Purchasing Full New Tool Set

[AEAdam]

Now you have me searching for Williams wrenches. Do you have a site you use to order Williams wrenches?

Start with Williams-industrial. Not sure what sort of esthetic you are after. Note, they make red and yellow coated wrenches for safety that I find appealing.



They also offer black oxide that I like. I rubbed white crayon into these Snappies, initially to help me read the markings, but now I keep it fresh because I like the way it looks (flame on).



People rant here about Snap On prices and difficulty warrantying without truck service. But Williams is nearly everything they want; Snap On design and manufacturing, Elizabethtown TN made, and Taiwan competitive prices. I own very little, but from everything I've read here and YouTube tests, they seem fit for purpose. You might be able to call customer service and put in an order for a complete set and see if they can help on cost. I’d consider, given the dream shop concept, combination wrenches or ratchet wrenches, sockets, ratchet handles, screwdrivers, and pliers at a minimum.

Not sure if anyone answered about tool boxes; Lista and Kennedy are not in the same league. Not even close. Kennedy is an old school, okayish, iconic US made machinist box. I have several. They are too expensive new, and HF competitive used. Kennedy invented the sheet metal tool box back in 1911, copying earlier wooden boxes (thus the color).

Lista is ******** industrial. As cool as Lista is, putting 2 dozen wrenches or a socket set in a Lista drawer is a waste in my opinion. You can fill those drawers to the brim with screws and the drawers will laugh at you when you open them.

You probably should ask for ideas re tool storage. You could make your own which would be cool. Some members here have assembled wall units out of inexpensive HF boxes in clever ways. You could also collect old Gerstners for drill bits, marking and layout tools, chisels etc. Lots of woodworkers have made their own versions of Gerstners only better like this mahogany one:



One last idea before I go to work: I'm about to build my own kitchen for my barn (next year sometime). Wife and I have been watching their show and popped into their showroom in Manhattan this past summer. Check out DeVol kitchens. Pretty simple, but nice workmanship and style. There are some shop pictures in the link.

 

[thool]

That seems like kind of an odd list for a woodworker. Wera screwdrivers are fine but I'd probably choose Gearwrench or Texton for wrenches, ratchets and sockets. I'd skip the 1/2" drive set unless they are really needed.

Skip Knipex needle nose and buy Snap or Klein pliers.

I have the GW 1/4" and 3/8" sets, SAE + metric. It's a very good set for household and automotive, and has never let me down. For 1/2" I have a set of HF impact sockets and an air wrench + breaker bar. For woodworking, I would think you'd want to have a flex head ratchet or combo set for making adjustments.

 

[Hohn]

Welcome to the forum. If you're a troll, well played. If not, I'll just say that anytime you set out to acquire such a broad array of tools and you only have two manufacturers on the list, you're probably not opening yourself up to all the best possibilities for each tool.

Cheers!

Good post, Geo.
I never buy "Sets" from a single maker for the same reason that knife blocks with all the knives are a terrible idea. You'll learn over time that you use just a couple of the knives, wish you'd bought better ones, and end up upgrade to better ones and then you have a block full of knives you don't use or like just taking up space. And the better knives you bought won't fit in the old block.

Going big all at once is a sure guarantee that you will spend too much and buy the wrong tools.

To the OP:
Slow down. Buy what you need as you need it. If it's a frequently used item that really moves the needle, buy the absolute best. If it's a rarely used item, but whatever the cheapest thing is that is barely sufficient.

Experience has taught me that buying middle of the road items across the board usually means I overpaid for things I never use or that I should have taken the "buy once, cry once" approach for core/essential tools.

 

[John Stephenson]

Start with Williams-industrial. Not sure what sort of esthetic you are after. Note, they make red and yellow coated wrenches for safety that I find appealing.



They also offer black oxide that I like. I rubbed white crayon into these Snappies, initially to help me read the markings, but now I keep it fresh because I like the way it looks (flame on).



People rant here about Snap On prices and difficulty warrantying without truck service. But Williams is nearly everything they want; Snap On design and manufacturing, Elizabethtown TN made, and Taiwan competitive prices. I own very little, but from everything I've read here and YouTube tests, they seem fit for purpose. You might be able to call customer service and put in an order for a complete set and see if they can help on cost. I’d consider, given the dream shop concept, combination wrenches or ratchet wrenches, sockets, ratchet handles, screwdrivers, and pliers at a minimum.

