Why Do You Buy Tools (Sockets, Wrenches, Bits, Screwdrivers, Hex Sockets) In Sets?

[MN_Runner]

I have bought a number of tools in sets but more than 50% of sets are untouched. For example, I use five socket sizes (10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm and 19mm) out of 12 available sockets (a set from 8mm to 19mm) in 3/8" drive. Wrench utilization is similar as I use four (8mm, 10mm, 14mm and 17mm) wrenches out of 12 available wrenches from the set. I have been buying sets thinking I am getting a great deal or grand bargain but in reality I am paying for tools I may never use. Craftsman and HF make it easier to buy a set since there is not too much difference buying one or two versus buying the entire set. Snap On and Mac Tools do not seem to penalize or reward a buyer purchasing a set or individual pieces.

What are your reasons for buying tools in sets?

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

You must not work on much.... if you did, you would be using more sizes. I've used every size between 8-19 mm. Granted some sizes less often.

Its cheaper to buy the larger set, within reason... then have to buy singles later. Plus the addition inconvenience of not having it at your disposal.

 

[jd_1138]

You need all sizes because when you need it, you need it. No one wants to have something torn apart and then have to drop what you're doing to go buy a 13mm socket.

 

[JDon99]

You will need the other sizes if you work on something that is not Asian.

 

[sberry]

I agree with this to some extent. Its a beautiful thing about Sears, the pieces you don't use don't eat much and a guy has a chance to find out what he needs and focus on those. The cost is so good from them that it is well worth it to have a complete set.

 

[MN_Runner]

I have Craftsman standard socket sets when I bought a starter kit but have not used any standard size sockets. Maybe it is time to thin out the heard. How often do you encounter the need for standard sizes? I need standard size wrenches and hex keys for plumbing jobs but nothing more.

 

[zendriver]

Nothing worse than not having the right size tool, when you need it. I use both SAE and Metric

If the tools are affordable, why not?


That's the beauty of Harbor Freight and other discounters. I purchased a set of huge SAE wrenches for like $40. I use them rarely on my 1969 Ford backhoe, but when I need them I have them.

 

[PFSard]

Sets are generally cheaper than buying individual pieces. You never know what sizes you will need. And, of course, you don't want to trek to a store for each individual size when you need it.

I just bought a set of metric hex sockets because I needed three. Cheaper to buy the 9-piece set than the three individual sockets.

 

[vettex2]

What are you reasons for buying tools in sets?

You can't be serious.

 

[southalabama]

I use them all some more than others. For the most commons sizes I buy extras.

Cheaper to buy sets. Also I work at night or weekends. It would bring a project to a halt if I encountered a size I didn't have. I'm in a small town so no guarantee I could even buy a single of the needed size.

 

[AustinChamp]

I work with Whitworth , SAE, Metric and BA, the only size have never needed is 20mm , recently had to assemble some chinese made wheel dollys ,found it most ammusing that the
m6 bolts suplied needed a 14mm socket ! some standardisation there then .
Still think that Mr Whitworth got it right with his threds , nine sizes required for just about everything

 

[MN_Runner]

You can't be serious.

I am serious. For a DIY mechanic like myself with very specific Japanese cars, I don't really need tools in sets. I think for you and other professionals who make living perhaps you must have tools in sets since you will have to fix all cars and trucks.

 

[pstemari]

Metric fasteners have some non-standard head/nut sizes. For example, an M10 can have a 15mm head (US) or a 16mm (ISO) head. I think there were more discrepancies in the past between DIN and JIS standards.

Current standard sizes for hex cap screws M5-M24 are 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, 16mm, 18mm, 21mm, 24mm, 30mm, and 36mm. For heavy hex cap screws add 27mm, 34mm, and 41mm.

There's a few inch sizes (eg 25/32") that apparently only exist on old farm equipment, but I usually only see those in DOE wrenches.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[anndel]

I bought the sets to have since what I use range between 6mm to 36mm and 1/4 in to 2 in.

 

[zendriver]

I am serious. For a DIY mechanic like myself with very specific Japanese cars, I don't really need tools in sets. I think for you and other professionals who make living perhaps you must have tools in sets since you will have to fix all cars and trucks.

I have no doubt, that racing crews, probably don't have many other tool sizes, other than the one's they know they need.

