New Member - Question

[Frjeff]

Greetings,
New member here.
Have a hodgepodge of mostly junk tools collected over the last 50 years. Never had the money to buy quality. Have had too many busted knuckles to continue using these tools.
Now doing a bit more self-maintenance, but I am not a mechanic.
Have a few bucks stashed aside and beginning to replace the junk tools (dumpster) with quality pieces. Started with my combination wrenches and replaced them with metric and SAE sets of Armstrong's.

No looking for 1/4 and 3/8 rachets. Will work on the sockets after this.

Have studied and compared the Armstrong Maxx Flex Head (11-994), Snap-On F80 and a Matco 88.

Need help deciding. Also, need to know if the long handled Maxx is as practical for me as a more "normal" length rachet.

 

[Jim Diesel]

I would seriously consider the gearwrench 120xp flex head set.

 

[Frjeff]

How many of those junk wrenches did you break?

Probably 6 in the past 5 years. A couple rachets and the same for adjustables.

 

[bobcatdan]

SK is probably the master of socket sets. Maybe look at those as you will get standard lenght ratchets with those. From there you can add longer ratchets as you will be pretty set otherwise with SK's set. A good 1/2" flex head will be 15" to 16" long. A 3/6 will be 11" to 12".

 

[thegroundpounder99]

Personally, I don't usually recommend Snap On or truck quality tools to anybody that isn't a professional mechanic.....but since you asked and mentioned, I'd go the Snap On. I've used plenty of other ratchets and own a couple others but the F80 and some other SO's are my favorite. They're smooth and just feel good in the hand. I have a Matco and Armstrong and they're not bad by any means. Tried GW and didn't like them at all......but it's all personal preference. Good luck and hopefully your upgrades will help your knuckles lol.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Richard Cranium]

I would say s&k tool would be your best bet.

 

[gdocktor3]

Well the Matco 88 and Armstrong Maxx have same internals, but the Armstrong will be cheaper either way you go. I like the Snap On better. Why? It has a sealed head and they offer it in quick release. As for sockets, I bought a mix of new 1/2" Blackhawk USA and used Snap On, then a 47 piece set of SK 3/8" and a 51 piece set of Gearwrench 1/4". After that I picked up some better ratchets, universals and extensions to add to them. I've been happy with the SK and GW sockets, but the biggest thing is they came in plastic cases which I can remove from my tool box when working on vehicle or going on the road.
The SK set is 94547 and the Gearwrench set is KD 80300. You should check them out.

 

[ryan20021982]

+1 for Gearwrench, I have multiple different things from them and haven't had a problem, and the 120xp ratchets are nice. They are not top of the line but good for the price.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

+1 one on the Gearwrench 1/4 set, although I have replace the ratchet with a tl72 and a SK round head. Although I have SK in 3/8 and have been happy with that as well.

 

[Dave455]

I'd be looking at all the 'made in USA' tools, apart from the truck brands! In practice, this means Wright, SK, Armstrong and Williams USA.

The last two are probably the front runners. It sounds like you like fine tooth ratchets, which suggests the Armstrong Maxx, but the Williams (make sure it's their USA line, not Taiwan) is very similar to the Snap On except for the tooth count, and the price!

 

[malykaii]

So your been doing ok with junk for this long, why jump to snap on. Its like driving a Yugo for all this time, why buy a bentley, just settle for a Corolla.

Hence get gearwrench. And why buy the ratchet seperatly from the sockets. Get something like the 80934 gearwrench set. It will cost less than two truck brand ratchets.

If you really insist, then just grab gearwrench 120xp.

 

[jgschroeder99]

If you're looking for USA made, Proto is another good brand that is somewhat affordable. Masterforce from Menards are USA made and good quality, the selection just isn't that good.

 

[jt777]

I would seriously consider the gearwrench 120xp flex head set.

Agreed. I abuse my long handle cushion grips. They handle stupid amounts of torque.

 

[jt777]

If you want a good 1/4 drive set look at the 44 piece sk on amazon or the gearwrench 80315. Both great sets. I use 1/4 a ton and a good set is essential. I am not a professional, but an avid diy

 

[gdocktor3]

+1 one on the Gearwrench 1/4 set, although I have replace the ratchet with a tl72 and a SK round head.

I actually like my 120xp better than my t72 ratchet. It's head is thinner & overall longer then the t72 and imo has a smoother ratchet action. The tl72 is nice and has sealed head, but very expensive. If I were to spend the money on SO I'd get qr. As for the SK round head, hands down best 1/4" round head ratchet. It is sooo nice I actually emailed SK and told them not to change a thing. I have an Easco 1/4" round head with qr. That would be the only thing that would make the SK better.

If you want a good 1/4 drive set look at the 44 piece sk on amazon or the gearwrench 80315.

I agree 100% with the Gearwrench, but keep in mind that set is metric only. The 80300 has deep and shallow metric/sae. I think that would be a better starter set, then upgrade the universal sockets later if needed. Plus, the 80315 is about $120, while the 80300 is $76 shipped from tooldiscounter.com. That's a pretty darn good deal. http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemD...MZDlxrUbQU1o6xc0gMAQod12HFCpb8OWTYaAj6M8P8HAQ

 

[buckwheat_la]

Gearwrench is tremendous bang for your buck. I am constantly surprised by how well it handles stuff. And they always seem to have great deals on.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Probably 6 in the past 5 years. A couple rachets and the same for adjustables.

I see you quote a member called "duckface" however I don't see their comment here, how does that work?

 

[malykaii]

I see you quote a member called "duckface" however I don't see their comment here, how does that work?

I didn't do that, but what you do,is go to the threat where that quote is... Click "quote"... When it takes you to the respond section of that thread just copy the whole text. Now come back to this thread and paste.

 

[malykaii]

I can had cheeseburger?

You can also edit quote for people. Like i just fixed yours.

 

[RRmech]

I got a complete set (1/4", 3/8". and 1/2" drive) of used pear head Cornwell USA ratchets in good working order, CHEAP on flea-bay.
Truecraft (USA and Japan) ratchets and sockets are also pretty decent, and even NOS goes for coffee money on flea-bay.

Steve

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Don't get me wrong I liked the 60 tooth GW ratchet that came with my 1/4 set. The ratchet just fell apart the first week I owned it, and I hated the QR that I was given as a warranty replacement. Saw a cheap TL72 on eBay and snagged it.

 

[jt777]

I agree 100% with the Gearwrench, but keep in mind that set is metric only. The 80300 has deep and shallow metric/sae. I think that would be a better starter set, then upgrade the universal sockets later if needed. Plus, the 80315 is about $120, while the 80300 is $76 shipped from tooldiscounter.com. That's a pretty darn good deal. http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemD...MZDlxrUbQU1o6xc0gMAQod12HFCpb8OWTYaAj6M8P8HAQ[/QUOTE]

Yeah. I'm in Canada so the price is a bit more. I just recommended this because i personally own it and for the average guys for working on a modern anything except lawnmowers etc. Everything is metric and i have found a million uses for the swivel sockets.