Looking for a good starter set?

[DuallyChick]

I want a decent set of tools for doing stuff like changing my oil and tire rotations etc etc. I Don't need the best stuff guys but i still want some decent tools as i'm just starting out doing small things on my truck when my dad has time to show me!

Is craftsman good? i see alot of my guy friends use craftsman

 

[devoncoolman]

The new craftsman is soso. But a nice craftsman tool kit will suit your needs. Try to find a made in usa kit. Much better quality. If you head to a sears hardware sometimes usa kits can still be found.

 

[Tellingthem]

I want a decent set of tools for doing stuff like changing my oil and tire rotations etc etc. I Don't need the best stuff guys but i still want some decent tools as i'm just starting out doing small things on my truck when my dad has time to show me!

Is craftsman good? i see alot of my guy friends use craftsman

Just opened up a whole can of worms with that! haha.

But yes for basic stuff they are fine. But really I think it comes down to whatever store is convenient for you. Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor Freight, etc all are pretty cheap and have decent tools.

Also check Craigslist, garage sales, estate sales, pawn shops for used tools because that is a good way to get stuff as well.

And finally buy what you like. If you like Craftsman go for it. Or perhaps you want to go with vintage Plomb. It's only money and they are just tools. Just have fun with it.

 

[devoncoolman]

http://m.sears.com/craftsman-309-pc-mechanics-tool/p-00941309000P

This kit will serve you well then add on the specific tools you want extra from this kit.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Craftsman USA sets might be the best route to go here!

Anticipate repairs and buy the tools beforehand. That will spread out the expense.

 

[KinzeMech]

Craftsman is ideal for something like that. They're frequently running sales on their sets that come in a plastic 3 drawered toolbox (usually 250-260 piece sets). You can get them for under $200 when they're on sale. Sometimes they're still even USA made stuff, although dwindles a little more everyday. It's definitely good enough to get the job done.

 

[Herod]

Sears ***** and craftsman *****. It's no mystery. Read some of the threads here on craftsman suckage. You'll be here for weeks.

All you'll ever need is the high quality 29.99 dollar harbor freight tool kit. LEGENDARY performance. You could rebuild an engine with this kit.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Sears ***** and craftsman *****. It's no mystery. Read some of the threads here on craftsman suckage. You'll be here for weeks.

All you'll ever need is the high quality 29.99 dollar harbor freight tool kit. LEGENDARY performance. You could rebuild an engine with this kit.

Agree, except that it is the HF $3.99 kit that would work for engine rebuilds.

Seriously, a kit with good warranty and reputation, that has commonly needed components, would be great for home use. Nothing wrong with choosing craftsman or any other brand. Go with what you can afford and what you need. Don't let other people's biases influence your choices.

 

[classicJackets]

If you have a Home Depot nearby, pick up some Husky. Relatively well priced and lifetime warranty. For tools you won't be using everyday, it should do everything you need. Those are the tools I have and how I use them, and I have yet to have any issues with Husky. Where in South Carolina are you?

 

[espyking83]

Older USA Craftsman are some of the best tools for the money. They can be found at yard sales all day. If you want pro quality without breaking the bank, look at industrial brands like Williams and Bahco. You can find older SK Wayne tools on Ebay for cheap, and those sockets still can't be beat. Nothing wrong with Taiwan tools for home use, pretty safe buys. Chinese Gearwrench is good for the money, but pretty much everything else Chinese is like throwing your money away, IMO. They'll get the job done but wont last, and their performance/design is generally awful.

 

[espyking83]

If you have a Home Depot nearby, pick up some Husky. Relatively well priced and lifetime warranty. For tools you won't be using everyday, it should do everything you need. Those are the tools I have and how I use them, and I have yet to have any issues with Husky. Where in South Carolina are you?

If you perform a good bit of maintenance on your car then I wouldnt recommend Husky. Fasteners on cars can be pretty crusty and over torqued, not to mention their design makes them difficult and uncomfortable when wrenching in confined spaces. Thd Chinese Huskys I started with working on airplanes slipped all the time, could only imagine what it would be like as an auto mechanic.

