Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: sotmh on 04 March 2011, 00:25:55

Title: Advanced tool kit
Post by: sotmh on 04 March 2011, 00:25:55
Picked up on monday Halfords 150 pce tool kit at special price £99.99. It was selected as I'm about to strip cylinder head for reconditioning. and it has many bits thats' not in my socket set.

I was wondering, does anyone know if, to do this job are there engine parts or other areas of mig that can only be removed by this kit as opposed to a 40 pce general maintenance socket set?

All comments appreciated.

Decent ones that is ;D ; ;D
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: The Red Baron on 04 March 2011, 07:29:19
i bought the 150 pc kit a year or so back, not a bad tool kit tbh, the only extra socket i had to get was for the crank pulley bolt. :y
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: Jimbob on 04 March 2011, 07:58:50
not a bad kit......But i wouldnt trust it on the head bolts, they are not the stongest bits out there, and wouldnt like you to break your hand etc when they let go.
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: The Red Baron on 04 March 2011, 08:02:12
Quote
not a bad kit......But i wouldnt trust it on the head bolts, they are not the stongest bits out there, and wouldnt like you to break your hand etc when they let go.
was ok with my v6 head bolts but then that was for un-doing only, would get a btter quality one for torquing up though. :y
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: Jimbob on 04 March 2011, 08:04:16
mine turned to plastacine just undoing!
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: The Red Baron on 04 March 2011, 08:14:41
Quote
mine turned to plastacine just undoing!
:o must have had a duff one, mine survived the ordeal. :)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: TheBoy on 04 March 2011, 08:22:12
My torx ones have survived tractor and rover head bolts.

Apart from a 3/8th rachet that I broke with a jack handle ::) and a socket I broke with a hammer, its been good as gold. Thats why I have 2 sets ::)

How the Hellfrauds 1/2" to 3/8" adapters, I have broken an awful lot of them ::)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 04 March 2011, 08:27:57
Mine has undone and tightened i dont onow how many  :-?
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: sotmh on 04 March 2011, 11:08:35
Great.  Thanks a lot everyone.  The head bolts were my greatest concern and I was considering getting a breaker bar specifically for that and a few other bits to supplement my general maintenace kit.

I already have a torque wrench and therefore believed I would have everything needed.

Not sure if I would be touching the crank pully bolt.
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: Kevin Wood on 04 March 2011, 11:10:30
Quote
I was wondering, does anyone know if, to do this job are there engine parts or other areas of mig that can only be removed by this kit as opposed to a 40 pce general maintenance socket set?

I'd say the 40 piece set (alone) would be about as much use as a chocolate kettle when doing any maintenance on an Omega.

The 150 piece set is as close as you'll get to a set with everything needed for Omega maintenance IMHO.

There are a few extra bits you'll need to add, but most of it is there, and if you buy it when it's on offer, it's good value.

Kevin
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: TheBoy on 04 March 2011, 11:22:12
Quote
The 150 piece set is as close as you'll get to a set with everything needed for Omega maintenance IMHO.

There are a few extra bits you'll need to add, but most of it is there, and if you buy it when it's on offer, it's good value.

Kevin
It needs the various adapters, then it covers most of the 'socket/spanner' tasks.

My biggest concern is the newer style 150pc kits don't have the 3/8th torx bits like the older ones - they are provided as 'screwdriver' bits. Not sure they are strong enough.
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: aaronjb on 04 March 2011, 11:22:49
I've always steered clear of the 'sets' and bought the Halfords Pro range stuff; years ago they came second only to SnapOn in a magazine test, and the lifetime warranty is nice to have.

Not that I've ever managed to break something from the Pro range (the other ranges are a different story!) - although a friend did manage to break the end of a long breaker bar undoing a hub nut once.

That was impressive when it let go!
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: Kevin Wood on 04 March 2011, 11:26:02
Quote
My biggest concern is the newer style 150pc kits don't have the 3/8th torx bits like the older ones - they are provided as 'screwdriver' bits. Not sure they are strong enough.

