Starter tool set

[Specs]

I don’t know about confort, I do agree in a certain amount of leverage is required that CMRP ratchets leave users wanting. I got stubby girlish fingers (thanks mom) that fit in all the right places on a 44808/44811, but the tooth count, tooth skipping, and no leverage makes it terrible in my book. If sears made it a flex head, it would be stellar.

The difference in a long handle flex ratchet (12-15” overall length) with 60+ tooth count is night and day. I’m not suggesting OP go drop that coin on one, But if he acquires those oil filter sockets that accept ratchet drive sizes... thats two birds with one stone... why not?

https://www.eastwood.com/true-power...BKmy7vFUyru0uk9Zl-FCXATlaYXfWJJoaApViEALw_wcB

 

[seber]

If sears made it a flex head, it would be stellar.

https://www.eastwood.com/true-power...BKmy7vFUyru0uk9Zl-FCXATlaYXfWJJoaApViEALw_wcB

You mean like this one? http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJHCop-Rt9oCFYmHaQod5coHGw

I have an older one with RP. Absolutely hate it. Not only the RP but the nasty ratcheting of Craftsman. It was one of the first tools I ever bought and it still looks like brand new. Just sits in the drawer.

 

[Mr_B]

Oil filter sockets an ideal item source cheap eBay/amazon.
I have 20 sockets in case for 30 bucks and doing me fine.
Ratchets pending on available cash could be gearwench 80T flexi or locking flexi, carlyle 60T flexi if can afford it, HF pitts pro 1/4 roto, 1/4 3/8 & 1/2 flexi's all not bad tight budget buy if milk them on a voucher and QC best ones on display, plus lifetime ratchet warranty easy and quick at HF so get money worth as starting out budget ratchet even if got swap them out couple times .
williams and carlyle would be best pro lower cost buys but they still little high price and out of price or eat too much budget for very first buy but once in job and know you most used ratchet try upgrade to better pro grade pretty quick as ratchets one thing need be decent and have usable warranty .
Main reason HF pitts pro worthwhile is because currently warranty so good if near a HF you can get replacement within minutes of busting it or at least same day .

 

[Specs]

You mean like this one? http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJHCop-Rt9oCFYmHaQod5coHGw

I have an older one with RP. Absolutely hate it. Not only the RP but the nasty ratcheting of Craftsman. It was one of the first tools I ever bought and it still looks like brand new. Just sits in the drawer.

Nope, i mean the one included in sets with a flex head. Also the 44836 with black handle is great for shoe string budgets, despite being 36t too

 

[JazzBlueRT]

...and what about screwdrivers, palm ratchets, or a large pair of channellocks? There's pros and cons and pieces missing to both of these sets, again my recommendation is simply opting for generally a higher quality set of usable pieces.

I'm a full time mechanic, and a part time mechanic (at home) and I have NEVER used an ignition wrench. Are ignition wrenches things lube techs commonly use? If yes, great then you're correct that they're not filler items. If the guy will never use them along with a 12 point 7/32 1/4" socket, then its also a filler item in this case. Its going to take up space and be unused at work for him.

I have not, I'm sure they're great pliers and all the pros are headed out to get them. You got me! Now that you mention it, I'd love a pair



https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/hand-tool-sets/301-pc-mechanics-tool-set-63457.html

That set was $0.99 per tool, this set here is $0.66 per tool, so its clearly the best value in tools, correct? With a 20% off coupon, you would be looking at $0.53 per tool. You can try and twist, contort and justify all you want using a set with 187 bits as a counter example but I think you see my point.




By this logic everyone should buy 413 piece mechanic set or the full snap on catalog to change oil on their GM car, even tho the drain plug is going to be the same size every single time. They might need more tools for the unsuspecting jobs they're not tackling....? Again the guys going to be a lube tech, not a master technician.

I am not a professional mechanic and I have a lot of tools to fix my own stuff because "professional mechanics" seem to always fsck something up.

I use ignition wrenches to fix lawn equipment. I also used one recently to get the front fender bolt off a car that had a banged up fender where a regular 3/8 wrench would not fit.. I guess I could have cut the fender it off, but it seemed easier to use the midget wrench and remove the bolt in 30 seconds. Good thing I had that wrench, it came with my 300 Craftsman piece set I bought 30 years ago. They also came in handy in leveling my garage cabinet feet.

