Draper Expert tools and comparable makes.

[Farmer_Joe]

some discount is good some not so good on halfords stuff, varies on everything think batteries are cheap with discount and oils.

ive got alot of halford pro/clarke pro stuff,

broken a few clarke things generally under very heavy abuse and they swap it every time plus its really not expensive either.

got a clarke pro3/8 socket set ive had for nearly 20 years its seen some sh!t the 10mm long reach has just started to miss shape a bit i dont have the heart to return it!

got a decent set of clarke pro cirlip plyers, inner and outer opening, again not really dear but they have lasted really well.

 

[thorpe]

some discount is good some not so good on halfords stuff, varies on everything think batteries are cheap with discount and oils.

ive got alot of halford pro/clarke pro stuff,

broken a few clarke things generally under very heavy abuse and they swap it every time plus its really not expensive either.

got a clarke pro3/8 socket set ive had for nearly 20 years its seen some sh!t the 10mm long reach has just started to miss shape a bit i dont have the heart to return it!

got a decent set of clarke pro cirlip plyers, inner and outer opening, again not really dear but they have lasted really well.

ive found clarke stuff crap 1/2 battery impact very disapointing 1 battery failed next week the other went !

 

[Farmer_Joe]

ive found clarke stuff crap 1/2 battery impact very disapointing 1 battery failed next week the other went !

gotta be the pro stuff for the lifetime guarantee, but never ought owt battery powered got makita stuff for all that.

 

[spanner188]

What do you think of the quality of Draper Expert mechanics tools ,what other make/brand is comparable to draper, on quality and price. Today I did a job with the help of someone using their hand tools ,which makes me think I should buy a set of parallel punches for driving out roll pins including tiny ones, and also with difficulty managed to remove two very small circlips with out circlip pliers,and replace them, but something would not like to try again ,so would like to purchase set of circlip pliers.
As I will use these type of tools very rarely I do not wish to pay Snap On tool prices ,also from past experience tools usually end up getting lost when literally used out in the field. Any suggestions welcome.

Draper tools are BASIC STANDARD, and if the tool has any motor, engine or working parts you have got nothing but a paper weight left if it goes wrong. Draper Tools Ltd have virtually no spares back for their Chinese made rubbish that have been rebounded. Also, customer service is non existent.
Avoid them, pay a few extra pounds and get something that will last and you can get parts for.

 

[BIG PACK]

Which make of chisels and punches are made of really good metal that dont chip/ bend . I dont want to buy a thin parallel punch that is as soft as muck, useless!!!!

Facom, a bit pricey but good . I’ve had a set of facom punches for about 2yr and not broke on yet and they’ve had some serious abuse !

 

[Hilly]

I like draper expert, failing that no make crap … good workmen dont blame their tools .

 

[mobileweld]

Kennedy professional spanner sets are very good for the money. Good long spanner and chrome is decent too. Not broken any yet have snap on stuff in my workshop but Kennedy in the pickup. I don’t think there’s a big gap in it quality wise. Definitely not the same gap as the price!!

 

[fermerboy]

I have some Draper expert spanners and a 1/2" socket set which have taken a hell of abuse, can't complain at all, though the ratchet gave up the other day after about 15yrs. Haven't anything less than 5yrs old so can't comment on new.
Teng stuff is nice but overpriced .
Bahco I rate, good stuff.
US pro is cheap crap
Silverline is again cheap and cheerful, but that said I have a couple of 8-24mm combination spanner rolls for the tractor box or the outfarm where I live which doesn't have the workshop, they were bought cheap as chips and have never let me down/broke/bent etc. They regularly surprise me and have proved there worth a few times over.
My favourite spanners are a set of old Britool bought about 40yr ago, I lost a few but they are very good.

I recently got a Halfords trade card as a farmer. I had an blank invoice with vat number, cheque book, and utility bill too. Asked at the counter, and the girl filled it in there and then, never asked for any ID or proof, handed me the card on the spot.
Link the card number to your online account and you get discounts on the online purchases too,which is just as well as my local Halfords is pretty poor in tools and motor supplies, just full of bikes!
Discount varies but £5 off a £27.50 ratchet seems to be the ball park.

 

[ollie989898]

Bought a load of Draper Expert stuff years ago with my pocket money from contracting. Reasonable quality, probably not enough for the pros doing 24/7 spannering but less painful if you lose or destroy something.

The few bits of Teng I have stashed are ok and not daft money. Facom, Elora and the like probably the next slot up but come at a price. I've Knipex pliers as well. Worth the money.

 

[Hilly]

I have some right bargins with tools at car boot sales , never get time to go to them these days .

 

[ACEngineering]

What do you think of the quality of Draper Expert mechanics tools ,what other make/brand is comparable to draper, on quality and price. Today I did a job with the help of someone using their hand tools ,which makes me think I should buy a set of parallel punches for driving out roll pins including tiny ones, and also with difficulty managed to remove two very small circlips with out circlip pliers,and replace them, but something would not like to try again ,so would like to purchase set of circlip pliers.
As I will use these type of tools very rarely I do not wish to pay Snap On tool prices ,also from past experience tools usually end up getting lost when literally used out in the field. Any suggestions welcome.

Hands down the best punches money can buy, plus they do some larger dia ones too like 5/8 kinda size. and knipex for circlip pliers.

 

[David.]

I've got those Facom ones, they are good.

 

[ollie989898]

Hands down the best puches money can buy, plus they do some larger dia ones too like 5/8 kinda size. and knipex for circlip pliers.

Those look smart, not least because they have proper grips and some protection for your knuckles should you miss the punch. I've a set of cheapo punches but they look and feel like mild steel that would mushroom very readily.

 

[ACEngineering]

Those look smart, not least because they have proper grips and some protection for your knuckles should you miss the punch. I've a set of cheapo punches but they look and feel like mild steel that would mushroom very readily.

They are miles better than any other makes i have had.

 

[Netherfield]

When years ago we had engineering in the town and engineering suppliers to match. Starrett was the name for punches.

 

[Timbo]

When years ago we had engineering in the town and engineering suppliers to match. Starrett was the name for punches.

Have alot of Teng kit, not broken anything yet.

 

[Barleymow]

I have some right bargins with tools at car boot sales , never get time to go to them these days .

Few yrs ago at a boot sale a chap had a cantilever tool box full of spanners. I asked him the price of a 36mm britool spanner .£2 he said if I could pick up the box I could have I for a a fiver .over 40 decent spanners in it when I counted up at-home

 

[Vizslaman]

Well most of my stuff is Britool or Snap-On but it has been amassed over 60 year.
Back in the 1960/70's Britool was the tools to have, they even had a dedicated Tractor Kit.
Now if I need something I often pop into Halfords as nothing gets the hammering it used to get when I was repairing HGV's

 

[Paddington]

I still use my 50yo plus King Dick adjustable for small jobs.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

Few yrs ago at a boot sale a chap had a cantilever tool box full of spanners. I asked him the price of a 36mm britool spanner .£2 he said if I could pick up the box I could have I for a a fiver .over 40 decent spanners in it when I counted up at-home

I’ve got a lot of large spanners from car boots etc, not a lot want them and most have no idea of their worth. I even got a 6” record vice off a sell and swap tab we have on the portal at work. They usually sell wardrobes, bikes and tat etc but a vice caught my eye at £25. The lady selling was very surprised I was willing to pay so much for such a lump of scrap her husband had kept for 25years!!!!