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Complete tool set prices

NelsonC

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Oct 18, 2012
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I have a set of Craftsman tool set I bought over 15 years ago, about 800 pcs total, including 2 tool boxes. I'm think about upgrading to a complete set of tools, all new. I have Sears catalog which shows this complete Cman tool set, maybe around 1400 pcs. I think the price is about $7500. I have no idea how much some of the other brand names would cost and how the quality compares, I have not really used other brands.

Can peopel comment on the following from what they have experienced or heard?
 
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SMKS

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No point in going from 15 year old Craftsman to modern Craftsman, IMO. Of course, this is assuming your set is still complete and tools haven't been lost.

The mechanics tool sets are still USA made, for now, at least.

I'd just upgrade the ratchets, if you haven't done so already.
 

creativecars

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I have a set of Craftsman tool set I bought over 15 years ago, about 800 pcs total, including 2 tool boxes. I'm think about upgrading to a complete set of tools, all new. I have Sears catalog which shows this complete Cman tool set, maybe around 1400 pcs. I think the price is about $7500. I have no idea how much some of the other brand names would cost and how the quality compares, I have not really used other brands.

Can peopel comment on the following from what they have experienced or heard?

Spend some time and search around here. I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ here but, If you have been using an 800 pc tool set and two tool boxes full of tools for 15 years and you don’t know anything about other brands... I’m not sure that getting rid of the 800 in favor of 1400 tools will do you much good. You will find out that Craftsman has gone downhill and Sears in general is losing ground.
As far as other brands, what do you have available close?
You can get anything on the internet. And comparing their prices is just a few clicks away.
 

CNGsaves

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I'll take first dibs on old CMan 800 piece set if you're throwing it out. Send a PM and I'll come take it off your hands.
 

airdale

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What are your reasons for wanting to upgrade? There's no wrong answers for that, just might help give some direction.
 

cryan

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Teng tools do complete sets in boxes and cabs which I think are 1001 pieces they retail about £3000 mark. They're about average quality so convert £3000 to US$ and you get an idea of price range for tool kits.
 

firebox40dash5

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What are your reasons for wanting to downgrade? There's no wrong answers for that, just might help give some direction.

I fixed that for you. :beer:

For reference, I bought my Craftsman stuff a little over a year ago. I got all USA made stuff, and it was a relative bargain. Impact sockets in 1/2" and 3/8", chromes in 1/4", 3/8", and shallow 1/2", SAE and metric, shallow and deep, as well as screwdrivers (which don't smell funny to me, though I admit to never actively sniffing them) and raised panel wrenches. I don't know how many pieces I got and don't really care, it did most everything I needed a socket, combo wrench or screwdriver for, and I think I spent about a grand. I just went in Sears for the first time in months today to exchange a cotter pin puller, and it was seriously depressing... almost all the hard-line stuff was Chinese now... impact sockets, wrenches of all varieties, crowsfoots, pretty much every set and most of the open stock I looked at, except screwdrivers and some chrome sockets. Sorry, but if I want imported Asian tools, I can get better Taiwanese tools from Gearwrench, for less money, and with better availability as far as both selection and being able to warranty individual items. Hell, they had regular CM and Evolv impact socket sets side by side, both with the same regular price, both made in China, only difference was the etching, and the Evolv being on sale for $20 less. :dunno:

You're probably safe as far as getting US-made stuff in that huge kit, at least for now. You're almost guaranteed to get Chinese tools for anything you have to warranty, if there's even a Sears around after the next few years. None of my US-made CM stuff has given me a problem, but I'll be damned if I'm going to swap anything for low-quality Chinese **** in the event I break it. I'm planning to move away from Craftsman entirely in the future... lose a few sockets from a set, I'll be replacing the set with Gearwrench or something better as needed. Hang onto your good old stuff, IMO.
 

sberry

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Why change, buy things you need and dont have. One of the reasons I bought all that stuff a long time ago was so I didnt have to buy it again. If I had to buy singles for replacement or loss I would take a look at Lowes.

I bought the biggest one they made in 80 or 81, seems like it was 3500 or so and I had stepped on the truck it was maybe 40 grand. I had a good job as it lucked out and paid for it in 6 months. Another bud that had his stuff that went thru a fire at the time spent a grand at Sears and probably hasnt spent 100 since, got everything else he needed hand to mouth.
 
