Portable Mechanics Set

[heffneil]

Hey all I am looking for a good mechanics set (by good I mean sears craftsman style quality) but what has to be great more than the tools is the case. I know, Tommy Boy reference to the BOX. I need something that I can shake up like crazy and when I open it up the pieces are where they belong. I have the popular craftsman set that has the 3 red trays in a carry box but doesn't look well, also I have a smaller craftsman set that locks like a clam shell. I had to put a piece of grip rubber for shelf lining in-between the two halves to keep the parts there and it isn't convenient.

Any reasonable suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Neil

 

[BottomLineReviews]

Check out the dewalt sets, seem to be of very good quality.

 

[heffneil]

Check out the dewalt sets, seem to be of very good quality.

Yeah I was checking them out. I just wonder if the case is worth anything?

 

[Askme42]

Yeah I was checking them out. I just wonder if the case is worth anything?

Mine traveled about 400 miles through ups and only 2 sockets fell out during that time.

 

[JonnyMac]

Ive got 2 mobile sets. I keep one in my camping trailer and one in the garage for traveling repairs so I dont have to strip out my toolbox.
I first decided on the box type and then filled it with ebay purchases. My issue with buying a set of tools is that its never really comprehensive and by the time you figure out that you perhaps might need a circlip plier set its not gonna fit in that set box.
If you are on rough road then my opinion is that for example you need all the wrenches in a tool roll and the sockets on a rail thats riveted to the box..
Ive got a bahco 5 tray cantilever box and a snap on box with the removable tray, cant remember the part number but its about 20" long. I like them both but ive been through a few combinations to get to where im happy.

 

[ConnerSmith]

Believe it or not, I have heard decent things about harbor freight's 301 piece kit, though it's understandable if your not interested. Amazon is a good place to look. You could always purchase a pelican travel box, and shadow the drawers with the tools from your other tool kit. Pelican's 0450 box has customizable drawers (you can buy drawers with different depths) and its pretty tough. It's on amazon but it costs $470. If that doesn't interest you, you could always buy a large tool bag and you carry small kits that come in their own cases/holders, such as socket sets and wrench sets.

 

[248superduty]

I have my setup pretty much like what Conner said. I have a bunch of smaller kits of sockets, pliers, a few hammers and screwdrivers of different sizes, wrenches and some other normal stuff. Now once I start my new job ill also have an air comp. and 90 gal diesel tank on the truck as well. But when I head out to a construction site we grab the cordless impacts and some other stuff we know will be needed on the site. I have been looking pretty hard at that harbor freight 301 pc. kit though. And I keep the tools on the truck in a bed box.

 

[icthruu74]

I have a craftsman "mechanics" toolset (I think it's the 230pc set) that I got on clearance because it was missing 2 bit drivers. It's worked OK for me so far as a travel kit, but it's no where near complete for me. All the parts have stayed in their place. I end up with a tool bag with the other items in it - pliers, screwdrivers, hammer, and whatever else I think I might need.

 

[Dave455]

I think the only way you are going to get exactly what you want, at the quality you want, is to put it together yourself!

Maybe get something like a peli case, and either cut foam(you can buy the proper stuff online cheap) or make up trays to fit!

Alternatively, make up a wooden box and make some custom fitted wooden trays to fit! If you have access to a mitre saw it doesn't take as long as you think, and this way you control the quality of every tool that fits in! Don't need to go overboard on the fitting - with a wooden tray you can simply screw down a decent socket rail (something like Nepros) to hold the sockets.

 

[Leoruiz]

Buy all the tools you need. Go to an upholstery shop and have them make up tool rolls.
As many as it takes.

 

[Tim37]

"Craftsman quality" is easy to find these days hell go to Walmart and get a Stanley set its probably better and not as pricey.

I carry a expert set in my truck the case has good retention in fact for the most part I use a screw driver to pop the sockets loose. This would drive me nuts in most situations but as part of a truck set that's getting kicked around and other wise spilled I like it.

 

[Zeroek]

That big Harbor Freight tool set or Gearwrench. My money would be in Gearwrench.

 

[timbitca]

If you want something with a case that won't let any thing fall out get a damn Stanley Fatmax with the red cases. I have the 229 piece my girlfriend bought me for Christmas. It's in my garage for now but will go into my car once I piece together a complete set for my garage. Decent quality and you have to wrestle with the tools for them to come out of the case most times. To the point I'm likely going to get socket organizers and such when I get a decent toolbox and chuck the case for until I need it for car duty.

