Outfitting the basic garage toolset

[Butters]

A couple recent threads got me thinking . . .

Many people on this forum are basic shadetree types. Some just starting, others have been around and acquired a good stash of tools. We want good tools but don't want a second mortgage to finance our hobby. So I was thinking if I was to start with a clean slate to outfit a BASIC, but reasonably equipped, HOME garage tool set - What would I get to start?

My basic set seems to come a bit over $1000 and would consist of:

Sockets: Craftsman 176 pc Easy Read set . . . . .$160
Ratchets: Gearwrench 3 pc set . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75
Wrenches: Gearwrench or SK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $120-250
Screwdrivers: Williams or Wera Lasertips . . . . . . . .$35-55
Pliers: Channellock 5 pc set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$65
Hex Head set: Bondhus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$20
Ratcheting Wrenches: Gearwrench . . . . . . . . . . . .$100
Multimeter: Craftsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50
Torque Wrench: Gearwrench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100
Storage: HF 5 drawer cart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$160

To this, I would also add a claw and deadblow hammer, various ratchet accessories (extensions, u-joints, etc), vice grips, flare nut wrenches, and torx drivers, so figure another $200 or so. Certainly, more specialized tools would get added as well. But I think this is a good start and you wouldn't be ashamed to show it to your GJ cyber friends.

Some of this stuff I have, some seem to be popular GJ recommendations, some is imported. But I think it all is fairly solid and reasonably priced. You could also find lot of this stuff even cheaper on sale. Feel free to throw out suggestions, additions, or critiques.

 

[fivespdcat]

What is a basic toolset?

Honestly, for ratchets I would hit up the Armstrong flex heads and don't forget extensions. Seem basic but you can never have enough of an assortment.

 

[Butters]

Somebody recently, Stuey I think, had a thread on basic tools. But I don't recall it having specific suggestions. Hopefully this isn't a duplicate.

Again, I'm talking about a homeowners garage.

 

[BBBC23]

You could build a set like this for a DIY & save a lot of money by attending garage sales, auctions, e-bay & the classified section here on GJ. Plus the adventure of it is exciting

 

[Outlawmws]

Overall I think you have a good list to start from

On the sockets, do you need both SAE and Metric? if not a smaller dedicated set seems more appropriate.

Make sure the channelocks include a #420 10" arc joint pair.

Consider Vise grips. a std 10" pair, small needle nose, and one pair that can grip a bolt head on three sides for the inevitable rounded off fastener.

for the tool box I'd loo on Clist for a good older 27" roller with all drawers.

Ratcheting wrenches seems high; how many do you need?

Wrenches, you can also consider Williams or Wright. good quality and you may save some $$

 

[pipsters]

For a long time I had a very small, by GJ standards, set of tools. I did everything on my cars up to including pulling the engine and ******. Did brakes, radiator replacement, timing belt, water pump, accessory belt replacement, a/c compressor and associated components R&R, and a bunch of other small stuff I've long forgotten.

• Craftsman 263 pc tool set, included 1/4" metric & SAE short and deep, 3/8" metric & SAE short and deep, and 1/2" 12 point shallow. Wrenches up to 3/4" and 18mm.
  
• Craftsman 3 pc universal joint set
  
• Harbor Freight hex and torx bit sets
  
• Ampro 1/2" clicker torque wrench and breaker bar
  
• Harbor Freight 2 ton engine hoist
  
• Simple/cheap Wal-Mart jack and jackstands
  
• A small and large vise grip, and medium Channellock waterpump type plier

That's it that I can think of. Simple and got the job done. I look at my tool box now and it dwarfs what I had back then but you could get pretty much anything done with the above. I didn't even own a screwdriver outside of the one included in the Craftsman kit (had replaceable tips).

I wish SK made a kit like Craftsman does, including the 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" most used stuff, wrenches, and ratchets.

