Really good first set

[GGorman04]

HI guys. I thought I would ask this question for the experts on the board.
I am looking for a great starter kit for a new guy. I had bought a basic 50 piece set with ratchets,sockets, etc.
Needless to say, after two months of use, my 1/2 ratchet does not ratchet anymore.
I dont mind spending a little more on my tools, so I am considering snap on and the quality names.

You normally get a better deal when you buy a kit, so can anyone recommend a kit for me to build upon?

Thanks in advance
George

 

[Stuey]

Craftsman socket set - 94pc, 118pc, or 155pc, whichever is on sale at the moment.

Then pick up separate ratchets. Gearwrench, Craftsman Premium, Wera...

What's your budget? How often do you use your tools?

 

[sk farmer]

sk offers up kits in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 that have standard and deep sockets in sae and metric sizes. nice durable cases, good tools and can be picked up reasonable. not as cheap as craftsman but a massive step up in ratchets and nicer sockets imop. cman cases seem to be garbage in general. easy to open upside down and notorious for not keeping the pieces in place when carrying.

 

[blarf]

HI guys. I thought I would ask this question for the experts on the board.
I am looking for a great starter kit for a new guy. I had bought a basic 50 piece set with ratchets,sockets, etc.
Needless to say, after two months of use, my 1/2 ratchet does not ratchet anymore.
I dont mind spending a little more on my tools, so I am considering snap on and the quality names.

You normally get a better deal when you buy a kit, so can anyone recommend a kit for me to build upon?

Thanks in advance
George

What did you buy in the first place?
What are you doing with the tools?
What pieces did you use most often?

 

[GGorman04]

The kit was a christmas present. Not very good, and I do alot of basic mechanical work on my cars(brakes, oil changes,etc). I also would like a large assortment at my disposal for various jobs around the home.

I do have a decent size budget, and was looking at Wera as well.
Does Wera have a multi piece set? Are they worth it?

 

[JMorrison4371]

If your gonna go to the truck guys I would recommend Cornwell. They "stamp" their wrenches like Snap on at a fraction of the cost. Also their tools go through ALOT if performance inspections before their released to consumers. But if your going with a store brand, then go with Stanley. My first set was a Stanley set and I absolutely love it. I use them everyday and they hold up excellently. There is little to no wear on them what-so-ever. No joke.

 

[Hiball]

Ive found that Normally when purchasing from the Tool trucks, There is NO price break on Kits (Outside of Special promotions). Are you using your tools as a professional? Home User? My first Purchased set was a Craftsman 300 pc set, i later upgraded where i needed to and have since upgraded most of my Craftsman stuff to SK/Wright along with some Snap on/Cornwell/Mac and Numerous other brands. I dont require my tools to make a living so i have the option to pick and choose on Tools when needed.

 

[buffalobill]

I second the SK sets, one in each drive size will get you set up pretty well. get one of their screwdriver sets, and pliers sets, and some combination wrenches, and that would be a pretty decent start.

 

[ridestreet]

i started of with a small craftsman set with i think 90 some odd pieces, and just built from there

 

[countryroad82]

I believe a decent sized Craftsman set would do you well and get some better ratchets. Or possibly Gearwrench might have a good multipiece set. For around the house I wouldn't be able to justify truck brand stuff unless you just want them. I have made a decent living off of a large Craftsman set for 10+ years that I have just recently been replacing everything with Snap On because I have always wanted them and I now have some disposable income to justify spending the extra cash.

 

[bob15]

SK tools are very nice and would be a very good option. Another company is Wright Tool. You can get them at: http://store.harryepstein.com/ or http://www.royalsupply.com/. Both American made, cheaper than the trucks, but just as good as.

The way Sears is outsourcing its Craftsman line, I would be careful on what you buy from Sears. I can see their tools becoming all china in the near future.

I would start with a wrench set from 1/4 to at least 7/8. Depending on what your going to do with the tools, a 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets first, then maybe upgrade your 1/2" set.

Wright tool set # 171 (http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=51744) sounds like it could suit you very nicely, add a 1/4" drive socket set and you would have a great starter set. Amazon is cheaper for that set. Wright set #136 (http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=51912)is pricey but covers you from 1/4' to 1/2" plus the wrenches, hammers, punches and screwdrivers.

