I recently left the military (Heavy vehicle tech) and started a new job (industrial diesel generator and compressor repair). My job is 60% on the road, 40% in the shop. We are expected to keep pretty much a duplicate set of tools in the shop and on the truck, with the exception being some of the more expensive test equipment, meters and power tools.
I jumped into this and bought most of my tools (with some aid for GJ'ers) over a couple weeks, right before starting the job. Currently, in the truck, I have Craftsman sockets, Craftsman Industrial wrenches, Williams ratchets, Northern Tool hex socket (Forget their house brand, but these are some of my most used tools) Williams screwdrivers (ratcheting and hard handled), Craftsman Pro pry bars. HF dead blows, HF Pro Impact sockets, Ridgid pipe wrenches(24, 36, 48), Bahco adjustables, and Channellock Pliers (multiple variety).
In my shop box (HF 44) the setup is pretty similar. I use my Bahco ratchets in the shop, some of my deepwell sockets are HF. I use the green SK screwdrivers in the shop and have Gearwrench ratcheting wrench master sets instead of the CM Industrial. Some of my shop pliers and adjustables are of a cheaper variety, sourced at sears clearance, HF etc.
Those are the tools I have duplicates of. The tools that get carried between include but are not limited to Milwaukee 18v (Drill, sawzall, circular, multiple impact wrenches) Fluke (87v, IR Thermometer, amp clamp) Torches, corded tools. In both the truck and shop, all sockets and wrenches go up to 1 1/2
I now need to put together a home set. Do I pluck cheaper stuff from my work box and replace with better? Do I just buy good tools for home and leave the other sets as they sit? I know theres a bit of HF in there, but in 1500 hours of pretty heavy use, I haven't broken anything yet.
I'm currently looking at Williams Supercombo wrenches, possibly some of their blow molded socket sets. I work on motorcycles daily at the house. I've been working out of my work truck but it's time to put some tools in the boxes I have sitting empty. What would you do?
I jumped into this and bought most of my tools (with some aid for GJ'ers) over a couple weeks, right before starting the job. Currently, in the truck, I have Craftsman sockets, Craftsman Industrial wrenches, Williams ratchets, Northern Tool hex socket (Forget their house brand, but these are some of my most used tools) Williams screwdrivers (ratcheting and hard handled), Craftsman Pro pry bars. HF dead blows, HF Pro Impact sockets, Ridgid pipe wrenches(24, 36, 48), Bahco adjustables, and Channellock Pliers (multiple variety).
In my shop box (HF 44) the setup is pretty similar. I use my Bahco ratchets in the shop, some of my deepwell sockets are HF. I use the green SK screwdrivers in the shop and have Gearwrench ratcheting wrench master sets instead of the CM Industrial. Some of my shop pliers and adjustables are of a cheaper variety, sourced at sears clearance, HF etc.
Those are the tools I have duplicates of. The tools that get carried between include but are not limited to Milwaukee 18v (Drill, sawzall, circular, multiple impact wrenches) Fluke (87v, IR Thermometer, amp clamp) Torches, corded tools. In both the truck and shop, all sockets and wrenches go up to 1 1/2
I now need to put together a home set. Do I pluck cheaper stuff from my work box and replace with better? Do I just buy good tools for home and leave the other sets as they sit? I know theres a bit of HF in there, but in 1500 hours of pretty heavy use, I haven't broken anything yet.
I'm currently looking at Williams Supercombo wrenches, possibly some of their blow molded socket sets. I work on motorcycles daily at the house. I've been working out of my work truck but it's time to put some tools in the boxes I have sitting empty. What would you do?
