starting to tinker on things, looking to pick up some socket sets

[wttwoa]

in the past few months ive started to work and tinker on more and more mechanical stuff, and im in the process of doing a teardown on a yamaha kodiak. the only tools i actually own is a kobalt 34 piece wrench set and a craftsman 7 piece ratcheting wrench set. so far ive used them at any chance i can and they work just fine and have held up great without breaking anything. im wanting to pick up a set of 1/4 sockets and 3/8 sockets, and down the road get a small 1/2 set for bigger stuff. i was looking to keep it around $130 if possible and i was thinking of getting a gearwrench 47 pc. 1/4 socket set thats all 6 point from tooltopia for $38.60 and the gearwrench 63pc. 3/8 master socket set for $72, but then i saw that on lowes there is a kobalt 227 piece set thats on sale for $99 and it has 1/4,3/8, and 1/2 in 6pt and 12pt, but it also has ratchets that i can use until i can get better ones and will be cheaper than the gearwrench set. anyone have any pros and cons of each? one thing i was wondering about was warranty, because at my local lowes it looks like most of the kobalt stuff is being replaced by stanley, and i think advanced will warranty sockets if they have them in stock.

here are the links for the sets:

Gear Wrench 80314D 1/4 socket set: http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80314D

Gear Wrench 80718 3/8 socket set: http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80718

kobalt set: http://www.lowes.com/pd_573344-22328-86756_1z0ufn2Z1z140vv__?productId=50200795&pl=1#img

 

[kctyphoon]

Any will be fine.. Typically the larger set you buy will give you more for your money.. Craftsman has a ton of stuff on sale now. I suggest you look at their website.. Just buy whatever you like..

 

[jn50308401]

For non professional use, any of those are good choices.

but I have a cats and dogs mix of Craftsman, Kobalt, Armstrong etc.. which for my uses as a home guy are just fine. I've worn out impacts but my chrome tools seem to be fine some after 8 years of pro use and home duty.

My Lowe's has lots of Kobalt chrome sockets, so you may have to hit other stores.

Save your money for air tools, ratchets and screwdrivers. They make life easier in the shop.

Good luck and enjoy your project!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[wttwoa]

For non professional use, any of those are good choices.

but I have a cats and dogs mix of Craftsman, Kobalt, Armstrong etc.. which for my uses as a home guy are just fine. I've worn out impacts but my chrome tools seem to be fine some after 8 years of pro use and home duty.

My Lowe's has lots of Kobalt chrome sockets, so you may have to hit other stores.

Save your money for air tools, ratchets and screwdrivers. They make life easier in the shop.

Good luck and enjoy your project!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

i have a ir 1/2" impact but im unsure of the model number off the top of my head, i just need a bigger air compressor to run it. and i have a few assorted screwdrivers that are decent, but i was going to get a set of vessel jis screwdrives for working on carbs. and for ratchets i have a kickass little sk 1/4 ratchets thats the first non craftsman ive owned, and i was thinking of getting either another sk in 3/8 or a armstrong maxx

 

[jn50308401]

i have a ir 1/2" but im unsure of the model number off the top of my head, i just need a bigger air compressor to run it. and i have a few assorted screwdrivers that are decent, but i was going to get a set of vessel jis screwdrives for working on carbs. and for ratchets i have a kickass little sk 1/4 ratchets thats the first non craftsman ive owned, and i was thinking of getting either another sk in 3/8 or a armstrong maxx

SK and Armstrong make nice stuff. I bought my Snap on ratchets off of Ebay, they were about 25-40 bucks a piece for the 30 tooth ratchets I got. Some were mint some were used, but now they are all used [emoji16]

A good compressor will make a HUGE difference in your shop work.

I have old Craftsman flat blade screwdrivers for pry bars and Snap on's for everything else. A good bit set and ratcheting screwdriver is handy too.

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[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have a Set of Gearwrench sockets in 1/4" and they have served me well. I have never really been impressed with Kobalt.

I love my SK ratchets! Don't be afraid to buy a used one off eBay, they usually can be had for less then $20. SK will send you a rebuild kit if needed, so the support is there. I don't own any Armstrong ratchets so I can't comment on those.

