Good Tools

[josh0099]

I am in the market for a set of good tools. I don't mind spending the money but I rather keep it under $100-130ish for all of these, but I don't want to scrimp on quality. I have some crappy tools now and wish to replace them! So I am open to all suggestions, also throw in other useful stuff I do not have listed here I may or may not have it

Needle Nose Pliers
Wire Strippers
Crimpers
Precision Screw Drivers Set
Regular Screw Driver Set

 

[alkemyst]

You probably should define the job detail more. For under $130 it's going to be hard to get a complete set, but definitely a good starter set can be had. I like craftsman tools, esp on sale. Harbor Freight has very good deals from time to time on some individual tools (I haven't seen a very good 'set' from them yet).

Radio shack had a 76 piece general tool set for $9.95 on clearance/sale. It's decent...mixed metric/SAE sockets, a bunch of driver bits/handle, tape measure, allen/hex keys, and hammer.

Before you buy anything, line up the tools/sets you want. A lot of times pairing up the wrong deals leaves you with a ton of duplicate tools.

 

[PottedMeat]

Precision Screwdriver Set - I just get a set or 3 of those Jeweler's Screwdrivers from Harbor Freight for $1.99 each ( has like 5 flat head and 5 philips ).

Get a good set of tweezers.

Needlenose Pliers - Wiha or Cooper ( Crescent/Xcelite ) are fine.

Wire Strippers - I just use the little black ones with the yellow plastic handles and an adjustable screw to set the cutting depth.

Regular Screwdriver Set - Maybe a set with security bits would be good.

 

[josh0099]

Eh...The jobs I do aren't real labor intensive...and the $130 price was just to give a ball park figure. I don't need socket sets or anything, I just want some high quality tools of the ones I use the most...Which are the ones I listed above...

Wire Strippers - I just use the little black ones with the yellow plastic handles and an adjustable screw to set the cutting depth.

I hate those I have them now and want something different

 

[Howard]

Soldering iron?

You'll want a wire stripper with multiple holes cut into the blades for each gauge. I can't even begin to tell you how much happier I was when I got it.

 

[nineball9]

I agree with Howard about the wire stripper with multiple holes - ease of use except for very fine wire.

How about a meter? (digital or analog)

 

[josh0099]

I already have a good enough soldering iron and meter... Really looking for some good brand names that provide quality goods Also I prefer not to have the pliers without the metal spring in the middle

 

[nineball9]

Surgical hemostats and clamps are great for small precision work. I have some box-joint clamps and hemostats which I "borrowed" from an autoclave room over 30 years ago. They still work great. You can find them on the web or in hobby stores.

I picked up a Craftsman precision needle nose and diags kit awhile back. Dunno if Sears still makes it, but I found it to be handy. Spring in the handle though. I have some other small needle nose with no springs, but I tend to use clamps instead.

A small scalpel (full metal handle - rare these days) and small pick are useful for doing circuit board work, especially SMD components. A dental pick set I bought years ago comes in handy.

These items may be too small for general work though. Depends on what your needs are.
Good luck!

 

[Lalakai]

most of the brand names will give you good service. what you may want to pay more attention to, is proper use. Really try and avoid using your needle nose, to cut wire; same goes for the wire strippers. Yes they can do the job, but stick with good pair of wire cutters, and you will extend life of other tools.

also consider the non-traditional sources. I use several tool sets that are geared toward a specific series of actions, but work extremely well in all uses, like this.

a little net searching will turn up several packages like this which might meet most of your needs. If you're serious about the work, tools like this are a place you don't want to scrimp; spend the money and get good stuff that will last you for years. really really stay away from the bargin basement stuff unless you want to consider it disposable after a couple uses (ie MIT tools ). good luck