engineering workshops. They do a metalworker bansaw, which is frankly awful. Their mini lathe tollerances are dire, and as for their ratchet spanners, utter crap. That said, some things are really good. Their trolley jack range is superb, 6 tonne axle stands give enough height to change a gearbox and various other things like their mig welders are good quality, especially the 135TE.

I bought Draper ratchets spanners, Laser crows feet, and the good old JCB 6 miilion peice screwdriver set Mark refers to (£4.99).

And, he is lying when he said 30 minutes to change the dis pack. He did this in about 15 minutes. Laidback and I watched in amazement. The best bit was how he got the dis pack out without even removing the plenum, never mind the inlet manifold I usually end up shifting forward for space.

I agree with Mark about Snap-on. They are are super quality, but they are very over rated IMO. If you would the ultimate in quality, and at a reasonable price, buy from RS Components.

The Halfords £150 set is a good 'all round' kit and will enebale you to do just about any job on the Omega.

nixoro · « **Reply #21 on:** 17 July 2006, 10:48:03 »

Although Halfords has been mentioned a few times I thought I would post up a few other good sources for tools.

www.Justoffbase.co.uk
www.Screwfix.com
www.Toolstation.com

I have used a couple of these sites and the tools I have received have been the best purchase ever.

There are other sites its just a case of looking around.

HTH

Bernie400 · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 July 2006, 16:22:59 »

i think we would all like Snapon - its just a money thing. if you want to give any of it away!!!

I have the halfords set and I totally agree, top value for the money, even at £150, although I paid £99 like most others.

Invest in a good leather belt - they do work on oil filter removal and you can use this 'tool' for the other 364 days of the year!

difference size moley's are handy to have in stock, and lots of 13 spanners

what I tend to do is every time in halfords or clarkes, just buy another spanner or something on offer - you dont feel it as much on the pocket and you soon build up a collection

bernie400

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #23 on:** 17 July 2006, 17:06:03 »

Or ebay, draper pro etc is pretty cheap on there.....

sounds2k · « **Reply #24 on:** 17 July 2006, 17:59:58 »

Quote

Or ebay, draper pro etc is pretty cheap on there.....

ah yes, good point .... got my 30mm offset spanner (for setting up the timing belt) from there ... I seem to remember you pointing me in that direction when I asked!

Allenm · « **Reply #25 on:** 26 July 2006, 18:28:52 »

Quote

The Halfords £150 set is a good 'all round' kit and will enebale you to do just about any job on the Omega.

Anyone who has this set able to tell me what it is called? or if it has a product code?

Went into Halfords yesterday and couldn't find one that seemed to fit the bill.

sounds2k · « **Reply #26 on:** 26 July 2006, 18:37:47 »

halford professional 150 piece socket set with ratchet spanners

possible stock code (under address on back of sleeve) is 370635 ... failing that, bar code is 5 015025 370637

Allenm · « **Reply #27 on:** 26 July 2006, 18:42:10 »

Thats the one - found it on their website

Cheers

Elite Pete · « **Reply #28 on:** 26 July 2006, 18:54:17 »

You will also need various tw*tometers (hamers) to bruise your hands and fingers with [smiley=laugh.gif].

Kev · « **Reply #29 on:** 27 July 2006, 09:26:41 »

Can i also throw another name into the hat....

Britool. I'm still using spanners and ratchets i used on my MK1 Astra.

Markie · « **Reply #30 on:** 27 July 2006, 14:13:44 »

heard good stuff about them too - arent they now part of the sealey group?

v6man54deg Geffd · « **Reply #31 on:** 27 July 2006, 21:43:47 »

I have mostly snap on - but a good few halfords profesional which i have found to be good. I looked at one of those sets that someone had - only problem was, the T55 socket in the set wouldn't take a V6 head off - probably more chance of taking your head off - It narrowed in after the T55 bit - you can buy a 1/2 inch one from halfords that does do the job.
Cam gears too T50 I have had snap on ones snap off - giving a good belt to the head

so be careful using these sets on Extra tight bolts!!!!!!

One of the most handy tools to get for V6 work is a 10mm ratchet spanner. great for getting that coolant outlet pipe out - I also bought the halfords torx spanner set......... most unused set of spanners in my box - why cos they are not angled heads

Best recent tool buy Laser ratchet with a special head - its hinged around the ratchet part - this is ideal to get a good swing - usually you tend to get a couple of clicks of the ratchet and then hit something- or your knuckles do - this just hinges out of the way Its brilliant!!

Quote

I can vouch for the jcb makro offer - - - - amazing value

I am also amazed that so many people rate halfords. I am not disagreeing, not at all, i have no experience of there socket sets. Just read a similar forum elsewhere slating them - It was a rover site so they probably dont know much.

If the guys on here say go halfords, then go halfords.

so Sealey or clarke anyone i need a new torque wrench......

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #32 on:** 28 July 2006, 10:46:26 »

Should have added, my most used tool is a big set of water pump pliers similar to these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16-400MM-WATER-PUMP-PLIERS-PROFESSIONAL-HEAVY-DUTY_W0QQitemZ120013109855QQihZ002QQcategoryZ20767QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They get used for all sorts, they defeat pretty much all oil filters, good for squeezing in caliper pistons on brakes.....get you out of all sorts of holes!

I think the key thing with tools is to avoid the realy cheap and find those with life time warrantys.

Markie · « **Reply #33 on:** 28 July 2006, 12:12:40 »

i am a bit accident prone and wife wont allow me welding gear but my father just left me a pressie of a little flame thrower, bunsen burner type thing......wooo hooo watch out for the flames as i burn everything thats stubborn

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Author Topic: Tools (Read 6055 times)

RonaldMcBurger

RonaldMcBurger

Martin_1962

Sir_Mixalot

Taxi_Driver

Martin_1962

Martin_1962

RonaldMcBurger

RonaldMcBurger