I need a good basic mechanics tool set

[jal395]

I don't care to have any 1/4 drive stuff, nut drivers, allen wrenches, etc. Basically all I need are sockets, ratchets, a few extensions and some box end wrenches. Any ideas? I am not opposed to piecing it together, I just don't want to end up paying too much.

 

[TwoInch]

paying to much is too broad of a statement. whats too much to me might be too little to you.

you can get a 255 or 260pc craftsman all USA set for $150 regularly, but you will be getting foreign replacements if you need to warranty anything in the future. bang for the buck, i dont think you can beat it, as long as you arent hung up on COO. but they contain some of the things you dont want. if you want specifics, you will have to peice together stuff, and you will pay much higher prices generally doing that.

 

[otis66]

I don't care to have any 1/4 drive stuff, nut drivers, allen wrenches, etc. Basically all I need are sockets, ratchets, a few extensions and some box end wrenches. Any ideas? I am not opposed to piecing it together, I just don't want to end up paying too much.

Buy SK.

 

[shoturtle]

Price range are you looking to spend?

 

[jal395]

I need to keep it under $200, but honestly speaking, the lower the better. I am not opposed to used tools, either, but people are proud of their tools.

 

[shoturtle]

Craftsman have some good set on sale.
199 for the 255pc, and 149 for the 154pc

If you want cheaper, the evolv set is okay, but it is 12pt sockets only.

Lowes has a 200pc on sale for 129, the ratchets are very good. This is a good set if you do not care about coo. They are well made tools from taiwan.

 

[concealer404]

Here's what i would do:

3/8 drive set: http://www.cripedistributing.com/napa-62-pc-3-8-socket-set-deep-shallow-nht90928-ro.html

1/2 drive metric set: http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-80709-28pc-1-2dr-mtr-sck-set-std-dp.html

Figure on spending another $30-$40 for the remaining SAE sockets if you need them.

Then add wrenches and screwdrivers of your choice.

Screwdriver suggestion: http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-19-pc-comb-solid-handle-screwdriver-set-82730.html



OR

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GearWrench-..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item35b67a4601&vxp=mtr

 

[Link-Belt]

Yeah for 200 go for one of the Craftsman sets. The sets still contain USA made tools for the most part. As for replacements for what you asking for I don't think you will be putting them to any real abuse so they will last you a long time. I recommend buying Them at your local ACE hardware.store for some reason they always have older stock so you have more of a chance of getting a more quality set. When you go to ACE take your phone with you find a set you like and look it up at Sears.com. ACE doesn't run the same sells as Sears so if Sears has that set on sell you should be able to get a price match.

 

[TwoInch]

Craftsman have some good set on sale.
199 for the 255pc, and 149 for the 154pc

If you want cheaper, the evolv set is okay, but it is 12pt sockets only.

Lowes has a 200pc on sale for 129, the ratchets are very good. This is a good set if you do not care about coo. They are well made tools from taiwan.

from what i gather, i would go with the 255pc set. you may think you dont need the things you listed as not needed, but they are actually pretty regularly used. and you can get a lot of what you want in one of the sets, plus more, for less than you would spend piecing one together in many instances.

the 255 or 260pc sets are a very good starter set, well rounded for under $200, and were both priced at $149 recently, and surely will be again soon.

 

[TwoInch]

i mean, the HF 301pc set is $190 on sale. the craftsman is where its at for a beginner set, simply for the warranty. let alone they will be of at least a slight better quality tool.

 

[shoturtle]

Do not drop the HF ratchet on the back side, that selector switch will break off. Their ratchet has a really cheap selector switch. The locking extension is nice. The HF pliers are pretty junky so are their adjustable wrench. They do auto loosen allot.

 

[TwoInch]

Do not drop the HF ratchet on the back side, that selector switch will break off. Their ratchet has a really cheap selector switch. The locking extension is nice. The HF pliers are pretty junky so are their adjustable wrench. They do auto loosen allot.

this is why i am suggesting the craftsman set over the HF set. craftsman might not be great, but i personally say its miles ahead of the HF for the same money. a tad less well rounded, but better quality.

