Tool pr0n - decent price or not?

Just won this. I think it's not a bad price assuming that it really is
in "perfect working order":

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250258387294

 

Yep, that's not bad for a Norbar, but you could have had a new Clarke
one for £15 from Machine Mart

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht141-1-2in-drive-torque-wrench

You'll also find more use for a 3/8" torque wrench on a bike, than a
1/2"

Cheers,

Paul.

 

Oh, I know that - but I needed one that went up to > 105Nm for certain
jobs on BMWs (like tightening the wheel nuts). I've already got a 3/8"
torque wrench (a Halfords Pro one) which is my main bike TW, but that
only goes up to 70.

 

Well, there is always that. But then again I've picked up several,
fairly expensive(ish) tools on ebay recently (mostly Snap-Off stuff) and
in most cases it was the owner getting out of professional
mechanicing. Not a very well paid job over here (and I don't think it is
in the US either, is it?)

Well, my current attitude is that I really don't want to have to go and
buy tools *twice*. I've had enough cheap tools to last several lifetimes
so I'd rather buy secondhand quality stuff these days.

 

That looks *exactly* like the one I've owned for the last 30 years. If
so, good choice.

 

Checked your toolbox recently? ;-)

 

That's just bollocks though, isn't it.

There's loads of cheap chinese steel tools out there now, being sold
off the market stalls and Ebay.

Even Snap on quality isn't what it was with their cut-price
'Eurotools' brand, and now that Facom has taken over Britool, the
quality of those is now pitiful.

'Lifetime' warranties that aren't worth shit anymore, from several of
the professional tool companies (though thankfully Snap-on remains the
exception)

Need I go on ?

P..

 

where do you put the batteries ?

 

Well, that's really my point. Any pro/semi pro stuff you bought 20
years ago is undoubtedly better quality than now.

The Britool I bought when I was an apprentice (25 years ago) is still
going strong, and for that reason, I rarely buy new tools, just good
quality secondhand ones.

Looks like we'll agree to differ on this.

I don't. I maintain the quality of some new tools doesn't equal that
of what I already have.

I returned some Stahlwille sockets the other week, that had rounded
off inside, and they were sent back saying they had been misused.
What, misused by using them on rusted fittings ?

P.

 

Call that an argument? I want my money back.

 

I suspect that there's an exception: current Snap-On gear looks and
feels exactly the same as the stuff I sold my soul for 20-odd years
ago.

You were too busy spending money on motorcycles. I had a Snap-On
Revolving Account(TM) which meant I could have anything I wanted and
would spend a good chunk each week for a long time paying it off. I
now reap the benefits, but will not buy Snap-On again as I don't think
I have 25 years of spannering left in me. Halfords Pro fills the gap.

 

You should check out a 'Eurotools' Spanner. The chrome flaked off it
as soon as I looked at it, but Snap-on as always were happy to
replace.

The USA/Canada stuff is the same quality as before. I believe
Eurotools comes from Spain.

P.

 

Heh, I never did open an account for any length of time with the
snappy man, but I had one with Britool, and one with the local
independent (who sold Herbrand and ETC Industrial)

I just bought the odd special tool from Snap-on (specifically
ratchets) and popular sockets e.g. 13, 17, 19mm as the prices were
fearsome for a pimply 16-YO.

P.

 

I suspect you've always been in an earnings bracket above me, and I
could afford pro tools - I just made sacrifices in other areas of my
spending.

--
Lozzo the velologist
Suzuki SV650S K5
Honda CBR600 FW trackbike
Yamaha SR250 Spazz-Trakka
Suzuki GSXR750 L
Suzuki TS50X
Suzuki TS50X

 

Their previous budget brand, 'Bluepoint', was just as durable as the
mainstream gear, but a bit coarser in finish. Never had any trouble with
any of it.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"It's a moron working with power tools.
How much more suspenseful can you get?"
- House

 

Yep, Bluepoint still going strong, still good quality. A lot of their
measuring tools e.g. feeler guages were Blue Point branded.

P.