Tool Sets

I'm looking at getting some tools as I don't really have any, just a small cheap Craftsman set with misc sockets and four wrenches. I thought I would see what you guys like. Probably going to start out with a basic socket/ratchet set and a few wrenches then add more as needed. This will also go in my toolkit that stays in the truck.

My choices around here are 1. Gear Wrench (CarQuest), Carlyle (Napa), Duralast (AutoZone), and Power Torque (O'Reilly's). I'm leaning towards Duralast because I've heard good things about their quality/price ratio.

Thoughts?

 

I'd look into craftsman if there is sears thats will be closing near you are. Might end up with a good deal. I"ve had 200 piece craftsman as a starter package and have no reason to upgrade.

 

Spend the extra money and get a good, 3/8" impact socket set. I purchased a thin-walled, impact, metric socket set from Grey Pneumatic that has both regular and deep sockets a few years back, and that one set alone has replaced all of my chrome sockets. The thin wall gets into spaces that the thick-walled impacts can't get into. Haven't broken a single one of them. I've actually broken impact-rated extensions though if that tells you anything. Plus it's a complete set, no missing sizes. I've augmented that with a few, large 1/2" sockets here and there for misc jobs as well as adapters to jump between 1/4" and 1/2".

 

Have a Lowes or HD close by? Something like these are good starting sets.

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-227-Piece-Mechanic-s-Tool-Set-with-Case-Metal-Latches/1000642747

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-268-Piece-H268MTS/203541462

 

Something like this?

Grey Pneumatic 81659CRD 3/8" Drive 59pc Standard/Deep Length Fractional and Metric Duo-Socket Set - 6 P

$260 Grey Pneumatic Corp - 3/8 Dr. 59Pc Fract. Metric Duo-Socket Set - 6 P (81659CRD)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029XKZKG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Uu8iCbFFNDY0M

 

AutoZone has 180 piece mechanics set for just under $100

 

Snap-on, MAC, and thousands of dollars more...

 

Show off. That will wait until my brother builds his shop complete with lift, tire mount and balancing machine etc.

 

Yep! That one is especially nice since it has both metric and SAE. Toyota uses metric, but a lot of aftermarket Made In America stuff does not, so it's nice to have both. I would buy a 1/2" socket wrench for the larger sockets. That 3/8" driver is good, but when you need to torque the hell out of something like a UCA bolt, it'll break. Ask me how I know.

 

Check out Tekton Tools off Amazon, they are highly recommended and good quality tools.

 

http://bestride.com/research/buyers-guide/best-200-dollar-mechanics-tool-kit. A while back I found this article reviewing tool sets and their breakage/return policies. FWIW I learned a lot from reading it.

 

Thats years of pay as I go while being a car, truck, boat, RV and now Bio Tech mechanic, yes it didn’t hurt having a father that was a tool dealer, but nothing is for free. I got a tool box for graduating high school, and I’ve had it ever since.
Don’t buy cheap tools as you get what you pay for.

Ho Ho Ho and away I go...

 

Was just talking to my mechanic (cousin) and he highly recommends Matco. Those prices though. I wouldn't mind having the good stuff, so maybe I can just start out small.

 

I have this. Works great. I use it a bunch and everything still fits tight on all the fasteners. Lifetime warranty as well. I feel like tools are to men as handbags are to women. Get something durable and affordable. Forgo the name brand bling and use the savings for cool truck or house parts. While there are some cases where the name brands do offer better products with more functionality, better quality, etc etc, purchasing name brands should not be a rule.

 

I'm a retired mechanic. I have all different brands. As long as it has a lifetime warranty and you can get them locally get them.

 

All we really need is fire, a hammer and a crescent wrench.

 

My uncle sells for Matco and he tells me to save my money, he said there not worth the high price.

 

Honestly, I'm leaning more to a Duralast set to start out with after more research and talking to people. I don't think I do enough mechanic work to justify the high end sets right now.

 

I started collecting a nice set of SnapOn tools when I had my 6.0 Chevy, as every time I took my vehicle into the dealer the idiot mechanic almost always left a couple in the engine bay! I wish I still had the picture I took that I sent to the dealership manager, you would have not believed it. You can bet that now anytime I go to the dealer for ANYTHING, I check real good under the hood before leaving the lot.