 

[angrysmileyface]

In my car bag. ( the one I take to the recycling yard I have 3/8 kobalt metric set and task force1/4 deepwells. ) I find myself doing more work with the kobalt just because they're more convinient

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[pedrodagr8]

Don't scrimp on screwdrivers, especially if you plan to work on more than cars. I have heard some good things about those Vessel JIS drivers, I have also heard good things about the Hozan JIS kit. For everything else, go with one of the name brands Wera (awesome, the laser tips DO work), Wiha, PB Swiss, Snap-On, etc. There is very little more frustrating than a stripped out screw head.

 

[bonneyman]

Make sure you grab a nice set of deep offset box wrenches. Sockets and ratcheting box wrenches are great for alot of tasks, but sometime you need to undo a fastener that's buried and a socket or regular wrench won't work.

And if yiou work with alot of screws a ratcheting screwdriver will save your arm.

 

[ijroorda]

If your budget would stretch a little, you might take a look at this set at Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

Don't pay $200 for it; they often run coupons for this set, or you can use the 20% or 25% off coupon (easy to come by online or in the back of a car/truck magazine) to bring the price down to $150-160. This is a fairly complete socket set (I think it's better than the Kobalt set you posted) in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive, including Torx and hex bit sockets. The quality on the sockets is very good; ratchets aren't anything super special but they will work fine for a while (or pick up some better ones while you're in the store); likewise, the pliers and screwdrivers aren't anything to write home about but will work for a lot of stuff. The set is a little short on wrenches, but sounds like you've already got those.

If this is outside the budget, I completely understand that, and I don't think you'd go wrong with the Kobalt set as a starter kit; you can always add to it later as needed. Just thought I'd throw the Harbor Freight set out as a suggestion since I think it's a very good place to start.

 

[jn50308401]

Don't scrimp on screwdrivers, especially if you plan to work on more than cars. I have heard some good things about those Vessel JIS drivers, I have also heard good things about the Hozan JIS kit. For everything else, go with one of the name brands Wera (awesome, the laser tips DO work), Wiha, PB Swiss, Snap-On, etc. There is very little more frustrating than a stripped out screw head.

Agreed. Good pliers, side cutters and screwdrivers are the place a DIY guy should spend some bucks, at least for hand tools anyway.

My chrome sockets have held up fine over the years(no impact use!) but cheap pliers ehh..errr.. well.. not so much.

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[oldldh]

I have both of the GearWrench sets you listed...

Dynamite tools...

You'll really like them...

Mine came from www.tooldiscounter.com , best price I was able to find...

 

[63mothership]

You also might wanna look at the kobalt 300 piece set.

 

[John in OH]

Any of the sets you listed will serve your needs in a DYI environment. I've noticed that there are a lot of good deals during these holidays where you can get nice sets of multiple tools for not much cash. Keep shopping around until you are happy with a set.

Be aware, however, that nearly all of these tools ... Gearwrench, Kobalt, CM, etc. are made in China (with perhaps a few Taiwan items mixed in). Maybe this doesn't matter to you, and that's OK. But I try to avoid Chinese tools whenever I can. Not that they are necessarily poor quality, but I just hate to send my money to China.

Lastly, don't get hung-up on the warranty issue. Far too many guys here on GJ make a big deal of warranty, but I've been puttzing around with tools for over 50 years as a non-professional and I can probably count on one hand the number of tools that I've actually broken in non-abusive situations.

 

[Dookie2122]

I have both of the GearWrench sets you listed...

Dynamite tools...

You'll really like them...

Mine came from www.tooldiscounter.com , best price I was able to find...

oldldh did the sets come with the trays?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have both of the GearWrench sets you listed...

Dynamite tools...

You'll really like them...

Mine came from www.tooldiscounter.com , best price I was able to find...

THIS. I have a slew on Snap On and more and more GW lately.

I consistently recommend GW now.

 

[ChrisPace]

I see some nice deals of eBay occasionally. Seems like most of the Gearwrench sockets and the better ratchets are packaged as Made in Taiwan. I just bought a nice kit from Advance Auto Parts for my car. 118 set kit for $99 minus some Speed Perks points I had.

