$5,000 for tools? Go...

[matemike]

This may have been done on here already, and if so I apologize, but I didn't come across anything with my search.

But let's say you have $5,000 to spend on getting all new tools, considering you are pretty much starting from nothing. What would you get and why? I'm trying to get ideas including tool boxes, chests, nuts and bolts storage, all the terminal tackle hand tools you use more than any other (wrenches, ratcheting wench sets) screw drivers, allen key sets, sockets and ratchets, hammers, grippers, pliers, etc)
No need to expand on power tools.

I've pretty much got everything mentioned above in the house garage now, but am looking to deck out my newly built shop and just wondering where everyone would start. Just need to make sure that we all know money is not endless. So while dreaming is fun, I'm trying to dream within reason.

Kind of a jack of all trades intention of working on cars, 4 wheelers, motorcycles, lawn mowers, small tractors, pool pumps, building tree houses, picnic tables, deer blinds, all those sorts of country living things.

Just a fun way to see how people would view the idea.

 

[M6erfan]

That's a tough one. Ive often thought if I had to do it again I would definitely get a lift. If I could make that work on my budget it would be the #1 piece of equipment for me.

 

[Triple macs]

Harbor Freight box
Armstrong ratchets
Wiha screwdrivers
Williams USA sockets
Snap-on/Knipex/NWS pliers

I think I'm out of money!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Start with a good workbench and vise, a broom, dust pan, and waste container.. Add a 5' step ladder, a trouble light, and some paper towels and grease rags.... A floor jack and jack stands, and a folding engine hoist... Don't forget the air compressor.

For the time being, use the hand tools you have. They are easy to carry between buildings. Just buy those as needed.

 

[RatZ1LLa]

Ko-Ken metric socket sets for 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2
PB Swiss Hex key sets
PB Swiss/Wera/Wiha Screwdrivers

That's what I'm shooting for and I absolutely love my Ko-Kens and PB Swiss hex keys.

 

[M6erfan]

Also...

Electrical outlets EVERYWHERE
220v circuit
The largest air compressor I could afford
Shop sink

 

[hoston23]

craigslist

 

[Off-Street Parking]

For $5k, I'd probably grab the pickup and "pay myself" to hit a season of estate sales, flea markets, and auctions. The end result would be similar, but you get the thrill of the hunt and some travel & entertainment value out of it as well.

 

[Spn1025]

Penny deals at HD.

 

[jn503084]

At my local NAPA prices about 1250 cans of brake clean. I use it for everything and almost go into a panic when I'm down to my last few cans.

I would say: 220V with a good 60 gallon compressor is my most sorely needed equipment upgrade.

 

[Monte]

vehicle lift
mig welder
air compressor
drill press
band saw
grinder
...

 

[Spn1025]

If there was extra money after buying all the stuff I wanted, I would want a half decent dust collection system.

I don't have a garage, so my shop is my basement. All of the wood cutting makes a huge dust mess.

But really, there's so much other stuff I would want to buy before that.. unless I started making a career in the shop. It's more of a convenience thing right now.

 

[Bruce51d]

eBay and Craigslist. Pretty much all my tools have come from either of those 2 places.

 

[shoggoth80]

Big floor jacks, tough jack stands, a nice creeper, engine picker, ****** jack.
Wright wrenches. Snappy and SK ratchets, Wera jokers, Wera screwdrivers, Fluke DMM.
A decent compressor, a couple of good impacts (HF Earthquakes, NAPA, IR, something along those lines), Armstrong, Sunex, or Grey Pneumatic impact sets. A set of Mayhew pry bars. Gear Wrench or Proto sockets. Good socket organization, wrench racks, HF 44" box, and a repaint. Lol. Dunno if I could do that all in $5K, but I am betting that I could arm myself rather well for that kind of cash.

 

[AmishFury]

HF box, then hit ebay/craigslist for used snap-on dual 80 and matco 88 ratchets, throw in some SK as well... SK or williams USA sockets and combo wrenches, williams USA or proto for screwdrivers, a combination of USA cman, knipex, and channellock for pliers, sunex for impact sockets, cman pry bars...

beyond that who knows

 

[bobcatdan]

50 ton Dake press.

