Here it is- my First Tool Set :D

[TAftw]

Bought the 260 piece Craftsman set today for $160. The black plastic case looked kinda crappy, so I sprung for the $30 tool chest. I'll be transferring the tools over as soon as I get some wrench and socket organizers from HF. The quality of the ratchets included are deplorable, so I'm keeping my eyes out for a used SO or Matco. I've also got a 3 piece universal joint set on the way. This tool buying is addictive!


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I know it's not as big or nice as most of the sets posted on here, but it's mine and I'm proud of it .

 

[Bull]

This is a milestone, James. Congrats on the purchase...that set will do what you need it to do for years, with maybe a few additions here and there as needed.

If you take those ratchets apart and give them the Permatex treatment, they will feel much better, I guarantee.

 

[Need4racin]

Good deal. Buying them in a kit like that is the smart way to do it. I bought them individually as I needed them, probably paid double or even triple the price.

I was going to buy that $20 prybar set, but apprently the sale ended at noon, and I didn't wake up till 2pm. We had a bonfire last night.

 

[mattco]

It's nice to get your first set of a smattering of tools.

...The quality of the ratchets included are deplorable, so I'm keeping my eyes out for a used SO or Matco...

Just FYI...the 302 piece set discussed here is still $199.99 for Craftsman Club members (you can sign up online immediately for free, I think) and has the higher-grade Craftsman ratchets which by themselves sell for $100 for the three, I believe.

 

[TAftw]

Thanks a lot Bull, it's pretty great looking at all them tools .

I still need to get a set of picks, some pliers, a decent pair of channel-locks, and some other stuff I've been thinking of.

As far as organization goes, I'm off to HF this week to get some wrench and socket holders, drawer liners, and magnetic trays.

 

[wreckercologist]

Congrats on the tool set!

You are very right about buying tools being addictive!

 

[sasquach]

Congrats I still use my Craftman sockets I bought over 20 years ago and congrats on you being smart and not like that kid who's dad bailed out his Snap On bill . Buy as you can afford there is no hurry .

 

[Zrexxer]

You've just started down a slippery slope that will likely take up a significant part of the rest of your life... if you're lucky! Congrats.

 

[Bull]

James is a real gearhead...I am sure that Zrexxer is correct...these are the first tools among many.

James, when are you going to HF?

 

[Zrexxer]

Also, as I'm sure you're aware, brand loyalties etc. aside, that's a hell of a lot of tool bang for your buck for $160. One set of SO sockets would have used up that whole amount, easily. You've got the capability there to do a lot of work.

 

[TAftw]

Oh I agree Zrexxer. The general quality of them was a little poorer than what I thought Craftsman was known for, but I guess that's just the quality slipping. It all says "Made in USA" on it. I was looking at used tool truck stuff on Craigslist, and I found the Craftsman sets, although lesser in quality, to be much more cost effective. When the price dropped on it today, I couldn't pass it up.

These tools were an investment, but one well worth it. I always work on my own cars and I'm sick of using Chinese ****. I'm going to be turning wrenches for a living, and I gotta start somewhere. They'll be coming with me when I go to engineering school, and they'll probably find their way onto a ship when I begin my career as a Marine Engineer. For now, they'll sure get a lot of use when I help my friend rip apart his Camaro this winter.

I'm going to slowly but surely add on to this set as my projects call for it. I definitely won't be buying tools I won't NEED, unlike that kid with the SO box. Eventually I'd like the replace those ratchets, but for now I've got everything I want.

Bull, I'll be going to HF sometime this week. Probably not tomorrow, I need to save up some money .

 

[airdale]

Sounds like you have a good plan. The money you spent on tools you'll get back many times over by using them. I'm still using some of my first craftsman set from 60's.

 

[Bull]

Bull, I'll be going to HF sometime this week. Probably not tomorrow, I need to save up some money .

Hmm...maybe you can pick me up some cheap items I need, and trade them to me for some USA made tools I have that you might find useful.

 

[chadster1]

Congrats. Beleive it or not I started my tool collection in a similiar fashion. I have purchased a few more tools over the years.

 

[TAftw]

Hmm...maybe you can pick me up some cheap items I need, and trade them to me for some USA made tools I have that you might find useful.

Sounds like an excellent deal, and another excuse to come up to your house . PM me a list .

 

[sasquach]

Ya A truckload ...........LOL

 

[TAftw]

^^^Someday I'm gonna be there too

 

[VegasBruce]

Congrats on your first tool set, I started about like that also.

 

[Snappy]

Congrats on your Craftsman purchase.Tool buying is addictive. I call it "investing in precious metals". Especially when it comes to Snap-on or other big brands.

