Mechanics tool recommendation wanted

[tooltown]

Hello all,

I'm looking for recommendations for mechanics tools for my personal use. I am by no means a professional mechanic, but I do like to wrench around on my vehicles every now and then. With that said, there is no need for anything quite at the price point of Snap-On, but I would like a brand that's a bit more refined than Craftsman. I have many craftsman tools from back in the day, but the new ones seem to be of lesser quality, and with the sale to the Stanley conglomerate I question the future consistency of the brand.

I need to re-outfit myself with some new ratchets, sockets, breaker bars, box end wrenches, combination wrenches, etc.

A good warranty is a must, lifetime is even better. And as much as I want to say made in USA, Germany, etc, I may be able to bring myself to buy from China etc given a good product.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Ken

 

[M6erfan]

Tekton.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Welcome to the forum tooltown. Prepare yourself for a ton of opinions about who makes the best of anything tool like. I personally like the Snap-On Dual 80 ratchets, MATCO eighty-8's and S-K round heads. That being said, I still have craftsman, vintage New Britain, Blackhawk. Wright and Proto ratchets in my box. They all are there for a particular reason in that physically one may work where another won't. Same goes with wrenches - I have Snap-On purchased on the internet/Craigslist, Craftsman Professional (made by SK) and Armstrong. Nothing is wrong with any other quality brand tool that meets your needs and feels good to you. You didn't mention a budget, but implied that you didn't want to pay tool truck prices. You also said that you currently have Craftsman USA tools and as long as they are serving you well, why not just continue with them and replace/upgrade when you find a good deal on the secondary market? Believe me, reading some of the posts here will get your head screwed up to the point where you will think that you need all of the latest and greatest thing out there. It is addictive - Beware!

 

[maintguy]

Harbor freight ratchets. They are loved here.

Also of you have the time and can stick to it, pawnshops and flea markets. You will be surprised how Much american made tools can be found for pennies pon the dollar

 

[M_George]

I've been using Craftsman and SK for many years. Lately I have been watching the flea markets for any USA made tools I think I might need and have found plenty of Craftsman, SK, Proto and even Snap-On. Often dirt cheep.

 

[gdocktor3]

SK if you need USA made. Gearwrench if you don't care where they're made. Both are excellent brands that produce excellent tools at very affordable prices and carry lifetime warranties.

 

[Firebrick43]

Sk sockets are excellent as are their ratchets. The sockets are as good as snap on in my opinion. Wright and USA Williams are good as well but not the selection. I particularly like wright grip combo wrenches, even over my snap on ones

Williams still makes the old snap on hard handle screwdrivers for a good price.

Mayhew for punch and chisels.

Sunex or Grey pneumatic for impact sockets.

 

[Greg85mcss]

That's probably the best value. For a little more gearwrench is nice. I get some skipping from my tekton ratchet but overall great set for the money. Ratchets I'd look at gearwrench. Pittsburgh pro held up well to daily professional use but the reversed selector is kinda annoying. Sunex, gw or tekton if you need impacts. Carlyle is pretty nice too in a slightly higher price range.


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[ducksface]

It's hard to justify how you broke a tool on almost any tool north of bargain basement, and even then it's probably your fault.

Buy the level of shiny you decide fits you.
Too many fan boys are ridiculous in their .0001 tolerances and 'hand feel'.

I have many unmarked sockets. The kind that come with some odd design ratcheting screwdriver in the 5 dollar father's day bin.
I've yet to break one. The ratcheting driver head I've broken, never one of the sockets.
Except for stripping a first generation gear wrench I can't think of a tool I've broken in the last lifetime.

 

[DTuck]

Wrightgrip wrenches.

 

[T45]

With no particular problems to solve, my vote is the $100 gearwrench socket/ratchet sets. Covers 1/4 and 3/8 in SAE and Metric, with modern Ratchets.

I wouldn't blink twice, I would just buy it. If you evern need to upgrade, just send the GW stuff to the car kit or generic home/owner handiman kit.

If you need other brands for some reason, I would look at carlyle/napa and proto. The quality on all this stuff is not going to be outdone for most jobs you will need tools for.