The 4`13 piece set meets the OP requirements of under $400 and sockets up to 1 1/4.

For value per tool

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-450-piece-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-A010318153?adcell=hp_tls_450pcmts

With $50 in SYW, this is $150 which is $0.54 per usable tool.

You forgot to subtract the "bit" from the HF set which makes it $0.78 per usable tool.

The thing with tools sets. You may never use half of them, but over a lifetime; you DO NOT KNOW WHICH HALF YOU WILL NOT USE. This means you WILL HAVE THE TOOL you need WHEN YOU NEED IT. For mechanics sets, this usually means a full selection of sockets and wrenches as a minimum for your starter set.

If you are going to buy a starter tool set, buy the largest tool set you can afford because it is a one time purchase that saves money over the long run and offers the best value. Until someone else offers the larger tools sets like Craftsman does at reasonable prices, the Craftsman sets will be the best value out there.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

This is an excellent point. If lowest cost per tool was the most important factor, everyone would shop at HF.

Buy quality.

Yeah, GearWrench coming out of the same Apex factories using the same alloys and processes as Husky/Craftsman is better quality. And Tekton, tools sourced from the same unknown origins as HF screams quality.

I guess at GJ, it is always advisable to buy the same quality tools from the brands with the LEAST convenient ways to warranty them.

 

[ssdave]

Yeah, GearWrench coming out of the same Apex factories using the same alloys and processes as Husky/Craftsman is better quality. And Tekton, tools sourced from the same unknown origins as HF screams quality.

I guess at GJ, it is always advisable to buy the same quality tools from the brands with the LEAST convenient ways to warranty them.

I have a hard time understanding the obsession with warranty. If you buy quality tools, warranty is essentially a non-issue, although for the top tier stuff everybody touts their great warranty.

If I'm paying $.50 per tool, or even $3, warranty isn't really worth anything. Far better to go and pay a few dollars for a replacement, than to waste time with warranty. I'd be much more concerned with availability of tools to me to get a replacement when I need it. If warranty is available and a person has time to take advantage of it, then it's a nice bonus.

So, a good scenario would be: Buy whatever quality of tools that you feel will not break for you. Use them, and probably would never break one. If you do break one, go down to your local NAPA, hardware store, or such, and pay a few dollars for whatever they have for replacement. Or, if you really need the tool NOW and have the service available, buy one off the truck. If you buy a set of tools that costs $.50 or $1 per tool, and are spending your time trying to get a warranty replacement for one piece that breaks, your time must not be worth much to you! If your time is worth $20 per hour to you, and it takes an hour to get another one, it might just be worth it to buy an expensive one off the truck when it drops by the shop instead of using time to go buy one. For a home shop guy, this doesn't apply, as it might take more time to buy off the truck than from NAPA. Realistically, the time it takes to get a replacement, either warranty or purchae, is far more valuable than the tool. So, minimizing breakage is the most cost effective approach.

An opposite but improbable scenario is: You buy cheap tools, say the $.54 each Craftsman. You find that you break them all the time (improbable). For the sake of argument, say you break one a month. You go down to your Sears Hometown store, and they don't have it in stock. But, they order it for you. You wait, and go in and check a couple times to see if it's in. Overall, you have an hour and a half in each warranty replacement. At one a month, you have 18 hours a year in warranty replacement time. At a conservative $20 per hour rate, the warranty breakage is costing you $360 per year. Probably should have bought an extra set, so you had self warranty replacements on hand. Now, you could just save up a year or two of warranty and then take them in all at once. So, you would warranty 24 pieces (worth $.54 each or $13) once every 2 years. So, you would make $13 for your $30 worth of time on that transaction. Overall, it looks like warranty replacement really isn't worth it.

