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[Webby the Bear]

I got a 150 piece kit because it's got most of what you need in 1 box that's easily brought to where you're working or chucked in the car when you're travelling. It's pretty clear that the assortment of tools was drawn up by an accountant rather than a mechanic who's familiar with what sizes are frequently encountered, as there are some frustrating omissions where you have other sizes duplicated.

That said, it basically does the job, and is (when on special offer) a pretty cost effective leg-up into Omega mechanicing if you've got no tools at all. When at home, I do often find myself going to the trouble of waking across the garage to the better quality tools when the Halfords kit is in front of me, though.

I'd say, for serious work, you'll soon be looking for better quality kit so, in some respects, it might make more sense to buy that from day one. For just routine servicing, it's adequate, though.

Where would you say they're lacking in quality, Kev? As you mention, they omit a couple of key sizes.... the things that spring to mind are 9mm spanner (needed for Omega calliper bleed nipples) and a 16mm socket (I think).

Having thought again the lack of single hex sockets is a pain. A real pain in fact.

The spanners I suppose could be longer for better leverage but nothing a good smack of a hammer wont solve. 

[Kevin Wood]

Where would you say they're lacking in quality, Kev? As you mention, they omit a couple of key sizes.... the things that spring to mind are 9mm spanner (needed for Omega calliper bleed nipples) and a 16mm socket (I think).

Having thought again the lack of single hex sockets is a pain. A real pain in fact.

The spanners I suppose could be longer for better leverage but nothing a good smack of a hammer wont solve. 

Yep, it's a pain that the sockets are all 12 point bar a couple of impact sockets, as they are a sloppy fit and it means that I have to reach for the surface drive sockets if anything is a little tight. I find the ratchet heads a bit bulky, yet somehow they are awkward to apply more than light force to. Just don't seem to inspire confidence. I much prefer the older "Professional" range of ratchets.

Spanners are OK but the missing sizes are a pain and they are not the easiest to grip.

Fine if the most you're likely to do is a cam belt change and good to chuck in the car in case you break down but otherwise, there's better kit around.

[Webby the Bear]

Where would you say they're lacking in quality, Kev? As you mention, they omit a couple of key sizes.... the things that spring to mind are 9mm spanner (needed for Omega calliper bleed nipples) and a 16mm socket (I think).

Having thought again the lack of single hex sockets is a pain. A real pain in fact.

The spanners I suppose could be longer for better leverage but nothing a good smack of a hammer wont solve. 

Yep, it's a pain that the sockets are all 12 point bar a couple of impact sockets, as they are a sloppy fit and it means that I have to reach for the surface drive sockets if anything is a little tight. I find the ratchet heads a bit bulky, yet somehow they are awkward to apply more than light force to. Just don't seem to inspire confidence. I much prefer the older "Professional" range of ratchets.

Spanners are OK but the missing sizes are a pain and they are not the easiest to grip.

Fine if the most you're likely to do is a cam belt change and good to chuck in the car in case you break down but otherwise, there's better kit around.

I agree... but I see that as a plus as I use the 1/2" to smack on the aforementioned short spanner (I've already been reported to the tool police for this  )

Re the spanners... I like them... but again I suppose the grip aspect is a personal thing.

i got around the double hex thing by purchasing a set of impact sockets (set by....Silverline...note to TB) and i just take these with the tool kit and if i see a bolt that's rusted ill use those. but then again i suppose that's a point against the Halfords set.

[TheBoy]

Give the trade card a flash at the till,you never know it may knock off a couple more quids! Did for me recently

Nope, in this case, flashing a trade card will increase the price, as you will pay trade price, not offer price

[Webby the Bear]

Give the trade card a flash at the till,you never know it may knock off a couple more quids! Did for me recently

Nope, in this case, flashing a trade card will increase the price, as you will pay trade price, not offer price

Depends how stoned the spotty teenager serving you is 

Look in to his/her eyes before you make your purchase and you'll know if you can dupe them 

[Webby the Bear]

Give the trade card a flash at the till,you never know it may knock off a couple more quids! Did for me recently

Nope, in this case, flashing a trade card will increase the price, as you will pay trade price, not offer price

Depends how stoned the spotty teenager serving you is 

Look in to his/her eyes before you make your purchase and you'll know if you can dupe them 

Not that i would do anything like that. 

