Lots of places sell tools, but they are not all tool shops. Just as with bikes, it's best to go to a specialist.
 
Bikes need lots of special tools. We buy these from our wholesalers. If you want to buy tools to fix your own bike, then we can supply them. We normally keep chain tools and tyre levers in stock.
 
The best place to buy tools in Glasgow is Bill's Tool Store. It's one of the last shops to have counter service, and high on the wall is a display of old tools. They have a varying stock of secondhand ex-army tools, which is where we bought our commando pattern folding wire cutters. It's also good if some retired tradesman is in at the same time and tells you stories about the great tools they used to make.
 
Vic's Tool Store was good, but is now closed. This is sad, as Vic only sold good stuff. He wouldn't just sell you a spanner, but tell you the history of the company that made it and how nothings made in Britain any more.
 
The Tool Shed near Eglinton Toll is quite good, but not the destination retail experience of Bill's.
 
Cox Industrial Supplies near Paisley Road Toll is good. They do the usual selection of quality tools you would expect from an independent store, and Swarfega hand cleaner. Also, if you get the senior member of staff serving and start asking for something you clearly don't know how to use, you may be asked, "are you an engineer?", which in these circumstances translates, quite rightly as, "you are an ignorant amateur and should stop wasting my time right now".
 
Machine Mart, Screwfix and Arco have good ranges of general hand tools. Their target customers are tradesmen and so quality is high.
 
We do not recommend multiple DIY outlets.
 
Tools from pound shops are best avoided, unless the task is really simple like opening a tin of paint once.
 
The ultimate hand tools come fron the Snap-on van. Some people think that Snap-on only sell to the trade, like RS Components, but the men in the vans are friendly and if you know what you want and have cash they will sell to anyone. Snap-on have a fantastic warranty, as in normal use their tools are unbreakable. They also do a 8-10mm open ended spanner, which is very useful for setting up Weinemann sidepull brakes. It costs £15.35, which is why we have a Britool one which cost £2 from Bills.