Now whilst being frugal is an attribute we ourselves find highly commendable, the use of redundant kitchen units as workshop workbenches is taking things just a tad too far... er, though we've all done it! Drifting out front wheel bearings was a recent demonstration of the sort of regular pounding a good workbench needs to tolerate, so sturdy construction is a must. As are adjustable feet, no garage floor is that flat... and driving in soft wooden wedges under one leg is no answer either.. as the pounding will very soon squash them. The feet on the Draper item are very wide to spread the load too. It's a personal preference, but if - like me, you occasionally like to sit down on the job, our bench is uninterrupted beneath, though provision to bolt a tool chest underneath to act as drawers is catered for.

Practical Classics, the monthly magazine that focuses on classic autos undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the January 2009 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled WB1530 Workbench 40909 to be awarded Best Buy .

What Practical Classics said...

"Don't let its straightforward appearance put you off... The Draper is a high-quality bench with a superb, tough paint finish, dome headed bolts that won't catch on your overalls and proper heavyweight construction. We particularly like the fact that this bench uses eight bolts per corner (into tapped plates) to hold the top surface in place - it makes for very rigid construction. This bench can also take a lot of weight (450kg) and has very large height adjustable feet. If you've got the space, the extra depth of this bench will also come in handy. On the downside, it's the only bench that that really does take two people to put together, though - a glance at the six page pamphlet is all you really need to get the bench built."

Practical Classics, January 2009

Draper response to the last point. Yes, it's built like a tank... you might prefer to build it with a friend, but you'll probably only build it the once, so we remain unapologetic!

Keeping tyre pressure correct is about the simplest way to save money and reduce emissions on any vehicle. A relatively small reduction in air pressure will adversely affect fuel consumption and tyre wear. Even new wheels and tyres will gradually deflate over time, roughly 2 PSI a month. Tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold, but since driving warms them up appreciably... the only way to get an accurate measurement is before the vehicle is moved any distance, which means you ought to have a gauge to hand. This easy to use digital pressure gauge is highly accurate, and stows away in a glove compartment, It also features a backlit display so you can see it easily. Read more about CO2 emissions here.

Land Rover Owner International, a monthly magazine, undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. The February 2009 edition featured a product test against competitors guages, and we are pleased to see we came out with a Recommended award for our 73183.

What Land Rover Owner International said...

"This feels sturdier than Draper's other digital gauge*: plus, this reads higher and in three measurements. The grip is easy to use and the red backlight makes a big difference."

Pressure tests were undertaken using a highly accurate Trading Standards traceable calibration unit, giving the following test results:

Land Rover Owner International - February edition 2009

Other Draper Tyre Gauges range from the traditional 74308 to the heavy duty 69924.

*This was in reference to 52304

If you need to cut through metal plate, or sheet for any appreciable time, you will soon start looking for ways to make it easier. Whilst taking a large angle grinder to the task will definitely get the job done, it's going to be hard work. This sort of work crops up all to often in marine engineering, car restoration, general fabrication and construction tasks. Previously, one solution was the rather exotic oxy-acetylene torch, but the heat generated can cause distortions in thinner sheet work. Plasma cutters work by passing an electric arc through a stream of compressed air, this causes it to heat to a fourth state, Plasma.... and at over 16,500°C, it will slice through steel very easily.

Practical Classics, the monthly magazine that focuses on classic autos undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the March 2009 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled IPC40T Plasma Cutter 49160 to be awarded Recommended Buy .

What Practical Classics said...

"A plasma cutter of very high quality that created the fastest and neatest cuts in our test panel out of the whole group, gaining the full seven points. The flat control panel takes a bit of fiddling to master, but once you've got the machine on and in the correct mode, the power dial is simple to operate. This is another lightweight machine coming in at 7.5kg, but with a torch lead of 7.5 metres. you won't need to shift it too often. We also liked the air regulator, a robust looking thing, and easily the best made in the group."

Practical Classics, March 2009

Performing an oil change , is a relatively simple task that will preserve the life of an engine if performed regularly. Modern spin -on oil filters should be changed at the same time the oil is, but after a few thousand miles can be a little awkward to undo. The task of an oil change can be made a whole lot easier with a few tools, not least of which is an oil filter wrench, which will pay for itself on the first use.

Land Rover Owner International, a monthly magazine, undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. The December 2008 edition featured a product test against competitors wrenches, and we are pleased to see we came out with the Best Buy with our 37871.

What Land Rover Owner International said...

