If you could do it all over...

[BDT/NWMN]

what ratchets and sockets would you have in your tool box?

Hey! I have been lurking for a while now and finally decided to join. I'm 24, recently married, and am just starting to build my tool collection. This forum seems like the perfect place to both share my excitement over hand tools and to learn from those who have more experience with them than myself.

As a car guy, ratchets and sockets are the clear winner in the "what must come first" when building my tool collection. I have a 123 piece stanley set from walmart that was given as a gift to me a couple years back, but am looking to replace that set with some quality tools. I do a lot of auto maintenance myself, which is the primary use for whatever ratchets and sockets i wind up with.

I am looking for advice on where to begin. I would ultimately like complete 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sets, all usa made. If you could do it all over, where would you spend your money? I'm looking for overall value here for the weekend warrior. I don't make a living off my tools, but i expect them to work well every time i pick them up. I strongly believe in buying something once and only once. A tool for me is something that should last a lifetime. At the same time, i also look for value. Given my limited use, it doesn't necessarily have to be the "rolls royce" of tools. I would be happy with a toyota - something that you can beat on time and time again and it never dies. Given a budget of $500-$750 for all 3 sets (1/4" drive, 3/8" drive, and 1/2" drive), where would your money go if you could do it all over again? Would you spend all your money on quality ratchets and get less expensive sockets? Or would you buy something like the sk sets you can find on amazon that give you (reportedly) solid quality on both? Would you get standard head or flex head? Standard length or long handles? Etc.

I'm excited to get your feedback. Many thanks in advance. [/qu


You already have "some tools" that you can START adding to..

A good quality USA made 3/8" drive long handled flex head ratchet would be a good start...

 

[classicJackets]

Hello ramblin Wreck! How recent of a graduate are you? (I'm still there now).
I started my collection a few years ago with mostly Husky stuff... Is it the best? No. But never having used the best, I dont know the difference Plus, their warranty is pretty hard to beat. If you were to have to use it that is. That's my "basic" set and I'm going to follow this pretty closely as I have more questions for when I need the next round of tools, too lol.

 

[KZ1000J]

Classic & Wreck

I'm a suffering GSU Panther when it comes to football but we're doin' great at hoops. For a weekend warrior, I'm cool with Husky or Kobalt but if you can upgrade via CL or garage & estate sales to something better & US made, I say go for it. That would be my route instead of new.

Wreck, don't be in a hurry to dump your Stanley set.....make it do until you come across the right set at the right price.

 

[expfcwintergreen]

If you wanted to buy Snap-On and you only have American or German or Japanese cars to work on, you could save some money by only buying the individual sizes you need in each drive. Buying a set of Snap-On sockets is usually the same price as buying them individually.

If you have Japanese cars, you could mostly get by with 7,8,10,12,14,17,19,21,22 and a 12 point 30 mm socket for the axel nut if it's a Toyota. For German cars, 7,8,10,11,13,17,19,22,24,27 and 30. For American, 7,8,10,13,16,18,21,24, and 30. The 10-19 mm will be the ones you use the most. Guys with more experience on different cars, feel free to correct me.

See: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/metric-bolt-head-wrench-size-d_1458.html for a table on ANSI/ISO, DIN and JIS wrench sizes for different size bolts.

Also Grey Pneumatic makes some dual socket sets that are okay to use on an impact wrench and thin enough to get in to tight places and come with hand ratchets and extensions. I am interested in them myself even though I have most of the sizes already in chrome and impact sockets. Wright, SK and Proto are also worth looking in to.

 

[motofool33]

I would of bought williams from the start, no hf or craftsman.

 

[ramblin_wreck08]

Hello ramblin Wreck! How recent of a graduate are you? (I'm still there now).
I started my collection a few years ago with mostly Husky stuff... Is it the best? No. But never having used the best, I dont know the difference Plus, their warranty is pretty hard to beat. If you were to have to use it that is. That's my "basic" set and I'm going to follow this pretty closely as I have more questions for when I need the next round of tools, too lol.

Class of 2012. Go Jackets!

 

[metalhead140]

I may have just gotten a bad set, but the ratchets have a ton of play in the head. If I'm around my dad's tools, I always reach for his over mine, because they just feel so much more solid (30 yr old Craftsman's).

Fair enough. Not any great play in mine that I've noticed. No question they aren't as hefty as my fathers or father in laws older Sidchromes and similar, but they've done the job for me more than adequately. Not that I would pass up some nicer stuff if it came my way cheap enough, but I have no plans/interest in upgrading them at this point, and can't see why I would need more for diy use. Nothing wrong with wanting something better though. Personally I only upgrade tools when they are not up to the task, I'd otherwise prefer to spend the money on new tools to allow me to do things I couldn't do (or couldn't easily do) without them. I recognise that goes against the grain on this forum though!

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

As I upgrade I typically try to add my old tools to my road box. If I don't have a need for them I sell them cheap or give them away to friends. That way, you aren't throwing money down the drain.