 

[classicJackets]

If you perform a good bit of maintenance on your car then I wouldnt recommend Husky. Fasteners on cars can be pretty crusty and over torqued, not to mention their design makes them difficult and uncomfortable when wrenching in confined spaces. Thd Chinese Huskys I started with working on airplanes slipped all the time, could only imagine what it would be like as an auto mechanic.

Hmm.. true. Never had anything to compare to, honestly. I think I'll branch out next time I need some tools! Sockets, etc are fine but the open end wrenches do what you say.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

There are still plenty of big Craftsman USA sets at the local Costco, if you have one locally. As said, it depends on what is local to you. Husky, HF or even a lot of Autozone's Duralast tools are just fine for what you'll be doing.

Shopping online is also a good option. Gearwrench makes some really nice stuff for the price, and Cripe Distributing has a ton of really good tools for great prices (but it is sort of a hodgepodge of brands).

Welcome to GJ!

 

[Jwych]

http://m.sears.com/craftsman-309-pc-mechanics-tool/p-00941309000P

This kit will serve you well then add on the specific tools you want extra from this kit.

I completely agree with this.

 

[sberry]

I am a fan here of the 309, USA or not, its super cheap and works well. It gets your feet under yourself fast without being painful.

 

[KinzeMech]

I am a fan here of the 309, USA or not, its super cheap and works well. It gets your feet under yourself fast without being painful.

That's a great set. I've got one. I'd like it even more if it came with common raised panel wrenches rather than the non-reversible ratcheting wrench.

I love a good ratcheting wrench, but a basic set needs not to skip over basic needs, and you need a common combination wrench before you need a ratcheting wrench, and the non-reversible ones really annoy me.

 

[bczygan]

First of all, welcome to GJ!

We need photos of your truck!

Take a look at exactly which tools you need for yout particular vehicle.

Note what sizes and types of tools your dad uses.

Try to duplicate them.

Make is less important than size and type of tool.

Read the hot deals threads on this forum as well as the Harbor Freight pass/fail and coupon threads.

Ask questions here. Good luck, and have fun with it.

Bill in Detroit

 

[crewchief888]

I want a decent set of tools for doing stuff like changing my oil and tire rotations etc etc. I Don't need the best stuff guys but i still want some decent tools as i'm just starting out doing small things on my truck when my dad has time to show me!

Is craftsman good? i see alot of my guy friends use craftsman

first off welcome to GJ

as mentioned,
there are good/decent quality inexpensive tools out there.

i've been pulling wrenches professionally for 30 years. nearly all my "working" tools came off a tool truck,
but the majority of my "garage/home" tools are CM.

i've found truck and industrial branded tools at flea mkts and pawn shops, you just have to know what you are looking at, and know your prices.

there are multiple threads here on GJ dealing with everything from ratchets and sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, toolboxes, air and cordless tools....

just remember,
rome wasnt built in a day,
and neither will your tool collection.

it takes YEARS,
for some of us it's a LIFETIME.

 

[tbaggz]

Pawn shops are your friend for older made in usa kobalt, kd,craftsman and such.for new Armstrong, Wright,Proto,Williams in no particular order are truck equivalents at way cheaper prices.for new craftsman I would look at Ace hardware for usa stock.

 

[unslow1]

If you have a Home Depot near you the 307 pc set is currently clearancing at $99. In store pricing only. This Craftsman set is a heck of a nice start at $99 also.

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mech...2gi4qf&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6147012-_-11210757&cj=true


http://www.sears.com/craftsman-165-pc-mechanics-tool-set/p-00938165000P

 

[Zeroek]

I'd say wait for sets to go on sale or do some ebay shopping.

