I feel surrounded by tools!!!

[Moose-LandTran]

Hahaaa Yeah, I worked in London for 3 weeks last year, I was on the Tube ONCE at rush hour. I staggered my work hours so I wouldn't have to experience that mess again!

To the OP.... Congrads! Enjoy your new tools.... Now go take something apart!

Lucky me, i get to do the underground and overground at rush hour.. Both ways.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

awesome score indy. Thats the exact set i started out with (I payed alot more for mine tho when i bought it) You will find that Is a nice set. The wrenches are fine. The sockets work just fine. The ratchets you will find are top notch as far as quality goes. The screwdrivers will need to be tossed. Craftsman clear handles are a pain the the rear. The ignition wrenches seem to work just fine. Anyways good luck freind, oh and as many others have stated you wil find that many of your sockets are 12point (nothing wrong with that) but 6 point sockets work better on 6 point bolts and are less likely to round off the corners. I think if I remember right you get a almost full set of 6 point 1/4 drive and a 3/8 drive set the 1/2 stuff is all 12 point so do yourself a favor and invest in a set of 1/2" drive 6 point sockets. you may have to go to other companies such as snapon for this but you will thank me later

GOOD LUCK
Sean Scott

 

[59flatbedford]

well my dad has used craftsman for years and in his mind they will do anything a snap on will for a quarter of the price. That's saying quite a bit as he is a wyo-tech graduate in diesel, and worked as a ranch mechanic most of his life. Trust me if you can think of a way abuse a tool we did it while working on machinery. I myself have quite a bit of craftsman stuff and i like it just fine. i have never had a problems other then i broke one 3/8 ratchet but that's because i didn't have any 1/2 drive stuff so the 3/8 with piece of pipe took the place. I now have a 1/2 inch set so no problems now.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

well my dad has used craftsman for years and in his mind they will do anything a snap on will for a quarter of the price. That's saying quite a bit as he is a wyo-tech graduate in diesel, and worked as a ranch mechanic most of his life. Trust me if you can think of a way abuse a tool we did it while working on machinery. I myself have quite a bit of craftsman stuff and i like it just fine. i have never had a problems other then i broke one 3/8 ratchet but that's because i didn't have any 1/2 drive stuff so the 3/8 with piece of pipe took the place. I now have a 1/2 inch set so no problems now.

There is nothing wrong with craftsman tools They make up most of my box. The only problem with craftsman is that sometimes they dont make a tool that you need. or the tool they do make another company makes better. A perfect example of this would be ratchets and 1/4 drive swivel sockets. Yes craftsman makes 1/4 swivel sockets and they are verry handy to have. But there downfall is that they are only offered in 6pt and the walls are THICK when compared to snapons. Nex the ratchets craftsman offers alto they are great sometimes they arent the correct tool. Altho I do have to say my craftsman thin profiles have served me well and will continue to. They are just my home tools now. Not that this means they are garbage It just means I found tools that i like more for my main box that makes my life easyer. But you are compleately Right. Many of Craftsman tools will perform just as well as a snap on not all but many.

GOOD LUCK
Sean Scott

 

[Indy_500]

Nice set. I wished Sears sold a set that size with the thin profile ratchets and their professional series combination wrenches. I would buy three for the road boxes and service cart at work.

the set did come with the thin profile ratchets! but no pro wrenches

 

[Indy_500]

So how would you compare the Craftsman thin-profiles to your current HF ratchets?

the 1/4" and 3/8" kick **** compared to the HF ones i've tried but the 1/2" is nothing special. I'll have to lube er up and see if that does anything. I will still probably buy some more HF ratchets, the special ones like maybe the roto ratchets and composite ones since craftsman don't make either of those i don't think.

 

[Indy_500]

So time to toss the hf junk

kinda lol just glad to get some new wrenches! I really didnt like those made in India HF wrenches! The HF sockets were decent tho.

 

[Scout Driver]

Great score Indy! A little bit of lube will make that 1/2" ratchet nice and smooth. I have some Craftsman tools from the later '60's and early '70's and really like them.

