Starting from scratch

[diesel4mee]

So im looking to start buying my old tool instead of going to a friends shop every time I need to do/ work on something. I work on bikes and motorcycles and cars(little repairs as i have no hoist lift or tools HA).

SO i am looking to spend about 1k in craftsman tools seeing i don't work somewhere that a tool truck comes to and it to me is a pain finding one. Right now I have a list in my head. The only things I own at the moment at all is:

4 adjustable wrenches 6,8,10,12 inch craftsman
a screw driver set
claw hammer
rubber two sided hammer

Pathetic i know

My list in my head is
3 socket wrenches 1/4 3/8 1/2 inch drive
sockets both metric and std good amount like 100+
socket extension adapters and such
Wrenches open/closed combo
pliers set
channel locks
vise grips
hex keys
random other fastener bits
tape measure
any lobs in for starting up

 

[WSMC633]

Grab one of the big CMAN kits when they're on sale. You'll have a really good start for what you want to do.

 

[Need4racin]

Sears does 50% off on their craftsman handtool sets on holidays and black friday. The ratchets are crappy with a lot of slack, but you get all the sockets you need for really cheap. Just replace the ratchets with some good ones and you are good to go.

 

[redman43]

I agree. It sounds like your mind is made up that you want to go Craftsman, the big sets will give you a great start. Then you can add the extra pieces that didn't come in the big set as you need them.

 

[diesel4mee]

what ratchets are the crappy ones?

 

[Sterff]

All Craftsman ratchets are kind of hit or miss. Some of them will work for years while some new ones will last a week. I always had problems with the gear selector breaking. About 75% of my sockets are Craftsman and they serve me well. For ratchets I would get something better such as Macto or Snap-on.

 

[comosc]

what ratchets are the crappy ones?

I think they're talking about the raised panel ratchets, which do ****. But I believe member Indy_500 got a craftsman set that came with the thin profile ratchets which I've heard are way better than the raised panel.

 

[ledthrax]

The 302 piece set comes with the thing profile ratchets. If you keep watching the ads you should be able to get it for $199. I got mine for that price a few months back (not that I needed it, but I couldn't pass it up). The thin profile ratchets are much better than the raised panel ratchets.

 

[impulse922]

if you have 1k for all that stuff, look into some stuff offered by tooltopia, you can get some nice toolage for 1k.

gear wrench 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive kits
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80300.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80550.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80700.aspx

uber deal on SAE wrench set..(bahco)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002890VK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

metric combination wrench (wright)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I6OCEQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

allen key set (sae and metric)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002S0O8Q2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

channel lock plier set
http://www.tooltopia.com/channellock-5pckit.aspx

 

[mrholeshot]

Go with the Craftsman stuff. The raised panel ratchets **** but they will still get most jobs done. Despite the ratchets the sets are a really good deal

 

[baucom]

I'd recommend going to NAPA for your screwdriver set. Their blue & yellow handle screwdrivers are made by Witte (same as Matco & Cornwell) and are a much better screwdriver than anything Craftsman offers, IMO.

The big Craftsman socket sets are the way to go to get all of your sockets though. You can upgrade the ratchets later if you want/need to.

 

[Keep]

Well lets see.

Buy the craftsman full socket set, will include every socket you should ever need. Wait until it goes on sale, I think the last one was 50% off.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935299000P?prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=G19

Then head to amazon and look up wright ratchets, find the ones you like, pick them up and you should be set for a long time.

As for combo wrenches, the Gearwrench stuff is hard to beat, though I still like my craftsman.

 

[Keep]

Oh man....amazon has their Wright sets on sale

3/8 set - $29.95
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DOGS2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

1/2 set - $39.95
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LGC6SC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[LincolnCont.]

4 adjustable wrenches 6,8,10,12 inch craftsman
a screw driver set
claw hammer
rubber two sided hammer

Pathetic i know

My list in my head is
3 socket wrenches 1/4 3/8 1/2 inch drive
sockets both metric and std good amount like 100+
socket extension adapters and such
Wrenches open/closed combo
pliers set
channel locks
vise grips
hex keys
random other fastener bits
tape measure
any lobs in for starting up

Don't forget:

Punch/Chisel set
Prybars/Alignment Bars
File set
40oz. engineer hammer
Small Ball peen
32/48oz Deadblow
Hacksaw
Portable Lights
Picks
Creeper
Telescoping Mirror&Magnet
Fast Orange

 

[Danglerb]

The more tools you buy
The more work you can do
The more tools you can buy
repeat as needed.

Do you just want to buy a good set of tools and be done with it, or do you have some interesting in taking your time and hunting down good deals on excellent tools?

Path A
Sears, Amazon, Harbor Freight.

