Mechanic's tool set with highest % of sockets for the money for the vehicle kit?

[AceofSpad3s]

I'm sick of having to piece together stuff out of mismatched everything, so I'm wanting to just buy a one stop shop mechanic's set for the car to fill all the socket needs for a road box. Notionally I guess we are supposed to use vehicle tool kits to work the the vehicle they are carried in, but realistically I'll just be breaking down junk to stuff in the car or pulling parts at the yard, so some SAE wouldn't hurt. A complete set of 3/8 is mandatory, shallows and deeps. If it goes up to 1/2 drive, it'd be a bonus, but not really necessary.
I don't care about any 1/4 bit or allen keys, just the density of sockets for the dollar. I know there used to be some really good deals on dewalt sets (I am aware Dewalt and Channellock shared an OEM at one point), but naturally if there's a deal, I'd miss it.

Cursory searches make me think on of these.

Husky Mechanics Tool Set in Connect Trays (270-Piece) H270CONNECTRM - The Home Depot

Perform your repair work professionally and perfectly by choosing this unique Husky Mechanics Tool Set. Offers high durability and good reliability.

www.homedepot.com

Channellock Mechanic's Set with Carrying Case 200 pc. - Samsclub.com

Buy Channellock Mechanic's Set with Carrying Case 200 pc. at Samsclub.com

www.samsclub.com

Husky has more for the money, but isn't self contained by itself. The channel lock sockets are nicer and it has ratcheting wrenches, but I don't have a Sam's membership so it'd cost a bit more. Which would you prefer? Other suggestions if available are appreciated.

 

[drtyler]

Couple years ago, I bought the Craftsman CMMT45306 set. Case is better than the typical blow molded. Lots of sockets. Cost stays around $100 to $130.

 

[WildBill]

The Milwaukee sets are nice, they are only sockets and rachets.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I'm a big fan of Tekton's business practices, though I have no firsthand experience with their tools (yet), I would be looking hard at one of their mechanics sets if I were you. Their website is super clean and a joy to navigate and browse. Easy warranty, send them a picture of a broken tool and they mail you a new tool

 

[four.cycle]

TIATA

Tekton is always the answer

 

[mike93lx]

Tekton

 

[Jtels85]

If you like the 3 drawer mechanics tool sets, the most complete sets on the market with the most sockets, wrenches and extensions are the Klutch 245 piece set from Northern Tool and the 268 piece Master Mechanic set from True Value.

No skips, no massive amounts of bits to raise the count. They are both well thought out sets. Both are made by Apex, so they're the same tools you'll currently find in Husky and Duralast.

 

[NUTTSGT]

While it's not a one box set up, I did buy several DeWalt socket sets off Amazon & the put them on rails and into a case.

To me, blow molded cases are nice, help with organizing but take up too much space in a vehicle.

Edit: these are the style of kits I bought.

 

[gungatim]

That Husky set is on sale half off for $99. heckuva deal. I'd jump on that in a heartbeat (and tried to twice but their stupid website won't allow me to change my expired debit card to a new one).

 

[KnurledNut]

I haven’t crunched the numbers but the HF 301pc set with a coupon is likely a contender if sockets is your main focus.

 

[tez929rr]

That Husky set is on sale half off for $99. heckuva deal. I'd jump on that in a heartbeat (and tried to twice but their stupid website won't allow me to change my expired debit card to a new one).

Every year they put those on sale for $99 at the local store. I buy them and give them for raffle prizes at a church fundraiser. I’ve got 4 sitting on the shelf in my shop.

 

[whitesco]

I got a steal on DeWalt 264 pc set DWMT82835 that I put in the car or MH for roadtrips. It's kind of big and heavy and it looks like it's about $240 now so there may be better deals, especially if you don't want or need 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" on the go all the time.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I'm sick of having to piece together stuff out of mismatched everything, so I'm wanting to just buy a one stop shop mechanic's set for the car to fill all the socket needs for a road box. Notionally I guess we are supposed to use vehicle tool kits to work the the vehicle they are carried in, but realistically I'll just be breaking down junk to stuff in the car or pulling parts at the yard, so some SAE wouldn't hurt. A complete set of 3/8 is mandatory, shallows and deeps. If it goes up to 1/2 drive, it'd be a bonus, but not really necessary.
I don't care about any 1/4 bit or allen keys, just the density of sockets for the dollar. I know there used to be some really good deals on dewalt sets (I am aware Dewalt and Channellock shared an OEM at one point), but naturally if there's a deal, I'd miss it.

