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Old 15-08-2006, 10:45 PM   #1
16wantsI6
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Default apprentice tools.

i know this is the same as the old thread but i thought id start a new one,
im an apprentice heavy mechanic and went to auto pro to buy some Sidchrome tools today. (which are fairly good quality tools) the bloke at the counter told me i might aswell save $10 and buy the Stanley tools instead (i only know these guys for there knives lol) and said there made at the same factory...

im betting theres a few mechanics on this forums so i would like to ask 'should i stick to my guns and buy sidchrome knowing im buying a quality tool. or buy stanley coz its $10 cheaper and some guy says its made at the same place?'

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Old 15-08-2006, 10:51 PM   #2
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im no Mech but i have a Stanley socket set. the quality is excelent but i (through my own fault) managed to break the ratchet.
1 rusted out VW that had been in a paddock for 15 years, me with socket set and no tyre iron trying to remove wheels, 3 METRE pipe on the end of the ratchet and SNAP-O....twisted the 'square' clean off.
this was my own fault and there isnt a brand out there that wouldnt have broke either from the same abuse.
apart from that they are great tools and have never had a problem since.
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Old 15-08-2006, 10:56 PM   #3
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haha thatll **** your ratchet
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Old 15-08-2006, 10:57 PM   #4
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the ratchets look alot nicer i reckon, they have the metal handle instead of them boofy rubber handles.
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Old 15-08-2006, 11:03 PM   #5
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i prefered the Stanley Ratchet as well, but couldnt find a replacement so i had to go the rubber gripped one as well.
Funnily enough, Stanley wouldnt warranty the ratchet either...."extreme abuse"!
they know their stuff!
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Old 15-08-2006, 11:06 PM   #6
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if you want a quality tool, that you will keep for a lifetime you cant go past snap-on. the old sidchrome tools were good quality and value for money when they were made here but all the new stuff is just china crap.
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Old 15-08-2006, 11:09 PM   #7
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Nothing really wrong with Stanley gear. I have only a 1/4" socket/ratchet set of theirs that has stood up to numerous tasks over the years.
The rest of my kit is mostly kinchrome with the odd specialist snap-on gear.
From what I hear, these days the Repco branded stuff is made by sidchrome also. Quality has improved out of sight.

Plastic handles might look ugly, but they serve a purpose.
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Old 15-08-2006, 11:16 PM   #8
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as john xr6 said about snap-on I would buy all of my tools from them but mate i cant afford it, my co-worker (another 1st year) brought a knipex pliers off them for $60!!! and then a pair of long nose and side cutters.
i know its very good quality and probably out live me but for my base tools i think ill worry about getting a cheaper good quality brand, and then when the snap-on van comes around blow my fortnighly wage on a hex-key set :P
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Old 16-08-2006, 07:33 AM   #9
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I don't know if Sidchrome & Stanley are made at the same place but I think Stanley owns Sidchrome. We buy our Sidchrome stuff at work thru Stanley in Melb.

T&E are another brand that is popular up here.
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Old 16-08-2006, 02:47 PM   #10
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No apprentice toolkit is complete without a long weight.... :hihi:
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Old 16-08-2006, 03:17 PM   #11
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I'm the guy who started the other thread, I am using the SWG (superworks gold) tools, and after a month of punishment I have yet to fault them...
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Old 16-08-2006, 03:40 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16wantsI6
and then when the snap-on van comes around blow my fortnighly wage on a hex-key set :P
And still have 4 repayments to go.

I have a Snap-On torque wrench. How I ever afforded that I've got no clue. Never used the thing either!
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Old 16-08-2006, 04:29 PM   #13
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I am an Electrician, , so all I have is a set of Yellow Pliers, Red screwdriver, Cold Chisel and a ********* big hammer...

( oh, , and a set of 15" vice grips for delicate bolts )

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Old 16-08-2006, 05:03 PM   #14
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I only really use a tourqe wrench for headbolts...
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Old 16-08-2006, 05:14 PM   #15
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see, , you need yellow pliers or 15" vice grips !
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Old 16-08-2006, 07:15 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AC/DC
I am an Electrician, , so all I have is a set of Yellow Pliers, Red screwdriver, Cold Chisel and a ********* big hammer...

( oh, , and a set of 15" vice grips for delicate bolts )

AC/DC
You dont work for RAG Electrical, do you?
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Old 16-08-2006, 07:23 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gubas
You dont work for RAG Electrical, do you?
Seen a bloke with yellow pliers and a red screwdriver, have you? :
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Old 16-08-2006, 07:33 PM   #18
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haha so hes seen basically any sparky in Australia?