Scott

 

[iandh]

the 1/4" and 3/8" kick **** compared to the HF ones i've tried but the 1/2" is nothing special. I'll have to lube er up and see if that does anything. I will still probably buy some more HF ratchets, the special ones like maybe the roto ratchets and composite ones since craftsman don't make either of those i don't think.

Next time Sears has a good sale on wrenches, sell off the craftsman standard combos along with your HF ones, and pick up the Craftsman pro combos... they're every bit as good as the thin ratchets, which are awesome themselves.

I also agree the 1/2" thin ratchets are too damn bulky. What they should have done is make the 1/2" the same handle size as the 3/8" but longer. Instead they just blew up the whole tool and they're heavy as hell. They do feel like they'd take a beating though.

 

[arkangel06]

kinda lol just glad to get some new wrenches! I really didnt like those made in India HF wrenches! The HF sockets were decent tho.

I suggest you take all the chinese/indian made hf stuff stick it in a sack and toss them in the lake.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I sudgest you take all the chinese/indian made hf stuff stick it in a sack and toss them in the lake.

I would say you should hang onto them and throw them in your car or have a box for travel. Unless you can afford a second set of something better.

 

[mrholeshot]

Keep the HF stuff. If you break something you need a spare. Just keep building and as you box overflows remove the stuff you don't and build a tool kit for something else or keep them for loaners. Once people know you have tools they want to borrow.

 

[iandh]

The HF ratchets are fine... they're every bit as good as most other brands IMO. The combo wrenches, not so much.

Don't listen to the haters, either they've never used them or refuse to accept that HF can provide a good tool. The HF roto ratchets are great, same with the composites. Not only are they good for the money, they're just plain good in general.

 

[Hiball]

The HF ratchets are fine... they're every bit as good as most other brands IMO. The combo wrenches, not so much.

Don't listen to the haters, either they've never used them or refuse to accept that HF can provide a good tool. The HF roto ratchets are great, same with the composites. Not only are they good for the money, they're just plain good in general.

I actually was in the HF store the other day and just for kicks i was gonna buy one of there roto ratchets and put it thru the paces. I just couldnt pull the trigger, I didnt like the fact that it was a sealed unit.

 

[iandh]

I actually was in the HF store the other day and just for kicks i was gonna buy one of there roto ratchets and put it thru the paces. I just couldnt pull the trigger, I didnt like the fact that it was a sealed unit.

That is a very legitimate gripe. I think that is the one thing that truly seperates the HF units from others.

OTOH, especially on sale ($9.99) they are pretty much disposable.

 

[fordbroncodave]

if i were you i would inspect each socket. i seen sears make many mistakes packaging 2 of somthing in one set. then it ends up on the discount rack because they made an error or someone doesn't know fractions.
just a pointer.....

 

[HankMurphy]

Guess what i got??? A Craftsman 302 pc mechanics set for $180!!! (i got a $20 gift card if u spent over $100 so it came out to 180 technically).

I just bought the much smaller 94-piece set for my younger son's birthday, plus a Craftsman clear handle screwdriver set...and, when they told me about the $20 gift card, a set of metric six-point combination wrenches plus a 19mm to round out the set.

This is for his car kit. If he ever gets serious about mechanical stuff, we will have to look at the Snap-On student program, although he is leaning towards EE and I don't think it applies to engineering majors.

But he will probably use these tools for the rest of his life, even if supplanted by upgrades later. I have a decent collection of Snap-On and Mac now, but I did so much stuff with Craftsman when I was younger.

Enjoy, and use the *$)%# out of them!

