NegevLandRover Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I appologize if this has been suggested before. The plastic packing (the tray that holds all the bits in place) of ratchet sets breaks long before a decent set wears out and then one is left with a whole load of bits rattling around and wastes time looking for the bit that you need. A M8 gave me a brilliant idea and it works a treat. Empty the set, take out the plastic tray turn it over, fill it with the polyurethane foam used for insulation and sealing, wait for the foam to dry (24 hours if you want good results)and then cut away the excess, turn the tray over and put it back in your tin box and you now have a bomb proof tray that will keep the bits orderly and in place for years to come. This is best done before the tray begins to break but I did it when the tray was well and truly broken and it still worked. Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobson Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Good idea that, i've had one of the Halfords professional sets for about five years now and it's had some right use, but to my surprise it's still going strong. i got the set as a gift (hoped for a snap-on set!) and thought "this'll be knackered in 6 months" but it's been great, even the box (which in this case is moulded in so you can't remove the tray) is still in good nick, only thing i did was get a sheet of really thin foam to stop it rattling about. just a thought, but even if you had a sealed case, to make it last longer i guess you could drill a hole in the case and fill it with expanding foam... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JST Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 you mean people keep the trays the sets come in!! - thats where i have been going wrong then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Excellent idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Good idea that, i've had one of the Halfords professional sets for about five years now and it's had some right use, but to my surprise it's still going strong. i got the set as a gift (hoped for a snap-on set!) and thought "this'll be knackered in 6 months" but it's been great, even the box (which in this case is moulded in so you can't remove the tray) is still in good nick, only thing i did was get a sheet of really thin foam to stop it rattling about. just a thought, but even if you had a sealed case, to make it last longer i guess you could drill a hole in the case and fill it with expanding foam... I'll second that, the Halford's Pro sets are very good, mine's been bouncing around in the back of my motor since early 2005 and the case and contents are all fine. I even managed to run over it at one point I use an offcut of tool draw liner in mine to keep everything in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roverdrive Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Adam Cheers for the tip. I am lucky enough to still have one of the Halfords pro cases, which is hanging on after 10 years of abuse, though one of the closing clips have now given up the ghost. Halfords gear seems to polish up well after being left out on the window ledge for a week in the rain as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsr341 Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 i use the halfords pro stuff to , get a discount with trade card , and it has a life time warranty , i broke 2 18" breaker bars 2 days in a row (using 6' of scafold on them which i neglected to mention to them) replaced them both , although the guy did say with the second one that it was very rare to get returns never mind 2 in one week , i said maybe it was a bad batch he he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 A most excellent idea. I wonder if there's anything that could be poured into a hole drilled in a large blow-moulded case? Is there a slower version of expanding foam that could be injected so it fills the whole thing then expands slowly rather than the more popular gap filling stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderman Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Facom & Britool stuff comes in the foam case from new , Shame Snap-on couldnt inherit the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR90 Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Good idea. Did my Draper set as a lad many many years ago filling the reverse of a rather flimsy plastic tray with body filler (don't use it now but it was an essential material when patching up MkI and II Escorts in the 70's). Tray and socket set is still good to this day though I have managed to split the odd socket over the years. Amused to see my latest replacement socket which I received today weighs in at 1.5Kg + adapter so that should be good for a few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angusb Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I am lucky enough to still have one of the Halfords pro cases, which is hanging on after 10 years of abuse, though one of the closing clips have now given up the ghost. Halfords gear seems to polish up well after being left out on the window ledge for a week in the rain as well. If you take the case to Halfords they will replace it. The lifetime guarantee includes the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 ^^ Interesting, i broke a clip off mine after i carelessly dropped an alloy wheel onto the top of the box but didnt think they'd cover it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicks90 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 what aragorn said - interesting. both the clips on mine have broken and i have to use a bungee cord to keep it closed. Oh and i use a bit of rubber floor matt to stop the contents rattling about. must be about 8 years old now and the stuff is still going strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 The box comes with a bit of foam to stop the stuff moving around, a lot of people chuck it and then wonder why the stuff falls all over the place, if it has been misplaced or wrecked then a replacement bit of foam will work just fine, or even some cardboard. Mines on its last legs, so i'll have to find a bit of replacement foam for it. Might pop in and ask about a replacement case though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslwt Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 A most excellent idea. I wonder if there's anything that could be poured into a hole drilled in a large blow-moulded case? Is there a slower version of expanding foam that could be injected so it fills the whole thing then expands slowly rather than the more popular gap filling stuff? Yeah.... http://www.expandingfoamkits.co.uk/category_0-4_QUICK-CURE-VS-SLOW-CURE.htm Or use a marine 2 part expanding foam - this is what is injected into boat hulls between the inner and outer skin if they are meant to be unsinkable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Mine is so well used that not only did the catches break, the hinge did too. I cut off the remains and have replaced it with a bit of brass piano hinge riveted on. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outdoor_ian Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I use the Halfords pro tool kit and it has to be said I think its fantastic value for money. I to have replaced the bit of foam inside (bubble wrap works pretty well and is real easy to come by). I've broken a couple of the 1/4 drive sockets over the years and you dont even need the receit to get them replaced!!! I was so impressed I went and bought the black pro tool cabinet and tool chest. I think the only bit they wont replace is the ratchet insides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I've had them replace entire ratchets on some occasions, and just give me free ratchet internals on others. My only criticism is that too much of the set is 3/8" drive, which often requires a huge bar on the end of the ratchet and means they die. I've never killed a 1/2" drive ratchet though, regardless of the abuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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