 

[Fender1325]

Lincoln power mig 256
Heavy duty bead roller
English wheel
JET horizontal band saw
Wright grip wrenches maybe
Nice socket sets
Makita impact/drill set

Probably over budget by then

 

[speed bump]

Either find a mechanic retiring and buy that out or buy a bunch of fairly cheap tools and upgrade as needed. I don't use hand tools unless I have to so no sense spending a ton of money on them.

 

[dr_clyde]

Hard to say. I bet I could get a decent set of hand tools and some measuring tools for that but that doesn't even come close to getting any equipment.

 

[Sprintman]

Midwest Tools for Toptul and at his prices that would be a sh1tload of tools!

 

[Adam.C]

I have advice in my signature line. I don't have much more than that in Snap On hand tools. And I have a pretty full set (box not included).

My advice is, whatever you do, buy slowly, and don't buy a new set. They are not good value. I buy new Snap On only when on sale. Took me over a year to amass a basic set of tools, buying some things new on special, and other things on ebay. Its impatience that takes cash. On eBay, you can get Snap On for any price. You just have to be patient.

 

[MDK22]

In all honesty for $5k I do not believe you could get everything you need unless you bought used but, I will give it a try. Used stuff places to look Ebay, craigslist, estate sales, farm sales, garage sales, etc. I have been working on a tool list for a friend who likes to learn and dabble.

What follows is the culmination of about 5-6yrs looking at stuff for my friend. There has to be normal tools I am missing such as snap-ring pliers and ball peens.

Total is $4006 Dollars including the
$390 US General 44 in. 13 Drawer Glossy Red Industrial Roller Cabinet

 

[MDK22]