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Givl Reggin

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I bought one of those 1,500 piece Craftsman sets a few years ago - I wanted to have an 'instant' second set of tools and this seemed like the quickest way to get maybe 95% of what a guy needs without a lot of effort. The set I got had 3/4" drive stuff in it, but there are I think 10 modules you can buy individually with no duplication between modules that way you can get exactly what you need. The stuff comes packed in a couple of cardboard boxes and the tools are packed in plastic bags and it's not the retail packaging you see in stores - it's very likely that you'll still be able to get all USA made tools this way... but for how much longer is a good question, if you wait too much longer all this will be China made too.
 

cvcman

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just add the tools you need...first off you are not going to get that much money selling what you have....again no good reason to dump your to buy a set...keep what you have and add what you need...unless im missing something
 

blackz26

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What don't you have And need? Cruise the classifieds here for the best deals, well most of the time deals anyways.

Edit:
FWIW: there is no such thing as a complete set of tools
 
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eriksalo

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The Craftsman sets are a pretty good deal a far as dollar per tool.

However, it seems to me that the very large sets have many tools that you will not use. For example, in twenty something years of working on cars, doing heavy work. I have only one time had a need for a 12 point socket. The Craftsman sets give you a wide range of 12 point sockets that seem redundant to me. I think the 12 points are more likely to round a nut so I always use six point sockets. I have one set of 3/8" drive 12 points that stay in the bottom drawer just in case.

If you have been using tools for 15 years, you should have a good idea what you will use. Why not upgrade the parts of your set that you use frequently to some really nice pieces? Someone mentioned ratchets, that's a good suggestion. A nice ratchet improves your experience and the best ones are expensive. I have a snap-on ratchet that I really like, the other good manufacturers also have nice high end ratchets.

I really like the gearwrench ratcheting combination wrenches. They are nice to work with. I also have Craftsman and Snap-On combo's and everyone has an opinion what they like the best.

I've been using the same set of sockets for more than 20 years and see no reason to replace them.

Also, you might consider spending your cash on some of the more important specialty tools. If you work on engines, a good set of torque wrenches are more important than ever in this new world of aluminum engines and fussy tolerances.

If you do lots of work on suspensions, get a good set of air tools and sockets.

If you work on big stuff, get a set of 3/4" drive stuff, you get the idea.

There's a thread on here somewhere where a guy bought essentially a full set of tools from Harbor Freight for a few thousand dollars. Some will think Harbor Freight is junk but the tools keep getting better. The hand tools look OK, though I do not own a set so I can't say how good they are.

If you have a lot of resources to invest you could go the other way. You could get a comprehensive set of Snap-On tools. Some love them more devotedly than others but there is no denying they are either the top or near the top of the heap. Everyone would envy a full set of Snap-On's.

Good luck!
 

Kevin54

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So you want to buy a complete set of tools but the set you have isn't a complete set? Are you collecting or actually using the tools to make a living? If you're using what you have to make a living, then just add to what you have without shelling out $7500 for something else. To me, what you propose just sounds a little bit ridiculous to do something like that. For one, you'll never get out of your first set what you have in it. It's nothing special or is holding any hidden gems. Get what you need to just add on to what you have.
 

firebox40dash5

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Don't speak for everyone! I don't envy ANYONE who has a full set of snap on! Lol

Well, envy of their possession of it may be different from envying what they did to get it. :beer:

As eriksalo said, most CM kits come with a bunch of stuff you'll probably never need, and the huge ones are no exception. A bushel of nutdrivers, a bunch of sets of L hex keys with every key and the holder included in the item count, you get the idea. Hell, I've got about 8 12-point sockets, and that's probably double what I need, I sure don't need every permutation of socket in 6 and 12 point. I'll be the first to tell you I think truck brands are obscenely expensive, but hell, $7,500 would make a pretty big dent in a tool list even on the truck, if you know how to negotiate... there's a lot of wiggle room in them prices when you slap a large stack of Benjamins on the counter. :lol:
 

BDT/NWMN

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800 pieces about 15 years old; how many of those tools are actually worn out or rusted?? If the chrome sockets have not been used on an impact, and the end wrenches beaten on with a hammer or otherwise abused; your tools are hardly due for replacement.... ? Sounds like you have a good set to add more tools to... I have Craftsman Tools that date back to the early 60's.... They share tool drawer space with SnapOn, ProTo, Duro, Wright, SK, and a host of other brands.. And being that they don't fight,, I believe it is OK to own more than one brand of tools... If you do not own a 24" breaker bar, a brass hammer, a good set of drill bits, a floor jack and jackstands, or other useable tools,,, I believe $7500 could be better spent adding to what you have..

