Going to go all HF

[Thumper68]

I was going through my road box today while prepping my sons old truck to go to the scrap yard, other than a few minor repairs I have not used that box for automotive in at least 10 years and 3 trucks ago, I do use it for site work so it has a great selection of standard sockets and wrenches but very limited metric.

Anyhow I thought that if I am going to carry it in the truck it should have at least a selection of tools to work on more modern vehicles IE metric wrenches and sockets. So I hopped on GJ and did a few searches, read several threads and in the end decided that with the amount of use these tools will see and the abuse, bouncing around in a box for thousands of miles between uses, work in rain, snow and mud that HF will fit the bill, better than a higher end tool set.

Here is what I decided to add or replace
3/8" composite ratchet
1/2" composite ratchet
3/8" short metric set
3/8" deep metric set
1/2" short metric set
3/8" extension set
1/2" extension set
metric wrench set

That should cover most of what I need to add to cover roadside and away from the shop stuff.

 

[Gmonkee]

Not a bad lot for a 20 spot. Lol!

Maybe a bit more but as occasional use tools they have a good reputation. The HF sockets I have are fine. In use just like any other.
Never tried the ratchets but really don't need any more.

 

[bmxdad]

My son-in-law was thinking of the same thing. He needs to refill a service truck for the diesel shop he manages, but they were low on what he needed $$ wise. Seems the truck is never locked, so ... Anyway, he's seen and used some of the HF Impact sockets I have and was impressed.

I told him, that all the "SnapOn" guys would stop "borrowing" tools from the truck ... especially if he locked it up. He laughed, and agreed. Be interesting to see what it cost, compared to some name brand tools ...

 

[tonyciambrone]

I really like HF ratchets and impact sockets. Haven't used the chrome flavor.

I have to recommend against buying the wrenches from HF. In my experience they are junk. I bought a set for school so I wouldn't be upset if they got stolen. I ended up bringing my Wrightgrips anyways.. I don't really have a low-cost set to recommend, maybe Husky or Tekton...

 

[tdott]

I'd try to buy a kit which includes as much as you need, them perhaps buy the rest from HF.

Those craftsman kits that go on sale for under $300 should do the job.

 

[shawndp]

In 2017, HF represents excellent value. If you want a nicer wrench set than the Pittsburgh I would suggest the Carlyle from Napa. The PP impact sockets have never failed me.

 

[bczygan]

https://www.harborfreight.com/301-pc-mechanics-tool-set-63457.html

Bill

 

[XabuJr]

I'd try to buy a kit which includes as much as you need, them perhaps buy the rest from HF.

Those craftsman kits that go on sale for under $300 should do the job.

Or buy the whole kit from HF and avoid the high priced stuff, which is exactly what he said in the original post.

Reading Comprehension 101.

 

[jallyn]

Love the Pittsburgh Pro ratchets value for the money. Harbor Freight sockets look nice and if I was in the market that's what I'd buy. All made in Taiwan
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-flex-head-long-handle-ratchet-62333.html

Also the Pro set of red and blue handled screwdrivers for $10 is a great value for money. Made in China but get good reviews even here on GJ.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

On the other hand Harbor Freight wrenches are junk from India mostly, some from China. Spend a few extra bucks and you'll enjoy Tekton or DeWalt made in Taiwan.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

Band Aids and HF tool work great together.

 

[RAYJAY]

Love the Pittsburgh Pro ratchets value for the money. Harbor Freight sockets look nice and if I was in the market that's what I'd buy. All made in Taiwan
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-flex-head-long-handle-ratchet-62333.html

Also the Pro set of red and blue handled screwdrivers for $10 is a great value for money. Made in China but get good reviews even here on GJ.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

On the other hand Harbor Freight wrenches are junk from India mostly, some from China. Spend a few extra bucks and you'll enjoy Tekton or DeWalt made in Taiwan.

use the red and blue one's at work all the time, they used to be the neon green and orange before, they rock as screwdrivers never had one of the blades fail yet, the handles get killed shocking out screws with them, they hold up better than top name ones doing the same work....

have the 5 piece hammer set figure if i got 6 months out of them would be great... going on 6 years now and there still going strong. heads a soft enuf to set keys with out damaging them, down to 4 hammers because dirt bag stole one ( yes some people will steal HF tools )
https://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-fiberglass-handle-ball-pein-hammer-set-39217.html

 

[RAYJAY]

Band Aids and HF tool work great together.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I keep a lot of HF in my portable tool box, and generally speaking I'm pretty happy with it. I have a pretty high opinion of HF's sockets and ratchets...I've beat the **** out of some and they got the job done very well. I'm not trading in my SK stuff anytime soon, but it's perfect for my portable...if it gets stolen, it's not a major investment lost. But most importantly, the tools are sufficient to get any roadside work done that I need to do.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Or buy the whole kit from HF and avoid the high priced stuff, which is exactly what he said in the original post.

Reading Comprehension 101.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-311-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Same price, 50 more sockets.

You should apologize to the OP for being rude and wrong, like a real man would.

 

[XabuJr]

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-311-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Same price, 50 more sockets.

You should apologize to the OP for being rude and wrong, like a real man would.

Did he ask about Craftsman? Nope, so still not wrong about my point. He failed reading comprehension, no matter how much you want to defend.

But sure, I was wrong about the price.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Did he ask about Craftsman? Nope, so still not wrong about my point. He failed reading comprehension, no matter how much you want to defend.

But sure, I was wrong about the price.

Did he say he didn't want Craftsman?

 

[d.mcfarland]

How about GearWrench at NTX Tools.com.

