Halfords tools quality

[oli]

Just got myself a 150 piece Halfords advanced set. After years of building up a roll cab, I’ve decided there is some merit in having a set to take to a vehicle, rather than decanting what you think you will need and having to put it all back later. I was also swayed by the way they now use six point sockets and include odd sizes like 16 and 18.

I’ve not bought any Halfords stuff since they went from professional to advanced but my first impression is that it doesn’t seem as nice as it used to be - rougher finish, ratchet heads clipped together etc To be fair, it’s got a lifetime warranty and sometimes a posher finish doesn’t mean more reliable.

These sets always used to be the go to for the apprentice starting out and I can’t fault the price, but I do wonder if they have made some compromises.

This set won’t be worked hard, but I’d be interested to hear what experiences others have of their newer stuff.

[trickydicky]

Things change in the tool world, typically a lot of these rebranded tools were made in Taiwan by companies like Gearwrench and Kabo and the quality was very good, lately it's switched to mainland China as quality over there has improved, most European brands have followed suit as It's cheaper and more profitable
(Even the USA tool truck brands are at it)

On the flip side companies like Ko-ken in Japan do things differently (only made in Japan) and make higher quality mid priced stuff

Generally Halfords stuff is good in my experience for the price point

[oli]

May 22, 2021 15:56:12 GMT 1 trickydicky said:

Generally Halfords stuff is good in my experience for the price point

I’ve always found them to be quite good, so fingers crossed these ones are as good. Interesting what you say about the manufacturers. I’ll have a look to see where these are made and see if I can find out where the older ones were made.

[trickydicky]

May 22, 2021 16:38:26 GMT 1 oli said:

May 22, 2021 15:56:12 GMT 1 trickydicky said:

Generally Halfords stuff is good in my experience for the price point

I’ve always found them to be quite good, so fingers crossed these ones are as good. Interesting what you say about the manufacturers. I’ll have a look to see where these are made and see if I can find out where the older ones were made.

If you can accept the politics Chinese stuff is fairly good nowadays, Taiwan is still superior and pioneered ratchet spanners.

Japanese made tools are in a different league altogether!!!