Suggestions for "heirloom" sockets and wrenches, with 200 budget

[thool]

I'll be buying the HF 44" toolbox for my garage, and am looking for a quality set of wrenches and sockets. One requirement is that they have to have a lifetime warranty, but a slightly more important requirement is that they are able to be handed down to the next generation with pride. My dad has a killer set of Craftsman and Williams tools from the 60s and I want to be like him with tool pride.

My typical usage is homeowner type jobs such as: auto maintenance, working on lawnmowers and small engines, tinkering around the house. Nothing ********, but I am picky about proper fit and durability.

I already have a Husky red flat toolbox with sockets (1/4" 3/8" 1/2") and a few wrenches. Also have the HF 1/2" deep impact sockets. Both of these will stay in my garage for a while, but are OK to eventually be displaced to my basement work area.

My budget is about $200 for this year. What are a couple good brands to start building up with, and what are some good tools to start with? I'm kind of OCD about staying in a brand family for a specific type of tool (e.g., one brand for wrenches, possibly another for shallow sockets). Also, I'll save another $200 for next year, so the collection will grow annually.

 

[M6erfan]

In your budget Williams USA (make sure they're USA) and SK come to mind. Don't think you can go wrong with either...

Warranty is important to you so buy new. If you go used Snap On or something, you may have warranty issues down the road.

GL!

 

[Pen3]

A small set of metric and sae wrenches alone is already over $200... For the budget you want, maybe used tools on eBay or the classified will do.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

In your budget Williams USA (make sure they're USA) and SK come to mind. Don't think you can go wrong with either...


GL!

add Wright and ProTo to the list,,,, Also check out Armstrong..
All are good tools.

 

[Askme42]

Perfect timing. Check this out. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=303172

 

[M6erfan]

add Wright and ProTo to the list,,,, Also check out Armstrong..
All are good tools.

Absolutely correct, Wright and Proto should not be overlooked. Proto doesn't get a ton of love here but they make some very good socket sets. Wright deserves a look, outstanding tools & family owned business (if that's important to you)

 

[Gotcha640]

Regarding passing down tools. My dad died when I was 4, left a great set of tools. Even as a teen, I knew I didn't want to risk losing his tools being an idiot kid. So I bought my own stuff. By the time I moved out, I had my own basic set, and I'd started upgrading when I lost/broke things.

Now I have the tools I need, a step-dad, kids of my own, and my dad's tools are still in the closet at my mom's house. The pipe wrench gets pulled out every few years, but the sockets, box wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, everything else a man thought he needed, haven't seen daylight in 28 years.

There's a reason they call them tools.

 

[Pen3]

The pipe wrench gets pulled out every few years, but the sockets, box wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, everything else a man thought he needed, haven't seen daylight in 28 years.

There's a reason they call them tools.

At first reading i though it said you haven't use tools in 28 years

 

[drtyler]

The SK 3/8 socket set 94549 is on special this weekend at HJE for SK Days. It has good coverage of metric and SAE sizes. That would be a good starting point for $172 plus shipping.

 

[thool]

Thanks, I am leaning toward Carlyle right now, but will check out the other brands mentioned here as well.

 

[firworks]

I'd recommend looking at the Wrightgrip wrench sets. They're extremely high quality wrenches that will last a lifetime and more. They really aren't too expensive either and can be had for a pretty good deal on eBay and sometimes Amazon. The Wright sets are labeled based on the following scheme:
- 7XX is a satin finish set
- 9XX is a chrome set
- X1X is a SAE set
- X5X is a Metric set.
- The last digit determines the number of wrenches in the set roughy. XX2 is a 12 piece. XX5 is a 15 piece. XX8 is an 18 piece.

Thus, Wrightgrip 958 is a chrome finish metric 18 piece. The Wrightgrip 715 is a satin finish SAE 15 piece set.

 

[Askme42]

I'd recommend looking at the Wrightgrip wrench sets. They're extremely high quality wrenches that will last a lifetime and more. They really aren't too expensive either and can be had for a pretty good deal on eBay and sometimes Amazon. The Wright sets are labeled based on the following scheme:
- 7XX is a satin finish set
- 9XX is a chrome set
- X1X is a SAE set
- X5X is a Metric set.
- The last digit determines the number of wrenches in the set roughy. XX2 is a 12 piece. XX5 is a 15 piece. XX8 is an 18 piece.

Thus, Wrightgrip 958 is a chrome finish metric 18 piece. The Wrightgrip 715 is a satin finish SAE 15 piece set.

For combo wrenches no doubt this is the way I would go.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Toolsdelivered.com - Williams, USA if required.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I am a long time fan of Wright, I have several sets I purchased in the 1970's, all have been worked hard, and never a problem.

 

[thor80]

Toolsdelivered.com - Williams, USA if required.

This^^good prices, heirloom quality, not sure about housing them in a hf box though...
That's not heirloom quality

 

[tjpavlov]

If you buy heirloom quality tools to whom is your father going to leave his?

 

[thool]

If you buy heirloom quality tools to whom is your father going to leave his?

Probably me, but his sets are incomplete, meaning that he bought a couple wrenches at a time as demand warranted.

This^^good prices, heirloom quality, not sure about housing them in a hf box though...
That's not heirloom quality

My focus now is the tools, with storage being a secondary priority. That may change.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Focus on sockets, you'll used them the most. Consider upping the budget or making a compromise on something else.

My suggestions would be Wright wrenches and Wright or Cornwell sockets.

With that budget you're going to need to shop around including the classifieds here.

 

[Shop Dad]

I just got a Wright pin spanner wrench that is definitely heirloom quality. Nice to support a family business too. If you consider German made Wera makes some great wrenches and sockets.