Not sure if anyone answered about tool boxes; Lista and Kennedy are not in the same league. Not even close. Kennedy is an old school, okayish, iconic US made machinist box. I have several. They are too expensive new, and HF competitive used. Kennedy invented the sheet metal tool box back in 1911, copying earlier wooden boxes (thus the color).

Lista is ******** industrial. As cool as Lista is, putting 2 dozen wrenches or a socket set in a Lista drawer is a waste in my opinion. You can fill those drawers to the brim with screws and the drawers will laugh at you when you open them.

You probably should ask for ideas re tool storage. You could make your own which would be cool. Some members here have assembled wall units out of inexpensive HF boxes in clever ways. You could also collect old Gerstners for drill bits, marking and layout tools, chisels etc. Lots of woodworkers have made their own versions of Gerstners only better like this mahogany one:



One last idea before I go to work: I'm about to build my own kitchen for my barn (next year sometime). Wife and I have been watching their show and popped into their showroom in Manhattan this past summer. Check out DeVol kitchens. Pretty simple, but nice workmanship and style. There are some shop pictures in the link.

I will start searching around here to see what people have to say about tool storage.

I love DeVol's work! The "moody" kitchen style is right up my alley. I actually have a bid out right now were the client requested I use DeVol as my inspiration. You are lucky that you got to go to their Manhattan showroom.

 

[bpwoodworking]

It sounds like you are already doing what I am aspiring to do, its great to have your input.

I have been thinking of getting a Lista box for the shaper and one for mechanics tools and other miscellaneous items. Like everything else I have been asking about I have little knowledge of tool boxes. but have been around Lista boxes and have enjoyed them. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on tool boxes.

"Frankly the Williams stuff is just not **** enough for me but it works just fine." I'm glad I'm not the only one picking out tools based on their looks. LOL.

Currently KC Tools has the Hazet 606N/12 Ratcheting combination wrench set 12 pc metric with case 8-19mm on their "Grey Friday Sale". I have been considering it very heavily even though I had not been planning on spoiling myself with ratchet wrenches. Do you feel this would be a good buy for me?

I would be interested to hear about how you do your foam inserts. I am assuming cutting them out with a scalpel? Do you have a preferred brand of foam?

I believe Lista is a much hardier toolbox, so if you have the budget for those then that’s where I would buy. Kennedy is ok, looks nice and gets the job done.

Most of the German brand ratcheting wrenches are made in Taiwan, so I would just find the originating brand and buy them directly rather than paying the upcharge for them to attach their name to it.

Stahlwille Stabil 20’s are really nice wrenches, Hazet XL are really nice and as are Stahlwille 13’s and 14’s. They’re made in Germany.

I cut out the foam inserts with a marking knife, works great. The foam is from Kaizen. It’s really easy to do.

Depending on how your budgeting goes it may be easier to get one big order happening rather than a bunch of small orders paced out over time, so I’d probably just get it done all at once.

All my tools get used, German machines are built very heavy and they do things properly so working on them certainly requires a broad range of tools. Just a completely different animal than what most folks are picturing, in my opinion. On the plus side, they last a very long time without babying.

 

[AEAdam]

We want to go black with our kitchen using our back doors as inspiration.


Here are a couple details from DeVol:

They call this style "shaker" I think due to having no ogee on the stiles and rails. They did a simple bead on their rails, which doesn't necessitate coping. I think they assemble using dominoes so those are just short pieces.

This pic is inside an upper and has a detail I've seen on really old furniture that's more charming than the typical array of holes.

(Can't seem to resize these images sorry if they are huge for you.)

You can kinda see the reason for the shelf set back. There’s a spice jar rack behind the door. I think this company has a lot of thoughtful designs, inspired by European kitchens for sure, but also older built-ins.

Not every English kitchen is nice. Many just look like IKEA to me (some made by Bosch or using Bosch components?), but the nice ones in my experience were more substance than our OTT high style kitchens.

Just my opinion, but here’s a little sample and one of the reasons we went there to get ideas. My feeling is there is a market for better quality design and maybe materials, but I’m hearing different thoughts there. I don’t think people want to pay for hand cut dovetail drawers for example.

