Starting my own collection

[Grath]

Hey y'all, I am starting my very own tool collection! To start off, I am in high school and I am a huge motorhead. I love (not really) working on stuff that requires fuel to go vroom. I am constantly tinkering with my quad and sled depending on what time of the year it is. The only problem I have when working on something, is not having the right tools! I am always borrowing peoples wrenches, drivers, air tools and stuff like that and I'm TIRED of it. I want my own set, so I can save myself the hassle of biking down the hill to my neighbors house and asking him if I can dig through his pile of tools just so I can tighten the chain on my four wheeler. I want my own tools, so that I don't have to worry about loosing anything that isn't mine, or just letting things sit because I don't have the right size wrench.

I don't know much about tools, so I don't know the good from the bad. The only thing I know about tools is, well, that Snap-On is good and Craftsman is cheap and reliable (in most cases). I don't have a lot of money to spend on tools. So the whole reason for this thread is, what do I buy? I need some help picking and choosing the right tools to start out. No expensive stuff, remember, I am paying out of wallet which isn't very full.

 

[softailgarage]

Start out used and American. Hit the local swap meets, pawn shops and make Craigslist your best friend. Snap on will be too much for your wallet. Craftsman, old Craftsman (not the new ****)will probably fit the purpose, whatever it may be and will be reliable and low cost.

 

[Grath]

I have been looking on CL and found a few things. I am going to restore my ancient toolbox that is sitting out in the shed. Bang the dents out, straiten the drawers, sand it down, paint it up and it should work nice. I got a new 5 drawer craftsman roller with chest recently too. So I am set on storage, I just need to put the tools where they belong! I might buy a GearWrench 165pc set for now, since I have absolutely no tools at the moment.

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench...tm_term=KDT80932&utm_campaign=pricegrabber_r1

 

[ex-x-fire]

Looks like he lives close to Minneapolis, there should be alot places to get used stuff from.

 

[cowboy73]

Hit up the flea markets, yardsales, etc. Find some good used made in the USA stuff. Do you have a job? If so, allot a bit of your paycheck to buy some stuff. 10 bucks could go pretty far towards tools. Save up to buy bigger items. Basic hand tools aren't terribly expensive. You can start out with cheaper tools and upgrade as your needs change. Millions of hobbyists out there use Craftsman tools, even some pros. I started buying tools when I was 16 and had my first job. Write out a list and give it to your family so they could buy stuff for birthday, Christmas gifts.

 

[NHBandit]

Don't listen to these guys who tell you not to buy stuff you don't need... Do like I did when I was young. When you see a box of tools at the flea market or garage sale that has 1 or 2 tools in it you can use make a low offer to buy the whole box. Then when you get old like me you'll have enough stuff to put 5 guys to work, wonder why you have 12 9/16 wrenches but no 20mm, etc.. LoL Seriously I would grab some basic Craftsman sets while they are having their after Christmas sales and while it's still possible to find US made stuff if you look. The suggestion about buying whole boxes of older stuff still stands though. I'm betting nearly every guy reading this who goes to flea markets, car shows, etc. can relate to this... Have fun with it.

 

[davesnothere]

Gearwrench is a good value when starting out. You're on the right track OP.

 

[930dreamer]

I'd look at this one;

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/tls/3487324282.html

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/tls/3497582303.html

 

[Jim C.]

Hit up the flea markets, yardsales, etc. Find some good used made in the USA stuff. Do you have a job? If so, allot a bit of your paycheck to buy some stuff. 10 bucks could go pretty far towards tools. Save up to buy bigger items. Basic hand tools aren't terribly expensive. You can start out with cheaper tools and upgrade as your needs change. Millions of hobbyists out there use Craftsman tools, even some pros. I started buying tools when I was 16 and had my first job. Write out a list and give it to your family so they could buy stuff for birthday, Christmas gifts.

