thats wierd coz kinchrome and sidchrome both come from the same factory and are made the same way, just have different names. should be pretty much on par...
you have the right idea buying a set to last a long time. I got given a set of meco brand sockets for my 21st. they are still as good as the day i got them(14 years ago) and i would do more work with them than most. I have a travel set which is sidcrome, its pretty good but you have to check which ratchet you get cause some of them are no good. I have about 5 sidcrome ratchets and a few of them need to be traded in for neweys. My advice it to buy the best you can afford. Just make sure they are solid looking and you will find they will last. If you intend on adding to them cause you dont get all the sockets you need in a kit ie. 16,18mm are usually left out go for a brand that you know buy single sockets in.
Sidchrome, Kinchrome, Kc pro tools, Repco Are all good as eachother. Repco and kc are cheaper and Im quite sure repco come with lifetime warranty.
Kincrome dropped in quality when they moved their manufacturing from Japan to China, this happened about 2 years ago. I use KC tools, never had an issue with them. Sidcrome seemed to drop in quality control a long time ago. 5 1/4" ratchets later, I think I got one that might last the distance.
Dont lend your tools or your missus, they'll come back f*cked You sure? Go to some where that has both on display and you will soon notice the massive difference, especially in the ratchets. I wouldnt use a sidcrome ratchet unless there was no other choice, but the sidcrome torque wrenches are heaps better then Kincromes. Also Sidcrome is owned under the stanly group, Kincrome is still independitly owned. Definitly not the same. Can you tell I did my research before handing of the hard earnt cash lol.
Most time when people complain that their ratchets stuff up is because they try to crack things that are too tight, thats what solid tools and breaker bars are for. Just like ratchet spanners. Even 1/2" drive ratchets cannot be as strong as a solid spanner or other tool. Noted, I have experienced the tool side, dont think the other will ever happen
ive got a set of kinchrome ratchet spanners and a sidchrome 1/2inch drive socket set so I cant compare apples with apples, but the toolmart guy gave me that information so I will most likely go somewhere else now!
i have a JBS socket set and ive never had any problems with it, i also have sidcrome ratchet spanners they go good, a sidcrome digital indicator and calipers theyre both spot on every time same with my sidcrome mircometre. i have about $2500 of toolscant say ive had a problem with any of the brands i have JBS, stanley, sidcrome... theres probably more
i got a stanley socket set. apparently they are made by sidchrome. they appear to be exactly the same and a bit cheaper. got mine on special and super cheap and am very happy with it.
bout some from supercheap a while back went to tighten a bolt and the side snapped lol il try get a picture if i didnt chuck it out there rubbish made china. try your local whole saler there usually got decent stuff in there.
KinChrome apparently was owned by 2 brothers who had a fight they went seperate ways and one made another company called Kc tools(the intitials of Kinchrome). I dunno if this story is true had been told to me by 2 different sources. Kc are worth the money they are fairly priced and are good tools.
Sidcrome and Kincrome are both excellent (I have both). I also have a full 400 something piece "Total Tools" kit which is supposedly made by Sidcrome under license. Very cheap in comparison and have survived the rattle gun quite well. The only defect was 1 screwdriver which was replaced no questions asked. Reaper
ok, stanley owns sidchrome and ABW. Both are good, stay away from kc air tools and trolley jacks but the rest of their tools are alright, In my experience the sidchrome ratchet spanners are more resilient than the kinchrome ones but they both work. Bahco seems to be pretty good but I havent had any real experience with them yet. maybe even try Stahwille if your after the good stuff. Oh yeah and those cresent sets on the last page or the ones ive played with anyway, the sizes on the spanners and sockets is a little off.
ive got kincrome sockets, and snap-on rachets. got that combo, cause thats what my tradesman told me to get. he's been using same combo for over 10 years, everyday. mind you though, i have an SP Tools 1/4" set that I was using to pull off starters and alternators for a good month before I upgraded. and that rachet is still going.
^^^ now we are talking tools. If you want the really good tools don't even think about going to bunnings or supercheap. Go to a tool shop or industrial place like coventry fasteners , total tools or something. Stahlwillie, Koken are great stuff. For most jobs any of the brands in this thread will do the job, some just not as well as others. If you buy good sockets, spanners and screwdrivers you'll be set for a long time. Scrimp on the other stuff.
oh, and only 2 days ago i bought a 1/4" drive set from Super Cheap Auto...FOR $10!!!! lol it was kinda an emergency, they still havent broken though!! hahahah
I might add try get something 1/2" drive, I think its the best all rounder size especially for automotive, and not much point getting a set with imperial sizes unless you specifically want them, you will hardly ever use them. I purchased a Sidchrome 1/2" drive Metric socket set a few months back for about $170 - includes sizes 8mm-32mm, 1 ratchet, 2 spark plug sockets, 2 extensions, 1 speedbrace, 1 uni joint.. lifetime warrenty etc. Been a great set highly recommend it. Sidchrome 14210 33pc 1/2" Metric Socket Set
No there not. Google "Kincrome" and go to their main website. You'll see that Kincrome are their premium brand, Supatool their "middle of the road" brand and Chrome Tech their cheapest brands. I've got both a Kincrome 1/4" socket set, and Supatool 3/8" socket set (which has long sockets included) and both have been fantastic thus far. I would recommend (coming from a weekend backyarder here) getting yourself a breaker bar if it isn't included in the socket set you buy. It will save your ratchet, and allow you to undo those super tight bolts/nuts. PS: KC tools are good as well.
