$150 Starter Set challenge

[gtivr4]

So here is the challenge:
You have $150 to buy someone a starter tool set for basic automotive (and some home) work.

The rules:
Can be metric only (no need for SAE sockets)
Must be reasonably light and portable (will be taken home on a plane)
Should allow someone to do basic automotive tasks such as change wheels (altough no jack/stand required), sparkplugs, brakes etc.

Obviously its not a ton of money, so choose wisely!

 

[lipadj46]

There are a few craftsman sets that you can buy for around $150. They will contain SAE also, but who care throw them out if you want.

 

[chevy302dz]

There are a few craftsman sets that you can buy for around $150. They will contain SAE also, but who care throw them out if you want.

I agree, most tool sets will contain both SAE and Metric, to do away with one or the other can actually end up being more expensive. For example I picked up a Companion set for the car on clearance at sears about a year ago. It's compact, done everything you just described and then some, and cost $15 but has both SAE and Metric.

 

[Merkava_4]

Your $150 will go the furthest with Toptul from Mike Wren.

 

[djb2]

This is much easier if you know the exact cars you will be working on.

For instance, older BMWs use 10/13/17/22mm, while Toyotas use 10/12/14/17/21mm.

If you travel, individual sets in compact boxes works best. You can just grab the subset you'll need. Everything in a single big (*heavy*) box is appealing if you live in a small apartment, although I avoid pulling mine out.

Save $10 for a H-F 1/2" torque wrench.

 

[Tom2]

Craftsman had their 260 piece set, with a crappy little plastic box for $180 a while back. Not sure if the sale is still going.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934260000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=


That would be the perfect starter set for someone - and an awesome price. I would do that before HF.

I think that set had most wrenches and sockets any average person would need. Could do quite a bit of work with that set.

 

[Auzivision]

With out a doubt, Harbor Freight would be your best bet. You could probably get everything you need and then some with money to spare. I'm a weekend hobbyist and have both Craftsman and HF tools... they both do the same thing equally as well.

First get the all the sockets, wrenches, ratchets, extensions, wobbles and screwdrivers you need. Then start picking up some extras like ring pliers, pry bars, magnetic pick up tool, super long nose pliers, hand vacuum pump, compression checker, spark plug sockets, picks, clamps, dead blow hammer, calipers, magnetic parts tray, and some mechanics gloves. Other items to consider would be a rotary tool with bits, heat gun, soldering iron, micro torch, relay puller, wire strippers, digital volt meter, work light, and cutting knives.

Now you won’t be able to get all of the above for $150, but you would be better suited to have a variety of in expensive tools rather than one nice set of sockets and wrenches. I think you'll really be surprised how much HF stuff you can get for $150 especially if you shop the sales and use the 20% off coupons.

 

[Mike83]

So here is the challenge:
You have $150 to buy someone a starter tool set for basic automotive (and some home) work.

The rules:
Can be metric only (no need for SAE sockets)
Must be reasonably light and portable (will be taken home on a plane)
Should allow someone to do basic automotive tasks such as change wheels (altough no jack/stand required), sparkplugs, brakes etc.

Obviously its not a ton of money, so choose wisely!

Most kits won't come with the specialty tools to do some of that work. you might have to add spark plug boot pullers, 5/8 and or 13/16 spark plug socket (I prefer the universal joint type), gap tool, specialty sockets for brakes (torx, the weird cubical tool for turning the piston back on disc brakes), longer ratchets, etc. Drum brakes are another story.

 

[philw]

If you are flying with 150 pieces of steel then expect to pay some $$ in extra fees due to weight.

You mention changing wheels which means 1/2 drive. You would want a breaker and a set of sockets. You can save some weight if you only buy the sockets that your car requires, if that is the only thing you intend to work on.

If you add the weight of a 1/2 drive metric set, a 3/8 drive metric set, metric wrench set, extensions and basic screwdrivers that adds up to a lot of weight.

I can imagine what the baggage handler would think about a bag like that. You would probably be lucky to get it on the other end of your flight.

You would be better off buying them local. You do not list your location so maybe that's not a possibility.

 

[terabyte]

get this stuff from HF or TopTul if you got a lil more money
if you are working on jap cars...
http://www.club4ag.com/technical_main.htm

 

[cheap bastard]

If it's going to be all new tools, Danaher and Stanley tool lines will offer the best value. There is certainly some H/F stuff that will do fine, but the basics need to be robust and made of decent material. They sell the stuff at such a crazy low price with a decent appearance plus the cost of stand alone marketing, quality has to suffer somewhere. After witnessing a few wrench and socket failures, I think material selection or processing is where the corners are cut. Yeah, I know cheap *** labor, pollution and a complete lack of human rights in their facilities....lalalalala. When your being cheap at all cost, material will suffer at the same time because the customer means nothing either.

 

[cheap bastard]

If the set is for general repair, such a s for a young gun going out on this own, don't forget both 5/8 and 13/16 spark plug sockets as vehicles and equipment can use either. Do you have a location this set is going to be used, as the warranty is worthless if it's difficult to implement. That would mean no Craftsman if the nearest Sears, K-mart or Ace Hardware is 50 miles away, but Lowes is close by.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Why not buy the tools after you land?

 

[gtivr4]

Its a present for someone...

 

[Mike83]

Most tools can be taken as a carry on, but there are some that will need to be checked due to regulations.

Item Carry-on Checked
Axes and Hatchets No Yes
Cattle Prods No Yes
Crowbars No Yes
Hammers No Yes
Drills and drill bits (including cordless portable power drills) No Yes
Saws (including cordless portable power saws) No Yes
Tools (greater than seven inches in length) No Yes
Tools (seven inches or less in length) Yes Yes
Screwdrivers (seven inches or less in length) Yes Yes
Wrenches and Pliers (seven inches or less in length) Yes Yes
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers.

from http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#7

At least most hardline tools could tolerate the abuse that baggage handlers dish out.

