I'll vouch for the Cman multi-meter, too. In the past all I used were much higher end meters when I used meters on the job. When it came time for me to buy one, I went with the Craftsman (no clue who makes it for them) and I've been very happy with it (looks like the exact same meter) for 5 or 6 years.
First "pro" tools, need reassurance
- Thread starter Codejack
- Start date
I'll vouch for the Cman multi-meter, too. In the past all I used were much higher end meters when I used meters on the job. When it came time for me to buy one, I went with the Craftsman (no clue who makes it for them) and I've been very happy with it (looks like the exact same meter) for 5 or 6 years.
The problem with Blue Point is that I need at least 3 sets to get the pieces I need. What about Williams?
http://snaponindustrialbrands.com/D...nt/PDF/Snap-on Industrial Brands CAT4 245.pdf
Um, I found that Williams set for $265:
https://aboloxtools.com/socket-tool...a-146-piece-1-4-3-8-1-2-drive-sae-and-metric/
And I can get the SAE and Metric wrenches from different places for about $130 total:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNYQPS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-11012-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets
$400 for a full Williams set?
https://aboloxtools.com/socket-tool...a-146-piece-1-4-3-8-1-2-drive-sae-and-metric/
And I can get the SAE and Metric wrenches from different places for about $130 total:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNYQPS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-11012-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets
$400 for a full Williams set?
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williams socket set is taiwan made, not sure on coo of wrenches but they nothing special and doubt you be over impressed for your 400bucks.
I would buy stahlwille spanners, they superb IMO and life long quality . quite like facom and mac spanners too .
I would buy stahlwille spanners, they superb IMO and life long quality . quite like facom and mac spanners too .
M_George
Well-known member
You mentioned that you needed a good storage case. I did a quick search and found these Proto metal cases that should holdup well for your needs.
https://www.zoro.com/proto-socket-s...MIzbrM-OCc1QIVST2BCh2ydwK7EAQYAyABEgLC8PD_BwE
https://www.zoro.com/proto-socket-s...MIzbrM-OCc1QIVST2BCh2ydwK7EAQYAyABEgLC8PD_BwE
OK, well, if it's al Taiwan , then I'm just going to stick with gearwrench.
And I was thinking more along the lines of something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G1B8M9S/?tag=atomicindus08-20
...if I were to buy a loose set and need a separate case, but I tried to spec out Pittsburgh Pro sets (e.g. 10pc metric 1/4", 10pc SAE 1/4", 10pc metric deep 1/4", etc) from Harbor Freight, but even that came up to $150 just in tools, and their sets skip a lot of sizes. The ratchets look pretty nice, though.
And I was thinking more along the lines of something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G1B8M9S/?tag=atomicindus08-20
...if I were to buy a loose set and need a separate case, but I tried to spec out Pittsburgh Pro sets (e.g. 10pc metric 1/4", 10pc SAE 1/4", 10pc metric deep 1/4", etc) from Harbor Freight, but even that came up to $150 just in tools, and their sets skip a lot of sizes. The ratchets look pretty nice, though.
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VintageOkieDriver
Well-known member
What about Klein tools. Still made in Chicago since 1857?
www.kleintools.com
www.kleintools.com
M_George
Well-known member
SK Tools are made in USA, a bit pricy as compared to HF Gear Wrench and some of the other mid-range tools.
VintageOkieDriver
Well-known member
I have some really vintage SK - still going strong. Forgot to mention them. Thanks M George. Life time warranty as well if I remember.
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,960
That's a really good price on that set, I'd jump on it if that's what you need.
J.H. Williams (Snap-on) made from 1998-2002, Danaher from 2003-2010, then Taiwan Kobalt, and then transitioning to China made.
This "Show us your portable toolbox!" thread is a good one to scan through, even though the Photobucket debacle ruined half the pictures (my own included). Might help with some ideas if you don't go with the GW set.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232078
The Williams sets that were linked are Taiwan made, except maybe the Amazon wrenches, which I would stay away from (lots of weird old stock floating around there with current pictures and incorrect part numbers).
