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Mechanics tool set/ box

ransil

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Jul 22, 2018
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pa
I need a tool set to carry in the Rv /Off road vehicle.

I currently use tool bags but digging 5 of them out everytime and digging thru the tools you hope you brought is getting old.

sample of type I was looking at, have seen craftsman, KD gear wrench kobalt in this style.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YKDHWU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I want something when I open the box the tools are where they are supposed to be

Need metric and SAE 6pt preferred no need for a 450 piece with half inserts and allens
needs to have box wrenches included

Big numbers on them, cant see **** anymore.

would like to keep it under $200.
 
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Tallpilot

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In my truck I carry a Tekton set in each drive size with its own case and wrench rolls. I keep the random tools in an ammo box. That's the only way I've found to avoid filler items.
 
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djcslice

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Aug 9, 2012
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365
Of the master sets in cases I have seen, by far the gearwrench ones are the best. All of the husky and kobalt ones have all the tools in the wrong places.

In general I think large sets leave something to be desired. They either have too many overlapping sockets, too many bit pieces (to get high tool counts) or a really crappy selection of wrenches. Also, one big set is a PITA to move around.

For your needs, it seems like a master set of that nature would not be sufficient and youre probably better off building a tool kit. There are quite a few storage solutions that might work well.

For sockets, I have seen really good success with small parts organizers. Or a small concise set of ratchets (w/case) that doesnt have much in the way of filler. I use a craftsman pass thru set which covers 90% of my automotive needs in a 54pc blow-molded set.

For wrenches, a good wrench roll or a set like this https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Combination-Wrench-Set-28-Piece-28CW002NC/205093597

For pliers, a wrench roll or a small storage box.

http://www.gearwrench.com/master-se...-1-2-drive-metric-sae-socket-ratchet-set.html

Going to be hard to find 6 pt in the 1/2" drive sizes and stay under your budget. The set I linked is right at $200.

The sets with both sockets and wrenches always include filler items and quality compromises but I understand why you only want to drag one box out.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80942
 
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Holmesx10

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Jan 7, 2018
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55
If you can go without having box wrenches the dewalt 192 piece set has 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive sockets ratchets and extensions. They are high quality Taiwanese made and are pretty much the same quality as the Mac tool truck Taiwanese tools. Can be had for as low as $150 and comes in a nice blow molded case. Very very few skips
 

Chucktin

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May 24, 2015
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I've long since given up on finding just the "right" set and in the "right" box.
My advice is to accumulate just what you need from other sets (cheaper than buying piece-at-a-time) then buy a box that will hold what you need.
Keeping them in the right order and in the right place is an exercise of will and patience. And I wish you better luck than I've had at the will and patience!
 

Zewnten

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Jun 11, 2017
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I was just in the dilemma. I was going to use the Klien zipper bags and Atlas fabric socket rails along with wrench rolls and a couple bags to hold it all. My wife found a craftsman top box with 3 full width drawers, 6 partial drawers and one extra deep drawer with flip up lid. plan is to shadow each drawer so the tools don't rattle around and mount it in the back of my truck or on a dolly to move it around. Only issue with this setup compared to the bags is the weight as its all in one plus the weight of the tool box
 

kctyphoon

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Gearwrench promo set if thats still going. Full 1/4" and 3/8" up to 1" for like $100 or so. Comes in 2 small cases. There's probably close to 100 people on here that have bought that set including me. Look in Hot deals, it's probably on the first few pages.

If not just pick any set within your budget, but there is not 1 piece of junk in the Gearwrench set to up the tool count.


Here’s the thread link. Price is showing $91 ... pics on page two of the thread i think. You will not find more for your money.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321931
 
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ransil

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pa
I have all the tools, just not a good way to carry / organize then. I have some individual blow molded case sets, kobalt one when opened everything just falls out.
I have a craftsman 1/4 " sae and 3/8 metric each have own case i use alot casue they have a good case and the latches work, these 2 sets are 30 years old and i do carry them with me.
I have a craftsman combo set latch wore out so its not portable.

I can build a set if i find the right box or i don't mind buying new ones never can have too many tools.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
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kctyphoon

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One good thing with the Gearwrench - is all tools are only stored on one side.. there’s NOTHING stored on the top, so theres nothing to fall out.. better still (IMO) is the 1/4” and 3/8” come in separate cases.. keeps the cases smaller, lighter, and you only take out the set you need. For about the same money you can look into Tekton, but they use double sided cases from what i remember.

If you want simple - go get some locking socket rails and that cheap craftsman storage box like this for $10

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-22inch-standard-truck-box/p-00965119000P
 

M6erfan

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'Merica!
A similar recent thread where the OP was looking for a mobile tool set. Pretty much all the same recommendations, in the end he went with Tekton.
 

Brownsfan

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Cleveland Ohio
That was me. I bought the Tekton 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets in the blow molded cases. The tools on the top are in very tight. They bounce around in a van with no issues. Would have rather had the Gearwrench ratchets but the Tekton work just fine. I just threw a couple longer flex head ratchets in my tool bag just in case I needed them. I have never seen such nice Chrome on a imported socket set. Its like jewelry. Wont stay that way for long as I use them a ton.
 

gtsgarage

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Oct 31, 2017
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California
For my mobile tools which is really compete 1/4” and 3/8” with one 1/2” deep socket for my lug nuts I carry everything in a Craftsman professional bag it’s awesome and held up for years.

Sockets are on rails and wrenches are in rolls.

At home everything is in drawers with all sockets in craftsman rails. The work well for me and I’ve tried looking at different socket retention systems but haven’t switched over yet.
 
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ransil

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Jul 22, 2018
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I have lots of bags, my wife teases me about having a bag fetish.
Bags are what I currently use, but everything gets scattered in different bags, i use fabric paint to mark them, but its "tools" so I still need to open multiple bags to find what I need.
I have tool rolls, Ok for combo wrenches and pliers.
I have tried most of the socket retention systems, magnetic, steel, plastic the flexible poly ralis are about the best I found but it takes effort to make sure you have everything you need.

I was hoping for a one shot box, open it, if all slots are full, I have everything.
would also include a separate bag for that Odd socket, punch, hammer speciality tools.
 

kctyphoon

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The hf mechanics tool sets always get good reviews as far as value for your money. Just dont expect the screwdrivers and wrenches to be all that great.
 
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