Ahh, in that case they are significantly less useful, considering the number of Torx fasteners on an Omega. :(

Kevin
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: zirk on 04 March 2011, 13:23:32
I was talking to the Halfords guy recently about the old (Advanced) vs the new (Pro), Hes saying more bits are being brought back on the newer set in particular the smaller bits and the ratchet spanners on the new.

Interestingly you can still order or ask for the Advance set, although not quiet 150pc, for the £99 deal, plenty in their stores apparently.
 ;)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: TheBoy on 04 March 2011, 14:22:28
Quote
I was talking to the Halfords guy recently about the old (Advanced) vs the new (Pro), Hes saying more bits are being brought back on the newer set in particular the smaller bits and the ratchet spanners on the new.

Interestingly you can still order or ask for the Advance set, although not quiet 150pc, for the £99 deal, plenty in their stores apparently.
 ;)
Pro is the older ones, Advanced is the newer range ;)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: TheBoy on 04 March 2011, 14:24:23
Quote
Quote
My biggest concern is the newer style 150pc kits don't have the 3/8th torx bits like the older ones - they are provided as 'screwdriver' bits. Not sure they are strong enough.

Ahh, in that case they are significantly less useful, considering the number of Torx fasteners on an Omega. :(

Kevin
The sockets are still, errr, sockets, its just the 4 or 5 torx bits that were 3/8th drive are now screwdriver type bits.  For the smaller ones, this is probably better. But the big boys for the cam sprockets and head bolts.......
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: zirk on 04 March 2011, 14:47:10
Quote
Quote
I was talking to the Halfords guy recently about the old (Advanced) vs the new (Pro), Hes saying more bits are being brought back on the newer set in particular the smaller bits and the ratchet spanners on the new.

Interestingly you can still order or ask for the Advance set, although not quiet 150pc, for the £99 deal, plenty in their stores apparently.
 ;)
Pro is the older ones, Advanced is the newer range ;)

Thats weird, My set is the older ones, ie 3/8 torx bits, and the tools and box are marked Advanced.
  :-/

Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: TheBoy on 04 March 2011, 15:12:09
Quote
Quote
Quote
I was talking to the Halfords guy recently about the old (Advanced) vs the new (Pro), Hes saying more bits are being brought back on the newer set in particular the smaller bits and the ratchet spanners on the new.

Interestingly you can still order or ask for the Advance set, although not quiet 150pc, for the £99 deal, plenty in their stores apparently.
 ;)
Pro is the older ones, Advanced is the newer range ;)

Thats weird, My set is the older ones, ie 3/8 torx bits, and the tools and box are marked Advanced.
  :-/

Yes, Advanced was the new name, but came out before this specific change on the 150pc kit. Advanced has been around about 3yrs, maybe shade more?  Pro was the previous name, and has been kicking around for years and years.

They are the same, it matters little, both same quality and same warranty.
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: zirk on 04 March 2011, 15:16:17
Oh Ok, confusion gone now. Cheers.
 :y
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: aaronjb on 04 March 2011, 15:27:03
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
I was talking to the Halfords guy recently about the old (Advanced) vs the new (Pro), Hes saying more bits are being brought back on the newer set in particular the smaller bits and the ratchet spanners on the new.

Interestingly you can still order or ask for the Advance set, although not quiet 150pc, for the £99 deal, plenty in their stores apparently.
 ;)
Pro is the older ones, Advanced is the newer range ;)

Thats weird, My set is the older ones, ie 3/8 torx bits, and the tools and box are marked Advanced.
  :-/

Yes, Advanced was the new name, but came out before this specific change on the 150pc kit. Advanced has been around about 3yrs, maybe shade more?  Pro was the previous name, and has been kicking around for years and years.

They are the same, it matters little, both same quality and same warranty.

Shows you how long it's been since I bought tools, eh.. well, and how little attention I paid to the name on the Torx stuff I bought a couple of weeks ago ;D

Now if only we had someone on here selling tools..