If you go with any Williams, stick with Toolsdelivered. Abolox is good about sitting on your order for a week or so before actually shipping, and other sites are good to place your order before telling you something is backordered.
sammynomas
Member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2012
- Messages
- 11
Ever considered using a second hand Kennedy cantilever box with decent quality tools pieced together from many makers? The Kennedy 1018 box I bought recently off FB garage sale set me back 20 bucks, then I filled it with tools I had duplicates of in my big roll around box. I have a set of Crescent SAE ratcheting wrenches that I bought in 2001 or so, that have not failed yet (figured to get two or three months outta them), a set of TSC Masterhand ratcheting metric wrenches (see very little use) some 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive Thorsen ratchets (round head and open gear) SAE and Metric socket sets (still love that Thorsen 8JNR flex head ratchet I used for years outta my dad's toolbox), a 1/4 Husky rachet and sockets/extensions, Bondhus Allen wrenches, Klein screw drivers, mix of various USA made pliers and cutters, set of sixties or seventies vintage SK 3/8ths drive universal sockets, three USA made adjustable wrenches of different sizes, and much more in it. Still need a hammer, and a few more things. The box is heavy, but nowhere near overfull to the point of not being able to grab something quickly. Here is the box. No pics yet of it filled.
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I would go with the gearwrench you found at 150bucks and build off that with ratchets and impact sockets you fancy .
pittsburgh pro impact sockets good for money and easy exchange, their ratchets okay but gearwrench 84t better but saying that the HF ones take reasonable heavy use and got life warranty too.
Other thing is don't want too much bling mobile as gets stolen too easily plus if forget a odd piece on a job site you cry about it for weeks .
Only thing I'll say about mobile boxes is that quality plastic in many ways better, no issues getting bit wet, don't dent up and stuff less noisy in plastic boxes .
I swapped to plastic chest on wheels and couple old metal tote trays for odd bits etc and seems way go to me for mobile basic kit .
I think you be mad to miss that gearwrench set at 150bucks, nothing going come close to that for value to money and the socketry is decent, spanners not bad either .
I would buy long standard 84t ratchet set or long flexi 84t ratchet set go with it and job jobbed besides reviewing storage options and adding few more needed bits .
pittsburgh pro impact sockets good for money and easy exchange, their ratchets okay but gearwrench 84t better but saying that the HF ones take reasonable heavy use and got life warranty too.
Other thing is don't want too much bling mobile as gets stolen too easily plus if forget a odd piece on a job site you cry about it for weeks .
Only thing I'll say about mobile boxes is that quality plastic in many ways better, no issues getting bit wet, don't dent up and stuff less noisy in plastic boxes .
I swapped to plastic chest on wheels and couple old metal tote trays for odd bits etc and seems way go to me for mobile basic kit .
I think you be mad to miss that gearwrench set at 150bucks, nothing going come close to that for value to money and the socketry is decent, spanners not bad either .
I would buy long standard 84t ratchet set or long flexi 84t ratchet set go with it and job jobbed besides reviewing storage options and adding few more needed bits .
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It's another case of having to shell out $100 for each little set, so I need 6 of them, at least, plus wrenches, and I wind up with 2 (or more) of each ratchet).
If I'm going to shell out $1000....
I have been warned off of SK tools; that, and they are kind of pricey.
That's gorgeous, but the whole point was to have an organized set to help me keep track of tools; I have a pile of wrenches in an open box, now, and it's a PITA to find anything.
OK, I was actually considering Pittsburgh Pro for a shop set, since they don't make a cased mechanic's set, but even shelling out $300 on sockets, I will have gaps, too much overlap between drive sizes, etc.