Path B
Sears, ebay, yard sales, estate sales, swap meets.

 

[dankicksass]

I like this combination set a lot, use them every day. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944098000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4
It goes on sale too, but if you get it on 15%+ off weekends with the sears5off50 coupon and free shipping on $75 you've done ok.

Everybody loves Gearwrench, and they're still on sale at True Value for $39 or less for the combination kits. (I think it's True Value, don't hold me to it, I couldn't find it using the search up top.)

I don't have any new teardrop Craftsman ratchets, only RHFT and they're all discontinued.

I dislike 12pt sockets and wrenches with all my knuckles.

 

[impulse922]

I like this combination set a lot, use them every day. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944098000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4
It goes on sale too, but if you get it on 15%+ off weekends with the sears5off50 coupon and free shipping on $75 you've done ok.

I dislike 12pt sockets and wrenches with all my knuckles.

6 point combination wrenches **** majorly in tight working space, i would only recommend them if he already had a 12pt set. I agree they are better when they can be used, but i have never had a problem unless the nuts/bolts were rusted.

 

[Indy_500]

The 302 piece set comes with the thing profile ratchets. If you keep watching the ads you should be able to get it for $199. I got mine for that price a few months back (not that I needed it, but I couldn't pass it up). The thin profile ratchets are much better than the raised panel ratchets.

x2 i got the same set, mine for $180 because w/purchases over 100, you got a $20 gift card. I love the thin profile ratchets and the socket variety

 

[crewchief888]

i'd grab a CM set to start, upgrade your ratchets as they break,

personally i prefer SO hard handle screwdrivers,

ive seen a lot of new SK popping up at flea mkts

my daily use wrenches are SO & matco,
i do have MAC, CM, SK, proto, armstrong, & williams
wrenches, ratchets, & screwdrivers are a personal "feel" everybody likes something different.

IMO nothing can beat (pricewise) an older (late 60's-early70's) CM roller cab and top box. or a used kennedy.

welcome to the dark side of the force

 

[southpier]

Don't forget:

Punch/Chisel set
Prybars/Alignment Bars
File set
40oz. engineer hammer
Small Ball peen
32/48oz Deadblow
Hacksaw
Portable Lights
Picks
Creeper
Telescoping Mirror&Magnet
Fast Orange

don't forget a box; there's another couple of hundred. the set will get you on your feet for reasonable $$$. right after christmas sears practically gives that stuff away.

 

[blue dog]

Like a lot of these guys told you, go to sears and get a craftsmen 250 or 300 piece setup. you can not beat it for the price and it will give you a good assortment of tools to work with. You stated you had a grand to spend, that will get you a lot of tools at sears, just upgrade the ratchets like these guys said, take all this with a grain of salt, most the guys around here like to bash craftsmen ratchets and raised panel wrenches, but they will get the job done like mrholeshot said. Ad a screwdriver set to your list and you will need a good assortment of wrenches in metric and sae Be care full, joining this forum has the potential to give you the tool buying addiction. Post up some pics when you get your new stuff.

 

[Red Green]

If you take the rasied panel C-man ratchet apart and lube it with some engine assembly lube they will work fine for you.

 

[blarf]

Oh man....amazon has their Wright sets on sale

3/8 set - $29.95
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DOGS2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

1/2 set - $39.95
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LGC6SC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's a steal! Too bad they don't stock the metric sets.

 

[JPRACING]

buy a complete set from sears,individual pieces will cost you a whole lot more

 

[cheap bastard]

The folks are right abou the CM sets. When you get tired of the ratchets, Ebay some Proto pear heads as they are inexpensive and very reliable. Round Industro or Duro ratchets would be a nice addition but you may have to scour the flea market/garage sale scene. Craftsman ball pien hammers are good. You really only need about three sizes. Enderes makes a few good basic punch and chisel sets. A decent selection is in the $35 range. Get a couple small pry bars, maybe a 12 and 24 inch.
Bikes, motorcycles and newer cars will mean many fasteners are threaded into aluminum. Give a set of taps and dies a thought for later. This is an area you want to look for quality as the warranty means nothing . Should you break one, it is your fault. They should not replace them for you. Getting a broken tap out can be one of the most frustrating jobs you may ever encounter.
For storage, hit Craig's List. The areas I regularly check are full of tool box deals.
If you are going to work on your cars, get service manuals for each one and pick up a code reader. Forty bucks will get you a basic model that can clear codes. The price goes up exponentially with increased capability.

 

[Keep]

That's a steal! Too bad they don't stock the metric sets.

True, but then I realized they are the "Cougar" line. Of course that is not listed in any of the descriptions. Still a good deal, though not as good as I originally thought.