 

[richfinn]

If I lived over that side of the pond and was looking for a nice toolbox I would definitely consider Tekton, not least because I like full length drawers I can divide however I prefer.

Tekton Rousseau Tool Chest Overview & Thoughts

Hi GJ, Wanted to share a hodgepodge of thoughts regarding Tekton's (Rousseau OEM) relatively new tool chest and why I took a leap of faith on a ~$3K box sight unseen. Apologies in advance for posting a novel! I was in the market for my first large toolbox, moving on from the chaos of living...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[John Stephenson]

Good post, Geo.
I never buy "Sets" from a single maker for the same reason that knife blocks with all the knives are a terrible idea. You'll learn over time that you use just a couple of the knives, wish you'd bought better ones, and end up upgrade to better ones and then you have a block full of knives you don't use or like just taking up space. And the better knives you bought won't fit in the old block.

Going big all at once is a sure guarantee that you will spend too much and buy the wrong tools.

To the OP:
Slow down. Buy what you need as you need it. If it's a frequently used item that really moves the needle, buy the absolute best. If it's a rarely used item, but whatever the cheapest thing is that is barely sufficient.

Experience has taught me that buying middle of the road items across the board usually means I overpaid for things I never use or that I should have taken the "buy once, cry once" approach for core/essential tools.

When you say "sets from a single maker" do you mean you prefer to buy individual wrenches over wrench sets, or you don't buy a complete set of tools?

My assumption on buying a set of wrenches is that it would be less expensive over buying them individually. It does make sense that if I buy a 15 piece set and only ever use 5 of those wrenches it would be more expensive.

Part of my current push is to be able to decide on the most basic tools I will need and take advantage of Black Friday deals.

 

[John Stephenson]

I believe Lista is a much hardier toolbox, so if you have the budget for those then that’s where I would buy. Kennedy is ok, looks nice and gets the job done.

Most of the German brand ratcheting wrenches are made in Taiwan, so I would just find the originating brand and buy them directly rather than paying the upcharge for them to attach their name to it.

Stahlwille Stabil 20’s are really nice wrenches, Hazet XL are really nice and as are Stahlwille 13’s and 14’s. They’re made in Germany.

I cut out the foam inserts with a marking knife, works great. The foam is from Kaizen. It’s really easy to do.

Depending on how your budgeting goes it may be easier to get one big order happening rather than a bunch of small orders paced out over time, so I’d probably just get it done all at once.

All my tools get used, German machines are built very heavy and they do things properly so working on them certainly requires a broad range of tools. Just a completely different animal than what most folks are picturing, in my opinion. On the plus side, they last a very long time without babying.

Thank you for the wrench suggestions, I will check them out.

Can you think of an instants where you would prefer to use a combination wrench over a ratcheting wrench? I think I would either combo or ratcheting right now and wait for a second set if I needed.

 

[John Stephenson]

We want to go black with our kitchen using our back doors as inspiration.


Here are a couple details from DeVol:

They call this style "shaker" I think due to having no ogee on the stiles and rails. They did a simple bead on their rails, which doesn't necessitate coping. I think they assemble using dominoes so those are just short pieces.

This pic is inside an upper and has a detail I've seen on really old furniture that's more charming than the typical array of holes.

(Can't seem to resize these images sorry if they are huge for you.)

You can kinda see the reason for the shelf set back. There’s a spice jar rack behind the door. I think this company has a lot of thoughtful designs, inspired by European kitchens for sure, but also older built-ins.

Not every English kitchen is nice. Many just look like IKEA to me (some made by Bosch or using Bosch components?), but the nice ones in my experience were more substance than our OTT high style kitchens.

Just my opinion, but here’s a little sample and one of the reasons we went there to get ideas. My feeling is there is a market for better quality design and maybe materials, but I’m hearing different thoughts there. I don’t think people want to pay for hand cut dovetail drawers for example.

That's your back door!? It is beautiful and will make for a great inspiration for your kitchen.

The adjustable shelves with the door mounted spice rack would be perfect for the kitchen I am bidding on. Thank you for sharing it. Those shelf stays are much better than your typical 32mm littering of holes.

