Advice on new tools

[crescent1]

Hi guys!

New guy in need of help. I'm starting a new job soon and looking at buying new tools. I'll be doing appliance repair. If the stuff I'm looking at right now is garbage please give me some pointers what brands I should look into. Right now I'm looking at a Milwaukee M12 1/4 Hex screwdriver kit.
This Wera kit or should I look into some other brand for that kind of kit?
http://chadstoolbox.com/05347180001-wera-tool-check-2-with-bit-assortment-and-bitratchet-imperial.aspx
These Knipex Pliers or should I look into another brand?
http://chadstoolbox.com/13-86-200-knipex-pliers-for-electrical-installation.aspx
Screwdrivers. Too many options. What brand should I go with?
Are Wera nut setter kit any good?
Are Knipex channel lock and pliers any good?
What are your thoughts on NWS tools?
What brand of locking pliers should I look into?
What brand of drill bits should I look into for drilling out snapped bolts? Is Witte any good? What brand of extractor set should I get?

That would be it for now.

Thanks guys for your input!

 

[Thumper68]

Everything on your list looks good, all good brands. The Knipex cobra are great.

For the locking pliers I just got 2 pairs of the Milwalkee ones and so far they have done everything I have asked.

 

[youngridge]

Always price check with amazon. ALWAYS. Knipex and wera are awesome tools, channelock also. 1/4 drice impact set would be handy also, princess auto had a killer deal on a huge set metric standard deep and shallow.

 

[Skin]

Grip-On (which Snap-On and Proto also rebadge) for locking pliers.

I have the Wera bit ratchet which I like but im not too sure how well that kit contains all those bits. For nut setters, cheap ones work well. I have a mix of Irwin, HF, and some generic off ebay, all magnetic and all work well. The only downside to the HF ones is their painted/etched instead of stamped for sizes but I think the set costs pocket change, something like $3.

Knipex makes some of the best pliers available the world over. Don't neglect a decent set of torx and nut drivers also for appliance applications, they come in handy. The Cman set (Pratt Reed) use to be a great bargain, not sure if they're still sourcing the kit from them though. For torx drivers take your pick.

Irwin extractor set. Purchase the larger set that has 10 or so left twist cobalt bits.

 

[decaf]

Easy.

Knipex = YES, best pliers in the world

Wera = YES, best screwdrivers in the world

 

[VersionOne]

Depending on your budget, I'd go with the best you can afford. Wera's line of tools are top notch, very ergonomic, innovative, quality is great and of course made in Germany. Knipex is another top notch brand also made in Germany. If you ever get a chance to hold these tools in your hand you'll know what I mean.
A lot of the drill bit sets from major brands are made in China. So quality is about the same through Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, etc. If you want the absolute best, go for cobalt coated drill bits, these will last the longest. Titanium coated would be second to that.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

Knipex products are all great. I have several, and I love them all.

I have an extensive collection of Williams premium screwdrivers. They are Snap On, at a third the price. I don't think there is a best screwdriver out there, but I really like the Williams/old Snap On handles.

I like Dewalt cleanable nut setters, the ones you chuck into a hex driver. The magnet slides up, allowing you to clean it off. I haven't broken one in the couple years they've been out. I'd suggest buying a bunch of Dewalt impact screwdriver bits for your drills. I have a pouch full of them, and they last a long time.

If you meant nut DRIVERS, not nut SETTERS, ie, the screwdriver type ones, then Klein are my favorite. I believe they may be one of the only brands that makes magnetic versions with the hollow shaft as well.

Vise grip brand locking pliers are my favorite. I have Grip-On pliers too, and only the tool collectors think they're better than the Irwin Vise Grips. The teeth on my 8 year old Vise Grips are better looking than the teeth on my 2 year old Grip Ons, same job. The Grip Ons feel really nice, though.

I know Lee Valley Hardware sells NWS now (never used them), and Wera, as well. So you may be able to get a full matching screwdriver set locally, including Torx and metric hex drivers.

 

[T45]

What's your budget?

The hard part is not finding the "best" tool -- thats easy for a price.

What's hard is finding the cost-effective way to do all your work to a high standard.

That useually involves making tradeoffs in price/features/weight etc.

Otherwise, just buy the top of the line of any high-end german or usa brand.

 

[crescent1]

I'm flexible on the budget. It has been a while since I've shopped for tools. The kit I'm after for should be on the lighter side and compact. A while back I used Stahlwille tools for motorcycles and was very happy with them.
What manufacturer makes most durable bits and bit holders?
I also need a multimeter with a clamp. I looking at Fluke 323 or should I look into something else?

