Complete mechanics toolset
- Thread starter denon
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Bessy
Well-known member
My original thought was purely "do not do this." That was based on my immediate thought of buying an entirely new toolbox/set up like one of those "apprentice" or "master" sets you sometimes see advertised in various catalogues. Those sets I feel are limiting and significantly more costly than buying tools/sets individually and adding them to a quality box. The reason I say this is that not all manufacturers make the best of every tool, so do you want only tools made by a single manufacturer? I'd argue no.
I personally like my knipex pliers, but I have some GRAY, some Irwin, and some Stanley, among others. Some sets of tools I have pieces that remain unused or seldom used because I have a better substitute that I reach for first.
Some sizes of wrench/socket I've never used because I've never come across a fastener that size, while some sets I've purchased didn't have a size I wanted (they tend to skip sizes that are "uncommon" but without regard to standardizing what is considered common. Some sets include a 22mm, but no 16mm, or vice versa.
Alternatively, this popped into my head, that you could keep your eyes on Craigslist or Kijiji and purchase a retiree's or someone getting out of the mechanical trades, fully set up box. There's your ready made set of what is likely used but quality pieces.
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I personally like my knipex pliers, but I have some GRAY, some Irwin, and some Stanley, among others. Some sets of tools I have pieces that remain unused or seldom used because I have a better substitute that I reach for first.
Some sizes of wrench/socket I've never used because I've never come across a fastener that size, while some sets I've purchased didn't have a size I wanted (they tend to skip sizes that are "uncommon" but without regard to standardizing what is considered common. Some sets include a 22mm, but no 16mm, or vice versa.
Alternatively, this popped into my head, that you could keep your eyes on Craigslist or Kijiji and purchase a retiree's or someone getting out of the mechanical trades, fully set up box. There's your ready made set of what is likely used but quality pieces.
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regguy1
Well-known member
There is no such thing as a "complete " mechanics tool set
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I wouldn't waste my time with a complete set. They come with a bunch of **** you will never use and don't include stuff you need everyday.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
I have heard this repeated many times but I lack the experience to know what it means.
Which tools tend to come in a mechanics toolset that are stuff you "never use"?
Which tools tend to come in a mechanics toolset that are stuff you "never use"?
Zebu Fellenz
Well-known member
Taking the link below as an example I'd say the loose allen keys, duplicate screwdriver sets, nutdrivers, small breaker bars, and more would fall into the "never use" or at least seldom need and can live without category. Heck, personally I'd include most all of the 1/2 drive chrome sockets in the seldom used or unneeded list if the impact sockets cover the same size range.
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-903pc-mechanics-ultimate-tool-set/p-00921470000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003c#
TheEuronater
Well-known member
I wish more starter sets were like this one https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07BPYQMXH/
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
why not just replace the worn items that are used the most?
no real sense in throwing the baby out with the bath water
Unless, you want to upgrade, then let your fingers do the walking on the internet because, black Friday is the time for tool sales
no real sense in throwing the baby out with the bath water
Unless, you want to upgrade, then let your fingers do the walking on the internet because, black Friday is the time for tool sales
Exactly
Even if you did manage to put together a "complete" set today it'd be incomplete when the next model year rolls around.If the OP wants to seek the grail, the linked set will give him a decent starting point on his quest
https://shop.snapon.com/product/US-Set-6/Complete-US-Set-6/9600GSBO
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
Do not buy those big sets. There's far too many size skips and filler items for boosting the piece count. Just replace any broken and worn out tools.
The "US" sets do contain a fair bit of metric. So adding the metric set would duplicate a lot of the general hand tools and some of the metric sockets and wrenches.
There’s nothing wrong with buying the big sets, just compare the costs vs the pieces you need even if you’re getting stuff you don’t really need or will seldom use.
Of the craftsman sets if you just want a big box of lot of tools the 409, 500, 540 piece sets are a way better value than the 903. You could buy all the gimmick tools it includes separately for less if you thought you needed them probably for about $400. You’d be at half the cost with one of the other sets and the gimmick tools purchased separately.
Of the craftsman sets if you just want a big box of lot of tools the 409, 500, 540 piece sets are a way better value than the 903. You could buy all the gimmick tools it includes separately for less if you thought you needed them probably for about $400. You’d be at half the cost with one of the other sets and the gimmick tools purchased separately.
There's nothing wrong with buying a complete set. You've just got to know what you're actually getting in whatever kit you are looking at.
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Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app
DFB
Well-known member
Ya you could get by with a lot less than that $2400 900pc set
But where are the drag link sockets they always used to give ya?
But where are the drag link sockets they always used to give ya?
Ya you could get by with a lot less than that $2400 900pc set
But where are the drag link sockets they always used to give ya?
The $2400 craftman set just throws impacts, screwdrivers and a bunch of gimmick tools onto the other sets. You could buy one of those other sets I mentioned and add the rest and save $1000 for the same stuff if you thought you actually needed all of that stuff.
I have most of that stuff from their SYW dealings and you don’t need most of the gimmick stuff. I have mostly everything in that set and spent nowhere near the asking price either.
I agree. The marketing for those always focuses on how each set has like 20000 pieces and all for a low price of blah blah. But many of those pieces are not needed.
As a result, I have a couple of sets of hex keys, then hex bits, then hex sockets and then another set of longer hex keys because that's what one job required. Oh and a million of keys from furniture assembly packs. Ha!
DFB
Well-known member
sberry
Banned
It would be different if some of those sets were expensive but they are cheap. I use hex keys, I use nut drivers and extra screwdrivers. Be another matter if the set was 5000$ instead of 500 and you bought stuff you might not use constant but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, if you already got stuff why not get something you need but don't have? Buying new isn't foing to keep everything in its place.
