Complete n00b - need help from the wise!
- Thread starter razzy3789
- Start date
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
Welcome, Justin.
I've only been here for a short while, and I've found that most of the more senior members have likely forgot more than I know about tools.
You've got a lot of good advise here. The only thing I can add is to watch for estate auctions. I have bought a lot of truck brand tools (Mac and SnapOn) for a small fraction of the price off the truck. The down side of buying at auction is that they are often sold in a box lot, so you'll also be buying "spares" (but they need a home, too.)
I've only been here for a short while, and I've found that most of the more senior members have likely forgot more than I know about tools.
You've got a lot of good advise here. The only thing I can add is to watch for estate auctions. I have bought a lot of truck brand tools (Mac and SnapOn) for a small fraction of the price off the truck. The down side of buying at auction is that they are often sold in a box lot, so you'll also be buying "spares" (but they need a home, too.)
andys
Well-known member
That set will serve to get you started, for sure. I would, though, look into a good ratchet with finer teeth than the ones on the set. All mine are Snappy, but others here have mentioned plenty of good ratchets. Heck, searching for "ratchet" here will get you days of good reading.
djdaredevil
Well-known member
72 is fine and theres not many places that the swing arc is going to be to high on on of those ratchets. The higher the tooth count the smaller space it needs to ratchet.
Estate auctions are just like estate sales but they auction everything off.
Estate auctions are just like estate sales but they auction everything off.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
Of the list you posted, the essentials are pliers and screwdrivers.
You'll find yourself dropping fasteners down into the engine bay on a regular basis - I get a lot of use out of my magnet with the extension. You can buy those at Sears, and while you're there, you might get that inspection mirror. And the pliers at Sears are generally USA made (Western Forge).
I own the IR W7150 cordless impact, but don't use it a lot. It's big and heavy and I almost never need that much torque. It IS nice not to have to fool with a compressor, though, when I need to use it. If I were doing it again, I would probably go with the Milwaukee M18 high torque impact, because of the deals at Home Depot and the wide range of the M18 line.
You'll find yourself dropping fasteners down into the engine bay on a regular basis - I get a lot of use out of my magnet with the extension. You can buy those at Sears, and while you're there, you might get that inspection mirror. And the pliers at Sears are generally USA made (Western Forge).
I own the IR W7150 cordless impact, but don't use it a lot. It's big and heavy and I almost never need that much torque. It IS nice not to have to fool with a compressor, though, when I need to use it. If I were doing it again, I would probably go with the Milwaukee M18 high torque impact, because of the deals at Home Depot and the wide range of the M18 line.
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
Often you'll find auctions listed in the classified section of your local newspaper. It's not uncommon that after someone passes away, the family wants to turn their possessions to cash. They will generally call a local auction company to handle the sale
Yard / Garage sales and pawn shops can be a good source for gently used tools, as well.
hey guys in the past 2 months, a lot has transpired and i have a few (one HUGE) updates for you all that have changed my direction as far as accumulation, storage, and overall direction of my tools for home and auto work
1. My wife and I closed on our first house 2/16
we were renting when i started this post and we had a single car garage but now we have our very own 2 CAR garage !!!
2. The Kobalt 227pc. set that I got back in dec. is a big pain - all the sockets do not snap in place in the drawers and have on multiple occasions became a mess inside (one of the MAJOR reasons I got the set was for convenience and organization) - i don't feel like reorganizing the box every time i transport it or use it and i don't want to have to baby it to keep all sockets in place
So....i've decided to buy a garage tool box and buy everything individually...as soon as i have enough i will get rid of the Kobalt set....
any recommendations on a tool box to fit all the basics?
i'd like something that would store necessary power tools as well as hand tools
also,
if i am going to buy some quality USED truck brand tools, what are the essentials that would be a worthwhile investment to buy and buy once vs. the tools that aren't worth jumping for ? (i've purchased some awesome Snapon stuff at a local estate sale (hack saw, ratchet, etc.) and have found some other snapon stuff at another sale later that day - seems like the stuff is out there and for not a lot of $ compared to the stupid truck price
Justin
1. My wife and I closed on our first house 2/16
we were renting when i started this post and we had a single car garage but now we have our very own 2 CAR garage !!!
2. The Kobalt 227pc. set that I got back in dec. is a big pain - all the sockets do not snap in place in the drawers and have on multiple occasions became a mess inside (one of the MAJOR reasons I got the set was for convenience and organization) - i don't feel like reorganizing the box every time i transport it or use it and i don't want to have to baby it to keep all sockets in place
So....i've decided to buy a garage tool box and buy everything individually...as soon as i have enough i will get rid of the Kobalt set....
any recommendations on a tool box to fit all the basics?
i'd like something that would store necessary power tools as well as hand tools
also,
if i am going to buy some quality USED truck brand tools, what are the essentials that would be a worthwhile investment to buy and buy once vs. the tools that aren't worth jumping for ? (i've purchased some awesome Snapon stuff at a local estate sale (hack saw, ratchet, etc.) and have found some other snapon stuff at another sale later that day - seems like the stuff is out there and for not a lot of $ compared to the stupid truck price
Justin
Al Borland
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,600
Instead of getting rid of the Kobalt (If it's Taiwan, it's pretty decent, APEX), why not set the tools up in the garage tool box and chuck the blow-molded box? At this point, you have a decent starter set. You won't get your hundred back selling it, not even close.
Nick Danger
Well-known member
I missed this thread the first time around. I don't wrench for a living. My tools get a few hours of use a month. When I started buying tools, I bought the inexpensive Craftsman sets first. From there, I filled in the gaps. Then I started upgrading where I needed to.
Now that you're a homeowner, your budget is going to be spent on drywall tools, plumbing tools, lawn tools, electrical tools, and everything else. Unless you have lots of spare cash, buy some socket organizers and keep the Kobalt set.
Now that you're a homeowner, your budget is going to be spent on drywall tools, plumbing tools, lawn tools, electrical tools, and everything else. Unless you have lots of spare cash, buy some socket organizers and keep the Kobalt set.
cweidert03
Well-known member
I started with lots of Kobalt tools and they probably would be fine. I bought a snap on box for a steal a few years ago and because of this forum I got hooked on tools. I bought mostly gear wrench for everything except combination wrenches. I bought Facom Metric wanted to be different and haven't received them yet. But as a weekend mechanic on random stuff Golf cart, ATV, older mustang, mower etc. You can get some really good deals with Gearwrench BOGO. I really like all of my gear wrench that I have used the past few months. The look great and have had 0 issues with any of them. That said I never had any issues with my Kobalt.