Conference terri::cars_uk

What's wrong with buying tools in Holland?  From the sound of your "adventures"
so far with the car, I'd have thought you already had most tools needed.

But assuming you have nothing, I'd recommend building up a set in the following
order, with approx cost in sterling for good qulaity tools:

- combination spanners, 10 - 17mm and 3/8 to 11/16 AF (�20 for ten spanners)
- socket set, � inch drive, as big as you can afford  (�40 to �80)
- variety of flat and x-head screwdrivers  (�1.50 per screwdriver)
- socket set,  � and 3/8 drive for smaller sockets (ie down to 3mm)  (�25)
- torque wrench  (�20)
- combination spanners up to 24mm / 1 inch AF  (�5 each)
- "bent" (can't think how else to describe them) ring spanners, for getting to
  those nuts other spanners cannot reach  (�2 - �5 each)
- mole grips and other grippy-cutty type pliers  (�8 each)
- hammer and cold chisel, for getting those nuts even bent ring spanners won't
  move...   (�15)
- round and flat files, junior and senior hacksaws, spare blades  (�25)
- spanners smaller than 10mm / 3/8 AF  (�10)
- centre and pin punches, feeler gauge, spark plug gapper, circlip pliers,
  brake adjustment spanner, etc, etc...  (�?)

There are three or four shops in Reading where your friend could get most of
this; if he phones me when he's here I'll give him a map.  If he's really lucky
I may be going to some of them and could give him a lift!

Do you have an MGBGT Haynes manual?  I'd recommend it if you haven't.  Also see
if you can identify any special tools for particular jobs you have in mind.

Scott   (830 6896)

    
    I'd dispute the suggestion that you should buy as big a socket set
    as you can afford. 99% of the time you'll get by with just 2 or 3
    sockets, so you're probably better off buying a small high-quality
    set and a few VERY high quality sockets.
    
    Also, what about a nut-splitter? Very useful and only about 3-4 pounds.
    
    Mark

Err, sorry, just realised I'm out of the office next week (1 - 5 October)

The shops I had in mind were:

Drews, just past the fire station
Qual, opposite Reading library
Les Smith, near cemetery junction and also near Broad St Mall
Halfords, halfway along Friar Street
Halfords superstore: two miles West along Oxford Road
Great Mills, next to Halfords Superstore
B&Q, in between DEC Park and Reading town centre

If you want lots of tools of dubious quality very cheaply:
Argos, on the edge of Broad St Mall

Scott

    
    Regarding "Tools from Holland", I would strongly advise a visit to 
    your local "Kijk Shop" ["See and Buy Shop" -- Similar to an Argos 
    Store in the UK].
    
    The price is really quite cheap on all tools *and* the item that I
    thought was unique ( i.e. I've not come across these in the  UK -- 
    although I'm sure someone will prove me wrong on this ;-) is a set 
    of about ten *RACHET RING SPANNERS* for less than a tenner ! [fl.30]
    
    As each spanner effectively gives you two different sizes ( i.e. the
    "ring ends" are different ) you've a total of twenty different sizes
    with the added luxury that they're racheted !
    
    A *must* for any ( MG ) enthusiast ;-) !
    
    Cheers,
    
    	Jagdeep.
    

    
    As you're working on brakes, try and get a couple of those edge
    driving sockets (or a whole set if you can afford 'em!). They really
    do work - I managed to loosen and tighten a number of times and near 
    circular bleed valve using one of these wonderful little widgets!
    
    Personally, if I were about to buy a new socket set I'd spend the
    extra and get a set of these.
    
    Mark

    I'd recommend that you buy tools (both socket set, and open end/ring
    spanners), of the brand "METRINCH". These are of a special design that
    grips the flat part of the nut, and they work very well on nuts that
    have been rounded off by conventional 12 point sockets, or the
    unsympathetic use of adjustable spanners, (or molegrips!). However, I
    do think they are quite expensive. But, each socket fits several sizes
    of nuts, both imperial and metric.
    Regards, Ray.