 

[kctyphoon]

If I were you, I would just goto HD and buy everything you needed... The milwaukee and dewalt 12v stuff are both great, and since you don't need anything really specialized, good choices for you.. I went with dewalt because it's just so much more comfortable to hold and work with IMO.. The have a nice line of milwaukee hand tools also if you want to stay with one brand.. But any major name is nice.. greenlee also make a lot of more electrician based stuff, that will suit your needs..

I bought the 4 piece dewalt 12v kit off amazon for under $250, bought 2 extra batteries cheap on another deal dewalt had online, and got the screwdriver as a bare tool on eBay for like $35 new.. They are ALL great for small projects, esp the saw..

 

[mikebaker1129]

For appliance repair,I would suggest you focus more on the electrical side.
Having been in the HVAC/ appliance business, most of your troubleshooting will be electrically based. The Fluke meter is you mentioned is a good one. Get some good quality wire strippers,crimpers and nut drivers. The most difficult aspect of appliances is getting to the defective part without breaking something (usually made of plastic).
Hope this helps.

 

[Moose364]

Milwaukee M12 Hands down, they make everything you will ever need in 12V
Screw drivers for electrical work I love the Milwaukee one's tips fit nice and tight good for 1000v
Like someone said above go to home depot they have everything you need.
Fluke best there is, you can pick them up at pawn shops for 1/2 price or better a 113 is a good one

Wire stripper's I use the one's from HF there cheap and you can chunk them when they get bent

 

[domain]

HEY I'M AN APPLIANCE GUY and have been for 4 years. Here are the EDC tools I use.

 

[BFHtime]

Knipex pliers wrench, Channelock for the rest of the adjustable large pliers, a ratcheting screwdriver with interchangeable bits Snap-ON, regular pliers any brand is fine but I like the Snap-On talon grip for non-finish things, M12 will be great, get some impact phillips bits, impact sockets for small nuts and bolts, 1/4 hex to square socket adapter, wire stripper, this will be a good start.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

Knipex doesn't make straight, slip joint pliers. The Snap On 47CF are a common favorite around here. I have a pair, and they're my favorite general use pliers. Highly recommended, even if you aren't getting anything else Snap On.

 

[domain]

http://www.harborfreight.com/nylon-pry-bar-installer-kit-4-pc-69668.html

These are an ABSOLUTE must. Do not start without

 

[crescent1]

One more question guys. Who makes good magnetic nutdrivers with a screw driver handle?

 

[theluke]

Klein

 

[whitedogone]

HEY I'M AN APPLIANCE GUY and have been for 4 years. Here are the EDC tools I use.

Love me a bosch 1/4 impact!

 

[domain]

Klein

 

[quattroJoe]

I have the Milwaukee M12 hex driver and love it! IMO, it's worth the extra cost to get the Fuel version- more torque, more battery life, and if you're buying the kit the Fuel comes with the 2.0Ah battery (vs the older 1.5Ah.) I believe it's a bit more compact than the non-Fuel as well. M12 is also a good platform to get into because they have just about any power tool you may need later. Add a set of hex nut setters to use with it (VIM has some very complete and decent quality sets on Amazon at decent prices.)

All of the brands you listed are excellent. Knipex is my top choice for any sort of pliers/cutters/etc. Klein makes some top notch electrical tools, particularly crimpers and strippers. Their nut drivers are quality too. I'll second the recommendation on the Fluke meters as well, they can get pricey in a hurry but will last forever and provide accurate, repeatable measurements. Don't even know where to start with screwdrivers, there are several very nice German/European and American brands, but a lot of it comes down to personal taste and how comfortable they feel in your hands.

Is your shop supplying soldering equipment? If not, I really like Hakko. The FX-888D station is one of the best bargains going (you can catch it on sale occasionally for ~$70.)

 

[Tronyadorable]

You don't kneed knipex for appliance work.
Get some Channellock stuff and include the 410 nutbuster for those crappy stamped nuts.
Any battery screwdriver will do you fine.
Put your big money in electronics.
You don't need big name sockets and wrenches either.Any will work fine.
GOOD screwdrivers are a must. All of the above named brands will cover you.

 

[nomonkeybus]

Klein, Great tools

 

[crescent1]

Thanks guys! Can anyone suggest a pair of good pair of protective gloves?