help me spend $500

[bgblue1978]

I'm going to reward myself soon with some new tools. Most of my stuff is CM with a few HF but they're pieced together sets of raised CM wrenches, a few 1/4" sockets, a set of regular and deep 3/8" sockets, hf 1/2" impact sockets, etc. I'd like to have complete sets, extras will probably end up in my truck.

I mostly work on my personal vehicles, motorcycle, friends cars, household projects, etc. I want to get at least: set of 1/4" regular and deep sockets, 3/8" 6 point regular sockets, set of long combination wrenches, and set of ratcheting wrenches. Anything extra is just bonus. I'd like a nicer set of ratchets too but I don't think it's going to happen this time.

With my budget right now I'm thinking CM 309 piece set, gearwrench long combinations.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-309-pc-mechanics-tool/p-00941309000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L1ZZZU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L1ZZVY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And maybe Santa will bring me a set of ratchets, thinking the gearwrench 120 flex head set or some Armstrongs but not sure yet.
Any other suggestions?

 

[jim1987]

Caleb T has a nice set of 10-19 snap on wrenches for $140 shipped. Which are the same length as gw long pattern.

 

[Askme42]

Send it my way I'll spend it wisely.

Check out the hot deals thread. The craftsman pro ratchets were on sale this past weekend. Check out the sk day thread also. If the deal they offer us is good enough it may be worth your while to spend that $500 on some very high quality made in the USA tools.

 

[bgblue1978]

I been reading the sk day thread everyday, im definitely waiting for them to finalize the details before I settle on anything. USA made would be a plus but it's not one of my must have criteria.

 

[Askme42]

Check out the dewalt socket sets. All 6 point sockets and some decent wrenches with them also. http://www.sears.com/dewalt-socket-...00939156000&kispla=00939156000P&mktRedirect=y

http://www.sears.com/dewalt-socket-set/p-00939204000P

 

[nicksnothereman]

I'm going to reward myself soon with some new tools. Most of my stuff is CM with a few HF but they're pieced together sets of raised CM wrenches, a few 1/4" sockets, a set of regular and deep 3/8" sockets, hf 1/2" impact sockets, etc. I'd like to have complete sets, extras will probably end up in my truck.

I mostly work on my personal vehicles, motorcycle, friends cars, household projects, etc. I want to get at least: set of 1/4" regular and deep sockets, 3/8" 6 point regular sockets, set of long combination wrenches, and set of ratcheting wrenches. Anything extra is just bonus. I'd like a nicer set of ratchets too but I don't think it's going to happen this time.

With my budget right now I'm thinking CM 309 piece set, gearwrench long combinations.

And maybe Santa will bring me a set of ratchets, thinking the gearwrench 120 flex head set or some Armstrongs but not sure yet.
Any other suggestions?

Don't bother with 1/4 drive and import stuff. Just saying...unless you own a mini cooper or something with an extremely tight engine compartment (where you'd probably end up using wrenches anyway).

If you can get a us made craftsman set that's probably a good place to start but you can likely do it cheaper doing mix-match. If you're not using tools all the time doesn't make much sense to spend that much on tools especially expensive tools. There's a lot of good cheap ratchets you can buy with decent tooth counts. EZ red is probably the one to go with for cost unless you can find it cheaper (usually less tooth count). Flex roto or extendable ratchets aren't a huge deal up front as long as you have things like a swivel adapter, wobble extension, various other extensions, and breaker bars.

Honestly, if you NEED some tools try to spend under 150 on what you're going to buy then keep an extra 150 for rainy day tool purchases and use the other 200 for something else. Don't just buy things up front because they end up sitting there.

 

[SASORacing]

X2 skip the 1/4 stuff, no need.

 

[jim1987]

X2 skip the 1/4 stuff, no need.

Only the open know what he needs. No one else.

 

[SASORacing]

Only the open know what he needs. No one else.

It's a want not a need. I would take care of everything else first.

 

[jim1987]

It's a want not a need.

With that logic, he doesn't need any tools. He could just pay someone to do all his repairs.

 

[SASORacing]

With that logic, he doesn't need any tools. He could just pay someone to do all his repairs.

Or he could do his own repairs and use his 3/8'ths sockets.

 

[jim1987]

Or he could do his own repairs and use his 3/8'ths sockets.

Maybe he needs them else where. 3/8 sockets don't always the job done.

 

[rsanter]

Send me the money and I will send you a bunch of good used stuff

Actually that used set of snap on wrenches sounds like a fair deal

Bob

 

[davesnothere]

Or he could do his own repairs and use his 3/8'ths sockets.

What about when he needs a 5.5mm socket for a blower motor, etc.?

 

[SASORacing]

What about when he needs a 5.5mm socket for a blower motor, etc.?

I own shallow and deep chrome sockets, not impact. They are needed, but I hardly EVER use them. If I have a 5.5mm I'll use a micro wrench usually.

Op, cman makes a good socket set, get it imo.

