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Christmas to myself

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cweidert03

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New Castle, IN
Planning on splurging on some tools for myself for Christmas.. I don’t necessarily have any needs. I generally work on my mowers, ATV and minimal auto work. I have already upgraded most of the basic tools to gearwrench. Have the 120xp regular and flex in all 3 sizes.

If you were going to spend $300-$500 on tools what would you guys do.. I’m looking at buying quality just because I want to not because HF wouldn’t suffice.

Nepro, Ko-ken, Snap-on, NWS pliers, Mac, matco....

Thought about pink hard handle snap on screw drivers, ratcheting snap on screw driver, maybe a nice 1/4 or 3/8 ratchet.. trusty cook dead blows.. breaker bar... comfort grip ratchets or hard handled snap on.

Only tools I’m not a huge fan of that I have are the gear wrench standard wrenches they are a little thin in my hand. I love my Facom Metric combo wrenches


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cweidert03

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IMG_1437.JPGIMG_1440.JPGIMG_1441.JPGIMG_1442.JPGIMG_1443.JPGIMG_1444.JPGIMG_1445.JPG

Here are some pics of my collection.. also added knipex pliers wrench, cobras and side cutters since these pics


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scubadoober

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KTC extra long box end wrenches, Nepros anything, Knipex anything, Wera micro screwdrivers, Wiha or Wera (hex plus) hex keys, Wiha scraper, tool brand bottle opener if you are into the bubbly. Looking at your pliers I would start with Knipex.
 
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DTuck

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Massachusetts
So, this is where I'm at and what I use in terms of high quality tools for the best price.


Wrightgrip wrenches
Napa (Carlyle) Ratchets. Locking flex heads are REALLY nice ratchets for the money, especially on sale.
Napa (Carlyle) screwdrivers are very nice as well. I like them as much as my Snap on set.
 
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cweidert03

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New Castle, IN
scubadoober said:
Gedore ratcheting wrenches, SK X-frames, KTC extra long box end wrenches, Nepros anything, Knipex anything, SK stubbys, Wera micro screwdrivers, Wiha screwdrivers (insulated if you need them), Wiha scraper, tool brand bottle opener if you are into the bubbly. It just depends on what you are into.
Click to expand...



I have gearwrench ratcheting wrenches and seems that when I find a time they would be handy they are too bulky to get to the fasteners..

I don’t mind replacing current as I’m planning on building out sets for both my boys when they get old enough if they have interest in working with tools.


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cweidert03

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DTuck said:
So, this is where I'm at and what I use in terms of high quality tools for the best price.


Wrightgrip wrenches
Napa (Carlyle) Ratchets. Locking flex heads are REALLY nice ratchets for the money, especially on sale.
Napa (Carlyle) screwdrivers are very nice as well. I like them as much as my Snap on set.
Click to expand...



I’ve read lots of good reviews on Carlyle tools but there isn’t a Napa local. 35 min drive. May have to make a road trip one day and have a look but from what I’ve read inventory depends on the store


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DTuck

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cweidert03 said:
I’ve read lots of good reviews on Carlyle tools but there isn’t a Napa local. 35 min drive. May have to make a road trip one day and have a look but from what I’ve read inventory depends on the store


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Click to expand...

Could always have them shipped, if you don't like them ship them back. Napa's CS is top notch they usually pay for the shipping back.
 
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Gmonkee

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Get the stuff of dreams. Something you may have already but just WANT the bling you could never otherwise justify.

Your dream, your choices. For me Nepros or Ko-Ken Zeal from your own list. The stuff I use now had been fine nearly a decade but the fancy Japanese stuff speaks to me.
 
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samss

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Conway, AR
I didn't see any gear pullers, snap ring pliers, thread chasers or a compression test gauge in your pics. Of course, eventually you'll need a bigger box. :)
 
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victor252

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Those Nepros limited edition ratchets with the leather handles look pretty nice for $100.

Just putting it out there.

But the Carlyle flex heads and the Wright wrenches someone mentioned would also be at the top of my list.
 
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Tonyuk

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Scotland
Toptul extra long combos, large pair of irwin nws cutters, pair of knipex combi and needle nose pliers (plain red grips), wera chisel screwdriver set, good bit set (hex, torx, spline) facom ratchet spanners (might be pricey there).

Cant think of anything else off the top of my head really, i would just improve on what you use most, and leave the rest until it breaks or wears out.

Edit:

Couple of bits extra;

Estwing ball pein
Good deadblow (trusty cook?)
Break bar (id go HF pro)
Good bahco adjustable spanner
Pair of knipex alligators
New wipers for the car doesnt hurt this time of year
 
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cweidert03

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New Castle, IN
samss said:
I didn't see any gear pullers, snap ring pliers, thread chasers or a compression test gauge in your pics. Of course, eventually you'll need a bigger box. :)
Click to expand...



Have a set of lisle snap ring pliers, and the gear pullers and compression test gauge would most likely never be used. I like to work/play diy mechanic but don’t see myself ever digging that deep.

Thanks for the reply!



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ARFLY

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Maybe some good ball peen and dead blow hammers, some good chisels, and some good punches. I use those a lot more than I ever thought I would. Do you have an air compressor and any air tools?
 
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cweidert03

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New Castle, IN
ARFLY said:
Maybe some good ball peen and dead blow hammers, some good chisels, and some good punches. I use those a lot more than I ever thought I would. Do you have an air compressor and any air tools?
Click to expand...