Yes Metrinch are about twice the price of conventional spanners, but as each
metrinch spanner does the job of between two and four conventional ones,
it works out cheaper overall...

I haven't seen them in larger sizes though, (> 14mm) which is a bit of a shame.

Scott

    
    Also try and decide which spanners/sockets you need two of! You'll
    always find situations where you're going to need two spanners of the
    same size when there just isn't enough room to use a socket on one end
    and a spanner on the other. With the vehicles I've had in the past 
    I've found that the length of the spanner can be vital too, so I've got 
    several 1/2", 7/16" and 9/16" spanners, all with different angles and
    lengths!
    
    We've got a couple of good quality basic sets of sockets including deep
    sockets, (metric and AF) + two full sets of spanners (again
    metric and AF) a set of whitworth spanners, and quite a selction of
    odds and ends which have been bought for a particular job, (or 'borrowed'
    from my Dad) over about 10 years or more of messing about in engines!
    
    You'll only find what you should have bought at 2am on a Sunday
    morning! (optimistic aren't I? :-))
    

    Thank you all for the replies!!!
    
    Scott: (.1)
    Buying tools in Holland is o.k. except the non-metric tools.
    (By the way, there is no "Kijk-Shop" near the place I live. It's a 
     typical main town shop)
    Most adventures I was able to perform with my metric tools and/or
    adjustable wrenches. Now that the heavy work is coming and I don't want
    to make things worse than they are, I think it's wise to start with
    at least some proper spanners and sockets.
    I'll mark the list(s) and ask Peter Spoelstra,
    (he_who's_going_to_visit_DECpark) to take them with him.
    
    Yes I have the Haynes manual and the Guide to purchase and D.I.Y. by
    Lindsay Porter. Sometimes you need both to get a job done.
    
    Peter will visit DECpark on oct 9 & 10 as well, so maybe you can meet
    then.......   I'll keep you posted
    
    BTW I just received from an anomynous person at NL HQ a sticker
    reading: "National MGB Champion SCCA 1977"
    
    What's SCCA?
    
    Elaine: Thanks for the hopefull last fraze, it just gives the
    inspiration to go on, even when it is one of these days....
    
    
    Hans

Speaking of Whitworth.....do the firms listed carry high quality sockets
in Whitworth sizes? Particularly 3/8" drive?

In the US it's almost impossible to find Whitworh anything (except nuts/bolts).
I have a collection of various tools acquired over the years but nothing
that resembles a complete set of sockets. The only ones I have been able to
find recently were made in some oriental country and not very well at that.

So, any references to firms selling high quality Whitworth tools would be
appreciated. I have some UK relatives who can do the shopping given the
location(s).

Thanks

    
    I'm afraid Whitworth isn't too readily available hear either, the
    spanners/sockets I have, have been bought when I've seen them! If
    anyone knows of a supplier of good sockets, I'd be interested too!
    
    Elaine

    Regarding Whitworth, METRINCH does Whitworth, SAE, and Metric, and
    everything in between. My �" drive set goes to 31/32/1�" , and
    the OE/Ring set goes from 10mm(3/8), [one spanner],
    to 20/21mm(13/16)(7/16)(�)", [one spanner].
    The quality seems good.
    Regards, Ray.

    
    If it is cheap *****BUT GOOD***** tools that you want particularly in
    the esoteric Whitworth series, have all you folks considered the
    treasure trove at St Mary Bourne? 
    
    It formally trades under the name of Hearsts (or is it Hursts) and it
    is basically a scrap yard. H deals in lots of ex government and
    military stuff and carries hand tool machine tools cranes hoists bits
    of metal the odd NATO comms cabin, anchors, things that you would never
    dream existed and most of it is made to MIL Specs. 
    
    Prices? after you have sorted out your treasure, you'll probably pay
    50p for a brand-new-stii-in-its-manufacturers-grease/wax-wrapper
    whitworth spanner. A 1/2" taper shank machine reamer that would
    normally set you back about �9 will cost �1. I bought a fully useable
    3/4" pillar drill for �50.
    