 

[Manny2_0]

Yes, the SK set is what I'm leaning towards. Have no interest in paying any more than that for sockets. Interesting that you point out the Craftsman sockets. That got me looking at their sets. Assuming the quality is ok, this set looks like a steal: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-176-...p-00934032000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Any experience with Craftsman's USA made sockets vs. SK's?
QUOTE]

No experience with the sk, I have just handled them
They are nicer/ prettier

maybe even better steel/ but you will never know


as for that set you showed, it has way way too many 12pt more than half of it. which are req. once in a blue moon. You are able to use them but 6pt is a better option as most of what you will encounter is 6pt

 

[JKady]

If I did it all over, I would have taken advantage of my student discount and bought snap-on everything socket/ratchet/wrench wise.

 

[nicksnothereman]

What ratchets and sockets would you have in your tool box?

Hey! I have been lurking for a while now and finally decided to join. I'm 24, recently married, and am just starting to build my tool collection. This forum seems like the perfect place to both share my excitement over hand tools and to learn from those who have more experience with them than myself.

As a car guy, ratchets and sockets are the clear winner in the "what must come first" when building my tool collection. I have a 123 piece Stanley set from Walmart that was given as a gift to me a couple years back, but am looking to replace that set with some quality tools. I do a lot of auto maintenance myself, which is the primary use for whatever ratchets and sockets I wind up with.

I am looking for advice on where to begin. I would ultimately like complete 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sets, all USA made. If you could do it all over, where would you spend your money? I'm looking for overall value here for the weekend warrior. I don't make a living off my tools, but I expect them to work well every time I pick them up. I strongly believe in buying something once and only once. A tool for me is something that should last a lifetime. At the same time, I also look for value. Given my limited use, it doesn't necessarily have to be the "Rolls Royce" of tools. I would be happy with a Toyota - something that you can beat on time and time again and it never dies. Given a budget of $500-$750 for all 3 sets (1/4" drive, 3/8" drive, and 1/2" drive), where would your money go if you could do it all over again? Would you spend all your money on quality ratchets and get less expensive sockets? Or would you buy something like the SK sets you can find on Amazon that give you (reportedly) solid quality on both? Would you get standard head or flex head? Standard length or long handles? Etc.

I'm excited to get your feedback. Many thanks in advance.

I did okay and I'm not sure how guess I bought into craftsman when they made better stuff.

That's actually a lot of money for sets. Uh...my advice is to get something you can warranty easily. Truck brand would be overkill but you can do it with that budget. 3/8 (if it's your main use size) get a good set in that. Will be okay with lesser quality 1/4 and 1/2...really it will.

I'd probably go mac or proto but at the end of they day you'd be feeding the stanley beast. Taiwan for 1/4 and 1/2 would be ideal in the low end, even if the 1/2 is impact. You can look at old stock kd or kobalt on ebay for the 1/4; pretty good pretty cheap.

For me I work better with more options which means I often avoid sets (large sets) and truck brands. If I need something they sell I'll buy it but going all truck brand or pro brand would limit what I'm able to do both automotively and otherwise. I guess I got a good eye for decent quality budget stuff.

 

[DRhodes]

If I could do it all over, it would all be SK. I have been so impressed lately with the "NEW" SK.

 

[jc5205]

I'd go with snap on 3/8 sockets- short-semi-deep
1/4 gearwrench or craftsman
No 1/2"
3/8 & 1/2" impact
Screwdrivers - I have snap on because they feel good and stay organized
I do have Mac & craftsman pro too

 

[jc5205]

I have the ultimate craftsman socket set, I'm not a pro and don't need all of them but it was on clearance from the outlet. My go to is 3/8 for 99% of what I'm working on
Impact stuff for the rest- gearwrench & craftsman

 

[jc5205]

Wrenches
I have gearwrench and craftsman polished in reg. & ratcheting served me well
Hammers
I've upgraded to snap on ball pein hammers like them a lot they are like dead blows
Dead blows harbor freight just replace me after I beat them up

 

[jc5205]

Mostly Gearwrench for everything else

 

[jc5205]

Ratchets
Snap on, gearwrench in all sizes and flex head

 

[jc5205]

33 gallon air compressor , Goodyear hose reel
IR 3/8 & 1/2 TI maxx impacts Best impacts & investment what a time saver

 

[jc5205]

Toolbox
HF 44"

 

[TOOLFREEQ]

RATCHETS= top dollar dual 80s hands down!!
WRENCHES=ratcheting=top dollar/standard best bang for you buck
AIR TOOLS= most used top dollar/ the rest best bang for your buck decided by your own research for your specific application
IMPACT SOCKETS= top dollar/CHROME SOCKETS=best bang for your buck
SCREWDRIVERS/PUNCHES CHISELS/PRY BARS=buy the best you can afford/avoid cheap ones, look for sales or used ones
BIT SOCKETS=they all break some more than others, go for convenience
SPECIALTY TOOLS=prioritize per use and ease/time saved of use per tool for your specific need
DIAGNOSTICS= depends on your need, but this is an area that some need the best while others need only enough to get by.
NOTES If this is your profession the better tools you buy the happier you will be in the long run. Convenience of what tool truck you see the most /getting broken tools warrantied should play a major part in this decision of what to brands to buy

 

[sberry]

Cman or back where you started, Stanley or HF. The Cman sets are a steal.

 

[MattPersman]

My SO driver had 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets for 40% off not sure if that is a regional, driver, or nation wide promo.