SpiderGearsMan
Banned
accounting is still a good career choice
Building my Tool Collection
- Thread starter ahayes09
- Start date
the kobalt boxes are kinda janky and you can totaly find something better for cheaperoldldh
Well-known member
The Craftsman 540 pc tool set can be found on sale for less than a thousand dollars (there's one on Ebay for $750.00 BIN)...an older 521pc set includes the 3/4" drive set...there's one on Ebay now, but he's a little high and the set "may not" be complete...(Sears was closing them out last December for $329.00....That was the deal of the century!!!)
The HF 41" set can be had for about $660.00 for both the roller cabinet and the top chest...with coupons...the most bang for the buck...
The purchase of the Craftsman 540 pc Tool set and the HF 41" Set would leave you with about half your budget left over, to fill in the blanks...and that would be a helluva cost effective start...
Don't forget that you're running a small business, so lowering your costs, will raise your profits...
The HF 41" set can be had for about $660.00 for both the roller cabinet and the top chest...with coupons...the most bang for the buck...
The purchase of the Craftsman 540 pc Tool set and the HF 41" Set would leave you with about half your budget left over, to fill in the blanks...and that would be a helluva cost effective start...
Don't forget that you're running a small business, so lowering your costs, will raise your profits...
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I really appreciate all of the input. The HF box seems to be highly recommended, I'll have to make a stop at the local HF store tonight and check that out. It also seems like Craftsman is recommended above Kobalt. I was really hoping Kobalt tools would be of the same if not better quality. At this point, I just need to evaluate all my options and see what will best suit my needs. As I said before, the local Sears seems to be on its last limb. I definitely will take that into consideration with my upcoming purchase here...
Again, thank you all for your valuable opinions.
Again, thank you all for your valuable opinions.
AV tinker er
Well-known member
Remember to take into account what feels best in YOUR hand. The "feel" of a tool makes a difference. That's why so many on here prefer one brand over the other.
cburnscrx
Well-known member
Most importanly, enjoy your purchases, whatever brand of tool you buy. This is part of the fun!
If no one mentioned it, I wouldn't go cheap on screwdrivers, especially phillips drivers. IMO Snap On is at the top for screwdrivers. Craftsman has a professional grade which is supposed to be good and I have one, but haven't done anything challenging with it yet. I always like Mac screwdrivers and AFIK they are still good. I'm not familar with the German brands.
I do suggest you get a long phillips and standard screwdriver, like with an 18 or 2o inch bit. You may not need it often, but it's so nice when you do need it.
KEH
I do suggest you get a long phillips and standard screwdriver, like with an 18 or 2o inch bit. You may not need it often, but it's so nice when you do need it.
KEH
SatisTraction
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 28, 2013
- Messages
- 122
I would scour craigslist for a sell out. I see all kinds of deals in that price range for good quality tools that would cost 10k to buy new.
ShaneMSnyder
Well-known member
scarney1988
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 13, 2013
- Messages
- 508
Toolbox + Tool set + Impact gun + Impact sockets
I would shop around on here, or elsewhere, for improved ratchets. That will leave you plenty of extra money to add snappy, mac, matco, cornwell, etc... as you see what your job requires.
I would shop around on here, or elsewhere, for improved ratchets. That will leave you plenty of extra money to add snappy, mac, matco, cornwell, etc... as you see what your job requires.
wittycow
Well-known member
I wouldn't discount the Kobalt stuff too much. Kobalt is equal or better in some cases to the new Craftsman stuff.
Now that's what I was hoping to hear!!!
I've never been to a pawn shop or flea market. I've been wanting to go to both for quite some time now. Maybe now is my time to get around to visiting both.
bcradio
Well-known member
I agree, I can't stand the Kobalt sockets. I got some really wanting to like them, but they fit horribly. Mine were the 6 point and my craftsman sockets blew them away in terms of fitment. The finish on the Kobalt is much nicer, but I don't get sockets for looks.
"I've never been to a pawn shop or flea market..." First rule, know the approximate new price of items you want to buy. NOTHING in the pawn shop is worth new price, so go down from there. A used tool, including Snap on, is a used tool and not worth anything approaching new price.
If buying sockets, avoid sockets that show scars from impact gun use. If they break, there may be an issue exchanging them. (There is a wide difference of opinion on here about the ethics of buying used tools and warrentying them, which I won't go into)
You don't HAVE to buy from the pawn shop. Select tools yo buy, take out you money make offer less that the asking price(usually, I once bought a 3/8 SO dual 80 for $5 and couldn't get my money out fast enough), If a price is not agreed on, politely put the tools down and put your money back in you pocket and prepare to leave. There are other pawn shops and flea markets and other days.