 

[shoturtle]

Yes they are the craftsman offers the best balance of value and quality imho.

 

[otis66]

I need to keep it under $200, but honestly speaking, the lower the better. I am not opposed to used tools, either, but people are proud of their tools.

GearWrench..

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Crafty set hands down

The last internal info I read from sears states the sets are supposed to remain usa made

Best warranty of them all

 

[Big Johnson]

Yes they are the craftsman offers the best balance of value and quality imho.

+1 on the Craftsman

 

[otis66]

If you gotta buy Tiawan/.China tools go with GearWrench.

 

[diggerrick]

The HF pliers are pretty junky so are their adjustable wrench. They do auto loosen allot.

That's opposite of my experience with HF adjustable wrenches.

Mine auto tighten to the point I have to back off the adjuster to get them off after each turn.

 

[shoturtle]

That is what I have heard also. They just do not stay put. The ones my brother has loosen up all the time. I end up giving him a set of craftsman I had that were much better.

 

[ishiboo]

I don't care to have any 1/4 drive stuff, nut drivers, allen wrenches, etc. Basically all I need are sockets, ratchets, a few extensions and some box end wrenches. Any ideas? I am not opposed to piecing it together, I just don't want to end up paying too much.

I'd try and find the Kobalt $200 set that was $99 from Black Friday to January 1st... that's a good set for the money.

Then, combine that with the two open-ended wrench sets for $25 each that are on sale right now... 11-piece SAE and 11-piece metric.

You'll have a nice full socket/wrench set for $150 if you can find the Kobalt for $100.

 

[neonnblack]

Here's what i would do:

3/8 drive set: http://www.cripedistributing.com/napa-62-pc-3-8-socket-set-deep-shallow-nht90928-ro.html

How do you like that set?

 

[930dreamer]

Look at the classified threads here on the GJ.

 

[1stblack97ZJ]

That's opposite of my experience with HF adjustable wrenches.

Mine auto tighten to the point I have to back off the adjuster to get them off after each turn.

One of my USA crescents does that too. Very frustrating.

 

[shoturtle]

crescent are my least favorite US adjustable. All the ones I have own either loosen up or tighten up as I used them. They are no where as good other adjustable made in the US or EU.

 

[1stblack97ZJ]

crescent are my least favorite US adjustable. All the ones I have own either loosen up or tighten up as I used them. They are not were as good other adjustable made in the US or EU.

Interesting. I've had no problems with the larger crescents (10" 12") but my 8" just hates me. My no name Taiwan works better than it haha.

 

[shoturtle]

I have always had bad experience with crescent 6, 8, and 10. They always open up.

 

[Rtw5150]

My Klein adjustables are better than my Crescent or Craftsman brands by far.

 

[concealer404]

GearWrench..

I like this one because it doesn't have a bunch of useless filler.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GearWrench-..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item35b67a4601&vxp=mtr

 

[concealer404]

How do you like that set?

Love it, actually. It's rebadged Gearwrench. The part numbers are the same, except where Gearwrench starts with "8," these start with "9." For that price, it's a HELL of a deal. I had no blemishes or faults at all with anything in the set, and they've all held up perfectly. The ratchet is particularly nice.

My ONLY possible complaint is that it's not a quick release ratchet, but i got used to it quick. The bonus is that the whole thing is thinner and you can get in tighter places with it.

 

[HandyManny]

My Klein adjustables are better than my Crescent or Craftsman brands by far.

Probably becaue those Kliens are licensed clones of the Japanese TOP brand wrenches. Actually for modern adjustables I think Irega makes excellent ones, some Western Forge made ones are good too. WF is kind of hit and miss and inconsistant in their overall wrenches. Some are great, some are good, some are piss poor.

 

[amolaver]

i've said it before and i'll say it again, ESPECIALLY if you're on a somewhat 'snug' budget..don't buy chrome sockets. just buy impact so that when you get one, you won't have to re-buy the sockets.

Sunex 14pc 3/8 semi-deep impact socket set $47 http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-3328.aspx (shameless plug - i almost never reach for anything other than mid-length or swivel sockets)

Go to harbor freight and get any shallow/deep (impact!) sockets you need. they have repeatedly proven themselves as cheap and durable.