 

[John in OH]

This is a nice 239-piece GearWrench master set that I saw at my local NAPA store a few days ago:



It was priced out of your price range, but if you look around on-line you may be able to find it at a more reasonable price. Somewhat comparable to the Kobalt set you posted but probably better quality.

Of course, you'll still need to add screwdrivers, pliers, hammer or two, etc.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Skip the 1/2" drive stuff. I almost NEVER use mine any more ! Craftsman, especially the older stuff, and HF, the newer stuff, are your "best bang for the buck". Unless you are working on older lawnmowers and outdoor power equipment (like I do), you can almost skip buying SAE sizes. 6 point, 3/8" drive regular and deep and 6 point 1/4" drive are really what you will use most of the time.

A 3/8" drive flex head ratchet, in addition to a regular ratchet, a universal joint and several different length extensions are a must. So is a 1/4" drive "hand spinner" ("screwdriver handle") which turns your sockets into nut drivers.

After almost 50 years of twisting wrenches nuder the ol' shade tree, the tools I do NOT own, because I have never really needed them, are a 1/4" drive ratchet (I use the hand spinner or a 1/4" drive breaker) and 1/4" drive deep sockets (I expanded my 3/8" set to the smallest size Craftsman makes). I still have NOT run into any 12 point bolts/nuts, but I know they exist.

 

[four.cycle]

Lastly, don't get hung-up on the warranty issue. Far too many guys here on GJ make a big deal of warranty, but I've been puttzing around with tools for over 50 years as a non-professional and I can probably count on one hand the number of tools that I've actually broken in non-abusive situations.

^ true.

I can count all the tools I've broken in the last 40 years on one hand and still have a bunch of fingers left over.
Simple:
1. Don't use cheap-*** tools.
2. Don't use a 1/4" drive tool when you should be using a 3/8' drive tool.
3. Don't use a 3/8" drive tool when you should be using a 1/2" drive tool.
4. Don't use a 1/2" drive tool when you should be using a 3/4" drive tool.

i.e., use the correct tool to do the job and you won't have to worry about "warranty".

All kinds of deals on Ebay on socket sets if you pick through all the fluff. Check the "Hot Deals" thread - I've posted several on there recently.

 

[wttwoa]

I have a Set of Gearwrench sockets in 1/4" and they have served me well. I have never really been impressed with Kobalt.

I love my SK ratchets! Don't be afraid to buy a used one off eBay, they usually can be had for less then $20. SK will send you a rebuild kit if needed, so the support is there. I don't own any Armstrong ratchets so I can't comment on those.

i love the sk ratchet and their warranty, i got it from a yardsale for $1 because he thought it was broke, and it was just packed full of dirt and the pawl that rides along the teeth was broke, and within 2 hours of talking to sk they already had a repair kit sent out

Don't scrimp on screwdrivers, especially if you plan to work on more than cars. I have heard some good things about those Vessel JIS drivers, I have also heard good things about the Hozan JIS kit. For everything else, go with one of the name brands Wera (awesome, the laser tips DO work), Wiha, PB Swiss, Snap-On, etc. There is very little more frustrating than a stripped out screw head.

i had already looked at a few good brands of screwdrivers, and i was seriously thinking of picking up the 334/6 kraftform, it seemed to be a good diy/home use between most of the sets i looked at.

If your budget would stretch a little, you might take a look at this set at Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html

Don't pay $200 for it; they often run coupons for this set, or you can use the 20% or 25% off coupon (easy to come by online or in the back of a car/truck magazine) to bring the price down to $150-160. This is a fairly complete socket set (I think it's better than the Kobalt set you posted) in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive, including Torx and hex bit sockets. The quality on the sockets is very good; ratchets aren't anything super special but they will work fine for a while (or pick up some better ones while you're in the store); likewise, the pliers and screwdrivers aren't anything to write home about but will work for a lot of stuff. The set is a little short on wrenches, but sounds like you've already got those.