If you know that your scope of work is limited, you are still probably better off buying sets - cost wise, (assuming the have all the the sizes you need) and throw away the rest.

Singles generally have a large markup

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Well, if you're only going to work on jap cars... personally I don't know what the future brings. I don't do it for a living, but I work on european/jap/american cars, jap/american bikes, tractor/outdoor equipment, skid steer, trailers, etc...

 

[Keel]

Easy because it's cheaper to buy the set then build off that, than to buy the wrench/socket/bit, one buy one..

 

[T45]

The answer depends on your scope of work and your pricing/tool grade level. higher end tools yield no discount when bought in sets, and are better for making custome kits.

cheaper tools are sold in sets for lower "average cost" pricing, but the price per tool actually used goes up when 60-80% is never touched.

I mean, who the heck buys cman sets with 50% of the Kit SAE and 50% of the metric 12 point? You think you're paying $1/socke but you are buying 3 extra sockets for every metric six point you really need. so you are paying out $4/socket for craftsman in sets, 4x the headline price of '$1/socket'. For most DIYs this is overpricing by selling them stuff they don't need.

On the other hand, your snap on guy is out there selling his wares at 10 or 20 a socket, and getting sales because for those critical 5-10 sizes its worth it. But when the pro tech actually then needs SAE or 12 point and decides to keep his set matching, he pays well over the odds for rarely used tools.

Both strategies get people to spend more than necessary, on stuff that is rarely used, mostly for psychological reasons. ("it matches" or "i may need this someday").

So, there is mismatch in ease case -- simply to maximize revenues.

 

[JDon99]

For years, I worked on mostly Japanese cars and used the same sizes as the OP. Now, I work on more domestic stuff. There are only a few sizes that I don't end up using these days. I am glad I bought most of my stuff in complete sets.

 

[PelicanPines]

You need three of every possible measurable size... singles of the things you have no plan on using. Anything less means you ain't a tool guy.

 

[jdlong]

I run in to the need for 9, 11 and 18 mm occasionally. The sizes a lot of inexpensive sets skip. Quite contrary to the OP.

 

[rhandwor]

I've purchased a set and the first size I needed wasn't in the set. This happens more than you think.
I agree with Pelican Pines.

 

[Jim Diesel]

Sets by far are the best way to purchase these types of tools. When it comes to more specialized tools, individual purchases might be the way to go. I'm a professional tool ******* so use nearly everything within the sets. But even if I wasn't, I would still buy sets. You never know when you will need are particular size.

 

[vettex2]

I am serious. For a DIY mechanic like myself with very specific Japanese cars, I don't really need tools in sets. I think for you and other professionals who make living perhaps you must have tools in sets since you will have to fix all cars and trucks.

I'll just say this, it's better to have a tool you don't use than need a tool you don't have.

 

[LXCam]

You can't be serious.

He is serious which means he's not a serious wrencher even though he considers himself serious.

the only size have never needed is 20mm ,

In almost 4 decades of wrenching on **** I've never used my 20 except this past year on a brand new Chrysler Pacifica. The darn camber bolt for the rear control arm requires that size. And then there's the infamous 9mm. The only time I've ever used that size is a 12 pointer that happens to fit a certain size tap I use often.

You need three of every possible measurable size... singles of the things you have no plan on using. Anything less means you ain't a tool guy.

Eggactly!.

 

[4 FN 27]

I have Craftsman standard socket sets when I bought a starter kit but have not used any standard size sockets. Maybe it is time to thin out the heard. How often do you encounter the need for standard sizes? I need standard size wrenches and hex keys for plumbing jobs but nothing more.

You don't or have not worked on enough stuff. I have maybe 8-10 sockets that have never been used. The rest well lets just say some have been used so much over 35 year they were just plain shot and replaced.

19/32, 21/32 and 25/32 have never been used...that I know for sure.

I like the right tool for the job. And an adjustable wrench doesn't always cut it.

 

[MN_Runner]

He is serious which means he's not a serious wrencher even though he considers himself serious.

I have NEVER said that I was a serious wrencher. I don't think I am smart enough to be a serious wrencher like yourself.

 

[LXCam]

I am serious. .

I have NEVER said that I was a serious wrencher. I don't think I am smart enough to be a serious wrencher like yourself.

