Buildingtrackworld: Screwfix vs Toolstation

In Cambridge they have stores just across the road from the other, so easy to use both. I used to use Screwfix, when they were mail order only, but since being bought by B&Q and opening trade stores everywhere, their prices just seem to have gone through the roof, or at least for stuff I’ve been using?

what’s the question?

Toolstation is owned by Wickes BTW

what’s the question?

I suppose does anyone still use Screwfix over Toolstation….

I use screwfix but only because the OH’s brother works there and gets me discounts!

Use both here – after interwebbing both their prices to see whose cheapest.

On MR16 fire rated downlighter fittings Screwfix won hands down.

On burglar alarm batteries and trolley jacks it was Toolstation.

Strangely for MR16 LED bulbs deals at B&Q were the best UK source.

I use both, trade discount at screwfix probably means I use them more than tool station.

Although some stuff I prefer to use is only available at tool station.

I do if i’m desparate… Dont buy silverline stuff what ever you do! 🙂 BTW I’ve just bought 2 E lights from TS which are at least £5 cheaper than SF!

Is it true toolstation was started by the same guy who started screwfix?

Silverline stuff has a life time guarantee.

Screwfix has one of everything if youre lucky, with the rest on order for delivery sometime next day if they get a delivery .

TS has free drinks…..

TS is owned by Travis Perkins, who also own Wickes, and they will price match and reduce by 10% stuff from toolstation.

price checking is the only way to go… eg worcester boilers cheaper at pts controls cheaper at screwfix lockshields cheaper at B/Q than both..

Is it true toolstation was started by the same guy who started screwfix?

YES.

Yep – price checking (esspecially on bigger stuff) is the way to go – if you have a list of bits you will definately end up going to both.

I use tool station for screws and screwfix for tools

Toolstation is largely cheap tat.

Its handy they are always within a few hundred yards of each other. Screwfix has a much wider range but you can never get a full house when you order – most particularly with screws and fixings ironically. Toolstation has a narrower range and usually have everything in stock but…. they seem to have a maximum stock of just than 3 or 4 of any item.

Screwfix make it much clearer what your getting brand wise

Toolstation is cheaper but i found my self sendin alot of it back. I only order from toolstation now if its clear what brand in getting

Silverline may well have a lifetime guarentee but i reckon the guy who came in with a 5lb sledge with the head snapped off the shaft was not looking for a replacement or the laser level that the optics fell out of or the comedy ratchet that disintegrated… Its woeful stuff (well to be fair the carpenters pencils work OK), The guy in my local shop tries not to laugh when he suggets thier products. IMO of course and it is cheap but to be honest do you want to be returning tools everytime you break them? (which with silverline will be often)

As others have said, if it’s exact like-for-like then TS is typically cheaper. But, lots of stuff at TS is not exact like-for-like with SF and the quality often inferior.

Given that they’re typically close to each other just use a combination of both.

trail_rat – Member
Screwfix make it much clearer what your getting brand wise

Toolstation is cheaper but i found my self sendin alot of it back. I only order from toolstation now if its clear what brand in getting

Exactly what I was going to say.

I’ve spend £1000’s over the years with both places. Toolstation is very handy for me and they often can’t be beaten on price and the free hot chocolate is much appreciated but SF do have more choice and sometimes better quality/better brand stuff. Their sales are often very good and reserve and collect a big plus. I recently stocked up on diamond wheels for cutting composites as they were reduced to a ridiculous price. Not even through my 1st one yet though.

Oh and silverline….my heart always sinks when I see a silverline packet placed on the counter. Got some drill bits the other day and half the packet was bent.

I’ve bought a few Silverline bits eg site lights and trestles and they seem ok, cheap but fine for the occasional use they’ll get.

For fixings, TS seems way cheaper than SF, so I mainly use TS.

I didn’t know SF gave a Trade discount, how much do you get off? My builder’s merchant, which makes SF look cheap, only gives 10% on fixings and tools, but 40-60% on materials.

I ended up with silverline nut splitter

Deary me , think id have been better off chewing on it with my teeth- we are talking 25 year old well corroded should have been a caker nut.

Took it back And explained , fella didnt seem at all surprised.

Their 3 legged pullers work well though to remove crank arms where the threads for puller have stripped though

mailorder… toolstation as its free post over a tenner. screwfix its over 50quid.

Their 3 legged pullers work well though to remove crank arms where the threads for puller have stripped though

I use a BB splitter and just hammer it between the BB and the crank on the inside. OK as long as the frame isn’t carbon!

Mark Goddard-Watts started Scrfewfix and sold to Kingfisher (B&Q) after he got bored/the non-compete ran out, he started Toolstation and sold to Travis Perkins/Wickes.

What name do you think he should use for his third attempt?

Ff if had one i woulda but i had the 3 leg puller from pulling a hub on the landy so just used that

Oh and silverline….my heart always sinks when I see a silverline packet placed on the counter. Got some drill bits the other day and half the packet was bent.

Not just me then?

Shonky shoddy rubbish.

Screwfix would get a lot more of my business if they lowered the delivery charge to a tenner.

Marko

What name do you think he should use for his third attempt?

I don’t know what they’ll call it, but the drinks dispenser will be free…….. until they sell the business on

Neither are anywhere near to me, so I’m pretty much mail-order. And I’ve moved from mostly Screwfix to mostly Toolstation.

Only once had an issue with either, and a quick email had them send me a replacement next-day.

The Silverline sponsored top-fuel dragster is a sight to behold!

Don’t think they use Silverline tools for the strip-down between runs though…funny that.

Mark Goddard-Watts started Scrfewfix and sold to Kingfisher (B&Q) after he got bored/the non-compete ran out, he started Toolstation and sold to Travis Perkins/Wickes.

FWIW, Jon G-W built up and sold Screwfix. His son Mark did likewise with Toolstation and brother James repeated the process with Silverline.

i like toolstop for tooling now tbh