If this is outside the budget, I completely understand that, and I don't think you'd go wrong with the Kobalt set as a starter kit; you can always add to it later as needed. Just thought I'd throw the Harbor Freight set out as a suggestion since I think it's a very good place to start.

i had thought about buying that set, but i decided not to because it was a little bit out of my budget and i figured id eventually upgrade anyways, and its a slippery slope for me with "its only $20-30 more" and then "well this is only $20 more than the previous set and it looks a lot better" and end up spending a lot more than i wanted to.

Agreed. Good pliers, side cutters and screwdrivers are the place a DIY guy should spend some bucks, at least for hand tools anyway.

My chrome sockets have held up fine over the years(no impact use!) but cheap pliers ehh..errr.. well.. not so much.

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i have some old klein pliers and side cutters, and i also have a pair of knipex cobra and its insane on how good they can grip, i plan on getting a pair of linesman pliers from them eventually.

I have both of the GearWrench sets you listed...

Dynamite tools...

You'll really like them...

Mine came from www.tooldiscounter.com , best price I was able to find...

i saw your post on the gearwrench thread and thats why i was thinking of getting both of those sets

 

[ijroorda]

i had thought about buying that set, but i decided not to because it was a little bit out of my budget and i figured id eventually upgrade anyways, and its a slippery slope for me with "its only $20-30 more" and then "well this is only $20 more than the previous set and it looks a lot better" and end up spending a lot more than i wanted to.

I hear ya big time on that one. Within your budget, then, the Kobalt set is definitely a good deal and a good place to start.

 

[oldldh]

oldldh did the sets come with the trays?

In a word ---

YEP!!!

 

[PJNJ]

OP - grab the Kobalt set while you can as it is being closed out. It's a good starter set and you should be able to do a fair amount of work with it. The good thing about it is that it has the drawers with spots for each of the sockets, wrenches and drivers. If you are missing one, it is immediately obvious so you know to look for it. And when closed it can be transported to where you are working. Then grab a 1/2" 24 inch long breaker bar from Harbor Freight. Get deep 1/2 impact sockets from HF or Sunex or Gray Pneumatic instead of chrome deep 1/2 sockets when you have the money.

Then start saving up for better ratchets. I would recommend the Armstrong 3/8 88 tooth locking flex, Gearwrench 120xp 1/4 flex comfort handle and a Wright 15 inch 1/2 ratchet. I would buy the 1/4 and 3/8 new and the Wright used off Ebay. You can also pick up an SK 1/2 10 inch ratchet cheap at most flea markets. I got one a few months ago for 8 bucks - cleaned and lubed it - works beautifully. They have made them forever and it is virtually indestructible.

Then better wrenches, screwdrivers, power tools, etc. and later better sockets. It starts but it never ends.

 

[wttwoa]

OP - grab the Kobalt set while you can as it is being closed out. It's a good starter set and you should be able to do a fair amount of work with it. The good thing about it is that it has the drawers with spots for each of the sockets, wrenches and drivers. If you are missing one, it is immediately obvious so you know to look for it. And when closed it can be transported to where you are working. Then grab a 1/2" 24 inch long breaker bar from Harbor Freight. Get deep 1/2 impact sockets from HF or Sunex or Gray Pneumatic instead of chrome deep 1/2 sockets when you have the money.

Then start saving up for better ratchets. I would recommend the Armstrong 3/8 88 tooth locking flex, Gearwrench 120xp 1/4 flex comfort handle and a Wright 15 inch 1/2 ratchet. I would buy the 1/4 and 3/8 new and the Wright used off Ebay. You can also pick up an SK 1/2 10 inch ratchet cheap at most flea markets. I got one a few months ago for 8 bucks - cleaned and lubed it - works beautifully. They have made them forever and it is virtually indestructible.