I really like the look of their low profile ratchets, though:
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-professional-low-profile-ratchet-62330.html
I'm not working job sites, just weird, out of the way places
Yea, I'm pretty well sold. I can get the 84t ratchet set for $65, and I've already got hex and torx sockets, u-joints, etc.
I needed it today: My 1/2" drive 3/4" socket is missing, and I needed 2 sockets, 3/4" and 9/16"... which I don't have in 1/2" drive in the first place. I had to put an adapter on my (Ace brand) 1/2" ratchet and use the 3/8" drive sockets.
Yeah, adapters are nice in a pinch, but oftentimes they get in the way and may not even allow the repair to be done. So you need pretty much all the size groups represented -- shallow, mid, deep across 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. Once you have a full set, repairs are a lot easier.
That's one problem with my current set: It only has about ten 1/2" sockets, and 2 of them are missing.
Anyone have any experience with Klutch?
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200649494_200649494
That kit looks almost identical to the Gearwrench kit, and if it's the same stuff, I could see the advantage of having a local store for warranty returns.
yeh the pittsburgh pro ratchets good for the price and if you live right near a HF easy warranty . Are they real pro quality ? no, are the good quality ? yes very good for the bucks spent, for stuff like mowers etc and average car work the likely do well. Look nice as pretty much a snapon style copy, assume current HF ratchets china made, if buy HF inspect well and pick the cream from display stock and should be off to good start .
One thing with all the taiwan/china ratchets is open um up and give a good greasing before first use, night and day difference once lubed well .
One thing with all the taiwan/china ratchets is open um up and give a good greasing before first use, night and day difference once lubed well .
Even the super inexpensive composite ratchets are nice. With coupon, they're like $7 for the 3/8. They have a newer version of these too (or are the ones with the red accent older?).
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66313.html
I have the HF pitts pro impact sockets, VERY happy with them. No issues at all and Ive abused them.
I think the GW set is gonna be fine. Fill in the blanks with what you need and go from there. As far as boxes, a small suitcase type roller might work well or perhaps a good.
I myself outfitted a mobile box I used for a service truck for road service eons ago. All of it is basically pieced together from older husky, stanley, cman, and others. Ive found theres very little I cant fix unless I dont have the size.
I think the GW set is gonna be fine. Fill in the blanks with what you need and go from there. As far as boxes, a small suitcase type roller might work well or perhaps a good.
I myself outfitted a mobile box I used for a service truck for road service eons ago. All of it is basically pieced together from older husky, stanley, cman, and others. Ive found theres very little I cant fix unless I dont have the size.
Here's my tool case that I need a socket set to go with:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6627649#post6627649
As you can see, anything I could get out of that box would help; it weighs about 60lb right now.
Worse, I found a box that would fit my 25" breaker bar:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DP7VBK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Don't get me started, you guys have me half convinced to just fill up a 3-drawer box with HF pro stuff like this:
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-pi...c-deep-wall-color-coded-socket-set-93265.html
The only problem is that the 3/8" and 1/2" sets have exactly the same sizes, but if I go with 1/2" impact sockets (which have a broader range), I can set it up for less than $300, not too much more than the GW set + good ratchets, and local warranty.
If it my money I would go gearwrench as the set at 150bucks is perfect coverage quality and price. nothing going beat that set even if spending 100bucks more .
fill in with HF as needed and add another portable box to your needs.
HF pro ratchets pretty good for price more so if got offer/coupons, pro impact sockets fine for your usage, general sockets not so good. Chances of you needing warranty gearwrench regularly is pretty slim.
Get the HF impacts and perhaps try a HF ratchet and see what you think and if like it go HF ratchets as ratchets tend warranty more than sockets etc, best keep HF receipts and need good friendly HF to make most from tool lifetime warranty .
fill in with HF as needed and add another portable box to your needs.
HF pro ratchets pretty good for price more so if got offer/coupons, pro impact sockets fine for your usage, general sockets not so good. Chances of you needing warranty gearwrench regularly is pretty slim.
