budget tool set for track/paddock

[laz]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good budget socket set for the track/paddock.

I'd like cheap, because stuff occasionally gets loaned out and doesn't come back. It'll also do occasional duty in the rain, or in a sand storm, or get hit with a hammer when the proper tools aren't available. I'd also like non-craftsman, so when we're cleaning up it's as simple as "brand XYZ? that goes in laz's box"

A plastic case that gathers it all up and makes the check for missing pieces easy is a nice bonus.

My best idea thus far is this Gearwrench set: http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-80932-socket-tool-p-7376.html


The back story:

I did a 24hr endurance race this past weekend, with about 14hrs of wrenching, hammering, cursing, etc. It was easily the worst rear wheel bearing replacement I've ever done, and all because we didn't have the proper tools until very late in the game. We did crazy stuff that resulted in a broken tap in a hub, and a broken thread chaser in a lug bolt hole. Stupid. When we finally found the right bearing puller kit, it was done in no time. Also killed the alternator, replacement included debugging a bad new alternator, and buying a 2nd new alternator. Ah, and the stupid aftermarket half shaft couldn't cope with the load:

We had 3 tool collections present, and everybody brought their Craftsman stuff to the track. In the chaos, my once complete set is now missing a few pieces, and I've got some non-laser etched sockets in place of laser etched ones, or 12pt where 6pt should go, etc. I'm sure if we took everything out of the trailer, emptied every container, and found every socket, we could make it right again ... but that'd take forever.

Ah, and while I'm jamming pictures into the thread, here's the car ready to go out after the 1pm to 1am mechanical cluster ****:

 

[gtivr4]

Hey, another LeMons driver! I have that gearwrench set. Its not bad, but its by no means complete (very few 1/2" sockets for example). That being said it would be a good starting point, and certainly is nice and convenient, just might need to supplement it a bit.

 

[Adrien]

Have you looked at the Crescent set from Costco?

Adrien

 

[WhiteTrash]

Paint your sockets. You could use different colors for metric and standard, 6 pt and 12 pt, or 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2" drive. With them being painted, you can see which are ours from across the room. And it is easier to identify yours than a similar chrome socket with another name. You wouldn't have to buy a new set, and can just buy the pieces you are now missing. While you would lose the benefit of the laser etching, you can marker and have the label be bigger. You would still have the warranty, have a better quality tool than a cheap set, and not be out of pocket much more than you already are.

 

[freeskier]

master grip set from costco has served me well for ages

 

[jesko10]

As much as I understand your frustration if tools go missing, I wouldn't go with cheap tools on the track. Why? Because you are there to win and not to waste time with crappy tools that might not work properly. I was once myself at a race at the Nürburgring and a friend of mine who also participated had the following experience. He had this nice Porsche GTS or GTR ( don't know exactly but was damn expensive), he put a cage in the car, bought coveralls, you know the works, and than when he wanted to change the tires during a pit stop one of the sockets broke apart and he was yelling like a madman and the mechanic had to run over to a competing team to borrow one. How embarrassing. Just because of a tool for 5 bucks. Can you imagine how much the whole weekend had cost him?

Well, I know, this doesn't answer your question, but I will never forget this. I made it 3rd with a cheaper car but better sockets.

 

[diggerrick]

Since I've moved my "good" tools & chest to the garage to work on the race car, I'm buying the 301pc set from Harbor Freight for the shop out back. It's on sale this month for $179, and with the 20% coupon it's $144. It's got great reviews on the website:

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

 

[NUTTSGT]

I wouldn't cheap out too much on the tools. I'd have something that is atleast lifetime warranty. Buy an engraver and make your initials BIG, right beside size on the socket.

 

[jhosein]

I've already got dibs on all costco cresent tools at our races. So laz is going to have to keep looking for a different brand.

 

[freeskier]

my buddy has an old roll cab on his race trailer. all he needs is in it so there is no mixing. and i wouldent cheap out on anything that goes near a race car

 

[crewchief888]

my buddy has an old roll cab on his race trailer. all he needs is in it so there is no mixing. and i wouldent cheap out on anything that goes near a race car

in our race trailer we had a double bank mac roller that had the majority of the tools we needed, and had an older SO roller cab mounted on a frame with air filled tires to roll outside the trailer to keep commonly used tools in.
a smaller box that went in the "hot pit" truck with just a few basics in it, along with spare tires , jacks,compressor,impacts/sockets, water charged fire extinguishers, a BFH and a couple of prybars.

running short course off road, even changing a flat tire can move you from the front of the pack to the back, at sometimes over a lap down.

we didnt cheap out on anything, it wasnt worth the hassle of breaking a "cheap" tool

 

[Gregg33]

Like my German friend mentioned I wouldn't want to use cheap tools at the track. Overall the tools I take to the track are just as good as my shop tools. The only thing I have beat up is the road box I use to keep the tools in. I figured my crew guys aren't as gentle as I am and we are all rough when rushing to make repairs or adjustments between races so it's no use buying a $250+ box when my $30 used SPG works just as good.

 

[laz]

Hmm, I'd maybe go fancy tools with a box if I owned the enclosed trailer we use and could properly outfit it (my trailer is open). When using the enclosed trailer, my tools and spares go in boxes and get put in the trailer before the race. So portability is a huge advantage, at least for the time being.

Here's our tow rig and rental RV from the last race:

As far as cheap tools putting us back in the race: we're not that good. Seriously. Throwing out the stupid mechanical issues, many of the other races we have a car capable of winning, but invariably someone on the team screws up driving (the rules have excessive penalties for contact or off track shenanigans).

I'm going to look into the harbor freight kit, and if it doesn't work out well, I'll fall back to one of the other options (excluding crescent, as that's already reserved too).

Thanks for the replies everyone