Then better wrenches, screwdrivers, power tools, etc. and later better sockets. It starts but it never ends.

i wasnt able to get to lowes today, i had to help my dad work on his silverado. the quick disconnect to the heater started leaking real bad and when he went to take it off it just broke and it was a pain in the *** to get it out. i looked on lowes website and the 2 sets of the 227 pc. set they had are showing as not available now, so im probably going to get the 250. pc and a small toolbox first thing in the morning. and the 1 thing i liked about the 227 is that it had those removable drawers and its all labeled on the case so its easy to see if something is missing. maybe i can get lucky and see one there. and i cant wait for the beginning of summer when the local flea market gets a lot more people, when i was younger i always got tired of my dad looking at every single person that had tools to sell, but now i know why

 

[PJNJ]

i wasnt able to get to lowes today, i had to help my dad work on his silverado. the quick disconnect to the heater started leaking real bad and when he went to take it off it just broke and it was a pain in the *** to get it out. i looked on lowes website and the 2 sets of the 227 pc. set they had are showing as not available now, so im probably going to get the 250. pc and a small toolbox first thing in the morning. and the 1 thing i liked about the 227 is that it had those removable drawers and its all labeled on the case so its easy to see if something is missing. maybe i can get lucky and see one there

Using your zip code check other stores in the area. Often different Lowes and HD will have tools in nearby stores. In addition, Home Depot has a Husky set for the holidays for $149.00. It's a lot like the Kobalt set though the layout is a little different. It's gotten pretty good reviews.
Here's a link -
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-268-Piece-H268MTS/203541462

There's also this set for $79.00 with a metal tool box. It's a heck of a deal. It has fewer tools but seems to have most of the necessary sockets for you to start with -
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-in-Metal-Box-200-Piece-H200MTSMB/205897981

The most important thing when purchasing tools (or anything for that matter) is patience. If you are not sure about the quality of a set or if you'll like it, think about it. If the price starts to creep up over $150.00 maybe you should think about buying a set of 3/8 first, then 1/4, then 1/2. At that point I would probably go a step up with Gearwrench and buy the 3/8 socket set.

Here's a really good holiday sale BOGO (buy one get one free) deal on Gearwrench with the 120 tooth ratchet in the 1/4 set and two 84 tooth ratchets in the 3/8 set from Amazon for $117.65 + $6.99 shipping

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012P736C4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Great deal for both complete sets for 124.64 shipped to your door. Advance Auto carries Gearwrench and should warranty them. I have all three sets of the 1/4 metric sockets (shallow, mid-depth, and deep) and the mid-length 3/8's metric sockets and they are very good - nice chrome, good fitment and none have broken yet in a years regular use. If you get these, go to HF and get the pro shallow and deep 1/2 impacts and the extendable 1/2 ratchet for now along with their 24 inch 1/2 breaker bar.

Whatever you end up doing - Good hunting and Merry Christmas (as it's now Christmas Eve).

 

[wttwoa]

Using your zip code check other stores in the area. Often different Lowes and HD will have tools in nearby stores. In addition, Home Depot has a Husky set for the holidays for $149.00. It's a lot like the Kobalt set though the layout is a little different. It's gotten pretty good reviews.
Here's a link -
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-268-Piece-H268MTS/203541462

There's also this set for $79.00 with a metal tool box. It's a heck of a deal. It has fewer tools but seems to have most of the necessary sockets for you to start with -
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-in-Metal-Box-200-Piece-H200MTSMB/205897981

The most important thing when purchasing tools (or anything for that matter) is patience. If you are not sure about the quality of a set or if you'll like it, think about it. If the price starts to creep up over $150.00 maybe you should think about buying a set of 3/8 first, then 1/4, then 1/2. At that point I would probably go a step up with Gearwrench and buy the 3/8 socket set.

Here's a really good holiday sale BOGO (buy one get one free) deal on Gearwrench with the 120 tooth ratchet in the 1/4 set and two 84 tooth ratchets in the 3/8 set from Amazon for $117.65 + $6.99 shipping

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012P736C4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Great deal for both complete sets for 124.64 shipped to your door. Advance Auto carries Gearwrench and should warranty them. I have all three sets of the 1/4 metric sockets (shallow, mid-depth, and deep) and the mid-length 3/8's metric sockets and they are very good - nice chrome, good fitment and none have broken yet in a years regular use. If you get these, go to HF and get the pro shallow and deep 1/2 impacts and the extendable 1/2 ratchet for now along with their 24 inch 1/2 breaker bar.