.....ya, ya I know I took it out of context, but I had too


But to address the second part there. Why do I have so many tools, cause I'm a *******. Being smart has nothing to do with it. The smart guy concentrates on doing what they do best and pays someone else to do this ****. Guys like me think they're saving a buck by doing it themselves only to find out that the cost of the tool collection all by its self far outweighs paying another to do it for him in the end.


And don't read too much into this whole discussion I'm only having fun with ya bud. All though when it comes right down to it I'll never for the life of me understand why anyone would actually ask such a question.

 

[zktk01]

I buy in sets now, because I got tired of looking for that one wrench to complete a set, get better pricing too buying in sets.

 

[jdlong]

Guys like me think they're saving a buck by doing it themselves only to find out that the cost of the tool collection all by its self far outweighs paying another to do it for him in the end.

Yes but look at all the beer we get to drink while our wives see us doing something productive.

 

[Gmonkee]

Sets will vary from Asain or Euro oriented to the whole damn ball of wax if you need it
Indy shop guys need them all where brand specific users may only need half of that plus s pile of specialty tools.

Home shops depend on the guy stocking the workbench. His skill set and ambition level or just a need to have every tool in the catalog. Even if he has no skills.

I finally admitted I am more an antique tool collector than mechanic, but the mechs gig pays far better.

 

[reader2580]

I have a Craftsman set that has both metric and SAE. I think I have used just about every SAE size in the last 20 years while using about two thirds of the metric stuff. I even bought a set of larger SAE combination wrenches because I was sick of having to go buy one wrench at a time.

Having a set means a better chance of having the right size when you need it. I am not working on the same thing over and over again.

I do almost zero work on my own car, or any cars. However, I do a lot of work on my converted bus which is a combination of metric and SAE. I also have Toro Groundsmaster equipment that is SAE on everything except the engine which is metric.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I've used 8mm 10mm 11mm 12mm 13mm 14mm 15mm 16mm 18mm 19mm I haven't used 9 or 17. Comes out cheaper for me to buy the whole set. Now if I only used 10mm 13mm 15mm no need for whole set


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[LXCam]

Yes but look at all the beer we get to drink while our wives see us doing something productive.

Right and I'll even get a " oh honey you worked so long out there today, you must be tired " every now and then. Little does she know

 

[Theruse]

I guess it depends on which type of car you are working on. For example I need a 13mm often. When I was at Carlisle Spring/Fall events, one of the vendors who sells used sockets told me that he gets requests mostly for 10mm sockets as that is the one users lost or broke most often.

 

[Al Borland]

You need three of every possible measurable size... singles of the things you have no plan on using. Anything less means you ain't a tool guy.

^^^This!^^^
(Also they look super-cool in matching sets!)
If you are buying something for a specific car, for a specific task, that's one thing.
If you have tools for more of a general purpose, you will need a variety, and it is cheaper and more convenient to get a set.

 

[GTO]

You can't be serious.

He's probably serious.
Check out the Free Parking thread,there is a guy who's son had his jacket stolen @ a college frat party

 

[Local]

13 and 15 mm are very common on certain makes.

 

[Two Speed]

I have bought a number of tools in sets but more than 50% of sets are untouched. For example, I use five socket sizes (10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm and 19mm) out of 12 available sockets (a set from 8mm to 19mm) in 3/8" drive. Wrench utilization is similar as I use four (8mm, 10mm, 14mm and 17mm) wrenches out of 12 available wrenches from the set. I have been buying sets thinking I am getting a great deal or grand bargain but in reality I am paying for tools I may never use. Craftsman and HF make it easier to buy a set since there is not too much difference buying one or two versus buying the entire set. Snap On and Mac Tools do not seem to penalize or reward a buyer purchasing a set or individual pieces.

What are your reasons for buying tools in sets?

You answered your own question.
You buy the first set to get you started, you buy subsequent sets becuase the price is better for the entire batch than buying a replacement for the one you broke, or the time you need a shallow, or deep, or whatever.

Alex.

 

[bdelmar2]

I work with Whitworth , SAE, Metric and BA, the only size have never needed is 20mm , recently had to assemble some chinese made wheel dollys ,found it most ammusing that the
m6 bolts suplied needed a 14mm socket ! some standardisation there then .
Still think that Mr Whitworth got it right with his threds , nine sizes required for just about everything

I use 20mm now and again, 9mm is probably my least used socket/wrench.

Another handy reason for buying sets it to keep track of them if you work in a shop, easy to see whats missing.