"This is similar in concept to both the Clarke wrenches, but with noticeably heavier-built components. The three sturdy legs are longer and serrated, giving better location and grip - although it does feel as though a bit force than the others is needed to get the wrench to 'bite'. It uses a 3/8-inch square drive, or you can slip a 19mm socket or spanner over the hexagon."

Land Rover Owner International - December edition 2008

Let's face it, we've all been in that annoying situation when two hands aren't enough. It's dark and you are trying to find something, or hold one part and undo another.... you've resorted to balancing your torch precariously and none too conveniently, so that with comical inevitability, it rolls off, seemingly with a mind of it's own. Well it may not win any awards for fashion, but a strap on torch will prove itself a very worthy addition to your tool kit. Our 40407 is powered by a wind up unit, so no batteries are needed, it can sit in a cubby hole until needed with no need to worry about flat batteries. 1 minute of winding will give you twenty of illumination.

Which Caravan, a monthly magazine, undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of caravan related products and this naturally includes torches. The September 2008 edition featured a product test against competitors products, and we are pleased to see we came out with a Best Value award for our 40407.

What Which Caravan said...

"NO batteries required with this three-LED headlamp from Draper, which aquits itself very well indeed. The lamp's very light, being separate from the battery/charger pack. They are connected by a power cord which plugs into the power pack and into a socket at the back of the headband. The switch offers two settings; one LED and all three, casting a good beam with both settings. The winding mechanism is fiesty and gives 20 minutes light for a minute's effort. You can pop the power pack into a pocket - it's quite small."

Which Caravan - September edition 2008

Car Mechanics, the monthly semi-professional magazine that focuses on automotive matters undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the April 2008 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Multi Tool set 79340 to be awarded Best Budget Buy.

What Car Mechanics said...

"A great starter kit at a superb budget price. Most important point to note is that, despite the lower price, we still get the same über quick rotary drive tool as in Draper's 40967 set. In reality, we'd say the kit is worth buying for that alone. Predictable enough, fewer accessories are supplied.... but Draper have been careful not to miss out any one area tool-wise. Although there are fewer bits, the poular work areas of brushing, grinding, cutting, polishing and sanding are generally well catered for."

Car Mechanics, September 2008

Gardens Monthly, the monthly magazine that focuses on gardening matters, undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of gardening related products and this naturally includes tools. The September edition featured a product test against seven well known and respected competitors spades and forks, and we are pleased to see we came out with the Best Buy award.

Gardens Monthy...

The test produced a list based conclusion, but the tools were roundly praised for their construction, finish and comfort in use.

Complete Kit Car, the monthly magazine committed kit car builder, undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. The July 2008 edition featured a product test against competitors multimeters, and we are pleased to see we came out with the BestOverall award.

Gardens Monthy...

The test produced a list based conclusion, but our Multimeter No.50024 was praised from it's packaging to it's functionality, scoring 23 out of 25. The nearest of the 7 rivals scoring 17.

Car Mechanics, the monthly semi-professional magazine that focuses on automotive matters undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the April 2008 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled MUlti Tool Set 40967 to be awarded Recommended.

The main part of this set is the Multi Tool itself, which wins Best Budget Buy as well in the same publication, the only difference between the two sets being the level of accessories included, this set being the more comprehensive.

What Car Mechanics said...

"...there's plenty included...... the small transparent accessory case keeps everything ordered and accessible. The rotary drive tool is supposedly more energetic than Sealey's, with a claimed top speed of 35,000rpm. And it does feel a little sprightlier in use. Especially when driving one of the diamond cutters. As well as the ever useful flexible-shaft, Draper has included 10 stone wheels along with 25 stone cut-off discs, Sanding is well catered for too."

Car Mechanics, September 2008

Auto Express, the Car News Weekly magazine undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in July 2006 our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled our Drper Expert 3pc Self Grip Plier Set 88293 to be awarded Best Buy.

What Auto Express said...

BEST BUY. "DRAPER'S 88293 gets a well deserved Best Buy award - it's good to use, durable, and the jaw configurations cater for most scenarios...... For the money, this is a super set. All tools bite viciously, yet they're great to use thanks to comfortable handles, smooth running adjusters and Vise Grip style release levers."

Auto Express, August 2008

Mini Magazine is a monthly magazine dedidcated to all things associated with the much loved Austin Mini and its derivatives. Amongst their regular features are tests of various items, including a test of random orbit sanders in the June 2008 edition. We are pleased to note that our sander, 41466 won Best Buy when pitted against the best in the market. Please ensure safety goggles are worn when using these sort of tools, for our full range see here.