Whatever you end up doing - Good hunting and Merry Christmas (as it's now Christmas Eve).

holy **** thanks for that BOGO deal, theres enough in it that ive decided im going to get it. between the first 2 i was thinking of getting its $124.50 for both master sets with no ratchets or extensions, and with the 80500F set the only thing its missing is 5/32 shallow in 1/4, 20-22 in shallow and deep, 24mm deep, and the 2 spark plug sockets, and i already have the spark plug sockets. but at the same time i get the 120xp 1/4 ratchet with extensions and 2 3/8 ratchets with extensions. im going to order the set later on today. now if they only sold a 20-24mm set to satisfy my ocd . and is there a reason they dont make a 23mm socket at all? also, ive never heard of cpo outlets, have you had any experience with them?

here is a spreadsheet i made in about 10 minutes to see what the different sets had, master sets on left, 80500F set on the right. what is missing between the sets is in blue
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W1yGDnWgAc7JpaO3pwqoiMT_7363sXysiqNAxbwaqO0/edit?usp=sharing

cheers and merry christmas

 

[PJNJ]

I have a couple of older cman socket sets that came in the blow molded black case with red drawers. The 3/8 set goes up to 22mm but I really don't remember using anything over 19mm. When I get to that size, I'm usually looking for my 12 inch ratchet and sockets.

I also have another potential recommendation for 1/2 sockets. About 13 years ago, I bought a set of Stanley 1/2 SAE deep impacts at Walmart when I was low on cash. I was going to upgrade them but they have worked so well over the years that I still use them. Here's a link to Amazon -
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIKA4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
They still get a top rating on Amazon and like I said they have been great over the years for me. None broken or deformed.

You can get the deep metric and deep sae set for $43.23 shipped to you free.
Grab some extensions with a 20% coupon at HF and the extending ratchet next day with another 20% coupon. Wait for a week or so and get the shallow impacts one set at a time with a coupon.
Here's a link for the extendable ratchet -
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-extendable-ratchet-62311.html
Don't forget the breaker bar too.


P.S. I've ordered from CPO once (maybe twice - getting old and starting to lose it) with no problem.
Double P.S. - WOW really good spreadsheet. Impressive.

 

[wttwoa]

I have a couple of older cman socket sets that came in the blow molded black case with red drawers. The 3/8 set goes up to 22mm but I really don't remember using anything over 19mm. When I get to that size, I'm usually looking for my 12 inch ratchet and sockets.

I also have another potential recommendation for 1/2 sockets. About 13 years ago, I bought a set of Stanley 1/2 SAE deep impacts at Walmart when I was low on cash. I was going to upgrade them but they have worked so well over the years that I still use them. Here's a link to Amazon -
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIKA4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
They still get a top rating on Amazon and like I said they have been great over the years for me. None broken or deformed.

You can get the deep metric and deep sae set for $43.23 shipped to you free.
Grab some extensions with a 20% coupon at HF and the extending ratchet next day with another 20% coupon. Wait for a week or so and get the shallow impacts one set at a time with a coupon.
Here's a link for the extendable ratchet -
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-extendable-ratchet-62311.html
Don't forget the breaker bar too.


P.S. I've ordered from CPO once (maybe twice - getting old and starting to lose it) with no problem.
Double P.S. - WOW really good spreadsheet. Impressive.

sweet, thanks for the recommendations, and accounting during high school helped with making and organizing spreadsheets very quickly.

 

[wttwoa]

my sister was still on vacation so i wasnt able to order it yet but i will today when she comes back to eat with the family, but i found a old plastic tub in the very bottom corner of our shed today, and it had 2 craftsman -v- breaker bars and a sk breaker bar, all of them 1/2 and a old mit branded impact socket set from i think 9/16 to 1-1/4. i think now im gonna get a 3.8 flex head ratchet and i found a sales paper thats good til 12/31 that has a super coupon for their 1/4,3/8, and 1/2 torque wrench for $11.99 and im gonna get the 1/2 saturday, and then go back and get a metric impact socket set sunday with another 20% off coupon

 

[wttwoa]

little bit of an update. the gearwrench sets came in early from cpo outlets, i just talked to them and they said it wasnt even shipped out so i dont know if the guy mis-read or something in their system got messed up, but its nice to finally have my own ratchets and sockets and not having to use my dads. its not high end or snap on, but you have to start somewhere right? i picked up the 3/8 flex and 1/2 torque at harbor freight monday while the coupons were good. now i just need to get a tool box instead of a surplus army mechanics bag and just throwing everything in.

