New to GJ. Looking for tools purchase advice.

[phitat]

Hi all,

I'm looking to build up a small tool set to use for weekend car projects, and also to fix things around the house. I don't know much about tools at all so I'm gonna need quite a bit of help here. I'm tired of borrowing tools from my dad. Gotta grow up and have my own set of tools right? And I'm on a budget too so nothing too fancy, just relatively reliable is good for me, since I don't do much heavy duty work.

What I currently have:
Duralast 3/8 in. flex head ratchet
Duralast 3/8 in. 10" extension
Craftman ratcheting magnetic screwdriver
Irwin vise grip
Random/no name set of hex key
Husky wire cutter/clipper (879116)
Wiha Technician Choice w/ plier (precision tool set)
Powerbuilt 26 piece SAE & Metric socket set (3/8 in. drive)
A hammer

What I'm looking for:
Decent SAE & metric wrench set
Set of 3/8 in. drive SAE & metric socket (20+ piece)
Small portable tool box
HF Low profile car jack
Bolt/nut extractor set

I been looking around and see there are 12 pt. and 6 pt. for sockets and wrenches. I would like know which one is less likely to strip your nuts/bolts. As you can already see by what I have, I can't afford anything too fancy. What I have has served me well for a couple of years now, except for the Powerbuilt socket set. It finally crapped out on me after 1 year while working on my car. It was free so I didn't mind. I know this is basically nothing compared to most of the collections I've seen on here, but it's what I got and it's mine. So recommend away all!! And thanks in advance for your help.

 

[bulletpruf]

6 point sockets are less likely to strip nuts and bolts.

If you're on a budget, I would spend some time at Harbor Freight. Check out the various HF threads here for what you should and should not purchase there.

Check Craigslist too.

 

[jakemac]

As for the 6pt vs 12pt question, 6pt will be less likely to strip bolts and nuts because they grip more of the surface. However, if you live in an area where rust grows like weeds then you might want to go with 12pt and take it easy starting. The 6pt's have a tighter tolerance so they don't accommodate rusty heads as well as the 12pt's.

You'll get lots of differing views on this, so take it all in and decide whats best for you.

It will be the same for tool brand choices. Some will tell you to spend all your money on SnapOn, while others will tell you to spend less to get more tools at Harbor Freight. The solution is somewhere in-between. There is a very good HF thread here called " The HF pass/fail thread" (or something like it) that will help you pick out the gems from the dross at that store. Others will tell you to look at one of the Craftsman mechanics sets as a value for money option. I'll let them give you the pro's and con's.

Just remember that these tools aren't how you make your living, so you don't have to go top shelf on everything right now. Meet your needs with decent quality tools now, and then you can upgrade later if you choose to, and have a better idea of what you use most.

The season is almost over, but Flea Markets and Yard Sales can be a good source for finding good tools without breaking the bank.


Oh, and welcome to the forum. Fair warning - This place is going to cost you a lot of money.

 

[Holzarbeiter]

Although I have Snap-on, Mac and Matco in my box, I also have Craftsman and HF.
Craftsman Tool quality has been questionable lately but I still like their USA made sockets and wrenches better than HF. Sears has a 250 piece mechanics set on sale for under 150 bucks right now, IMO that is hard to beat and a good value, comes with plastic tool storage.
http://www.sears.com/250-pc-mechanics-tools-set-with-3-drawer/p-00938250000P?adCell=REC_1_0

 

[wild cowboy]

definitely Harbor Freight while you are young, some of their stuff is surprisingly good, like their new composite ratchets!

I have their 2 ton aluminum floor jack and it ROCKS!