Just my thoughts; but they are free today==no cost
 
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Givl Reggin

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Just for comparison, a 218 piece Snap-On set:
25PC COMB WR SET 8 TO 36MM $1,451.50
24PC COMBO WR SET 1/4 TO 1-5/8 $1,695.00
HAMMER 3PCS SET $177.00
PLIERS 3PCS SET $144.25
HARD GRIP SCRDR 8PC SET $149.95
TORX SCDR 9 PIECE SET $194.95
1/4IN DR 44 PIECE SET $590.00
3/8DR 58 PIECE SET $2,104.45
1/2 DR 44 PIECE SET $2,039.20
----------------------------
Total: $8,546.30

You're not going to beat Craftsman for USA made tools.
 

Hiball

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If you haven't encountered a situation where you needed to add to your 8oo piece set over the last 15 years... I say you have your tool situation covered. If in the future you find yourself tinkering in a different area, add as needed.. But that craftsman set is awesome start. Hell.. I started with a 3?? Piece set and felt tool rich..
 

firebox40dash5

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Just for comparison, a 218 piece Snap-On set:
25PC COMB WR SET 8 TO 36MM $1,451.50
24PC COMBO WR SET 1/4 TO 1-5/8 $1,695.00
HAMMER 3PCS SET $177.00
PLIERS 3PCS SET $144.25
HARD GRIP SCRDR 8PC SET $149.95
TORX SCDR 9 PIECE SET $194.95
1/4IN DR 44 PIECE SET $590.00
3/8DR 58 PIECE SET $2,104.45
1/2 DR 44 PIECE SET $2,039.20
----------------------------
Total: $8,546.30

You're not going to beat Craftsman for USA made tools.

Well, at least for hopefully USA made tools, this time, if you're lucky.

You've also got some huuuuuuuuge wrenches in there that I gay-ron-tea aren't in that CM kit. Like that 36mm that's probably $200+ all by itself. :shocking: And those are retail prices, which better come down like a prom dress when you start waving bills and offering multi-thousand-dollar prepaid sales. :bounce: But yes, SO is in fact expensive... even at a discount.

I'd be curious what IS in this kit... I'd love to know, but sears.com has been broken all day. :wtf: 1400ish is a lot of tools, but $7500 is a lot more money. Better be some heavy hitters in there to make up for the $1 a pop sockets, $0.10 hex keys, etc...
 

Givl Reggin

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You've also got some huuuuuuuuge wrenches in there that I gay-ron-tea aren't in that CM kit. Like that 36mm that's probably $200+ all by itself.

The Craftsman sets goes to 30mm. But the socket sets don't include a ratchet. Still, you're not going to get 1/5 of that Craftsmans set, even if you don't use all of it, it's a good value.

If you're a homeower that don't have a dealer stopping by your house, it's kind of hard to wheel-and-deal with the website! In fact I think if you wave your Benjamins at the website they just laugh at you. :)
 

firebox40dash5

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The Craftsman sets goes to 30mm. But the socket sets don't include a ratchet. Still, you're not going to get 1/5 of that Craftsmans set, even if you don't use all of it, it's a good value.

If you're a homeower that don't have a dealer stopping by your house, it's kind of hard to wheel-and-deal with the website! In fact I think if you wave your Benjamins at the website they just laugh at you. :)

Yeah... I've been trying to get USAA to let me do their deposit@mobile thing with my cash for years, they keep telling me it won't work. :confused:

I wouldn't buy from the site unless I had no way to get to any driver... actually, then I might just buy from a different company. I understand the high prices to protect their dealers, but that doesn't mean I'm going to pay them. If I'm paying the exorbitant price that comes from having a middleman, I'm paying that middleman, dammit! :lol:
 

sberry

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The Craftsman sets goes to 30mm. But the socket sets don't include a ratchet. Still, you're not going to get 1/5 of that Craftsmans set, even if you don't use all of it, it's a good value.
This is where the valuse in a cheap set or a Sears set really shines. Its in the stuff you don't use. I got a lot of metric stuff I don't use, some pieces probably never, could get by easily without a lot of it but tat that cost it hasn't hurt and a wrench a guy has 5$ in to he doesn't use is way better than 55.

I did the same as a couple other guys here and elsewhere. When we were hurting bought big cman sets to get going and cover the bigger basics, always figured if t didn't work wasn't out much for that piece and would improve it. It was more expensive in the day, Sears has dropped to near disposable pricing. While 7500 seems like a lot it would be free and clear at less than a hundred a week to the truck in a couple years.

Its something I would consider if I needed a but load of larger sizes, tap sets etc I didn't already have and wanted to add another layer of duplication, cheaper than a hi priced warranty,,, which it has anyway,,, but at a buck a socket who cares although replacement singles are priced higher.