Pretty much all of what you said for $100:

 

[Thumper68]

I'd try to buy a kit which includes as much as you need, them perhaps buy the rest from HF.

Those craftsman kits that go on sale for under $300 should do the job.

Don't need a entire kit

In 2017, HF represents excellent value. If you want a nicer wrench set than the Pittsburgh I would suggest the Carlyle from Napa. The PP impact sockets have never failed me.

I'll have to take a look at those.

https://www.harborfreight.com/301-pc-mechanics-tool-set-63457.html

Bill

Thanks Bill but I don't need an entire kit.

Band Aids and HF tool work great together.

This adds to the thread how?

I keep a lot of HF in my portable tool box, and generally speaking I'm pretty happy with it. I have a pretty high opinion of HF's sockets and ratchets...I've beat the **** out of some and they got the job done very well. I'm not trading in my SK stuff anytime soon, but it's perfect for my portable...if it gets stolen, it's not a major investment lost. But most importantly, the tools are sufficient to get any roadside work done that I need to do.

This is it, the box rides in the back of my truck, no one has touched it in 30 years but the chance is always there.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-311-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Same price, 50 more sockets.

You should apologize to the OP for being rude and wrong, like a real man would.

Don't need a kit.

Did he ask about Craftsman? Nope, so still not wrong about my point. He failed reading comprehension, no matter how much you want to defend.

But sure, I was wrong about the price.

Nope I didn't but thats okay options are always good.

Did he say he didn't want Craftsman?

No I didn't but I still will not buy any until I see what Stanley is going to do.

How about GearWrench at NTX Tools.com.

Pretty much all of what you said for $100:

Thats nice but I really want the composite handles for a box that is out in the cold 9 months of the year, so much nicer to hold vs a metal handle.

 

[jd_1138]

That kit will probably be cheaper than buying all of that separately. Plus you will need screwdrivers, Allens, pliers, etc. Unless you're planning on putting other tools to go with the hf list. I'd definitely add the composite ratchets though. Then sell or give away the ones in the kit. Or put them in the kitchen catch all drawer.

Or the Gear Wrench set if it's sae and metric.

 

[Mr_B]

HF Pitts pro will cover most of what you want fine and add vouchers to it and even cheaper again .
You may find sockets don't cover enough sizes and if so look at other options on rail socket set . Pitts pro ratchets and extensions will be great, I would throw in a 3/8 flexi head ratchet too .
wrenches probably best sourced elsewhere, older taiwan gearwrench would do or something else better end taiwan /used .

 

[Jsf721]

After hurricane sandy all my tools were replaced in one shot and I needed tool now bc contractors we impossible to find at the time. I figured I'd buy HF and expected them to **** out and be replaced later. Still using them without issue. I have other brands mixed in as well but the HF stands up to my non pro usage and is a good value.

 

[sberry]

I have a lot of stuff I bought with the intention I would replace it and it is still works, some of it now decades. My opinion then would have been different, after use and being proven it has changed.

 

[Jazz1]

My only HF purchase is a purple spray gun for $15. It works awesome. I find if there is a brand name of any sort stamped on a wrench it's good quality. Rounded out a box end no name wrench at a inconvenient time and place. GVe that set to a kid who bought his first car��

 

[cheechi]

I have HF ratcheting wrenches (non reversible) and long offset DBEs. Generally speaking I think I'd prefer Kobalt made in china for standard combo wrenches over anything at HF. They may be great, just don't look that way on the shelf.

The rest of your list looks solid. I would add the 'through' wrench set, a few times I've gone to the junk yard it's been useful, glad I packed it.

 

[preeber]

I use their wrenches all the time without any problems, I like them. Not a big fan of their screwdrivers however for a roadside kit they should fit the bill. I have noticed that if their pliers have a tenancy to rust really quickly if they don't have a chrome finish on them.

 

[Mr_B]

easy enough find used pliers of half decent brands or buy low cost options but nickel plated.
I got set of 11" long nose pliers cheap and no plating, I buffed them a bit on bench grinder wheel and lightly coat them with wd40, been no bother but mainly as in use daily, would be rusty mess left in portable tool kit I expect .

 

[d.mcfarland]

What did you end up getting?

 

[tdott]

Or buy the whole kit from HF and avoid the high priced stuff, which is exactly what he said in the original post.

Reading Comprehension 101.

It's not anymore higher priced when on sale.

Buying a kit would probably cost less which is buy suggestion, atleast I added value unlike your post. The OP was vague and didn't specifically say what he was posting for. Typically when someone posts they are looking for suggestions and recommendations. If the only purpose of the OP was to tell us he is buying HF tools, what would be the point of that?

Learn some manners

 

[tdott]

Don't need a entire kit

What did you get and how much did it cost?

 

[HanShotFirst]

I have HF ratcheting wrenches (non reversible) and long offset DBEs. Generally speaking I think I'd prefer Kobalt made in china for standard combo wrenches over anything at HF. They may be great, just don't look that way on the shelf.

I agree, I'm not crazy about HF's combination wrenches. But for a roadside kit that may get used maybe once a year, I think they're fine. I actually have Husky combination wrenches in my portable box, but I could live with the HF one's just fine.

It's all about perspective...Will it get the job done? How often will it be called on to get the job done?

 

[Thumper68]

I haven't gotten anything yet as i have not been to town.

I posted to get some ideas on other brands in the same price area as the HF.

I really don't need a kit as I already have std covered, the metric will be rarely used since it is a emergency road kit and job site kit, not to much metric on my sites and what there is is already covered, 8mm, 10mm, 13mm.