Some pawn shops have a policy of trying to sell a complete box of tools. This usually means a junky small box with mostly import tools. Sometimes there is enough good stuff in there to get the whole box, but my policy is to pay a reasonable price for the good stuff and not pay all for the junk.
Finally, always be polite and cheerful. After all, you are not trying to solve the Syrian civil war, it's just a few old tools.
KEH
If buying sockets, avoid sockets that show scars from impact gun use. If they break, there may be an issue exchanging them. (There is a wide difference of opinion on here about the ethics of buying used tools and warrentying them, which I won't go into)
You don't HAVE to buy from the pawn shop. Select tools yo buy, take out you money make offer less that the asking price(usually, I once bought a 3/8 SO dual 80 for $5 and couldn't get my money out fast enough), If a price is not agreed on, politely put the tools down and put your money back in you pocket and prepare to leave. There are other pawn shops and flea markets and other days.
Some pawn shops have a policy of trying to sell a complete box of tools. This usually means a junky small box with mostly import tools. Sometimes there is enough good stuff in there to get the whole box, but my policy is to pay a reasonable price for the good stuff and not pay all for the junk.
Finally, always be polite and cheerful. After all, you are not trying to solve the Syrian civil war, it's just a few old tools.
KEH
crewchief888
Well-known member
most of my pawn shops finds come out of the $1 bins of assorted tools.
i search through the junk, and usually find a truck brand or comparable industrial brand cheap.
i dont bother to look at sets of anything.
i have several pawn shops that visit about every 4 to 6 weeks, same with a local "junk" flea mkt, and a couple of resale "junk" stores.
especially at the flea mkt, it seems like if i'm there every couple weeks, asking prices start to go up....
for me, it's about looking for something i can use, and only pay a buck or two for it, adding to my 2nd/3rd tool sets, or finding seldom used tools for pennie on the dollar.
i'm not depending on getting a screaming deal for my primary working tools.
i search through the junk, and usually find a truck brand or comparable industrial brand cheap.
i dont bother to look at sets of anything.
i have several pawn shops that visit about every 4 to 6 weeks, same with a local "junk" flea mkt, and a couple of resale "junk" stores.
especially at the flea mkt, it seems like if i'm there every couple weeks, asking prices start to go up....
for me, it's about looking for something i can use, and only pay a buck or two for it, adding to my 2nd/3rd tool sets, or finding seldom used tools for pennie on the dollar.
i'm not depending on getting a screaming deal for my primary working tools.
Bordeauxman
Active member
This thread is tremendously helpful but I have one questions...
Would you recommend a Craftsman "reconditioned" set on their outlet store website? The price is around $270 for 299 piece set (reconditioned).
Thank you in advance.
Would you recommend a Craftsman "reconditioned" set on their outlet store website? The price is around $270 for 299 piece set (reconditioned).
Thank you in advance.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Isn't the 299 piece set new less than $270 on sale?
Bordeauxman
Active member
Looking at both the SEARS.COM and CRAFTSMAN.COM websites, it looks like $500 for the 308 piece set.
http://www.sears.com/tools-ratchets-sockets-socket-sets/b-1214364361
Am i missing something?
http://www.sears.com/tools-ratchets-sockets-socket-sets/b-1214364361
Am i missing something?
In my experience the price variability in tools is very high, even within a single brand. The best strategy to maximize your money would be to decide on a "deadline" you need to have the tools by, then find the cheapest "normal" price, then watch for deals though to your deadline. New sets from retailers often go on huge sales, perfectly good tools can be had for used on here, other forums and craigslist. slickdeals.net is a great website. You could easily double or triple the quantity of tools, and get a higher quality tool with some time waiting and watching, vs going and buying all at once at "regular" price. I don't intend to ever buy tools at "retail price" again, aside from cheap one time use kind of items.
I'm afraid I can't help you with the Kobalt vs Craftsman thing, but if you're starting
out as a lube tech I would definitely advise you get nice comprehensive set of drain plug sockets...
Maybe splurge on some magnetic ones as they could save you allot of frustration. Good luck.
out as a lube tech I would definitely advise you get nice comprehensive set of drain plug sockets...
Maybe splurge on some magnetic ones as they could save you allot of frustration. Good luck.
Bordeauxman
Active member
FWIW...
Sears has the 309 piece Craftsman Mechanics tool set on sell for $199 versus $399 list price.
Sears has the 309 piece Craftsman Mechanics tool set on sell for $199 versus $399 list price.
absolutelybillsmood
Well-known member
Try Ebay for sets of USA made tools the price is often similar to the new cheap stuff. As far as cheap new tools I've had decent luck with Stanley, its not fancy but, it works.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
For essentials .... spend the money now vs regretting it later. You'll end up spending more to fix your mistake the first time around.