Looking for a good place to buy professional workshop tools from. Any suggestions.

[Cyclopathic]

If there are any other members out there who are bike mechanics I'd be grateful of any information about where to shop for good, workshop quality tools. I've looked at the main dealers websites and they seem ok for some things but not for more specific, heavier duty tools.

I've built up a basic workshop but am still using some tools that are more for occasional use. Now that things are picking up and more work is coming in I need better tools that will last.

Thanks.

 

[alicat]

Caveat - not a professional bike mechanic.

Park Tools are acknowledged to be the best heavy duty tools.

I doubt they do a trade discount but you will struggle to find a better selection than at SJS cycles. They have everything you can think of and more.

 

[Dangermouse]

Halfords tools are as good as the best American stuff, but for specialised tools like crank extractor, cassette tool and BB wrench, then you would have to shop around for the likes of Park tools

 

[Somewhere]

IMO although park tools are good and 'bike' specific a lot of nuts,bolts bearings etc are actually pretty standard and in this respect park are overpriced.

What tools in particular are you thinking off?

 

[mickle]

Park are ok but no the be all and end all. And stop freeting about the price - pro tools will last for ever. They cost what they cost.

Hozan make a 14/15 rachet which is great for wheels and crank bolts and works brilliantly with a Campag crank extractor on square taper cranks.
VAR scissor action chain tool. Not suitable for modern fancy chains but allows super fast removal and installation on 1/8th and 6/7/8spd chains.

Shi**no tools cant be faulted.

 

[stevede]

+1 for Halfords Professional range if looking for general rather than specific bike tools. Great value too, especially if bought on one of their offers. Have a lifetime guarantee also. (keep the receipt)

I have bought a couple of small ICE TOOLZ recently and whilst okay, you do get what you pay for.

 

[gwhite]

Caveat - not a professional bike mechanic.

Park Tools are acknowledged to be the best heavy duty tools.

I doubt they do a trade discount but you will struggle to find a better selection than at SJS cycles. They have everything you can think of and more.

Not really in my opinion. I've had to send back a few when they failed in workshop use.
Cyclus is usually better quality and Hozan tools are well-made and very durable.

The best workshop stand in my opinion is Kestrel (a British company) but it is pricey.

 

[Globalti]

Check out Machine Mart - their Clarke tools are good value.

 

[Profpointy]

One of my better buys was a set of Facom (generally very good kit @ mid price, at least if there's a deal on) t-bar allen keys. These wern't mid price but about £70 - but incredibly usefull - especially for big tough fasterers eg hex head pedals Ditto some t- bar socket spanners .

 

[Cyclopathic]

Thanks for all your suggestions.
I don't mind paying for better tools but do want to be as sure as possible that the tools I buy will be worth the money. Now that business is picking up it is necessary to have robust and sometimes specialised (the word not the brand) kit. I've started up on very little money and work from the back of a bookshop owned by my inlaws. It has kept overheads down and meant not having to have taken out a loan.
As things have picked up I have steadily started to add to my tool kit but I still have to be cautious how I spend the money coming in so these suggestions are useful.

 

[fossyant]

Great news. Just get bits as and when. Some of the Decathlon tools are very good. I have a mix of campag, Shimano, park, ice tools and Decathlon sourced stuff.

 

[Pale Rider]

It has kept overheads down and meant not having to have taken out a loan.

Very wise way to start a small business.

I agree with the others about tools, you won't go far wrong with Park, but some of the Halfords/other brands stuff is just as good.

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

Know one mentioned Aldi tool kit yet?

 

[alicat]

Know one mentioned Aldi tool kit yet?

Is this in jest, given the OP's question?

 

[gwhite]

Great news. Just get bits as and when. Some of the Decathlon tools are very good. I have a mix of campag, Shimano, park, ice tools and Decathlon sourced stuff.

I think that above tools are fine for occasional use but a pro workshop requires a better quality of tool if these are to last.