 

[John Stephenson]

If I lived over that side of the pond and was looking for a nice toolbox I would definitely consider Tekton, not least because I like full length drawers I can divide however I prefer.

Tekton Rousseau Tool Chest Overview & Thoughts

Hi GJ, Wanted to share a hodgepodge of thoughts regarding Tekton's (Rousseau OEM) relatively new tool chest and why I took a leap of faith on a ~$3K box sight unseen. Apologies in advance for posting a novel! I was in the market for my first large toolbox, moving on from the chaos of living...

www.garagejournal.com

Thank you for suggestion and link, Ill check it out.

 

[richfinn]

Thank you for suggestion and link, Ill check it out.

There's a lot of info coming at you right now, digest before you spend any hard earned cash, but you have come to the right place for quality/value for money.

Just a suggestion but order some samples from Amazon before you commit to any one brand for anything.

If you had a Vessel/Wera/PB Swiss screwdriver in your hand right now, I guarantee you would change your mind in a nano-second.

Wera make some good tools, but I can't think of an example where I would call them the best at anything being 100% honest

Then you have to factor in rebranded stuff like those Tekton Toolboxes (The OE is up there with Lista, but the shipping/cash back deal is pretty sweet in comparison)

Buy once, learn from our mistakes

 

[AEAdam]

Thank you for the wrench suggestions, I will check them out.

Can you think of an instants where you would prefer to use a combination wrench over a ratcheting wrench? I think I would either combo or ratcheting right now and wait for a second set if I needed.

My opinion, I think I would start with ratchet wrenches and put off sockets. I think you could build a lot of machinery with 1/4" hex nut drivers, ratchet wrenches and Tee handle Allens. I disassembled (almost) my entire Bridgeport Mill with a set of wrenches and T-Allens.

For automotive, many of us prefer the low clearance box end of a normal combination wrench. But high torque and space restrictions are pretty common for us. You shouldn't really be encountering hardware bigger than say 14mm, so your nut drivers will handle most things. And everything should be low torque.

I also have 1/4" hexs to all the drive sizes adapters, and that's been helpful a couple times (doing carpentry). Carpenters/cabinetmakers kinda live with their impact drivers so mechanical tools that adapt to that are pretty useful.

 

[AEAdam]

When you say "sets from a single maker" do you mean you prefer to buy individual wrenches over wrench sets, or you don't buy a complete set of tools?

My assumption on buying a set of wrenches is that it would be less expensive over buying them individually. It does make sense that if I buy a 15 piece set and only ever use 5 of those wrenches it would be more expensive.

Part of my current push is to be able to decide on the most basic tools I will need and take advantage of Black Friday deals.

I think he means complete tool sets. I suggested asking Williams if you could just buy a complete set (wrenches, pliers, screwdriver, sockets extensions etc) and if that would save you anything. For Snap On, I think the answer is no break on tools by buying in sets, complete or otherwise.

I suspect the brands most of us are recommending don't offer Black Friday discounts. I would actually advise caution if you find some "great deal". That probably is an indicator of low quality. I keep getting 20% off coupon codes from Zoro.com. I want a new Milwaukee tracksaw, but the coupons don't apply to Milwaukee track saws. I have the most basic Bosch saw and I cannot tilt or plunge. Just can't choose Festool because I just can't justify yet another battery system. I already have Makita, Milwaukee and Bosch.

 

[John Stephenson]

There's a lot of info coming at you right now, digest before you spend any hard earned cash, but you have come to the right place for quality/value for money.

Just a suggestion but order some samples from Amazon before you commit to any one brand for anything.

If you had a Vessel/Wera/PB Swiss screwdriver in your hand right now, I guarantee you would change your mind in a nano-second.

Wera make some good tools, but I can't think of an example where I would call them the best at anything being 100% honest

Then you have to factor in rebranded stuff like those Tekton Toolboxes (The OE is up there with Lista, but the shipping/cash back deal is pretty sweet in comparison)

Buy once, learn from our mistakes

Those Tekton boxes look nice. I was originally thinking I would go with a 36" box that is all drawers. Now I am wondering if I would like a cart with a smaller amount of drawers. On the Vidmar site there is a Lista cart that looks like it would hold all of the tools I would need, but I can't find it listed anywhere with a quick search. I also couldn't find anything like that on the Tekton site.