Cursory searches make me think on of these.

Husky Mechanics Tool Set in Connect Trays (270-Piece) H270CONNECTRM - The Home Depot

Perform your repair work professionally and perfectly by choosing this unique Husky Mechanics Tool Set. Offers high durability and good reliability.

www.homedepot.com

Channellock Mechanic's Set with Carrying Case 200 pc. - Samsclub.com

Buy Channellock Mechanic's Set with Carrying Case 200 pc. at Samsclub.com

www.samsclub.com

Husky has more for the money, but isn't self contained by itself. The channel lock sockets are nicer and it has ratcheting wrenches, but I don't have a Sam's membership so it'd cost a bit more. Which would you prefer? Other suggestions if available are appreciated.

So what are you trying to do? Without a jack or stands you're limited in what you can do on the road.

You mention pulling parts at a junk yard. What parts? Like a throttle.body, a fuse box, a differential?

 

[bwringer]

Tekton metric-only set.

Otherwise you're lugging around a bunch of useless inch ****.

Or, y'know, if your daily driver is a 1963 Biscayne or something, then get an inch-only set and skip that newfangled metric foolishment.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I explicitly stated the use case that includes standard sizes. It will be a tool kit in a car, not a car tool kit.

I haven’t crunched the numbers but the HF 301pc set with a coupon is likely a contender if sockets is your main focus.

The composition of that set looks favorable, I was hoping the odd 30% would work but then I remembered it's been 5 years since I used one and they have 17 asterisks on their usage .

 

[four.cycle]

^ Tekton packs SAE on one side of the box, Metric on the other. Nice layout. Buddy loves his.

 

[bwringer]

I explicitly stated the use case that includes standard sizes. It will be a tool kit in a car, not a car tool kit.

Okay, then.

^ Tekton packs SAE on one side of the box, Metric on the other. Nice layout. Buddy loves his.

And yep, Tekton is still the answer. Or at least a very good answer. If you want just sockets, or mostly just sockets, anyway.

If you don't mind having wrenches and a bunch of little stuff like hex keys and screwdriver bits tucked in to beef up the piece count, then yeah, the slightly better tiers of Chinese stuff, like the Husky & Milwaukee (Home Despot), Crescent (many places, including Meanards) or DeWalt (it seems to pop up wherever at random... Costco, farm stores, Home Despot, etc.) branded sets you find here and there can be a decent way to go.

Another route might be the better Icon or Quinn branded stuff at Harbor Freight:

Tool Sets - Harbor Freight Tools

You won't find a better selection of tool kits, ratchets set, screwdriver sets, wrench sets, and pliers sets. All backed by our famous lifetime warranty.

www.harborfreight.com

bLowes sometimes has some reasonable deals on Craftsman brand Chinesium that's actually... pretty OK. Their Kobalt stuff is usually pretty OK as well. Their website is dreadful, so it's kinda hard to tell quickly if they have a nice all-in-one ratchet/socket set. Go look, I guess.

If you have a Northern Tool around, the Milwaukee and some Klutch branded stuff can be pretty decent. I'd avoid their "Ironton" and "Olympia" brands, which are pretty awful. Taiwanese "Titan" stuff pops up at Northern Tool and some auto parts stores, and can be great for weird specialty stuff.

And speaking of auto parts stores... some of the newer Duralast and Diehard stuff, found at AutoZone and Advance respectively, is quite nice. Same for Power Torque and Titan at O'Reilly (but avoid "Performance Tool"). Worth a look.

 

[peejay75]

While it's not a one box set up, I did buy several DeWalt socket sets off Amazon & the put them on rails and into a case.

To me, blow molded cases are nice, help with organizing but take up too much space in a vehicle.

Edit: these are the style of kits I bought.

NUTTSGT, just curious, what kind of case do you use?

 

[liliysdad]

I explicitly stated the use case that includes standard sizes. It will be a tool kit in a car, not a car tool kit.

This concept is foreign to many. I carry tools in my vehicles to work on other stuff as much, or more, than the car its in.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

This concept is foreign to many. I carry tools in my vehicles to work on other stuff as much, or more, than the car its in.

If this is the inherent goal, I'd get 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 sockets sets in blow molded cases. Two wrench rolls of combo wrenches, and a small sized carry tool.box for pliers, a hammer, pry bar, etc.