 

[countryroad82]

That looks like a decent list for the homeowner, I think what the OP meant with the Gearwrench ratchet wrenches was the ratchets in general. I worked for years with a Craftsman 300ish piece set (ratchets, screwdrivers, and all lol) and it got the job done. Granted some of those tools were caveman compared to what I have these days, but I made a lot of money with that old set. My biggest purchase then was my body hammers and dollies.

 

[alvoski]

If you can find the craftsman pro full polished wrenches that are USA made, grab them. I like to look towards the back of the shelves of Sears. Sometimes there is still old USA stock around

 

[chumley360]

I think a pry bar set, or at least a good crowbar could be added. And your list seems more geared to home-mechanic, but I think a good claw hammer and a pipe wrench should be in a home owners garage tool set.

 

[bigcaddy]

You could build a set like this for a DIY & save a lot of money by attending garage sales, auctions, e-bay & the classified section here on GJ. Plus the adventure of it is exciting

Truer words have never been spoken! While you might not always find the exact brand you are looking for, you can find some really good stuff for cheap if you are willing to look.

Yesterday i passed up a Craftsman 5 drawer tool chest on casters, in excellent condition, only because i didn't need another one. It was priced at 150.00 but could of easily been haggled down to a much lower price. I did end up buying 2 Craftsman Metric & Standard 8 pc end wrench sets, in the soft protective sleeve cases, for 5 bucks. They have never been used.

If you look, the deals out there. If you look long enough, you will stumble across a sale with more tools then you will ever know what to do with so keep an eye out and don't hesitate to chase down a garage sale sign when you have a few minutes of free time.

 

[Butters]

Great comments. I edited my original post a bit to clarify. I'm talking a basic home garage. I totally agree about the vice grips and claw hammer. And frankly, having real prybars means you'll bend less screwdrivers!

I also edited my price on the ratcheting wrenches. I just pulled prices off amazon and sears, but you can typically get both a SAE and Metric GW ratcheting wrench sets for under 100 bucks combined.

To clarify further, I tried to pick tools that were fairly available and replaceable. (While I agree with the "go used" comments, some people don't want to deal with it). Maybe fudged a little bit on screwdrivers - you could go CMan Pros there.

A complete Craftsman toolset would certainly do the job. But spending a little bit more and adding some variety gets you A LOT better performance IMHO. Much like Pipster said, you can do A LOT with a fairly basic set. I also limited my HF selections, other than the tool cart. Even though I actually use my HF composite ratchets more than my CMan thin profiles. (But I have a Bahco coming Tuesday!)

 

[pipsters]

IMO way too much focus is put on wrenches and screwdrivers on this web site. I can count the number of times I've needed a wrench on one hand. And I've gotten away with an adjustable wrench in almost all cases. Only one time did I need an open ended wrench, and it was for my coolant temp sensor.

$120-$250 on wrenches for the basic DIY garage tool set? And another $100 for ratcheting Gearwrench wrenches? Really? For $350 you could buy almost everything in my list and you are suggesting to only buy wrenches with that money? Why not just use the ones included in a Craftsman set? The RPs? I mean really guys come on. Almost seems out of touch with what a guy really needs.

Instead of flarenut wrenches a guy starting out will need a jack and jack stands. An oil pan, and an oil filter wrench of some sort.

 

[iroc409]

IMO way too much focus is put on wrenches and screwdrivers on this web site. I can count the number of times I've needed a wrench on one hand. And I've gotten away with an adjustable wrench in almost all cases. Only one time did I need an open ended wrench, and it was for my coolant temp sensor.

$120-$250 on wrenches for the basic DIY garage tool set? And another $100 for ratcheting Gearwrench wrenches? Really? For $350 you could buy almost everything in my list and you are suggesting to only buy wrenches with that money? Why not just use the ones included in a Craftsman set? The RPs? I mean really guys come on. Almost seems out of touch with what a guy really needs.

Instead of flarenut wrenches a guy starting out will need a jack and jack stands. An oil pan, and an oil filter wrench of some sort.