 

[TAftw]

^^^If you don't mind, that's what I'm gonna call it from now on .

 

[Rocket1]

I started out with a kit similar to yours. A friend gave me a gift card and I bought a kit. I understand that the ratchets have dropped more in quality... my is kit s about 8 or 9 years old now.

I've added in a few wrenches, sockets and nice ratchets as time has gone on

 

[wrenchr]

What kind of ratchets are you looking for? I have a few I could sell

 

[RLRRLRLL]

Nice buy! I thought about buyin one of those sets to keep in one of my vehicles but decided against it. In the next 5 years.....that lil box....will be a momento as your 72" Combo is completly full.............

 

[X1 Mike]

^^^If you don't mind, that's what I'm gonna call it from now on .

I call it man jewelry.....

Good job on the set, you are right to be proud of it.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Congrats Dude!!

I was looking at that set back when i was in Florida. I still regret not buying it when i was there.

It's a great start, and will take you far.

Soon you'll be like the rest of us..









..skint.

 

[TAftw]

RLRRLRLL you wouldn't happen to be a drummer would you? I've been playing for 5 years.

Wrenchr, I'm looking for a sealed head Snap-On 3/8's drive. But I think I'm gonna pass on the offer, at least for now .

 

[supertooljunkie]

Nice set of tools. I started with Cman tools 35 years ago. Still have most of them as well as some of my Dads.
It is a never ending obsession that will pay off.
Pawn shops are a good place to look for good cheap tools.

 

[wrenchr]

RLRRLRLL you wouldn't happen to be a drummer would you? I've been playing for 5 years.

Wrenchr, I'm looking for a sealed head Snap-On 3/8's drive. But I think I'm gonna pass on the offer, at least for now .

80 or 36 tooth?? Used or new?? Let me know when you are ready?

 

[TAftw]

80 or 36 tooth?? Used or new?? Let me know when you are ready?

Maybe around Christmas

 

[JohnFreeman]

"Congrats I still use my Craftman sockets I bought over 20 years ago"

Me too... I've got better name sockets now, but I still like my 30 yr old Cmans

 

[RLRRLRLL]

RLRRLRLL you wouldn't happen to be a drummer would you? I've been playing for 5 years.

Wrenchr, I'm looking for a sealed head Snap-On 3/8's drive. But I think I'm gonna pass on the offer, at least for now .

Indeed i am. Ive been playing for around 10-11 years. The best gig to date.....playing drums for the Jeckyll and Hyde musical for a theater in the oher town....was BA.

 

[TAftw]

^^^That does sound BA. You wouldnt happen to be on the Pearl Drummers Forum would you? I was over there for a little while, but havent gone on in ages.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

^^^That does sound BA. You wouldnt happen to be on the Pearl Drummers Forum would you? I was over there for a little while, but havent gone on in ages.

Not a fan of pearl. Overpriced china ****. Ive been on drumsmylife, rogersownersforum, and thats about it. I got msn, yahoo, AOL, facebook, myspace..whichever, if you want to talk drums...and tools. haha.

 

[TAftw]

There was someone on the Pearl site who had the same username as yours .

 

[RLRRLRLL]

ah, ic. i just couldent think of name for here.....so i figured the paradiddle would throw people off, unless they were drummers.

 

[walrus]

I see you still have money in the tool fund, how can that be. My first set was similar and came from Sears also. Still have most of it and still use it on a regular basis

 

[Rickster]

I was at Sears this morning and these tool kits were FLYING out of the store! Just about everyone in line, and the line was quite long, had one of these in tow. Passed a Sears worker on a ladder handing them down to people off the top shelf.

 

[Daedalus]

Very nice, that's a really great way to dive in. Like others here, my first tools were very humble, but they're still my favorites, almost 20 years later. All I could afford when I started out was a tiny Craftsman 1/4" ratchet/socket set that went up to 13mm & 9/16", along with a single 10mm wrench, with which I cut my shadetree teeth on my first motorcycle.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

ah, ic. i just couldent think of name for here.....so i figured the paradiddle would throw people off, unless they were drummers.

I figured it was RLL with a stutter. If you don't already know, RLL is Red Lube of Love, Permatex assembly lube.

Like this:

"Red Lube, Red, Red Lube, Red Lube of Love."

If you're confused, just read my location.

 

[Old Donn]

Not a bad start. Don't worry too much about the ratchets. A little lube and they'll be fine for now. I'd be on the look out for bigger sized wrenches first, 13/16 to 1 1/2". 20 to 32mm.