UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

I'm looking for a torque wrench at the very least, figuring on it being an investment more than "something bought to fix the polo with and therefore 'not worth it'..."

Homebase were pants for anything of that nature, and Halfords seemed to be expensive - cheapest was about £50 i think. However, GSF have a 1/2" drive one for £26 plus VAT.... knowing nothing about torque wrenches in general and whether GSF are good for tools, would this be a good buy, or crap?

Not really sure where else to get car tools such as this from, apart from independent places which would likely cost as much as 'frauds, or from ECP (where i dont know of a branch local to myself)

where you all like to get your things from?

(could also do with a place to hire an engine hoist from, if i decide to go down the swapping route)
(and i guess if i take the head off i'll need a place that sells new head bolts, as they bend when you tighten them up...?)

Tahrey1043 wrote: Not really sure where else to get car tools such as this from, apart from independent places which would likely cost as much as 'frauds, or from ECP (where i dont know of a branch local to myself)

where you all like to get your things from?

I get most of my tools from Machine Mart can't fault there prices

Rings a bell... there must be one nearby either that or there's one in bangor.. suppose they'll likely have a website though, so cheers!

Tahrey, why would you ever go to Homebase for tools!? C'mon, use ure head. Also, fcuk Halfords for anything, they just take the pi$$ with their prices.

Machine Mart is where I get all my tools from. Top quality stuff aswell. Most of the stuff there will last you a lifetime.

ditto, i get most of my stuff from machine mart.

the bonus is i get all clarke stuff VAT free until 5.30 on friday

just bought a new rollerchest,bit set,etc etc

very tempted to get a compressor and welder too

snap on, draper expert, brit tools

Are what i use, just remember you will only have to buy snap on once!!!

Halfords tools are nigh-on indestructable!!

If you can get a big set of Halfords tools on sale then they're good value and will last a lifetime of normal use, but will also take quite a bit of abuse if you're so inclined!!

We also get a lot of stuff from Machine Mart and can't complain. The tap-thru screwdrivers get a lot of hammer abuse but have stood up well!!

dubpolo wrote:snap on, draper expert, brit tools!!!

Add to Dub's suggestions

Sealey Tools are also very good as well

Sykes Pykavant for specialist items like pullers etc

Avoid Pro-am - it's more am than pro

Bergen are seriously good

Kamasa are tough but tend to be a bit on the chunky side

dubpolo wrote:Are what i use, just remember you will only have to buy snap on once!!!

Actually same applies with anything from the Halfrauds Proffessional range and they don't quibble either when you return it - prices can be a bit patchy but in general they can be good value for single tools rather than flash sets - JM2pW

Homebase because they're not just within easy driving but easy jogging distance of my house. Can drive it in about ninety seconds flat with a bit of enthusiasm - great for all those household emergencies (such as, for example, losing your keys, giving the front door an experimental, frustrated kick, and watching in horror as it floats gailey inwards taking the lock with it) though can't say I'm enamoured of their prices. Plus they've got the longest opening hours of any competing store i know of.

That's about it really.

Still, got my mole grips and a couple other things from there and they seem to work fine and are study enough, can't complain. They just dont have torque wrenches or a decent range of spanners.

Halfords are confident enough in their stuff to offer one of the few bona-fide lifetime guarantees, aren't they? If it breaks, even 20 years down the line (assuming they're still in business), and it's got a Halfords stamp on it, they'll give you a new replacement FOC... sorted. Might be worth the extra 15 pounds for that.. and i've enough experience of their return policy to know that they'll take pretty much anything back to keep their customer rep up, even if it's something odd like a 1/2-to-3/8ths driver adaptor that proves surplus to requirements.
Wouldn't trust em for bike bits or paint matching though (*draws air in thru teeth*) oh no. ((thats not to say the Apollo bikes aren't pretty good for the price!)). Or to spec you a proper set of ignition leads or oil filter!

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm off to look for that local branch of machine mart - wonder if they're open sundays?

Always learning...

dubpolo wrote:snap on, draper expert, brit tools

Are what i use, just remember you will only have to buy snap on once!!!

Thats cos you will only ever be able to afford to buy them once

Unless your made of money and can pay 1k for watches!

I can recommend the follwing brands of tools, which I have myself:

Facom- not cheap but very good
Sykes Pickavant- again not cheap but do lots of specialist tools
Sealey- good value and most stuff is fine
Britool- not cheap but lasts

I get tools that will last me and stand plenty of use, even if it means spending that bit more.

You might be better off getting one of those halfords complete tool sets in a big case. I know a number of polo owners with these and they rate them highly. I think they come with a reasonable garuntee

hth

aye, can't go wrong with Halfords Professional stuff. lifetime guarantee!

hardhitter wrote:I can recommend the follwing brands of tools, which I have myself:

Facom- not cheap but very good

use facom screwdrivers at work, is quality stuff

[quote=tahrey]Halfords are confident enough in their stuff to offer one of the few bona-fide lifetime guarantees, aren't they? If it breaks, even 20 years down the line (assuming they're still in business), and it's got a Halfords stamp on it, they'll give you a new replacement FOC... sorted. Might be worth the extra 15 pounds for that.. and i've enough experience of their return policy to know that they'll take pretty much anything back to keep their customer rep up, even if it's something odd like a 1/2-to-3/8ths driver adaptor that proves surplus to requirements.
Wouldn't trust em for bike bits or paint matching though (*draws air in thru teeth*) oh no. ((thats not to say the Apollo bikes aren't pretty good for the price!)). Or to spec you a proper set of ignition leads or oil filter!

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm off to look for that local branch of machine mart - wonder if they're open sundays?

Always learning...[/quote]

dont trust the halfords books, i dont and i work there lol! best thing is to ask on the parts desk for them to look it up on the computer, even then thats sometimes wrong.

the returns policy is fine on anythign aslong as you have a receipt and this can cause problems, as we use heat trasfer paper on the receipts which is s**t and if you leave it in any sort of ligt/heat it will fade after about 2 weeks. if you put it in your wallet, it will rub and fade after about 2 days, so if you are buying something which has some sort of long term guarantee i would keep it in a sealed bag, in the cold and dark lol

Best tools are snap ons, they are the best quality and have a lifetime guarantee but are pretty expensive (you wont find any better though)