The insurance and theft risk/loss is also a factor in tools that only see occasiona use of have casual storage (ie, not in locked boxes or in secure facilities...).

Once you start getting frustrated, then you upgrade to solve specific problems.

You will also need pliers and screwdrivers and adjustable wrenches.

For those i would go with Channelock, channelock (irega), and a german 6pc sect of screwdrievers (witte, wiha, wera, etc). Prybars craftsman pro on sale ofr $30ish.

For combo wrenches, look at something basic like Tekton SAE to 3/4 and Metric to 19mm. If you are enthusiastic, extend to 1 inch and 22mm. For more money, maybe carlyle on sale.

 

[Pontiac787]

I would also add in a good assortment of extensions in 1/4 and 3/8. 3 or 4 different lengths of each in both wobble and fixed. Having a variety of lengths has saved my bacon more than once. I like SK and Proto. Good price and good quality. You can also get the Craftsman or HF versions for a song to throw in the "just in case" drawer.

 

[Stuart96]

Harbor freight ratchets are unbeatable at there price. Sunex master impact socket sets are also a very good deal and quality is great.. If you think you're going to run into the clearance issues of using only impacts pick up the gearwrench chrome 3/8 socket set with the 1/4" set.. Keep in mind those come with ratchets too. Wrenches for 100$ it's hard to beat tekton for home use, even proffessional


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[smuro04]

I think a good starting point for a great "bang for your buck" tool selection would be the HF 301 piece kit. It has pretty much every socket and socket bit a homeowner/weekend warrior could ever need. Throw in the Gearwrench 44pc long pattern combo wrench set and your pretty well covered.

I've also been using pliers and screwdrivers from HF for around the house and at the junkyard and they hold up surprisingly well. I really don't see a need to spend the money on more expensive brands when the cheap stuff works just fine.

Did I also mention that HF has a lifetime warranty, no questions asked? And Apex (Gearwrench) has been excellent with their warranty as well.

Craftsman is another budget friendly option, but I stick to their USA and Taiwan offerings.

I think the HF stuff will do just fine, then upgrade as you see fit... My .02 anyway.

 

[Hendricks433]

If your a DIY just buy quality stuff, don't get caught up in a brand. Tekton or GearWrench are good. Can't go wrong with Harbor Freight flex ratchets. No need for Snap On, Mac, etc.

Miluakee for impacts and cordless ratchet is nice too. Can check Sunex or GearWrench for good impact sockets.

 

[Super Sport]

I would avoid trying to stick with one single brand as no single brand offers the best of everything. I prefer USA made tools, but imports can offer very similar quality for often quite a bit less.

My suggestions:
Ratchets - Snap On, Gearwrench, Harbor Freight
Sockets - Wright, SK, Gearwrench (I don't think there is a huge difference in sockets, so most any will work fine)
Socket Extensions - Mac (check out their knurled female end)
Impact Sockets - Harbor Freight, Sunex, Tekton, SK
Combination Wrenches - Wrightgrip, Williams USA, Carlyle (Napa), Gearwrench.
Ratcheting Wrenches - Gearwrench
Adjustable Wrenches - Channellock (Irega), Craftsman (still USA made)
Pliers - Knipex, Channellock, Craftsman (still USA)
Locking Pliers - Vintage Petersen Vise Grips or newer Grip On (German)
Screwdrivers - Wera, Wiha, PB Swiss, Williams USA, or Pratt-Reed
Torque Wrenches - Gearwrench USA or CDI
Specialty Tools - Gearwrench, Lisle, or OTC.

 

[Brownsfan]

There really is no one brand that does the best of everything. That said if I was starting over I would do this. If truck brands were not an option.
Sockets, wrenches : SK
PLIERS: slip joints- Knipex. All others Klein.
Screwdrivers: proto Duratek
Ratchets: would be a mix of gearwrench, proto , sk.
Now if you are on a budget.
Gearwrench makes pretty decent tools in all the hand tool categories.
I have some cheap gearwrench pliers I use daily and they are not bad. I also have a reversible set of ratcheting wrenches from gearwrench I use daily as well. While I do have some expensive snap on and Cornwell in my box at home. I use a mix of cheaper stuff in my service van. Why? Because I will lose more than I wil ever break.