I'm one to prefer the object be dragged to the tools so I can handle literally any possible outcome. If you can't drag the object in question, one just needs to accept making multiple trips if need be to service in the field. Cars are easy, just tow it. But something that needs trailered or is in an inaccessible area will need tools taken to it. Then the "rig it to get it home to the tools" or "fix it correctly where it is" discussion begins.

 

[NUTTSGT]

NUTTSGT, just curious, what kind of case do you use?

HF case, Pelican knock off. One in my truck, one in the wife's Jeep.

I forgot the actual size, maybe ty 3800 something like 14"x10"x8".

 

[Viper9087]

I'm a big fan of Tekton's business practices

Tekton is a joke of a company.
Their business practices are to screw everyone.
I spent over $500 on two tekton tool kits back when they were fairly new and getting amazing reviews.

About two years in I finally broke one and called to have the tool swapped out. They informed me that they no longer offer a lifetime warranty on the tool that I purchased even though it said lifetime warranty on the box and receipt of which I both have to this day.

They basically said sorry we can't help you the best I can offer you is a $10 gift card towards your next purchase, but it expires in 30 days. I pointed out that to purchase the tool from them again would cost me $25. The representatives answer was "well that's the best I can offer you. It's out of my hands because you purchased a old tool set which we no longer offer a warranty for".
Needless to say I declined to the gift card and told them to piss off, because I won't spend another cent with them even if it's free.

Switched to Sunex tools, and never looked back.

 

[Viper9087]

As for a recommendation on tool kits that are a buy one and done.

I would have to opt for Home Depot's massive Husky kit.

Husky 1/4 in., 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. Drive Master Mechanics Tool Set (1200-Piece) H1200MTSPO - The Home Depot

Tackle the fasteners on all your home projects with the selection of this Husky and Drive Master Mechanics Tool Set durability.

www.homedepot.com

Or

GEARWRENCH's 1268 Piece Master Mechanics Tool Set
MEGAMOD1268 https://a.co/d/j9tm5CA

If you want to go really big.

If you want to buy individual kits I would go with Sunex as they seem to have the least amount of missing sizes in their kits, and are decently priced.

 

[john.k]

If you get metric with no skips and four sae sockets ,you cover both ranges..........I got a 'force' set with just such sockets ,and new ratchet ,breaker ,and 3 extensions to replace all my worn out and nasty stuff .

 

[jd_1138]

Those blow molded case sets are ok, but I'd just put all your sockets in socket rails. Easier to grab let's say a 1/4 metric rail and take it right to the part of the job to try a few sizes to see what fits. A small tool chest mounted on a hand cart is easy to wheel into a wrecking yard.

There is a lot of OCD on GJ with people trying to get a "one set in a blow molded case to rule them all". Ain't happening unless you're only working on 1927 Ford Model T's or something.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Tekton metric-only set.

Otherwise you're lugging around a bunch of useless inch ****.

Or, y'know, if your daily driver is a 1963 Biscayne or something, then get an inch-only set and skip that newfangled metric foolishment.

Or if you drive something from the mid-70s thru the early 80s then you need the inch **** and the new fangled metric stuff. My first car was a ‘78 Pontiac Grand Prix, the motor was all SAE and the alternator’s electrical terminals were metric. You needed SAE to loosen the belt and remove the alternator, and metric to remove the wires from the back.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Have you looked at the Jobsmart 324pc set from TSC? $129.99 and comes in a hard, wheeled case. They are Apex so similar to Husky, Crescent, etc.

 

[mikey03]

Tekton is a joke of a company.
Their business practices are to screw everyone.
I spent over $500 on two tekton tool kits back when they were fairly new and getting amazing reviews.

About two years in I finally broke one and called to have the tool swapped out. They informed me that they no longer offer a lifetime warranty on the tool that I purchased even though it said lifetime warranty on the box and receipt of which I both have to this day.

They basically said sorry we can't help you the best I can offer you is a $10 gift card towards your next purchase, but it expires in 30 days. I pointed out that to purchase the tool from them again would cost me $25. The representatives answer was "well that's the best I can offer you. It's out of my hands because you purchased a old tool set which we no longer offer a warranty for".
Needless to say I declined to the gift card and told them to piss off, because I won't spend another cent with them even if it's free.

Switched to Sunex tools, and never looked back.

Can you be specific as to what tool broke that they offered $10 gift card for but was going to cost $25 to rebuy?

also sunex just offshored from taiwan to china so if your warranty anything with them your getting junk back

 

[wolfinator]

Tekton is a joke of a company.
Their business practices are to screw everyone.
I spent over $500 on two tekton tool kits back when they were fairly new and getting amazing reviews.