I agree. I started buying tools early on, about the time when I was in high school. I saved some money cutting lawns, shoveling snow, painting houses, etc. I usually got something for Christmas and birthdays too. As time went on, my tool collection started growing and becoming more diverse. Building a good set of tools takes time. In my case, it's taken decades. Start off with the basics, like a variety of screwdrivers, an SAE and metric socket set, as well as combination wrenches. I'm a DIYer and bought mostly Craftsman stuff. I've had good luck with them. With so many of their tools now being manufactured overseas, I've started buying more and more used USA made Craftsman tools at garage sales, flea markets, and online. One of the drawbacks to buying online are the shipping costs. That just eats into your tool buying budget. Still, some good deals can be had, so keep an eye on the auctions. Avoid gimmick tools like "dog bone" wrenches and stick to the basics.

Jim C.

 

[lbgradwell]

For your basic tools - wrenches, socketry, pliers, etc. - there is no need to buy new. You can find high quality tools on craigslist/kijiji, at yard/estate sales and so forth, for very little money. It won't take you long to get the basics either. Watch for USA, English, German primarily...

I would suggest you buy "opportunistically" too; if a high-quality tool is available for little money, seize the day!

And yes, as Jim mentions, avoid gimmicks...

 

[Burtonrider10022]

The Harbor Freight 300pc mechanics set for around $150 with sales/coupons might be a great way to get you moving w/o having to borrow stuff. Then, as things break or money permits you can replace them with quality tools.

Also, get your *** to your local Sears Outlet and see what they have left. Craftsman Industrial is being cleared out for damn near nothing. I got THIS set for $25.** a few weeks ago, so I bought one metric and one SAE for under $55. That's two 1/2" drive ratchets, two breaker bars, two extensions, 14 metric sockets, and 14 SAE sockets all Craftsman Industrial & USA Made for under $55. You CANNOT beat that. Anywhere.

 

[RECox286]

Beware, this forum is addictive, just like tools are. My suggestion:

become more familiar with Harbor Freight. Their tools may not be

as good as Snap-on, but at least one pro wrench turner out there is

using nothing but their tools, and they do run sales and have

coupons. Cheap enough to start, and easy enough to replace

if you find you need better stuff. It is always a good idea to

have cheap tools, especially if you have friends that drop over to

borrow a ____________. This is not to say that you shouldn't

keep an eye on CL, Sears, E-bay, Trader publications, and flea

markets, which, of course, is good advise. Do keep your eye out

for more common special tools that are priced right too. What you

don't want to be cheap about is test equipment such as code readers,

pressure gage kits, and other stuff that is becoming more necessary

as cars become more intricate.

Uncle Bob

 

[Jim C.]

The Harbor Freight 300pc mechanics set for around $150 with sales/coupons might be a great way to get you moving w/o having to borrow stuff. Then, as things break or money permits you can replace them with quality tools.

Also, get your *** to your local Sears Outlet and see what they have left. Craftsman Industrial is being cleared out for damn near nothing. I got THIS set for $25.** a few weeks ago, so I bought one metric and one SAE for under $55. That's two 1/2" drive ratchets, two breaker bars, two extensions, 14 metric sockets, and 14 SAE sockets all Craftsman Industrial & USA Made for under $55. You CANNOT beat that. Anywhere.

I forgot to mention the Craftsman Industrial tools at the Sears outlets. I recently bought a few things too. Good tools for a great price.

Jim C.

 

[188slo50]

Being your young buy the best you can afford. You can always upgrade to something better as money lets you. Like people have said check craigslist, ebay and local yard/garage sales. If you have harbor freight close buy than check out there stuff and for the most part you can probally mainly focus on Metric stuff for now with may be a 1/2 -3/4 standard wrench and sockets. I started about the same age and have also started building a smaller set of my extra stuff for my son cause Im sure hes going to need something some day.

 

[dirtmister16]

i started with craftsman and bought mainly that, but now you have to watch for the usa and buy the craftsman with that.


i agree with everyone else def, go to sales, pawn, fleas, ebay. but i wouldn't pass up good deals on gearwrench stuff long as it was taiwan they are a great starter and you can alway buy better stuff later on.

i still use all my craftsman tools today, though ive mixed in other brands along the way. im not a fan of anything from harbor frieght but if thats all you can afford go that route.


send me your address ill send ya some of my spare ratchets and a few other things i don't need anymore.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

i started with craftsman and bought mainly that, but now you have to watch for the usa and buy the craftsman with that.


i agree with everyone else def, go to sales, pawn, fleas, ebay. but i wouldn't pass up good deals on gearwrench stuff long as it was taiwan they are a great starter and you can alway buy better stuff later on.

i still use all my craftsman tools today, though ive mixed in other brands along the way. im not a fan of anything from harbor frieght but if thats all you can afford go that route.


send me your address ill send ya some of my spare ratchets and a few other things i don't need anymore.