 

[Holzarbeiter]

Sears offers a layaway plan, makes it a little easier if on a tight budget

 

[LS3]

welcome! I'm new here too. However not new to this kind of "lifestyle." but yes like stated above check out craigslist, eBay etc. do your research on different brands, decide on how` much you want to spend and buy the best tool you can afford. Weather its Harbor Freight or Snap on it doesn't matter.

i found this a very interesting thread
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851

 

[jd_1138]

Lots of good mid tier USA brands like SK, Williams, Proto, Wright, Allen, Craftsman Industrial/Professional. Look on CL and get a great deal on an older tool box with roller bottom. Or even HF has the 4 or 5 drawer service carts for $100 on sale. That could get you by until you get a larger box then transition the service cart into portable tool storage.

But I think having a variety of tools is more important than the brand. Even if that means buying $700 worth of Harbor Freight. Then later you can swap in better brands for certain subsets of your overall collection.

 

[MRunabout]

What kind of wrenches are you looking for? Open end? Closed end? Combination? Ratcheting?

For combination, non-ratcheting wrenches, my Craftsman set has served me well for over ten years. The set is 8 - 22mm but I forget how much it costs. This may be the set: http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-26-pc-metric-12-pt-combination-wrench/p-00946936000P?prdNo=9

For boxed end, ratcheting wrenches, I love my Mountain/EZ Red ones with the extended splines. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C2R1V8O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For sockets, do you want shallow, standard or deep length sockets? Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Pro line is really popular for impact sockets but just make sure the kits have the right sizes you need. I use a combination of Snap On, Craftsman, Harbor Freight and Grey Pneumatic.

If you need a low profile jack, there's this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-68050.html or you can get the Arcan XL from Costco.

Haven't had much luck with my Irwin bolt/nut extractor set.

 

[Notorious BRT]

As has been said, the advice you get here will run the gauntlet from buy all HF tools to buy all Snap On. Based on what you've said so far, I would forget about the truck brands for now. It will be hard to get very far with a tight budget on a tool truck. I would recommend looking for good used tools on eBay and the like. Check out the tool truck equivalent thread stickied at the top of this forum, lots of stuff listed there that is rebranded on the tool trucks and can be had much cheaper.

Check out Harry J. Epstein's, lots of Wright, SK, and other American made tools for sale there. You just missed our SK day at Epstein's, a bunch of us placed orders, around $65,000 in two days. I'm pretty new here, but this is an awesome place. There are people from all walks of life, collectively there is nothing about tools that is not known here. Welcome!

 

[phitat]

Wow! I didn't expect to wake up to this many detailed/informative replies. I'm definitely up considering the Craftsman wrench set MRunabout suggested. I'm also thinking about getting the socket set from Craftsman. They seem to be fairly well made. I'm definitely going to check out the "Tool Truck Equivalent" and "HF pass/fail" threads. And lastly, what's a decent set of ratcheting wrench?

 

[theluke]

Don't overlook stanley. They make pretty decent stuff. I know they don't get a lot of love around here but i have a good bit of stanley stuff and have never had a problem with it. Lifetime warranty and not expensive

 

[mjmotors62]

Hi im mike and im in Oregon. I have an overabundence of tools and id be interested in the prospect of selling a bunch if you are interested email me. [email protected]. tha.nk you

 

[jakemac]

Posting your email address on an open forum may not be the best idea. Try PMing him through the site for a safer result.

 

[creativecars]

Check this link out. There are many good tips and tools for those starting out on a tight budget.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256233

 

[nc0341]

Go with gearwrench. Good quality good price. Go to your local advance auto parts and check them out. Lifetime warranty. Just as good as my craftsman stuff if not better.

 

[Moose97]

301 piece mechanics tool kit at Harbor Freight for $199.00. Compared to Duralast you'll think they're Snap-On! If you want to upgrade a bit and can afford it get the equivalent size Craftsman set.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[creativecars]

301 piece mechanics tool kit at Harbor Freight for $199.00. Compared to Duralast you'll think they're Snap-On! If you want to upgrade a bit and can afford it get the equivalent size Craftsman set.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One of the best deals for the buck. With a 25% coupon it puts them to 50 cents per tool.

 

[MRunabout]

I forgot to mention Tekton and Sunex also make some very reliable impact sockets at low prices.