Doug

 

[speed bump]

Considering how much better tools are today than they were in the 60s if you just want something as an heirloom buy something flashy and chrome from a big company who's name your kids will recognize. Most of the reason Craftsman tools are so universally recognized today (particularly by people over 30) is Sears was the last department store to keep a tool brand. You remember that brand from when you were in Sears with your mom buying pants. Add in the basically unconditional lifetime warranty that your dad bragged up and bam Heirloom tool.

 

[Bobioz1]

Acquiring an adequate set of tools for less than $20 a month would be tough. Heirloom quality probably impossible.

 

[Askme42]

Acquiring an adequate set of tools for less than $20 a month would be tough. Heirloom quality probably impossible.

No. It'll just take a very very long time.

 

[Vortaku]

Acquiring an adequate set of tools for less than $20 a month would be tough. Heirloom quality probably impossible.

I could not disagree more, not to mention the OP could start asking for bits and pieces of Heirloom quality.

What is considered Heirloom quality anyways?

 

[thool]

I could not disagree more, not to mention the OP could start asking for bits and pieces of Heirloom quality.

What is considered Heirloom quality anyways?

I'm not looking at $20/mo, but a $200 expenditure in the next couple months, then another $200 or so next year. I don't mind getting a set of metric sockets now, then SAE next year, then wrenches the following year. But I am trying to zero in on a single brand if possible.

For me, heirloom quality is something that is valued beyond excellent function, so it probably has that intangible quality such as nostalgia.

Funny, I just borrowed my dad's offset wrenches, and they were Westline 12 point double offset. Beautiful thick and rugged construction, I believe from the 60s. When he left, he told me "Don't buy any wrenches, wink-wink!" But he frequents HF a lot and brings me stuff I don't want, like a Grommet Repair Kit and a really bad multimeter, so I hope he's not going there for wrenches to gift me!

 

[BK13]

If I had to stick exclusively to one brand, I'd probably go with Wright, Proto, or SK. But luckily my OCD doesn't run that way, so I'm free to get sets from different makers... KoKen sockets; Hazet sockets, ratchets and wrenches; Gedore wrenches; Wright sockets, ratchets and wrenches...

 

[zkling]

With that budget, you are really going to have to focus on what you absolutly need. Metric or SAE? stick with 6pts, do you really NEED deep sockets, 1/2" drive? Things like that will really help you maximize your budget. Unfortunatly even the industrial brands listed, while top quality USA made tools are no where near the somewhat recent USA craftsman prices where you could pick up a set of metric or sae combo wrenches for ~$25 on sale.

 

[Bobioz1]

No. It'll just take a very very long time.

Then it will take a very, very, long time before he can get any work done.

 

[Kensgarage]

Probably me, but his sets are incomplete, meaning that he bought a couple wrenches at a time as demand warranted.


My focus now is the tools, with storage being a secondary priority. That may change.

That's a bit like buying a bar and a pool table then looking for a house.

 

[Bobioz1]

I could not disagree more, not to mention the OP could start asking for bits and pieces of Heirloom quality.

What is considered Heirloom quality anyways?

What does "the OP could start asking for bits and pieces of Heirloom quality" mean anyway? Is there some way of acquiring quality tools without paying for them? I'd like to hear about it.

 

[pendragon1998]

I wouldn't be all that concerned about a warranty. You are unlikely to break much if you are doing homeowner stuff. The warranties only last as long as the company remains in business, and what if they try and replace your tool with Chinese made tools in the future (I'm looking at you, Craftsman.) Just buy good tools and don't stress about the warranty.

BTW, I think the HF box is just fine. Ignore the haters.

 

[zkling]

That's a bit like buying a bar and a pool table then looking for a house.

He's already buying a decent box. First line, first post.

Then again where's that guy that has a truck brand box full of HF tools and works on high end sports cars?

 

[wiens80]

Is there anything more "heirloom like" then Proto pear heads? Plus they can be gotten for cheap on amazon if you check in consistently. Love the wrenches too.

 

[thool]

That's a bit like buying a bar and a pool table then looking for a house.

I already have lots of tools, and rarely have to borrow or buy ones for what I'm working on. I'll likely just store my current tools in a HF 44" tool chest, and then gradually replace them over time.

 

[Bobioz1]

OP, find the biggest most complete 1/4 drive metric socket set from a tool company that isn't going out of business anytime soon. Then build on that. With the amount of money your spending, buying tools as a set at one time should get you a little more.

 

[1950mercury]

In my mind a heirloom tool would be USA made and from a tool company that MAKES THERE HAND TOOLS. Not from a company that just puts there name on tools. SK,proto,Williams,snap on,Mac,blackhawk.

 

[Vortaku]

What does "the OP could start asking for bits and pieces of Heirloom quality" mean anyway? Is there some way of acquiring quality tools without paying for them? I'd like to hear about it.

Gifts from family and friends on gift giving days? Payments for work that doesn't have to have a cash payout.

 

[Askme42]

That's a bit like buying a bar and a pool table then looking for a house.

Not at all.


The HF box is perfectly suitable storage b

 

[Askme42]

In my mind a heirloom tool would be USA made and from a tool company that MAKES THERE HAND TOOLS. Not from a company that just puts there name on tools. SK,proto,Williams,snap on,Mac,blackhawk.

Pretty much how I'd look at it also.

 

[thool]

Gifts from family and friends on gift giving days? Payments for work that doesn't have to have a cash payout.

Yes, I got a job with more pay, and want to give myself a small treat, with the knowing that I can invest in something to give my son in 30 years or so.

 

[Cato]

So you say your are OCD and want heirloom quality.

I suggest you bite the bullet and get Snap On. You won't be able to buy much with $200, but it sounds like you already have a few tools to get by. Just buy what you need as your budget permits.