Good Quality Tool Sets - Starting Fresh

[Pilgrim21784]

Hey Folks,
Finally finishing up my garage project. I've got a ton of mismatched sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, plier, drill bits, etc., etc. collected over the past 40 years.

I'm going to dump my existing stuff and buy a complete set of new gear. Wanted to get your opinions about who makes decent (not pro quality, SnapOn is obscene price-wise) stuff. I'm just a regular DYI simple home owner type and don't need anything super quality or over the top price-wise.

I'm inclined to buy Sears Craftsman gear based on prior experience. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks for any input.

 

['71 VW 1302]

Does your current stuff work? Why replace when it's still functional?

Paul

 

[DRhodes]

I personally don't care for the new Craftsman stuff (China made). If I were doing it on a budget I would buy SK tools. They are reasonably priced and great quality, and made right here in the USA.

 

[Pilgrim21784]

Does your current stuff work? Why replace when it's still functional?

Paul

Mainly because over the years I've lost the socket set, wrench set, drill bit set, etc. containers and just don't want to be bothered with organizing all of it. Figured I'd just buy a complete new set of tools w/containers and be done with it.

Most jobs I do around the house take me more time to find the "whatever" than it takes to get the job done. I am definitely not the sharpest tack in the box.

I'm retired, not poor (though not rich) and just want to get organized for once in my life. Took me 28 years to go from a parking pad, carport, enclosed 2 car garage w/nice workbench and organized tools.

I did all the work myself. Seriously, ask me before you try doing concrete work by yourself for the first time - its not a bright idea.

When my concrete guy showed up in 1985 he looked at his watch, said "I'm on time, where is your crew?" I said "I'm the crew" - he said - "Youngster, you got a lot to learn." Like I said, I'm not the sharpest tack in the box.

 

[retDAC]

... I'm going to dump my existing stuff and buy a complete set of new gear. ...

Where? I might need some of it.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

If you aren't dead set on made in USA tools, the Gearwrench master sets are very nice tools for the money. If I was chosing between Craftsman, Kobalt, & Gearwrench, I would chose the Gearwrench.

 

[scaron]

Proto, Wright and S-K all offer eye popping pre-rolled kits full of top quality US made tools but the prices can get up there a little bit. Look to spend a few thousand tops on a nice big kit. They are mostly intended for industrial customers buying work-furnished kits of tools for employees. If it's not important to you that you have every piece in your tool set right now, or you aren't bothered by not having all the manufacturers of your tools be the same, you can save a lot of money. Each company has things that it does best, and each company just rebadges certain items in their line-up from OEMs (even the truck brands do this). Find the item from the OEM and it's often cheaper. There's always used tools as well, lots of bargains to be had on eBay. But if you look at the full catalog available from Wright or S-K you'll get some idea of what's out there for large kits, if Craftsman isn't doing it for you (and I don't blame you for that).

 

[scaron]

If you aren't dead set on made in USA tools, the Gearwrench master sets are very nice tools for the money. If I was chosing between Craftsman, Kobalt, & Gearwrench, I would chose the Gearwrench.

i am pretty sure that gearwrench products are made in taiwan or china.

 

[1950mercury]

Ratchets new s.o. sockets,wrenches and screwdrivers USA WILLIAMS the sockets and hh screwdrivers are almost exactly the same as so at a fraction of the price.

 

[Stooge]

i am pretty sure that gearwrench products are made in taiwan or china.

still most of it is pretty high quality, OP didnt mention he had a preference of COO. if i had some money to play with and wanted a little bit of everything, i would definitely look into the SK or Proto master sets. maybe this one for around $1500 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJJEEFU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
then they just go up from there.
http://www.skhandtool.com/products/master-kits.aspx

 

[richfinn]

Hi Pilgrim

I really would reconsider buying a complete new set.

Use GJ, find the best deals and take it slow, only buy exactly what you need and look for the best deals on new stuff and don't disregard used tools.

Part of the pleasure of building a tool kit is that it's unique to you and custom built to whatever you want to repair or build in the garage.

We all have our favourite brands but not many can afford a complete quality kit in one hit.

Do you need SAE or metric or both??

Do your cars or equipment have Torx or Spline fasteners???

Do you care about buying USA??

Do you care about warranty??

I think a lot of the Taiwan stuff is pretty good but I still buy Euro and USA stuff if I can get a good deal

 

[zakmartin]

If I were starting fresh, I'd stick with SK and Armstrong. For a little extra money, Wright makes some great stuff as well.

 

[Scout Driver]

Another vote for GearWrench. Good bang-for-the-buck.

In the past, I would have mentioned the US made Allen brand, but they have gotten harder to find in the last few years.