 

[Citation]

With no particular problems to solve, my vote is the $100 gearwrench socket/ratchet sets. Covers 1/4 and 3/8 in SAE and Metric, with modern Ratchets.

I wouldn't blink twice, I would just buy it. If you evern need to upgrade, just send the GW stuff to the car kit or generic home/owner handiman kit.

If you need other brands for some reason, I would look at carlyle/napa and proto. The quality on all this stuff is not going to be outdone for most jobs you will need tools for.

The insurance and theft risk/loss is also a factor in tools that only see occasiona use of have casual storage (ie, not in locked boxes or in secure facilities...).

Once you start getting frustrated, then you upgrade to solve specific problems.

You will also need pliers and screwdrivers and adjustable wrenches.

For those i would go with Channelock, channelock (irega), and a german 6pc sect of screwdrievers (witte, wiha, wera, etc). Prybars craftsman pro on sale ofr $30ish.

For combo wrenches, look at something basic like Tekton SAE to 3/4 and Metric to 19mm. If you are enthusiastic, extend to 1 inch and 22mm. For more money, maybe carlyle on sale.

I would generally second this. I would add that Home Depot ratchets are basically GW tools with slight changes in the number of teeth (both made by the same company). I prefer the HD stuff to GW because I like quick release. HD seems to offer a Sears like warranty where you can just take the thing in. Not sure how easy it is to get GW to replace a broken ratchet.

Based on many comments here and the tools I've looked at I think many brands would serve nicely (Craftsman, Husky, Kobalt, Klutch (Northern Tool), Harbor Frieght, Crescent (not just for adjustable wrenches) Gearwrench and many others).

If you decide to buy a tool set pay attention to the included pieces. I find deep well sockets to be very handy and that's a place that the kits often scrimp on. I want overlap between my 1/4 and 3/8 socket sizes. I broke two 1/4 CM ratchets early on because my Sears kit only had 14mm deep in 1/4 drive (shallow sockets didn't work). So I used a pipe to get that tough 14mm bolt off. Well 1/4 ratchets and pipes don't always get along. Sure Sears replaced the ratchet but the second time I also bought a 14mm 3/8 deep socket so I wouldn't have to replace the ratchet a 3rd time. I would suggest getting a set that has deep 1/4 drive to 14mm and deep 3/8 drive that at least covers 14mm and preferable to 12 or even 10mm.

The boxed tool sets almost always include an insufficient set of wrenches. for my Japanese cars I expect to use 8, 10, 12, 14, and 17mm wrenches. 19 and larger are also used on things like suspension bolts. Many of the boxed sets will include just a few wrenches so you end up having to buy a more complete set anyway (same with bit drivers, hex wrenches etc). In the end I think most of what a set gets you is a socket set. Keep that in mind when looking at sets that seem to include a wide range of tools but not a complete set of anything. The Gearwrech and this Stanley set are generally my first recommendation for shade tree mechanics looking for sockets.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KE6E1U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Neither the GW nor Stanley sets include 1/2 drive stuff. For the most part I use a 1/2 drive that came with my Sears set + a set of Stanley impact sockets when I need larger than 3/8" sockets. This is typically for stuff 17mm and up.

Since I started using my own tools to work on cars my original Sears socket set has been the core of what I've used. However, I've added a lot of other tools over time (snap ring pliers, small screw drivers, files, punches etc). I would just assume that you will add more tools over time and don't stress out about things too much up front.

 

[M_George]

Gee's you've got it tough... Back in the 60's most everyone just got Craftsman. Now, so many to choose from... you better get a bigger box. LOL

 

[kythri]

Specialty Tools - Gearwrench, Lisle, or OTC.

I'd add Astro Pneumatic to that list.

 

[woody 73]

Lots of good replies...