 

[Rickster]

I'd go to Sears and pick up a Craftsman 1/4 metric socket set in the small plastic box with ratchet and extensions. Then metric 3/8 dr socket sets in both short and long. For the 1/2 dr i'd just get the shallow sockets. Then I'd upgrade the ratchets to either the Craftsman RHFT or their new Chrome Pro ratchets in 1/2 and 3/8 or a 3/8 dr flex-head.

Craftsman 11 pc. 6 pt. Standard 1/4 in. Dr. Socket Wrench Set $20
Craftsman 9 pc. Metric Easy to Read Socket Accessory Set, 6 pt. Standard, 3/8 in. Drive $15
Craftsman 9 pc. Metric 6 pt. Deep 3/8 in. dr. Easy-to-Read Socket Accessory Set $23
Craftsman 9 pc. Metric 12 pt. 1/2 in. dr. Easy-to-Read Socket Accessory Set $30
Craftsman 3/8 in. Drive Flex Head Quick Release Teardrop Ratchet $21
Craftsman 1/2 in. Drive Ratchet, Fine Tooth $25
Craftsman 9 pc. Metric 12 pt. Combination Wrench Set $20

Thats $154, then get one of their canvas tool bags. Oh. and don't take this in the airplane. Get a Large Flat Rate box from the Post Office and mail it to where you're going. It'll only run you like $16 to ship it in the mail.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I'd go to Sears and pick up a Craftsman 1/4 metric socket set in the small plastic box with ratchet and extensions. Then metric 3/8 dr socket sets in both short and long. For the 1/2 dr i'd just get the shallow sockets. Then I'd upgrade the ratchets to either the Craftsman RHFT or their new Chrome Pro ratchets in 1/2 and 3/8 or a 3/8 dr flex-head.

Craftsman 11 pc. 6 pt. Standard 1/4 in. Dr. Socket Wrench Set $20
Craftsman 9 pc. Metric Easy to Read Socket Accessory Set, 6 pt. Standard, 3/8 in. Drive $15
Craftsman 9 pc. Metric 6 pt. Deep 3/8 in. dr. Easy-to-Read Socket Accessory Set $23
Craftsman 9 pc. Metric 12 pt. 1/2 in. dr. Easy-to-Read Socket Accessory Set $30
Craftsman 3/8 in. Drive Flex Head Quick Release Teardrop Ratchet $21
Craftsman 1/2 in. Drive Ratchet, Fine Tooth $25
Craftsman 9 pc. Metric 12 pt. Combination Wrench Set $20

Thats $154, then get one of their canvas tool bags. Oh. and don't take this in the airplane. Get a Large Flat Rate box from the Post Office and mail it to where you're going. It'll only run you like $16 to ship it in the mail.

I saw a 1/2 Allen RHFT At mendards(it the long version, ie 15 inches)
It like $36

 

[Auzivision]

Basic setup $35.00
http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/campaigns/mag_landers/3-general/images/5.jpg

Torque wrench $10.00
http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/campaigns/mag_landers/1-automotive/images/15.jpg

Bigger wrenches $20.00
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...tml&cust=00000000000&keycode=0000&single=true

Impact driver $35
http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/campaigns/mag_landers/6-truck/images/12.jpg

Deep impact sockets $10.00
http://www.harborfreight.com/cleara...-metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-7383.html

Vacuum pump $17
http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/campaigns/mag_landers/1-automotive/images/16.jpg

Digital Calipers $10
http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/campaigns/mag_landers/1-automotive/images/17.jpg

Parts holder $3
http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/emails/more_coupons/wkend0705/images/2.jpg

Mechanics Gloves $7
http://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-gloves-large-93640.html

Trim tools $4
http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/campaigns/mag_landers/1-automotive/images/19.jpg


Or you can get one of these that often go on sale for $100, but happen to be $180 right now at Sears.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00937204000P?sid=I0084400010000100383&aff=Y

 

[woody 73]

Hi,
if you can spend a few minutes at sears,walk around and see what is on sale (they always have a sale), you can do two things,the first is expensive and the second one is much cheaper.
(1) Buy an empty plastic sears tool box and only buy the tools that you want.
(2) As the others have said buy one of their tool box specials,that contain many tools,some of which you can give away if you choose.

Hope this helps.

 

[djb2]

Don't try to carry on tools unless you leave plenty of time at the airport to go back and check in the bag.

I've lost a handful of screwdrivers this way. The rules list the size limits, but a TSA agent can refuse anything, despite their guidelines. Quoting the rules only gets you a retaliatory full screening, which might make you miss your flight.

Back on-topic: I used to be a big fan of the value in a "*** piece tool kit", but no longer. The bigger the tool kit, the more likely you are to get the expensive larger sizes. But Craftsman tool kits changed to including many variations on small sizes. Do you really need six 9mm sockets? (1/4" & 3/8", 6pt & 12pt, standard and deep) When you only have one 17mm socket?

 

[BackTracker]

Craftsman basic set on sale, or from craigslist.

 

[loj]

Start with the Kobalt 40-piece 3/8" set for $20 and the 20something-piece 1/4" set for $12.50.

 

[Auzivision]

If your heart is set of Craftsman, here is a good deal. Like someone else already mentioned, these kits tend to have a lot of duplication and always have both metric and SAE.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933192000P?sid=I0084400010000100383&aff=Y

Half price at $100 is decent, but this 194 piece set include like allen wrenches and screw driver bits.