tools and in particular Blue Point
Turbo Mini Forums

I know questions have been raised and answered many times about quality tools however quality appears to continually change in these times.

I'm currently trying to double up my tools so I can have a set at the house and the workshop. I've been keeping an eye on a few differing suppliers, both second hand and new. Snap-on stuff is good but goes for really strong money. However I stumbled across Blue Point sockets last night and I can get new sockets very reasonably priced (£34 for a 3/8 drive 6 point set).

Now the questions are;

1) are they as good as they could be (comments they are made to snap-on spec being bounded around)
2) are they just a re-branded set that could be bought for less elsewhere
3) hold out for better

As a guide, my toolbox currently has a mix of snap-on, Halfords, britool, Teng and Mac, all of which I've been happy with relative to the price paid

Bluepoint are a cheaper brand usually sold by Snap On dealers alongside Snap On.

I wouldnt have any concerns about their quality

Pretty sure for the most part, they arent rebranded stuff you'll find the same elsewhere.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Might sound likeca broken record but halfords with a trade card, pretty cheap, lifetime warranty on most things, and I can't say I've broken anything yet even though I've given some tools far too much abuse. The sets you can buy in a case are extremely useful, there's always one kept in my daily and one in Shauna's mini just incase.

The Blue Point stuff is decent in my experience. Not quite as "nice" as Snap On stuff is though, but as long as you are not a badge snob/whore then Blue Point will probably do you fine.

currently got one of the 1/4 and 3/8 set in a tray which will go to the house. the downside is that the 3/8 stuff is 12pt sockets which i'm not so keen on

The way i understand it. SnapOn want to advertise that all their tools are US made so anything they get made abroad gets sold as Bluepoint. Personally ive not got any of either as you can get much better deals on Halfords or Sealey stuff so long as you avoid the obviously crap options.

Halfords Pro 4 Life

I have the 1/4 and 3/8th sets (that come in the blue and grey cases) 2 pairs in work and another at home, they have been my daily handtools, and the oldest set must be close to 7 years, again daily use. Like halfords pro they are exceptional value for money, and if you loose any the snapon guy can order individuals. the only downside is the torque bits are pretty weak but the regular sockets are just fine. I dont mind the multipoint deeps in the 3/8th set as if im doing anything that requires that sort of force I use 1/2" stuff.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

Why not buy Halfords ones? Just as good and no quibble warranty

As slater says, they are the same spec/design but if it's made in the U.S. Then it's branded snap-on, made anywhere else then it's blue point.

My experience is that the only thing you should spend big money on is ratchet handles, torque wrenches, air/power tools and ratchet scanners. Everything else then halfords pro/sealey/signet etc will be more than good enough

As said above, and i've no great issue with halfords stuff, the 3/8 stuff generally is 12 point whereas i prefer 6 point.

As for warranty, i've had issues in the past with them wanting the original receipt as well.

Rob this is what I found with blue point and I have a some bits, I called around to bens one night and he showed me some sexy blue point two way flexible spanners so as I thought I need these in my life!! I looked and the blue point was something like £200 then looking on eBay I found a set the same apart from the name from burgen for £55 I think at the time. Do I had a punt and they turned out to be the same thing!! Just name,, I have some blue point socket handles they are just the same as the halfords, the blue point pliers guess what they are the same as some of the draper ones I have in every way,,

So it's up to you. but like I think they are the best tools maybe from lots of brands all given one name and sold for twice as much!

Simon..

I have started posting on Instagram also my name on there is turbomk1golf

Nothing is impossible it just costs more and takes longer.

I think you'll find those flexi spanners are snap-on! So yes, I got ripped off even worse hah
They are good though

Well we'll see. I've bought some 1/4 drive sockets to start me off. Take on board what you are all saying though

I use Halfords sockets,ratchets,ratchet spanners all day everyday, and I have never broken a single item, even with turning the OD down on some sockets and using them with 2ft breaker bar.

My mate has gone through two 3/8 snap on ratchets in the past 6months. They may have a good warranty but the build quality really isn't as good the hype, from fresh out of the box the play in the ratchet mechanisms is shocking, and spanners not very comfortable to use either.

Just my 2pence worth. Lol

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

See id disagree on that all my ratchets are snapon that i use daily and i find they outlast the bluepoint and halfords pro ones. I use the side of them as a small hammer but i tend not to over load them, i even use 3/8th breaker bar and 1/4 breaker bars to crack stubborn nuts then use the ratchet. Everyones different right enough, some mechanics go thro cetrain tools and others dont. My spanners are halfords pro, there comfy enough to use, decent grip, and i dont cry myself to sleep if i loose one, buy a new set every 3 or 4 years for "spares" when i loose or have to bend them to fit in a cwrtain space.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

Most of my spanners are halfords and to be fair, i'll probably buy more of them. As for the ratchets, my britool and snapon ones are much more refined thsn the halfords ones

I buy what suits me, i have a mix of britool, halfords, snap on, beta and clark

not really into the badge thing