Help me finish filling my tool box.

[bdresch]

When I graduated high school years ago my parents got me a cheap plastic tool box and filled it with hand tools from the local hardware store. Over the years I've replaced the some of the tools here and there and collected others. My main uses are general around the house maintenance, lawn mower trimmer, bicycles, etc and car maintenance on my 2 newish cars. I'm also big into woodworking so there is the maintenance on woodworking tools to do. I prefer to buy American when it makes sense because I work in industry myself. There are a few tools I've yet to replace or add and I'm looking for recommendations. I'm not looking to spend a ton because I don't use the stuff everyday, but would like to buy stuff that will last. I like to buy Craftsman for stuff that's not junk because it's convenient, but I also have a Menards, Lowes, and HD near.

1. Pliers and adjustable wrenches. All mine are junk. Is the craftsman stuff still US made and reasonable quality/$?

2. T handle hex wrenches. I have a junky metric set I want to replace and only have L style standard that are getting rounded off from use.

3. Hex bit sockets. I've ran into places where I could have used them frequently but never ended up buying any. Is the 42 piece set at Sears any good for general home use? At $29 the price seems right.

4. Deep sockets. The only deeps I have are 1/2 impact, so I am looking to get 3/8" and possibly 1/4" sets. My shallow sets are all old USA made Craftsman.

 

[mp23]

Bondus for the T handle hex
Sockets, the rest of the stuff Craftsman should work fine, if you want to spend more and make sure they are American made you could go with SK
Pliers- Channel lock

 

[thaxboyd]

For the hex wrenches rounding off, you can fix that by grinding them back past the rounding... then quench them in water. Of course that does not work for the ball end wrenches.

 

[rockinacummins]

Would you consider buying used? There's apt of good American made stuff in pawn shops and often on eBay. I prefer to buy tools this way but some rather have new

 

[John in OH]

You're dreaming.

There is no such things as a "finished" or "filled" toolbox!

 

[colin39]

You're dreaming.

There is no such things as a "finished" or "filled" toolbox!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^amen to that^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[BFBOB]

You're dreaming.

There is no such things as a "finished" or "filled" toolbox!

...but we can grow asymptotically toward that goal


For the best value (assuming you have time to spend) look for garage and estate sales in your area and go for the American brands that are high quality but not well known: Proto, Challenger, Indestro (not Industro!) Matco, Cornwell, Williams and on and on. Carry a list of needs with you!! Faced with an array of tools, you won't remember everything you have/need! Lots of discussion here on various good, obscure brands. The problem with Craftsman is that EVERYBODY knows it's good and lifetime guaranteed, and therefor want $$$ for it.
Just bear in mind that every year, the larger sets of Craftsman sockets/wrenches are on sale for a buck per piece or less. If you need more than a few pieces, it's hard to beat $300 for 300 pieces, even though you'll have to wait until around Thanksgiving.

 

[oldldh]

Your 18 months late...

In December of 2013...

The old 521 piece tool set was on closeout for $ 395.00!!!

I found one in the Tampa outlet store..

But they wouldn't ship it...

Advice---Wait for the 300 piece tool set to go on sale around Father's Day...

 

[d.mcfarland]

1. Pliers and adjustable wrenches. All mine are junk. Is the craftsman stuff still US made and reasonable quality/$?

Quality .. eh .. sure. Price/quality ratio is more what you should be concerned with. Go Channelock for budget option.

3. Hex bit sockets. I've ran into places where I could have used them frequently but never ended up buying any. Is the 42 piece set at Sears any good for general home use? At $29 the price seems right.

That set has numerous haters. Some say even the cheap Taiwan ones on eBay like Neiko or Capri are much better as far as strength.

4. Deep sockets. The only deeps I have are 1/2 impact, so I am looking to get 3/8" and possibly 1/4" sets. My shallow sets are all old USA made Craftsman.

Only get 3/8 deep 6 point. Deep 1/4 is barely used by a homeowner.