I have been my rethinking the screwdriver situation. I was admiring the PB Swiss screw drivers the other day, but it looks like they do not sell any square drive screw drivers. I'm not sure I have looked much at Vessel, I will look at them tonight. I will also see if anyone close sells them so I can check them out in person.

 

[John Stephenson]

I think he means complete tool sets. I suggested asking Williams if you could just buy a complete set (wrenches, pliers, screwdriver, sockets extensions etc) and if that would save you anything. For Snap On, I think the answer is no break on tools by buying in sets, complete or otherwise.

I suspect the brands most of us are recommending don't offer Black Friday discounts. I would actually advise caution if you find some "great deal". That probably is an indicator of low quality. I keep getting 20% off coupon codes from Zoro.com. I want a new Milwaukee tracksaw, but the coupons don't apply to Milwaukee track saws. I have the most basic Bosch saw and I cannot tilt or plunge. Just can't choose Festool because I just can't justify yet another battery system. I already have Makita, Milwaukee and Bosch.

That makes sense that the quality brands will not go on sale.

If you do consider adding another battery to you line up I highly suggest looking at Mafell. The build quality of their tools is amazing. I have both Festool and Mafell and choose the Mafell every time. I do like my Milwaukee tools too, but have not used their track saws.

 

[richfinn]

Those Tekton boxes look nice. I was originally thinking I would go with a 36" box that is all drawers. Now I am wondering if I would like a cart with a smaller amount of drawers. On the Vidmar site there is a Lista cart that looks like it would hold all of the tools I would need, but I can't find it listed anywhere with a quick search. I also couldn't find anything like that on the Tekton site.

I have been my rethinking the screwdriver situation. I was admiring the PB Swiss screw drivers the other day, but it looks like they do not sell any square drive screw drivers. I'm not sure I have looked much at Vessel, I will look at them tonight. I will also see if anyone close sells them so I can check them out in person.

Tekton do a 36" roll cab.

7-Drawer Tool Cabinet, Red (36 W x 27 D x 41.5 H in.) | TEKTON

Our smallest rolling tool cabinet features 7 full-extension drawers, each with a 400 lb. weight capacity. Made in North America. 90-Day Trial. OCL33200.

www.tekton.com

I prefer a traditional roll cab (like the Tekton) over the Automotive style tool carts with flip tops, they make a nice mobile workbench and your not constantly having to clear the top to get at your tools, and they sell wood or stainless work surfaces

You could of course look for a used one on eBay

 

[John Stephenson]

Tekton do a 36" roll cab.

7-Drawer Tool Cabinet, Red (36 W x 27 D x 41.5 H in.) | TEKTON

Our smallest rolling tool cabinet features 7 full-extension drawers, each with a 400 lb. weight capacity. Made in North America. 90-Day Trial. OCL33200.

www.tekton.com

I prefer a traditional roll cab (like the Tekton) over the Automotive style tool carts with flip tops, they make a nice mobile workbench and your not constantly having to clear the top to get at your tools, and they sell wood or stainless work surfaces

You could of course look for a used one on eBay

I was thinking of something similar to the image below where it is open at the bottom. I'm not sure if it would have enough storage however.

 

[vwpieces]

Love the router table. Pretty proud of my DIY router table but not as elegant as yours.

Heyco Metric Ball End Hex T-handle Set, 7 Pieces

I admit to having no experience with Heyco hex wrenches, and I do love my German hand tools. Most of which are Hazet. But Bondhus has always been my go to brand of hex wrenches. They just do not wear or break.

It does seem you're attracted to the Green highlights on a tool.

 

[John Stephenson]

Love the router table. Pretty proud of my DIY router table but not as elegant as yours.


I admit to having no experience with Heyco hex wrenches, and I do love my German hand tools. Most of which are Hazet. But Bondhus has always been my go to brand of hex wrenches. They just do not wear or break.

It does seem you're attracted to the Green highlights on a tool.

Thank you! I have been building my shop pieces a little nicer so they can double as examples of my work.

I'm glad you mentioned Hazet. bpwoodworking previously mentioned them and I was just about to look at them. Honestly I prefer anything highlighted in red.

I'll look at Bondhus too!

 

[richfinn]

I was thinking of something similar to the image below where it is open at the bottom. I'm not sure if it would have enough storage however.