 

I was just looking at their socket drive allens last night...had never heard of them but saw the good reviews on Amazon.

 

Like mentioned above I would start with a Crafstman set or go to HD or lowes and get one there. Depending on your needs of course. If its just for the truck it will probably be a low use item so craftsman would suffice. If you were a mechanic working on things all day then maybe start stepping up to some of the better quality tools. With that being said if you end up in a mechanic program check out the tool truck manufacturers like Matco,Mac, and Snap on. Don't buy off the truck unless you need it then. Go to the website and register for their student programs. You get to save a bunch of money. Snap-On will limit you to some of their tools and to a 10,000 dollar limit at regular price. Matco seems to have everything available and for different amounts off.

 

As mentioned; Lowes and Home Depot still have some of their Christmas specials; good sets of sockets and wrenches combinations ; I have seen some 200+ piece sets for $99 or so. Good starter sets.

 

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-227-P...9358&cjevent=75d4f6b70a0e11e9830c040a0a240610

 

I have some Duralast stuff. I think they are really good tools for the money.

 

I have craftsman and Kohls. No issues with either one of them, never broken a socket or ratchet. I also have a couple new gear wrench ratchets that are really nice.

 

snap on some mainly my scanner. , i have husky tools ( not bad) broken more than few. .... try northerntool.com..

 

Tekton is really good stuff.

 

I got this one to carry in the 1st gen on serious off-road trips, on recommendation of a couple of hardcore off-roaders on here.

https://m.sears.com/craftsman-270pc-mechanics-tool-set-with-3-drawer/p-00912133000P

I think it's more than most of us really need but, miles from nowhere, I don't want to be without all I might need to work through anything. I scored a Black Friday deal through Sears (the longest pending bankruptcy in history) and got it for $130.

I got a small Tekton set from my Sectet Santa that will fit behind the back seat in the 3rd gen. My b.i.l. is a mechanic and loves Snap-on best of all.

 

You-tube had a comparison on tool and provide that Snap On is no better than any other life time warranty tool. You only pay for the name

 

Two rules I have followed when buying tools: 1) Buy quality tools and buy them once. 2) If you have to borrow it more than once you need to get your own. I worked as a tech for a few years and now run a shop. When I was getting my hands dirty everyday I liked to have quality tools that would make my job easier and less stressful. In all the years I've been around this industry I've never purchased any Snap-On or Matco tools. I knew I was not going to be a lifetime technician nor did I want to spend that kind of money knowing that there were other brands with the same quality but for a more reasonable price.

Like most have said start with a good set of impact sockets and extensions get deep and short well sockets and a set of swivel sockets if you can afford it up front, if not they can always come later. Sunex is a great brand that I have and a lot of my techs use. They are lifetime warranty and sold by one of the trucks that comes by every week so warranty is a breeze. These can be had online for much less than on the truck. A set of chrome sockets are nice for slipping into tighter spots where the thickness of an impact socket may hinder you but that is not an issue I have seen on the the Tundra more so on German cars with really tight spaces. 3/8 would be your best bet at first then you can expand to 1/4 and 1/2 inch drives.

Some good ratchet handles should also be on your list of initial purchases, Craftsman used to make good stuff back in the day, not sure about now. Gear Wrench makes some very nice ratchet handles that are tough but operate smoothly in tight spaces. Same goes for wrenches, Craftsman if you can find some older ones (garage/yard sales) if not Gear Wrench makes some very nice open end/ratchet sets that are usually on sale now at Sears.

Screwdrivers and some pliers are the last of your truly essential tools. A good assortment of lengths/sizes of Phillip and flat head screwdrivers are great to have. I have a variety from Craftsman, Gear Wrench, and even Home Depot (they had a specific flat head that worked perfectly when I was doing a lot of BMW V8s. A few slip jaw and needle nose pliers are also a necessity, same brands all make a variety of great choices.

Once you get the basics you can start looking at getting more specialized tools like Torx, E-Torx, specialty swivels, and allen sockets all of various lengths and sizes. Then look at electric impact guns/ratchets. Once you have the basics you can tailor your collection to the tools you will need and use most.