*ducks*

(I know, I fully expect my post count to be culled, now!) ;D
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: tunnie on 04 March 2011, 15:46:01
150 set here too, older pro style, has served me well. Only one to fail was by that thug nice chap Omegatoy, who sheared a T50/45? on my Senator waterpump!
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: Ken T on 04 March 2011, 18:05:49
I had one of those cheap all in torx sets, but 2nd time thro doing up the head bolts they started giving up, so I found a replacement set of Blue Point by Snap-on, on flea bay for a reasonable price. They should last a lot longer.  :y

Ken
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: sotmh on 04 March 2011, 23:36:16
Thanks again everyone.  Relating to the torx fasteners, the set I have contains 8 torx fasteners,3/8 drive types.  They are sized E8 - E20.   There are also 4 star shaped bits of the screw driver types also useable with the 3/8 drive. If smaller sizes needed, then will be purchased seperately.

The Box says Advanced professioinal socket set.  I took the "professional" statement to relate to mechanic trade.

Aside from this, I suppose comments around early/later means that the earlier set was called "Professional" as opposed to "Advanced".

All in, quite satisfied as mind has been put at ease.  Now to christen them ;)

Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: TheBoy on 05 March 2011, 09:47:09
Quote
Thanks again everyone.  Relating to the torx fasteners, the set I have contains 8 torx fasteners,3/8 drive types.  They are sized E8 - E20.   There are also 4 star shaped bits of the screw driver types also useable with the 3/8 drive. If smaller sizes needed, then will be purchased seperately.

The Box says Advanced professioinal socket set.  I took the "professional" statement to relate to mechanic trade.

Aside from this, I suppose comments around early/later means that the earlier set was called "Professional" as opposed to "Advanced".

All in, quite satisfied as mind has been put at ease.  Now to christen them ;)

The name change from Pro to Advanced is purely, 100% cosmetic.

The talk about the earlier and later sets relates to a physical change on contents - if yours has a red box for screwdriver bits, its the later type

:)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: feeutfo on 05 March 2011, 13:59:02
Red box here, very happy! Screw driver bits can be used in conjunction with the screw driver with 1/4 drive in the end and the corresponding ratchet. Handy and a good combination, so presume the bits are rated to max torque delivered with the 1/4 drive small ratchet?
 Any more leverage, with an adapter for instance, would invalidate any warranty as adapters are not supplied. So careful what you tell them on any warranty claim, and careful how much leverage is applied through adapters in case of breakage...   IMO. ;)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: Shackeng on 05 March 2011, 16:13:15
Quote
Picked up on monday Halfords 150 pce tool kit at special price £99.99. It was selected as I'm about to strip cylinder head for reconditioning. and it has many bits thats' not in my socket set.

I was wondering, does anyone know if, to do this job are there engine parts or other areas of mig that can only be removed by this kit as opposed to a 40 pce general maintenance socket set?

All comments appreciated.

Decent ones that is ;D ; ;D


Online price is now £199 >:(
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: aaronjb on 05 March 2011, 16:20:49
Speaking of Halfords - I picked up one of their 'industrial' tool cabinets (on wheels) with the free tool chest today (boy did I have a hard time getting those out of the car and into the garage - they weigh 50Kg+ each!)..

Anyway.. I couldn't get the drawers open on the top chest for love nor money.

Took me a good 30 minutes to work out that the drawers only open when you have the chest lid open.

D'oh!  ;D
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: feeutfo on 05 March 2011, 17:31:41
Quote
Speaking of Halfords - I picked up one of their 'industrial' tool cabinets (on wheels) with the free tool chest today (boy did I have a hard time getting those out of the car and into the garage - they weigh 50Kg+ each!)..

Anyway.. I couldn't get the drawers open on the top chest for love nor money.

Took me a good 30 minutes to work out that the drawers only open when you have the chest lid open.