$44 Expert E031702 Drive Pear Head Comfort Grip Flex Ratchet, 3/8-Inch
$49 Expert E032803 Drive Pear Head Comfort Grip Flex Ratchet, 1/2-Inch
$120 Snap-On Ratchet, Quick Release, Flex Head, 6 1/4"
$219 Grey Pneumatic (9771) 1/4" Surface Drive 71-Piece Complete Socket Set
$328 Grey Pneumatic (1281) 3/8" Drive 81-Piece Master Socket Set
$57 Grey Pneumatic (GRE1100) 3/8" Drive 6 Piece Adapter/Extension Set
$122 Grey Pneumatic (1512DM) 1/2" Drive 30-Piece SAE and Metric Deep Socket Set
$57 Grey Pneumatic (2200) 1/2" Drive 6-Piece Adapter/Extension Socket Set
$74 Grey Pneumatic (1319) 1/2" Drive 19-Piece Standard Length Fractional Master Socket Set
$85 Grey Pneumatic 1326M 1/2" Dr. 26 Pc. Shallow Metric Socket Set
$48 Craftsman 41 pc. Screwdriver Set (Still USA Made)
$13 Craftsman 6 Pc Jewelers Screwdriver Set
$12 Craftsman 5 pc. Mini Torx Screwdriver Set
$22 Craftsman Ratcheting Magnetic Screwdriver with Bit Storage
$32 Craftsman 83 pc. Insert Bit Set
$58 Allen 56604G 31-Key SAE/Metric Ball-Plus Hex and Torx Magnetic Key Set
$87 Channellock Tool Roll-5 Professional Tool Set with Tool Roll, 5-Piece
$22 Channellock 460 4-1/4-Inch Jaw Capacity 16-Inch Tongue and Groove Plier
$91 IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers, Original, 10-Piece Tray Set (1078TRAY)
$21 Klein Tools 1010 Long-Nose Multi-Purpose Tool, Blue
$50 Dominator Pry Bar Set
$129 Big Red 3 Ton Garage Combo Low Pro Jack + 2 Jack Stands
$73 Craftsman Micro-Clicker Torque Wrench 1/2" Drive
$253 GearWrench 81919 44-Piece Long Pattern Non-Ratcheting Combination Wrench Set SAE/Metric
$130 GearWrench 81903 20 Piece Stubby Wrench Set SAE and Metric
$97 GearWrench 9701 8 Piece Flex-Head Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set SAE
$114 GearWrench 9901 12 Piece Metric Flex-Head Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set
$16 Craftsman 3-Pound Hand-Drilling Hammer with Hickory Handle
$50 Craftsman 42 piece 1/4 and 3/8-inch Drive Bit and Torx Bit Socket Wrench Set
$54 Lisle 92102 - Creeper Red
$27 Expert Dead Blow Hammer, E150115, 11-17/64" Overall Length, 17 Oz
$48 Expert Dead Blow Hammer, E150116, 14-9/16" Overall Length, 53 Oz
$70 Craftsman Micro-Clicker Torque Wrench 3/8" Drive Item # 00931424000P Model # 63002 10-75 Ft Lbs
$70 Craftsman Micro-Clicker Torque Wrench 3/8" Drive Item # 00931423000P Model # 31423 25-250 In Lbs
$73 Craftsman Micro-Clicker Torque Wrench 1/2" Drive Item # 00931425000P Model # 62001 20-150 Ft Lbs
$40 Mityvac Vacuum Pump MITYVAC - item#39522
$47 Snap-On Set, Miniature Pick, Instinct® Soft Grip, Green, 4 pcs
$30 Wiss Model # M123R Aviation Snip Set (3-Piece)
$56 Extech EX330 Autoranging Mini Multimeter with Built In Thermometer with Type K Remote Probe
$4 Test Light Bulb Style 6/12V Circuit Tester with 5 ft. Lead Cen-Tech - item#30779
$2 OEM 6" Pocket Rule
$3 Performance Tool - Pick Up Tool Telescoping Magnet Pocket
$9 Craftsman 26-3/4 in. Pick Up Tool
$24 Streamlight (66128) Stylus Pro Pen Light, Orange
$23 Mastercool (53512-UV) 12-LED True UV Detection Flashlight
$68 Mayhew Tools 60150 3-Piece Lady Foot Pry Bar Set
$48 Mayhew Pro 31000 Upholstery Clip Set, 4-Piece
$80 Mayhew 60002MAY Dominator Professional Hook Set, 6-Piece
$90 Fowler Stainless Steel Dual Reading Inch/Metric Dial Caliper, 0.001" and 0.02mm Graduation Interval 8"
$32 Snap-On Tape Rule, Inches/Metric, 25 ft. / 7.5 Meter
$4 Stanley Model # 28-500 1-1/2 in. Razor Scraper
$5 Lincoln Electric Model # KH586 3 x 19 Wood-Handled Stainless Steel Wire Brush
$208
Reed Manufacturing 26b Utility Vise Part# RD-01545
$28 Snap-On Wrench, Oil Filter, Cup, 62 mm to 121 mm

 

[shoggoth80]

That's a pretty solid list, with change left over!

 

[MDK22]

Nah I missed some things but, I had to get a shower and change. I guess I will try and finish it.

I know I am missing ball peens, crescents, punches, chisels, center punches, and I am sure some other things will show as time goes on. Depends on how tired I get but, I am going to try and finish it tonight.

 

[lightning02]

"Shop" as in like your own personal shop at home or a business? If a home shop then it can be done for $5000 I think if you know what your doing and don't buy tools base on name and price bc you think that justifies it being a good or bad tool. Now if it was for a business then it be a different story.

 

[MDK22]

After the $4006

$46 Crescent Wrench 6 " Sae 3 Piece
$44 Mayhew Select 61040 Punch and Chisel Set, 12-Piece
$44 Wilde Snap Ring Set Internal/External .038, .047, .070 tips
$120 100 Ft. x 10 Gauge Triple Tap Extension Cord
$65 Vaughan (VAU18710) 5 PC. Ball Pien Hammer Set
$22 Bernzomatic Micro Torch Kit (Soldering/hot Knife)
$40 Bernzomatic TS8000 - High Intensity Trigger Start Torch
$76 Nicholson File Set,8Pc,Machinist Kit,Pouched (1 Each) 22025Nn
$32 Nicholson 6 Piece Hobby File Set (Carded), 5-1/2" Length
$48 Kastar Hand Tools 971 - Thread Restorer Kit 48 piece fractional & metric
$272 Irwin Tools 117 Piece Machine Screw/Fractional/Metric Tap and Hex Die Set with Drill Bit Set (26377)
$48 GearWrench 81908 11 Piece SAE Crowfoot Wrench Set
$43 GearWrench 81909 10 Piece Metric Crowfoot Wrench Set

Now it is to $4906 and I think I am going to bed now 2.5hrs past my normal sleep time. But that should give you a huge jump on almost everything you need not including power tools as you asked.