    They close at 4.00pm weekdays but are open on Sat mornings.
    
    H has two places in St Mary Bourne...... one is the crusher/recycling
    plant....... it's the other one that you want.

    A special offer on METRINCH sockets/impact sockets/spanners was
    advertised through the Granada Owners club this month. If anybody sends
    me mail I'll send a copy of all the bumph through the internal mail.

    RE .14
    
    Please send me the info of the Granada club offer.
    
               Hans

    
    Where is St Mary Bourne?

    Just west of Whitchurch.

Where is Whitchurch?

(Answers saying it's just East of St Mary Bourne not appreciated...;-)

Scott

    Whitchurch is about 12 miles due west of Basingstoke can't remember the
    road number, but it is itself signposted off the ringroad. Whitchurch
    is just to the east of the A34 Newbury-Winchester etc road and St Mary
    Bourne is the other side of the A34 west of Whitchurch:
    
    
    			|A34 to Newbury			\A339 to Newbury
    	St Mary Bourne	|				 \
    	-------------------------------------------------| Basingstoke
    			|Whitchurch				 \
    			|				  ---- 
    			|
    			|A34 SOUTH

	Is it close to St Mary Mead?. There's an old lady there I'd
	like to go and see.

	-John

    
    
    Where's St Mary Mead? ........ ;^)
    
    Sorry, couldn't resist it!

>> an old lady I'd like to go and see

Haven't killed anyone, have we?

    Re: .19  Don;t be confused by the map into thinking that St Mary Bourne
    is on a continuation of the junction of the A339 with the A34.  There
    isn't one.
    
    Jeff.

    So much for my map making...... Jeff's right, there is no junction
    A34/A339, but the A339 passes UNDER the A34 by the Clover Leaf Cars
    place (Body repair shop?)

    Whitchurch is on the B3400 (Andover to Basingstoke) and the A34
    (Newbury to Winchester) bypasses the town, with slip roads at either
    end.
    
    Regards
     Whitchurch_Resident
    

re: .9

The SCCA is the Sports Car Club of America, the largest organization of amateur
racers in the US with over 50,000 members.  They have yearly championship
races that decide the National Champion in each class.  Winner take all.

Dave

    re: -.9 as well:
    
    Found the anonyminous sender: the guy who works as VES Material planner 
    at Logistics dept. at Gouda NL.
    He worked for British Leyland before he went to DEC.
    He made me cry by telling stories of the perfect MG spare materials
    they had to scrap.............
    
    Hans

    Re: .24  Apologies - it seems I was right only by accident!  I was
    thinking you were depicting the junction of the Newbury - Basingstoke
    road with the A34 (at Newtown).  Forget the road number, but it's
    obviously a different one!
    
    Jeff.

    Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised by a paper mail from someone in
    the U.K. with sales info about Metrinch.
    Thank you dear anomynous!
    
    For those who are interested in the address:
    Richmond Tools Ltd.
    Hanworth Trading Estate,
    Hampton Road West, Feltham,
    Middlesex TW13 6DH
    Access/Visa accepted.
    
    Special offers:
      - 14 piece 3/8" Drive Metrinch 6WD socket set. 8 sockets 3/4" - 3/8";
        wobble extension; 6" extension bar; 3" extension bar. � 39.99 inc.
        postage & VAT (Metric 19 17-10 mm)
      - 4WD spanner set 8 piece (combination 4WD / 6WD) 3/8" - 13/16"
        Metric 21, 19, 17-10 mm   � 24.95 inc postage & VAT
      - 9 piece socket rack 7/16" - 11/16" (11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 21,22, 24,
        26/27 mm metric) � 39.95 inc. postage & VAT
      - Combination of lasst two special offer: � 54.90
        All lifetime guarantee. British standards: BS 4006 (sockets) 
        BS 192 (spanners)
    
    Scott,
    
    I'll let you know what I want, when I've rang this company.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Hans
    
    

    No problem, Hans, I thought you asked me to send it to you!
    
    Anonymous of Queens House, Reading.