Re: Hand tools: any reason to bother with imperial, and what brands are "quality"?

On Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:22:48 +0000, oh wrote:

> After having had pinched from me a toolbox with a mix of metric/imperial
> socket tools/ wrenches, spanners etc., I need to go shopping again. I'm
> a very long way from the nearest physical B&Q/Homebase/Halfords/Screwfix
> I'm afraid so I'll probably do the on-line thing, although it is hard
> buying tools unseen ;-) ... I'm Scandinavian so not totally au-fait with
> UK DIY, and most of my old tools were bought ~20 years ago...
>
> I like decent tools to I'm a bit skeptic about things like a Screwfix
> "Tool chest 235 pieces" for £63.61, particularly when it's half-full of
> imperial tool sizes. Having a 2-year old house, 1998 car and a German
> yacht, I doubt I will see an imperial sized screw very often. However I
> could be wrong, so my first question is: are imperial sized nuts and
> bolts and stuff something that still are in common use, or did they die
> out together with the shillings?
>
> Looking at various on-line cataloges, there are names like Draper and
> Laser that ring bells, and Famex has an interesting kit for £150. Does
> anyone know if these are the quality names I think they are, or should I
> save a few pounds and get the more generic tools from Toolstation,
> Screwfix etc.?
>
> I'm leaning on around £150 for a well-stocked 1/2" socket set, torque
> wrench and full spanner set. Pointers to good on-line vendors than the
> usual big ones would also be very welcome!
>
> Thanks in advance!!!
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Of the four stores you cite I would suggest that Halfords is the one to go
for but I would also suggest a browse at: www.machinemart.co.uk where
there is a good range of almost every kind of automotive tool. It's
possible to build a good tool kit from Machine Mart by buying selectively
rather than buying a 'set' which often contains stuff you never need or
already have. I wouldn't buy Imperial unless you have a particular need
for it.

Cic.
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