The gist I get from this analysis is that it makes almost no sense to buy tools for warranty, but it makes a lot of sense to buy the quality that will not break for you. Whatever that quality level is. For me, that quality level has been shown to be Snap-on, Proto, Williams, and SK. I went the Craftsman and warranty route for about 20 years, until it finally occurred to me that my Proto and Snap-on stuff wasn't breaking and making me warranty them; and that the Craftsman wasn't worth the time it was taking to go down to the store 55 miles away and get replacements. Plus, the Proto and SO stuff just plain worked better. As my time got worth more to me, I just called my SO guy and had him sell me replacements for anything that broke, as it was worth it to pay $15 to $25 for a high quality replacement socket delivered at the garage next door to my office rather than take the time to drive to the town 55 miles away where I had to go to buy a $9 quality one, or even the local NAPA and buy a $7 import one. I did go and buy a few NAPA ones when I needed it NOW.

My dad, on the other hand, takes extreme care to not break his Craftsman tools. And, he is looking for things to do with his time (elderly and long retired). It would make no sense at all for him to invest more money into better tools, as he doesn't need them, and if he did have to warranty one, he'd welcome the opportunity to go spend an hour or two talking to the Sears clerks.

 

[Mr_B]

Good thing with napa tools is they bring them to us, we don't even need go to the store.
To be honest truck warranty not always that great as got wait for truck or spend time online/phone and rely on chance of stocked or order etc :-/ that why some select better items from HF pitts pro range can work out well for start out guy on budget as warranty far more accessible/quick and initial cost also very affordable .
I happy self warranty and if you buy wise and use sensibly you not going break much.
I not not had deal with more than 3 hand tool warranties in a year in last 30 years of professional use. Basics are self warranty as cheaper/quicker .
Trick is buying decent design good grade tools at right price and making most of deals and offers and buying the tools in an order that will benefit you as a start out guy . I personally don't see any very large set craftsman or other being best bang for buck or giving most useful tools to start a career with . Would be better than nothing but hand building your kit from smaller sets/single items and picking what best of lower cost and what a one time steal sale deal will be money better spent .
I never wasted money on tools that total junk but missing few sales deals and online bargains has cost me few bucks when needed buy the tool and unable get price as low as had seen it . Never overlook a true steal bargains lol ...

 

[Gmonkee]

The model jazzblue touts works where the services and brands are available.

And its good if your wages and needs fall into the model.

I am far from that place and use a far different way of thinking . I am my replacement tool provider and use junk from five decades back and any origin that is trustworthy.
Most of Europe and Asia is there.

The shop has tools and spares. I do too at home. A replacement is yards away or worst case next day.

And despite most of our stuff being the samr stuff most of the techs there would not even consider we have nearly no tool breakage.

In a busy indy shop. Not monthly oil change duties here. If you got it, flaunt it but don't believe that its only the "best" whatever that is or failure is surely going to happen. Just not true.

 

[Mr_B]

Yeah, GearWrench coming out of the same Apex factories using the same alloys and processes as Husky/Craftsman is better quality. And Tekton, tools sourced from the same unknown origins as HF screams quality.

I guess at GJ, it is always advisable to buy the same quality tools from the brands with the LEAST convenient ways to warranty them.

Taiwan Gearwrench is a step above current china made apex sourced tools .
It not all about materials and treatments or always where it made, big part is small design details that make life easier when using a tool 8+hrs a day, 5 or 6 days a week .
Warranty far from most important aspect of tool purchase, in 30+ years of pro use I not needed warranty a massive amount, if tools are half decent and used sensibly you never going get a return from the inflated cost of top brand warranty. Ratchets and ratchet wrenches good example tools that do tend benefit better quality and usable life warranty .
Sockets and wrenches simply don't need it as these days it generally wear and abuse rather than manufacturing issue failure . I can count amount of sockets I broke in 30 years on one hand .

 

[Tallpilot]

Yeah, GearWrench coming out of the same Apex factories using the same alloys and processes as Husky/Craftsman is better quality. And Tekton, tools sourced from the same unknown origins as HF screams quality.

I guess at GJ, it is always advisable to buy the same quality tools from the brands with the LEAST convenient ways to warranty them.

Respectfully...you are being ridiculous. Yes, Gearwrench warranty can be a pain...have you had occasion to warranty a 14mm 3/8" drive socket from GW? I've only broken ratcheting wrenches but I know people who have broken ratchets; but not sockets which is what this thread is about.

Warranty wasn't why GW sockets were mentioned. The knuring and the radiused ends as well as other manufacturing details were. Please suggest sockets with more professional features for less money so we will all be in on the secret.

