Price of tools - Machine Mart

Post by **southerly95** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:15 am

I have 2 daughters at uni which is great but the costs of keeping them there are incredible. So - I have to save up for tools and although I am fortunate in having some good stuff I still would like to get a drill press, compressor and welder (eventually!). The prices at Machine Mart keep going up and up despite the credit crunch and VAT free days it's most disappointing. I guess it'd the exchange rate - whatever, these things seem more out of reach than ever.

Post by **moggyminor16** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:57 am

yes mate same as the retail shops tescos i know for a fact when the vat went down they changed the prices up not down like i say i know this for a fact

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:01 am

Try looking out for second hand stuff - ebay, local paperr, any garages closing down. Chances are you'll get better quality kit much cheaper... Most of my tools and equipment are older than me!

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:25 am

SCREWFIX?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:42 am

You can always try asking on here - in the Wanted section. Also - Aldi often have some good deals on tools/welders/drills etc - they don't seem to sell as well as before - and often they discount them down just to clear the shelves. And of course - perfectly good second hand tools can be picked up v cheaply at Autojumbles !

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:09 pm

Good point, Aldi currently have what seem quite good 'avaition' snips at £4.18 each - right left and straight cut. I got a pair, not expecting them to be too good a quality and so far they seem ok. Ratchet spanners too, albeit in metric sizes.

Post by **plastic_orange** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:06 pm

Check Ebay. My mate got a compressor (sealey) brand new for almost £200 less than one exactly the same in Machine Mart. It came with warranty and arrived in a day. There are loads of companies now advertising there - get looking.

Pete

Post by **MarkyB** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:15 pm

How about this?http://aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_8907.htm
2.5HP Compressor and Accessories

* 2.5HP, 1.5W, 230 volt motor
* Air displacement: 270 litres/minute
* MWP: 8 bar (120psi)
* 24 litre capacity air receiver
* Fully automatic STOP/START control
* Oil lubricated single cylinder direct drive compressor with air intake filter/silencer
* 2 air outlets
* 2 pressure gauges
* Fitted safety and non-return valve and drain valve
* Air outlet pressure regulator and reducer
* Accessory kit includes: tyre inflator, blow gun, 7 piece inflator/deflator set for footballs,
li-los, inflatable boats, etc.
* 10 metre air hose
* Quick-release couplings
* Jet wash gun
* Gold-plated professional spray gun (with 5m air hose)
* IP44 rating
* Conforms to ROHS
* Comprehensive accessories pack

Mmm gold plated spay gun, sounds classy

£82. 00
Someone with actual knowledge can say if it would actually be usable.

Post by **Vikki** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:54 pm

well i work for aldi and can quite biasly say its all brilliant

lol. you get three years warrenty with all items so cant go wrong. sorry i'll quit it now.

Post by **MGFmad** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:54 pm

IaininTenbury wrote:Try looking out for second hand stuff - ebay, local paperr, any garages closing down. Chances are you'll get better quality kit much cheaper... Most of my tools and equipment are older than me!

Very true - my compressor was made in 1961 (its older than me) and still going strong (reaches for wood to touch

)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:08 pm

My compressor set is ex Aldi - pretty much as listed above - and it's great! Also bought some excellent 'windy' guns to go with it - also excellent. Only downside is - it's quite noisy - so if being used a lot I would move it outdoors to keep the noise down.

Post by **southerly95** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:18 pm

bmcecosse wrote:My compressor set is ex Aldi - pretty much as listed above - and it's great! Also bought some excellent 'windy' guns to go with it - also excellent. Only downside is - it's quite noisy - so if being used a lot I would move it outdoors to keep the noise down.

Thanks guys I got in the queue at 10.00 this morning at Aldi and got the compresso + accessories, brilliant price as evidenced by 3 other in the checkout queue ahead of me! Sucks to MM.

Regards, John