Help a newb getting set up.....

[clownbear69]

Hey y'all

While yes I am a newb to this site, im not a true newb tools (at least in function) but a newb to what's good and what's not. My grandfather and father both used tools part of their professions. And I grew up knowing craftsman is the way to go. But in todays climate doesn't seem to be the case.

Back story for me:
Now I do not work professionally with tool. At the extent of my usage is working on my dirt bike and possibly a project car/truck. And of course house repairs.

So with that in mind I know I won't use them everyday (let a lone possibly months at a time) but would like to build up my own stuff. Also with it being the chirstmas season, it seems to be the best to buy now (even if its a handful of items) because of the better deals that are around.

Now the wife has been wanting to get me a rolling tool box. And from reading on this forum and elsewhere it seems to me that the HF 44" is the best deal for me.

I want to keep my shopping as local as possible just to cut down on shipping (Heck HF wants to ship that box for close to $100 and sadly don't have one in my town). These are the local establishments:

Home Depot
Sears
Ace Hardware
Walmart
and several different pawnshops

So in my limited reading it seems like: USA made first, after that its very subjective with a lot of rubbish on the shelfs.

Now I have bought some tools since the family and I moved into a house. Many of the tools ive bought aren't the best quality but they were clearances. I bought a lot of Irwin clamps from HD when HD was getting rid of their entire Irwin line (also was able to get a Irwin 5" vise for around $30 so even if it broke it was worth it). A set of Dewalt screw drivers (4 pack) for $5 and a couple of Husky USA made screwdrivers for a $1 a piece.

So any advice would be great. While I await your response time for more reading about other reviews.

Side note while I would like to own Snap-on (or any of the truck tools) but my limited usage scares me to being a potential expensive paperweight.

EDIT: mods if this thread could best be used elsewhere please move thanks

 

[crewchief888]

you may, or may not, find a decent toolbox in a pawn shop.
it's always hit and miss, (mostly miss) around here.

prices always vary.

in some areas CL may be the way to go for a used truck brand box, but as always "buyer beware"

you may find something @ home depot that you like.

you mentioned shipping on a HF box is $100, depending on how close the nearest one is, it may be worth the trip.

$100 will fill the tank on my '00 sierra
full tank in the saturn vue, with $$ left over for lunch, and a side trip to out of town pawn shop(s).

of the stores you mention, HD is the only one around here that carries toolboxes.

 

[akacoke]

whats your budget ?

 

[metalart]

what kind of tools do you want to store? woodwoorking, mechanic, plumbing, power tools? a little of each?

 

[clownbear69]

To answer some questions

I already told the wife that we might have to take a trip to get a box from HF. I just hope that 42" will fit in my Tacoma (I personally haven't looked at one)

Budget. Currently its $0 but that's because I want stuff priced out and specifics detailed first and let the wife go at it. As I stated Snap-on (or other truck tools) are awesome but I don't want to fork over a premium price for a one time use. I wouldn't be apposed to buying them used at a shop but I would need a price guide for what it is new vs the used. A lot of the pawn shops do many premium prices just because of name alone. EDIT: Since its the X-mas season where there is a ton of tool sets for sale, now will be the time to get but unsure what good, decent and absolutely garbage

Type of tools: A little bit of everything. About the only thing that is lowest on the list is power tools. I want to stick to mainly hand tools. The only power tools in my inventory is a corded dewalt drill and a skilsaw from the 60s (grandfather gave it to me and it was 3rd back up now)

 

[metalart]

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/tls/4772836562.html


http://rockies.craigslist.org/tls/4738113406.html


http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/tls/4777934150.html

 

[clownbear69]

Interesting boxes with Albuquerque being the closest. Thanks for the links

 

[clownbear69]

I decided to see if I can find any deals at a pawn shop for boxes tomorrow. If I run into a one ill post some pics and price and see if its worth it. Hate to sink money in garbage.

Thanks y'all

And of course any other advice tips or experience on products is always welcomed

 

[619DioFan]

The hf 44 will fit in your Toyota no prob ( might have to unbox it there ) fairly heavy box.
hf has other gems in the store such as the new professional line of ratchets and the pittsburge professional impact sockets. the chrome sockets are pretty decent and if you are into air tools the earthquake line of impact tools is very good.

 

[erty67]

check your local craigslist. There are deals out there.

 

[clownbear69]

The hf 44 will fit in your Toyota no prob ( might have to unbox it there ) fairly heavy box.
hf has other gems in the store such as the new professional line of ratchets and the pittsburge professional impact sockets. the chrome sockets are pretty decent and if you are into air tools the earthquake line of impact tools is very good.

That's good on those other items. I assume the box is a wood box for the tool box?

 

[clownbear69]

check your local craigslist. There are deals out there.

I wish my town had a legitimate CL. Ironically Gallup is a population of 20k (close to 60k in the weekends) and doesn't have a CL listing the closest are Albuquerque and Farmington which both are 2 hours away. Sure some people post in both but get lost a lot if the time

 

[clownbear69]

Well I went to a couple pawn shops today. They don't have any rolling boxes. Looks like I will have to pony up the money and travel to the big city for a rolling tool box. When I was at these pawn shops a lot of the tools where (and the handle held boxes) were very low end gear. And I guess I should suspect that because I do live in one of the poorest counties in the nation.

And as always suggestion is always welcomed