Need to buy some tools (sockets mainly)...any tool buffs around?

[ThisIsMatt]

I'm tired of the total crap sockets I have right now and would like to invest in a decent set (Craftsman). I'm not a serious mechanic by any means, I'm just tired of 1/4" drive sockets and breaking 3/8 --> 1/4 adapters

I could use a set of wrenches too, but the ones I have will have to do for now.

I'm mainly looking at Craftsman, due to the price. It seems this set of sockets would suit me well. There are bigger sets, but they're mainly 1/4" drive, while this set is all 1/2".

Thoughts? Recommendations? I don't want to spend over $100 right now.

 

[minendo]

At that I price, I would pick up this set

Edit: Just noticed you wanted 1/2" drive. My bad.

 

[AvesPKS]

You seem set in the right direction with Craftsman. I have a Craftsman socket set, and it's never done me wrong.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: minendo
At that I price, I would pick up this set

Edit: Just noticed you wanted 1/2" drive. My bad.

Whoops, I actually wouldn't mind 3/8" either...I'm just trying to steer away from sets that have a lot of 1/4"...

 

[Evadman]

That is too expensive. for $150 you can get a complete toolbox filler from craftsman. First, go get a Craftsman card if you don't have one. Instant and free 10% off.

#2, wait for the deals and build it a set at a time, or wait a month or 2 for it to go on clearance. I am pretty sure I saw a 150 piece including 1/2" for $99 at the local place. Lemme look into it tommorow.

I should proably point out that I own 1/2 the craftsman catalog last time I counted i had like 12 3/8" rathets, 7 1/2, and god knows how many 1/4.

I have only broken one. a 3/8" rathet with a 4' bar attached to the end for extra leverage. I got the bolt off, but I tore apart the inside. Oh well, had it repaired in a few minutes

 

[waggy]

you can also go to auctions or garage sales. people sale used craftmen for cheap.

If they break just take it to sears and get a new one

 

[Ornery]

My very favorite tool(s) to grab when I start to work on the car, is my 3/8" slim, flex head, quick-release ratchet, along with my set of deep well, 6 point sockets. I can count on using that on 90% of the work I have to do. Of course you need English and Metric everything!

 

[Drakkon]

I bought so many crap tools over the years that i finally went out and pretty much loaded up on craftsman once i found a girl that worked at sears
Definately wait for sears deals though...they seem to always go on sale every so often and if u can hop on a great deal at the same time u apply for the card and get like $400 worth of their tools for $200 it'll be worth every penny and then some

 

[TonyG]

You might really consider a set similiar to this one:
Craftsman 151 pc. Set

It comes with a variety of tools, including some wrenches and sockets. I have a similiar set and it has most all of the sizes I have needed for working on my car.

 

[Brutuskend]

I have both Craftsman and Snap-On (mainly) and they are both good.

Snap-On tools are BIG $$$ though.

My suggestion, go check out Pawn Shops and second hand stores. Since both Snap-On and Craftsman have lifetime warranty's, why buy NEW if you can find what you want used at a (usually) BIG price break?!

 

[mdcrab]

I purchase the 151 pc set this past Saturday. They were out of the 122 pc set, which was on sale for $99, so they let me have the 151 for the same price + 10 % discount (Staurday only). The set now is on sale for $99 + $10 off $100 coupon in local flyer w/ green cover.

Tonight I went back with my Craftsman Club card and got another 10% off. For some reason they would not take club card on Saturday, but they said if I came back Sunday or later they would give me the 10% which they did tonight.

Craftsman Club info.

So price came out to be $100 - 10% - 10% = $81, or about 54 cents a piece.

mdcrab

 

[95SS]

Another vote for pawn shops/garage sales, if you don't mind building in pieces. You can get a nice set with used tools, and if they break, get a new one!

 

[ThisIsMatt]

I don't have any pawn shops around here, or at least none that I'm aware of. And I never get sears sales flyers...guess I'll just have to stop in a lot.

 

[mdcrab]

By the way, Saturday I went in to buy a set of box end wrenches and they were costing around $40 to $50, so I started looking at the larger tool sets. I have some real cheap open end wrenches and some cheap foreign socket sets, so I decided to invest in a nice set. Saves running to the store to get tools most of the time.

The 151 is a nice set, but expect to spend a few minutes seting up the tools in the case, as they come in plastic bags, rather than in their holders. It is a nice set and for the price I don't think you could go wrong.

mdcrab

 

[mdcrab]

You might be able to get a flyer or coupon in the store if you ask the sales person.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
I have both Craftsman and Snap-On (mainly) and they are both good.

Snap-On tools are BIG $$$ though.

Craftsman isn't in the same league as Snap-On, but Snap-On is priced insanely high. When I worked at Sears Auto Center about 30 years ago, I got a demo from a Snap-On salesman. He took some 7/16" nylon hex stock and one of the mechanic's Craftsman 7/16" box end wrench. He put a Snap-On 7/16" box end on one end of the hex stock, and the Craftsman on the other. Told somebody to twist it till one of the wrenches rounded off the stock. The Craftsman rounded it off first. He then took his Snap-On and put it on the section that the Craftsman had ruined. Put the Craftsman on a fresh section and told somebody to twist it again. Yep, the Craftsman ruined another section even though the Snap-On was applied to the rounded off part of the stock!

If you want the best, Snap-On is probably it. I own mostly Craftsman myself, because Sears is right next door. Visegrip is the only way to go for locking pliers and Channellock is best for slip joint pliers. Ridgid for pipe wrenches of course. The problem with Craftsman pliers is the poor steel used in the jaws. The teeth will round off the first time you use them. Sure, you can return them, but you want those teeth to bite in from the start, and stay sharp for the next time you need them. Who wants to replace their pliers every month?

 

[Lizardman]

stanely is pretty good.

Stanely

 

[KokomoGST]

Mac Tools, Matco, Snap-On... they're all pretty friggin expensive. Sears carries SK Hand Tools brand as well, and they make great stuff. Also on the pricey side but at least a bit cheaper than Snap-On and at the same level of quality. I really like their "gnarled" grips for the socket wrenches... it means your hand doesn't slip on the handle because of grease.

Lifetime warranty is pretty much standard throughout the industry but who wants to have their tools break? BTW, Sears contracts one of the big tool companies to make their Craftsman stuff... just like NAPA does and I think HomeDepot's Husky brand. I think Husky is Stanley stuffs... I had bad luck with my Husky stuff... I've broken a few adapters and sockets as well.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

C R A F T S M A N

like they said, if they EVER break for any reason, they replace it free at the store.

 

[CFster]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
C R A F T S M A N

like they said, if they EVER break for any reason, they replace it free at the store.

Yep. But they don't neccessarily have to give you the same thing, and sometimes they give you refurbished tools.

 

[attahoova]

Craftsman sockets suck! I have rounded off MANY bolts with them.

Look for some Kobalt's, they are made by snapon, carry the same lifetime warranty and are competetive with craftsman on prices. I have never had one round something.


You can find them at Lowe's.

FYI, Stanley is the current contractor for craftsmen tools.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: CFster

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
C R A F T S M A N

like they said, if they EVER break for any reason, they replace it free at the store.

Yep. But they don't neccessarily have to give you the same thing, and sometimes they give you refurbished tools.

I've always gotten new, and the current model of whatever it was.

 

[CFster]

Not always the case.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have gotten a refurb or two when I broke a ratches but I don't care. They just replace the guts and its good as new anyway.