Tool sets - Recommendations

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Shindig

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#290320 3-Nov-2021 10:04

Please could I have some recommendations on go to tool sets, or a series of sets which include:

Torx
Micro screw drivers
Phillips and Flat
Allen key
Hex set
The square screws, sorry I don't know the name
A socket set would be handy as well

cheers

The little things make the biggest difference.

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#2806605 3-Nov-2021 10:22

I can't say which brand is best, but don't buy cheapest. I've found cheap sets last ages but one or two pieces wear out, so you have to spend more money on individual parts to replace the ones that wear out. I just replaced cheap hex keys with Fuller Pro for example, if I'd paid a little more to start with I'd have spent less overall. Miter Ten tends to have better quality than Bunnings on average, but you can buy quality at both.

lxsw20

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#2806612 3-Nov-2021 10:39

I've been quite happy with my Bacho socket set/screwdriver set.

Worth checking the likes of Repco too.

xcon

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#2806622 3-Nov-2021 10:51

How about this ?... it has all the "bits"

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/100pc-driver-bit-set/p/TD2038?pos=5&queryId=67f24abe75ef3fa692d4a8082e62327f&sort=relevance

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/blank-hex-driver-for-individual-screw-bits/p/TD2032

MattR

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#2806655 3-Nov-2021 12:01

xcon:

How about this ?... it has all the "bits"

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/100pc-driver-bit-set/p/TD2038?pos=5&queryId=67f24abe75ef3fa692d4a8082e62327f&sort=relevance

I bought that one from Jaycar many years ago, then a week later saw it cheaper in Bunnings. Not sure if Bunnings still have them.

Quite a few bits in it have gone rusty, but they still work.

For my most-used bits, i've replaced them with Impact Driver bits from Bunnings/M10.

pih

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#2806698 3-Nov-2021 13:18

For micro (as in, down to the "0" sizes, not ultra-micro, like you need to repair an iPhone) you can't go past the Xiaomi Wiha set: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TOLMIX17092/Xiaomi-Screwdriver-Wiha-Precision-Tools-Kit-with-2

OOS, unfortunately, but other places sell it or you can order from AliExpress/Banggood.

Can't speak for the other tools, I have a collection of different ones and none of them are as nice to use as the Wiha.

Shindig

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#2806700 3-Nov-2021 13:22

That one from PBtech might be the winner for the really micro, small stuff! Thank you.

I'll check out M10 for the other bits.

Thanks for replying

The little things make the biggest difference.

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#2806704 3-Nov-2021 13:34

Try this one instead https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TOLMIX29991/Xiaomi-Screwdriver-Precision-Tools-Kit-with-24-Mag

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#2806708 3-Nov-2021 13:43

For the micro stuff I bought an earlier version of one of these iFixit kits many years ago. Really good kit with everything you need for basic electronics repair.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Pro-Tech-Toolkit/IF145-307

For regular household hand tools. I always recommend the Kincrome brand. I find they hit the mark for me on the quality vs cost curve. They're not Snap-on, but nor do they cost as much as Snap-on. But they don't fall apart like cheap tools.

pih

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#2806720 3-Nov-2021 14:06

Stu: Try this one instead https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TOLMIX29991/Xiaomi-Screwdriver-Precision-Tools-Kit-with-24-Mag

Weird that this page didn't come up for me when I searched, only the out of stock one...

Handsomedan

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#2806729 3-Nov-2021 14:36

I have a lot of tools that I use with my family's fleet of bikes.

I agree that getting the cheap ones is a false economy, but by the same token spending a fortune on tools can be just as bad - for example Park Tools make lovely stuff, but at $130 for THIS versus $35 for THIS, you really have to work out what you need and why.

I do quite a bit of in-home maintenance on mountain bikes so have a lot of tools, but I still won't pay for Park Tools. I'll get something less expensive, but nearly as good/highly rated.

I tend to go for things like Kincrome (These aren't bad and get a lot of use at my place) For a socket set, I'd say a couple of hundred dollars would give you a lifetime's use: (I have a smaller set of these but can't find them online)

If you were looking for a do-it-all tool kit, you couldn't really go wrong with something like this: Full toolkit at Bunnings $275

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rphenix

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#2806738 3-Nov-2021 14:49

lxsw20:

I've been quite happy with my Bacho socket set/screwdriver set.

