Shoreline_
Well-known member
Some of my favorite sets are made from mix and matched brands. Usually they are well loved.
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Sets that don’t match. Does it bother you?
- Thread starter impactims
- Start date
wolf_from_wv
Well-known member
No. Not every tool company carries every tool.
But we are talking about the tools within a given set matching.No. Not every tool company carries every tool.
One set may not match the next set, but everything with one set matches. And everything within the next set matches, even though this set is from a different manufacturer than the first set.
Etc.
I have no sets, I just buy whatever, I hang my tools on the wall on my homemade hangers and I toss the boxes they came in as I prefer my own organization on the wall and I don't use drawers.
I basically only buy cheap stuff though. But it lasts fine for me a lot of them are over 20 years old now.
Only thing that's disappointed was this really really cheap set I bought to keep in the car.
I basically only buy cheap stuff though. But it lasts fine for me a lot of them are over 20 years old now.
Only thing that's disappointed was this really really cheap set I bought to keep in the car.
wolf_from_wv
Well-known member
But we are talking about the tools within a given set matching.
One set may not match the next set, but everything with one set matches. And everything within the next set matches, even though this set is from a different manufacturer than the first set.
Etc.
I am aware...
My standard 1/4" drive set goes from 1/8"-9/16", from NAPA, Lowes, Autozone, probably Home Depot. The metric set goes from 4mm-15mm or so, from the same stores. I'm not buying an entire socket to get a 1/8" socket if I can buy it separately. Whatever place had the best deal at the time on a set is what most of them are.
The 1/4" set I turned down on the lathe are really a mix.
3/8" and 1/2" drive sets are the same way.
The set in the box I bought from Home Depot that I carry in the car are all the same brand because that's what the box was made to fit. If it doesn't have a socket to fit, I'll use one out of the other box.
3/4" standard set is Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply.
Many of my sets don’t match and it does not bother me. I can now afford to buy whatever I want, but feel no need to replace what has been working fine for me simply so what is hidden in drawers matches. I did spend some money on matching cabinets and lockers to help organize everything (37’ of New Age Pro and 7’ of Bold), so I do have some interest in appearances and order.
Packard V8
Well-known member
Thinking about it, the best machinist/mechanic I've ever known works with the biggest pile of mismatched crappage imaginable. The tools are in six different old worn beat up friction slide boxes. Doubtful he's ever bought a new tool; garage sales and people just bring him stuff.
jack vines
jack vines
My wrench set used to match. Then I added a couple of singles to fill gaps. That bothered me. Then I added a couple more of another brand. Now I’ve got between 1 and 11 wrenches of any given brand and style now, with at least 6 variations and it’s the right kind of mismatch.
Ironically enough, I think if it was more mismatched it would also bother me. If all of the mismatches were different I’d probably feel that the original set should be replaced by 11 pieces of different brands. But if it’s an 11+6+3+2+2+1 piece set it’s no issue.
Ironically enough, I think if it was more mismatched it would also bother me. If all of the mismatches were different I’d probably feel that the original set should be replaced by 11 pieces of different brands. But if it’s an 11+6+3+2+2+1 piece set it’s no issue.