Scott

 

[Hyster Gareth]

As others have stated you can't go wrong with SK or Williams. Keep an eye on the classifieds for good second hand as well.

 

[CWP1616L]

Get Craftsman tools; you can walk into the store and get them warrantied everyday except holidays. Just keep an extra supply of tools on hand to use on holidays and you'll be fine.

 

[trogo]

I vote for Craftsman USA Made Set. They are still available.

 

[Tellingthem]

I use Craftsman stuff. I'm not a pro mechanic but in my work I've used many a various tool from time to time. And they work well for your average joe. You can find USA sets still. (thats all I buy) IIRC the 309 set is going on sale this friday for $199. My local store still has some old USA(or mostly usa) sets. That might be a good starting off place. When I finally start making some money I do want to get into SK. But in the meantime Craftsman works fine for me. Here is a link for the 309 set. They also have bigger sets if you want.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-309-pc-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-00941309000P

 

[kingofdogs1950]

!

I recently spent some time researching tool sets, in particular socket sets. My situation was not dissimilar from the OP. I have lots of sockets but everything is mismatched and some sizes missing and I decided to start fresh. (My old stuff will be given to a friend that will benefit greatly.)
Now, I don't have a lot of money and ended up narrowing my search to CM and GW. These two brands seem to offer a LOT for the money. I know everyone sez that you can still get USA CM but my local store has almost nothing left made in the USA. In my area, don't bother checking CL - all overpriced junk. I am leery of ordering CM and "hoping" it will be USA. Sooo.... I looked at China CM. Humm.... Then I looked at GW and of course used google and GJ to see what others thought. The GW seems very nice to me and gets good reviews, so I bought a 118 socket pc. set that have virtually all the sockets I wanted, and mostly 6pt too. Ooooh! I've only changed one water pump so far but I have high expectations that the the GW sockets will serve me well. Life time warranty and I can go to Advance Auto down the street (where I bought the set) if anything breaks. AA stocks GW and has very good prices too, esp. at their website.
Almost forgot, I also considered Kobalt but from what I saw at Lowe's a lot of the Kobalt is made in China and just not as nice as the older Kobalt tools I own. So Kobalt is out.
Back when I was a working mechanic I bought a lot of my tools off CL and especially flea markets but I lived in Houston then where lots and lots of used stuff is available. Now I live in a small city and it is easier just to buy new.

Mark Robinson
College Station, TX

 

[d.mcfarland]

As it is right before black Friday ... The large Craftsman USA sets are going to be on sale. Grab one and be done!! Upgrade the ratchets and you will be set!!

 

[iroc409]

Unless you just literally dump them, you might spend more time getting rid of your current stuff than spending $50 on some organization and getting to it. Just a thought.

 

[JoeFin]

Craftsman Industrial Grade - that's what I did when I got tired of looking at my "Mix and Match" collection of tools

But ya - I have sons who I give the "Hand me Down" tools to

 

[Stokes_]

Williams makes some decent socket sets, though they are made in Taiwan. Their ratcheting screwdriver is outstanding for the price. Wera Kratform classic screwdrivers are a steal for $20 on Amazon right now. If you're looking to spend a few extra dollars I will always recommend SK anything.

 

[Stooge]

Williams makes some decent socket sets, though they are made in Taiwan. Their ratcheting screwdriver is outstanding for the price. Wera Kratform classic screwdrivers are a steal for $20 on Amazon right now. If you're looking to spend a few extra dollars I will always recommend SK anything.

Some of the williams stuff is import, but theres plenty of domestic made stuff available. Good prices too https://www.toolsdelivered.com/mobile/Metric-Socket-Sets_c_2857.html

 

[Stokes_]

Some of the williams stuff is import, but theres plenty of domestic made stuff available. Good prices too https://www.toolsdelivered.com/mobile/Metric-Socket-Sets_c_2857.html

That's an awesome link, thanks! Love buying US made whenever possible.

 

[erty67]

Keep what you have and replace the missing pieces. If you've used craftsman in the past, it makes no sense to dump the good craftsman stuff and replace it with the newer cman stuff. As for newer home garage use, I've had good luck with the Taiwan kobalt stuff.

 

[JasonCAT]

Williams makes some decent socket sets, though they are made in Taiwan. Their ratcheting screwdriver is outstanding for the price. Wera Kratform classic screwdrivers are a steal for $20 on Amazon right now. If you're looking to spend a few extra dollars I will always recommend SK anything.

Williams still makes both US and Taiwan. US has letters mixed into the part number, Taiwan just has numbers.

Not that there's anything wrong with their Taiwan tools...no one would go broke if they used just Taiwan Williams tools at work.