Everyone has the yellow pliers and red screwdriver set lol.

Post up what you eventually get mate as ill be looking to buy some tools for playing on the cars sometime in the future.
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Old 16-08-2006, 07:38 PM   #19
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Look, you have to literally live with your tools every day, so get the best ones you can. Snap On and Stahlwille tools are the gear to buy. I would rate Stahlwille a little better than snap on but it's hard to find stahlwille dealers and snap on give you free credit,regular visits and a warranty that won't leave you in the lurch. The price of good quality tools will scare you at first, but once you get to use them often and see how strong and effective they are you will see them as very good value.
And you will have a very nice toolkit you will be very proud of too!
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Old 16-08-2006, 07:49 PM   #20
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RAG Electrical = Rough as Guts Electrical

Electrical Industry joke
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Old 16-08-2006, 07:57 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AC/DC
I am an Electrician, , so all I have is a set of Yellow Pliers, Red screwdriver, Cold Chisel and a ********* big hammer...

( oh, , and a set of 15" vice grips for delicate bolts )

AC/DC
cresent pliers suck! go the channel lock
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Old 16-08-2006, 08:00 PM   #22
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Snap on are a bit overpriced IMO, good tools though. I have mainly Powerbuilt tools and have only broken a small screwdriver because I gave it too much abuse. One thing I only found out about life warranty's is that the warranty only applies to the tool if it is still in production, apparently Powerbuilt do this, don't know about other company's.
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Old 16-08-2006, 08:07 PM   #23
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kinda like busted **** fitters who went to the puppydog school of engineering?

i reckon AC/DC is overequipped..... 99% of the time the screwdriver doubles as chisel, prybar, toothpick and knife, good pliers (mine are blue handled channellock pliers, got a couple of pairs of yellow crescent ones in the ute and van tho..... somewhere) double as a hammer for use with the aforementioned screwdriver/chisel/etc

most of the time, all i carry is 2 screwdrivers, pliers, meter and a beer!......
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Old 16-08-2006, 08:13 PM   #24
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How about Kincrome tools.

There is a place in WA called transquip.com.au who always have deals on kincrome products.

AFAIK they will replace sockets and other tools, as long as they have not been abused, eg using a screwdriver as a chisel.

They are also Australian owned.

All my tools are kincrome and I have never had any issues with them.

If you are interested Here is the website

Cheers
Mark
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Old 16-08-2006, 08:51 PM   #25
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yeah mate through our spare parts we can get kinchrome tools at half price!
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Old 16-08-2006, 08:57 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitroman
Look, you have to literally live with your tools every day, so get the best ones you can. Snap On and Stahlwille tools are the gear to buy. I would rate Stahlwille a little better than snap on but it's hard to find stahlwille dealers and snap on give you free credit,regular visits and a warranty that won't leave you in the lurch. The price of good quality tools will scare you at first, but once you get to use them often and see how strong and effective they are you will see them as very good value.
And you will have a very nice toolkit you will be very proud of too!
lol at $230 a week Sidchrome are the best tools i can buy! i get payed fornightly to so i have to wait 2 weeks to buy anything.
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Old 17-08-2006, 08:13 AM   #27
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Yeah sorry guys about my massive range of Electrician tools, , I got a good tool allowance any went the HOG and bought 4 tools. The rest went on a 146 piece chisel set, which was too heavy to carry

Channel lock ( blue ) were wayyyy to expensive for me, , they were at least $6 more than the Cresent ( yellow )....

I once needed some wire strippers for traffic light work, , so I simply cut a wire carrying 415v with the plier jaw resting on the side of the steel cabinet, , works a treat !

What is a Meter ? Is it some kind of new tech test lamp ?

Would you believe that being a licenced electrician ( C28096 ) I never had a colour blind test.... And I only ever done industrial work, inc motor control and 415v work !
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Old 17-08-2006, 08:22 AM   #28
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Both sidchrome and stanley come out of the same warehouse here in Perth and its the stanley warehouse .
I use a mix of tools for myself and I have only two brands sidchrome and Cgl .The cgl brand is a Coventrys brand good quality good price and a life time warranty .I am yet to have problems with any piece of my tool set
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Old 17-08-2006, 09:10 AM   #29
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Sidchrome used to be an Aussie company that made good tools, seen only in Aus and NZ. Stanley was a UK (Sheffield) company that made good tools in the UK. Stanly went off shore. Stanley bought Sidchrome and merged the line somwhat, off shore. They are both good but nothing like what they used to be. You should be ok with them though.

Steve
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Old 17-08-2006, 10:06 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve D
No apprentice toolkit is complete without a long weight.... :hihi:

or sky hooks
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