There are a lot of small business that would gain immediate payback for splurging on a 309 piece set, actually any of the sale sears sets. I go places where the hand tools are pitiful. I know that sounds like an argument that may be contradictory from other ramblings but its not. A big reason I love cheap tools,,,,,,,,,,,, its a no brainer to buy a wrench to get something done. Our battery packs are going south, its going to be pricey but I can "feel" the drag and it will only get worse.

I can feel a shortage of channelocks and razor knives and combo wrenches (and it don't matter how good and what brand) but a shortage in numbers where its leading to inconvenience and adding a complication which could be solved with the investment of a 1.50 combo wrench tossed in a tool box.

What began way back in the day with cheap tools has evolved as the quality went up. Many pieces originally intended for that use have "migrated" in to general service where they became invisible and highly used.

This is where I get the real world view,,, is it good enough, do we break one every day, how many we lose, do they stand up to long term continual use and while i imagine you can find some failures and could find some really cheap stuff if you looked hard enough the fear and risk is highly exaggerated, super inflated, a bet that makes the casino or a lottery ticket look appealing.
 

sberry

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Manufacturing has changed, there is no savings anymore to build some things separately to get to ultra cheap, cost too much in inventory and is basically as easy to make good steel as bad.

The Stanley at Walmart is not the cheapest wrench you can buy,,, its as cheap as you can buy that wrench,,, and its so cheap there is no real point in selling an inferior product only a dollar cheaper, only on occasion do you see real junk. Many of the "savings" in design and cost are on the inbetween, go to Walmart and closely examine hand can openers,,, they sell about 7 across a range to 7 dollars. The 2$ one anf the 7 are the same, identical, the 2 happens to be the base model for all the other features,,, in this case a brand name handle.

Same with the Stanly, that wrench is sold all over the world under a dozen brands with people swaering to one or another that each is better. As for the seller,,, great,,, sure they are super willing to warranty,,, you were willing to pay 5X for a wrench you could have got from Walmart.

Strip wrenches off the line, change the finish etc. Change the package change the price and the vendor. Customer will swear its a different tool. That Allen stuff is the way old Cman die. Same finish even as a 70's Cman.

One that should be give a round of applause is the Kobalt crew, I would love to hire those guys. I bet they are the same gang that brought Square D Homeline up.
 

sberry

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Kobalt is hammering into the old Craftsman spot, they spec ed the finish just a pinch and put 50 cents in to each ratchet to make it usable, a huge huge huge mistake for a long long long time by Sears. A guy may have been a bit more forgiving about the socket finish and some failure but that pos has drug it down to the bottom.

Of all the tool failure we hear etc, the whole story that has to be the one most glaring pitiful spot, the Sears ratchet and when I did get a new one for my 70's one that was pretty good ended up with replacement pos that never worked right and neither did its replacement and its after that, finally gave up, looking for someone I secretly hate to give it to with a smile.
 
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NelsonC

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Thanks for all the feedback, very helpful.

I bought the set when I was just starting to work on thing and could affort a set. It was purchased used. At the time, tools seemed to be more expensive than today. Not sure if others agree with that. I only do some moderate work around the home, nothing heavy or professional.
As someone pointed out, there are many pcs in this set I probably never used.

I have moved 3 times in the last 6 years, finally have my 35x45 detached garage done, so I started to organize things again. Not sure what pcs are missing or lost, they were in a couple of boxes in storage for 2 years. I thought I would start anew, buying a complete set so I don't need to worry about finding this or that missing as I go on. Plus, it seems there are many newer wranches and things that I would like to replace the old style I have.

Also, my set seems to have some duplicates. I have not carefully catalog them all. I know, after 15 years, you would think I should have figure this out.

I would like to buy US made only, I wounder if CM set is all US made or not. And I want to make sure the set include all of the nicer pcs I really want. Like laster etched sockets and gear wranchs, etc. I have looked at some of the Lowes' (Kobalt) pcs, I actually think they are quite nice, but not sure about the long term quality and prices for sets.

Based on Reggin's info, new SnapOn sets would be out of the question due to the price. I am considering a used set that's listed locally. I may have more questions about that later on what's it worth.

As for the old set, I may want to sell it, not sure what I can get out of it. Or I may give it to my nephew, I wish someone would have done this for me when I was growing up.
 

gagreen

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Thanks for all the feedback, very helpful.


I would like to buy US made only, I wounder if CM set is all US made or not. And I want to make sure the set include all of the nicer pcs I really want. Like laster etched sockets and gear wranchs, etc. I have looked at some of the Lowes' (Kobalt) pcs, I actually think they are quite nice, but not sure about the long term quality and prices for sets.