Another idea is to watch e-bay, craigslist, pawn shops and swap meets/flea markets for good tools at lower prices.

bob

 

[powertrip]

Are you completly aware of how much tool trucks tool sets cost? They are extremely expensive for home, hobby or DIY use. This is why everyone is recomending craftsman. Do some research on how much you want to spend and how much snapon cost.

 

[amolaver]

you may want to consider buying impact instead of chrome sockets so that in the future you don't have to re-buy for power tool use. gearwrench, genius, sunex, grey pneumatic and HF all make inexpensive, widely available, and high quality impact sockets at reasonable prices. craftsman's impact sockets are also good, but overpriced unless you get them on sale. i'd also strongly recommend you get impact swivel sockets and extensions as well. swivel sockets are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

ratchets are a pretty personal thing - all metal, hard plastic, soft plastic handles, roto or flex head (locking or non), coarse or fine tooth, etc. i really like my craftsman premium ratchets and my toptul roto heads. HF's roto heads also seem to be shockingly well made.

ahm

 

[hammergodthor]

SK or Grey Pneumatic Duo for sockets/ratchets. For wrenches, get Gearwrench, SK, Wright, etc. There are many options, and you can have fun shopping. There's no need to go out and buy all of one brand, most pros have a little of everything.

Craftsman used to be the gold standard, and are still decent, but they are flushing quality and bang for the buck down the toilet by replacing everything with overpriced Chinese tools. If Chinese is good enough for you, go to Harbor Freight, much more tool for your buck than Craftsman, and similarly warrantied.

Just remember - There's nothing wrong with Chinese tools for the right price.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[SMKS]

Craftsman socket set - 94pc, 118pc, or 155pc, whichever is on sale at the moment.

Then pick up separate ratchets. Gearwrench, Craftsman Premium, Wera...

What's your budget? How often do you use your tools?

I agree with this, except I don't agree with the ratchet recommendations.

-Gearwrench = China and a pretty pricey ratchet for Chinese tools. There are equally priced USA-made options.
-Wera is quite expensive, more than a person getting their first set needs.
-Craftsman Premium - Also very expensive, but quite nice.

My favorite ratchets right now are Wright and SK. There are lots of used SK ratchets on ebay.

Wright tools are also very nice and have far more teeth than SK ratchets. Wright 3/8" drive ratchets have 82 clicks per revolution.

Wright 3490. $25 + shipping.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/3490-C.html

Wright 3400. $25 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300615692372?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Williams BB52A. This is a 72 tooth ratchet. $23 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300622288690?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649


I would say only replace the ratchets you use most. For example, if you rarely use 1/2" ratchets, then the Craftsman is probably fine.

 

[lwlobo]

In general, I'd go with craftsman sockets and some premium ratchets bought used on here or ebay: Snap On, Matco, Cornwell, Wright, SK, etc. Also watch for deals on quality wrench sets, I see some nice deals on Wright, Proto, SK, etc on the classifieds.

I think you can get better value and make choices that match your funds and needs better by avoiding a big kit or set.

If you have the time and patience to consistently watch for good deals and buy value on quality tools you'll build a nice set without breaking the bank.

 

[GGorman04]

Wow, thanks for the responses. I agree with the advice on the ratchets. I want to buy quali aty here, since the cheaper ones like I bought are junk.

Does Wera make a good ratchet?

 

[GGorman04]

Does anyone remember the craftsman 155 piece tool set any cheaper than now?
It is on sale for $189.99, $110 off.
At that price, I may buy it and then wait for deals on some quality ratchets.

 

[KEH]

Thought I remembered this and looked it up. 2011 sears holiday tool sale booklet: ALL 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch drive sockets, $479.99. 299 pieces. That's $1.60 per socket. someone could just about buy the set and break it up for resale at a profit, or have all the sockets you needed. Does not include impact sockets.

KEH

 

[GGorman04]

KEH, I printed out the coupon yesterday for online only showing price further discounted to $149.99. When I went to checkout, it still showed $189.99. I called and must have talked to someone in India. They had no reference of the discounted price.

I then called my local Sears and asked them to go on the website to confirm the $149.99.
They did, and I picked it up this morning. It must have been a doorbuster price from Black Friday that was not removed.

 

[GGorman04]

Sorry for the double post, but I could not pass this deal up. I appreciate the good advice, and my plan is to build from this initial set with some good quality ratchets and assorted items.