 

[wmartin]

I'm going to dump my existing stuff and buy a complete set of new gear. Wanted to get your opinions about who makes decent (not pro quality, SnapOn is obscene price-wise) stuff. I'm just a regular DYI simple home owner type and don't need anything super quality or over the top price-wise.

I'm inclined to buy Sears Craftsman gear based on prior experience. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks for any input.

hmmm.


For the money, I'd get Channellock pliers, any of the German screwdriver sets that are on sale (Wiha, Wera, Felo, etc. the wood handled Felo are a good deal on Amazon now and again). Craftsman sockets sound like a reasonable thing, although I've gotten some killer deals on Williams sets on eBay. For a wrench set, I'd look on eBay for Armstrong, Wright, Williams. For ratchets, I think that Williams USA can be a good deal.

If you're cool with Taiwan, one alternative is to buy one of those Williams/Blue Point plastic case sets on eBay. They're occasionally quite cheap, and they are probably sufficient for 99% of humanity for most things.

 

[Pilgrim21784]

Unless you just literally dump them, you might spend more time getting rid of your current stuff than spending $50 on some organization and getting to it. Just a thought.

Yep, you're dead on correct, but not a big issue for me. I've put together some handyman gift kits for my daughters, SIL, stepsons and am good to go. Anything decent left over will go to the high school shop class.

Don't want to be bothered with Craig's List people or trying to sell stuff, not worth my time or hassle.

I am the world's worst organization type. Its really pitiful, I know I have the "special tool", just haven't a clue where it is between the garage and large shed. It takes me more time to get my tools located than to get the job done.

My garage project is actually more of a personal "bucket list" item than a normal project. I'm 63, retired 7 years and the nine fractures in my spine from my adventure with the Marines in Nam in '69 are catching up to me. I'm turning into a bit of a cripple. Thought I'd be good for another decade or so, but - it is what it is.

I don't expect to be able to do much grunt work going forward. I just want to finally have an organized, competent garage and tool set available for my kids to admire. Its probably a strange idea, but it is a biggie on my bucket list.

 

[erty67]

Yep, you're dead on correct, but not a big issue for me. I've put together some handyman gift kits for my daughters, SIL, stepsons and am good to go. Anything decent left over will go to the high school shop class.

Don't want to be bothered with Craig's List people or trying to sell stuff, not worth my time or hassle.

I am the world's worst organization type. Its really pitiful, I know I have the "special tool", just haven't a clue where it is between the garage and large shed. It takes me more time to get my tools located than to get the job done.

My garage project is actually more of a personal "bucket list" item than a normal project. I'm 63, retired 7 years and the nine fractures in my spine from my adventure with the Marines in Nam in '69 are catching up to me. I'm turning into a bit of a cripple. Thought I'd be good for another decade or so, but - it is what it is.

I don't expect to be able to do much grunt work going forward. I just want to finally have an organized, competent garage and tool set available for my kids to admire. Its probably a strange idea, but it is a biggie on my bucket list.

Makes sense to me. Good luck on your hunt and thank you for your service!

 

[WVBrady]

...I don't expect to be able to do much grunt work going forward. I just want to finally have an organized, competent garage and tool set available for my kids to admire. Its probably a strange idea, but it is a biggie on my bucket list.

I also have some health problems and I try to use air tools as much as possible. Although it would require the use of a compressor, a relatively small one can still run ratchets and impact wrenches. Impact sockets do not have to be quite so precisely made, because they are usually 6 point sockets. I have never rounded off a bolt with a 6 point socket if it was the correct size.

 

[John in OH]

Sounds as if you have lots of options to consider. I really try to buy USA tools if I feel I can afford them ... just hate to think I'm sending more US dollars to China. I personally really like Wright and Proto, but I think CM sockets may still be made in US (perhaps others on this site can confirm).

So, if I were to start fresh and wanted to keep my cost somewhat modest, I'd get a CM socket set (throw away the CM ratchets and replace with S-K, Wright or Proto ratchets), Wright combination wrenches, CM screwdrivers (I think they are still US made also), and Channel-Lock pliers.

If you're a fan of ratcheting wrenches, then go with Kobalt (still Taiwan made ... I've no problem with Taiwan, at least they're allies). Gearwrench is OK too assuming you can find GW wrenches made in Taiwan (many are now made in China).

 

[Lexus]

It all depends on if you strictly want USA made tools or if you just want good-great quality tools, all the same brand or the best you can get for the money...

You will find high quality tools from all over, USA, Japan, Germany, etc..

 

[CNGsaves]

OP sounds like you would benefit from sets that are kept in blow-mold case that keeps all the sockets, extensions, ratchets, etc organized in one set.

