razor... those comp fitting spanners. are they half inch and 3\4?? are they made by silverline?

I can only echo the "don't buy cheap" mantra

If you want a cheaper way of getting a set of screwdrivers buy a decent bit holder

http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-fatma ... -set/95333

I use this for an example only but that set will give you a long and stubby driver and a set of allen keys.Also you can interchage with your cordless driver.

A 1/4" drive socket set is an invaluable bit of kit, make sure it also has a bit holder so you can use your allen and screwdriver bits.

Decent tape measure

Spirit levels (defo don't compromise on these)

A combination square
http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-combi ... 05mm/33486

Pliers

Adjustable spanner

Stanley knife

Hammer (although I can't remember the last time I nailed anything together handy for many jobs)

Couple of clamps
http://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-quick-g ... lamp/98247

Just a start for general work really

hammer used with chisels with a flat screwdriver to remove paint from a slotted screw head demolition work assisting thing together or apart removing nails from floors/walls /timber

_________________
we are all ------------------still learning

Exactly, it has many uses, everything but nailing really

i'm the same age as you mate and i've worked in the many trades you are currently studying like plumbing, joinery, electrical, roofing and now i'm settled in greenkeeping with a hand in the landscaping trade aswell

i've built up a decent amount of tools both hand and power, i generally get my power tools from ebay second hand dewalt stuff and it does the job i need it to, theres plenty bargains to be had on there but just keep your wits about you

the best hammer i've used is the ROUGHNECK 60726 ANT SHOCK VIBE CLAW HAMMER 20OZ its not balanced as well as the likes of estwing but it can sink decent sized nails into stuff in one go!!

dont get sucked into the buying the off the shelf diy kits most dont last long even the bag breaks easy!

Thanks for all the advice.
Is normal adjustable spanners different to plumbing spanners?

Also, My next buy is going to be the wera screwdriver set.
and then maybe i can get a set of stanley screwdriver quite cheap. I'm going to get these to i think for rougher jobs.
E.g I'm fitting window restricters on 80 windows to meet building regs. To fit the restrictor i have to use a flathead screwdriver and a hammer to take the end of the profile off. Wouldnt like to damage my wera screwdriver set as there quite pricey.

Also got my eye on a adjustable basin wrench
(http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand%20 ... 210/p52396 )
Done a private job at work fitted a new basin taps and i wish i had this tool would of been a lot quicker.

Thanks for the advice everybody

i would not advise buying a load of expensive tools. im a pipe fitter 6 yers and dont think i have 1 tool still in my tool box from day one. they get lost, people put them into there tool box. get left in roof spaces. I'm even trying to get back to jobs done 2 years ago to see if i left grips inside gas heaters where the other plumber onside says he put them. etc. One of the best brand for electrical tools is CK you can buy a full kit for 100 quid of ebay inside a asorted bag i keep on thinking of buying it but know a bag gets dusty. Best stilsons i ever bought for steel pipeing came of screwfix forge steal bit heavy but quality.

Gotta agree about not overloading on expensive tools. Some essentials, sure, but as coyle points out, you're gonna lose stuff, there's really no way around it. So for the less used tools in your box, don't feel bad about going a little cheaper.