Steel Quality Tool Guide
Steel Tool Quality Guide
At Wonkee Donkee we advise that you only purchase tools and accessories that are of a high quality. As the age old saying goes, ”you can pay now, or you can pay later”. Below is a complete guide to the best tool materials for specific tools.
Wrenches, Spanners & Sockets
These tools are all vital when you need to turn or loosen nut or bolts. They provide a huge advantage giving more torque to the user. To make sure you have everything you need you can purchase wrenches, spanners and sockets in sets.
Low Quality Range
Low to mid carbon steels (not heat-treated)
Mid Quality Range
High carbon steels (heat-treated)
Drop forged high carbon steel
Top Quality Range
Drop-forged alloy steel
Stainless steel
Chrome vanadium
Titanium alloy (such as S2)
Drills and Cutting Tools
Drilling and cutting tools are most likely the main tools that you are going to be using for tough tasks. That is why it is so important that you get high-quality tools. Cutting corners and buying cheap tools will most likely lead to breakages which will require repairs or replacements.
Low Quality Range
Low to mid carbon steels (not heat-treated)
Mid Quality Range
Black oxide coated HSS (High Speed Steel)
Titanium nitride (TiN) coated HSS
Titanium carbon nitrade (TiCN) coated HSS
Titanium aluminium-nitride (TiAlN) coated HSS
Titanium silicon based (TiSi) coated HSS
Zirconium-nitride coated HSS
Top Quality Range
Tungsten carbide
Cobalt
Polycrystalline diamond (PCD)
Screwdrivers and Bits
Screwdrivers and bits are the most commonly used tools for drilling and filling holes. A good set of screwdrivers will last you for years and you can get special sets that have different properties such as electrical screwdrivers which provide protection from electric shocks.
Low Quality Range
Low to mid carbon steels (not heat-treated)
Mid Quality Range
Heat-treated high carbon steel or HSS (High Speed Steel) with;
Black oxide coated tip
Titanium nitride (TiN) coated tip
Titanium carbon nitrade (TiCN) coated tip
Titanium aluminium-nitride (TiAlN) coated tip
Titanium silicon based (TiSi) coated tip
Zirconium-nitride coated tip
Top Quality Range
Stainless steel
Tool alloy steel (S2)
Chrome-molybdenum-vanadium
Tungsten carbide
Cobalt
Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and sapphire
Pry and Demolition Bars
Pry and demolition bars are great tools for dismantling objects or taking units apart. As this is usually heavy-duty work, it is important to have strong tools which can withstand the force needed to work.
Low Quality Range
Low carbon, mild steel (galvanised)
Non-alloy steels
Mid Quality Range
Medium carbon steels
Unspecified ‘alloy steel
Top Quality Range
Chrome vanadium
Titanium alloy
Spring steel
Boron high alloy steel, specially heat-treated
Security Locks and Chains
One of the most important thing when it comes to tools is looking after them. A high-quality security lock to keep your workshop and toolbox secure is vital.
Low Quality Range (easier to cut/break through)
Mild steel (galvanised)
Unspecified ‘alloy steel’
Mid Quality Range (harder to cut/break through)
Stainless steel
Case hardened steel (chains – round links over 14mm thickness)
Top Quality Range (extremely difficult to cut/break through)
Boron high alloy steel, specially heat-treated. Chain links 16mm to 19mm diameter considered unable to cut.
Cold Chisels and Brick Chisels (Bolsters)
One of the most important thing when it comes to tools is looking after them. A high-quality security lock to keep your workshop and toolbox secure is vital.
Low Quality Grade
Low carbon, mild steel (galvanised)
Non-alloy steels
Mid Quality Grade
Medium carbon, tempered steels
Unspecified ‘alloy steel’
Top Quality Grade
Chrome vanadium
EN18 grade steel alloy
Beryllium copper (0.2 max iron content – non magnetic and prevents sparks when struck – specialist tool).
Flooring Chisels
Flooring chisels are used to rip up floor boards. They are hammered in between the boards to get leverage and then pushed down on to release them.
Low Quality Grade
Low carbon, mild steel
Mid Quality Grade
Medium carbon steel
Top Quality Grade
Chrome vanadium
Chisels (Hand and Wood)
A good set of high-quality chisels is relatively inexpensive so there is no need to scrimp. Chisels will last a lifetime if treated correctly.
