Tool Set for the Weekend Warrior

[PABowhunter]

I'm new to the forum, have been lurking for a while, and I'm looking for some advice on getting some new tools.

I just recently moved and need to start building my own collection. I used to have access to my dad's tools, but now I'm an hour away so it'd be nice to have some more of my own.

I'm pretty handy and will do just about everything myself. My dad and I just finished up a frame off restoration of his corvette and I've already pulled the motor out of my truck once for some horsepower upgrades.

I don't depend on my tools for income, but would like something that is going to last. I've looked at the cheaper stuff with lifetime warranties (Craftsman, Kobalt, etc), but not sure what would be my best bet for value.

I would like to get a couple hundred piece tool set and be done. Buy once, cry once. What tool brands are going to be my best bang for my buck?

 

[sberry]

There is a thread on this now. Save yourself some pain and buy a Sears sale set and add things as the need arises. This is super cheap and lets a guy started, if you don't use or lose you are not out much and lets you work while you wait out deals that come along.

 

[ravenzfusion]

Do you want made in USA? Or don't care much about that? With Craftsman you have to look harder now to get a USA set, probably buy through a Sears outlet or ebay. You can get USA made Masterforce at Menard's. Or go with Husky or Kobalt. Gearwrench is having good deals lately too for Taiwan/China stuff.

 

[1950mercury]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260569&highlight=recommend

 

[oldldh]

GearWrench---

Tekton---

The price is right...

and...

The quality is usable for the "Weekend Warrior"...

 

[PABowhunter]

Do the Sears outlets have more selection than your typical Sears stores? I'll have to find one near me.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I've never gone wrong with USA made Craftsman....

 

[LB-1911]

Do the Sears outlets have more selection than your typical Sears stores? I'll have to find one near me.

Selection and quantities vary store to store and day to day.

 

[Finky198]

+1 for Craftsman USA if u can find it

and then just buy specialty stuff or upgrade as needed
if your going to use your Ratchets regularly upgrade them first

 

[wornoutoldman]

From a guy that owns a metric **** ton of Snap-on tools...

Harbor freight made in Taiwan stuff. Super cheap. Very good quality. I recently spent like a hundred a fifty bucks there cherry picking their better offerings to fill my FIL'
's toolbox since my BIL's had decimated it and I needed to do bunch a work over at his place.

I was surprisingly satisfied with them. Great value for little money!

 

[HanShotFirst]

For ratchets and sockets, Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Pro all the way. For sockets and ratchets you're not going to find higher quality until you go to the big US makers and truck tools.

For wrenches, look through Craigslist for a set of Craftsman US wrenches, you can get those used for a song.

Screwdrivers - The Harbor Freight screwdrivers are tough but generally kinda ugly.

So there are you inexpensive options

After that, I'd recommend looking on the used market (ebay/craigslist) for used SK, Proto, MAC, Matco, and Snap On. If you have just a little patience, you'll find some fantastic tools at fantastic deals.

 

[Rock Hound]

Most of the tools that say made in USA or Taiwan will be good enough for regular work. I have a mix of older Craftsman, Kobalt, some Gearwrench and Armstrong, and Dewalt with a sprinkling of truck brands (Snap-on, Mac, et cetera); all work well.

Here is a quick run down of my experiences:

Craftsman raised panel ratchets kind of ****, but I have used them the longest and was able to to most things with them. Pretty much any other company's ratchets will be better. However, most of their stuff is still OK quality despite what you hear of the made in China. If you have one close by that is still well stocked I would consider them; however, Sears is having significant financial problems and the warranty you want may be in jeopardy. The Sears near me has a poorer tool selection than a gas station. I still buy from their website though.

Kobalt has been hit or miss quality, but usually pretty decent. Their old made in USA items were nicer (same with Craftsman), but all of them are serviceable. Their pliers are pretty sloppy.

I really like the Gearwrench ratchets; they have a great feel to them. Their sockets are decent too, but their open end wrenches have been a disappointment. I have a couple of their newer screwdrivers and really like them. I love their magnetic oil drain plug sockets.

I only own a small amount of Armstrong, but got hooked on their Maxx ratchets after I was gifted one. They are by far my favorite ratchets I own (even above the one Snap-on I own); very comfortable in the hand and fine toothed. The locking flex ratchets are fantastic. Keep an eye out at flea markets for these as the brand has less recognition (they used to make Craftsman made in USA mechanic tools).