 

[Adam.C]

Great list. Great effort. We all have our personal brand preferences. My opinion is you have some fat in there. Those big socket sets aren't cheap and include sockets you may never use. Having shallows, swivels and deep of 1/4" SAE sockets is just not necessary these days.

For $200 you could easily find good sets of 1/4" metric in shallow and semi deep from Snap On on ebay. Semi-deep is more useful than deep in 1/4" drive in my opinion. And Snap On is just plain better quality. As I said, this isn't about personal brand favorites tho. Rather, I would opt for fewer tools of higher quality that are more suited to what you'll be doing than the larger all encompassing sets regardless of the brand you like the best.

Ditto for the 3/8" set. I got brand new Snap on shallow and deep metric 3/8" drive sockets off the truck for $150 for both (BOGO deal). Just took patience.

If you felt you really needed SAE sizes for assembling toys, grills (they are mostly metric) bicycles etc, I wouldn't get automotive pro grade tools for that. Get the absolute cheapest HF sockets. I would suggest spending $200 for metric 3/8" drive (Snap On, Koken, USA Williams) then spending $20 at HF for SAE you will never need for cars.

If, in the future, you find you need better quality SAE for your rat truck project, just buy a set from Snap On or better yet, just buy 3/8", 7/16", 1/2" and 9/16". 5/16" is 8mm. 7/32" is 5.5mm (included in Snap on 1/4" drive set). 19mm will work for 3/4" and 16mm will work for 5/8".

I don't recommend adapters. I don't have a set and don't believe in them.

Stubby wrenches are novelty tools I have and NEVER use. I do use ratcheting stubbies and in some ways find these more useful than full sized ratchet wrenches (which I have in spades). You don't want to crack anything free with a ratchet wrench. So you need a proper box wrench set. And once its loose, if you can't twist it out by hand, a stubby ratcheting box wrench or a tiny ratchet and socket are the fastest ways to go. Snap On makes nice small ratchet stubbies but they are too expensive for me for this item. I have 8, 10, and 13mm only, picked up on ebay for $20 IIRC. If you work on Japanese cars I would add 12 and 14mm.

Could save more money buying cheaper measuring tools. That Fowler digital caliper just isn't worth it for a homeowner or even car mechanic.

What I love about this list is the inclusion of tools we rarely discuss here- the pry bars, upholstery tools, lights, hook and pick set. I would include test lights, DMM, mag dishes, pick up tools. I really like the little magnetic rechargeable work lights from Blue Point and Snap On. Good to have more than one of these.

 

[MDK22]

I work on Big Rigs currently and have used every size on those things and have to use swivels constantly. It all depends on the brands of what you are working on and what you are using it for. VW and other brands are the same way you need more and more **** to work on them.

Same thing goes for the stubbies. I am finding I need them more and more.

Btw it has a dmm, test light, and magnetic pickup tool actually 2 of them 1 weak and 1 strong.

I do not dissagree you may be able to trim some fat out of the socket sets but, they are all encompassing and contain just about everything you could want. The other reason I went with them is they are thin, hard to break, and if you upgrade to an impact at any point you can just keep using them even if it is air. HF does have decent molly sockets but, they are fat and it will restrict you a lot in tight places. Also if you put a lot of power behind them it will definitely break.