D'oh!  ;D
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?mpe_id=64889&jspStoreDir=HalfordsConsumerDirect&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-07-MAR11-CARCARE-R2-1-_-PRODCAT_ESPOTRIGHT_165744-_-07-MAR11-CARCARE-R2-1&catalogId=10151&constraints=sor%7C%7CPrice%7C%7C1&categoryId=165532&action=listrefine&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=168914&langId=-1&storeId=10001&scope=inl%7C%7Cpartnumber%7C%7C4%7C%7C181636%7C%7C182394%7C%7C169774%7C%7C169790&ddkey=ClickInfo
So buy the cabinet for £350 and get chest free ? That ain't bad. :y
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: zirk on 05 March 2011, 18:05:07
Quote


Online price is now £199 >:(

The 99 quid deal has been on, then off, then back on again for quiet sometime now, reckon Easter Bank Holiday will see it again.
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: aaronjb on 05 March 2011, 18:17:31
Quote
Quote
Speaking of Halfords - I picked up one of their 'industrial' tool cabinets (on wheels) with the free tool chest today (boy did I have a hard time getting those out of the car and into the garage - they weigh 50Kg+ each!)..

Anyway.. I couldn't get the drawers open on the top chest for love nor money.

Took me a good 30 minutes to work out that the drawers only open when you have the chest lid open.

D'oh!  ;D
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?mpe_id=64889&jspStoreDir=HalfordsConsumerDirect&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-07-MAR11-CARCARE-R2-1-_-PRODCAT_ESPOTRIGHT_165744-_-07-MAR11-CARCARE-R2-1&catalogId=10151&constraints=sor%7C%7CPrice%7C%7C1&categoryId=165532&action=listrefine&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=168914&langId=-1&storeId=10001&scope=inl%7C%7Cpartnumber%7C%7C4%7C%7C181636%7C%7C182394%7C%7C169774%7C%7C169790&ddkey=ClickInfo
So buy the cabinet for £350 and get chest free ? That ain't bad. :y

Yep that's the deal - I reserved online last night so I got the web price, and picked them up in store :)

I couldn't get decent chests cheaper online, even from justoffbase and I figured it was about time I had somewhere half decent to store my tools rather than a myriad of overloaded metal & plastic carry cases ;D

They had a big SIP welder that looks like it's been sat on the shelf forever, too.. I was half tempted to make them an offer (although it's gasless only).

It's been an expensive weekend ;D

(Now I'm trying to figure out how to put the engine stand together.. and what to do with all the washers they give you but fail to specify a use for - do the plain washers go behind the bolt head, or between the object and the spring washer under the nut?!)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: Shackeng on 05 March 2011, 18:31:32
Quote
Quote
Quote
Speaking of Halfords - I picked up one of their 'industrial' tool cabinets (on wheels) with the free tool chest today (boy did I have a hard time getting those out of the car and into the garage - they weigh 50Kg+ each!)..

Anyway.. I couldn't get the drawers open on the top chest for love nor money.

Took me a good 30 minutes to work out that the drawers only open when you have the chest lid open.

D'oh!  ;D
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?mpe_id=64889&jspStoreDir=HalfordsConsumerDirect&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-07-MAR11-CARCARE-R2-1-_-PRODCAT_ESPOTRIGHT_165744-_-07-MAR11-CARCARE-R2-1&catalogId=10151&constraints=sor%7C%7CPrice%7C%7C1&categoryId=165532&action=listrefine&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=168914&langId=-1&storeId=10001&scope=inl%7C%7Cpartnumber%7C%7C4%7C%7C181636%7C%7C182394%7C%7C169774%7C%7C169790&ddkey=ClickInfo
So buy the cabinet for £350 and get chest free ? That ain't bad. :y

Yep that's the deal - I reserved online last night so I got the web price, and picked them up in store :)

I couldn't get decent chests cheaper online, even from justoffbase and I figured it was about time I had somewhere half decent to store my tools rather than a myriad of overloaded metal & plastic carry cases ;D

They had a big SIP welder that looks like it's been sat on the shelf forever, too.. I was half tempted to make them an offer (although it's gasless only).

It's been an expensive weekend ;D

(Now I'm trying to figure out how to put the engine stand together.. and what to do with all the washers they give you but fail to specify a use for - do the plain washers go behind the bolt head, or between the object and the spring washer under the nut?!)