I bought a bunch of Dewalt sets a few months back when they were <50% on the Sears website. They have quickly become my favorites and I use them more than any other. They are well finished, are easy to read, and have very fine knurling around the sockets and extensions making them easy to grip with oily hands. There ratcheting wrenches are also of very high quality and I use them regularly. A+ tools for even the regular price; they are my current go-to brand.

Tool truck brands are awesome, but so darn expensive that they are not really worth having unless you are dependent on them for your work. The few I own I found, was gifted, or pick up at yard sales. I see no reason buying them for the prices they command.

Just my 2¢ on the subject.

 

[erty67]

As stated above, get a good size Craftsman mechanic set with a good selection of sockets (preferably 6 point) and build from there. The ratchets do stink, but go get your self a decent set of ratchets from Harbor Freight and keep the Craftsman as "back up" just in case you break one. Wrenches, Craftsman are good enough and easy to find additional sizes at any flea market/swap meet.

Do you want made in USA?

If he wanted it, he would have specified it.

 

[67King]

My recommendation would honestly depend greatly on where you are in life. If you just went off to college, for example, just get Craftsman, and acknolwedge that you are going to have to deal with some ****, but that it will be replaced. If you are a bit older, and established in your career, but are an avid hobbyist, then I would recommend spending a bit more on some better quality, mostly USA brands: SK socket sets (and an Armstrong ratchet, as the 36 tooth SK ones is too coarse), Wright wrenches, Knipex pliers, I think people like Williams screwdrivers - I have SK's and like them. Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches.

But it almost sounds like you just moved out, so I'd guess you are young and don't have a ton of money to throw around, which would lead me to Craftsman.

 

[PABowhunter]

I would like made in USA, but with so much outsourcing these days I know it's hard to find at a reasonable price.

I have a local Sears hardware I'll have to check out as well as a HF.

How is the quality of the Mastercrafts? They seem to be reasonably price and made in USA.

 

[turfgnome]

I am not a weekend warrior so maybe I am expecting too much but I bought a set a few years ago from harbor freight due to people telling me how good they were. I did not have so much luck, I broke the ratchet the first time I used it(no cheater bar used) and the sockets were such low quality I threw them out. I have had good luck with craftsman and kobalt. But I agree if you wanted to buy the best go with Armstrong tools, they are hands down better ratchets then snap on.

 

[ravenzfusion]

I believe MasterForce are rebranded Allen's. I've always wanted to try them out. I think they are the best choice for affordable Made in USA.

 

[ravenzfusion]

I've never gone wrong with USA made Craftsman....

Agreed, except the Raised Panel Craptchets, replace those immediately

 

[notlob]

I am not a weekend warrior so maybe I am expecting too much but I bought a set a few years ago from harbor freight due to people telling me how good they were.

The quality of some of Harbor Freight's tools has improved considerably in recent years. Most Pittsburgh "Pro" tools are fine. The composite ratchets and "Pro" screwdrivers are especially good.

If you want to buy a full set of sockets, it's nearly impossible to beat the value of a larger craftsman set.

 

[PABowhunter]

The quality of some of Harbor Freight's tools has improved considerably in recent years. Most Pittsburgh "Pro" tools are fine. The composite ratchets and "Pro" screwdrivers are especially good.

If you want to buy a full set of sockets, it's nearly impossible to beat the value of a larger craftsman set.

That last sentence is where I'm at. I'm looking mainly for a nice set of sockets and wrenches at good value. If I have to piece stuff together I will, but it's easier to just buy a set and be done.

Is there any drop in quality between the tool set tools and the individual tools? I figured they would mainly switch out nicer ratchets for cheaper ones and put more 12 point stuff in than 6 point.

 

[ravenzfusion]

I would go masterforce, this way you get USA and then you don't need to swap out the ratchets as you would have to with a Craftsman set. Not sure if MasterForce is all 12 pt though, hard to tell from the pictures of their 220 pc set.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h.../p-1503278-c-9159.htm?tid=7595397812795778178

 

[Negen]

I have grown into a "one and done" type of person over the years and wish in my younger years I just bit the bullet and put tools in my box that would have lasted. Sk is probably the best store bought brand in my area the dealer here is no questions asked type of person if there is a warranty issue. SK ratchets are tough some like finer teeth ratchets.

Craftsmen sockets are good enough never had issues with their sockets. I have a full set of industrial craftsmen sockets/ratchets sae/metric 6/12 point.

With which ever brand you buy you should upgrade the ratchet. I like koken ratchets if I need to remove a fastener that has not moved in 20+ years. Nepros 90 gear ratchets are about the best I used but I would not want to abuse it. Many others out their.

