Mechanics tool set

insyder

Like a Boss.
Staff member
...After barking (banging hard) my knuckles several times on steal in subzero temps because the sockets split, I swore that I would never get cheap sockets again. Man that hurt like hell!
I'm getting older, so if its too cold I don't work on the cars unless I have to.
And I'm usually gloved up in either nitrile or Mechanix when I'm working.

NWMDC
 

KooLaid

Hippocritapotamus
When I started working on cars I lived in NH where it is much colder.

The first tool set I got was cheap. After barking (banging hard) my knuckles several times on steal in subzero temps because the sockets split, I swore that I would never get cheap sockets again. Man that hurt like hell!

How long ago was that? The newer harbor freight "Pittsburgh" and up stuff has come a LONG way. Kinda like the way Hyundai has come up in the world in a similar time frame. Now they still have that garbage flea market $3.99 mini sets of sockets but in general anything marked "Pittsburgh" or higher is pretty dang good. I'd say same or even better than some of my "Husky" or "Kobalt" stuff. My craftsmen ratchets have been garbage.

Like this one for $5.99 you have to watch out for splitting small sockets if you're cranking hard.
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...-drive-sae-metric-socket-set-40-pc-62843.html

But this one for $15.99 is pretty nice and works as good as my husky/kobalt.
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...1-pc-14-in-drive-metric-socket-set-63460.html

And this one for $18.99 is better than my husky/kobalt/craftsman.
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...c-high-visibility-socket-set-21-pc-62303.html
 
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JesasaurusRex

Deleted User
I agree, I'd buy a lot more hf stuff if I had a store a bit closer. Hd and lowes take half the time to get to though and that's enough reason for me to buy that stuff
 

Bay Arean

Well-known member
Are you guys into the big red or other color toolchests?

I am thinking of getting one because my stuff is all spread out.

Mainly its to discipline myself to put the shit away in the right place.

Any recommendos? If I get a stimulus check, that's where its goin...
 

Sharxfan

Well-known member
I have one from Harbor freight and it has held up pretty well for HF stuff. The drawers roll evenly and smoothly even with heavy air tools in the drawer. I think it cost me about ~$350 but that was with coupons and 10 years ago.
 

Bay Arean

Well-known member
Are you talking about a rolling tool chest or a carry one?

Rolling so can sweep behind. Right now I have two small single stack steel job but they are just crammed so tight. Thinking of getting one that is about 3 feet wide with a counter top on it.

I wondered about the HF ones because well, we know they are usually thinner metal etc. I saw some at Lowe's in lotsa sizes, not sure if that much better.....

I seem to have collected more sets of pliers as well as wrenches and sockets than I shall ever need...and that's just the beginning.

I know no one can answer the question of whether I become less of a slob if its easier to put shit away, but I wondered if anyone else had a similar MO and found it was worth it.

Ever since Ms BA and watched that minimalist movie I have this nagging feeling that I try to buy my way out of stasis.
 
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scootergmc

old and slow
For the average home garage monkey the US General line of tool boxes/chests at HF is impossible to beat for the money.
 

dravnx

Well-known member
Make sure the drawers have roller bearings and that the drawers can be removed. Nothing like getting a tool cocked sideways, jamming the drawer and you can't remove the drawer above or below to free it up. It happens.
 

insyder

Like a Boss.
Staff member
Make sure the drawers have roller bearings and that the drawers can be removed. Nothing like getting a tool cocked sideways, jamming the drawer and you can't remove the drawer above or below to free it up. It happens.
+1 on ball bearing drawers. Buy what's in your budget, but don't skimp on the shitty non-bearing stuff.
 

Climber

Well-known member
Home Depot has a Husky combo ($209/139) with 100 lb rated ball-bearing drawers. I would definitely suggest having the roller and the chest on top, easier to distribute tools that are easy to get at that way.

If you have a bigger budget, then there are plenty of other options, but for the price that one looks decent.
 

KooLaid

Hippocritapotamus
They ALL feel flimsy when you're spending less than like $1000 per piece. It's not until you add the tools that they start to feel much more substantial and they stiffen up, slide smoother etc. I would check costco too. I know they had some really nice Kirkland ones in the past. I would look at one at least 48" wide for a good size work bench top.
 

Bay Arean

Well-known member
Yeh, I don't mind spending up to around $350 and I do have limited space so it won't be one of the big ones.

Thanks for tips, all, about bearings and removeable. I hate drawers that are hard to remove. Usually they are but you have to figure out how, at least in office furniture and kitchen cabinetry.

I saw the ones with the hinged top and the "bay". Not sure I wouldn't clutter that right up....
 

Ducky_Fresh

Treasure Hunter
Door #2 - That dewalt set looks pretty good.

Don't buy cheap tools (which I have and am telling by experience). When you're mid project and something breaks or doesn't work, that is the worst.

That said, I did build a "light" track set for my bike when I was racing and doing trackdays with harbor freight tools. That way if they got lost or someone borrowed them and i never saw them again, I was less inclined to care. And at the track everyone has tools if mine broke. (it had the bare minimum for me to work on little stuff in a small three drawer handled box).

Home set was craftsman, which generally were sufficient for my needs.
 
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