Tools!!!

[83 WB_Ute]

As I am now an apprentice mechanic - started on Monday :bounce: :bounce: I am after some tools...

I have had a chat with a few of the blokes in the workshop and my boss as to what I should get.

I am thinking more along the lines of spending a bit more upfront on a fairly decent kit that will have more than a first year apprentice needs. Because in reality its cheaper spending more upfront on a bigger kit, than buying a small one and then adding individual bits and peices to it.. :)

So I have narrowed it down to 3 tool kits, those being:

Repco:
Master Mechanics Tool Kit
390 Peice
Metric/Imperial
1/4'', 3/8'', 1/2'' and 3/4'' Drive

http://tradecatalogues.repco.co.nz/i...?itemId=299125

$2529.00 for the whole lot

SP Tools:
Diamond White Concept Series Tool Kit
275 Peice
Metric/Imperial
1/4'', 3/8'' and 1/2'' Drive

http://www.vektools.com.au/automotiv...e-p-11434.html

$1950 for the whole lot

Kincrome:
Stealth Workshop Tool Kit
247 Peice
Metric/Imperial
1/4'', 3/8'' and 1/2'' Drive

http://www.vektools.com.au/automotiv...n-p-11933.html

$1999 for the whole lot

Those are the 3 that I have to chose from. Obviously the Repco kit costs more, but it does have more stuff and it has the 3/4'' drive which the other two don't.

Whats the quality like with the new Repco stuff?? I know the old stuff is really good, but you don't hear much about the new stuff - is that a good thing or bad thing?? :p haha

The white is gonna be a bitch to keep clean, but it looks really nice! and I actually kinda like the idea of being able to see if its dirty or not...

Which do you think is best way to go??

[hqgts]

Sidchrome has a special catalogue with apprentice deals.... They even help ou get the tool grant... From memory worth $5,000 over 5 years..... Make sure your indentured and claim the government rebate

Your tafe teacher will know more about the grant as well

Just googled it

http://www.australianapprenticeships...apps/tools.asp

- - - Updated - - -

Oh and make sure you buy a Kit that has a lifetime warranty.... SP tools arent bad either.... Don know about repco....

Oh another thing buy an engraver an initial every on of your tools with it...

[ncass11]

mate i reckon you should get one like i have, i have a 134 pc SP stater tool kit that cost me $650, its on for $749 right now, and i highly recommend SP tools. they are very good and reliable, i got an SP rattle gun which i love and some impact sockets, all up cost me about $1100 and that is all you need, and add to it when you go through years, thats what ive been doing, you will be working with someone for the first 4 or so months any way,

and Kinchrome, i think you have to send the tool away to see if its warranty or not, so i dont really go near them, and sp have some good deals at a good price, and congrats on the apprenticeship

WP_001311.jpg
they say its made in the same factory as snap-on

[Innuendo]

All mentioned are up to the job. Be sure it's lifetime warranty and what are the exceptions and conditions. I.E: Over counter swap over or back to factory. This is important and Repco will likely be the winner. I know I swapped over counter with Sidchrome via a local distributor. Normally no questions asked. Buy a tool set with trays. That way you know what misplaced. The missing holes tell the story.

Personally I started with Sidchrome back in the early '80's. I still have them and have had very few failures. When they did fail I was abusing them (outside of warranty rules).
I have added and added over the years many brands and specialty tools and no doubt you'll do the same.

Note: Repco branded are typically lifetime warranty. Mech Pro are their cheaper end and don't have the same warranty. So check what's in the package.

[Vombil]

i think my tool kit is about as comprehensive as the ones youd get with a BMW or the like. i seem to get by somehow??!

good luck with it. ive heard good things about kinchrome

[hqgts]

With sidchrome Lifetime warranty is a limited warranty and refers to tools that fail under normal wear conditions... I have replaced he gear set on 20 year old ratchets under warranty but had warranty denied for a broken socket with impact gun marks.... Dammit

[83 WB_Ute]

Sidchrome has a special catalogue with apprentice deals.... They even help ou get the tool grant... From memory worth $5,000 over 5 years..... Make sure your indentured and claim the government rebate

Your tafe teacher will know more about the grant as well

Just googled it

http://www.australianapprenticeships...apps/tools.asp

- - - Updated - - -

Oh and make sure you buy a Kit that has a lifetime warranty.... SP tools arent bad either.... Don know about repco....

Oh another thing buy an engraver an initial every on of your tools with it...

Yeah, I have the Sidchrome catalogue here, and the deals in it arn't actually that good :/ Like heaps expensive for bugger all tools...

The 'Tools for Your Trade' allowance is $5500 over 4 years. $800 at the end of 3 months, $1000 at the end of the 1st year, $1000 at the end of the 2nd year, $1200 at the end of the 3rd year and $1500 upon completion of the apprenticeship.

All 3 kits above have a lifetime warranty on the tools themselves and a 1yr warranty on the toolbox itself.

An engraver is the 1st thing on my list outside of the toolbox itself hahaha

mate i reckon you should get one like i have, i have a 134 pc SP stater tool kit that cost me $650, its on for $749 right now, and i highly recommend SP tools. they are very good and reliable, i got an SP rattle gun which i love and some impact sockets, all up cost me about $1100 and that is all you need, and add to it when you go through years, thats what ive been doing, you will be working with someone for the first 4 or so months any way,

and Kinchrome, i think you have to send the tool away to see if its warranty or not, so i dont really go near them, and sp have some good deals at a good price, and congrats on the apprenticeship

WP_001311.jpg
they say its made in the same factory as snap-on

Yeah, SP Tools was my first thought, cause you never hear anything bad about them!

Thanks man! I'm quite happy that I have finally got one!

All mentioned are up to the job. Be sure it's lifetime warranty and what are the exceptions and conditions. I.E: Over counter swap over or back to factory. This is important and Repco will likely be the winner. I know I swapped over counter with Sidchrome via a local distributor. Normally no questions asked. Buy a tool set with trays. That way you know what misplaced. The missing holes tell the story.

Personally I started with Sidchrome back in the early '80's. I still have them and have had very few failures. When they did fail I was abusing them (outside of warranty rules).
I have added and added over the years many brands and specialty tools and no doubt you'll do the same.

Note: Repco branded are typically lifetime warranty. Mech Pro are their cheaper end and don't have the same warranty. So check what's in the package.

All 3 have lifetime warranties on the tools themselves and a 1yr warranty on the toolbox itself. Also, its a swap over the counter at the discretion of the franchise owner, if they have any doubt that its been used the wrong way, they will send it away for inspection.

Yeah, I've always been a fan of the set spot for everything in the trays. Not only does it make it neater, but as you said, it is easy to see if something is missing.

The Repco stuff is all Repco tools, not Mechpro stuff... I've had bad experiences with Mechpro tools before :/

i think my tool kit is about as comprehensive as the ones youd get with a BMW or the like. i seem to get by somehow??!

good luck with it. ive heard good things about kinchrome

Hahahaha lol My basic kit at home will do the WB easy as! But at the dealership, there is all these new things that require special tools for e.g. Torx bolts

Cheers mate I'll work it out and get some decent tools eventually

[jason.ruff]

when i started my apprenticeship 27 years ago i was given a set of Gedore tools that was added to every year. I still have those tools and have used them almost every day. Buy the best tools you can afford and they will last a lifetime. Except for human error, iT'S NEVER THE TOOLS FAULT.

[Valencia]

Im suprised no one has mentioned blue point i think they come from the snap on company to

[jaft]

congratulations Matt on ur apprenticeship..



4 year will fly bye Fast...