I think there's some good advice here. I do use my combo wrenches quite a bit (Craftsman RP), but I've gone back and forth about ratcheting wrenches a lot. Are ratcheting wrenches really necessary?

Most of the time I think I use combo wrenches to hold bolts while I'm using a ratchet, or getting to a bolt or nut where a socket & ratchet won't fit.

 

[chumley360]

I have a set(of each) of ratcheting wrenches at work that use the **** out of. I have yet to get any for home. There have been a few times I've wished I've had them. But I've never had any issue getting by without them. I second(or third) the jack, stands, and catch pan. Also I do a lot of hydraulic line stuff at work and couldn't live without a half dozen good Crescent-hammers

 

[Deafautotech]

ratcheting wrenches are big good investment as i has use a lot at ford shop... but for homeowner, it is your choice to spend all day to work on it or just do quick way to spend less on car with ratcheting wrench... BUT i always use box end wrench to break loose then ratcheting wrench.... i do see some of techs who use ratcheting wrench as combo wrench and they had locked it up or broke....

 

[pipsters]

I think there's some good advice here. I do use my combo wrenches quite a bit (Craftsman RP), but I've gone back and forth about ratcheting wrenches a lot. Are ratcheting wrenches really necessary?

Most of the time I think I use combo wrenches to hold bolts while I'm using a ratchet, or getting to a bolt or nut where a socket & ratchet won't fit.

I bought a $10 set at Ace two years ago. It was the Gearwrench branded ones - 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15mm. I use them every now and then but I can honestly say they are not a required item and certainly not $100 worthy in a home garage. In a pro environment I can see the benefit for sure.

Anything you can do with a Gearwrench you can do with a regular combo wrench it just takes longer.

 

[Outlawmws]

IMO way too much focus is put on wrenches and screwdrivers on this web site. SNIP.

I tend to see it the opposite. Too much emphasis in power ratchets and sockets, and tricked out screwdriver gizmos.

For a pro where time is $$ I can understand wanting the ultimate in speed. but their is also the time spent screwing around getting set up when the most basic of tools (wrench or screwdriver) is already out and the job is done. Then there are the times when the "speed tools" simply cannot access a place.

Leaving time aside, there is NOTHING that can't be done with wrenches, a basic socket and breaker bar, or a screwdriver. Sure I own ratchets and impact guns and ratcheting screw devices, as well as power screw guns. by the time I drag all that out and get setup, I can often open a drawer and get the screw driver or wrench and do the job.

For a one off quick one, I'm not going to go get the screw gun, find the right bit, make sure the battery was charged from the last time my son used it, mount the bit, and then "Oh ****" the screw is in a place the screw gun didn't fit anyway...

Viva Simplicity!

 

[pipsters]

I tend to see it the opposite. Too much emphasis in power ratchets and sockets, and tricked out screwdriver gizmos.

For a pro where time is $$ I can understand wanting the ultimate in speed. but their is also the time spent screwing around getting set up when the most basic of tools (wrench or screwdriver) is already out and the job is done. Then there are the times when the "speed tools" simply cannot access a place.

Leaving time aside, there is NOTHING that can't be done with wrenches, a basic socket and breaker bar, or a screwdriver. Sure I own ratchets and impact guns and ratcheting screw devices, as well as power screw guns. by the time I drag all that out and get setup, I can often open a drawer and get the screw driver or wrench and do the job.

For a one off quick one, I'm not going to go get the screw gun, find the right bit, make sure the battery was charged from the last time my son used it, mount the bit, and then "Oh ****" the screw is in a place the screw gun didn't fit anyway...

Viva Simplicity!

Yes also way too much emphasis on ratchets as well, but the OP didn't mention those in his post which is why I didn't bring it up. He had a 3 pc set on there. Even though the price was higher than average, they would work fine. Yes you could buy some for less for sure that work fine.

 

[alvoski]

Nothing grinds my home projects to halt faster than a stubborn bolt. Plan ahead.
24" HF breaker bar or various lenghts of pipe
Small propane torch kit
EZ outs or some kind of broken bolt removal kit
Assorted box of common bolts

 

[littletoes]

I'm with OutlawMWS!!!

