Need advice on initial APEX tools purchase

[dataminer]

Getting ready to purchase our first set of head replacement tools. Viewing the forums here, we've decided to go with the APEX line in terms of cost vs. quality. A couple of questions:

1) I'd like to get some general feedback to confirm (or not) that APEX is a good choice in terms of cost vs. quality for those of us that have a limited budget.

2) General opinion on aluminum head tools vs. plastic.

2) Looking for advice on which tools, or sets of tools, would cover the widest range of work and drives, without necessarily having to buy everything on the APEX site all at once.

Thanks in advance.

[LarrySabo]

1) I'd like to get some general feedback to confirm (or not) that APEX is a good choice in terms of cost vs. quality for those of us that have a limited budget.

I'm very pleased with my apex tools, and am confident you will be, too.

2) General opinion on aluminum head tools vs. plastic.

Treat them with respect -- the aluminum is very soft and can be bent if you apply pressure on them, the C-type tool in particular.

2) Looking for advice on which tools, or sets of tools, would cover the widest range of work and drives, without necessarily having to buy everything on the APEX site all at once.

Shipping can take a couple of weeks, depending on location, so I'd suggest the ramp tools for the drives you see most often, plus the unstuck tools. I don't do enough data recovery to suggest which specific tools will be the handiest.

[lcoughey]

I'm quite satisfied with mine.

[melvin]

I really like my set. I'll say: go for it.

[dataminer]

Thanks for the feedback all. That's very helpful.

Another question, in checking the APEX site again, I don't see any head tools for 3.5" WD drives. Am I missing them, or does APEX not support those yet?

If I'm seeing things correctly, it looks like APEX otherwise covers a fairly broad range of drives (in terms of head tools).

If they're not available on the APEX site, doe anyone have a recommendation to cover the 3.5" WD drives?