Bobdog
Well-known member
Williams, Proto, Gearwrench, Channelock, Knipex and Klein have always served me well without breaking the bank.
Tool buying advice.
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bczygan
Well-known member
In proper GJ tradition, I have bought tools of every COO, brand and type, new and used, from every source possible.
I've yet to use 99% of them.
I've yet to use 99% of them.
Strouty
Well-known member
Williams USA is essentially snap on with a little less class. Same product line just no bling.
Strouty
Well-known member
You can buy USA williams.
Blue point is handled by snap on, including the trucks. If you don't mind Taiwan, blue point is great because of the fact that it is backed by the snap on warranty.
Strouty
Well-known member
Don't set the bar with snap on. Armstrong is a great brand.
Bruce57
Well-known member
I have Armstrong polished combination wrenches. Good deals can be found on eBay. I have been happy with them. I have an Armstrong adjustable wrench which I'm not real impressed with. As with any tool manufacturer, many of their products are good and a some are better purchased from other manufacturers. Proto makes some good stuff too.
Here is what I have so far in my collection.
Masterforce (Menards USA made tool line) 1/4 ratchet, and tool shop (Menard's China line) sockets.
I'm not sure about 3/8 and 1/2 drive, but I usually don't need a ton of torque for 1/4 drive stuff, so far the china sockets have been fine and I used them yesterday to tear down a boat motor.
I like, well in fact LOVE the masterforce line, but they DO NOT make a 6 point 3/8 socket.
I like Armstrong, but a JUST a 3/8 shallow 6 point set is over $150!
Masterforce (Menards USA made tool line) 1/4 ratchet, and tool shop (Menard's China line) sockets.
I'm not sure about 3/8 and 1/2 drive, but I usually don't need a ton of torque for 1/4 drive stuff, so far the china sockets have been fine and I used them yesterday to tear down a boat motor.
I like, well in fact LOVE the masterforce line, but they DO NOT make a 6 point 3/8 socket.
I like Armstrong, but a JUST a 3/8 shallow 6 point set is over $150!
Strouty
Well-known member
That is what I would do. You will not regret it one bit. Then as you start figuring out what sockets you use a lot, you can upgrade as needed.
Strouty
Well-known member
Strouty
Well-known member
What are you looking for? 1/4" and 3/8", do you need 1/2" as well?
Strouty
Well-known member
If you wanted to start out with this, it is USA made and the ratchet is decent, but nothing special.
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-94549.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-94549.aspx
malykaii
Well-known member
.....
Strouty
Well-known member
If you want cheaper, I have this set, it is impact style sockets but a very nice kit made in Taiwan.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MVB9Y8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MVB9Y8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Strouty
Well-known member
You can buy a spark plug socket easy enough. Those impacts are not too thick, definitely not twice as thick. It is nice, I use them with my milwaukee impact all the time. I also grab them to use outside the shop because of the case.
I also have a set of the SK in 1/4" and 3/8".
Full disclosure I also have snap on sockets in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive as well.
malykaii
Well-known member
Lol, are you reading the responses dude? Everyone wants to know what tools you want to buy to make a recommendation. Its like asking about a Japanese vehicle. Well we can send you to Honda for their motorcycles, but what if you want a work van? Honda doesn't sell those, so then you need Nissan. Oh but now the van is too small, Mitsu Fuso. See how your not getting good recommendations for your questions?
Pliers, well USA chanellock. However, I wouldn't get anything besides pliers from them. See where asking for a brand, not a tool is a problem?
Colgate is a brand I trust for toothpaste, but did you know they tried to sell frozen food in the 80s... Again, brand isn't everything.
I'm a pro mechanic of 5 years, I use a harbor freight ratchet I paid good money for and only the cheapest snap on sockets as they tend to get lost. Wait, I got that backwards, who cares you won't read it LOLZ
Pliers, well USA chanellock. However, I wouldn't get anything besides pliers from them. See where asking for a brand, not a tool is a problem?
Colgate is a brand I trust for toothpaste, but did you know they tried to sell frozen food in the 80s... Again, brand isn't everything.
I'm a pro mechanic of 5 years, I use a harbor freight ratchet I paid good money for and only the cheapest snap on sockets as they tend to get lost. Wait, I got that backwards, who cares you won't read it LOLZ
I am looking to buy a little at a time. Right now I live with my folks so I'm in no hurry, just want to slowly get my own collection going for when I move.
I just bought a Armstrong 3/8 88t ratchet on ebay for $20.
Right now I'm looking for a "master set" of sockets like shown earlier, in 3/8 drive.
I just bought a Armstrong 3/8 88t ratchet on ebay for $20.
Right now I'm looking for a "master set" of sockets like shown earlier, in 3/8 drive.
malykaii
Well-known member
So now your changing your spark plugs? Tell us, cause this is turning into a really weird guessing game?
Are you trolling?
malykaii
Well-known member
Yay!
Wow, a USA 88tooth ratchet for $20? Good score.
Now, for 3/8 USA sockets... I bought the craftsman master 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 set on sale. I replaced the ratchets with snap on and gearwrench and 5 years later it's awesome.
Downside, I don't know if hat set is still USA made.
malykaii
Well-known member
I'm asking if your trolling because its page 4 before you even tell us what tools you even want. It was becoming a guessing game. Now,I see what you want and made recommendation that should fit your needs well.
Spark plugs at 12? Awsome. Glad you got started early, I was 18 before someone finally showed me where to add oil to,my car.
malykaii
Well-known member
Oh, never mind, I retract my recommendation. I agree with you still, get a quality ratchet and cheaper sockets.
I used to love cman until they went china and got goofy.
My dad bought a 1/4 drive set about 15 years ago, that has the metric AND sae sockets in it.
Then they went to selling them in separate cases. Who wants to buy two sets and have two ratchets?
My dad bought a 1/4 drive set about 15 years ago, that has the metric AND sae sockets in it.
Then they went to selling them in separate cases. Who wants to buy two sets and have two ratchets?
Wamsutta
Well-known member
If you're not in that much of a hurry, you could buy one socket at a time on ebay. That way you'd have all truck brands and industrial brands.
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
I actually just picked up a lightly used "allendrive" socket set. I thought they were identical to the danaher craftsman stuff but now I'm not so sure. I need to compare to my craftsman stuff when I get around to it.
They're decent quality but probably not something you pay a premium for.
Craftsman old stock might be your best bet but you can find old stock stuff that's us made and good quality just likely not in a set. KD is probably more than adequate for a non-professional setting fairly cheap just not in sets (to my knowledge).
I thought about doing that, but individual sockets cost 5x what they cost in a set.
I might go to lowes tomorrow, they have the 3/8 6pt sets for 9.98 each in Kobalt.
Really odd thing...their 3/8 deepwells are only available in 12pt.
Funnier thing, it seems like ALL offshore socket sets can't be bought with the same brand in 6 point. All of them don't offer a full line of 6 pt.
Very good recommendation - comes with a thumbwheel ratchet, universal and a couple of extensions. Get that and then get this -
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I1WG26/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Build up your set from there.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Here you go, but it's going to cost substantially more than $9.98.
You wanted metric right?
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ools-3-8-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Metric-Socket-Sets
BTW, the set my dad has is like this, except no deep sockets, has a storage slot, and an nut driver.
Handiest little socket set ever. My dad works on a lot of small engines.
I work on cars and commercial lorry's and buses, and the first tools i reach for is my 1/4 drive facom nano set.