 

[Keep]

Thats a great set and a great price. You should get many years of use out of those.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

the 1/4" and 3/8" kick **** compared to the HF ones i've tried but the 1/2" is nothing special. I'll have to lube er up and see if that does anything. I will still probably buy some more HF ratchets, the special ones like maybe the roto ratchets and composite ones since craftsman don't make either of those i don't think.

go easy on the lube. When i first opened these ratchets up to service them i globed in the goop and then quicky found myself wondering why they auto reversed do yourself a favor. Get some white lithium grease and some acid brushes. Lightly paint all metal surfaces that come into contact with eachother. The grease can be so thin it doesent look white just so that its wetted with some of the grease. Dont worry about lubing the ratchet body or the cover plate this will only gum up the interal workings. Lube the selecter leaver. spring and pin. paw and ratchet gear. LIGHTLY! I cannot stress this enough. Eventualy after use the ratchets will smooth out. Also another trick that I got from sk farmer. Give the springs a pretty good STREACH! dont make them into straight wire but pull hard enough to permanately deform them and cause there action to become stiffer. this will lead to more positive engagement and less auto reverses.

GOOD LUCK
Sean Scott

 

[Indy_500]

if i were you i would inspect each socket. i seen sears make many mistakes packaging 2 of somthing in one set. then it ends up on the discount rack because they made an error or someone doesn't know fractions.
just a pointer.....

i did. I checked every socket and it took me 2 hours. I inspected every one for any damage, and such. And made sure i had EVERY socket that i was supposed to and i didn't find a single problem. So i was pretty satisfied. The chrome is between fair-good. I just can't believe that i got the set lower than the HF 301 pc. set. I also am keeping all my HF tools and i'm going to keep them for a car/on-the-road set. I have 4 Hand-Tool boxes full of wrenches, sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.

I got some more pics that i'm sure you guys will enjoy. Is there any other 15 year old with more sockets? lol

 

[Indy_500]

o btw u guys like what i did to my HF socket trays?

 

[Bjkearns]

good job bud
do you have a set of torx sockets, if not those would be a smart addition

 

[Indy_500]

good job bud
do you have a set of torx sockets, if not those would be a smart addition

yup, but they are from HF.

 

[59flatbedford]

hmm i might have to try greasing my 1/2 inch ratchet i have the same one as you. i just wish it didn't weigh 40lbs.lol.

 

[Hiball]

yup, but they are from HF.

Have you used them? Torx bits like extensions are some of the tools i generally lean toward US brands. Its a pain to extract a jacked up torx head, Sometimes ive even been known to use the wrong size and mess up both, Which can be done very easily. Ill admit im not perfect, Luckily ive learned how to get myself out of predicaments with lots of practice.

 

[Bjkearns]

another plus with good torx bit, is that they can sometimes be used as an extractor with rounded out hex bolt,
pick a torx bolt with a good tight fit, smack the socket into place and then start trying to remove it

 

[TCJ1981]

I often wish they would build a set using nothing but 6 point sockets 1/4 3/8 1/2 and put the pro wrenches and screwdrivers in it. Have everything go up to 1 inch and down to 1/4 inch in shallow and deep. Then dont overlap the sizes by much (no need for a 7/8 socket in 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive) keep out the fillers like 40 allen wrenches and 20 nutdriver bits and 20 srewdriver bits, 12 point sockets and add a set of allen head sockets and a few more extentions. The peice count would be lower and the price higher but people arnt as stupid as they think. I think it would be a nice set

I heard that. they do throw alot of fillers in there to make the piece ct. look really good.

 

[TireTracks]

i did. I checked every socket and it took me 2 hours. I inspected every one for any damage, and such. And made sure i had EVERY socket that i was supposed to and i didn't find a single problem. So i was pretty satisfied. The chrome is between fair-good. I just can't believe that i got the set lower than the HF 301 pc. set. I also am keeping all my HF tools and i'm going to keep them for a car/on-the-road set. I have 4 Hand-Tool boxes full of wrenches, sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.

I got some more pics that i'm sure you guys will enjoy. Is there any other 15 year old with more sockets? lol

You've got me beat. I dont have any 1/2" deeps( would have to buy hf or find craftsman on sale, i cant afford $60 for a small set), or metrics over 19mm.

 

[Indy_500]

Have you used them? Torx bits like extensions are some of the tools i generally lean toward US brands. Its a pain to extract a jacked up torx head, Sometimes ive even been known to use the wrong size and mess up both, Which can be done very easily. Ill admit im not perfect, Luckily ive learned how to get myself out of predicaments with lots of practice.

