What's a good starter set of tools?
- Thread starter BLoG
- Start date
Sears ususlly has some pretty complete sets for reasonable prices. I would expect that if you watch the advertisements you could catch a really good deal and get a mess of tools. I watch there ad's every weekend. They have some exceptional deals quite often. Good Luck!
Muddmann
Active member
ditto on the Sears thing. heres what i did...
visit a few Sears stores, look (and ask) for discounted kits, or items that were special ordered and never picked up. i got a 400 and something piece "mechanics tool set" for just over 200 clams that some doofus ordered and never came back to get it. for some reason they have to significantly discount special orders because of re-stocking fees, or whatever...
visit a few Sears stores, look (and ask) for discounted kits, or items that were special ordered and never picked up. i got a 400 and something piece "mechanics tool set" for just over 200 clams that some doofus ordered and never came back to get it. for some reason they have to significantly discount special orders because of re-stocking fees, or whatever...
Nick Wilson
Factoryblue Engineering
I'm usually not like this butt.. Sears tools can burn in he((. I can't count the number of Craftsman tools I've returned. And the best part was when my $80 torque wrench snaped they said it was not gaurenteed forever. !But it's a hand tool! Back they Cornwell truck into your driveway!
Russ94
Destroyer of Cones
Nick Wilson said:
Yeah, isn't that the truth. They always break when you apply the most torque, which is the setting for skinned knuckles and maximum pain. Why is it that several of the METRIC sockets seem to fit the STANDARD nuts/bolts better?
If there were only a cheaper alternative to Snap-on or Mac...
I would love to have a full set of snap on or mac tools. I have never had any of my craftsman tools break. for shadetree weekend mechanics they are probably a pretty good value. By the way, I went and bought a couple of new tools from sears today and there was a real nice set of tools for around $200 on sale. I think the set had around 240 peices. Check it out.
I just checked the ad in the paper. 241 peices for 189.00. I also bought a full set of 3/8 sockets both in metric and standard for 9.99 each. There is also a upright 5 drawer tool box for 79.99 and a 2.5 ton floor jack with 2 jack stands for 29.99.
I just checked the ad in the paper. 241 peices for 189.00. I also bought a full set of 3/8 sockets both in metric and standard for 9.99 each. There is also a upright 5 drawer tool box for 79.99 and a 2.5 ton floor jack with 2 jack stands for 29.99.
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Lightning Struck
Active member
Torque wrenchs aren't gauranteed for life..Yes it's a hand tool, but they aren't going to continually calibrate it all the time...
I haven't had too much trouble with my Craftsman, but I sure as heck wouldn't buy one of their torque wrenchs...Only snap on for them...And I figure for a torque wrench I'll spend twice as much to get a good one, since there's alot more on the line than just a 200 dollar wrench...My life, my motor, etc. all depends on accurate torque readings when I'm reassembling something.
I haven't had too much trouble with my Craftsman, but I sure as heck wouldn't buy one of their torque wrenchs...Only snap on for them...And I figure for a torque wrench I'll spend twice as much to get a good one, since there's alot more on the line than just a 200 dollar wrench...My life, my motor, etc. all depends on accurate torque readings when I'm reassembling something.
GreazedLightning
Member
I use craftsman too. Like Paul said, unless your a mechanic and use them everyday, craftsman are fine and the price is right too. It probably depends on a persons needs and how fat their wallet is too 
- Rick -
- Rick -
Chris Wood
Active member
I have mostly Craftsman hand tools, but if I had it to do over again, I would have started out with kobalt (except for the fact that kobalt wasn't a company when I started out, now I feel old).
Have any of you guys looked at the kobalt line, they are carried by Lowe's, they look to be of very high quality. They are made by a company which also makes Snap-on, but they don't cost quite as much. Lifetime warranty also.
I look everytime I go into a Lowe's, and drool, but how many 1/2",3/8", &1/4" socket sets does one need?
Have any of you guys looked at the kobalt line, they are carried by Lowe's, they look to be of very high quality. They are made by a company which also makes Snap-on, but they don't cost quite as much. Lifetime warranty also.
I look everytime I go into a Lowe's, and drool, but how many 1/2",3/8", &1/4" socket sets does one need?
Lightning Struck
Active member
I look everytime I go into a Lowe's, and drool, but how many 1/2",3/8", &1/4" socket sets does one need?
2 of EVERYTHING!! That's usually what I go for, I always have 2 of every wrench, but sockets you can usually get away without 2 of everything, but it helps in tight areas when you can't get a deep socket somewhere..
2 of EVERYTHING!! That's usually what I go for, I always have 2 of every wrench, but sockets you can usually get away without 2 of everything, but it helps in tight areas when you can't get a deep socket somewhere..
The big tool kits are great, but there's one item that I'd recommend additing to one of the 141 or 199 or whatever piece kits - a set of GearWrenches. Both a metric and a standard set. These things are the best invention since sliced bread. I LOVE 'em. I use them way more than my ratchets.
The only problem with them is that the metal they're made from is fairly flexible so you can't put a lot of torque on the open end. But the gear end is amazingly strong.
I've torn up my share of Craftsman screwdrivers, but never had a problem with anything else. I agree with the sentiments that for the shadetree, it's hard to beat the quality/price ratio of the Sears tools.
The only problem with them is that the metal they're made from is fairly flexible so you can't put a lot of torque on the open end. But the gear end is amazingly strong.
I've torn up my share of Craftsman screwdrivers, but never had a problem with anything else. I agree with the sentiments that for the shadetree, it's hard to beat the quality/price ratio of the Sears tools.
ezernut9mm
BEER ME!
BLoG-check it out man, sears is having a big sale on their 241 pc mechanics set for 189.99. thats a pretty good deal and right about in your price range. that's $40 off.-chris