Get the HF impacts and perhaps try a HF ratchet and see what you think and if like it go HF ratchets as ratchets tend warranty more than sockets etc, best keep HF receipts and need good friendly HF to make most from tool lifetime warranty .
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Another vote for GearWrench and HF. I really like HF for the price, and since they are close by for ease of warranty if needed. Another brand you may want to consider is Tekton, which from my understanding has great warranty and customer service.
I looked at some Tekton, and I liked it, but like Grey Pneumatic, it seems like you have to buy redundant pieces to get a complete set, and then it's spread out across 4 different cases....
And it was more expensive than either GW or HF.
I'm almost sold on doing the piecemeal HF set; I can get almost everything I need in the Pittsburgh Pro line, except a complete wrench set. I either have to skip a few sizes (including some important ones, like 15mm) or go with the "lesser" Pittsburgh line... but then I get those really nice long handle ones.
Their flex head ratcheting set has a 15mm in it.
About $20 after you add in the 25% off coupon.https://www.harborfreight.com/5-pc-metric-flex-head-combination-ratcheting-wrench-set-61710.html
These come in handy for really tight spots or if you just don't feel like grabbing a ratchet and socket. If you have any skips in your lineup, you can go on ebay and buy them pretty cheap separately. Might have to go with a different brand, though.
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And speaking of other options, I was in my local Ace hardware earlier and looked at the Craftsman stuff; "Made in China" with a single exception:
Are those better than the normal Craftsman, and if so, is it reasonable to assume that a socket set with that ratchet will also have sockets from Taiwan instead of China?
Are those better than the normal Craftsman, and if so, is it reasonable to assume that a socket set with that ratchet will also have sockets from Taiwan instead of China?
Their flex head ratcheting set has a 15mm in it.
https://www.harborfreight.com/5-pc-metric-flex-head-combination-ratcheting-wrench-set-61710.html
These come in handy for really tight spots or if you just don't feel like grabbing a ratchet and socket. If you have any skips in your lineup, you can go on ebay and buy them pretty cheap separately. Might have to go with a different brand, though.
Yea, and that set is missing a lot of larger/smaller sizes.
I was looking at this and its metric equivalent:
https://www.harborfreight.com/11-pc...long-handle-combination-wrench-set-60548.html
Surely a poor-quality long-handled wrench would break so often that we would hear about it, wouldn't it?
OK, my inner geek came out, and I had to sit down with a spreadsheet to sort this out:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gFsxh78IThTkCRoBG9XY-QbwBtKc9m9_mR4fpqm-43E/edit?usp=sharing
Basically, that Gearwrench set has at least 60 pieces that I am never going to use in a million years; how likely is it that I will need two 1/4" sockets where a wrench will not do for one of them? Or 12 point 1/4" drive sockets? For that matter, I wasn't wild about the 12 point 1/2" drive sockets.
And it's not just about, "Well, I won't use that," it's about, "I don't want to be carrying the extra weight around." I think GW (and most of the other big sets like that) have lost sight of the fact that these are supposed to be portable. I was going to have to buy new ratchets, which wouldn't fit in the molding right...
Also, some extra storage would be nice, which that case is completely lacking in.
-----------------------------
Anyway, I was playing around on harbor freight (always a perilous pastime) and watching youtube videos on their tools... and people are doing stupid $#!^ to them. Like, putting a ratchet in a vice and hitting it with an impact wrench (air, not electric).
My concerns about quality allayed, at least for the Pittsburgh Pro line (all made in Taiwan, apparently? As opposed to the normal Pittsburgh), I tossed some stuff in the cart to build out what I really need and want, to wit:
1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets; I'm looking at the composite ones over the low profile chrome, at the moment, although I may get the composite 1/2" and chrome 1/4" and 3/8", just so the sets all match....
Ten each 1/4" and 3/8" Metric and SAE sockets, deep wells in the 3/8".
