Tool Sets

Killroy1999

Killroy1999

Well-known member
I have to make a xmas list or my Mom trys to still dress me, so I was replacing my brakes and rotors on my car and after about 15 years, but current tool set has seen better days. A lot of the tools are either lost, broken or I through them away after they were worn out (mostly screw drivers).

I was looking at the Craftsman ~200 piece sets and they look like good value. I want to get the sets that come with a case that organizes the tools. My current set does this, but the plastic organizer leaves a little to be desired. I would like something with draws. Some of the sets look like they organize some of the tools, but the others is left loose. This is OK for some small stuff, but wrenches should have a place to go.

Do you have any recommendations?
:teeth
 
B

Bronto

Well-known member
A larger more permanent metal cabinet with drawers and on wheels does nicely around the garage. Smaller tool boxes to load up with tools to take to the job takes care of the rest. After the job put all the tools back in the larger cabinet.
Sometimes make up smaller tool sets with bare bone basics. Leave on the bike, in the car, in a kitchen drawer.

As you have said its just recommendations. Above works well for me, but its not for everyone. I am not a organization freak, so every tool in it's place isn't motivating me. Having everything at hand isn't paramount, I'll trek back and forth to the main tool box several times.
 
NorCalAthlete

NorCalAthlete

O_o
How much are you willing to spend? What else are you going to use it for or can see yourself using the tools for? Wide range of options out there man...
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
you can get small racks or holders for sockets, end wrenches, etc. Just put them in a holder and stick it in a drawer.
 
auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
The sets usually end up with a lot of unused tools... if you're mostly working on recent vehicles , say 1980s and newer, they're 99% metric so all your inch size stuff is pretty much wasted space even if it's organized.
 
D

DrSwade

...for limited time...
I think those some of those Craftsman sets are a good value. You really have to go through each piece and see if the value is there. They all have shitty boxes and you will need a good ball bearing box, preferably roll around, even if it is a small one. Those tools get heavy fast. Just my small base cabinet for the track took two people to load into my truck.

In any case you will find yourself buying plenty of specialty tools like Torx, Allens, specific extensions, screwdrivers, etc, etc, etc.

I had a small tool box stolen out of my Kombi once. By the time I bought each replacement piece, I was almost at $3k!!!
Full replacement value insurance baby!!!

Having a do-all tool set costs an incredible amount of money. Considering there are tools you may only use once in a while, but the only tool for the job is why women (easy ladies...most women) will never understand.
 
Killroy1999

Killroy1999

Well-known member
I would spend up to $400, but since I'm putting it on my gift list, then something on sale at $250 would be good.

Metric is the way to go, but there are always other thinks around the house that are Units.

The most obnoxious US tools are allen wrenches.
 
mean dad

mean dad

Well-known member
I have an empty toolbox you can have. It's about a foot tall, a foot deep, and 2 foot wide, give or take, with three drawers. Red.




Edit: Pm me if you want it, I may forget about this thread.
 
E

eric9877

-
Check craigs list and e bay. many shops are going to built in tool boxes, and as people are needing cash for xmas shopping, their old tool boxes stuffed into the corner of the garage may be on the move. you can pick up some nice used professional tool boxes for pennies on the dollar. My $5k+ box can be easily found for a grand. so even a 2k Matco or Mack entry level pro box will be down in the 400 range. Even a good tool cart with drawers would be a great idea- you can store all the tools you'll probably ever need in one of those. And the pro level boxes will last you a lifetime.

as far as tools- find a metric set. standard is a waste of cash. also count how many pieces of that set are bits and allen wrenches- the value isn't as astounding as it seems. swap meets will get you quite a bit of snap-on and craftsman sets and pieces for cheap.
 
Holeshot

Holeshot

Super Moderator
Staff member
Craftsman is good stuff…especially given the price. The new Dewalt sets are made by Craftsman but have the higher end drivers. Nice sets, good deal for $75.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00939118000P

Buy all the rest of the stuff you need individually. You can get a good screwdriver set, star and hex sockets, a plier set, and a few other things for another $75 or so. Add a ratcheting wrench set and you're up to about $200 or so.

I was told that Dewalt stuff will be repaired by Sears…not send out. There is a huge difference. I've had a few ratchets rebuilt at Sears and one exchanged. Pretty easy.
 
hophead

hophead

Well-known member
Bronto said:
A larger more permanent metal cabinet with drawers and on wheels does nicely around the garage. Smaller tool boxes to load up with tools to take to the job takes care of the rest. After the job put all the tools back in the larger cabinet.
Sometimes make up smaller tool sets with bare bone basics. Leave on the bike, in the car, in a kitchen drawer.

As you have said its just recommendations. Above works well for me, but its not for everyone. I am not a organization freak, so every tool in it's place isn't motivating me. Having everything at hand isn't paramount, I'll trek back and forth to the main tool box several times.
Click to expand...

Yup, mine are Snap-On, my rollbox in the backround there, but i only got it because it was a college auto class and i got for half-price. Craftsman are fine and hopefully you still get a replacement if you break any, but wtf breaks a tool?
 
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TheRobSJ

TheRobSJ

Großer Mechaniker
Holeshot said:
Craftsman is good stuff…especially given the price. The new Dewalt sets are made by Craftsman but have the higher end drivers. Nice sets, good deal for $75.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00939118000P

Buy all the rest of the stuff you need individually. You can get a good screwdriver set, star and hex sockets, a plier set, and a few other things for another $75 or so. Add a ratcheting wrench set and you're up to about $200 or so.

I was told that Dewalt stuff will be repaired by Sears…not send out. There is a huge difference. I've had a few ratchets rebuilt at Sears and one exchanged. Pretty easy.
Click to expand...

Branding is interesting stuff. Super expensive Mac tools? Craftsman. Or even the Kobalt brand that seems to be pretty exclusive to Lowes.

All divisions of Stanley.
 
E

eric9877

-
I've got a bunch of craftsman six point socket sets for various day to day stuff. For allens I stick with Hazet and Stahwille as even the big names like Snap-on still have too much play. The one part I don't like to take chances with is the ratchets- Snap on fine tooth and Matco are my go to even though they are about $100 a pop. The precision just makes work so much easier, especially in tight spaces. Long detented flex handles with a smooth finish are also a blessing. Air tools are all Ingersol-rand and have lasted a decade so far without incident. I was ok with craftsman screwdrivers for many years until I got a nice set of Matco.. then it was all downhill for my paycheck. There is a reason the pros by the tools we do and it's not because we have lots of disposable income to dump into overpriced tools. Stripped bolts and sore hands don't make you money or make you happy.
 
TheRobSJ

TheRobSJ

Großer Mechaniker
Holeshot said:
No shit? BARF for the knowledge.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I remember my Mac dealer started carrying a whole bunch of Dewalt power tools and when I asked how that came about he said Stanley/B&D owns both brands. Dewalt I knew was under B&D forever but I had no idea that Stanley, a brand mostly known for cheaper home grade tools had the pink slip to Mac.

Then when I looked them up and was shocked just how much is under Stanley.
 
auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
i have a husky rachet i had to buy for a roadside fuck-that-last-mechanic-that-worked-on-this-vehicle (it was me) repair... it's pretty damn nice i tell ya. haven't taken it apart but it sure feels solid.
 
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