Thus, I'd recommend you pursue sets based on size . . . . thus 1/4" drive set, 3/8" drive set, and 1/2" drive set. Armstrong, Williams, Craftsman and Kobalt would all be nice sets to meet your needs. Another blow-mold set could be all your impact sockets (SAE and metric).

Nice gesture with your donation of tools to others. At 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination, too bad that LBJ kept pushing troops into Vietnam . . . thanks for your service to the country. Good luck.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I also vote Gearwrench. I've had a complete set of USA CM sockets. GW is way better in fit, finish, and over all quality (IMO.)

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hey Folks,
Finally finishing up my garage project. I've got a ton of mismatched sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, plier, drill bits, etc., etc. collected over the past 40 years.

I'm going to dump my existing stuff and buy a complete set of new gear. Wanted to get your opinions about who makes decent (not pro quality, SnapOn is obscene price-wise) stuff. I'm just a regular DYI simple home owner type and don't need anything super quality or over the top price-wise.

I'm inclined to buy Sears Craftsman gear based on prior experience. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks for any input.

Keep what you got.

OR

Go get something from craftsman (sears), kobalt (lowes), husky (home depot), or harbor freight (pittsburgh pro) preferably taiwanese lines. Should be more than fine for what you need to do (oil changes? plugs swap? rotating wheels?).

I don't recommend tossing the tools you know for the tools you don't know but I'm thinking you might not use them a whole lot. In that case they're the tools you don't know and you want something that hasn't lost it's lustre.

 

[Danglerb]

Good tools aren't cheap, but I don't know what you consider a complete set either.

If you pick the right sets, hard to beat Craftsman for value on sockets.

I can't get around wanting the BEST tool for some items, and that means some Snapon, some EZred, some Wiha, some Hazet, some Mayhew, some Knipex, etc.

 

[TJJP77]

Although not retired, I was in a similar position as you about a year and a half ago - I wanted to created a consolidated tool kit to replace all the lost or damaged stuff over the years.

As luck would have it, the Craftsman 540 piece kit went on sale, and I had a 40% off coupon from a register receipt that said it was good on any tool purchase, including sale items. The salesclerk had to call the manager over to get the price to override, but they gave me the 40% off in addition to the sale price.

At that time the 540 piece set was still US made, and you may still be able to find some US made inventory since it is generally a slow moving kit due to the price. The kit is pretty comprehensive and the only thing that needs to be replaced are the cheap pear head ratchets. That was solved by purchasing the Craftsman premium 84-tooth ratchets which are still US made. To complete my tool buying binge, I ordered the complete set of 6-point raised panel combination wrenches to compliment the 12-point wrenches in the 540-piece kit. I prefer to use 6-point where possible to protect fasteners, especially when breaking something loose. I also ordered the offset double-box end wrenches (complete set) at the same time since I've encountered many situations where the offset came in quite handy over the years. Luckily both the 6-point RP combo wrench set and the offset box end set were still US made at that time.

Since then I've been filling in small holes, such as pliers and a few specialty items to make the set more complete. They give you some basic pliers in the set, but I wanted to fill out the variety and sizes of pliers so I would have the right tool for the job around when needed.

 

[iroc409]

OP sounds like you would benefit from sets that are kept in blow-mold case that keeps all the sockets, extensions, ratchets, etc organized in one set.

Thus, I'd recommend you pursue sets based on size . . . . thus 1/4" drive set, 3/8" drive set, and 1/2" drive set. Armstrong, Williams, Craftsman and Kobalt would all be nice sets to meet your needs. Another blow-mold set could be all your impact sockets (SAE and metric).

Nice gesture with your donation of tools to others. At 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination, too bad that LBJ kept pushing troops into Vietnam . . . thanks for your service to the country. Good luck.

I think SK has some nice sets in blow molded cases. I've looked at them. You can get a set of saw 3/8" drive in deep/shallow with an extension and a socket.

Most of the new Craftsman China-made sockets are really nasty looking. I don't think I'll bother with them, if I have to replace sockets or anything I'll probably just buy SK or Wright or even Snap-On (for wrenches). If the Craftsman stuff was decent I'd chug on, but the stuff I've seen has been far worse than Kobalt, Husky, or HF.

 

[Brownsfan]

If I was starting again today. I wouldn't bother with craftsman again and go all SK for most hard line stuff. Even screwdrivers and pliers. Pro quality without the tool truck price. This coming from someone who owns a lot of USA craftsman and snap on. When I started I didn't have the the internet to shop for tools

 

[Stephenw]

I would go to Sears and get one of the larger Craftsman sets. Check the box and check that it is made in the USA. There are still USA made sets left on the shelves.

If you order it online, you may get a set that contains a mix of China made tools.