Low Quality Grade
Low carbon steel
Mid Quality Grade
Medium carbon steels, heat-treated
Top Quality Grade
Chrome vanadium
Chrome alloy steel (ball bearing grade)
High carbon forged alloy, fully heat-treated
Allen Keys
Allen keys are a part of any DIY’ers and professionals tool box. Used for tightening and securing items together, most commonly used in the assembly of flat pack furniture.
Low Quality Grade
Low carbon steel
Mid Quality Grade
Medium carbon steels
Top Quality Grade
High carbon / high carbon alloy
Chrome vanadium
Chrome alloy steel (ball bearing grade)
Spades, Shovels and Forks
Whether you are completing groundwork, fencing or gardening high-quality spade, shovels and forks will make your life a whole lot easier.
Low Quality Grade
Low carbon steel
Mid Quality Grade
Medium carbon steels
Top Quality Grade
Chrome alloy steel
High carbon steel, fully hardened and tempered
Stainless steel, fully hardened and tempered
High carbon boron alloy steel
Knife Blades
Knives are obviously used for cutting and it is always useful to have a blade close by when completing projects. Poor quality blades will get blunt easily and will need replacing regularly.
Low Quality Grade
Low to mid carbon steels (not heat-treated)
Mid Quality Grade
Zirconium-nitride coated HSS
Bi-metal trapezoid (shatterproof)
Top Quality Grade
Serrated edged HSS (High Speed Steel)
Tungsten carbide
Titanium edged, high carbon steel
Ceramic
Spirit Level
To ensure the quality of your work a spirit level should be used throughout. Checking with a spirit level will ensure that all your work is aligned and measured up correctly.
Low Quality Grade
Galvanised steel box section
Powder-coated steel box section
Polystyrene plastic
Mid Quality Grade
Alloy box section, powder coated
Aluminium box section with one precision milled edge
Top Quality Grade
Aluminium alloy, with precision milled edges
Pliers
Pliers are a tool that you simply cannot do without. If you ever find yourself trying to cleanly cut wires or if you are trying to reach fiddly areas then pliers will be your best friends.
Low Quality Grade
Low to mid carbon steels (not heat-treated)
Mid Quality Grade
Drop forged medium to high carbon steels (heat-treated)
Top Quality Grade
Drop-forged alloy steel
Stainless steel
Chrome vanadium
Titanium alloy (such as S2)
Loppers and Secateurs
Gardeners and landscapers use loppers and secateurs to maintain plants and shrubs.
Low Quality Grade
Low to mid carbon steels (not heat-treated)
Mid Quality Grade
Drop forged medium to high carbon steels (heat-treated)
Top Quality Grade
Drop-forged alloy steel
Stainless steel
Chrome vanadium
Titanium alloy (such as S2)
Hand Trowels, Forks and Hoes
More gardening tools are hand trowels, forks and hoes. High-quality gardening tools will last a lifetime.
Low Quality Grade
Low to mid carbon steels (not heat-treated)
Mid Quality Grade
Drop forged medium to high carbon steels (heat-treated)
Top Quality Grade
Drop-forged alloy steel
Stainless steel
Axes and Splitting Wedges
Similar to demolition and pry bars, axes and splitting wedges are great for dismantling units. These need to be high-quality in order to take the force and impact needed to work effectively.
Low Quality Grade
Low to mid carbon steels (not heat-treated)
Mid Quality Grade
Fully hardened and tempered high carbon steel
Medium to high alloy carbon steels (heat-treated)
Top Quality Grade
Drop forged medium to high alloy carbon steels (heat-treated)
Tool steels (heat-treated)
Stainless steel
Hand forged Swedish axe steel
Screws
Screws are what keeps everything together. Cutting corners and using cheap screws will lead to corrosion or worse snapping. High-quality screws will last a lifetime and ensure that the things you put together or put up stay in place.
Low Quality Grade
Mild steel (standard wood screws)
Mid Quality Grade
Brass
Nickel plate
Yellow zinc plate (main plating colours are; yellow,black,blue or clear passivate) or chrome plate
Hot dipped galavanised (for exterior use)
Phosphate coated (drywall/plasterboard)
Top Quality Grade
A2 stainless steel
High-quality zinc plated carbon steel (concrete)
High-strength, zinc plated tensile steel (concrete)
