New tool advice!

[xAZxE30x]

So.. I am looking to upgrade my tool box

I am looking to get some new sockets, ratchets and wrenches

I have most Craftsman stuff currently.. except an FL80

here is a list of some of what I have that I want to upgrade:

shallow 1/4" (4-13mm)
shallow 3/8" (8-18mm)
shallow'ish 1/2" (15-17,19mm)

Wrenches standard length (10-19mm)

ratchets: FL80, cman 3/8", 2 short misc 1/4" and 1 Chinese 1/2"


I am thinking for the wrenches, since I have a standard set currently.. should I pick up an long set to complement it?

Sockets.. should I get long sets to go with the shallows? I work mostly on my E30 cars so I do not come across long stuff very often but it is always great when I have the correct size and don't have to run off to Sears, or need that extra length on top of an extension

My wrenches have been spreading a lot lately so I am thinking of going with a better brand because I am sick of bringing stuff in to Sears

I just cannot make up my damn mind so figured i would ask!

I also hit up junkyards and work on cars away from my home so maybe my roller at home can have my nicer new tools in them and then keep my Craftsman stuff in the portable box I carry around when I need them

Sorry this is all jumbled and confusing!

thanks!

//Austin

 

[xAZxE30x]

Cliffs: want new tools, have a decent amount currently.. what should i for sure have or pass on?

thanks!

 

[RECox286]

Keep yer better tools in yer rollaround.

Stock yer JY box with HF stuff.

Uncle Bob

 

[Vvmvbb]

What aren't the cman sockets doing that you want the upgrades to do?
I'm a big fan of deep sockets. Always seem to bail me out of some sort of hassle.

 

[xAZxE30x]

Alot of them have rounded/cracked where the ratchet locks into and I have had to get them replaced. Another one did it the other day and it kind of pissed me off. I don't know if I had a bad batch or what but its getting old when I'm working to make trips around town picking up more tools

I'm not really saying they aren't doing their job. I've rebuilt an entire car using cman stuff

Just looking to upgrade and if I get some long sets I don't know if I want cman anymore

It's more so the wrenches that I want to replace for my roll box. I had 2 different wrenches spread pretty bad the other and I wasn't even applying a lot of force

 

[nanofrog]

I'm a big fan of deep sockets.

+1

They're my go-to sockets. Only use shallow if the deep won't fit in a tight space, so most of my shallow sockets are barely used in over 20 years (3/8" DR).

BTW, I'm rebuilding my tool set, so any advice as per what brand of sockets would offer a good price/performance would be helpful to me as well (need 1/4" & 1/2" DR. Metrics). Just a DIY'er, but I don't like having to warranty tools (always seems to happen in the middle of a job, never when I'm finished ).

TIA.

 

[crewchief888]

i use deep well 3/8" dr sockets most of the time as well.

i loose more 9/16" deeps than i've ever broken.

SK, or CM full polish, would probably be an "upgrade" from what you have already.

i have several cm full polish combos mixed in with my SO set, they've been holding up well to my abuse,
however the chrome seems to wear a lot faster.

there have been good reviews on sunex, IR , and even HF impact sockets here on GJ.

another suggestion is to check out pawn shops, flea mkts, swap meets, estate sales for some older CM RP wrenches, proto, williams, wright, or truck brands.

 

[kippieland]

SK, or CM full polish, would probably be an "upgrade" from what you have already.


older CM RP wrenches, proto, williams, wright, or truck brands.

I agree with the above for wrenches. RP's (US made) are a great deal for the price. I would also hunt ebay for wrenches. You can peice a really nice set of the above brands for a good price.

I also have a set of KT pro wrenches (Taiwan) that are nice if you aren't that into COO.

For sockets, I have US Craftmans...work great and with the holidays coming up, you can get them for a great price. I also have a fair bit of Kobalt and they nice as well. I have a couple of newer SK sockets and they are VERY nice...reviews show older ones
aren't to great with QC. For me being a DIY'er they are bit to much for me.

Most of my tools have either gotten off of Ebay or Amazon. Ebay just takes some work to find a good price.

 

[crewchief888]

around here it seems like the pawn shops that do have hand tools go through "phases" of wanting to get rid of stuff.
months go by and theres barely anything for a reasonable price, then all of a sudden the $1 tool bins are full. it takes some digging through all the junk, but i've been finding vintage SK, proto, armstrong, bluepoint, and various truck brands all in very usuable condition.

i dont know why i keep buying combo wrenches, but or $1 or $2 i cant resist sometimes

 

[Matt018]

I mainly use deep sockets when i have room.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Alot of them have rounded/cracked where the ratchet locks into and I have had to get them replaced. Another one did it the other day and it kind of pissed me off. I don't know if I had a bad batch or what but its getting old when I'm working to make trips around town picking up more tools

I'm not really saying they aren't doing their job. I've rebuilt an entire car using cman stuff

Just looking to upgrade and if I get some long sets I don't know if I want cman anymore

It's more so the wrenches that I want to replace for my roll box. I had 2 different wrenches spread pretty bad the other and I wasn't even applying a lot of force

Ok. Armstrong is a nice upgrade it seems.

 

[jetmech09]

If you seriously have the money, Snap-on wrenches. No other company comes close. Not to mention they are longer.
Would definitely get deep sockets, they are personally my go-to's. I can't really say snappy has a huge advantage in this department anymore.

 

[mayhemman]

i don't go a day myself without using deepwells. when need a short socket is for space to get on the fastner.

the other reason ill use a short socket is to get me closer to the item so i don't have leverage work against me(sometime a wrench just isn't fast enough ect).

i use deepwells on everything mainly, but if you know the project ahead of time you know what you need and will be ready.

something i haven't gotten yet is a pass through set, i think it could be handy but havn't needed it in particular yet so i keep passing up on it.

 

[xAZxE30x]

thanks for the help guys! Sounds like I should start looking at using deeps more often! seems popular

hmmm decisions decisions! I may stick with craftsman stuff for now, maybe gearwrench, looks to be some good deals for black friday

 

[plinker]

If you already have chrome socket's in 3/8 or 1/2, I would keep the Craftsman's and pick up Sunex impact sockets deep or otherwise.

I have their set's (labeled Napa) at work and have not run into any clearence issues as of yet exceept for my shallow inch set which is a thick walled Craftsman set.

Just about any wrench is going to be "better" then Craftsman in regards to spreading, but if you have the money, I agree Snap-on flank drive plus (Williams super combo are similar and are nice too).