Thoughts and advice on Spanners

Hi all,

I've got a half decent set of tools, which includes a Halfords pro toolkit from about 20 years ago, which has a "lifetime Guarantee" and is still going strong. Combination spanners 7mm-19mm.
The only thing I've broken in that time is 1 hex socket, which was changed in store with no receipt or hassle.
I've recently started adding more tools, like Knipex pliers and old school 6 point Britool spanners (from when they were made in England). - 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm + 2 x 1/2 inch

I'm looking at getting some bigger spanner sizes - 20mm upwards and have been looking at Stahlwille, Gedore and King Dick for quality or US Pro / Halfords Advanced for cheap price.

They are mainly for tinkering with my Defender and a couple of motorbikes.

I'd like to hear your thoughts or recommendations on what makes and sizes you'd add if it was for your tool collection.

Cheers

King Dick for me

I have a Halfords Advanced set that goes from 6mm to 32mm. Been excellent over the years....just missing the 12mm which I put down somewhere oneday, and will no doubt resurface at some point in the future.

Sealey for me. Not the cheapest, also not expensive. Very high quality. Halfords pro are also good.

I have the Halfords Advance set too. All my imperial spanners came from my dad and are Britool, King Dick etc.
22 and 24mm are handy if buying singles for the Defender. Oh and a 52mm socket for the hub nut

A set of extra long spanners like this come in really handy. Made by GearWrench who supply a lot of other companies like sykes.
Teng are also v good. Also Facom and Beta but they are expensive.

Like these

ChrisBduck said:

Like theseView attachment 179278

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Now that's a set of spanners!! A little envious

Sometimes I just like to give them a polish and stroke them lovingly lol
Hands down best tool I've ever brought though is a battery impact wrench sooo useful and time saving

Halfords again. Got 20, 22, 27, 30, 32, 33 in big sizes all taken some massive smacks and still good. Csny fault them tbf

Blue point service kits is what I keep in the landy………..


Spanner drawer at home.....

I do have a couple of halfords socket sets, mostly snap on & mac for me

I have a set of these, which I have given some grief to when needed.

Seem to have fared fairy well, at least none have broken yet.



Cheers

Love a bit of tool porn!

Arrrr tools.. no such thing as too many!!

I have a Mixture from Britool the old stuff King dick etc etc

However my Teng spanners have taken a beating, many times i've hammered on them and put a 3ft long pipe on them to get leverage and they've not since broken, no jaw stretch. etc

Teng Torque wrenches though i'd stay away from, the Halfords TQ I personally like, the dial indicator which is clear is handy..


Socket set's all mine are Bacho and i wouldn't use anything else.

I wangled a big Draper Pro 1/2” socket set (AF/Metric) about 30yrs ago in lieu of money owed, still intact after many projects and abuse - always clean ‘em. Some Halfords and Mikasa 3/8 and 1/4 bits as well.
Mixture of Beta and Teng spanner’s, recently picked up some Kincrome (Australian mate!) big combi spanner’s (22/24/26) from Homebase at 50% discount - bargain.

Tool cabinet and drawers are HD plus ones from Machine Mart when they were on offer. The majority of tools I have are Halfords cos I've got a trade card and when ever I've broken anything it's been exchanged straight away. I've got 24mm and 30mm combi spanners for doing suspension work and the A frame bolt. I have also got a set of impact sockets that came with an air gun from aldi and I'll be honest they've had an absolute beating.

The only spanner in my workshop is me.


Think you answered you’re own question - stick to Halfords.

I’ve got a mix of Teng, Britool and Halfords, all are very good. I’ve got a few Snap-on but my use doesn’t justify the expensive to be honest. As mentioned though, you can never have too many tools! It’s a slippery slope once you start buying some...

Marmaduke said:

View attachment 179297

Tool cabinet and drawers are HD plus ones from Machine Mart when they were on offer. The majority of tools I have are Halfords cos I've got a trade card and when ever I've broken anything it's been exchanged straight away. I've got 24mm and 30mm combi spanners for doing suspension work and the A frame bolt. I have also got a set of impact sockets that came with an air gun from aldi and I'll be honest they've had an absolute beating.

Click to expand...

Check you all posh n clean, geeze a peek in yer drawers .....funny you mention aldi I tend to buy the workzone
boxes of washers/springs/o rings/fibre washers ect ect cheap but always handy to have also all there gear has a
3 year warranty, I bought a cheapo drill from them as my Dewalt charger got damaged, for 25 quid its been great
buy