That's a helluva offer!

 

[87FoRunner]

Have cash in hand, ready to strike on deals!

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Stay the hell away from the Snapon, Mac, Matco and Cornwell trucks when you are starting out.

I wouldn't spend a dollar and a quarter, much less $125 on any Gearwrench set. I've never found anything Gearwrench branded that was of any better quality than Harbor Freight stuff costing a third as much.

Honestly, I'd say to start with a good quality, basic 3/8 drive set (SK and Blackhawk are some excellent options for this and will last you a couple of lifetimes) and a good set of combination wrenches (maybe grab some USA Craftsmans while you still can). You can build from there, without wasting money on the "fillers" that come in most of the premade tool sets.

 

[Don 18]

When I was a teenager and got my first motorcycle, thats when I started buying the tools to fix it. I would buy a set to get the peice I needed. When I needed a 17mm socket to change the oil, I bought the Craftsman 3/8 deep socket set. It takes time to save the $$ but will save time later when you don't need to run to the store or a friends house for something.

Still have that Cman set and used them for 20 years until I found a good deal and upgraded to Snap-On. Now they are in the basement box so if I need something inside I don't have to go to the garage to get it

Before Christmas I found these on sale in the store for $10, all made in USA to boot.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc-6-pt-3-8-in-dr/p-00934554000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[Grath]

Well I went out in the pole shed, it's full of old old old tools and power tools/air tools etc. I was mainly looking for sockets. I found a bunch of standard S-K sockets, old Craftsman, Husky, Stanly, and some other USA brands. I didn't count exactly but I found probably about 25 sockets. I'll have to go scrounge for more stuff sometime! I think my main focus though is finding hand tools, and restoring that old red tool chest that is probably from the 60s at the latest.

 

[camarotoolman]

You probable woiuld need sae stuff. Most any usa brands will be good used. There are some big car and tractor swap meets in Wi. lots of tools for sell, course you'll have to wait till summer.

 

[dirtmister16]

thanks for your address graf, ill send out some things early this week. ill do my best to help ya out. it won't be top notch but i promise they will get ya by.

 

[dirtmister16]

dug around the garage today, found bunch of my old tools that i don't need anymore for you! ratchets, some wrenches,screwdrivers a few other odd bits.

hope you can get some good use out of it i know they worked well for me starting out. they aren't the best tools but they will work quite well.

 

[Gregg33]

If you want turn key convenience, buy Craftsman sets on sale, especially if you can find made in the USA stock.

If you are more adventuresome, buy used, flea markets, Kijiji, Craigslist, yard sales, from friends etc. Large lots of tools that are mixed up and dirty can go for cheap, if you got the patience to sort and clean them, it can be very rewarding and save you alot of $. Once you accumulate an inventory you can make up sets and even sell excess to offset your expenses. Keep in mind that you can complete sets with new sockets or wrenches, if you only need to buy 1 or 2 pieces new, it's still much cheaper than buying a whole new set. Also, especially at 1st, mixed brand sets will work just fine! One tool I avoid getting used (unless they are in near mint condition) are pliers and cutters, used ones often are dull or have stripped jaws. It seems from the tools you found in the pole shed you already have a good start. Happy hunting!

 

[dirtmister16]

hey noah i have some good news! i talked a few of my buddies on other forums and your getting more tools!

be prepared for some late christmas gifts!

 

[dirtmister16]

havn't heard from you. how is your search coming along? i know you had several boxes getting sent to from my friends.

hope it all go there in a timely manner.

 

[Grath]

Went looking on ebay, since I can't find a any metric sockets here or anywhere else. Is this an ok deal? Has all the sockets for working on my four wheeler I'd ever need.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130835159974