 

[ConnerSmith]

Buy all the tools you need. Go to an upholstery shop and have them make up tool rolls.
As many as it takes.

Ditto that. You could put your socket sets on the cheap rails and hold them in the tool roll as well.

 

[2jz4me]

Harbor freight 301 piece tool kit, I own it, worked on everything I owned over the years with it and the only thing I broke was hex socket. I took it back and they gave me a new one. Havent broke anything else and I paid 120.00 for the set. Its easily the most comprehensive set for the money or many times more the money.

 

[Thegratenate]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-Ind...hanics-Tool-Kit-GMTK-/271940253418?nav=SEARCH
Might be somewhat higher quality than craftsman, lol. But it would solve your problems.

 

[HanShotFirst]

If it's just something to go in your trunk or the back of your truck, the Harbor Freight set is the way to go. If you're taking tools to the races for your race car or dirt bike, then you'll want something higher quality like what Thegratenate posted (nice set/box).

I've had a toolbox stolen out of my truck before and it *****. I have decent quality tools in my portable toolbox but they're tools I get cheap, pawn shop or yard sale. You can pick up US Craftsman stuff (including the box) at yard sales for pennies on the dollar, that's what goes into my portable box these days.

 

[gte718p]

Ditto that. You could put your socket sets on the cheap rails and hold them in the tool roll as well.

I'm a fan of the tool rolls as well.

I have however upgraded to the tool backpack:

I rolled my truck four times (off road truck build to survive roll overs) All the tools were exactly where the should be. I have the sockets on cheap Crapsman rails.

The backpack has 1/2 standard and metric sockets, impacts sockets, standard and metric wrenches, electrical, picks, 8 or 9 variations on pliers, ~4 screw drivers, pry bars, hammers, 5 lb sledge in short everything you could possibly need. It also weighs about 40-50 lbs. I still use the tool rolls often when the entire arsenal is not required.

 

[CNGsaves]

Not sure how sturdy the toolbox is, but price is right for Bostitch 235 piece master set at WalMart . . . . . . yeah . . . only $ 89 for 235 piece set.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bostitch-...fault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n

If need be, take a belt and put it around the entire toolbox !!

 

[ravenzfusion]

I'm itching to try that bostitch set.

 

[cludwin]

I second the recommendation for keeping an eye out for the GMTK sets.
There was just a sweet SK GMTK on my CL for like $400 not that long ago.

I would have snagged it but didn't have a need at the time.

 

[magicrat]

not sure what all you need, but the 123 piece stanley kit can be had for $40 AT WALMART.com....my friend is a traveling shade tree mechanic and uses it everyday along with his other tools.....Im always amazed by all the repairs he can do with that little kit and a few add ons.

 

[HanShotFirst]

not sure what all you need, but the 123 piece stanley kit can be had for $40 AT WALMART.com....my friend is a traveling shade tree mechanic and uses it everyday along with his other tools.....Im always amazed by all the repairs he can do with that little kit and a few add ons.

Nothing to be amazed about, the Stanley sockets and ratchets are solid tools. The ratchets are coarse tooth, but they're bull strong. The sockets are made right, chrome plating is very high quality. Unless you put one on an impact, I don't see them breaking from normal use. The sockets seem easily the quality of HF or Craftsman, and the ratchets are significantly better than a Craftsman.

 

[cgv69]

I have to agree with the guys who advised against a "kit". The chances of finding a kit that has everything you need and nothing you don't is slim to none and if you ever need to add something, you are SOL.

Get the tools you need, get tools rolls or the like to organize them and then get a box, bag or backpack of your liking to store them all in. Just my $.02

 

[Ponchoguy]

"Craftsman quality" is easy to find these days hell go to Walmart and get a Stanley set its probably better and not as pricey.

I carry a expert set in my truck the case has good retention in fact for the most part I use a screw driver to pop the sockets loose. This would drive me nuts in most situations but as part of a truck set that's getting kicked around and other wise spilled I like it.

I agree. You haven't lived until you play "52 card pickup" in a junkyard. Yuck! LOL. I have six or so Sears Craftsman "clamshell" mechanic's tool sets including my original I bought in 1990 (still have the receipt). Most spill a socket or here or there.

I do as other suggested, a piece of shelf liner inbetween and that seems to work. I've made 5 or 6 sets over the years from spares and from cases I bought or found tossed out.

 

[ed_v]

Look for a set made by Channel Lock. I bought mine from Sam's Club about 5 or 6 years ago. Its pretty good quality. My only complaint is that sometimes the sockets are hard to get out of the case.