Thirteen each 1/2" Metric and SAE impact sockets; these are the good thin ones, and I'm pretty sure each set comes on a rail.
SAE and Metric wrenches; unfortunately, the normal Pro wrench set skips 15mm, a wrench that I use a lot... so I'm just going to use an old one until it breaks, and then go buy a random one, or maybe invest in a single, really nice wrench
Hex wrenches, because I am sick of using those stupid flip out sets.
Screwdrivers, because I have those nice magnetic tipped ones, and a handful of 20-year old beat-to-Hell ones, and HF has some really nice acetate handled ones; just good, solid screwdrivers.
And, of course, an extension set; I already have an adapter and u-joint set, so that should set it up.
I'm going to stick them in this case:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DP7VBK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
And it should come out close to the GW set with the upgraded ratchets, with a closer place to get warranty replacements, a better box with extra space, and I can always buy the extra sets if I find myself needing a 1/4" deep well socket.
I can get 12 point spline sockets for $10/set, but I don't want to shell out an extra $40 for tools that I almost never use; should I get the 3/8" spline sets, or is there a reason virtually every set has 12 point 1/2" drive sockets?
Anyway, am I stupid, or is this a sound plan?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gFsxh78IThTkCRoBG9XY-QbwBtKc9m9_mR4fpqm-43E/edit?usp=sharing
Basically, that Gearwrench set has at least 60 pieces that I am never going to use in a million years; how likely is it that I will need two 1/4" sockets where a wrench will not do for one of them? Or 12 point 1/4" drive sockets? For that matter, I wasn't wild about the 12 point 1/2" drive sockets.
And it's not just about, "Well, I won't use that," it's about, "I don't want to be carrying the extra weight around." I think GW (and most of the other big sets like that) have lost sight of the fact that these are supposed to be portable. I was going to have to buy new ratchets, which wouldn't fit in the molding right...
Also, some extra storage would be nice, which that case is completely lacking in.
-----------------------------
Anyway, I was playing around on harbor freight (always a perilous pastime) and watching youtube videos on their tools... and people are doing stupid $#!^ to them. Like, putting a ratchet in a vice and hitting it with an impact wrench (air, not electric).
My concerns about quality allayed, at least for the Pittsburgh Pro line (all made in Taiwan, apparently? As opposed to the normal Pittsburgh), I tossed some stuff in the cart to build out what I really need and want, to wit:
1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets; I'm looking at the composite ones over the low profile chrome, at the moment, although I may get the composite 1/2" and chrome 1/4" and 3/8", just so the sets all match....
Ten each 1/4" and 3/8" Metric and SAE sockets, deep wells in the 3/8".
Thirteen each 1/2" Metric and SAE impact sockets; these are the good thin ones, and I'm pretty sure each set comes on a rail.
SAE and Metric wrenches; unfortunately, the normal Pro wrench set skips 15mm, a wrench that I use a lot... so I'm just going to use an old one until it breaks, and then go buy a random one, or maybe invest in a single, really nice wrench
Hex wrenches, because I am sick of using those stupid flip out sets.
Screwdrivers, because I have those nice magnetic tipped ones, and a handful of 20-year old beat-to-Hell ones, and HF has some really nice acetate handled ones; just good, solid screwdrivers.
And, of course, an extension set; I already have an adapter and u-joint set, so that should set it up.
I'm going to stick them in this case:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DP7VBK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
And it should come out close to the GW set with the upgraded ratchets, with a closer place to get warranty replacements, a better box with extra space, and I can always buy the extra sets if I find myself needing a 1/4" deep well socket.
I can get 12 point spline sockets for $10/set, but I don't want to shell out an extra $40 for tools that I almost never use; should I get the 3/8" spline sets, or is there a reason virtually every set has 12 point 1/2" drive sockets?
Anyway, am I stupid, or is this a sound plan?
I just got 3/8 84T with some points. I like it. It is smooth and have pretty thin head. I like it, and review here at GJ is pretty positive.