For best bang for the buck I would think if you shop around gearwrench has buy one get one sets all the time for sae/metric. Also most of those 200+ piece kits have 100+ pieces that probably wont ever get touched. But it is always nice to have the piece you need when you need it. I am in the process of replacing all my craftsmen gear with koken gear because koken is pretty neat to use. There are lots of cool tool sets out there right now.You will have to remember that the cheaper usa made products are just that cheaper. There is not set quality you get just because something made in usa. There is a large quality jump between a good import brand vs the bottom line domestic brands. Again mostly will be noticed in the ratchet not the socket. So if you buy one of the cheaper american brands make sure you get a good ratchet. Snapon or other.

These two kits look the most useful to me.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80933.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80932.aspx

One thing to remember though that sockets/wrenches are not the only tools you will need. A good screwdriver set is important and right now I would say wera chisel driver set or proto duratek are the best. a topsider vaccum pump will make oil changes almost tool free.
wrench set seems useful

 

[1950mercury]

http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/p...oductId=2329762&domain=http://www.toysrus.com

 

[ravenzfusion]

http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/p...oductId=2329762&domain=http://www.toysrus.com

It has a 5 star rating... Probably made in china right?

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I started racing in 2005 and have been buying Sears Craftsman almost exclusively. If you can find the USA CM, that is what I would recommend.

When a Sears store closes (and they are closing right and left), look for the 540 piece set with number 9-36540. A knowledgeable poster on another GJF thread said those are the USA sourced that have been replaced by the number 9-49540 which are apparently made in China.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290054

I see it normally priced at $1,299 and on sale for $1,066 from time to time. When a local Sears store closed last year I bought the 36540 (USA sourced) for I think $799. If you go looking for this set and can't find the USA sourced tools, ask the sales associate to look in the back room. They might have old stock sitting there.

I'm also an advocate for the Sears Craftsman C3 19.2volt cordless tools. Very happy with them. Great for weekend warriors.

 

[belvedere]

I would look for a good deal on some quality used tools. Gearwrench makes some decent stuff, as mentioned. I like Carlyle (NAPA)...very good quality at fair prices.

 

[magicrat]

Don't sleep on the walmart stanley 123 piece socket set($40).....it has shallow and deep 1/4 and 3/8 sockets and allen keys in both metric and sae.....my friend is a pro shade tree....uses everyday for about 3 years those sockets are tough.....get an hf wrench set and torx plus some 1/2 stuff and u could almost take apart an entire car....+1 on hf sockets.....bought every chrome size they have for my bro who works at a pro shop.....told him I would upgrade him when they start breaking and he hasn't had a failure yet.

 

[PABowhunter]

Lots of good suggestions. I definitely have my work cut out for me.

 

[whitetrash1]

i have the older version of this set. it has served me well. very few tasks i havent been able to accomplish with it. doesnt cover everything but is a decent start to build on

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-258-...p-00931783000P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

 

[jrobb316]

Masterforce is just Menards brand name like Craftsman is to sears. They are the same sockets made by the same manufacturer. IMO USA Cman/Masterforce/Allen/Kobalt/KD/NAPA (they're all the same) are the best value in chrome sockets and extensions. Skip the HF garbage, like the poster earlier, its junk. There is a reason its cheap. You also won't go wrong with TAIWAN stuff, the GP and Sunex impact sockets are very good. Snappys screwdrivers cannot be beat, I loved the CMan PROs, but those are gone now. CMan has good USA pliers and I use their punches and chisels professionally (USA still). You will spring more $ for channellock or knipex but I love my channellocks. You may also want to shop Cripedistributing, they have USA wrenches for cheap which I recommend. Craftsman PRO prybars are very nice too, USA.

Just because you're a weekend warrior doesn't mean you should own ****. Just the opposite, as a weekend warrior you can't afford stuff to be breaking and then you're out of luck.

 

[Adam.C]

Putting aside brands for a moment, I would advise against buying a tool "set". I feel these sets are often not good values because they typically include tools you won't need, and tools of a quality/utility below where you would really like to be (cheap wrenches for example).

For example: The 3/8" Craftsman 6pt sockets might be okay in a set, but 1/4" Craftsman sockets are notoriously crappy- loose fitting. Ditto, the ratchets they include in their sets are typically ****. You also often end up with goofy stuff you woudn't buy otherwise, like deep 12pts for every drive size or weird sizes, cheap spinner handles, or ignition wrenches.