my only complaint out of the whole thing is on the 3/8 set some of the sockets have what looks like rough silver paint on the bottom of them, some have a nice layer where you cant even tell its there, and on maybe 3 out of the whole set its horrible. at first i thought it was just chrome already missing but on ever socket ive been able to get it off so far if i scratch it enough with my finger nail. do they spray the inside of the sockets with something? its like it overflowed.

in all im really happy i finally happy i got my own sets, and in between the christmas hall i only spent right at $155

 

[thugline]

little bit of an update. the gearwrench sets came in early from cpo outlets, i just talked to them and they said it wasnt even shipped out so i dont know if the guy mis-read or something in their system got messed up, but its nice to finally have my own ratchets and sockets and not having to use my dads. its not high end or snap on, but you have to start somewhere right? i picked up the 3/8 flex and 1/2 torque at harbor freight monday while the coupons were good. now i just need to get a tool box instead of a surplus army mechanics bag and just throwing everything in.

my only complaint out of the whole thing is on the 3/8 set some of the sockets have what looks like rough silver paint on the bottom of them, some have a nice layer where you cant even tell its there, and on maybe 3 out of the whole set its horrible. at first i thought it was just chrome already missing but on ever socket ive been able to get it off so far if i scratch it enough with my finger nail. do they spray the inside of the sockets with something? its like it overflowed.

in all im really happy i finally happy i got my own sets, and in between the christmas hall i only spent right at $155

Just curious, what is the COO on the Gearwrench sets? Rumor has it that newer sets are now made in China.

 

[PJNJ]

Congratulations on the new sets. I like that because of the cases, they can be brought to the job at hand. And you can always tell if something is missing. It looks like you have made a great start on your own tool set.

As to the paint, a lot of the manufacturers are putting a corrosion resistant coating/paint on the inside of the sockets. Sometimes it seems to be over/inconsistently applied to some sockets. It'll wear off with use.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

(Assuming those are the Taiwan GW)...I see no reason to buy Snap On.

I have both. I use them correctly and they are great.

The comment about "not being top end like Snap on".... I'd say that applies to their needle nose pliers, but not so much sockets.

 

[wttwoa]

(Assuming those are the Taiwan GW)...I see no reason to buy Snap On.

I have both. I use them correctly and they are great.

The comment about "not being top end like Snap on".... I'd say that applies to their needle nose pliers, but not so much sockets.

sweet, ive never bought anything gearwrench,and i thought their quality was around kobalt and craftsman, but its really nice imo for how little i paid

Just curious, what is the COO on the Gearwrench sets? Rumor has it that newer sets are now made in China.

both of the sets COO is Taiwan thankfully

Congratulations on the new sets. I like that because of the cases, they can be brought to the job at hand. And you can always tell if something is missing. It looks like you have made a great start on your own tool set.

As to the paint, a lot of the manufacturers are putting a corrosion resistant coating/paint on the inside of the sockets. Sometimes it seems to be over/inconsistently applied to some sockets. It'll wear off with use.

at first i started to get pissed because i thought the chrome was already chipping, but then i remember that on a thread hear someone said exactly what you said, some brands started spraying the inside of the socket since they cant get even chrome on the inside.

 

[stage20]

do not buy the kobalts. the laser etching will wear off over time. their etching is not like craftsman and armstrong type sockets. plus they are mostly 12pt

the gearwrench is the nicest stuff youll get from overseas except maybe blue point stff. their sockets are nice but i have a hard time reading them over other brands.

 

[wttwoa]

do not buy the kobalts. the laser etching will wear off over time. their etching is not like craftsman and armstrong type sockets. plus they are mostly 12pt

the gearwrench is the nicest stuff youll get from overseas except maybe blue point stff. their sockets are nice but i have a hard time reading them over other brands.

i went to lowes on the 24th and i was about to get it, but i decided not to. the quality of the sets looked like it had dipped a bit since ive gotten the wrenches, thankfully they were stamped with the sizes instead of being etched