Having said that, this one is cheaper, lighter but with slightly thinker head, less teeth and larger (soft) grip: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=G9
I kinda doubt that the sockets will be from Taiwan.
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Sounds like a plan. I would be inclined get all chrome ratchets plus a composite if you fancy one.
I would also skip pittsburgh pro wrenches and add bit extra cash to wrench budget and get something better. While pittsburgh pro ratchets sockets and other bits nice buy for price the wrenches are pretty poor and not best experience in use in daily scenario. Good wrenches are well worth the extra cash as saves so much time when fit and grip old bolts so much better plus far more rewarding hold and use. Wright stahlwille mac facom carlyle and toptul do pretty decent wrenches.
heres a thread on reasonable priced pro wrenches >
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363381
I would also skip pittsburgh pro wrenches and add bit extra cash to wrench budget and get something better. While pittsburgh pro ratchets sockets and other bits nice buy for price the wrenches are pretty poor and not best experience in use in daily scenario. Good wrenches are well worth the extra cash as saves so much time when fit and grip old bolts so much better plus far more rewarding hold and use. Wright stahlwille mac facom carlyle and toptul do pretty decent wrenches.
heres a thread on reasonable priced pro wrenches >
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363381
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Based on looking at the Klutch stuff in the store I would guess they are from the same factories as Kobalt stuff. I would also suspect they are as good /bad as any of the big box stores. Do keep in mind that GW and Husky are basically the same tools. Husky has a few less teeth and adds a quick release.
I was going to get chrome in 1/4" and 3/8", since those are more likely to need the low profile head, and composite in 1/2", since I am getting all impact in 1/2" sockets, and that drawer will be all black and look cool
Is the Pro line of wrenches no better than the normal Pittsburgh? I was looking at these, that have the spline drive box end:
https://www.harborfreight.com/7-pc-metric-universal-combination-wrench-set-69329.html
This is a portable kit, so I don't need crazy wrench sizes; 10mm, 12mm and 15mm are pretty much all that I use, with some mid-sized SAE sometimes, depending on the lawnmower. I was originally just going to get this set:
https://www.harborfreight.com/22-pc-raised-panel-sae-metric-combination-wrench-set-68729.html
But it doesn't have 15mm! It has 7mm and 9mm, neither of which bolts I have ever seen in my life, but it skips 15mm and 16mm, 15mm being an incredibly common size. I was just going to swap in an old CF wrench, but then I saw the spline drive sets.
And part of my thinking here is that if anything doesn't perform well... I didn't spend much money on it and it can be easily replaced with something else
From what I seen of HF wrenches I really wouldn't bother with them as just not good enough be useful if using every day .
I do quite a bit of old briggs engine work for people and when use my stahlwille standards compared to craftsman HF etc the difference is massive, the stahlwille undo stuff the others slip on .
I know it more money and the HF wrenches will get you by to some extent but I would really recommend trying find a deal on something better as it will be worth it in long run .
I would have a look around wrench threads on here and look online at any current promo sales before committing to the HF wrenches as they not such a good product as the ratchets and sockets.
I do quite a bit of old briggs engine work for people and when use my stahlwille standards compared to craftsman HF etc the difference is massive, the stahlwille undo stuff the others slip on .
I know it more money and the HF wrenches will get you by to some extent but I would really recommend trying find a deal on something better as it will be worth it in long run .
I would have a look around wrench threads on here and look online at any current promo sales before committing to the HF wrenches as they not such a good product as the ratchets and sockets.
Well, anything more expensive is going to have to wait; I'm currently using a mixed set of craftsman (with several missing) and some kobalt metric ratchet wrenches, so $26 worth of HF will be at least a temporary upgrade.
And for Stahlwihle money, I can get Armstrong (I found this set for $62):
http://www.armstrongtools.com/wrenc...de-regular-length-combination-wrench-set.html
Keep looking and see what deals come up on wrenches. you could also just fill in missing sizes and get better quality of most used sizes and add to it gradually.