Moving on to Tekton...completely different from GW though. The warranty process consists of emailing a picture of your broken junk or calling Dave and asking for a new one. It shows up at your door 2 days later. Not particularly difficult and in fact easier than being on a tool truck route unless it happens to break the day before your driver usually arrives. Respectfully, Tekton warranty beats HF since all it takes is a phone call. When you show up at HF to get your replacement tool at least half of the time they don't have it in stock.

 

[Tallpilot]

Taiwan Gearwrench is a step above current china made apex sourced tools .
It not all about materials and treatments or always where it made, big part is small design details that make life easier when using a tool 8+hrs a day, 5 or 6 days a week .
Warranty far from most important aspect of tool purchase, in 30+ years of pro use I not needed warranty a massive amount, if tools are half decent and used sensibly you never going get a return from the inflated cost of top brand warranty. Ratchets and ratchet wrenches good example tools that do tend benefit better quality and usable life warranty .
Sockets and wrenches simply don't need it as these days it generally wear and abuse rather than manufacturing issue failure . I can count amount of sockets I broke in 30 years on one hand .

I don't think there is any point in arguing with him but I tried as well. Some of us tried to help the OP and the rest just spouted off nonsense.

It not all about materials and treatments or always where it made, big part is small design details that make life easier when using a tool 8+hrs a day, 5 or 6 days a week.

Anyone who doesn't understand the advice given to the OP by some people who really care and wish him the best please read this over and over until you do understand. If you haven't pulled a wrench for a full shift then please admit it before you challenge the advice given here.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Taiwan Gearwrench is a step above current china made apex sourced tools .
It not all about materials and treatments or always where it made, big part is small design details that make life easier when using a tool 8+hrs a day, 5 or 6 days a week .
Warranty far from most important aspect of tool purchase, in 30+ years of pro use I not needed warranty a massive amount, if tools are half decent and used sensibly you never going get a return from the inflated cost of top brand warranty. Ratchets and ratchet wrenches good example tools that do tend benefit better quality and usable life warranty .
Sockets and wrenches simply don't need it as these days it generally wear and abuse rather than manufacturing issue failure . I can count amount of sockets I broke in 30 years on one hand .

GearWrench is made in China along with the rest of Apex tools. There are tons of posts about that in this forum.

Maybe look at Apex's owners to fully appreciate why Gearwrench is no different now than Husky or Craftsman (they used to be a step lower do you remember when they were a "gimmick tool"). Hint, they are owned by the same VC firm that destroyed Toys R Us and Sports Authority.

I agree that most tools from a reputable company wont fail under normal use, but any tool can fail at any given moment. It does not make sense to buy tools that you cannot warranty the same day. I would say this is even more critical for us "shade-tree" mechanics who have to have that car back on the road Monday morning.

By buying locally, you also offer your local community the benefit of your money being spent locally supporting local workers.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I don't think there is any point in arguing with him but I tried as well. Some of us tried to help the OP and the rest just spouted off nonsense.



Anyone who doesn't understand the advice given to the OP by some people who really care and wish him the best please read this over and over until you do understand. If you haven't pulled a wrench for a full shift then please admit it before you challenge the advice given here.

I pulled wrenches full item 30 years ago, then I went to college and found I can make 2-3x as much writing computer programs.

Has it dawned on you that perhaps you are the one spouting nonsense? Not only is your advice not cost effective, it is xenophobic, contains myths about COO that are simply not true and advises to buy obscure tool brands that are not readily available or easily replaced under warranty.

 

[Tallpilot]

GearWrench is made in China along with the rest of Apex tools. There are tons of posts about that in this forum.

Gearwrench SOCKETS which is what the f*^ing thread was about are made in Taiwan. So are the XL ratcheting wrenches. The combination, ratcheting, and flex head ratcheting wrenches are made in China. It is somewhat important on a tool forum to be accurate with the information you post.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

If I'm paying $.50 per tool, or even $3, warranty isn't really worth anything. Far better to go and pay a few dollars for a replacement, than to waste time with warranty.

What if that $.50 tool that breaks is your 1/2 ratchet and 1 1/4 socket. How much does it cost to replace them? How much does a Snap on 1/2 ratchet and 1 1/4 socket cost?