3/8" impact extension set (3/5/10/15") $26 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XIJ86S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

1/2" impact extension set (3/5/10/15") $34 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SIJBDO/?tag=atomicindus08-20


10pc 3/8 impact swivel set (10-19mm) $84 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRAO4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

13pm 1/2 impact swivel set (12-24mm) $140 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LUQBWI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

add the $75 gearwrench 3pc ratchet set http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI93JS/?tag=atomicindus08-20 or the $69 2pc (3/8 + 1/2) flex ratchet set http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI93JS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

while i hate the feel of craftsman RP wrenches, on sale, they are hard to beat WRT bang for the buck. i'd look online to see if you can find a deal on gearwrench's combos. they are more expensive thean crafty RP, but much nicer to use. you might also spend some time looking for the advanced auto parts deals (buy $100, get $20 gift card type of thing) since they stock Gearwrench. you might even try to barter with your local AAP on a discount if you bought a bunch at once. not sure if that would work, but doesn't hurt to ask.

ahm

 

[HandyManny]

I don't care to have any 1/4 drive stuff, nut drivers, allen wrenches, etc. Basically all I need are sockets, ratchets, a few extensions and some box end wrenches. Any ideas? I am not opposed to piecing it together, I just don't want to end up paying too much.

Go with the Taiwan made Duralast stuff. It's pretty nice and very high quality. Their open stock Combo wrenches are some of the best available to the general public these days. I like their sockets too. I own very few Duralast as all my tools are old USA made tools I bought decades ago, but my neighbor owns many Duralast and when I help him with his vehicles I use a lot of his stuff, seems great quality.

 

[jal395]

Thanks everyone - All good advice and exactly the kind I needed. I am leaning towards a kit now.

This Craftsman: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935154000P

And this Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

Any thoughts on these?

 

[transittech]

I like this one because it doesn't have a bunch of useless filler.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GearWrench-..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item35b67a4601&vxp=mtr

Thanks everyone - All good advice and exactly the kind I needed. I am leaning towards a kit now.

This Craftsman: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935154000P

And this Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

Any thoughts on these?

I'd take that Gearwrench set over the Craftsman anyday. Craftsman has always had a nasty habit of skipping sizes which sometimes works in your favor, sometimes not, especially if you are working on a import car. Also, the Sears website does not say exactly whats included.

 

[jal395]

Are KD Tools and Gearwrench the same thing?

 

[TwoInch]

I'd take that Gearwrench set over the Craftsman anyday. Craftsman has always had a nasty habit of skipping sizes which sometimes works in your favor, sometimes not, especially if you are working on a import car. Also, the Sears website does not say exactly whats included.

all sets on the website list every tool included in the sets. you gotta click the link in the description that says "click here for complete tool list".

as for the craftsman set, i would not pay 149 for that, when you could wait and get a 255 or 260pc set for the same price. they go on sale all the time, and were on sale just a week or two ago.

 

[transittech]

all sets on the website list every tool included in the sets. you gotta click the link in the description that says "click here for complete tool list".

Didn't know that.

 

[transittech]

Are KD Tools and Gearwrench the same thing?

Kind of, but not so much. They are owned by the same company, so there is some overlap. KD is more like the "industrial" and has pullers, specialty sets and shop tools in addition to chrome sockets. Gearwrench has mostly sockets and hand tools.

http://www.gearwrench.com/
http://www.kd-tools.com/

 

[jal395]

This set is listed as KD Tools: http://www.ustoolman.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18407

And this one says Gearwrench (but has KDT80933 for a description): http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench...utm_term=KDT80933&utm_campaign=googlebase_18u

 

[concealer404]

Thanks everyone - All good advice and exactly the kind I needed. I am leaning towards a kit now.

This Craftsman: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935154000P

And this Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

Any thoughts on these?

I started with that very same Craftsman set. It ***** and is SERIOUSLY annoying. I paid $80 for it, $150 is a ripoff and it's FULL of holes and stupid filler. Skip it.