Worth checking the likes of Repco too.

I have a Bacho set is great - doesn't rust, holds up to abuse when dealing with stuck bolts etc. A little heavy though so think I need a second smaller set for portability.

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Wakrak

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#2806753 3-Nov-2021 15:24

If possible, I recommend going in-store and testing out the feel of a couple different hand-tool brands. A few months ago I needed some screwdrivers so I went to Bunnings and tested em all out. Settled for the Fuller Pro range. Feels real good in the hand. Good grip and durable. Good price too (I have a powerpass card). When it comes to square screwdrivers, I went with Hart. Again, feels good in the hand.

I also own the Xiaomi Screwdriver Wiha Precision Tools Kit and highly recommend it. Got mine from Banggood.

Socket set, I just got me the Extol Premium Socket set off The Market. Had a $120 in vouchers to use. Looks alright. Let you know how it goes.

Do you have a budget?

lxsw20

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#2806766 3-Nov-2021 15:54

rphenix:

lxsw20:

I've been quite happy with my Bacho socket set/screwdriver set.

Worth checking the likes of Repco too.

I have a Bacho set is great - doesn't rust, holds up to abuse when dealing with stuck bolts etc. A little heavy though so think I need a second smaller set for portability.

Yeap, that's the exact set I have, probably had it 10 years now. Only thing it really needed adding was a breaker bar, but depends on your use case.

neb

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#2806776 3-Nov-2021 16:14

xcon:
How about this ?... it has all the "bits"

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/100pc-driver-bit-set/p/TD2038?pos=5&queryId=67f24abe75ef3fa692d4a8082e62327f&sort=relevance

+

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/blank-hex-driver-for-individual-screw-bits/p/TD2032

I would avoid bit sets unless you use them very infrequently and need a wide range of oddball types, for regular use you really need a solid steel shaft from the handle all the way to the tip, not a flimsy press-fit joint somewhere along the line.

In terms of sets, virtually everything nowadays is - or claims to be - Cr-V or equivalent, so I'd go more for comfort and price than a particular brand. It's not like 30-odd years ago when you went from the likes of Wiha at one end to plain steel rubbish at the other, the manufacturing has got to the point where there's not that much to distinguish the brands any more. A bit like OFC, apart from the cheapest Chinese rubbish most copper cables today would count as OFC from 20-odd years ago because of improvements in processing.

1101

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#2807329 4-Nov-2021 10:53

For occasional home use
Just go to the local Mitre10, Supercheap Auto , Bunnings and look for the best deal.
Brand often means nothing now, its just a name stuck on some manufacturers generic tools
The exception being pro quality tools (even some pro quality arnt much better now)

my 2c
Rubber handles on screwdrivers can make a big difference . I'd avoid screwdrivers with bare hard plastic handles (you'll find out why)
You may be better to buy a separate screwdriver set, separate socket set, separate spanner set than an all in one package . Thats what I would do
Many tool sets have some totally useless tools . Weird size sockets & spanners, screwdrivers that have little use . So accept that some bundled tools arnt needed .
The very small phllips (size 0) in kits are often rubbish. Thats where you would pay more for better quality , buy the small screwdrivers separately . Most people wont need them though . Getting quality small size screwdrivers is hit and miss , its hard to tell quality .

Treat phillips screwdrivers as a consumable. The tip does wear out , so expect to replace them after a while .

Allen keys with a rounded head are easier to use in tight hard to get at spaces .

Extra super shiney bright chromed can be a nightmare when the chrome starts peeling off and you get bit of chrome under your fingernail.
So dull finish is better :-)

Get metric tool sizes , the imperial/US inch dont have as much use for the av person. Tool kits with metric & inch/imperial/US sizes can be a waste of money, you get tools you'll almost never use.

Expect the need to buy the occasional tool thats not included in kits , rather than look for a kit with every possible tool you'll need .

Lastly , be aware of the difference between phillips and pozidrive :-)
https://shop4fasteners.co.uk/blog/pozidriv-vs-phillips/

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