Snap-On 1/2" Drive 80-Tooth Standard Handle Ratchet $162.95
Snap-On 1/2" Drive 12-Point SAE 1-1/4" Semi-Deep Socket $53.00

The median Auto Technician salary is $37,850 or about $500 - 600 per week take home.

How is a person taking home $600 per week going to afford this out of pocket? Even a Husky, Craftsman replacement is going to cost you $50-$60 out of pocket.

You pay the $.50 per tool because
1. You are buying in bulk
2. It is an average cost

If you are a 30 year veteran at a high volume BMW shop pulling in $100k a year, then tool cost is not an issue, but for a starter tech, tool cost is a huge issue and making a poor financial decision early on can lead to crushing debt and worse financial decision in the future.

 

[Tallpilot]

I pulled wrenches full item 30 years ago, then I went to college and found I can make 2-3x as much writing computer programs.

Has it dawned on you that perhaps you are the one spouting nonsense? Not only is your advice not cost effective, it is xenophobic, contains myths about COO that are simply not true and advises to buy obscure tool brands that are not readily available or easily replaced under warranty.

It is always possible I am spouting nonsense. I accept any challenge to my nonsense that includes authoritative sources but refrains from ad hominem attacks. Your previous posts both praise Chinese sourced Craftsman over other higher cost per tool items yet also admonish that buying locally supports local workers. Do I understand that you wish us to buy Chinese Craftsman from Sears' to support a $10/hour retail job instead of buying Taiwan Gearwrench from Amazon to support a $10/hour warehouse job?

Tekton (sold in Menard's and on Amazon.com) and Gearwrench (sold in Advance Auto Parts and on Amazon.com) are not exactly obscure brands and are most certainly readily available. There is plenty to complain about Bain Capital's business practices but Mr. B remains correct in the assertion that Gearwrench current production TAIWAN sourced sockets are a cut above Craftsman from China. They are also quite cost effective.

Please explain in detail why my advice is xenophobic and yours is more rational.

 

[Yarpo]

GearWrench is made in China along with the rest of Apex tools. There are tons of posts about that in this forum.

I agree that most tools from a reputable company wont fail under normal use, but any tool can fail at any given moment. It does not make sense to buy tools that you cannot warranty the same day. I would say this is even more critical for us "shade-tree" mechanics who have to have that car back on the road Monday morning.

All of my Gearwrench tools have still been made in Taiwan with the exception of their full polish long pattern wrenches, and my ratchets are considerably nicer (in EVERY WAY) than any of the craftsman ratchets I bought around the same time. So either they're not making the same tools or they're making some significantly better than the others. I'm curious tho in which way you think a raised panel ratchet with 36 teeth is better than a full polished long handle ratchet with 84 or 120 teeth. Which do you think would be more enjoyable to use 40 hours a week?

You also seem to be forgetting the thread is about a guy being a lube tech, not a shade tree mechanic by the way. Hes going to want quality tools since he will be using them more often...

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Gearwrench SOCKETS which is what the f*^ing thread was about are made in Taiwan. So are the XL ratcheting wrenches. The ratcheting, flex head ratcheting and XXl ratcheting wrenches are made in China. It is somewhat important on a tool forum to be accurate with the information you post.

The thread is titled and about " Starter tool set"

GearWrench does not have COO on their website. LOL, you have to actually buy the tool to find the COO.

http://www.gearwrench.com/sockets-a...-4-drive-6-point-sae-standard-socket-set.html

http://www.gearwrench.com/sockets-a...-6-point-standard-sae-mechanics-tool-set.html
Xl

http://www.gearwrench.com/gearwrench-85198-8-pc-xl-combination-ratcheting-wrench-set-sae.html

http://www.gearwrench.com/gearwrenc...nt-indexing-double-box-ratcheting-wrench.html

No COO listed.

Maybe you can look at the "Forged in <COO>" stamping on the tool when you get it!

Perhaps you could be more accurate and TRUTHFULLY state that most GearWrench tools are made in China and all the Taiwan production is being moved or has been moved to China. Or better yest, stop perpetuating the myth that COO is relevant other than to "Buy USA" to support our fellow American workers.