If I was a young man just starting out I would buy the following tools because they are very easy to warranty: Carlyle tools from Napa.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/?cid=PAIDSEARCH_Brand_NAPA_BMM_NAPA_Bing_napa_BMM

Even in the smallest towns you should be able to find a Napa store, (key word), at least from what I remember. If my memory is still good they will also take care of broken gearwrench tools but that might have changed ?

 

[M6erfan]

Napa (Carlyle) ratchets, sockets, wrenches are very nice but a much better value when they're on sale. If you have easy access to a brick and mortar Napa store...

 

[tooltown]

Thank you for all the replies. I'm going to start looking around at all the brands listed here.

 

[Moose97]

I too am a weekend warrior. I don't make a living with my tools but I do keep the 4 family car's rolling and also lots of work around the house and farm.

For me...just my opinion applied only to myself...I can't justify spending big money on top-notch tools. I have many older Craftsman that do the job fine. I also have newer Craftsman that work well. I buy some Harbor Freight stuff also. Their ratchets are really nice. At least nicer than my old Craftsman ratchets.

But I will lay out this warning. I bought my son a set of Stanley tools for his truck. The ratchets and sockets were ok, a little too much play but good enough. The bit driver and bits that came in the set are next to useless. They won't stay in the driver and fall out.

 

[geartow]

i like the harbor freight pro breaker bar

 

[MN_Runner]

I would buy HF or NAPA tools if I were to start a tool collection for DIY auto/house projects.

 

[Tom.C]

Sunex makes excellent wrenches for the money, they also have arguably the best impact anything, harbor freight it's pretty hard to beat for ratchets/ breaker bars, also a good selection of chrome sockets and hand tools that hold up to home/ light to medium professional use.

 

[Eric29]

I have a lot of older craftsman, so I can't really suggest a brand in the range you are looking for but I can tell you that I've received some harbor freight tools as gifts and I wouldn't trust my knuckles to them. They look and feel like junk, and if you're doing any serious hard work, like on rusty suspensions, I just wouldn't trust them.

I've worked on cars for many years. Just my opinion.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a fondness for SK and Wright, both brands are made in the USA, and not so expensive as truck brands.

NAPA Stores sell Carlyle tools, decent value, if you don't mind Taiwan imports. Even a better value when they are on sale.

Tekton are good value, and if you are near a Meijer store, from time to time they have them on sale. Also available on Amazon, as well as others

Until I bought a couple of them, I would not have recommended Harbor Freight ratchets (Pittsburg Pro). I have a couple, they are cheap, and work wel

Other brands that you might want to look at are Gearwrench, Kobalt (Lowes) and Husky (Home Depot)

Good luck

 

[BiltFordTuff]

I use Harbor Freight impact sockets daily and i love them to death. I have a set of 1/2" metric deep and shallow, 1/2" standard deep and 3/8" metric deep. They hold up well and take a pounding. My only complaint is they skip common sizes like 15mm and 18mm but i just resorted to buying individual sockets from Sunex to fill the gap. I have been impressed with both brands. I even have the Pittsburgh axle nut socket set and it has served me well.
I also use a HF Earthquake impact and all i can say is it has balls. The only downside is its heavy and the switch is on the back so you have to turn it with your other hand where as others have a quick one handed switch. It has held up decent with daily use and occasional oil.
I recommend the Pittsburgh Pro ratchets, especially the 3/8 long handle flex head. Its my most used ratchet and it works just as good as its Snap On sister. I had to warranty it once awhile back because i kept having to tighten the bolt that holds the head on and eventually it stripped and the bolt would fall out. They replaced it no questions asked and the first thing i did was put some loctite on that bolt. No problems since.
Harbor Freight has a lot of great tools for the home mechanic. The yellow handled ball peen hammers are great. I cant say much about their wrenches or screwdrivers but i do have a few sets of the free screwdrivers you get with a coupon and i like them alright.

 

[oldtools]

SK, Gearwrench, Tekton, Carlyle, Pittsburg Pro

 

[smuro04]

I'd add Astro Pneumatic to that list.

I'll second Astro. So far I only have their 1/2" ONYX impact and a few backing plates for my DA polisher, but I have been impressed by their price->quality ratio.