From my experience you will quickly run out of room once you start this "hobby", it's a nice cart though

 

[vwpieces]

I'll look at Bondhus too!

I spent 30yrs in industry and SAE hex keys were in my pocket all day every day. Bondhus were the ones that survived the best showing zero wear except being darn near silver as the black coating wore away.



Bit tray lifts out

 

[John Stephenson]

I spent 30yrs in industry and SAE hex keys were in my pocket all day every day. Bondhus were the ones that survived the best showing zero wear except being darn near silver as the black coating wore away.



Bit tray lifts out

That is a beautiful router table. I love the clean lines and your fence.

 

[vwpieces]

That is a beautiful router table. I love the clean lines and your fence.

Thanks, I am an amateur and winged it on the build. Knobs were 3D printed. Lift table wasn't in the budget. But it works well with the Bosch plate and router. Formica was fun, makes a slick surface and I had Just enough from a 4x8 sheet to do it. Only small scraps left.
Wood projects in the basement garage during winter when it's too cold to be in the car shop.

 

[John Stephenson]

Thanks, I am an amateur and winged it on the build. Knobs were 3D printed. Lift table wasn't in the budget. But it works well with the Bosch plate and router. Formica was fun, makes a slick surface and I had Just enough from a 4x8 sheet to do it. Only small scraps left.
Wood projects in the basement garage during winter when it's too cold to be in the car shop.

I'll bet it is a joy to use. Did you print your own knobs? They look great!

 

[vwpieces]

I'll bet it is a joy to use. Did you print your own knobs? They look great!

Yeah on my 3D printer. Some neat customizable files out there for knobs. 5/16in nuts inserted.
T-bolts are just carriage bolts ground to fit the T-tracks. Carriage bolts are easy to find in lengths needed.

 

[John Stephenson]

I am now leaning towards Sthalwhille for wrenches based on several recommendations. I assume they are not an open jaw design as I have been told multiple times (thank you) are not good for my situation.

Why does their 11 piece metric set not include 16,18,20, and 21mm? I was looking at the Williams 15 piece set and it does include them. Are these not commonly used sizes?

 

[vwpieces]

Why does their 11 piece metric set not include 16,18,20, and 21mm?

By the German DIN standards the 16, 18 and 20 don't exist. 21mm I am not sure, my VW's have 21mm sizes.
Sheesh, for $232 I am glad I bought my German hand tools 20+years ago. In Hazet I have the 603 and 600 series open box combo wrenches, I prefer the 600. Also have the 630 deep offset and have a couple odd combos for VW work like 10x13mm and 13x17mm.

 

[John Stephenson]

There's a lot of info coming at you right now, digest before you spend any hard earned cash, but you have come to the right place for quality/value for money.

Just a suggestion but order some samples from Amazon before you commit to any one brand for anything.

If you had a Vessel/Wera/PB Swiss screwdriver in your hand right now, I guarantee you would change your mind in a nano-second.

Wera make some good tools, but I can't think of an example where I would call them the best at anything being 100% honest

Then you have to factor in rebranded stuff like those Tekton Toolboxes (The OE is up there with Lista, but the shipping/cash back deal is pretty sweet in comparison)

Buy once, learn from our mistakes

You have me searching Vessel and PB Swiss again. I really like the looks of the Vessel ball grips and am tempted to replace the Wera set with these. Can you tell me what handles in the Vessel and PB Swiss you like?

 

[vwpieces]

You have me searching Vessel and PB Swiss again.

I am in the market for JIS screwdrivers for some old Japanese motorcycles I have. Vessel is what I will buy.
Hardly a gamble for $30 and will be my first Vessel "investment"

 

[John Stephenson]

I am in the market for JIS screwdrivers for some old Japanese motorcycles I have. Vessel is what I will buy.
Hardly a gamble for $30 and will be my first Vessel "investment"

I was just looking at that set! Thanks.

I would love to see the bikes you are working on.

 

[crashmtb]

You have me searching Vessel and PB Swiss again. I really like the looks of the Vessel ball grips and am tempted to replace the Wera set with these. Can you tell me what handles in the Vessel and PB Swiss you like?

Look at www.drpd.cc (they have a presence on this forum) for PB Swiss, Ko-Ken. …they have free shipping in the US. Arguably the best pricing for both of those companies in the US. Knipex too but at more regular prices.