The Taiwan is better than China tool argument is simply idiotic and xenophobic.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

All of my Gearwrench tools have still been made in Taiwan with the exception of their full polish long pattern wrenches, and my ratchets are considerably nicer (in EVERY WAY) than any of the craftsman ratchets I bought around the same time. So either they're not making the same tools or they're making some significantly better than the others. I'm curious tho in which way you think a raised panel ratchet with 36 teeth is better than a full polished long handle ratchet with 84 or 120 teeth. Which do you think would be more enjoyable to use 40 hours a week?

You also seem to be forgetting the thread is about a guy being a lube tech, not a shade tree mechanic by the way. Hes going to want quality tools since he will be using them more often...

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-1-2-in-thin-profile-ratchet

Shocking, Craftsman also has a 84 tooth ratchet. Don't tell anyone on GJ, they all think every Craftsman ratchet is a 36 tooth RP.

Up until the past year or so, you could still find made in USA Craftsman sockets and wrenches. Like the Craftsman stock, when the Gear Wrench stock is sold out, all new stuff will be made in China.

You do realize that millions of professional mechanics use Craftsman and Husky tools without issue.

 

[kythri]

You do realize that millions of professional mechanics use Craftsman and Husky tools without issue.

I'd check your numbers, considering there's less than 2 million pro mechanics in the USA, and I'd be surprised if the brand exposure of Craftsman or Husky is all that much outside.

http://www.economicmodeling.com/2012/08/31/occupation-report-mechanics-2009-2012/

 

[ssdave]

What if that $.50 tool that breaks is your 1/2 ratchet and 1 1/4 socket. How much does it cost to replace them? How much does a Snap on 1/2 ratchet and 1 1/4 socket cost?

Snap-On 1/2" Drive 80-Tooth Standard Handle Ratchet $162.95
Snap-On 1/2" Drive 12-Point SAE 1-1/4" Semi-Deep Socket $53.00

The median Auto Technician salary is $37,850 or about $500 - 600 per week take home.

How is a person taking home $600 per week going to afford this out of pocket? Even a Husky, Craftsman replacement is going to cost you $50-$60 out of pocket.

You pay the $.50 per tool because
1. You are buying in bulk
2. It is an average cost

If you are a 30 year veteran at a high volume BMW shop pulling in $100k a year, then tool cost is not an issue, but for a starter tech, tool cost is a huge issue and making a poor financial decision early on can lead to crushing debt and worse financial decision in the future.

Of course, if you break a $160 or even $50 dollar ratchet, it would be worthwhile to replace it under warranty. But, I don't see how it would be imperative that I had to have a warranty replacement instantly; I live in a very small rural town, and I still can buy a replacement ratchet equal to or better than the Craftsman ones for under $25 very easily at ACE or NAPA. There's a local buy and sell shop; he usually has a whole bunch of Craftsman and similar ratchets for $3 to $10 at any given time, so I could even get a cheaper one used. If you think you're at risk of being without a ratchet, proactively buy a $3 one at a yard sale for a spare. Or, a $10 one at Sears on sale. Or, your favorite flavor of Chinese one for whatever they cost.

Now, the 1 1/4" socket would probably cost $8 to $15 at NAPA or ACE. Be a toss-up on whether it is worth it to warranty it or buy another.

I'm not advocating making knee jerk decisions about what to warranty and what not to without looking at what the item is worth. What I'm saying is don't make all your buying decisions based on a warranty that for most items is not worth the time.

You can come up with all kinds of what if's of a poor, starving mechanic not being able to feed his family because his only ratchet breaks and he can't get another one under warranty to keep going and can't afford to acquire another; but in reality, that is probably a near zero probability occurrence. First off, breakage is pretty rare on anything other than low end tools. Second, a pro probably has a spare. A home shop guy must have a friend or neighbor that has a loaner ratchet. Both can probably buy a replacement at a used store or NAPA or Autozone or Sears if they can't source one from a friend. If all else fails, use a breaker bar or a wrench.

It's quite all right to like your particular brand of tools. But, not everyone else is stupid for not agreeing with you that they're the best thing ever. And, there's quite a wide range of performance that is acceptable; the individual circumstances of each person make it difficult or impossible to choose a single "best" or even the most cost effective.