Adjustable wrenches just don't fit in so many places! And if a "Home-Owner" wants to save money, stay away from the High-Speed stuff that a Pro will NEED, and use.

 

[pipsters]

I'm with OutlawMWS!!!

Adjustable wrenches just don't fit in so many places! And if a "Home-Owner" wants to save money, stay away from the High-Speed stuff that a Pro will NEED, and use.

It's funny, because while that is true, adjustables don't fit all the time, I have used an adjustable for the larger stuff that would have been cost ineffective to go buy a combo in. I had an EGR valve that needed a 24mm IIRC, and a a/c drier that needed something huge like 1-1/2". The $7 adjustable did both just fine along with many other things. I do agree an adjustable won't fit everywhere but for a homeowner, spending $350 on wrenches when you could use the ones with your basic set up to 19mm/3/4" and get an adjustable above that, that will cover the majority of your situations.

I've been there and done that and for a basic homeowner garage guy cost is an issue, we buy with cash and don't need $50,000 in Snap-On tools to do even the biggest of jobs like pulling and rebuilding engines.

 

[Butters]

I do agree with Pipsters about how much money I have allocated to wrenches. My CM raised panel set has done me well. But that set is over 20 years old. I'm not sure the new ones are as good.

I considered only listing the ratcheting wrenches and forgetting the regular ones. But I don't think you should break loose stubborn bolts with ratcheting wrenches. Even Raised Panel wrenches will set you back $100 for a 28 pc set. The 12pc set is $40, but I think is a bit too limited even for a home garage. I really think a set of ratcheting wrenches is worth having, but could see people thinking it is a lower priority or maybe getting a smaller set with just the more popular sizes.

And a +1 on having a breaker bar. I busted more than a few knuckles using a box end on another wrench as a cheater before I got real breaker bars.

 

[Outlawmws]

If you already have a set of RP wrenches, why not let them continue? My RP are a good deal older, and still work just fine.

 

[Butters]

If you already have a set of RP wrenches, why not let them continue? My RP are a good deal older, and still work just fine.

I have no plans to replace my Raised Panel wrenches, they're fine. What I'm not sure of, is whether I would recommend new ones to somebody. I don't have any firsthand info as to whether the latest generation Raised Panels are as good as the ones I have now.

Is there a fairly universally well-regarded set of affordable wrenches? Or are Raised Panels still a good value? (Bahcos maybe?) Obviously the RP ratchets are not very well regarded. Hopefully the wrenches haven't gone down that same path.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I think what someone needs is also contingent upon what they are working on. If you own Japanese or newer American cars, you only need Metric tools. I own 3 Fords, a '94 F250, '91 Explorer, and a '01 Focus. The F250 is all SAE, I think the 9th generation F Series were one of the last SAE hold outs America produced. The Explorer is virtually all metric with some SAE fasteners on the t-case and driveline. The Focus is all metric. Pretty much the only thing I use standard tools on is my own pickup and similar ones that come into the shop.

Also size of the vehicle is a factor as well. There are a lot more big fasteners on a 3/4 ton pickup than a compact car, which requires more 1/2" drive and large combo wrench selection.

Over all, I think this set is a good start but I would recomend a few extras.
1) More pliers: sidecutters, linesman's, etc.
2) Pry bars: as mentioned before.
3) Dead blow hammers: 16 and 32 oz, the Performance tool ones are cheap and work good.
4) Cold chisel / punch set, better than using your screwdrivers.
5) I also think a home mechanic can get away without a box at first. Build yourself a wooden bench and hang some pegboard maybe. When it comes time for a box, this box from HF would be a better choice as it provides more room to grow. http://www.harborfreight.com/26-8-drawer-roller-cabinet-with-8-drawer-top-chest-67831.html This all the space a home mechanic will ever need. Big stuff that won't fit can go under the bench or the pegboard.