About two years in I finally broke one and called to have the tool swapped out. They informed me that they no longer offer a lifetime warranty on the tool that I purchased even though it said lifetime warranty on the box and receipt of which I both have to this day.

They basically said sorry we can't help you the best I can offer you is a $10 gift card towards your next purchase, but it expires in 30 days. I pointed out that to purchase the tool from them again would cost me $25. The representatives answer was "well that's the best I can offer you. It's out of my hands because you purchased a old tool set which we no longer offer a warranty for".
Needless to say I declined to the gift card and told them to piss off, because I won't spend another cent with them even if it's free.

Switched to Sunex tools, and never looked back.

I too would like to know more about this situation. It doesn't sound at all like the typical customer service experience I've heard about from Tekton. Was this a particularly obscure tool? I would be upset if I had a ratchet, wrench, screwdriver or similar and they couldn't find a way to make it up to me.

 

[wolfinator]

For pure socket *density*, I think this Husky set can be overlooked. It's almost all sockets. Note it has more standard + deep sockets (excluding bit sockets) than the tray kit linked in the first post. And although it's in a blow molded case, there's less space waste than many. It's pretty close to a complete set in a relatively compact form factor. It's fairly easy to lug to your work.

Husky H149MTS

I have one, but I got it on sale a few years ago for about half the current price. It's probably not a good *value* right now though. You only get a few more sockets than their Christmastime special 270 piece set, and you could probably just buy the "missing" sockets from the ala cart bin for the extra $50.

 

[Dave.R]

Tekton is a joke of a company.
Their business practices are to screw everyone.
I spent over $500 on two tekton tool kits back when they were fairly new and getting amazing reviews.

About two years in I finally broke one and called to have the tool swapped out. They informed me that they no longer offer a lifetime warranty on the tool that I purchased even though it said lifetime warranty on the box and receipt of which I both have to this day.

They basically said sorry we can't help you the best I can offer you is a $10 gift card towards your next purchase, but it expires in 30 days. I pointed out that to purchase the tool from them again would cost me $25. The representatives answer was "well that's the best I can offer you. It's out of my hands because you purchased a old tool set which we no longer offer a warranty for".
Needless to say I declined to the gift card and told them to piss off, because I won't spend another cent with them even if it's free.

Switched to Sunex tools, and never looked back.

Dave with Tekton here. It was me that you worked with back in September 2022.

The tap and die set was purchased from Amazon. The set was discontinued on our site, but Amazon had old stock.

You broke a single tap from the set, that we didn't have loose stock on. I did offer $10 in credit for that tap originally then bumped it up to $15. You replied that you didn't want to make an account or use that $15 on our site. There was never a mention of 30 days, our rewards expire in 2 years. From our case, "If you make a tekton.com account I can apply the $15 as a reward and it will be valid for two years."

All Tekton tools carry the same warranty. Sometimes this means sending you a newer version, a different tool, or (if there isn't going to be a replacement available) rewards to cover the price it would take to replace it.

I'm sure you've resolved that damaged tap by now, but that $15 credit is still yours if you want it, once you make an account so I can apply it.

Just let me know!

 

[VolvoRyan]

I want free stuff forever. Even if it's a consumable. Everybody owes me everything now.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

Just to get back on on topic:

Mechanic's tools sets are just guaranteed to have not enough of what you want, and way too much of what you don't. Almost by definition, you're not getting your money's worth.

I have a tool set that lives in my beater car. It's a tote, a couple tool bags, and smaller Tekton kits in blow molded cases. This way, I can build up what I need for when I do "taking apart stuff" at the junkyard or whatever.

FWIW, I have yet to break a Tekton tool. I abuse the snot out of them at the junkyard.

-Ryan

 

[mikey03]

Dave with Tekton here. It was me that you worked with back in September 2022.

The tap and die set was purchased from Amazon. The set was discontinued on our site, but Amazon had old stock.

hey Dave the way you handled this seems real good. One thing I always wondered is suppose you discontinue a tool but you got a better more expensive version. Would you replace it with the better version or just give some credit?

 

[Dave.R]

hey Dave the way you handled this seems real good. One thing I always wondered is suppose you discontinue a tool but you got a better more expensive version. Would you replace it with the better version or just give some credit?

If it was the same thing, we'd just send it. This has happened as we've improved our tools. The only time we try to use rewards is if there is truly no product that can do the same job equal to or better.

