Neilsen Tools – Trade 19pc Drain Plug Kit
Cost: Approx £25
Background:
There are certain things that have to be drained on cars, oil sump being one of them. Rear axle oil level, gearbox among some of them. Different cars have different plugs and designs. I have seen people trying to remove drain plugs with box spanners hammered into them, being twisted with large screwdrivers etc. All have failed with damaged plugs or damaged hands where they slip. I have not owned a drain plug kit for a long time and I can’t even remember where it went to be honest. So it was time for a new one.
What’s in the Box:
Starting with the box, it’s a fairly sturdy metal case with a metal clasp and a hinged via two pins at each side. Inside there is a plastic layer that holds all the pieces in place. The socket fittings are all 3/8ths drive. there are the following fittings inside:
Hex : 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17mm.
Square : 5/16″ and 3/8″
Square : 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14mm
Triangular : 10mm
1 x Socket 10mm female square
The handle is breaker bar style and is fairly short with a plastic and rubber slide over handle for the grip.
Build Quality:
This is banded about as a professional tool or trade quality tool for professionals. I am not so sure about that to be honest as they would spend the money paid for this whole kit on a single socket from the likes of Snap-On of MAC etc.
The parts are made from pure Chrome Vanadium with a satin finish. The sockets feel sturdy and they look the part. They feel heavy and purposeful but you can see the machine marks where they have been shaped. There are a few rough edges but nothing to worry about.
The handle also feels heavy and is not on a ratchet to enable full force directly to the attachment. The handle feels a little short to get some serious leverage going. But if you have a longer breaker bar then this could be used instead. The hex that I have tried fits well into the axle plug with little movement. The handle grip is a bit of a let down and is a slip over sheath and does not have a name on it. The grip feels ok in the hand. The tin holds all the parts well but I suspect the plastic inlay will become brittle one day.
Use:
The lack of ratchet means that you would be limited to the clearance you have for the movement. Once you start the process of undoing you could revert to a ratchet. I did notice that a few movements of the square drive I had to re-tighten the head bolt to stop it becoming to lose. The movable part has a tiny amount of twist or play but again nothing major. The head has a ball bearing locator when the head is in the upright position, not sure why but I would have thought it would be better at the ninety degree positions.
The sockets fit well onto the handle with a solid click into location and once seated feel firm giving confidence to give some leverage.
Rating: 7 out 10
The handle grip was a little let down and the head having to be tightened up a few times did get on my nerves a bit. I don’t have anything to test the smaller sockets on to see if they break or crack. But I am sure they should be OK. The machine marks have not been polished out so the finish is not perfect but as long as it does the job. The slight twist on the head is only a tiny amount but it could force pressure into a small area rather than all across the head fitting.
Conclusion:
The set will be good for the semi pro guys or weekend guys like me. I won’t be giving this a lot of use so I expect it will last me. I prefer the feel of this tool to the Sealey equivalent, which yet again feels a little soft and amateurish in comparison.
Would I but it again? Probably if it was on a special offer. If I was doing this for a living I think I may pay the extra and get the fittings I needed at the time for a high quality tool.
Would I recommend it? I think I would, I need to use it more before I can make a definite yes to that one.