Stop the sockets

[jonkav]

I would like to expand my tool collection (new homeowner... I have that itch to fix things that aren't broken. Yet.), and, having just flipped through my recently arrived Craftsman catalog I was disappointed to find that every collection has a set of sockets. I already have 3 sets of them and really do not need more of them (read, I don't want to pay for something I don't need nor use).

This is half rant, half open for suggestions. I'm just a normal guy doing normal projects (ie, no real auto, heavy-duty stuff), so the top of the line brands aren't an option (due to cost) (nor do I need a slew of speciality tools or ones that I could drop from the Empire State Building without suffering a scratch). A premade set/collection would be nice, since a la carte is going to be more expensive... Perhaps I need to look somewhere other than Craftsman for my set...

Thoughts?

 

[l_bilyk]

What type of tool set is it that you want exactly?

 

[chevy302dz]

What type of work do you plan to do primairly.

 

[dink]

Klein tools are terribly priced and they dont do sockets

Pratt-Read does Screwdrivers and pliers and adjustable wrenches

http://www.pratt-read.com/

 

[kartracer55]

Well you can never have too many tools. Maybe for you it isnt worth having duplicates due to the nature of the things you do, but most mechanics have at least two of everything... in one form or another. You cant stop working because you broke a tool.

Anyway, what exactly are you doing, and what exactly do you want?


What sorts of scokets do you already have? I good general tool box to tackle light repair work (basic lawnmower stuff, kids bike, etc) should have..

A set of metric and standard wrenches...
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...vertical=TOOL&pid=00947045000&subcat=Wrenches

this is the metric set, $25, pick up the SAE set as well.

get a set of screwdrivers...
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00947037000
these are $20

And a set of pliers...
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...s&vertical=TOOL&pid=00945395000&subcat=Pliers
$20

As for sockets, you should have a decent selection of 3/8 stuff. deep and shallow, metric and standard, preferably 6pt.

for 1/4 just shallow in metric and standard will suffice.

with these tools, you will be able to take care of most projects around the house

Jim

 

[dink]

Well you can never have too many tools. Maybe for you it isnt worth having duplicates due to the nature of the things you do, but most mechanics have at least two of everything... in one form or another. You cant stop working because you broke a tool.

Anyway, what exactly are you doing, and what exactly do you want?


What sorts of scokets do you already have? I good general tool box to tackle light repair work (basic lawnmower stuff, kids bike, etc) should have..

A set of metric and standard wrenches...
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...vertical=TOOL&pid=00947045000&subcat=Wrenches

this is the metric set, $25, pick up the SAE set as well.

get a set of screwdrivers...
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00947037000
these are $20

And a set of pliers...
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...s&vertical=TOOL&pid=00945395000&subcat=Pliers
$20

As for sockets, you should have a decent selection of 3/8 stuff. deep and shallow, metric and standard, preferably 6pt.

for 1/4 just shallow in metric and standard will suffice.

with these tools, you will be able to take care of most projects around the house

Jim

Personally what I do I figure out exactly what tools are going to be used the most...either metric or fractional...if i find I am using fractional the most....I buy better quality fractional stuff so you know it will be there for awhile....and cheaper on the other things

 

[ranger_dood]

I buy tools as I need them

Like today, I found that I need a 15/16ths socket to get the blade off of our Lawnboy... guess where I'm headed

 

[dink]

YOur probably going to need something to keep that blades still....they sell things that lock the blade in place so it doesnt swivel while your loosening....Sears sells them

 

[ranger_dood]

I use a block of wood. Works great! Cheap, too.

 

[eschoendorff]

I use a block of wood. Works great! Cheap, too.

Yup.. Good ol' block of wood. That and a 15/16" impact socket and an impact gun makes changing blades too easy.

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

Buy the BIG Combo set, sell the unwanted Stuff here or on ebay. I always need another set of sockets somewhere

 

[ranger_dood]

Yep, I use the impact for blades. Funny, though... my lawn tractor uses a smaller nut to hold the blades on than the lawnboy does. I had the right socket for that job, but don't for the lawnboy

 

[kartracer55]

I usually impact the blades off as well. Its a real pain to tr and hold them while your doing this

 

[jonkav]

I've been pondering it, and I guess just getting what I need will work.. that is, a set of screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers... I'll keep it simple for now since I need to get the electrical tools as well (circ. saw, good drill, etc.).

*sigh* Nothing like starting from scratch.

 

[kartracer55]

As for electrical tools. be leary of craftsman, just a heads up. Youll be fine with craftsman hand tools, although you might want to invest in a nicer 3/8 ratchet, liek thier PRO slim head or an SK... but if you get the SK youll def get the tool bug...

Jim

 

[jonkav]

Thanks--I didn't plan on doing all my shopping at Sears... Consumer Reports has done a few articles on various power tools in the past year, and I'll be consulting those (and this list <G>).

 

[kartracer55]

Thanks--I didn't plan on doing all my shopping at Sears... Consumer Reports has done a few articles on various power tools in the past year, and I'll be consulting those (and this list <G>).

You need to be careful with those kinds of reports... they are all for INITIAL quality, youll never hear about how they hold up in the long run. Just come to the board when you want to make a purchase. There are enough people on here to help you make the best choice in terms of quality and price.

Jim

 

[jonkav]

That would make for a better test--start the tool up, and see how long it will run until it keels over. Or, see how much force it takes to seize the drill... etc.