 

[6MocoA]

After the $4006

$46 Crescent Wrench 6 " Sae 3 Piece
$44 Mayhew Select 61040 Punch and Chisel Set, 12-Piece
$44 Wilde Snap Ring Set Internal/External .038, .047, .070 tips
$120 100 Ft. x 10 Gauge Triple Tap Extension Cord
$65 Vaughan (VAU18710) 5 PC. Ball Pien Hammer Set
$22 Bernzomatic Micro Torch Kit (Soldering/hot Knife)
$40 Bernzomatic TS8000 - High Intensity Trigger Start Torch
$76 Nicholson File Set,8Pc,Machinist Kit,Pouched (1 Each) 22025Nn
$32 Nicholson 6 Piece Hobby File Set (Carded), 5-1/2" Length
$48 Kastar Hand Tools 971 - Thread Restorer Kit 48 piece fractional & metric
$272 Irwin Tools 117 Piece Machine Screw/Fractional/Metric Tap and Hex Die Set with Drill Bit Set (26377)
$48 GearWrench 81908 11 Piece SAE Crowfoot Wrench Set
$43 GearWrench 81909 10 Piece Metric Crowfoot Wrench Set

Now it is to $4906 and I think I am going to bed now 2.5hrs past my normal sleep time. But that should give you a huge jump on almost everything you need not including power tools as you asked.

Wow ,

If I were a moderator, I would combine your last two post and making it a sticky in the General Tools forum. Good job and thanks for taking the time to make the list.

 

[63mothership]

HF box (camo wrapped)
SK sockets or gear wrench
Hanson socket trays
Wright wright grip wrenched
Armstrong ratchets
Knipex pliers

Performance tools pry bars
Gear wrench ratcheting wrenches
Carlyle screw drivers
Ir impact
Sunex impact sockets
Jack and jack stands
Then buy the rest as needed

 

[dr_clyde]

Ok, here’s my list. I didn’t include anything that I wouldn’t put in or on a rollaway toolbox. So, no jack and stands, lift, welder, any of that. This is my basic list of hand tools, and would want to expand in some areas. For instance, I like a wide variety of ratchets, and I haven’t included any on this list. I know I'm missing some things, torque tools, snips, wire strippers and some other things. If I have time I'll do a bit more refining. My list assumes some basic mechanical repairs, minor plumbing, and some basic fabrication. This list is not intended as a "best value" list. There are some expensive tools on here. But, this is what I would want in my home shop toolbox.

I didn’t price shop, if I was doing this for real, obviously I would. For simplicity’s sake, I just did this all on amazon, except for the small amount of SO and HF. I’ll kind of split this up into categories to make it easier to read. My total comes in around $4786. I rounded up each one.

HF 44 Roller 390

Snap-On Screwdriver Set 158
Snap-On Mini Pick Set 47
Stanley 6 pc. Jewler's Precision Screwdriver Set 7
Tekton Telescoping Inspection Mirror 6
SE Telescoping Magnetic Pickup Tool 6

SK 47 pc. ½ Drive Socket Set Met. And Standard 318
SK 49 pc 3/8 Drive Socket Set Met. And Standard 176
SK 44 pc ¼” Drive Socket Set Met. And Standard 149
Snap-On Standard Bit Socket Set 174
Snap-On Metric Bit Socket Set 156

Channellock 5 PC Pliers Set w/ roll 66
Irwin Vise Grip 10 pc set 91
Knipex Mini Bolt Cutters 44
Knipex Linesman pliers 36
Knipex Diagonal Cutters 27
ADT Universal Snap-Ring Pliers Set 81

Bondhus L Wrench Double Pack 1.5MM to 10 MM and .050" to 3/8" 22
Bondhus Hex T-Handles with stand 3/32"-3/8" 31
Bondhus Hex T-Handles with stand 2-10MM 31
Ridgid 12" adjustable wrench 32
Ridgid 15" adjustable wrench 37
Ridgid 24" adjustable wrench 102
Ridgid 18" aluminum pipe wrench 56
Ridgid 24" aluminum pipe wrench 89
SK SuperKrome combination wrench set 1/4"-1-1/4" 359
SK SuperKrome combination wrench set 6-24 MM 280

Stanley Compo-Cast 21oz. Dead Blow Hammer 31
Estwing 16 oz. Rip Claw Hammer 22
Garland Split Head Rawhide Hammer No. 3 55
Vaughan 5 pc. Ball Pien Hammer Set 84
Mayhew Dominator 5 pc Curved Prybar Set 68
Mayhew Punch and Chisel Set 24 pc 106