Usually.
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: aaronjb on 05 March 2011, 18:35:44
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Speaking of Halfords - I picked up one of their 'industrial' tool cabinets (on wheels) with the free tool chest today (boy did I have a hard time getting those out of the car and into the garage - they weigh 50Kg+ each!)..

Anyway.. I couldn't get the drawers open on the top chest for love nor money.

Took me a good 30 minutes to work out that the drawers only open when you have the chest lid open.

D'oh!  ;D
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?mpe_id=64889&jspStoreDir=HalfordsConsumerDirect&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-07-MAR11-CARCARE-R2-1-_-PRODCAT_ESPOTRIGHT_165744-_-07-MAR11-CARCARE-R2-1&catalogId=10151&constraints=sor%7C%7CPrice%7C%7C1&categoryId=165532&action=listrefine&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=168914&langId=-1&storeId=10001&scope=inl%7C%7Cpartnumber%7C%7C4%7C%7C181636%7C%7C182394%7C%7C169774%7C%7C169790&ddkey=ClickInfo
So buy the cabinet for £350 and get chest free ? That ain't bad. :y

Yep that's the deal - I reserved online last night so I got the web price, and picked them up in store :)

I couldn't get decent chests cheaper online, even from justoffbase and I figured it was about time I had somewhere half decent to store my tools rather than a myriad of overloaded metal & plastic carry cases ;D

They had a big SIP welder that looks like it's been sat on the shelf forever, too.. I was half tempted to make them an offer (although it's gasless only).

It's been an expensive weekend ;D

(Now I'm trying to figure out how to put the engine stand together.. and what to do with all the washers they give you but fail to specify a use for - do the plain washers go behind the bolt head, or between the object and the spring washer under the nut?!)

Usually.

And there was me posting a whole thread (here (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1299349843/0#1)) and you'd already answered me ;)

Thanks! I figured that was probably it.. but the instructions are sparse to say the least and I did wonder if the plain washers were there to spread the load from the bolt head on the other side :)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: mrgreen on 05 March 2011, 20:36:23
i bought a professional set about 7 years ago and the ratchet packed up on it, i took it back no questions asked and they replaced it straight away i think the quality for price isn't bad although i haven't tried any of the torx sets from them (yet), personally i wish i had a halfords over here i always found them good to deal with as long as you know what you want as they wouldn't have a clue when it comes to advice!, on that note the closest thing to halfords here is A.T.U and i asked them for a set to re-wind my rear brake pistons and they told me impossible that's only available to professionals!! quick trip on ebay, sorted!
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: sotmh on 05 March 2011, 21:21:29
I figured it was about time I had somewhere half decent to store my tools rather than a myriad of overloaded metal & plastic carry cases

They had a big SIP welder that looks like it's been sat on the shelf forever, too.. I was half tempted to make them an offer (although it's gasless only).






Thats usualy the way.  Candy shop experience or what :y 8-)
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: V6 CDX-er on 06 March 2011, 13:02:09
Quote
My torx ones have survived tractor and rover head bolts.

Apart from a 3/8th rachet that I broke with a jack handle ::) and a socket I broke with a hammer, its been good as gold. Thats why I have 2 sets ::)

How the Hellfrauds 1/2" to 3/8" adapters, I have broken an awful lot of them ::)

All of their adaptors are made out of chocolate.
Title: Re: Advanced tool kit
Post by: TheBoy on 06 March 2011, 13:05:29
Quote
Quote
My torx ones have survived tractor and rover head bolts.

Apart from a 3/8th rachet that I broke with a jack handle ::) and a socket I broke with a hammer, its been good as gold. Thats why I have 2 sets ::)

How the Hellfrauds 1/2" to 3/8" adapters, I have broken an awful lot of them ::)

All of their adaptors are made out of chocolate.
Thats what I tell the kids in Hellfrauds when I return them for replacement.  I always forget to mention the scaffold pole I had on the rachet to undo the bolt ::)