Home tool kits. Buy or build?

[wannab20hatch]

Im finally at a point where im ready to start putting together a decent tool set for the house. Mostly automotive based.

What does everyone have. Pre built kits or piece together what you need or even a combination of the two.

 

[rusty65]

Pre built kits are the way to go to save money for smaller things such as ratchet and socket sets and wrench sets but larger things such as 3/4 drive sockets are best bought when needed since of cost and the amount of space they take up. Just some thoughts.

 

[loranger]

I pretty much built up my hand tools from the closeouts at the Sears outlets. I had a cheap 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 Stanley set I picked up at walmart a few years back. Served me well and never had any problems. I only replaced them with the Craftsman Industrial stuff because they were made in the USA and the wrench sets were awesome.

 

[blackz26]

Sears big mechanics sets are getting ready to do on sale. Probably made in USA still for now. By far vest hang for your buck. Then buy what it doesn't have like pliers and other what not. As stated numerous times Craigslist, auctions and garage sales are a great way to get good quality tools for pennies on the dollar. Or, new, can't bat the 399pc set from craftsman

 

[Redex]

I bought a Craftsman kit when I finally got around to buying my big boy toolbox. The rest filled out nicely with stuff I had accumulated in smaller boxes over the years. Before I was "into" tools I'd buy whatever I needed for a particular job.

Thanks to the hot deals section I'm almost ready for a second big boy.

 

[ken w.]

I have most everything I need as far as tools go.I still stop in to sears and find bargins on the clearence shelf.I go to estate and garage sales and I'll find a socket or wrench to fill in a set. Craig'slist and Ebay are good places to aquire tools if your not in a hurry for them.

 

[TJx]

Sign up for Craftsman Club and Shop Your Way Rewards at Sears.
Wait for the significant price drop sales on the US made tool, screwdriver, wrench, pliers sets.
They will send you a $10 off $50 coupons almost weekly, use discount codes you'll find on sites like this, stack the discounts and pick up at store.
Amazon for good prices on Channellock to supplement the above.
Lowe's for Knipex recent price drops.
Harbor Freight and more recent price drops on Lowe's Kobalt plier and wrench sets for beater tools.

 

[ishiboo]

Buy and add to. As rusty said, the prices on kits cannot usually be beat. I buy everything I can on sale or in a kit, and add to it as necessary or as the add-on stuff goes on great sales.

 

[JJThrasher]

I like the Craftsman 154 piece kit for a good starter kit. We use the same kit at the racetrack all the time.