I think you'll be more than happy with the HF Pittsburgh pro sockets/ratchets but wrenches going be a let down . Stahlwille IMO some of best wrenches made at reasonable cost, I had my standard set over 3 decades and they last way better than snapon wrenches. Toptul possibly one of better taiwan sets but don't think price great, wright nice and also quite pricey, carlyle wrenches surprisingly decent and worth a shot if on promo/sale and warranty easy/local . Ultimately up to you and what you willing spend currently .
I think you'll be more than happy with the HF Pittsburgh pro sockets/ratchets but wrenches going be a let down . Stahlwille IMO some of best wrenches made at reasonable cost, I had my standard set over 3 decades and they last way better than snapon wrenches. Toptul possibly one of better taiwan sets but don't think price great, wright nice and also quite pricey, carlyle wrenches surprisingly decent and worth a shot if on promo/sale and warranty easy/local . Ultimately up to you and what you willing spend currently .
The regular Pittsburgh line ones?
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...long-handle-combination-wrench-set-47067.html
Those look pretty nice, but I was put off by them not being the Pro line.
The other problem is that this is supposed to be a portable set, and that 26mm (which I never use) is 17" long.
I may get those later for a shop set, but that's at least 6 months out, and I think that I would get those Armstrong wrenches, first.
For right now, I've got a complete set spec'd out for right at $300, which is about as high as I was hoping to go.
Note: I just checked the HF pass/fail list, and most of their wrenches are on the "pass" side; I didn't see the universal ones, but that 22-piece (which doesn't have the 15mm) was a pass.
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=ARM56-611
$62 for Armstrong metric 7-17mm, 19mm. The SAE set is $75.
The quote I saw in another forum about Stahlwille:
"The German stuff is so damned expensive you have to approach it from the perspective of a collection rather than utility."
Up to you, if can't afford more now then try HF Pittsburgh pro 22pc and add a 15mm to it.
Really don't like the design or fit of any of the HF wrenches myself though .
Not lot of money lose though as that 22pc wrench set is cheap, could cover you and then keep looking for nice quality used set or new on amazing sale .
wrenches are one of those tools that quality makes all the difference .
Really don't like the design or fit of any of the HF wrenches myself though .
Not lot of money lose though as that 22pc wrench set is cheap, could cover you and then keep looking for nice quality used set or new on amazing sale .
wrenches are one of those tools that quality makes all the difference .
Oh, sure, I was just pointing out that even Armstrong can be had for less than those Stallwille; I'm sure that they are amazing wrenches, but are they twice as good? $400 in wrenches is just too much, at least for any time soon.
I can get the regular 22 pc HF pro wrenches for $15 (lots of small stuff I never use, and would have to get a 15mm, at least), the HF Pro spline set for $26, or the regular Pittsburgh long handle sets for $50, and just leave the big ones at home. That last would be slightly over budget, but acceptable.
I can get Sunex for $70, which would be the absolute limit of my current budget; Armstrong for $150, or Wright for $300, which is about the cheapest I could find Stahlwille.
I can get the regular 22 pc HF pro wrenches for $15 (lots of small stuff I never use, and would have to get a 15mm, at least), the HF Pro spline set for $26, or the regular Pittsburgh long handle sets for $50, and just leave the big ones at home. That last would be slightly over budget, but acceptable.
I can get Sunex for $70, which would be the absolute limit of my current budget; Armstrong for $150, or Wright for $300, which is about the cheapest I could find Stahlwille.
Duct Tape Man
Well-known member
My two cents:
Over 99% of my hand tools are quality made-in-USA tools. I'm not saying that all USA-made tools are fantastic, and I'm not saying that all foreign-made tools ****. I believe firmly in supporting American-made labor, so I tend to spend my money on products made here. Anyone who disagrees, that's fine, this is not the thread for that discussion.