In the above case, we just were getting out of tap and die sets.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Or if you drive something from the mid-70s thru the early 80s then you need the inch **** and the new fangled metric stuff. My first car was a ‘78 Pontiac Grand Prix, the motor was all SAE and the alternator’s electrical terminals were metric. You needed SAE to loosen the belt and remove the alternator, and metric to remove the wires from the back.

Later Jeep CJ series products are that way. And there is literally no rhyme or reason where something will be inch vs metric I've decided.

 

[Steve_P]

Just to get back on on topic:

Mechanic's tools sets are just guaranteed to have not enough of what you want, and way too much of what you don't. Almost by definition, you're not getting your money's worth.

This is my view also. They throw in a bunch of **** to get the piece count up, like Sears used to do with the Craftsman sets. IMO, the all-in-one boxed sets are good to give to someone young as a gift who has zero tools and just starts out on their own. This way they can probably tighten the loose handle on the frying pan, assemble some shelves from Amazon, tighten the door knob.... It's a foundation to be added to as needed over time.

Project Farm did a review of the boxed tool kits.

I have a toolkit in my Tacoma that I assembled that's in a roll. It should be enough to change a battery, belt, alternator which is about as much as you're going to do in a parking lot somewhere. No inch size tools. If I'm going to help someone work on something at their house, like change a battery, brake pads, faucet, fix a lawnmower..... then I have a few bags with both metric and inch tools that should be enough that I bring. But they take up too much space to carry daily IMO, so they sit waiting.

 

[finn]

Later Jeep CJ series products are that way. And there is literally no rhyme or reason where something will be inch vs metric I've decided.

The transition from imperial (SAE) to metric was a tremendous undertaking at the time, and the complexity and cost involved aren’t understood by those only peripherally involved in the automotive manufacturing and supply chain.

It probably took twenty years to accomplish, but, all in all it was rather successful, despite what those on the trailing end of the process might think. Tens of thousands of part numbers, designs, and manufacturing processes had to change, and each one had legacy service impacts to consider.

 

[GaryM909]

I have a couple of the Stanley sets. One is the older black chrome set made in Taiwan which I have used quite a few times. The finish is coming off but everything works well. I have even used the allen keys and a couple screwdriver bits. This set stays in my trailer.
The other set is black and made in China. The ratchets look the same as the other set but aren't as smooth. The set is smaller than the other set and it rides under the rear seat of my pickup. I have used it for small jobs usually mucking with everything else but my vehicle.
I can't say whether it's any better or worse than the other boxed sets

 

[Jtels85]

I'm sick of having to piece together stuff out of mismatched everything, so I'm wanting to just buy a one stop shop mechanic's set for the car to fill all the socket needs for a road box. Notionally I guess we are supposed to use vehicle tool kits to work the the vehicle they are carried in, but realistically I'll just be breaking down junk to stuff in the car or pulling parts at the yard, so some SAE wouldn't hurt. A complete set of 3/8 is mandatory, shallows and deeps. If it goes up to 1/2 drive, it'd be a bonus, but not really necessary.
I don't care about any 1/4 bit or allen keys, just the density of sockets for the dollar. I know there used to be some really good deals on dewalt sets (I am aware Dewalt and Channellock shared an OEM at one point), but naturally if there's a deal, I'd miss it.

Cursory searches make me think on of these.

Husky Mechanics Tool Set in Connect Trays (270-Piece) H270CONNECTRM - The Home Depot

Perform your repair work professionally and perfectly by choosing this unique Husky Mechanics Tool Set. Offers high durability and good reliability.

www.homedepot.com

Channellock Mechanic's Set with Carrying Case 200 pc. - Samsclub.com

Buy Channellock Mechanic's Set with Carrying Case 200 pc. at Samsclub.com

www.samsclub.com

Husky has more for the money, but isn't self contained by itself. The channel lock sockets are nicer and it has ratcheting wrenches, but I don't have a Sam's membership so it'd cost a bit more. Which would you prefer? Other suggestions if available are appreciated.

I can attest to the Channellock mechanics tool set from Sam’s Club.

I regularly help my friend with his side business of hustling golf carts. During a typical year, he buys a couple dozen and we perform basic maintenance, install rear seat kits and street legal light kits. He had a hodge pudge of tools which I found frustrating to use and/or locate as there was no organization. I convinced him to get the Channellock mechanic set from Sam’s Club so he had a decent, complete set of tools for us to work with. With both love this set and you can’t beat the price.