Finishing off my wrench and socket set

[cweidert03]

I've become addicted to rounding out my tool set. In the past I bought lots of Kobalt tools to get my addiction started I haven't had any issues. However after joining this forum my OCD has kicked in. I bought New Age cabinets, put Rust Bullet on my floor. Recently added some GearWrench ratchets and like them. And I caught the craftsman professional screwdriver craze. Now I need to fill in my missing sockets and wrenches.

I know I don't need better than Kobalt but I want to upgrade them over time and will give my sons the Kobalt set as they get older. I've read lots and lots of threads.

Sockets I need
1/4 metric deep well
1/4 SAE deep well
3/8 metric deep well
1/2 metric shallow
1/2 SAE shallow
Misc of all to fill the socket holder

GearWrench for these? Or??

I'd like a short and long torx socket set

I'm thinking VIM for these

Wrenches
I need some smaller and larger SAE and metric combination and ratcheting wrenches

GearWrench or??

Pliers
Have Kobalts but these are poorly made
Any brand in between knipex and Kobalt I should look at?

Again I don't do a lot or wrenching but I hate borrowing tools. So I'd like to have a decent set and slowly acquire a full set of nicer than Kobalt tools.

Budget is $500 give or take.. I priced all GearWrench and VIM for this already and was around $500 minus pliers

I prices on tooltopia any other sites?

Thanks Chris


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[ihateminimumwage]

Channellock for pliers. Excellent quality and price.

Gearwrench is a great choice for sockets. Williams Taiwan (Snap-On's Blue Point line with a different stamp) is also a very affordable import option.

Combos are all about how they feel in your hand. I built a nice set of old stock Kobalt USA pebble finish wrenches through Cripe Distributing (SAE and Metric, with a KD and Armstrong mixed in). Identical to Armstrong, KD, Allen USA, etc. Can't remember the total price off the top of my head, but it wasn't much.

 

[franzdom]

What is this Finish you speak of?

 

[Dookie2122]

I have load of new Kobalt, duplicates from putting together my sets so if you're interested and have a specific list I can check what I have available. Intermediate pliers I went with Channel Lock, good prices on individual pieces and sets at Lowe's. The hex / torx bit set, Husky has a nice set, about 40 pieces for $30, I have had no problems with them.

 

[LXCam]

Gear wrench for the sockets for sure. Have you checked out the BOGO deals at all?, I bet you could wipe out your list for real close to $300 if you catch the sales at the right time. Knipex is good, but so is Channel Lock and I've been very satisfied with my Astro purchases too. The few pairs of needle nose pliers I've bought have really been decent.

 

[four.cycle]

Any brand in between knipex and Kobalt I should look at?

Wilde
Proamerica
Klein

 

[oldldh]

Finish???

As in ---

I'm not going to buy any more after I finish....

ARE YOU INSANE????

 

[cweidert03]

Gear wrench for the sockets for sure. Have you checked out the BOGO deals at all?, I bet you could wipe out your list for real close to $300 if you catch the sales at the right time. Knipex is good, but so is Channel Lock and I've been very satisfied with my Astro purchases too. The few pairs of needle nose pliers I've bought have really been decent.

Where would I look for the BOGO sale


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[LXCam]

Where would I look for the BOGO sale


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http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=PROMO_REB


http://www.cpooutlets.com/tools-and...efault,sc.html?prefn1=brand&prefv1=GearWrench

http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/BOGO.html

Tooooo name a few





Your wife can kill me later.

 

[cweidert03]

Awesome thanks! So on the ratcheting wrenches which model is preferred?? I have a set from Kobalt and use them a lot but they don't have an offset.. Looks like gearwrench kdt-9620 would be better


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[pacemade]

I broke two ratchet wrenches, a Napa and a Craftsman. Took the Craftsman to Sears they gave me a brand new one no questions asked, no receipt. I took the Napa one to Napa and they tried to say no warranty without receipt, because all of their new ratchets have a limited warranty. They did replace my ratchet with a limited warranty ratchet.

 

[pacemade]

I guess the question here is can you finish off a socket set? their are swivels, spark plug, o2 sensor sockets, you have your short, your long, your medium, your impact and drive, your think wall, six point and 12 point, flip sockets, rubber padded sockets, your torque sticks. on and on...

 

[pacemade]

after you collect your 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 then you will still need inner tie rod, bearing, 6mm-40+mm

 

[cweidert03]

I understand what you're saying. I'm not going that extensive.. I will never have a "complete" set as there will always be a new concept that I could purchase.. Basically I'm OCD and want to fill the snap on box I have and would like to do so. It's like a new set of golf clubs I don't ever need a new one but rather want it. When I buy these tools I'm aware that 50% might still look new in 10 years but at least My chances of having a tool I need are increased.


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[pacemade]

absolutely! Those Snap on trucks make it too easy. I always get caught by the boss and sent back to the tire line before I can set up an account.

 

[pacemade]

That's what slowed me down from completing my socket set lmao!

 

[Hondarancher4435]

I have some kobalt sockets and I've never had any issues with them. Gearwrench is a good choice for sockets I also have blue point 1/4 sockets that are very nice.

For pliers Irwin and channelock are good quality at a decent price

I am getting ready to upgrade my combination wrenches from craftsman raised panels I think I may try gearwrench for my next set

 

[HaroRider]

Dare I throw the C word around..lol but Craftsman had a really nice set of 299 piece socket set. If you can find a NOS set that would be a pretty good complete set for the money. Warranty may be an issue if you don't want a China socket, but if you are just a DIYer and use them as they are meant to be used you should be ok.

 

[Jim Pelosi]

I bought a Kobalt combination wrench set, metric and SAE many years ago. Still use them but I hate them. Too thin for my boney hands. I do have to say that I really like the Husky tools. Always been a Craftsman guy and tried to hate the Husky brand but an emergency forced me to buy some Huskys at 11:00 pm and I found I really liked them. Seem to be the best tools within my budget.

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[cweidert03]

http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=PROMO_REB





http://www.cpooutlets.com/tools-and...efault,sc.html?prefn1=brand&prefv1=GearWrench



http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/BOGO.html



Tooooo name a few











Your wife can kill me later.

Thanks for the links.. Ended up ordering full sets of GearWrench 1/4,3/8,1/2 shallow and deep metric and SAE.. 3/8 mid depth metric and standard. Ordered VIM torx set. And full sets of GearWrench ratcheting wrenches. Now I just need a weekend to finish organizing all of my garage


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[RRmech]

I'm not too particular to any one brand.
The great majority of American-manufactured tools will get 99.8% of whatever job you need to get done.....done.
I've had pretty good luck with used and inexpensive USA-made tools, found on; e-bay, yard sales, flea markers, and the occasional pawn shop.
In 26 years of wrenching on trains, I've only broken ONE tool.
So I wouldn't sweat the warranty aspect too much, unless you are a (gasp) tool abuser!?
Some of the Japanese-manufactured tools are really GOOD, and often sell for NOT much $$$.....Fuller (KTC tools/Japan) is a fine example of that, as is KAL/Japan.
Sears/Taiwan isn't horrible, as long as you can get it cheap enough?

Steve

 

[creativecars]

absolutely! Those Snap on trucks make it too easy. I always get caught by the boss and sent back to the tire line before I can set up an account.

You should thank him.