That being said, just because I have a couple tons of hand tools in various locations, doesn't mean that I paid a ton for them. I have a rolling cabinet at work that is filled to the brim with Proto tools I bought new. I paid a LOT of money for them, but I could afford them at the time I bought them, they earn me my living, and have been faithful tools to me over the years. I rarely break one. I have VERY high praise for Proto and their wares. I also have a couple rollaways at home with a lot of Craftsman USA stuff in it, and Stanley, and Williams, and you name it. Some quality is better, and some isn't.
However, just because I have quality tools, and I bought a lot of them new, doesn't mean that you can't find them cheaper elsewhere, or that older line equipment isn't good either. Some of the tools I have here date back to the Second World War in vintage, some even to the 1930s. The quality of some of the American-made tools from the 30s-60s makes some stuff produced today look crappy, even some of the name brand stuff.
So, my suggestions to you:
YOU BUY QUALITY ONCE. However, you can only buy what you can afford. I've heard decent reviews about Gearwrench stuff. It's not fantastic, but it's not junk either. I'd stay away from Harbor Freight hand tools, you are tossing money away. Ditto for new Craftsman stuff made overseas - the quality is a lot less than it was 15 years back when it was mostly made here and even then it was hobbyist-grade.
Get the Gearwrench professional set, then as you work your way up in the field, slowly start investing in better quality stuff than even that - I'd vote for Proto or Wright. Snap-On is great, but very expensive, great quality but IMHO you pay more for the name. Also, I'd start hitting your local flea market once in a while, you can spend a couple hundred $$$ and drive away with a trunk-load of vintage American tools that are in great shape, and will last you a LONG time. I believe in quality AND quantity, buy used inexpensive quality tools and you can buy 10 sets of tools for what you can buy 1 set from your truck tool guy.
Hope my 2 cents was worth it.
Over 99% of my hand tools are quality made-in-USA tools. I'm not saying that all USA-made tools are fantastic, and I'm not saying that all foreign-made tools ****. I believe firmly in supporting American-made labor, so I tend to spend my money on products made here. Anyone who disagrees, that's fine, this is not the thread for that discussion.
That being said, just because I have a couple tons of hand tools in various locations, doesn't mean that I paid a ton for them. I have a rolling cabinet at work that is filled to the brim with Proto tools I bought new. I paid a LOT of money for them, but I could afford them at the time I bought them, they earn me my living, and have been faithful tools to me over the years. I rarely break one. I have VERY high praise for Proto and their wares. I also have a couple rollaways at home with a lot of Craftsman USA stuff in it, and Stanley, and Williams, and you name it. Some quality is better, and some isn't.
However, just because I have quality tools, and I bought a lot of them new, doesn't mean that you can't find them cheaper elsewhere, or that older line equipment isn't good either. Some of the tools I have here date back to the Second World War in vintage, some even to the 1930s. The quality of some of the American-made tools from the 30s-60s makes some stuff produced today look crappy, even some of the name brand stuff.
So, my suggestions to you:
YOU BUY QUALITY ONCE. However, you can only buy what you can afford. I've heard decent reviews about Gearwrench stuff. It's not fantastic, but it's not junk either. I'd stay away from Harbor Freight hand tools, you are tossing money away. Ditto for new Craftsman stuff made overseas - the quality is a lot less than it was 15 years back when it was mostly made here and even then it was hobbyist-grade.
Get the Gearwrench professional set, then as you work your way up in the field, slowly start investing in better quality stuff than even that - I'd vote for Proto or Wright. Snap-On is great, but very expensive, great quality but IMHO you pay more for the name. Also, I'd start hitting your local flea market once in a while, you can spend a couple hundred $$$ and drive away with a trunk-load of vintage American tools that are in great shape, and will last you a LONG time. I believe in quality AND quantity, buy used inexpensive quality tools and you can buy 10 sets of tools for what you can buy 1 set from your truck tool guy.
Hope my 2 cents was worth it.