 

[dirtydogintex]

using USA Craftsman as a foundation for a diy working tool set is an outstanding idea. yours would not be the 1st and it most certainly not be the last!!

there are still deals for new or good, 'gently used' USA Craftsman tools to be found on flea bay
but
you should know current pricing up front (sears dot com, local b&m stores, fleabay, 'hot deals' forum here at garagejournal dot com) unless you have money to burn.

nice thing about internets shopping is you won't burn fuel ($$$$) like you would driving around.
biggest drawback is the lack of 'feeling' before you buy.

prolly best to stick to plain ol' basic tools 'til you get your bearings.
some of the eye candy (ie: ratcheting box wrenches, battery powered whatever, $200 ratchets) might be nice but they're certainly not required.

as you stumble around the garage here just remember you be hearing opinions from tool collectors, flat rate speedsters and diy types.
pm if you don't understand - flaming is entirely too easily ignited 'round here!!

what is the cliche (fortune/chance??) from the hunger games series? it also applies to this quest....

 

[ravenzfusion]

i'd go for any craftsman USA set. the 250 pc or 309 pc are good bets. I also have a husky 235 pc from last years black Friday , its similar to the 307 pc set. the husky ratchets are actually pretty nice.

 

[rapid robert]

Craftsman set served as the start for me...can't beat them for selection and price...even if they are not the quality of SO or other truck brands

 

[crewchief888]

using USA Craftsman as a foundation for a diy working tool set is an outstanding idea. yours would not be the 1st and it most certainly not be the last!!

nice thing about internets shopping is you won't burn fuel ($$$$) like you would driving around.
biggest drawback is the lack of 'feeling' before you buy.

prolly best to stick to plain ol' basic tools 'til you get your bearings.
some of the eye candy (ie: ratcheting box wrenches, battery powered whatever, $200 ratchets) might be nice but they're certainly not required.

as you stumble around the garage here just remember you be hearing opinions from tool collectors, flat rate speedsters and diy types.
pm if you don't understand - flaming is entirely too easily ignited 'round here!!

^^ agrreed

in most major areas, you can find sears, ace hdw, lowes, home depot and menards within close proximity of each other.
locally theres at least 2 of each store within 15 minutes of each other

 

[928'er]

If you're shopping at Home Depot, don't forget your Harbor Freight 20% off coupons!

In the last week I used a Harbor Freight coupon on an (already) clearance priced 3/8" Husky roto ratchet and on a Ryobi Tek4 battery. Both times I asked the girl at check-out if they took competitors coupons & they said "sure."

 

[Pharden]

I'm looking for a starter set for my brother in-law. great guy but has cheap tools. Whenever I go to his house I bring my own tools. How do the current Kobalt tools compare to the Husky line?

 

[Givl Reggin]

i see alot of my guy friends use craftsman

I wouldn't recommend Craftsman today... unknown future and warranty service, plus they are quietly replacing perfectly good USA made tools with China made ones at the same price.

Instead I would look at S-K and Armstrong, maybe Williams... and if you don't mind foreign made GearWrench is another good brand.

I know a lot of guys here are very happy with the Gearwrench quality, even though it's made in Taiwan or most cases China.

 

[Givl Reggin]

How do the current Kobalt tools compare to the Husky line?

Craftsman, Husky & Kolbalt are very equal in my mind... and are a step above cheap junk, but are still homeowner grade tools... if you want something significantly better and professional take a look at Armstrong or Williams.

 

[thesilverone]

snap on

 

[Pharden]

I'm looking for a starter set for my brother in-law. great guy but has cheap tools. Whenever I go to his house I bring my own tools. How do the current Kobalt tools compare to the Husky line?

 

[unslow1]

I'm looking for a starter set for my brother in-law. great guy but has cheap tools. Whenever I go to his house I bring my own tools. How do the current Kobalt tools compare to the Husky line?

I think you stuttered. I would agree with Givl Reggin. Craftsman, Kobalt and Husky are all mid-level DIY/homeowner level brands. If you don't wrench for a living that is all you really need. Easy to add to at Christmas and birthdays. Easy to warranty and pick up as needed. I would say Gearwrench is only slightly better.

 

[creativecars]

You might check this thread out...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256233

Tools on a budget.