I have bought a couple big sets when I was in a hurry. Wanted it affordable and now.
I have bought a couple big sets when I was in a hurry. Wanted it affordable and now.
BrandoJames
Well-known member
I'll join the naysayers. If you're taking the time to read & post on this forum, then you should take the time to carefully research & buy the tools you need instead of going "all in" on one huge generic set.
Read the "Truck Tool Equivalents" thread on this board; search the forum for threads on tools you're considering purchasing; check tool reviews online-- become informed and shop around.
If you're like most guys here, eventually your brand loyalty will switch from tool to tool. I like Snap-on flex ratchets (expensive), Tekton flex ratcheting box wrenches (mid-line) and Harbor Freight's U.S. General tool cabinets (budget).
Read the "Truck Tool Equivalents" thread on this board; search the forum for threads on tools you're considering purchasing; check tool reviews online-- become informed and shop around.
If you're like most guys here, eventually your brand loyalty will switch from tool to tool. I like Snap-on flex ratchets (expensive), Tekton flex ratcheting box wrenches (mid-line) and Harbor Freight's U.S. General tool cabinets (budget).
I think the problem with the Hex keys and screwdrivers in sets like these is they’re pretty generic cheap ones they include. The Sears sets except for the one include mostly generic hex keys that cost next to nothing. Same goes for the screwdrivers the one set has what’s usually at most a $20 set and it’s usually cheaper. Bits are not exactly expensive. I bought the biggest bit set because I use a lot of them (actually two, one from Sears and one from Lowe’s for in my house and one for the garage) but they weren’t expensive. The ultimate one is like $35 normal price and usually $28 and has hex keys and 10 times the bits these sets include plus ones they don’t that you might need.
I’ve got no gripes about including nut drivers though since they tend to be more expensive.
The ratchets can be hit or miss, sometimes they throw the cheap ones in sometimes the better ones in but it completely depends on the set. The one I saw had 90 tooth, one had the 84 or 75 tooth, the other had one of the new 45 tooth ratchets, some have the raised panel ones, some have an arbitrary mix of them. You don’t get much real choice you just get what they give you.
There’s nothing wrong with buying a huge set of tools like that, I think it’s just certain ones are probably better assortments than others depending on what you use.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Ahhh man! Amazon deleted all the reviews on this Williams Mammoth tool set!
Boo. It was great while it lasted.
Any of you guys ever read them? Comical to say the least.
Boo. It was great while it lasted.
Any of you guys ever read them? Comical to say the least.
Indexmill
Well-known member
What do you mean "My tools are starting to show there age ..." If they work then use them. If they are **** then throw them out and buy new ones. Why in the world would you want to buy a new set "that all have there set place..." if your existing tools are good? Fix your organizational problem.
giants
Banned
Ahhh man! Amazon deleted all the reviews on this Williams Mammoth tool set!
Boo. It was great while it lasted.
Any of you guys ever read them? Comical to say the least.
Darn! What did the reviewers write?
Shark Pilot
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2017
- Messages
- 73
Sounds like you are looking for something like Teng Tools:
https://tengtoolsusa.com/collections/tool-kits
In terms of "master tool sets" I think Carlyle does a decent job because, based on my experience, pretty much everything thing they make is very good quality.
You would need to confirm that what is in their sets would be worth having:
https://www.carlyletools.com/catalog/
https://tengtoolsusa.com/collections/tool-kits
In terms of "master tool sets" I think Carlyle does a decent job because, based on my experience, pretty much everything thing they make is very good quality.
You would need to confirm that what is in their sets would be worth having:
https://www.carlyletools.com/catalog/
richfinn
Well-known member
What kind of mechanic work do you intend to do?
What age and brands of cars/bikes/boats do you work on?
I think you could buy a tool kit for general maintenance and servicing
regguy1
Well-known member
Exactly
If the OP wants to seek the grail, the linked set will give him a decent starting point on his quest
https://shop.snapon.com/product/US-Set-6/Complete-US-Set-6/9600GSBO
Here's some of my tools (many more in another box) I've added items since this video and it's still not "complete":
Junkdrawer Dog
Well-known member
What are drag link sockets used for? I had to Google to see find out what they are, turns out I've got some!
Over the last year, I've been sorting out and building a complete set for my garage at home, previously my tools were semi mobile and across a couple of locations. The really nice part has been working out what I need, what quality it needs to be (does it need to be snap on, or will a $15 socket rail from eBay do?) and how to organise it. There is some duplication, but only where it's needed, rather than the messy drawers of stuff that never gets used. It's not complete yet, but getting there
I even got rid of some tools!
tom-ky
Well-known member
Only $50 a week for the next 18 years.Exactly
If the OP wants to seek the grail, the linked set will give him a decent starting point on his quest
https://shop.snapon.com/product/US-Set-6/Complete-US-Set-6/9600GSBO
bcradio
Well-known member
OP? Did you die on us?
Then the "ratchet tooth count" & "ratchet lube" questions. Then in a year come back and hit GJ with the inevitable "Warranty" thread.
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I didn't link the set as a joke, though I did poke a little fun at the OPs request.
Like you say a master mechanic/tech will have 90% of it. And then as much again that ain't in it. And right when they think their set is complete the OEMs throw another curveball........................
Yeah they go with the recommendation to pack the ratchet head with NLGI #2 to make it feel smoother. So now they need to warranty the ratchet because it's skipping
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
"Complete" tool sets can be found for under $30 at WalMart, to over $300,000 from Snap-On. Being there is such a wide price range; We could use a few more tidbits of information regarding your particular needs and budget. Keep in mind that the Snap-On set contains few woodworking tools.