For Stahlwille / other German stuff websites like MisterWorker and ToolTeam are often cheapest option With the latter, prepare for shipping to take a month though!

It’s probably been mentioned but given your usage, just figure out exactly what you need and buy those sizes. It won’t be worth it to buy full sets of things like sockets and wrenches when you might only really need half a dozen sizes.

 

[richfinn]

You have me searching Vessel and PB Swiss again. I really like the looks of the Vessel ball grips and am tempted to replace the Wera set with these. Can you tell me what handles in the Vessel and PB Swiss you like?

These are my Vessel screwdrivers (in my tool bag) there is also a P B Swiss ratcheting bit driver in there somewhere

 

[John Stephenson]

Hacksaw and files with good handles, not the really cheap plastic things you can buy already on cheap files. Try to find US made files or Grobet or ask around here. A good couple files will last your lifetime.

I am going back through every post and wanted to bring this back up as I believe it is a good add.

Does anyone have a hacksaw and metal file suggestion for me to add to the list?

 

[richfinn]

The PB Swiss is one of these

 

[John Stephenson]

Look at www.drpd.cc (they have a presence on this forum) for PB Swiss, Ko-Ken. …they have free shipping in the US. Arguably the best pricing for both of those companies in the US. Knipex too but at more regular prices.

For Stahlwille / other German stuff websites like MisterWorker and ToolTeam are often cheapest option With the latter, prepare for shipping to take a month though!

It’s probably been mentioned but given your usage, just figure out exactly what you need and buy those sizes. It won’t be worth it to buy full sets of things like sockets and wrenches when you might only really need half a dozen sizes.

Thank you for the links and the advice.

 

[John Stephenson]

The PB Swiss is one of these

Damn, that's beautiful. I will start searching for these. Thank you!

 

[vwpieces]

I would love to see the bikes you are working on.

JIS is to Japan as DIN is to Germany. Philips JIS are kinda special, different profile than standard PH#2. You may not encounter this type on much equipment in a wood shop. Usually have triangle stamped into the head.

1971 Kawasaki H1 500cc, 3 cyl 2stroke and Drum brakes. FUN bike


Recently acquired and finished this 1965 Yamaha YA6 125cc Was in a flooded basement. COMPLETE rebuild.


Another from the flooded basement is a 1963 Honda Superhawk. Engine was seized hard but I finished engine last week. Not at all going to be pretty but will be like new. Took 3 months to get cylinders back from machine shop or it would be done and running by now. Before pic..

 

[John Stephenson]

JIS is to Japan as DIN is to Germany. Philips JIS are kinda special, different profile than standard PH#2. You may not encounter this type on much equipment in a wood shop. Usually have triangle stamped into the head.

1971 Kawasaki H1 500cc, 3 cyl 2stroke and Drum brakes. FUN bike


Recently acquired and finished this 1965 Yamaha YA6 125cc Was in a flooded basement. COMPLETE rebuild.


Another from the flooded basement is a 1963 Honda Superhawk. Engine was seized hard but I finished engine last week. Not at all going to be pretty but will be like new. Took 3 months to get cylinders back from machine shop or it would be done and running by now. Before pic..

That Yamaha is beautiful, amazing restoration work. I would love something like that to cruise around on.

The Rabbit in the back of the photo looks like it may be amazing too. I dream of having an early VW rabbit, maybe with a 20V or something even more fun.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[vwpieces]

That Yamaha is beautiful, amazing restoration work. I would love something like that to cruise around on.

The Rabbit in the back of the photo looks like it may be amazing too. I dream of having an early VW rabbit, maybe with a 20V or something even more fun.

Thank you for sharing.

Welcome, Rabbit is kinda special, but it's the daily driver, beater. Has a 1.6L turbo diesel and a lot more unseen upgrades. Basically new car I put together a few years ago. Has a first generation Jetta nose clip, mainly because it needed front fenders and I had Jetta fenders. It's now the Jabbit

Also have an 83 Jetta Wolfsburg Ed 2dr with a 2.0L built 16V engine. The FUN car. "Allegedly" will do 140mph.
Air-cooled, I have a 68 bus and a 1963 Notch as the current project car.