Starrett 18C Automatic Center Punch 43
Swanson Aluminum 7" Speed Square 10
Starrett C434-12-4R Combination Square Set 320
Starrett B24-4R 24" Combination Square Blade 96
Mitutoyo 0-6" Dial Caliper 95
Nicholson 8 pc Machinist File Set 86
Stabila Jamber Box Beam Level Set, 78" and 32" 217
Stabila Torpedo Level 31
Lenox High Tension Hack Saw Frame 19
Stanley Heavy Duty 12' Tape Rule w/ Metal Case 12
Stanley FatMax 40' Tape Rule 33
Wilton 1745 Tradesman Vise 389
Power Probe Micro Torch Kit 58
Bernzomatic TS8000 High Intensity Torch 40

 

[Olafur]

Is the shop/garage really finished?

Power outlets?
Air compressor and lines installed.
Lights, really!?
Work area, work benches, storage, organization etc..?

My point is:
Way to many garages are dis-organized mess and make every project a pain because we can't wait to start tinkering.

 

[iScream]

If I were starting from scratch and looking to drop $5K on tools for mechanical stuff I would probably ask around until I find some guy looking to unload a full set of tool truck tools. Give him $4500 for the tools but let him keep his expensive box then spend the remaining $500 on a box from Harbor Freight.

For me personally I'd be looking at an 8" jointer, cabinet saw like a Unisaw or PM66, bandsaw, router and planer. All used. Plus a track saw and lots of clamps.

 

[Finky198]

I think I'd hunt for deals religiously on CL and Ebay and make sure check ur prices and look for free shipping I have bought tons of tools for way under $5000 around 2000-3000 and I have amassed quite a large set of tools including air and power tools all at discount or newer with out box or slightly used

with a little time and effort you can save a lot of money

I think the HF box is fine if ur not super rough on things and hey It gives you more money to spend on tools

 

[inline five]

I pulled the engine on my car with a $150 set of Craftsman sockets/wrenches and a Harbor Freight engine hoist and set of jack stands.

I really don't think you need to spend anywhere close to that unless you need to purchase something like a high end 'scope.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Thank you for spending the time to make this list, I have seen so many people ask just what do I need. This looks like a very good list. We all know that we can save money looking for used tools. Thanks again..Rich

 

[PugetDude]

Buy a HF 44" box, put $4600 in a Vanguard fund and then start being really selective with garage sales/CL. Look for quality used tools, buy only what you really need; (MDK22's list is a great collection, but don't be tied to specific brands) ) if you don't think it will earn you a "you ****" on the GJ, then hold out for a better deal....

 

[ca90ss]

I'd start with the big $ stuff first like machinery, presses, lifts etc. and then buy the rest as you can afford. I find it's not too hard to come up with a couple hundred dollars here and there for tools but it's much harder to come up with >$1k for the bigger purchases so I would get those out of the way first.

 

[drink]

This may have been done on here already, and if so I apologize, but I didn't come across anything with my search.

But let's say you have $5,000 to spend on getting all new tools, considering you are pretty much starting from nothing. What would you get and why? I'm trying to get ideas including tool boxes, chests, nuts and bolts storage, all the terminal tackle hand tools you use more than any other (wrenches, ratcheting wench sets) screw drivers, allen key sets, sockets and ratchets, hammers, grippers, pliers, etc)
No need to expand on power tools.

I've pretty much got everything mentioned above in the house garage now, but am looking to deck out my newly built shop and just wondering where everyone would start. Just need to make sure that we all know money is not endless. So while dreaming is fun, I'm trying to dream within reason.

Kind of a jack of all trades intention of working on cars, 4 wheelers, motorcycles, lawn mowers, small tractors, pool pumps, building tree houses, picnic tables, deer blinds, all those sorts of country living things.

Just a fun way to see how people would view the idea.

If you really want to buy a nice set of hand tools I would recommend spending a little more and buy an Armstrong 15-005 761 pc Ultimate Master Tool Set with Industrial Series Box from Cripe Distributing. They are giving 20% off from now until Black Friday at midnight.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/br...te-master-set-with-industrial-series-box.html

Try contacting them and ask them what kind of deal they will give you.