[MR MISTER]

Give the trade card a flash at the till,you never know it may knock off a couple more quids! Did for me recently

Nope, in this case, flashing a trade card will increase the price, as you will pay trade price, not offer price

Depends how stoned the spotty teenager serving you is 

Look in to his/her eyes before you make your purchase and you'll know if you can dupe them 

Not that i would do anything like that. 

I thought it was down to the system as to whether it would be accepted or not. Surely they don't allow the yoofs to make the decision and override the system?

[TheBoy]

As has been suggested by Kevin Wood, the old Professional sets are better. The first of the Advanced are OK, except missing some of the useful sized deep sockets.

The current Advanced, I can see no benefit over the 120pc, which occasionally comes up for £59, except no rachet spanners with the 120pc (but the rachet spanners in all 150pc sets are a bit fiddly).


Even the 170pc is missing useful tools present in earlier 150pc sets, in favour of crap screwdriver bits.


If I could get a 150pc Pro set for half price, I'd buy a couple right now. The Advanced, nah, maybe at £40...    (I have got a 120pc Advanced that cost £59 in the summer)

[Webby the Bear]

Give the trade card a flash at the till,you never know it may knock off a couple more quids! Did for me recently

Nope, in this case, flashing a trade card will increase the price, as you will pay trade price, not offer price

Depends how stoned the spotty teenager serving you is 

Look in to his/her eyes before you make your purchase and you'll know if you can dupe them 

Not that i would do anything like that. 

I thought it was down to the system as to whether it would be accepted or not. Surely they don't allow the goods to make the decision and override the system?

I could tell you an interesting story about the incompetence of their staff my friend 

[Webby the Bear]

As has been suggested by Kevin Wood, the old Professional sets are better. The first of the Advanced are OK, except missing some of the useful sized deep sockets.

The current Advanced, I can see no benefit over the 120pc, which occasionally comes up for £59, except no rachet spanners with the 120pc (but the rachet spanners in all 150pc sets are a bit fiddly).


Even the 170pc is missing useful tools present in earlier 150pc sets, in favour of crap screwdriver bits.


If I could get a 150pc Pro set for half price, I'd buy a couple right now. The Advanced, nah, maybe at £40...    (I have got a 120pc Advanced that cost £59 in the summer)

My only issue with the screwdriver bits is that they're difficult to find when you launch them across the garage in anger (at something unrelated to their use). 

[omegod]

Give the trade card a flash at the till,you never know it may knock off a couple more quids! Did for me recently

Nope, in this case, flashing a trade card will increase the price, as you will pay trade price, not offer price

50% off socket sets offer a few weeks ago , trade card got me an extra 10% off 

[Webby the Bear]

Give the trade card a flash at the till,you never know it may knock off a couple more quids! Did for me recently

Nope, in this case, flashing a trade card will increase the price, as you will pay trade price, not offer price

50% off socket sets offer a few weeks ago , trade card got me an extra 10% off 

Yup..... describe who served you Omegod 

[omegod]

5 ft 6, long dark hair, I would guess around a 34c bust ,mainly wearing black and orange with a managers badge on. May have been called Angela but can't be sure. 

[MR MISTER]

5 ft 6, long dark hair, I would guess around a 34c bust ,mainly wearing black and orange with a managers badge on. May have been called Angela but can't be sure. 

Male or female?

[omegod]

5 ft 6, long dark hair, I would guess around a 34c bust ,mainly wearing black and orange with a managers badge on. May have been called Angela but can't be sure. 

Male or female?

Definitely female