Right I have been planning on buying a decent set of tools/chest for ages - I do have a selection at the moment (sockets-spanners-wrench-welder etc) though would anyone recommend a brand thats not overally expensive ?? - i would like snapon but thats out of my budget.

Halfords Pro range

_________________
"With square conduct, level steps, and upright intentions ..”

_________________
I intend to live forever.....................................so far, so good!

yea, halfords pro and advanced gear.

we've all got them at work, have a life time guarantee on most of the things too

Machine Mart do some nice boxes.
I've got the Heavy Duty Plus top box and roller cabinet and there very good quality.

_________________
Norrie.

Can you get MANNESMAN? Very good ime. The sockets are 6-sided so they don't round things off. Downside - Metric only.

_________________
Sept 2017. Email will find me.

Ah, i see me a Christmas pressie

_________________
Partial to a bit of both

Cromwell tools are 'engineering industry' orientated as opposed to 'motor trade' and their tools and chests are therefore not marketed on 'bling factor' to entrap all the spotty sixteen year old apprentice mechanics in lifetime credit agreements...
I guess it depends on whether the ultimate shinyness of your spanners is important to you... ...but for high quality professional tools (ie use-it-every day as opposed to the usual 'hobby' cheese and flaky chrome stuff) at a sensible cost I don't think you'll better it. Good value.

http://www.cromwell.co.uk

...should show you if there's one near you, think they've about 50 branches.

_________________
'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

A few other people have recommended Halfords Pro tools so I think I'm gonna get some too

IMHO, Halfords (like Krapfit) only exist because they are accessible 7/7 at a retail park or high street near you. And lots of marketing. They're dear too.
S'pose they're Ok if you need a bean-tin extension for your Saxo zorst or a bottle of polish on a Sunday...but for tools? C'mon.
From someone who makes his living with 'em.

_________________
'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

We use Snap On at work, to screw together the engines that power Eurofighter, Hawk, Harrier aswell as Boeing and Airbus products.

Snap On stuff is less chunky and allows you to get into spaces that the likes of Halfords Pro wont allow.

All about fitness for purpose really; you don't need Snap On to tighten the flanges on your chemical processing plant...

Me? I have an adjustable spanner that I bought from a car boot sale, no need for a tool box, I just leave it on the floor...

_________________
08 Specialized Langster

I've some Draper Expert wrenches and sockets and they seem pretty good.

Only managed one break and that was an 8mm hex key that was part of a socket/wrench set......I was openiing the gearbox plug on an old BMW boxer that had been laid up for years.

Was using a 1/4" rachet, a 4" extensionbar, a hex key holder and the hex key in the holder......I was whacking it fairly hard with the heel of my hand and it eventually "went". I was expecting the hex bit holder to have gone but it was the bit itself that snapped.

With Draper Expert you just bring it back and get a free replacement - which I did no problems or questions asked.

Hence I can recommend Draper Expert range....I've broken other cheap ring spanners in the past and gone on to use a Draper Expert wrench to then open the offending nut.

Plus draper do a handy large catalogue for bedtime reading.

Not everything Draper make is from the Expert range so be warned I'm just recommending the Draper Expert range of tools !!

Eric.

_________________
'09 XB12XT
'02 Beta Alp 200
'82 + '83 CX500 euroSports's
'83 CX650 Custom
Green "4 Legged" SUV (now galloping the great plains in the sky !!)

Hmm, before my addjustable, I had a Draper Expert 3/8 drive set of 5/16 hex torx bits, and one fell apart when trying to remove a rear disc. Took it back to the shop and I was told it was only guaranteed for a year...

_________________
08 Specialized Langster

Have you used their pro range? Good prices (as often at 50% off) and value for a home mechanic. A different proposition from their Ripspeed tuning accessories.
Their toolboxes are shit too unless you buy the most expesnive ones - Machine Mart are better there

yup Halfords,their screwdrivers don't seem to be so good though,but i've had some of their stuff since 1991 and it's still spot on.their tool boxs arn't so good,maybe better now,i got a second hand snap-on one off a m8,it's about 22 yrs old now and still good