I have used them for smaller things. At HF they have a 1/4" drive and 3/8" drive set and they also have a 3/8" drive and a 1/2" drive set and i bought the smaller of the 2 sets thinking if i ever do need the big ones, i'll buy a higher quality set. I just use mine for small things like carbs and air intakes on lawn mowers. Same with the hex sockets, i bought the small set thinking if i need the big ones i'll just buy higher quality big ones.

 

[Indy_500]

hmm i might have to try greasing my 1/2 inch ratchet i have the same one as you. i just wish it didn't weigh 40lbs.lol.

I greased mine up this morning with white lithium grease because i've found it to work good in other ratchets, i'll see if it ever gets "sticky". It smoothened up the ratcheting a tiny bit and quieted the ratcheting down a bit. I still think that ratchet is just so darn big. Seems like you'd never need a 3/4" drive ratchet and to just use an adaptor with the 1/2" thin profile c-man ratchet lol

 

[Boost Creep]

Have you used them? Torx bits like extensions are some of the tools i generally lean toward US brands. Its a pain to extract a jacked up torx head, Sometimes ive even been known to use the wrong size and mess up both, Which can be done very easily. Ill admit im not perfect, Luckily ive learned how to get myself out of predicaments with lots of practice.

i've used my hf t-40 torx on super dirty packed with mud bolts under my yukon(about 8 per side) on the running board bolts and it worked great. on the other hand, my usa made lisle torx t-55 broke off two teeth and the rest of em twisted sideways after removing one brake caliper bolt with it

 

[Hiball]

i've used my hf t-40 torx on super dirty packed with mud bolts under my yukon(about 8 per side) on the running board bolts and it worked great. on the other hand, my usa made lisle torx t-55 broke off two teeth and the rest of em twisted sideways after removing one brake caliper bolt with it

I knew it wouldnt be long before i got the HF comparison to US but ive seen some cheap Torx in my time. Im glad you've had luck but there is no comparing removing a "Running board bolt" regardless of the dirt factor and a "Caliper" bolt, 2 complete different torque factors. Im fairly sure this is why Snap on makes a special application Gm Torx for removing Caliper bolts as they are NASTY.

 

[mrholeshot]

The HF ratchets are fine... they're every bit as good as most other brands IMO. The combo wrenches, not so much.

Don't listen to the haters, either they've never used them or refuse to accept that HF can provide a good tool. The HF roto ratchets are great, same with the composites. Not only are they good for the money, they're just plain good in general.

My son has used a set of the HF Roto Ratchets for over a year. He works at a dealership so they get used pretty heavy. especially the 3/8 Not a single issue. I liked them so much last time I was in HF I picked up all three sizes and thew them in my cart. Ive tried the 1/4 and 3/8 and the only issue I can see is the head is a bit thicker than my Snap-On versions. I put the 1/2 inch in my vise and did my best to break it. I almost pulled my work bench over (time to bolt it to the wall). I like to test stuff before I use it. I think I paid like 34 dollars for the trio

 

[Indy_500]

I put the sockets to the test today lol not really but they worked good for the first time using them for at least 2 hours! I guess lawn mowers don't count as putting them to the "test"

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Im fairly sure this is why Snap on makes a special application Gm Torx for removing Caliper bolts as they are NASTY.

Would you know the part number for it by any chance?

 

[Keep]

I put the sockets to the test today lol not really but they worked good for the first time using them for at least 2 hours! I guess lawn mowers don't count as putting them to the "test"

Anything that involves unbolting stuff is a test. Polishing and displaying them...not so much.

Funny how now you will start looking for things to take apart. Especially stuff that is already broke No worry about screwing things up then!

 

[Indy_500]

Anything that involves unbolting stuff is a test. Polishing and displaying them...not so much.

Funny how now you will start looking for things to take apart. Especially stuff that is already broke No worry about screwing things up then!

During non-sledding season, that's all i do pretty much lol. If a lawn mower is broken i fix it. If it's not broken, i take it apart and put it back together for something to do.