Wrench sets and vise grips?

[kelpaso1]

For Xmas I am putting together a small tool box and tools (home owner/DIY) for my 19 year old daughter who moved out into her first apartment. I am looking for some decent wrench sets (SAE/metric) and some vise grips. Now I can't afford SO and I don't want dollar store **** either. I understand I will probably have to go with Made in China, so am looking for something with OK quality but not too much $. On Amazon I see Stanley, Fuller, Tekton, Cresent, etc. So many choices and since I'll be ordering online I have no way to see them in my hands first before I buy. Any recommendations?

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I'd go over to the Depot, they are having some great sales on tools right now.
I made up a small box like you're thinking of for my ex, small claw hammer, reversible screw driver, visegrips, pliers wire cutters, couple of smaller crescent wrenches. It kept her out of my tools (she destroyed an expensive metal finishing hammer driving in nails for pictures).

 

[Larryjones]

I've been thru this. There is a difference between what she will need and what she will use. A rock or shoe, screwdriver, butterknife, and small pair of pliers should do most tasks. If she is into tools you may need to spend more.

 

[RumpRoast78]

Im doing for same for my 15yr old. I just picked up a Husky 28 piece combo wrench set for $20 and a set of Husky screwdrivers. Comes in SAE and metric along with stubbies. Went to Lowes and picked up a Kobalt pliers set for $10 that comes with a bonus adjustable wrench. Threw all that into a 16in Husky widemouth bag that was marked down from $37 to $10. Still shopping around for more ideas to fill up the bag. Maybe some precision screwdrivers and a decent sized socket set and call it a day.

It's more tools than he'll need at the moment but it keeps him out of my toolbox.

 

[71Datsun510Wagon]

Well since you are a fellow Canadian.... I would hit Canuck Tire. The Mastercraft stuff is very good value when on sale. Does anybody pay full price for tools at CT? Lol

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Milwaukee vise grips are made in Taiwan if that helps you avoid Chinese made ones.

 

[anndel]

The Milwaukee vise grips are made in Taiwan if that helps you avoid Chinese made ones.

Yeah but Milwaukee is owned by Techtronics Industries, a China based company. Sorry to rain in on your parade.

 

[anndel]

Some Crescent wrenches, Channelocks, Vise Grips (now made in china) and maybe a Leatherman multitool.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Some Crescent wrenches, Channelocks, Vise Grips (now made in china) and maybe a Leatherman multitool.

New guy know it all?? Glad to have you around to tell someone what they didn't even ask.

OP - Wrenches, I would go inexpensive, but something with known quality so that if they need used hard, they will fit right and take the beating.

 

[jrobb316]

For SAE wrenches I would order from cripedistributing on eBay. You can buy a complete set for cheap, USA made. They may have metrics as well but may be out of certain sizes, you'd have to look. Vise grips I would get a couple used Petersens in good shape. They're not much and the new vise grips by Irwin are ****.

 

[zkling]

I think I'd get her a pair of knipex pliers wrench and call it a day. Vise grips in some hands cause nothing but problems, especially when they are used as a wrench. Around the house I see little need for vise grips. Throw in a pair of knipex alligators or cobras if you want instead of the vise grips.

Just depends on how ambitious she is/what she will possibly come up against vs what the apartment manager will do.

 

[larryforce]

I noticed your canadian. I would sincerely recommend. Mastercraft maximum long pattern wrenches. They go on sale for less then 20 bucks for the 14 pc set, and are a great value. I have only damaged 1 wrench in 3 years of use, and that was on a 10mm bolt that I could not even get off with a 1/2 impact.
And they replaced it the next day

 

[erty67]

Check out Cripe for some good NOS US made stuff.

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