Based on Reggin's info, new SnapOn sets would be out of the question due to the price. I am considering a used set that's listed locally. I may have more questions about that later on what's it worth.

As for the old set, I may want to sell it, not sure what I can get out of it. Or I may give it to my nephew, I wish someone would have done this for me when I was growing up.

Craftsman sets are hit and miss us made, basically you have to hope you get new old stock set. By now you have very high odds of getting a partly to mostly chinese made set. Kobalt will probably all be taiwanese by now but still pretty nice.
 

RCStocker

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There is nothing as a complete full set of tools. I have been collecting for over 50 years and I have thousands of tools and I am not close. LOL
Buy used tools in complete sets. It cost more to find the missing one than it is worth. Used tools are just as good as new ones. Old Cman tools are better than new ones and unless you need more tool box space at work I would buy a FG 26 inch box for $300 on sale or get their 42" box. Both are fantastic. I have gotten both form my grand sons. No sense in buying what you have. Just keep adding to it.
 

montanafordman

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Thanks for all the feedback, very helpful.

I bought the set when I was just starting to work on thing and could affort a set. It was purchased used. At the time, tools seemed to be more expensive than today. Not sure if others agree with that. I only do some moderate work around the home, nothing heavy or professional.
As someone pointed out, there are many pcs in this set I probably never used.

I have moved 3 times in the last 6 years, finally have my 35x45 detached garage done, so I started to organize things again. Not sure what pcs are missing or lost, they were in a couple of boxes in storage for 2 years. I thought I would start anew, buying a complete set so I don't need to worry about finding this or that missing as I go on. Plus, it seems there are many newer wranches and things that I would like to replace the old style I have.

Also, my set seems to have some duplicates. I have not carefully catalog them all. I know, after 15 years, you would think I should have figure this out.

I would like to buy US made only, I wounder if CM set is all US made or not. And I want to make sure the set include all of the nicer pcs I really want. Like laster etched sockets and gear wranchs, etc. I have looked at some of the Lowes' (Kobalt) pcs, I actually think they are quite nice, but not sure about the long term quality and prices for sets.

Based on Reggin's info, new SnapOn sets would be out of the question due to the price. I am considering a used set that's listed locally. I may have more questions about that later on what's it worth.

As for the old set, I may want to sell it, not sure what I can get out of it. Or I may give it to my nephew, I wish someone would have done this for me when I was growing up.

I would invest in a rolling tool chest first, and get everything organized so you can find what is complete and what is not. Then you have more space in the toolbox for the stuff you find out you "NEED" on this forum! :lol_hitti Get some Erst wrench racks and some socket trays and fill in any holes you find necessary or as you need them. I have some raised panel craftsman wrenches from about 2002 and the edges are not polished but they are a satin finish that is smoother than the brushed finish on the edges of recent USA made raised panel wrenches. I find there is a lot more sharp flashing on the edges of the newer USA made wrenches and I wouldn't bother with the chinese stuff. Maybe my older ones are a little more worn but they feel smoother and the nuances are in the details and IMO you won't be upgrading anything and what extra you do get over your previous set you probably wont use too much.
 

sberry

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There is a limit to what one can and does use, way more important than "sets". Right now what you own is yours with no additional aqusition cost, if you run in to something you need but dont have buy it, simple as that. Half a dozen stores have this stuff on the shelf at great prices, I would go where it was easy.

Whats not to like about Lowes, I would fill in my singles from there for the cman I had. There is a goal or results,,, you doing this to save money on own work etc or you want to be a full time collector etc?????????????????? If you got stuff still packed away this is all mental ************, why spend another nickle?

Personally I try NOT to buy another tool, I pass on lots of good deals, sets or not, it would have to be almost free to take it. Its a good part of being professional, knowing when its worth it to make more investment or are you going out on a limb to buy stuff you already got and dont use as it is?

Most of the best mechanics I know use the same tools they got when they started, not that they didnt buy a thing or 2 as it came up but they didnt toss a hundred bucks a week at it over a career, they bought a few things simple pay as you went, treated themselves on occasion to a set of a few things they really used, a buf of mine probably had fairly complete small stuff, a few 1/2 drive chrome and a couple sets of off brand impacts and about 40 or 50 wrenches.

How much **** you need to tear an engine out of a car? All the suspension and heavy work is impact, I dont think I could wear out a good ratchet the rest of my life. I really rarely use a 1/2 manual and smaller for simple task, not much brutal work, spark plug type things a bit of small engine and all that reach in auto stuff is air driven. I was a slow adopter, wore out a couple ratchets early on.
 
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