 

[Yarpo]

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-1-2-in-thin-profile-ratchet

Shocking, Craftsman also has a 84 tooth ratchet. Don't tell anyone on GJ, they all think every Craftsman ratchet is a 36 tooth RP.

You do realize that millions of professional mechanics use Craftsman and Husky tools without issue.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-2-in-drive-quick-release-teardrop-ratchet/p-00944809000P

...but the part numbers in the set you recommend (44809 for example) do come with a 36T ratchet. Are you just vehemently trying to defend craftsman at this point that you forgot the basis of the conversation/argument? I think its "Good starter tools or tool set for a lube tech" and if hes gotta go out and buy new 84T ratchets to compliment his set, hes wasting money.

I do realize that, my boss is one of those guys. Best mechanic I know. It doesn't change the fact that using his tools when I work with him *****. Ratchets skipping and or locking up is the name of the game when I work with him I was always taught to work smarter not harder tho, so I'll take a ratchet with better ergonomics and more teeth every day.

 

[ssdave]

Reading Yarpo's post made me understand even more that JazzBlueRT thinks that Craftsman are the easiest to warranty? Might be in your case, but for a lot of people, a sears store isn't available near them, or are out of stock on most everything and have to order it anyway. That's my situation; just a small hometown store in town, big Sears 120 miles away. Ace does carry a limited line of Craftsman stuff, don't know how willing they are to order in warranty replacements for stuff they don't carry. I doubt that I could warranty almost anything Craftsman in less than 2 weeks. I could mail order warranty almost any other brand in about the same time or less. I could buy a cheap ebay used item and get it in less than a week. Same with Amazon. Or, buy stuff at NAPA that would have instant warranty. Still, would be a pretty rare occurence where that warranty was needed. Unless the tool was substandard to start with, and then the warranty is the least of your problems.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I'd check your numbers, considering there's less than 2 million pro mechanics in the USA, and I'd be surprised if the brand exposure of Craftsman or Husky is all that much outside.

http://www.economicmodeling.com/2012/08/31/occupation-report-mechanics-2009-2012/

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/home.htm

Shows that there are over 4 million people working in mechanic positions in America alone.

This does not include the $2 trillion (12%) in the "shadow economy" of unreported earnings.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Reading Yarpo's post made me understand even more that JazzBlueRT thinks that Craftsman are the easiest to warranty? Might be in your case, but for a lot of people, a sears store isn't available near them, or are out of stock on most everything and have to order it anyway. That's my situation; just a small hometown store in town, big Sears 120 miles away. Ace does carry a limited line of Craftsman stuff, don't know how willing they are to order in warranty replacements for stuff they don't carry. I doubt that I could warranty almost anything Craftsman in less than 2 weeks. I could mail order warranty almost any other brand in about the same time or less. I could buy a cheap ebay used item and get it in less than a week. Same with Amazon. Or, buy stuff at NAPA that would have instant warranty. Still, would be a pretty rare occurence where that warranty was needed. Unless the tool was substandard to start with, and then the warranty is the least of your problems.

If you are 4.367 light years on Alpha Centauri, it does not stop the fact that the bulk Craftsman sets, when on sale, represent the best value in tools in America.

If you do not think the warranty will often be used, your entire rant is pointless.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-2-in-drive-quick-release-teardrop-ratchet/p-00944809000P

...but the part numbers in the set you recommend (44809 for example) do come with a 36T ratchet. Are you just vehemently trying to defend craftsman at this point that you forgot the basis of the conversation/argument? I think its "Good starter tools or tool set for a lube tech" and if hes gotta go out and buy new 84T ratchets to compliment his set, hes wasting money.

I do realize that, my boss is one of those guys. Best mechanic I know. It doesn't change the fact that using his tools when I work with him *****. Ratchets skipping and or locking up is the name of the game when I work with him I was always taught to work smarter not harder tho, so I'll take a ratchet with better ergonomics and more teeth every day.