I have a air compressor. 20? Gallon harbor freight.. no air tools though. I have a 1/4 and 1/2 dewalt impact.


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cweidert03

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New Castle, IN
I put a few things on a list for my in laws and wife so I’ll be waiting until after Christmas to make purchases.. but here is what I’m thinking.

Snap on hard handle screwdriver set
1/4 & 3/8 ratchet (snap on dual 80 hard handle, Nepro, koken others??)
NWS pliers set jobo1004 recommended
Trusty cook dead blow what weight?

Also I don’t have any ball peen.. what situation would those be used?


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ItsNemo

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I would be more incline to buy additional capabilities (ie tools I don't have but could make the jobs I do easier) than I would be to upgrade functional tools.
 
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barrybeefburger

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North of the GTA, Ontario
cweidert03 said:
Planning on splurging on some tools for myself for Christmas.. I don’t necessarily have any needs. I generally work on my mowers, ATV and minimal auto work. I have already upgraded most of the basic tools to gearwrench. Have the 120xp regular and flex in all 3 sizes.

If you were going to spend $300-$500 on tools what would you guys do.. I’m looking at buying quality just because I want to not because HF wouldn’t suffice.

Nepro, Ko-ken, Snap-on, NWS pliers, Mac, matco....

Thought about pink hard handle snap on screw drivers, ratcheting snap on screw driver, maybe a nice 1/4 or 3/8 ratchet.. trusty cook dead blows.. breaker bar... comfort grip ratchets or hard handled snap on.

Only tools I’m not a huge fan of that I have are the gear wrench standard wrenches they are a little thin in my hand. I love my Facom Metric combo wrenches


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Click to expand...

Our stories are very similar, what I ended up doing was making a bit of money of the back of it.
You have a good selection of tools you also have an interest of small engines, why not start looking through CL or other places for used or old mowers, trimmers, chainsaws etc, fix them up and sell them, whilst fixing them up you will get an idea of the tools you use most and therefore spend the big bux on the most used or most desired tools, you will gain knowledge of how all these things work and increase your tool selection at the same time. Result all round :beer:
 
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PhantomEB

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Medicine Hat, AB, Canuckistan
Christmas to me happens every time I go to Canadian Tire and pick up one or three more of the sockets I need to fill my trays.

Can't seem to bite the bullet for my 65" 4K though....
 
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ItsNemo

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PhantomEB said:
Christmas to me happens every time I go to Canadian Tire and pick up one or three more of the sockets I need to fill my trays.

Can't seem to bite the bullet for my 65" 4K though....
Click to expand...
Buying individual sockets at Canadian Tire? Really? I can't imagine...you pay 50 cents a socket in a big set versus $5-10 individually.
 
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mmason7764

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Wesson, Arkansas
CW,

How long is your breaker bar?

Also, didn't see a hand impact driver.

Eventually you'll run into needs for both.

Channellock nut buster for mangled heads.

Mark
 
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cweidert03

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New Castle, IN
bczygan said:
This is it for me too, but the OP called his tools a "Collection", and they seem too shiny for utilitarian, so..........



Bill
Click to expand...



Ha ha you are semi-correct.. I am very busy with work and 2 boys.. my wife works evenings.. so I don’t get in the garage often and my cars are all new and under warranty. So there won’t be any major tasks undertaken


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Fedwrench

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cweidert03 said:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I...ra+ratchet&dpPl=1&dpID=317zp1nTs4L&ref=plSrch

Anyone have any info on this?


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Click to expand...
I have the 1/4 & 3/8 versions. It's a very nice ratchet with a fairly thin head. The only two things I don't care for is that it isn't servicable. You can't take it apart as the gear is pressed into the ratchet head kind of like a ratcheting wrench. The other thing is the handle isn't that round but, that's just me.:beer:
 
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Ohmthis

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Outside of Louisville KY
I'm with others here that you should expand your collection instead of upgrading. Here is a list of things I see missing.
Dead blow hammer
Brass/copper hammer
Chisel/punch set
Electrical meter (can be used around the house too)
Soldering iron/gun
Metal snips (Midwest/falco)
Precision measuring tools (a set of good calipers comes in very handy)
Air tools (die grinder, angled die grinder, air hammer)
These would come in really handy for what you do. I think I could buy almost all of the things on my list and have good quality items for what your budget is. Good hunting!
 
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ca90ss

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California
I would spend it all on a larger item that you may have been putting off because it was too expensive. For me it's easier to spend $20 or $50 here and there than it is to set aside $500 for something.
 
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cweidert03

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New Castle, IN
Well I bought the special edition Wilton 63200a tradesman vise with hammer.. probably still going to get some new screwdrivers as I’m not too happy with the craftsman pro that I have.


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KGB Pilot125

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Colorado
bert1913 said:
I love my mid length gearwrench sockets
Click to expand...

have snap on and cornwell mid lengths, I love them.

I find my self lusting after snap on orange handle screw drivers. but no the new ones, ones like my dad and grandpa had. wish I could find a NIB from the 70's/80's whenever they were new.
 
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jd_1138

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NE Ohio
You have all the socket sizes represented? Like shallow, regular, deep in both SAE and metric, regular and impact? Sometimes you need the various sizes.
 
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