What Mini Magazine said...

"Packing 480 watts of power and with a good spread of variable speed control, this is a little cracker of a sander from Draper. All in all, this is a great sander for a highly attractive price."

Mini Magazine, June 2008 .

The national and daily neswspaper the Daily Mail undertakes products reviews regularly within its supplements. We are pleased to see that in the 1st week of April edition of the Daily Mail 'Weekend' our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price both our Extra Long Garden Spade and Fork 88793 and 88794 to be awarded Best Budget Buy.

What the Daily Mail said...

"...104cm length makes them suitable for taller gardeners, to reduce bending. They are quite heavy to use but very strong, making them perfect for heavy digging."

Daily Mail, April 2008

This suits us fine...as this is precisely what these were designed for. We would point out that the strength characteristic is applicable accross the whole of this particular range of Draper Gardening products...and not just the extra long pattern picked out in this instance.

Auto Express, the Car News Weekly magazine undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in January 2008 our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Cranked Ring Spanners 64607 to be awarded Best Buy.

What Auto Express said...

"BEST BUY. This offering from Draper's Expert range serves up easily the best trade-off between price and all-out peformance. We like the glossy chrome finish, the way the tools passed our loading test and the neat plastic holder, which is supplied."

Auto Express, January 2008

Auto Express, the Car News Weekly magazine undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in January 2008 our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Cordless Drill 40765 to be awarded Best Buy.

What Auto Express said...

"Superb is the only way to desribe this set from Draper that gets all the basics right. It has two gears, which meant it delivered excellent results in all of our performance tests. The battery lasted a long time, which made the spare pack and rapid mains charger even more of a bonus. And despite the competitive price, Draper has still managed to shoehorn eight driver and six drill bits into the carry case."

Auto Express, January 2008

Mini Magazine is a monthly magazine dedidcated to all things associated with the much loved Austin Mini and its derivatives. Amongst their regular features are tests of various items, including a test of multi-tools in the Autumn 2007 edition . Once regarded as the preserve of hobbyists, once owned, a multi-tool quickly becomes an indispensible tool and you will wonder how you ever got by without one. We are pleased to note that our Multi-tool, 40967 won Best Buy. Please ensure safety goggles are worn when using these sort of tools, for our full range see here.

What Mini Magazine said...

"At 140 watts and with a claimed rpm of 35,000, this is the most powerful tool in the test. Our laser tachometer measured an unloaded head speed of 35,178rpm and the motor drew the equivalent of 138 watts. As a result of this, the super smooth bearings and very low vibration operation, it's a little star of a tool at a stunningly good price......"

Mini Magazine, October 2007 .

Auto Express, the Car News Weekly magazine undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in July 2007 our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Cordless Lamp 40897 to be awarded a recommendation.

What Auto Express said...

"A great all-rounder that's compact bright and practical. The rubbersided body is durable, and the blend of a rotating hook and a strong magnet makes this lamp easier to position than most. Its Nickel Metal Hydride battery is up to the job, providing around two hours illumination after five hours charging."

Auto Express, July 2007

Auto Express, the Car News Weekly magazine undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in June 2007 our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Tool Chest 25996 to be awardeda commendation.

What Auto Express said...

"This double pump product from Draper is our budget choice.... delivering a good pressure increase. The gauge was well within the British Standard tolerances and the whole uni is excellent for the price."

Auto Express, June 2007

Practical Classics, the monthly magazine that focuses on classic autos undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the June 2007 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Air Body Saw 59953 to be awarded Best Budget Buy.

What Practical Classics said...

"....It's compact dimensions and low weight mean you can use it in the tightest corners. ...you seem to get an awful lot of fast metal cutting for the relatively low amount of compressed air consumed. This actually worked better than the (Clarke) CAT32B, managing a significantly longer cut in our 40-second cut test...... it's supplied with better quality blades which stayed sharper for much longer."

Practical Classics, June 2007

Auto Express, the Car News Weekly magazine undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in July 2006 our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled our extensive Bit Set 40128 to be awarded Best Buy.

What Auto Express said...

"BEST BUY WITH its vast array of sizes and configurations, tis kit is an education in the various different styles of screw heads featured. And many of the most common are available in numerous lengths - from 25mm to 150mm. A 60mm extension is included, too. Most of the longer pieces are made from S2 steel, but the smaller bits fared nearly as well in our strength test."