1. I never said the 84 tooth ratchets were part of the set, I said Craftsman has them.
2. The 36T ratchets are more than adequate to get the job done which is what a starter set if for.
3. The 36T ratchets can be used without skipping and auto-reversing. Learn to use the tool.
4. The only benefit of the higher tooth count ratchet is the swing arc. If you are not in a confined space (which a lube tech will most likely not encounter), there is no benefit.
5. Higher tooth counts come at the expense of tool strength. This should be obvious.
6. There are Craftsman sets which come with the 84T ratchet if that is what you want.
7. Most mechanics will buy many ratchets throughout there career.
8. A higher tooth count ratchet does not make you "work smarter."
9. Listen and learn from your boss.
10. Ergonomics is relative to personal preferences. For many, nice shiny, full polish tools do not mix well with oil and grease. Try one-handed-flipping one of those full polish wrenches in a tight spot. LOL. How productive are you constantly picking up your dropped wrench.

I hope this answers all your future imaginary problems.

 

[louiec6]

Most of my sockets are older US Craftsman but for "upgrading" my ratchets I've had great luck with Tekton and Gearwrech. I have noticed a drop in quality from the couple things I've broke from being *******... Dont use daily but they feel much better than my Craftsmans and warranties are good. Probably not the best opinion here but if your starting and on a budget I'd go with Tekton... more bang for your buck

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Parrothead]

2. The 36T ratchets are more than adequate to get the job done which is what a starter set if for.
3. The 36T ratchets can be used without skipping and auto-reversing. Learn to use the tool.

Not the Craftsman RP ratchets!!! That’s just silly. Are there good 36t ratchets? Of course! The Williams for under $30 on Amazon is an example. However recommending the Craftsman 36t to anyone is just a bad idea, and weakens the rest of your argument.

There are quite a few threads on the Craftsman RP ratchet, and some even considered it the worst ever (Sberry for one). Other than the plastic selector tri lobe ratchets, I’d agree. And yes I’ve used them at work too.

The rest of your arguments can be debated on their own merits, but not that.

 

[Mr_B]

GearWrench is made in China along with the rest of Apex tools. There are tons of posts about that in this forum.

Lot of it still made in taiwan, chrome sockets and ratchets being taiwan if check boxes or email a seller to confirm . newer model ratchets such as locking flex heads still taiwan as my lad had a 84T set recently via amazon as too steal cheap not to buy .

I don't like all of Gearwrench range but the socketry and ratchets are both affordable and pretty decent quality and design thus a good first option for a startout pro .
current socketry tekton, cm and husky while cheap and tekton warranty easy is all very basic design and not what I would want use/handle daily and live with for early years of career .
I for one not great fan of full polished tools, that why I like knurled sockets and extensions and my personal preference is half polished half satin sockets with knurl (taiwan premier) and for wrenches I prefer more satin finish like stahlwille, facom or toptul .
For pro use keeping ratchets around 60 tooth to 90 tooth tends give best result in usability strength/price, well designed higher count ratchets with 5 to 7 teeth engagement pawl are stronger than single tooth low count but most of these are higher cost, williams and carlyle about best 2 lower cost ratchet options. Carlyle good as warranty easy and if use napa at your work you likely get warranty tool dealt with without leaving the shop, Makes the carlyle ratchets very good lower cost pro buy as they good spec/design/strength and have usable life warranty currently .
Going over 100tooth pretty little benefit, best get couple gearless and stubby gearless when can and indeed having couple older low count ratchets in the box can be handy but that all things that happen in time as picking up more tools .

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I also bought a fair bit of HF stuff right off the bat when I was a newb....of course 99% of went in the scrap bin within the first few years (some of it with near injury causing failures) and I ended buying off the dreaded tool trucks, but the only stuff from that source that I don't have after 20 years are items I lost....It's ok to buy what you can afford, whatever that my be, we all have to start somewhere.

 

[Parrothead]

...current socketry tekton, cm and husky while cheap and tekton warranty easy is all very basic design and not what I would want use/handle daily and live with for early years of career .

Matco Silver Eagle = Husky

Not sure if you’re aware of that or not. There’s even a pic on here showing both stamping on the same socket.

 

[Mr_B]

Matco Silver Eagle = Husky

Not sure if you’re aware of that or not. There’s even a pic on here showing both stamping on the same socket.

Seen that thread, Even with matco stamped on them and if Husky pricing I wouldn't buy them, don't like the design and finish not overly great . Matco prices on those is ridiculous ...

 

[NUTTSGT]

Sorry to the OP, but there has been enough of the back and forth arguing. This thread is done.