My advise in is my signature line below. I never meant it to be a recommendation of a certain brand or a repudiation of Craftsman. My point was only that the OP to whom I was responding, could actually save money buying EVEN Snap On tools for some items, by skipping less helpful items that were part of the set, and buying some items really cheap from HF.

So in my mind, there are 2 discussions here:
1) Does it make sense to buy starter tools like Craftsman and replace them later? Some here say yes, some say no. I don't know what to say about that.

2) Are all encompassing (300pc) tool sets good value? Personally, I've never seen one from ANY manufacturer that I thought was a good value. The Craftsman sets may work out to $3 per tool, which seems cheap, but that includes tools like the crappy allen keys not worth $3. Similarly, Snap On has sets that include the overpriced flashlights or ballpeen hammers that you would never buy from Snap On.

 

[hangfirew8]

My advice, go to Cripe Distributing on eBay, search for "USA", load up on good stuff and then ask for combined shipping. US made Armstrong, Allen, KD (pre-Gearwrench), all good stuff.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

I'll add my $.02 to this discussion

You asked for a tool set. Well, my suggestion would be to get either the DeWalt set from Sears (I got my set (the next set down from the top set) for a price I couldn't walk away from, OR a Gearwrench set. If you go with the DeWalt set, I'd go with one of the older sets (more complete set, less filler) and not the newer set. I know Sears is (well, was) trying to close out a lot of the DeWalt sets, so I'd check there. The DeWalt case is also nice.

As for the Gearwrench set, I got a set from Ebay for a very good price. The set had the 84T (1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets) ratchets and was complete (not much filler), and I'm happy with it too.

I do have an older (early 80's vintage) Craftsman set that has served me well. I'll share something else with you, I didn't know the ratchets are supposed to "****" until I joined this site, so take that with a grain of salt! I know far too many mechanics in the past relied only on Craftsman, but again, that may have changed due to Sears financial struggles and specs for the tools.

Harbor Freight, they've stepped up their game recently, and I can't lie, I have some of their Pitt Pro (Taiwan made) impact sockets, low profile ratchets, the composite ratchets, and the new pros just for kicks (not the flex heads). I can honestly say I'm happy with them. I'm not a professional mechanic either, I just wrench on my toys and stockpile tools for some strange reason!

 

[HanShotFirst]

...I'll share something else with you, I didn't know the ratchets are supposed to "****" until I joined this site, so take that with a grain of salt!...

You know it's funny, but there are some who have had good luck with them and some who have had bad luck with them. I personally have had nothing but bad luck with their raised panel ratchets (1/4" & 3/8", I can't recall every killing a 1/2"). I just think their specs on the internals are just too generous. Rarely do I break anything, but the spring seems to wear out REALLY fast, and the pawls round off. Doesn't take long before the whole thing is sloppy as all get out.

Happy yours are doing well, wish I could say that for mine.

 

[Adam.C]

I know far too many mechanics in the past relied only on Craftsman, but again, that may have changed due to Sears financial struggles and specs for the tools.

I'm not sure Craftsman has gotten worse. The competition has gotten WAY better. The difference between a Dual 80 and a raised panel craftsman is night and day. Almost different tools. I don't think Snap On were that dramatically different years ago when all ratchets had 36 teeth.

 

[kctyphoon]

snap on, all the way... all the craftsman stuff is made in china ****!!

 

[bcradio]

snap on, all the way... all the craftsman stuff is made in china ****!!

 

[kctyphoon]

I'm not sure Craftsman has gotten worse. The competition has gotten WAY better. The difference between a Dual 80 and a raised panel craftsman is night and day. Almost different tools. I don't think Snap On were that dramatically different years ago when all ratchets had 36 teeth.

there are many upgrades to choose from in the craftsman line-up instead of the raised panels.. they never get their 15 minutes though. craftsman should include them in some of their sets.

 

[kctyphoon]

i broke the ice.. now we can start.

 

[bfm336]

I would go the 48-49 piece SK 3/8 set for $150 on Amazon (price fluctuates). Do you really need a bunch of 1/2 or 1/4? I like SK ratchets but some don't, so grab something good used on eBay. Are you always going to just do cars or what about a house? This also depends on what kind of buyer you are:

Pittsburg Pro at HF will prob get you by for a long long time for the least amount.

Craftsman - unless cheap used USA why bother with new China stuff when the HF above is better and cheaper?

SK is good USA made stuff that is what I would call "prosumer."

I've got a bunch of garage sale Vintage CM stuff but I am always contemplating selling and moving to SK - simply because when I have had to replace lost sockets with newer USA CM stuff the quality is poor.


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