Auto Express, May 2007

Practical Classics, the monthly magazine that focuses on classic autos undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the June 2007 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Needle File Set 36326 to be awarded Recommended Buy.

What Practical Classics said...

"....diamond-coated surface, which worked efficiently in both filing tests. They are also nice to use thanks to dinky, well-shaped handles that allow enough grip without feeling cumbersome. The sturdy case makes selecting the right tool easy from the ten popular shapes supplied."

Practical Classics, June 2007

The humble tough old toolbox, goes soft. The good old fashioned toolbox still has its place, but there are circumstances when something a little softer is appropriate. This might be storage in a one-bed flat for essential tools, keeping emergency tools tidy in the boot of your freshly re-sprayed classic car or perhaps moving tools around a boat in something that won't chip every bit of paint it touches. Whatever reason you decide the soft bag is the better choice, the material needs to be tough, the handles wide to reduce discomfort on the hands and the closures secure.

Practical Classics, the monthly magazine that focuses on classic autos undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the June 2009 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Heavy Duty Tool Bag 87359 to be awarded Best Buy .

What Practical Classics said...

"This Draper tool bag is made from top-quality water repellent polyester. The 21 pockets come in a range of sizes and a wired opening means the bag's contents can be seen and got at, easily. We also like the strong handles and the gigantic, seemingly burst-proof zip."

Practical Classics, June 2009

Rechargeable 60 LED Inspection Lamp

The good old wandering lead has developed somewhat in recent years with change to powerful and efficiaent Light Emitting Diodes, or LEDs. These cool running lamps pour out light whilst sipping at the electric current with the result that the lead can be dispensed with and the unit run from rechargeable batteries.

Car Mechanics, the monthly semi-professional magazine that focuses on automotive matters undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the May 2009 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Rechargeable 60 LED Inspection Lamp 40898 to be awarded Recommended Buy.

What Car Mechanics said...

"A rechargeable using 60 LEDs, so don't be tempted to look into this lamo because it is very bright and will hurt your eyes. Bright enough for any of your workshop needs and out on roadside repairs. Comes with a mains charger plus a 12-Volt charger. Made from heavy duty plastic with useful hang-up hook, and gives up to five hours continuous working time between charges, with maximum charging time three hours."

2kW 230V Fan Heater

A cold garage or workshop is an unpleasant place to try and come to grips with a task, so heat it up! There are a host of solutions for this, but we were a little surprised that this product.. primarily aimed at domestic indoors use, would be chosen for this test. But if you make sure that the place is reasonably draught proofed, which wouldn't be a bad thing in any case, this unit turns out to be an excellent and very cost effective option.

Auto Express, the Car News Weekly magazine undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in January 2010 our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Fan Heater 43868 to be awarded Recommended.

What Auto Express said...

"Propane/paraffin heaters now cost nearly as much to run as electric ones, so the latter makes more sence. Mains units don't need ventillation or produce condensation, they're usually smaller and often come with thermostats."

150mm Spring Loaded Wire Stripper

In the distant past, some of us may have been guilty of stripping wires with a penknife, or even resorting to teeth. The addition of a simple wire stripper to the tool collection transforms an otherwise fiddly task, into a thing of joy!

Practical Classics, the monthly magazine that focuses on classic autos undertakes many independent product tests during the course of a year, for a wide range of automotive related products and this naturally includes tools. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the October 2009 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Wire Stripping Pliers 19779 to be awarded Recommended Buy .

What Practical Classics said...

"This manual stripper features seven dedicated slots that cover the vast majority of the wires you're going to find on a classic car.... the stripping action takes very little effort for a manual and the results are very clean. The tool's compact size means you can strip in the tightest of spots, if you get our drift. We also like the comfy gel-insert type handles."

Practical Classics, October 2009

5 Drawer Draper Roller Cabinet and 2 Drawer Chest

Classics Monthly, is a monthly magazine that focuses on classic autos and undertakes product reviews for its readership during the course of a year, amongst the regular articles. Draper products often fair well in these tests and we are pleased to see that in the September 2009 edition our philosophy of balancing excellent quality against reasonable price enabled Combined Tool Cabinets 78229 to be awarded Big Test Winner.

What Classics Monthly said...

"We like.... the price! And with ball bearing runners. We've used this unit in our own workshop for two years and it's lasted well. Its narrower depth makes it suited to tight spaces such as a lock up garage. The top box will accomodate most spanner, socket and screwdriver collections, while the bottom will take power tools. Security via three bars to deny access to the drawers is on a par with Clarke and Sealey."

Classics Monthly, September 2009