sockets/wrenches etc suggestions needed

[techjunkie25]

good evening everyone,
I'm setting up my garage/shop and am looking for some good "core" tool sets suggestions to build around.
this is what I currently have:
1. harbor freight us general pro 26" chest
2. craftsman 3 tier rolling cart
3. multitude of other craftsman rolling bottom chests waiting for restoration(filled with tools not yet revived)
4.craftsman 5 drawer Portable on bench
5. blue point 83 piece 3/8 set
6. craftsman 175 pc socket set USA
7. kobalt 24 volt li-ion drill
8. ryobi 24 volt impact and drill
I got all tools from the pawn shop for about 150 for all(not all at once)

what is a good bang for buck USA made wrenches/screwdrivers/impact sockets etc

I also have a Dewalt 10" table saw

what all else should I get for a core set?

thanks for the input!



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[Know Wosad]

Bang for buck and USA is somewhat contradictory. Have a look at Snap-On Industrial divisons Williams line and Protos Blackhawk line. You can see which items they offer that are USA. Some are Taiwan so look close or contact them and ask to be sure....
I find Wright to be a good hit for my nickel too. Royal tool has about the best deals on their offerings. They also offer their Taiwan Cougar line if interested at all.
Armstron offers a damn fine tool at a fair price but you have to search carefully for a price. They're a govt contractor so their suggested retail(what you and I feed them as IRS victims) is an utter ripoff. Their $600 MFSRP wrench sets can be bought for $150///their actual worth.
Pay no attention to MSRP and grab the tool truck drivers by the neck. They double prices they pay for their inventory(MSRP) because they have to give Beavis and Butthead credit to make the sale and they often vanish with the tools.
I just paid $73 for an FF80 if they gives a hint. CASH

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd continue with the pawn shop venture. I've scored some crazy cheap stuff from them. As close to mint as I could tell hard handle Snap On screwdrivers for $1 each. USA Vice Grips for $1 each. Mac wrench sets for $60. Air tools, cordless tools, floor jacks, etc etc all cheap cheap cheap..

Impact sockets - Sunex. They can't be beat for quality and price.

Wrenches - I'd seriously look on eBay for Mac, Proto, Wright, etc. For some reason those brands can be found much cheaper than Snap On or Matco. My standard and xl sae sets are Mac Knucklesavers that I picked up here and there in small sets on eBay for around $10 each? Maybe at the most.

Screwdrivers - I truly believe the Western Forge made Craftsman screwdrivers at Sears are the best bang for your buck when starting out. You get 17 screwdrivers for $20, then you can pick up better quality brands as time goes on and delegate the Craftsman's for prying, hammering, keeping out in the shed or in the trunk, etc.

You're going to find yourself needing/wanting/buying a lot more, and Craftsman's USA made tools are the best bang for buck. Pliers, channelocks, adjustable wrenches, pry bars, screwdrivers, hammers, punches, chisels, 6 point ratchet wrenches, some hook and pick sets, crow bars, awls, some snap ring pliers, bolt extractors, plus some other stuff are still made in the USA and in most cases, the exact same as Proto, Sk and others sell. Then some stores still have random left over sockets and wrenches here and there that are good to pick up.

If you really want quality made tool truck stuff, check out the equivalents thread. It lists all the truck's tools and their OEM manufacturers at a fraction of the truck's price. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851

 

[crewchief888]

if you are having good luck finding decent quality stuff/reasonable prices at pawn shops i'd keep hitting them.

ive found quite a few industrial branded hand tools in the $1 bins at a couple local pawn shops, also found some vintage, like new, SO test eq cheap.

it's hit and miss around here most of the time. been mostly "misses" over the past year or so...

SK, proto, armstrong, williams, and truck brands

 

[bdelmar2]

It really depends on what you are doing with the tools.

No point in putting a bunch of money into tools you don't have any need for.

You mention having several bottom boxes full of tools already in addition to the ones you listed.

Without knowing what your plans are for the tools, or what your situation is, its hard to give advice on what you might need, but generally if you don't know what you need, you probably don't need it.


You would likely be better off buying what you know you need for a fact. Get a reasonable quality tool or set that will cover the need and move on.

Yes, you can save some money buying tools ahead of time as opposed to when you actually need them. But, if you buy something you never use, or only use just because you have it instead of actually needing it, then you aren't saving anything, and likely spending more than you need to.


I see this is your first post on GJ. If you aren't familiar with tools it would be possible to get the idea you need huge collections of them, and for the most part you don't.

 

[gearhead1]

Hard to beat Craftsman, I think it's the best bang for the buck but is increasingly not US made if buying new. Flea markets and good pawn shops can yield a lot of US tool for the money if you have the right one where you live.

If you're looking new, consider Wright and SK, then if you want to spend more consider the truck brands - Cornwell, MATCO, MAC, and SnapOn.

I like the truck brands but don't like the price if buying new.

 

[techjunkie25]

It really depends on what you are doing with the tools.

No point in putting a bunch of money into tools you don't have any need for.

You mention having several bottom boxes full of tools already in addition to the ones you listed.

Without knowing what your plans are for the tools, or what your situation is, its hard to give advice on what you might need, but generally if you don't know what you need, you probably don't need it.


You would likely be better off buying what you know you need for a fact. Get a reasonable quality tool or set that will cover the need and move on.

Yes, you can save some money buying tools ahead of time as opposed to when you actually need them. But, if you buy something you never use, or only use just because you have it instead of actually needing it, then you aren't saving anything, and likely spending more than you need to.


I see this is your first post on GJ. If you aren't familiar with tools it would be possible to get the idea you need huge collections of them, and for the most part you don't.

no, I definitely understand where you are coming from. fortunately I'm not a newb in tools, nor using them. I've don't motor rebuilds, clutches, small motor repair, and a multitude of body work and a few complete frame off restorarions.
That was in a previous life and I honestly can't remember what I had. the shop owner had cleaned his entire garage out including my box and the boxes of 5 other techs about 6 years ago, so just asking for bang for buck stuff for the moment until I see how far down the rabbit hole I run again lol

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[techjunkie25]

Hard to beat Craftsman, I think it's the best bang for the buck but is increasingly not US made if buying new. Flea markets and good pawn shops can yield a lot of US tool for the money if you have the right one where you live.

If you're looking new, consider Wright and SK, then if you want to spend more consider the truck brands - Cornwell, MATCO, MAC, and SnapOn.

I like the truck brands but don't like the price if buying new.

what is the overall opinion of skyline? I've seen a few items here and there and they don't look bad,and are made in the US

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[techjunkie25]

what is the overall opinion of sk? I've seen a few items here and there and they don't look bad,and are made in the US

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[Empty Pockets]

I, personally am a fan of both Wright and SK. While they aren't cheap, I have had some of mine (Wright) since the 1970's. Some of my SK came to me after my dad passed and date back to the 1960's and before.
The newer tools from both is as good or better quality as the truck brands. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either, especially since they are significantly less expensive than the truck brands

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