 

[bgblue1978]

Granted I dont NEED any new tools. I have a pretty decent set and a husky 41" box thats bigger than I need. I haven't needed a tool that I didn't have often and when I do I just go to my dads shop and use the good tools. But I do use my tools quite a bit, I like working on things, and I'd like to have more complete sets.

As for the 1/4 issue, I could certainly live without them. Im a firefighter by trade so its not like I use my tools to make a living. I currently have an f150, a corolla, an old harley, some old dirtbikes, and more bicycles than I can count. No mini cooper. The craftsman box seemed like a lot of bamg for the buck but I will look into getting less volume and a higher quality. Thanks for everyone's input so far.

 

[jim1987]

What about when he needs a 5.5mm socket for a blower motor, etc.?

 

[bgblue1978]

I would like to have the set of 3/8 & 1/4 but I dont think I need so many. There are lots in that set that have the 6pt and 12pt. But I'm looking and I cant see any highet quality brands that I can get full 6pt set and the wrenches within my budget. Looks like I could do it with all gw stuff but I'm not sure thats mich higher quality than cm and id get a lot less.

Am I missing something? Anyone see a way I can get the pieces I want from say armstrong or blackhawk under budget?

 

[Askme42]

I would like to have the set of 3/8 & 1/4 but I dont think I need so many. There are lots in that set that have the 6pt and 12pt. But I'm looking and I cant see any highet quality brands that I can get full 6pt set and the wrenches within my budget. Looks like I could do it with all gw stuff but I'm not sure thats mich higher quality than cm and id get a lot less.

Am I missing something? Anyone see a way I can get the pieces I want from say armstrong or blackhawk under budget?

Amazon has full 6 point 1/4 and 3/8 in Armstrong would run you about $320. You'd have $180 to spend on wrenches then. Plus you'd get higher quality ratchets with the sets.

 

[bgblue1978]

Yea I found something like that last night at work but it wouldnt include any 1/2 stuff, I dont think I could get long wrenches and ratcheting wrenches still, and im thinking the gearwrench and craftsman stuff is going to be good enough for me. The only tool ive ever broken was a cm ratchet and flat head screwdrivers that I use as pry bars when I shouldn't.

Too many choices I guess. If I end up with the 309 is that a good price or have you guys seen it lower? Should I wait for black friday or something?

 

[bgblue1978]

ok so i pulled the trigger on the gearwrench combination set and some ernst wrench holders. pretty happy with that decision.

I was been going back and forth on the armstrong 1/4" and 3/8" (about $320) sets or the crafstman 309 box. the 309 was 250 which combined with the combination wrenches puts me right at my budget, armstrongs would put me over. i noticed today that the 309 is on sale for 199 right now which means i could still get some nice ratchets and be on budget.

should i go for it or wait for another deal ie sk deal day, black friday, labor day

also if i do i'll about 100 to upgrade a couple ratchets, for your $100 would you get a 1/4 and 3/8 armstong 88 or the set of 4 flex head gearwrench 120?

as always thanks for input and i'll be sure to post some pictures when everything is lined up neatly in the box.

 

[Skin]

Armstrong sockets are identical to Cman USA. They're cheaply made inferior to all Taiwan brands that come to mind. Get the SKs.

Also I don't know what those two are talking about telling you not to get 1/4 drive. Between how common 8 and 10mm fasteners are and how useful 1/4 universal sockets are 1/4 drive is easily one of my most used hand tool sizes. It gives you finesse and lets you ratchet faster to boot. If anything 3/8 chrome plays second fiddle even to my impacts.

 

[Lance-AR]

Flex-head ratchets can be extremely annoying when you don't want them to flex!

 

[panknuckshovel]

ok so i pulled the trigger on the gearwrench combination set and some ernst wrench holders. pretty happy with that decision.

I was been going back and forth on the armstrong 1/4" and 3/8" (about $320) sets or the crafstman 309 box. the 309 was 250 which combined with the combination wrenches puts me right at my budget, armstrongs would put me over. i noticed today that the 309 is on sale for 199 right now which means i could still get some nice ratchets and be on budget.

should i go for it or wait for another deal ie sk deal day, black friday, labor day

also if i do i'll about 100 to upgrade a couple ratchets, for your $100 would you get a 1/4 and 3/8 armstong 88 or the set of 4 flex head gearwrench 120?

as always thanks for input and i'll be sure to post some pictures when everything is lined up neatly in the box.

If you are a SYWR member check the upcoming deals. Here it is showing that 309 piece set for 199 next week

 

[bgblue1978]

Pulled the trigger on the craftsman 309. In the end I think its going to give me all the tools I wanted and though none of it is really usa the quality is probably good enough for me.

Here are the sae and metric drawers, hf was out of the socket trays right now but the plan is to use them if they fit.

 

[bgblue1978]

Hf stubby and cm ratcheting on the left, gearwrench in the middle, all cm 6 point sockets except the 3/8 deep.

 

[kelpaso1]

Flex-head ratchets can be extremely annoying when you don't want them to flex!

Not when you know how to properly use them.
I don't use anything BUT flex head ratchets. They also double as a speed handle. Most of my friends who are not professionals just can't seem to use them without problems though.